Method and apparatus for ambient internet of things (AIOT) power control

Abstract

An apparatus includes 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 request indicatin

Description

[0002] Some terminals, such as an A-IoT device, may harvest energy for various operations, such as operations performed in accordance with an active mode or a passive mode. In some cases, a terminal may use energy harvested from radio frequency waves or other forms of energy that may be harvested in various deployment scenarios. The terminal may operate with relatively low (e.g., ultra-low) power, for example, ranging from one microwatt to hundreds of microwatts. For instance, the terminal may include one or more components (e.g., an energy harvester) configured for harvesting energy from radio frequency waves, and an output power of the energy harvester may be from one microwatt to tens of microwatts. In another instance, the terminal may include one or more other components (e.g., a solar panel) configured for energy harvesting from solar radiation (e.g., ultraviolet (UV) light, visible light, infrared light), and an output power of the solar panel may be less than a milliwatt. In some cases, a terminal configured to harvest energy (e.g., an energy harvesting device) may operate in an active mode in which the terminal may use harvested energy and a circuit (e.g., an active circuit) to transmit signaling. In some other cases, a terminal configured to harvest energy may operate in a passive mode (e.g., a tag, a device that lacks active transmission circuitry), in which the terminal may use backscattering to communicate (e.g., transmit data). BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are disclosed to provide for improved power control for A-IoT devices. In this regard, a method, apparatus, and computer program product are configured to provide for one or more mechanisms for a wireless communications network to control a transmission power at one or more A-IoT devices and a transmission power of one or more carrier wave signals, which may reduce - 1 - (e.g., minimize) unnecessary use of device power amplification and stored energy for transmission.

[0004] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code (e.g., instructions) with the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to provide for transmission of a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for transmission of at least one message by an ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) device; and provide for transmission of a first carrier wave signal for the transmission of the at least one message by the A-IoT device, wherein a first transmission power level associated with the first carrier wave signal is based at least in part on the first set of power control parameters.

[0005] In at least one example embodiment, a method is provided comprising providing for transmission of a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for transmission of at least one message by an ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) device; and providing for transmission of a first carrier wave signal for the transmission of the at least one message by the A-IoT device, wherein a first transmission power level associated with the first carrier wave signal is based at least in part on the first set of power control parameters.

[0006] In at least one example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprises computer instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to provide for transmission of a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for transmission of at least one message by an ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) device; and provide for transmission of a first carrier wave signal for the transmission of the at least one message by the A-IoT device, wherein a first transmission power level associated with the first carrier wave signal is based at least in part on the first set of power control parameters.

[0007] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that comprises means for providing for transmission of a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for transmission of at least one message by an ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) device; and providing for transmission of a first carrier wave signal for the transmission of the at least one message by the A-IoT -2 - device, wherein a first transmission power level associated with the first carrier wave signal is based at least in part on the first set of power control parameters.

[0008] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code (e.g., instructions) with the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for at least one ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) transmission at the apparatus; and provide for an A-IoT transmission of the at least one A-IoT transmission in accordance with the first set of power control parameters, wherein the A-IoT transmission comprises a message indicating at least one of the following: an identifier associated with the apparatus, a device type associated with the apparatus, whether one or more power amplification capabilities associated with the apparatus were used for the A-IoT transmission, one or more power levels associated with the one or more power amplification capabilities, or a status of energy level stored at the apparatus.

[0009] In at least one example embodiment, a method is provided comprising receiving a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for at least one ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) transmission at the apparatus; and providing for an A-IoT transmission of the at least one A-IoT transmission in accordance with the first set of power control parameters, wherein the A-IoT transmission comprises a message indicating at least one of the following: an identifier associated with the apparatus, a device type associated with the apparatus, whether one or more power amplification capabilities associated with the apparatus were used for the A-loT transmission, one or more power levels associated with the one or more power amplification capabilities, or a status of energy level stored at the apparatus.

[0010] In at least one example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprises computer instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to receive a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for at least one ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) transmission at the apparatus; and provide for an A-IoT transmission of the at least one A-IoT transmission in accordance with the first set of power control parameters, wherein the A-loT transmission comprises a message indicating at least one of the following: an identifier -3 - associated with the apparatus, a device type associated with the apparatus, whether one or more power amplification capabilities associated with the apparatus were used for the A-loT transmission, one or more power levels associated with the one or more power amplification capabilities, or a status of energy level stored at the apparatus.

[0011] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that comprises means for receiving a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for at least one ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) transmission at the apparatus; and providing for an A-IoT transmission of the at least one A-IoT transmission in accordance with the first set of power control parameters, wherein the A-IoT transmission comprises a message indicating at least one of the following: an identifier associated with the apparatus, a device type associated with the apparatus, whether one or more power amplification capabilities associated with the apparatus were used for the A-IoT transmission, one or more power levels associated with the one or more power amplification capabilities, or a status of energy level stored at the apparatus.

[0012] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code (e.g., instructions) with the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to determine one or more properties associated with at least one ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) device; and provide for transmission of an indication of a request, to a network node, to update one or more power control parameters associated with the at least one A-IoT device or a transmission power level associated with a first carrier wave signal associated with communications with the at least one A-IoT device.

[0013] In at least one example embodiment, a method is provided comprising determining one or more properties associated with at least one ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) device; and providing for transmission of an indication of a request, to a network node, to update one or more power control parameters associated with the at least one A-loT device or a transmission power level associated with a first carrier wave signal associated with communications with the at least one A-IoT device.

[0014] In at least one example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprises computer instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to determine one or more properties associated with at least one ambient-internet of things -4 - (A-IoT) device; and provide for transmission of an indication of a request, to a network node, to update one or more power control parameters associated with the at least one A-loT device or a transmission power level associated with a first carrier wave signal associated with communications with the at least one A-IoT device.

[0015] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that comprises means for determining one or more properties associated with at least one ambient-internet of things (A-loT) device; and providing for transmission of an indication of a request, to a network node, to update one or more power control parameters associated with the at least one A-IoT device or a transmission power level associated with a first carrier wave signal associated with communications with the at least one A-IoT device.

[0016] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code (e.g., instructions) with the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive a first request from a network node, wherein the first request indicates for the apparatus to initiate a random access procedure with an ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) device; in response to the first request, provide for transmission of a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for transmission of at least one random access message associated with the random access procedure; and provide for transmission of a first carrier wave signal associated with the transmission of the at least one random access message by the A-IoT device, wherein a first transmission power level associated with the first carrier wave signal is based at least in part on the first set of power control parameters.

[0017] In at least one example embodiment, a method is provided comprising receiving a first request from a network node, wherein the first request indicates for the apparatus to initiate a random access procedure with an ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) device; in response to the first request, providing for transmission of a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for transmission of at least one random access message associated with the random access procedure; and providing for transmission of a first carrier wave signal associated with the transmission of the at least one random access message by the A-IoT device, wherein a first transmission power level associated with the first carrier wave signal is based at least in part on the first set of power control parameters.

[0018] In at least one example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprises computer instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to receive a first request from a network node, wherein the first request indicates for the apparatus to initiate a random access procedure with an ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) device; in response to the first request, provide for transmission of a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for transmission of at least one random access message associated with the random access procedure; and provide for transmission of a first carrier wave signal associated with the transmission of the at least one random access message by the A-IoT device, wherein a first transmission power level associated with the first carrier wave signal is based at least in part on the first set of power control parameters.

[0019] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that comprises means for receiving a first request from a network node, wherein the first request indicates for the apparatus to initiate a random access procedure with an ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) device; in response to the first request, providing for transmission of a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for transmission of at least one random access message associated with the random access procedure; and providing for transmission of a first carrier wave signal associated with the transmission of the at least one random access message by the A-IoT device, wherein a first transmission power level associated with the first carrier wave signal is based at least in part on the first set of power control parameters.

[0020] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code (e.g., instructions) with the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive a first control signal from a network node, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for at least one ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) transmission at the apparatus, wherein the at least one A-IoT transmission is associated with a random access procedure; and provide for an A-IoT transmission of the at least one A-IoT transmission in accordance with the first set of power control parameters, wherein the A-IoT transmission comprises a message indicating at least one of the following: an identifier associated with the apparatus, a device type associated with the apparatus, whether one or more power -6- amplification capabilities associated with the apparatus were used for the A-IoT transmission, one or more power levels associated with the one or more power amplification capabilities, or a status of one or more energy levels stored at the apparatus, wherein the A-IoT transmission is associated with the random access procedure.

[0021] In at least one example embodiment, a method is provided comprising receiving a first control signal from a network node, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for at least one ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) transmission at the apparatus, wherein the at least one A-IoT transmission is associated with a random access procedure; and providing for an A-IoT transmission of the at least one A-IoT transmission in accordance with the first set of power control parameters, wherein the A-IoT transmission comprises a message indicating at least one of the following: an identifier associated with the apparatus, a device type associated with the apparatus, whether one or more power amplification capabilities associated with the apparatus were used for the A-IoT transmission, one or more power levels associated with the one or more power amplification capabilities, or a status of one or more energy levels stored at the apparatus, wherein the A-IoT transmission is associated with the random access procedure.

[0022] In at least one example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprises computer instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to receive a first control signal from a network node, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for at least one ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) transmission at the apparatus, wherein the at least one A-IoT transmission is associated with a random access procedure; and provide for an A-IoT transmission of the at least one A-IoT transmission in accordance with the first set of power control parameters, wherein the A-IoT transmission comprises a message indicating at least one of the following: an identifier associated with the apparatus, a device type associated with the apparatus, whether one or more power amplification capabilities associated with the apparatus were used for the A-IoT transmission, one or more power levels associated with the one or more power amplification capabilities, or a status of one or more energy levels stored at the apparatus, wherein the A-IoT transmission is associated with the random access procedure.

[0023] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that comprises means for provided comprising receiving a first control signal from a network node, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for at least one ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) transmission at the apparatus, wherein the at least one A-IoT transmission is associated with a random access procedure; and providing for an A-IoT transmission of the at least one A-IoT transmission in accordance with the first set of power control parameters, wherein the A-IoT transmission comprises a message indicating at least one of the following: an identifier associated with the apparatus, a device type associated with the apparatus, whether one or more power amplification capabilities associated with the apparatus were used for the A-IoT transmission, one or more power levels associated with the one or more power amplification capabilities, or a status of one or more energy levels stored at the apparatus, wherein the A-IoT transmission is associated with the random access procedure.

[0024] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code (e.g., instructions) with the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to provide for transmission of a first request, wherein the first request indicates for the apparatus to initiate a random access procedure with an ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) device; and provide for transmission of a second request to update one or more power control parameters at the at least one A-loT device or a transmission power level associated with a first carrier wave signal associated with communications with the at least one A-IoT device.

[0025] In at least one example embodiment, a method is provided comprising providing for transmission of a first request, wherein the first request indicates for the apparatus to initiate a random access procedure with an ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) device; and providing for transmission of a second request to update one or more power control parameters at the at least one A-IoT device or a transmission power level associated with a first carrier wave signal associated with communications with the at least one A-IoT device.

[0026] In at least one example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprises computer instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to provide for transmission of a first request, wherein the first request indicates for the - 8 - apparatus to initiate a random access procedure with an ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) device; and provide for transmission of a second request to update one or more power control parameters at the at least one A-IoT device or a transmission power level associated with a first carrier wave signal associated with communications with the at least one A-IoT device.

[0027] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that comprises means for providing for transmission of a first request, wherein the first request indicates for the apparatus to initiate a random access procedure with an ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) device; and providing for transmission of a second request to update one or more power control parameters at the at least one A-IoT device or a transmission power level associated with a first carrier wave signal associated with communications with the at least one A-IoT device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Having thus described some example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will hereinafter be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0029] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an example communication system that may be specifically configured to provide for improved power control for A-IoT devices in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0030] Figures 2A and 2B are block diagrams illustrating operations performed, such as by the apparatus of Figure 3, to provide for improved power control for A-IoT devices in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0031] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an apparatus that may be specifically configured to provide for improved power control for A-IoT devices in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figures 4 and 5 are process flows illustrating operations performed, such as within the communication system of Figure 1, to provide for improved power control for A-IoT devices in accordance with at least one example embodiment; and

[0033] Figures 6-11 are flow charts illustrating operations performed, such as by one example embodiment of the apparatus of Figure 3, in order to provide for improved power control for A-IoT devices in accordance with at least one example embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and / or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and / or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and / or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that use software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and / or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and / or firmware. As another example, the term ‘circuitry’ as used herein also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device (such as a core network apparatus), field programmable gate array, and / or other computing device.

[0036] As illustrated in the example of Figure 1, a communications system may include one or more ambient loT (A-IoT) devices, such as an A-IoT device 19, which may communicate with one or more UEs (e.g., a UE 10, a UE 11) and / or an access node 12 (e.g., a base station). For example, the A-IoT device 19 may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more topologies. Additionally, the A-IoT device 19 may be configured to operate in accordance with monostatic and / or bi static communications. For - 10 - example, the A-IoT device 19 may operate in accordance with a first topology and a second topology that support both monostatic and bistatic communications. As used herein, monostatic communication refers to a scenario in which a node configured to transmits signals to a device (e.g., the transmitting node) is the same as a node configured to receive signals from the device (e.g., the receiving node). Additionally, as used herein, bi static communication refers to a scenario in which the node configured to transmit signals to the device (e.g., the transmitting node) is different from the node configured to receive signals from the device (e.g., the receiving node).

[0037] In some examples of the first topology, the A-IoT device 19 may directly communicate with the access node 12 (e.g., a base station). That is, the A-IoT device 19 may directly and bidirectionally communicate with a base station in accordance with the first topology. Communication between the access node and the A-IoT device 19 may include A-IoT data and / or signaling. For example, the A-IoT device 19 may receive a signal (e.g., a carrier wave signal) from the access node and may use the signal to communicate information (e.g., data) to the access node through backscattering communication. In some example, the A-IoT device 19 may internally generate a signal and use it to communicate information (e.g., data) to the access node. In some examples, the A-IoT device 19 may be deployed with the first topology in an indoor-to-indoor scenario, for example, with an indoor microcell base station.

[0038] In some examples of the second topology, the A-IoT device 19 may communicate with the access node 12 (e.g., a base station) via one or more intermediate nodes. An intermediate node may also be referred to herein as an assisting node. In some examples of monostatic communication, the A-IoT device 19 may communicate bidirectionally with an intermediate node (e.g., the UE 10), and the intermediate node may communicate (e.g., directly, and bidirectionally) with the access node 12. In some examples, the intermediate node may be physically located in between the A-IoT device 19 and the access node 12, thereby extending the range over which the access node 12 may communicate with the A-IoT device 19 (relative to communications in accordance with the first topology). In some such examples, in accordance with the monostatic mode, the intermediate node may transfer (e.g., relay, forward) A-IoT data and / or signaling between the access node 12 and the A-IoT device 19. In some examples of bi-static communication, a transmitter of signaling to the A-IoT device 19 may be different from a receiver of signaling from the A-IoT device. For example, the A-IoT device 19 may communicate unidirectionally with a first device (e.g., one of the UE 10 or the UE 11) and a second device (e.g., another of the UE 10 or the UE 11). In some examples, the access node 12 may use two intermediate nodes to communicate with the A-IoT device 19. For example, the A-IoT device 19 may receive signaling from the UE 10 and may transmit communications to the UE 11. In such examples, the UE 10 and the UE 11 may communicate (e.g., directly, and bidirectionally) with the access node 12. In some examples, the A-loT device 19 may be deployed with the second topology in an indoor-to-outdoor scenario with an indoor UE as an intermediate node (e.g., under network control) and an outdoor macrocell base station.

[0039] As used herein, a carrier wave node refers to a device configured to transmit a carrier wave signal to an A-IoT device. Additionally, as used herein, a reader refers to a device configured to communicate with an A-IoT device. For example, a reader may include a device configured to transmit signaling to the A-IoT device (e.g., a transmitting node) and / or a device configured to receive signaling from an A-IoT device (e.g., a receiving node). That is, in some instances, a reader may transmit signaling to an A-IoT device and / or receive signaling from an A-IoT device. Accordingly, as used herein, a device-to-reader (D2R) signal, and the like, refers to a signal communicated from an A-IoT device to a reader. Additionally, as used herein, a reader-to-device (R2D) signal, and the like, refers to a signal communicated from a reader to an A-IoT device. As used herein, a carrier wave-to-device (CW2D) signal, refers to a carrier wave signal transmitted from a carrier wave node to an A-IoT device for the purposes of backscattering. In the example of Figure 1, the UE 10 and the access node 12 may be examples of carrier wave nodes and the UE 10, the UE 11, and the access node 12 may be examples of readers.

[0040] A-IoT devices may be deployed, for example, in various vertical industries including, but not limited to logistics, manufacturing industries, transportation industries, and energy industries. As such, deploying A-IoT devices (e.g., passive devices) in both public and private networks may provide one or more benefits to the communications system (e.g., a 5G ecosystem). In some embodiments, A-IoT devices may be relatively low (e.g., ultra-low) complexity devices and / or devices with a relatively small terminal size or form factor (e.g., a thickness on the order of mm). Additionally, or alternatively, A-loT devices may be associated with relatively low maintenance (e.g., may be maintenance-free), and may have a relatively long lifecycle. An A-IoT device may include a batteryless terminal or a terminal with constrained (e.g., limited) energy storage capability. In - 12 - some examples, A-IoT devices may be used for medical instrument inventory management, automobile manufacturing, and / or to find remote (e.g., lost) items.

[0041] Some A-IoT devices may be associated with a relatively low peak power consumption (e.g., about 1 pW peak power consumption), may have constrained energy storage, may be configured with an initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10X ppm, and may lack downlink and uplink power amplification capabilities in the device. Accordingly, in some examples, the transmissions by such A-loT devices may be backscattered on a carrier wave that can be provided externally by the reader or another node. In some other examples, the A-IoT devices may have the capability to generate their transmissions internally.

[0042] Some other A-IoT devices may be associated with a higher peak power consumption (e.g., less than or equal to a few hundred pW peak power consumption), may have energy storage, may be configured with an initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10X ppm, and may include reception and / or transmission amplification capabilities in the device. In some instances, an A-IoT device may include a reflection amplifier, which can amplify reflected backscattered signals. In some such instances, the A-IoT device may amplify signals (e.g., at least one of an R2D, a CW2D signal, or a D2R signal) by either the reflection amplifier or a low-noise amplifier (LNA). In some examples, the A-IoT device may include one or more types of reflection amplifiers, such as a uni-directional / one-way reflection amplifier (e.g., for D2R signals) and / or a bi-directional / two-way reflection amplifier (for both R2D and D2R signals). Additionally, or alternatively, the A-IoT device may include one or more baseband (BB) amplifiers, which may amplify BB signals to improve signal strength. In some instances, the A-IoT device may include a power amplifier, which amplifies transmitted signals. In some instances, the A-IoT device may be capable of achieving a backscatter amplifier gain of about 10-25 decibels (dB), for example, for D2R signals. In some such instances, a backscattered amplification gain achieved by the A-IoT device (e.g., one-wave amplification gain) may be based on stability, operating frequency, bandwidth, and one or more power consumption characteristics.

[0043] The A-IoT device 19 may use an A-IoT access procedure to establish a connection with the network (e.g., the access node 12, the CN 15). In some non-limiting examples, the A-IoT device 19 may use an ALOHA process (e.g., a slotted-ALOHA process) for A-IoT random access. In some examples, the A-IoT 19 may be triggered (e.g., - 13 - via a reader) to perform an A-IoT access procedure. For example, a reader may be configured to support access triggering for a single A-IoT device or multiple A-IoT devices (e.g., multiple devices within a group of A-IoT devices, all A-IoT devices associated with the reader). In some examples, the reader may provide the one or multiple A-IoT devices with information that the A-IoT device(s) may use to respond to the random access trigger (e.g., a trigger message). In some examples, the A-IoT device 19 may support contention-based access procedures and / or contention-free access procedures.

[0044] In some cases, the network (e.g., the access node 12, the CN 15) may lack a power control mechanism for A-IoT devices. For example, the network may lack a power control mechanism for A-IoT access procedures and, as such, may lack a mechanism for managing the utilization of power amplification capabilities of A-IoT devices in an energy-aware manner. For example, some mobile devices (e.g., traditional UEs) may include a power-ramping capability, which may be used during an access procedure to increase a likelihood of the devices successfully establishing a connection with the network. However, unlike such devices, A-IoT devices (e.g., the A-IoT device 19) may lack a power-ramping or power-adaptation capability. For example, the A-IoT device 19 may include one or more power amplification capabilities but may lack a power-ramping capability (e.g., may only include a power amplification capability). In such an example, the network may lack a mechanism for controlling (e.g., setting) a transmission power at the A-IoT device 19. For example, the network may lack a mechanism for setting an initial transmit power to be used at the A-IoT device 19 for an A-IoT access procedure.

[0045] Various aspects of the present disclosure provide one or more mechanisms for the network to control a transmission power at one or more A-IoT devices. For example, the system of Figure 1 may be configured to support one or more power control mechanisms for the A-IoT device 19. In some examples, the system of Figure 1 may support a power control mechanism for an A-IoT access procedure, which may enable the network to set an initial transmission power at one or more A-IoT devices, thereby improving the access power control performance for the AIoT devices. For example, one or more power control mechanisms for the A-IoT access procedure, as described herein, may reduce a likelihood of a reader failing to receive backscattered / transmitted D2R signals due to underutilized power amplification, constrained energy storage, and constrained transmission power capabilities of the A-IoT device 19. Additionally, the one or more power control mechanisms for the A-IoT access procedure, as described herein, - 14 - may reduce (e.g., minimize) unnecessary use of device power amplification and stored energy for transmission.

[0046] In accordance with at least one power control mechanism as described herein, a reader (e.g., the UE 10, the UE 11, the access node 12) may indicate, to the A-IoT device 19, a power amplification configuration (e.g., how much power to use for an A-IoT transmission). Additionally, or alternatively, the reader may modify the transmission power of a carrier wave signal to be used (by the A-loT device 19) for the A-loT transmission. In other words, the reader may modify the transmission power of the carrier wave signal and / or may control the transmission power of the A-IoT device 19 by indicating, to the A-IoT device 19, to use a particular power amplification / transmission. In some instances, the core network 15 (e.g., the AIoT upper layer / CN) may indicate, to the reader, to use a particular power amplification / transmission configuration for one or more A-IoT transmissions (e.g., one or more subsequent D2R or re-access transmissions) based on a power amplification / transmission capability of the A-IoT device 19, a proximity of the A-IoT device 19 from the reader, an estimated quantity of to-be-triggered A-IoT devices, one or more energy storage levels at the A-IoT device 19, and / or a quantity of failed access transmissions. In other words, one or more power control mechanisms as described herein may enable the reader to modify the transmission power of carrier wave signals for the A-IoT device 19 and / or may enable the core network 15 (e.g., the AIoT upper layer / CN) to request that the reader (or multiple readers) control the transmission power of the A-IoT device 19 by indicating, to the reader, to use a particular power amplification / transmission configuration for subsequent D2R or re-access transmissions based on the device’s power amplification / transmission capability, proximity from the reader, estimated number of to-be-triggered devices, energy storage levels, and / or the number of failed access transmissions.

[0047] In some instances, the reader may indicate, to the A-IoT device 19, a power control configuration (e.g., a set of power control parameters), for example, in addition to other control information (e.g., control information associated with a subsequent A-IoT transmission). In some such instances the A-IoT device 19 may indicate, to the reader, device information, such as a device type of the A-IoT device 19 (e.g., indicative of a specific power-amplification capability) and / or a power amplification level(s) capability of the A-IoT device 19. In response, the reader may indicate, to the A-IoT device 19, to update the power control configuration (e.g., modify a current power amplification setting - 15 - at the A-IoT device 19) based on a request from the core network 15 (e.g., the CN / A-loTF). In some instances, the A-IoT device 19 may transmit, to the reader, a random device identifier (ID) with a suggested power control configuration (e.g., a suggested power amplification level, a modification to the updated power control configuration) based on the updated power control configuration. In some such instances, the reader may transmit a response for the random ID to the A-IoT device 19, in which the response includes another updated power control configuration (e.g., based on the suggested power amplification level). In some examples, one or more power control mechanisms as described herein may provide for improved utilization of power amplification capabilities and stored energy at A-IoT devices, as well as improved A-IoT access performance and system capacity by efficient power control.

[0048] The communication system of Figure 1 is also able to communicate with other networks, such as a public switched telephone network or the Internet 16, or utilize services provided by them. The communication system may be an example of a 5G network or one or more other types of networks (e.g., subsequent generations of networks), such as 5G-Advanced and 6G networks. The communications system may support the usage of cloud services, for example at least part of core network operations may be carried out as a cloud service (this is depicted in Figure 1 by “cloud” 18). The communication system may comprise a central control entity, or the like, providing facilities for networks of different operators to cooperate for example in spectrum sharing.

[0049] In some examples of the communications system, such as examples in which the communication system is a 5G network, the communication system may utilize satellite communication to enhance or complement the coverage of 5G service, for example by providing backhauling. While various aspects of the present disclosure are described in the context of 5G, it is to be understood that such aspects may also be applicable to other systems, such as subsequent generations of communications networks (e.g., 5G-Advanced and 6G). Some possible use cases for satellite communication include providing service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or loT devices or for passengers on board vehicles, or ensuring service availability for critical communications, and future railway / maritime / aeronautical communications. Satellite communication may utilize geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite systems, but also low earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, in particular mega-constellations (systems in which hundreds of (nano)satellites are deployed). Each satellite in the mega-constellation may cover several - 16 - satellite-enabled network entities that create on-ground cells. The on-ground cells may be created through an on-ground relay node or by a gNB located on-ground or in a satellite.

[0050] The depicted communication system of Figure 1 is an example of a part of a radio access system in which the communication system of Figure 1 may be deployed and in practice, the system may comprise a plurality of NodeBs, the user devices may have access to a plurality of radio cells and the system may also comprise other apparatuses, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements, etc. At least one of the NodeBs may be a Home nodeB. Additionally, in a geographical area of a radio communication system a plurality of different kinds of radio cells as well as a plurality of radio cells may be provided. Radio cells may be macro cells (or umbrella cells) which are large cells, usually having a diameter of up to tens of kilometers, or smaller cells such as micro-, femto- or picocells. The NodeBs of Figure 1 may provide any kind of these cells. A cellular radio system may be implemented as a multilayer network including several kinds of cells. Typically, in multilayer networks, one access node provides one kind of a cell or cells, and thus a plurality of NodeBs may be used to provide such a network structure.

[0051] As shown in Figure 1, for example, a communications system may include a plurality of devices configured to communicate via respective channels. In this regard, the UE may include a transmitter configured to communicate with a receiver, for example, of a base station. Conversely, the base station may include a receiver and a transmitter for communicating with a receiver, for example, of the UE. By way of example, the communication system may be deployed within a radio access architecture based on long term evolution advanced (LTE Advanced, ETE-A), new radio (NR, 5G), 5G Advance, or 6G, among other subsequent generations. However, the system may be deployed in other applications including within other communication networks, such as a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) radio access network (UTRAN or E-UTRAN), wireless local area network (WLAN or WiFi), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Bluetooth®, personal communications services (PCS), ZigBee®, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), systems using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) and Internet Protocol multimedia subsystems (IMS) or any combination thereof. In this regard, Figure 1 depicts an example of a simplified system architecture showing some elements and functional entities (e.g., logical units), whose implementation may differ from what is shown. The connections shown in Figure 1 are logical connections and corresponding physical connections may be different. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the system may comprise other functions and structures than those shown in Figure 1. In the radio access architecture of Figure 1, the UE 10 may be configured to be in wireless connection on one or more communication channels in a cell with the network node 12 (such as a NodeB) providing the cell. The UE 10 and the network node 12 may communicate via an access link (e.g., a Uu link). As such, the network node 12 may also be referred to herein as an access node. The physical link from a user device (e.g., the UE 10) to a NodeB (e.g., the network node 12) is referred to as an uplink or reverse link and the physical link from the NodeB to the user device is referred to as a downlink or forward link. It should be appreciated that the NodeBs or their functionalities may be implemented by using any entity, such as a node, host, server, or access point (AP), etc. suitable for such a usage.

[0052] A communications system, such as the communication system of Figure 1, may include more than one NodeB in which case the NodeBs may also be configured to communicate with one another over links, wired or wireless, designed for various purposes. For example, such links may be used for signaling purposes. The NodeB is a computing device configured to control the radio resources of the communication system to which the NodeB may be coupled. The NodeB may also be referred to as a base station, an access point or any other type of interfacing device including a relay station capable of operating in a wired or wireless environment. The NodeB includes or is coupled to transceivers. From the transceivers of the NodeB, a connection is provided to an antenna unit that establishes bi-directional radio links to user devices. As such, the transceivers of the NodeB and the transceivers of the user devices may include transmitters and receivers configured to communicate via a channel with the trainable parameters of the transmitters and receivers able to be reconfigured in accordance with an example embodiment. The antenna unit may comprise a plurality of antennas or antenna elements. The NodeB is further connected to core network 15 (CN or next generation core NGC). Depending on the system, the counterpart on the CN side can be a serving gateway (S-GW, routing and forwarding user data packets), packet data network gateway (P-GW), for providing connectivity of user devices (UEs) to external packet data networks, or mobile management entity (MME), etc. The user device (also referred to as a UE, user terminal, terminal device, etc.) illustrates one type of an apparatus to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, and thus any feature described herein with a user device may be implemented with a corresponding apparatus, such as a relay node. An example of such a relay node is a layer 3 relay (self-backhauling relay) towards the base station.

[0053] The core network 15 may include an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF). In some instances, the core network 15 may use the AMF to manage access and mobility for various devices and / or communicate with other network functions such as the User Plane Function (UPF), Session Management Function (SMF), and Authentication Server Function (AUSF). Additionally, or alternatively, the core network 15 may include an application function (AF), which the core network 15 may use, for example, to control one or more applications, such as via a user plane.

[0054] A user device may refer to a portable computing device that includes wireless mobile communication devices operating with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM), including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: a mobile station (mobile phone), smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handset, device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), laptop and / or touch screen computer, tablet, game console, notebook, and multimedia device. It should be appreciated that a user device may also be a nearly exclusive uplink device (e.g., an uplink-only device), of which an example is a camera or video camera loading images or video clips to a network. A user device may also be a device having the capability to operate in an loT network which is a scenario in which objects are provided with the ability to transfer data over a network without human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. In other words, the UE 10 may be an example of an loT device configured to operate in one or more loT networks. The user device (or in some embodiments a layer 3 relay node) is configured to perform one or more UE functionalities. The user device may also be referred to as a subscriber unit, mobile station, remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal or UE, among other names of apparatuses configured to support user device operations.

[0055] Various techniques described herein may also be applied to a cyber-physical system (CPS) (a system of collaborating computational elements controlling physical entities). CPS may enable the implementation and exploitation of increased amounts of interconnected loT devices (sensors, actuators, processors, microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber physical systems, in which the physical system in question has inherent mobility, are a subcategory of cyber-- 19 - physical systems. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robotics and electronics transported by humans or animals.

[0056] Although the apparatuses have been depicted as single entities, different units, processors and / or memory units (not all shown in Figure 1) may be implemented. Further, the number of reception and / or transmission antennas of the user devices may naturally vary according to a current implementation. In some examples, the communication system may enable the use of multiple input - multiple output (MIMO) antennas, and may include many more base stations or nodes than other types of communication systems (e.g., so-called small cell concept systems, such as may be associated with LTE), including macro sites operating in co-operation with smaller stations and employing a variety of radio technologies depending on service needs, use cases and / or spectrum available. In some examples, the communication system may include a 5G network. 5G mobile communications supports a wide range of use cases and related applications including video streaming, augmented reality, different ways of data sharing and various forms of machine type applications, including vehicular safety, different sensors, and real-time control. 5G may include multiple radio interfaces, namely below 6GHz, cmWave and mmWave, and also being integratable with existing legacy radio access technologies, such as the LTE. Integration with the LTE may be implemented, at least in the early phase, as a system, where macro coverage is provided by the LTE and 5G radio interface access comes from small cells by aggregation to the LTE. In other words, 5G may support both inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as below 6GHz - cmWave, below 6GHz - cmWave - mmWave). One of the concepts considered to be used in 5G networks is network slicing in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual sub-networks (network instances) may be created within the same infrastructure to run services that have different requirements on latency, reliability, throughput, and mobility.

[0057] Some network architectures, such as in LTE networks, may be fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network. The low latency applications and services in 5G require bringing the content close to the radio which leads to local break out and multi-access edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analytics and knowledge generation to occur at the source of the data. This approach requires leveraging resources that may not be continuously connected to a network such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service -20 - hosting. It also has the ability to store and process content in close proximity to cellular subscribers for faster response time. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data acquisition, mobile signature analysis, cooperative distributed peer-to-peer ad hoc networking and processing also classifiable as local cloud / fog computing and grid / mesh computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, cloudlet, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomic self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, Internet of Things (massive connectivity and / or latency critical), and critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analytics, time-critical control, and healthcare applications).

[0058] The communication system is also able to communicate with other networks, such as a public switched telephone network or the Internet 16, or utilize services provided by them. The communication network may also be able to support the usage of cloud services, for example at least part of core network operations may be carried out as a cloud service (this is depicted in Figure 1 by “cloud” 18). The communication system may also comprise a central control entity, or the like, providing facilities for networks of different operators to cooperate for example in spectrum sharing.

[0059] Edge cloud may be brought into radio access network (RAN) by utilizing network function virtualization (NVF) and software defined networking (SDN). Using edge cloud may mean access node operations are carried out, at least partly, in a server, host or node operationally coupled to a remote radio head or base station comprising radio parts. It is also possible that node operations will be distributed among a plurality of servers, nodes, or hosts. Application of cloudRAN architecture enables RAN real time functions to be carried out at the RAN side (in a distributed unit, DU 12) and non-real time functions being carried out in a centralized manner (in a centralized unit, CU 14).

[0060] It should also be understood that the distribution of functions between core network operations and base station operations may differ based on implementation or even be non-existent. Some other technology advancements that may be used are Big Data and all-IP, which may change the way networks are being constructed and managed. 5G (or new radio, NR) and 6G networks may support multiple hierarchies, where MEC servers can be placed between the core and the base station or nodeB (gNB). It should be appreciated that MEC can be applied in other types of networks as well.

[0061] For fulfilling the need for improving the deployment and performance of communication systems, the concept of “plug-and-play” NodeBs has been introduced. Typically, a network which is able to use “plug-and-play” Node Bs, includes, in addition to Home NodeBs (HnodeBs), a home node B gateway, or HNB-GW (not shown in Figure 1). A HNB Gateway (HNB-GW), which is typically installed within an operator’s network may aggregate traffic from a large number of HNBs back to a core network.

[0062] Figure 2A is a block diagram illustrating operations performed, such as by the apparatus of Figure 3, to provide for one or more power control mechanisms for A-IoT devices in accordance with at least one example embodiment. In other words, Figure 2A illustrates a scenario, which includes a bistatic connection for the A-IoT device 19 using the first topology in an indoor-to-indoor scenario. As illustrated in the example of Figure 2A, an R2D signal 23 (such as a wireless signal modulated using one or more On-Off Keying (OOK) techniques) may be transmitted from a first reader 20 (e.g., Rl / CW, a transmitting node) to the A-IoT device 19. Additionally, in the scenario of Figure 2A, the first reader 20 may be configured to transmit a carrier wave signal to the A-IoT device 19 (e.g., the first reader 20 may be capable of carrier wave functionality). That is, the first reader 20 may be an example of a carrier wave (CW) node, which is an external emitter that communicates directly with the A-IoT device 19 to provide the A-IoT device 19 with a CW2D signal 22. Although illustrated as a single device (e.g., node), it is to be understood that RI and the CW node may be separate nodes. The A-IoT device 19 may use the CW2D signal 22 for a backscattered transmissions by the A-IoT device (e.g., a D2R signal 24). That is, the first reader 20 may transmit a CW2D signal 22 (e.g., in addition to the R2D signal 23) to the A-IoT device 19, and the D2R signal 24 is then, for example, backscattered from the A-IoT device 19 to a different reader, namely a second reader 21 (e.g., R2, the receiving node) on the CW2D signal that the A-IoT device 19 received from the first reader 20. Alternatively, the A-IoT device 19 may generate the D2R signal 24 internally.

[0063] In some examples, A-IoT devices, such as the A-IoT device 19, may be charged with energy (e.g., using energy harvester) to be able to transmit D2R signals, such as the D2R signal 24. For some types of A-IoT devices (e.g., devices in which transmissions are backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally), D2R signals may be transmitted with a transmission power that ranges, for example, from about 1 to a few hundred pW peak power. Some other devices (e.g., devices in which transmissions can be generated -22 - internally) may transmit D2R signals with a few hundred pW peak power. In some cases, however, a likelihood of a reader successfully receiving D2R signals may be relatively low. In other words, D2R signals transmitted with relatively low transmission powers (e.g., transmission powers ranging from about 1 to a few hundred pW peak power) may be easily lost (e.g., not delivered to the reader) due to a lack of received power from the carrier wave and / or a lack of power amplification capability at the A-IoT devices. [0064J In some cases, when power amplification of the A-IoT device is underutilized (e.g., by not using power amplification when needed), relatively weak D2R signals may reduce a reachability of A-IoT devices, which may lead to the A-IoT devices not being reachable for relatively long periods of time. Additionally, or alternatively, relatively weak D2R signals may lead to access failures, for example, when an A-IoT device sends an access / re-access transmission in response to a trigger message from a reader. In some cases, A-IoT access failures may go unresolved due to a low expected mobility / static environment for some A-IoT deployments. Additionally, in some cases, A-IoT access failures may lead to underutilization (e.g., wasting) of time / frequency resources available for A-IoT access (which may already be constrained). In some cases, failed attempts by an A-IoT device to access the network may deplete energy stored at the A-IoT device (e.g., energy that may be used for transmitting and / or amplifying D2R signals). In other words, energy stored at an A-IoT device for transmitting and / or amplifying D2R signals may be depleted during failed access trials.

[0065] In some other cases, access failures for an A-IoT device may be reduced by activating one or more power amplification capabilities at the A-IoT device and / or by increasing the transmission power of a carrier wave signal used for backscattering transmissions of the A-IoT device. In some instances, however, activating power amplification capabilities and / or increasing transmission power of a carrier wave signal over relatively long durations (e.g., even when unnecessary) may lead to overutilization of the power amplification capability of the A-IoT device, an increased likelihood of draining constrained energy storage resources at the A-IoT devices (e.g., due to overutilization of the power amplification capability), an increased level of cross-channel interference, and / or an increased likelihood of interference between multiple A-IoT devices (e.g., between different types of A-IoT devices). Furthermore, in some cases, due to constrained device capabilities (e.g., due to A-IoT devices being low complexity devices relative to, for example, legacy UEs), A-IoT devices may not be capable of performing an open-loop-like -23 - power control and / or employing a power ramping mechanism, such as may be employed by UEs to increase a likelihood of (e.g., ensure) a successful access transmission when attempting to access the network.

[0066] Various aspects of the present disclosure provide for a power control mechanism for A-IoT devices to, for example, decrease the likelihood of connection failures when devices attempt to access the network (whether on a contention-based or contention-free manner). In some instances, the network may use one or more power control mechanisms (e.g., a power control or amplification control of the device transmission, such as for backscattered transmissions and internally generated transmissions), as described herein, to manage interference and / or for power control of A-loT transmissions. For example, the network may use one or more of the power control mechanisms described herein to manage power control for A-IoT transmissions during an access procedure (e.g., transmissions of preambles, random IDs, device IDs, device information) and / or other types of D2R transmissions outside of an access procedure (e.g., D2R data transmissions). In other words, the present disclosure provides for signaling associated with one or more power control mechanism for A-IoT devices, including, for example, a power control mechanism for the A-IoT access procedure. In some embodiments, one or more power control mechanisms described herein lead to improved utilization of transmission / amplification power capabilities of A-IoT devices, a reduced likelihood of failed access transmissions from A-IoT devices (and thus improved utilization of constrained access resources available to A-IoT devices), and a reduced likelihood of A-IoT devices being non-reachable for relatively long periods of time (which may drain energy resources at A-IoT devices due to several trials of the failed access procedures). That is, one or more techniques of the present disclosure enable an increase in the chances of an A-IoT device successfully accesses the network despite the A-IoT device having a relatively high probability of D2R backscattered / generated signals being lost (e.g., due to a relatively low peak power) and also enables a reader to apply a power control mechanism (e.g., determined via the network) during the A-IoT access procedure based on A-IoT device information, such as a status of the A-IoT device’s constrained energy storage, the A-IoT device’s transmission / amplification capabilities, and the A-IoT device’s proximity from the reader. In some examples, a device proximity level (e.g., coverage level) may be assigned and stored by the reader (e.g., during previous transmissions) based on received device message reception level.

[0067] As illustrated in the example of Figure 2B, the signaling associated with the one or more power control mechanisms for A-IoT devices, as described herein, may be employed in one or more scenarios. For example, the signaling provided herein may be applied when bistatic transmission is used with the first topology as discussed in Figure 2A, in which a transmitting node (in the R2D direction) is different than a receiving node (in the D2R direction). Additionally, or alternatively, the signaling provided herein may be applied when bistatic transmission is used with the second topology. Additionally, or alternatively, the signaling provided herein may be applied when monostatic transmission is used the first topology. Additionally, or alternatively, the signaling provided herein may be applied when monostatic transmission is used the second topology as illustrated in Figure 2B, in which the access node 12 (e g., a gNB) may directly and bidirectionally communicate with the reader and the reader may directly and bidirectionally communicate with the A-IoT device 19 (e.g., the reader may be an intermediate node, a UE in between the access node 12 and the A-IoT device 19). In the example of Figure 2B, the access node 12 may communicate with the first reader 20 via an access link 25 (e.g., a Uu link). For example, the access node 12 may communicate, to the first reader 20, information associated with the CW2D signal 22, information associated with the R2D signal 23, and / or power control information. Additionally, similar to Figure 2A, the first reader 20 may be capable of carrier wave functionality to provide the A-IoT device 19 with a CW2D signal 22. Although illustrated as a single device (e.g., node), it is to be understood that RI and the CW node may be separate nodes. The first reader 20 may then transmit the CW2D signal 22 and / or the R2D signal 23 to the A-IoT device 19 in accordance with the information. In some instances, the first reader 20 may be the transmitting node and the receiving node (e.g., RI and R2 can be the same node). In some such instances, the A-IoT device 19 may transmit the D2R signal 24 (e.g., a backscattered or internally generated D2R transmission) to the first reader 20.

[0068] Additionally, or alternatively, the signaling provided herein may be applied to another scenario, in which the carrier wave node (e.g., the first node 20) is outside of a topology that includes the A-IoT device 19 and the reading node (e.g., the carrier wave node is an external node outside the topology, such as the first topology or the second topology, and is different than the reading node).

[0069] In some examples, such as for the bistatic backscattering (e.g., the scenario in Figure 2A or 2B), some internal interactions may be used between the first reader 20 (e.g., -25 - RI, the transmitting node of the R2D signals) and the second reader 21 (e.g., R2, the receiving node of the D2R signals) to facilitate one or more aspects of one or more power control mechanisms described herein. In some such examples, multiple nodes may coordinate power control parameters for the A-IoT device 19. For example, the access node 12 may coordinate one or more power control parameters with the first reader 20 and / or the second reader 21. Additionally, or alternatively, the first reader 20 may coordinate power control parameters with the second reader 21 and / or a carrier wave node (e.g., for examples in which RI and CW are different nodes). For example, the multiple nodes may coordinate a power amplification capability and / or a carrier wave transmit power for one or more A-IoT devices or groups of A-IoT devices associated with (e.g., between) the first reader 20 and the second reader 21. It should be understood that the signaling described herein may be applied for multiple A-IoT device types (e.g., all A-IoT device types) and multiple types of topologies and the examples provided herein should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0070] One or more power control mechanisms as described herein enable access power control functionality for A-IoT devices, efficient utilization of power amplification capabilities and stored energy at A-IoT devices, improved A-IoT access performance, a decreased likelihood of access failures for A-IoT devices, and / or improved system capacity (e.g., through efficient power control). Additionally, in some examples, one or more power control mechanisms as described herein may include power control complexity on the network / reader side (rather than on the A-IoT side), thereby enabling power control for multiple types of A-IoT devices, which may be associated with low-cost and low-complexity designs (e.g., the power control techniques as described herein do not necessitate measurements or reporting at the A-IoT device).

[0071] One or more power control mechanisms as described herein may be implemented at one or more apparatuses. One example of an apparatus, apparatus 30, is depicted in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, the apparatus includes, is associated with, or is in communication with processing circuity 32, a memory 34 and a communication interface 36. The processing circuitry may be in communication with the memory device via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus. The memory device may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory device may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing device like the processing circuitry). The memory device may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the memory device could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processing circuitry. Additionally, or alternatively, the memory device could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processing circuitry. The apparatus 30 may, in some embodiments, be embodied in various computing devices as described above. However, in some embodiments, the apparatus may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the apparatus may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and / or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and / or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present disclosure on a single chip or as a single “system on a chip.” As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

[0072] The processing circuitry 32 (also referenced as a processor) may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processing circuitry may be embodied as one or more of various hardware processing means such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other circuitry including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. As such, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry may include one or more processing cores configured to perform independently. A multi-core processing circuitry may enable multiprocessing within a single physical package. Additionally, or alternatively, the processing circuitry may include one or more processors configured in tandem via the bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining and / or multithreading. In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 32 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device 34 or otherwise accessible to the processing circuitry. Alternatively, or additionally, the processing circuitry may be configured to execute hard coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processing circuitry may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processing circuitry is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processing circuitry may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processing circuitry is embodied as an executor of instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed. However, in some cases, the processing circuitry may be a processor of a specific device (e.g., an image or video processing system) configured to employ an embodiment of the present disclosure by further configuration of the processing circuitry by instructions for performing the algorithms and / or operations described herein. The processing circuitry may include, among other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and logic gates configured to support operation of the processing circuitry.

[0073] The communication interface 36 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and / or transmit data, including media content in the form of video or image files, one or more audio tracks or the like. In this regard, the communication interface may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and / or software for enabling communications with a wireless communication network. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication interface may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). In some environments, the communication interface may alternatively or also support wired communication. As such, for example, the communication interface may include a communication modem and / or other hardware / software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB) or other mechanisms. The apparatus 30 may be (or be included in) one or more types of devices, such as a network node (e.g., core network / A-IoT AMF / AF-like function (CN / AIoTF)), an access node (e.g., a base station), a UE, and / or an A-IoT device. For example, the access node 12, the UE 10, the UE 11, the A-IoT device 19, and / or the CN 15 may be (or may include) the apparatus 30. For example, the access node 12, the UE 10, the UE 11, the A-IoT device 19, and / or the CN 15 may include one or more components (e.g., the processing circuity 32, the memory 34, the communication interface 36) configured to support one or more power control mechanisms as described herein.

[0074] The apparatus 30 (e.g., the processing circuity 32, the memory 34, and / or the communication interface 36) may be configured to support one or more power control mechanisms of the present disclosure. For example, the apparatus 30 may be configured to support a power mechanism for the A-IoT access procedure to reduce a likelihood of backscattered / transmitted D2R signals being missed at a reader due to the underutilized power amplification, constrained energy storage, and constrained transmission power capabilities of an A-IoT device. In some instances, the power control mechanism may enable for improved efficiencies associated with energy consumption at an A-IoT device. For example, one or more power control mechanisms described herein, may reduce a likelihood of an A-IoT device using power amplification (and thus stored energy for transmission with a relatively high power) unnecessarily. In some examples, one or more power control mechanisms of the present disclosure may improve efficiencies at an A-IoT device by enabling a reader to modify the transmission power of a carrier wave signal and / or enabling the core network (e.g., the AIoT upper layer / CN) to request that the reader (or multiple readers) control the transmission power of the A-IoT device by indicating, to the A-IoT device, to use a particular power amplification / transmission configuration for one or more D2R transmissions (e.g., subsequent D2R transmissions or re-access transmissions) based on one or more power amplification / transmission capabilities of the A-IoT device, a proximity of the A-IoT device from the reader(s), an estimated number of to-be-triggered A-IoT devices, one or more energy storage levels at the A-IoT device, and / or a quantity of failed access transmissions associated with the A-IoT device. In some examples, by employing one or more power control mechanisms of the present disclosure, access power control functionality may be enabled for A-IoT devices with constrained backscattering capability (e.g., A-IoT devices that lack the capability of generating their own transmissions internally) with power amplification capability, and for an A-IoT devices with capability to generate their own transmissions internally and with power amplification capability by providing an energy aware utilization of one or more power amplification capabilities of the A-IoT devices. In some other examples, by employing one or more power control mechanisms of the present disclosure, access power control functionality may be enabled for A-IoT devices with constrained backscattering capability -29 - and without power amplification capability by adjusting the transmission power level of carrier wave signals associated with the transmissions of these devices. The power control mechanisms described herein therefore improve A-IoT access performance and decrease the likelihood of access failures for A-IoT devices, among other benefits.

[0075] Figure 4 is a process flow illustrating operations performed, such as within the communication system of Figure 1, for A-IoT power control in accordance with at least one example embodiment. For example, the process flow illustrates some respective operations performed at the A-IoT device 19, a reader 26, and the core network 15 (e.g., a network node). The reader 26 may be an example of the reader 20, the reader 21, or the access node 12 illustrated by and described with reference to Figures 1-3. Although the example of Figure 4 illustrates a single reader (e.g., the reader 26), it is to be understood that the operations performed by the reader 26 may be performed by multiple readers. One or more operations performed at the A-IoT device 19, the reader 26, and the core network 15 may be performed in a different order than the example order shown. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more operations performed at the A-IoT device 19, the reader 26, and the core network 15 may be omitted and / or one or more other operations may be added. As illustrated in the example of Figure 4, the A-IoT device 19, the reader 26, and the core network 15 may be configured to support one or more power control mechanisms as described herein.

[0076] At operation 40, the reader 26 may transmit a first power control message (e.g., a first control signal), which may indicate a first set of power control parameters for at least one D2R transmission by the A-IoT device 19. In other words, the first power control message may include a power control configuration for the A-IoT device 19, such as an indication to use a particular power control for D2R signaling (e.g., for one or more D2R signals). In some examples, transmission of the first power control message may be triggered by the core network 15. That is, the core network may trigger communications between the reader 26 and the A-IoT device 19.

[0077] At operation 41, the A-IoT device 19 may transmit a message to the reader 26 in response to the first power control message. In some examples, the message may be indicative of device information associated with the A-IoT device 19. For example, the message may indicate at least one of the following: an identifier associated with the A-IoT device, a device type associated with the A-IoT device (e.g., indicative of a specific power-amplification capability), whether one or more power amplification capabilities associated -30- with the A-IoT device were used for transmission of the message, or one or more power levels associated with the one or more power amplification capabilities.

[0078] At operation 41, the reader 26 and / or the core network 15 may determine that one or more trigger conditions is satisfied. The trigger condition may be associated with a failed communication between the A-IoT device 19 and the core network 15 and / or the reader 26. For example, the reader 26 and / or the core network 15 may fail to receive one or more messages from the A-IoT device 19, which may trigger the core network 15 and / or the reader 26 to update one or more power control parameters at the A-IoT device 19. In other words, the core network 15 and / or the reader 26 may initiate a procedure to update the access power control information (e.g., the first set of power control parameters) at the A-IoT device 19 based on the trigger condition being satisfied (e.g., based on a failure to receive one or more messages from the A-IoT device 19).

[0079] At operation 42, the core network 15 may transmit an update request message including an indication of a request for the reader 26 to update one or more power control parameters associated with communications at the A-IoT device 19. That is, the core network 15 may use the update request message to request that the reader 26 update one or more power control parameters for the A-IoT device 19 (e.g., one or more of the power control parameters in the first set of power control parameters).

[0080] At operation 43, in response to the request from the core network 15, the reader 26 may transmit a second power control message that indicates the update to the one or more power control parameters for the A-IoT device 19. That is, the second power control message may include one or more updates (e.g., updated values) for one or more power control parameters of the first set of power control parameters. In some examples, the second power control message may include an indication of a quantity of D2R transmissions for which to apply the update. For example, the second power control message may indicate for the A-IoT device to use the update for a single D2R transmission (e.g., a next D2R transmission) or for multiple D2R transmissions (e.g., for all subsequent D2R transmissions until indicated otherwise).

[0081] In some examples, at operation 44, the reader 26 (or an associated carrier wave node) may provide for transmission of a carrier wave signal to the A-IoT device 19 for a D2R transmission. In some examples, a transmit power of the carrier wave node may be based on the first set of power control parameters and / or the update to the first set of power control parameters. For example, the reader 26 may use a particular transmission power -31 - level for the carrier wave signal based on whether one or more power amplification capabilities of the A-IoT device are enabled. In some examples, the core network 15 may indicate the transmission power level for the carrier wave signal to the reader 26. In some other examples, in which the reader and the carrier wave node are separate the core network 15 may inform the reader to send a request to the carrier wave node to update the transmission power level of the carrier wave signal by a specific value. In some examples, in which the reader is an intermediate node (i.e., a UE) the core network 15 may send this indication to the reader through the access node 12. Alternatively, the access node 12 may autonomously (i.e., without relying on the core network 15) send the indication to the reader or the request to the carrier wave node in case the reader and carrier wave are separate nodes.

[0082] At operation 45, the A-IoT device may transmit a D2R data transmission to the reader 26 in accordance with the update. In other words, the A-IoT device 19 may use one or more power control parameters (e.g., power amplification levels) for the D2R transmission based on instruction from reader 26.

[0083] Figure 5 is a process flow illustrating operations performed, such as within the communication system of Figure 1, for A-IoT power control in accordance with at least one example embodiment. For example, the process flow illustrates some respective operations performed at the A-IoT device 19, the reader 26, and the core network 15 (e.g., a network node). Although the example of Figure 5 illustrates a single reader (e.g., the reader 26), it is to be understood that the operations performed by the reader 26 may be performed by multiple readers. One or more operations performed at the A-IoT device 19, the reader 26, and the core network 15 may be performed in a different order than the example order shown. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more operations performed at the A-IoT device 19, the reader 26, and the core network 15 may be omitted and / or one or more other operations may be added. In some examples, an entity between the core network 15 (e.g., the CN / AIoTF) and the A-IoT device 19 may exist, which can centralize the power control for multiple reader and / or carrier wave nodes.

[0084] As illustrated in the example of Figure 5, the A-IoT device 19, the reader 26, and the core network 15 may be configured to support one or more power control mechanisms as described herein. For example, the A-IoT device 19, the reader 26, and the core network 15 may be configured to support a power control mechanism for an A-IoT access procedure. In other words, the A-IoT device 19, the reader 26, and the core network -32- 15 may support actions (e.g., behavior) and signaling associated with a power control mechanism for an A-IoT access procedure.

[0085] At operation 50, an access procedure for the A-IoT device 19 may be initiated. For example, at operation 50, the core network 15 (e.g., at the application layer or from the A-IoT function) may transmit a service request to the reader 26, which may indicate for one or more procedures to be initiated with the A-IoT device 19. Accordingly, in some examples, the reader 26 may determine to trigger the access procedure at the A-loT device 19.

[0086] At operation 51, the reader 26 may transmit a trigger message (MSG0) associated with the random access procedure to trigger the access procedure at the A-IoT device 19. In some examples, the reader 26 may transmit the trigger message in response to the service request. In some examples, the trigger message (e.g., and one or more subsequent R2D transmissions) may include information for a power control configuration, such as an indication to use a particular power control for D2R signaling (e.g., for one or more D2R signals). In other words, the reader may include, in the trigger message, a first set of power control parameters for the A-IoT device.

[0087] In some examples, the first set of power control parameters may include a first option for the first power control parameter which may indicate, to the A-IoT device 19, to switch off a power amplification capability of the A-IoT device 19 for one or more random access attempts, such as an initial random access attempt. In some examples, the reader 26 may transmit the trigger message (with the first option for the first power control parameter) to the A-IoT device 19 and one or more other devices. In other words, the reader 26 may transmit the trigger message to one or more A-IoT devices and may include in the trigger message an indication (e.g., the first option for the first power control parameter) to switch off the power amplification capability of the one or more A-IoT devices, such that the one or more devices may start a first access trial without power amplification (e.g., with a minimum or otherwise suitable D2R transmission power). In some examples, the first option for the first power control parameter may include value 0 to indicate disable power amplification.

[0088] The reader 26 may include the first option for the first power control parameter in the trigger message (or another message) for some examples in which the initial trigger message targets a group of A-IoT devices (e.g., unknown A-IoT devices) using a group ID. For example, in some instances, a first one or more A-IoT devices in a group of A-IoT -33 - devices (e.g., a dedicated group of A-IoT devices and / or multiple A-IoT devices located relatively close to each other and / or a reader) may have a power amplification capability, while a second one or more A-IoT devices in the group of A-IoT devices may lack the power amplification capability. Accordingly, if the first one or more A-IoT device activate the power amplification capability for a random access procedure (e.g., a first access trial), the first one or more A-IoT device may have a higher likelihood of establishing a connection with the network compared to the second one or more A-IoT devices. In other words, activating the power amplification of some A-IoT devices in a first access trial may provide the A-IoT devices (or A-IoT device near to the reader) a disproportionate bias for successfully completing the access trials. Additionally, in some cases, an A-IoT device may activate the power amplification capability unnecessarily, which may drain energy resources at the A-IoT device unnecessarily. Accordingly, the reader 26 may transmit the first option for the first power control parameter (e.g., in the trigger message) to the group of A-IoT devices to disable (e.g., switch off) a power amplification capability at A-IoT devices that include the power amplification capability, thereby reducing a likelihood of the A-IoT devices with the power amplification capability having a disproportionate bias for successfully completing the access trials and reducing a likelihood of such A-IoT devices draining energy resources unnecessarily.

[0089] Alternatively, the first set of power control parameters may include a second option for the first power control parameter, which may indicate a power amplification level for the A-IoT device 19 to use for one or more random access attempts, such as an initial random access attempt (e.g., a first access trial). In some examples, the reader 26 may transmit the second option for the first power control parameter (e.g., in the trigger message) to the group of A-IoT devices (e.g., the A-IoT device 19 and one or more other A-IoT devices). In other words, the reader 26 may transmit the trigger message to one or more A-IoT devices and may include an indication (e.g., the second option for the first power control parameter) of a power amplification level for the one or more A-IoT devices, such that the one or more A-IoT devices may start a first access trial with a power amplification level (e.g., with a maximum or otherwise suitable D2R transmission power). Alternatively, the reader 26 may indicate a same power amplification level to the one or more A-IoT devices, or the reader 26 may indicate multiple power amplification levels to the one or more A-IoT devices (e.g., a respective power amplification level for each A-IoT device). In some examples, the second option for the first power control parameter may -34- include value 1 to indicate to enable power amplification of one or more A-IoT devices. In some other examples, the second option for the first power control parameter may include a specific value to indicate to enable power amplification of one or more A-IoT devices with a specific power amplification level.

[0090] The reader 26 may include the second option for the first power control parameter in the trigger message (or another message) for examples in which an upper layer query / request, which is enabled through another trigger message (e.g., an initial trigger message), is associated with one or more A-IoT devices. For example, the reader 26 may include the second option for the first power control parameter in the trigger message when an upper layer query / request that is enabled through an initial trigger message targets one or more known A-IoT devices (e.g., using one or more A-IoT device IDs associated with the one or more A-IoT devices). Additionally, or alternatively, the reader 26 may include the second option for the first power control parameter in the trigger message (or another message) for examples in which the reader 26 fails to receive a response to a previous message (e.g., an initial trigger message) from one or more A-IoT devices. In some examples, by transmitting the second option for the first power control parameter to one or more A-IoT devices (e.g., by querying any device) to use a power amplification level indicated via the second option for the first power control parameter (e.g., to utilize a maximum or otherwise suitable power for one or more D2R transmissions) may outweigh one or more benefits of doing otherwise. For example, reception of an A-IoT device response by the reader 26 may be more probable with A-IoT device amplification being enabled. As such, enabling one or more A-IoT devices to start a random access procedure with power amplification (e.g., with a maximum or otherwise suitable R2D power) may reduce a likelihood of the one or more A-IoT devices performing multiple random access procedures unnecessarily (e.g., may reduce further R2D (re)transmissions due to failed random access attempts and / or unsuccessful receptions at the reader 26). In some instances, the reader 26 may transmit the second option for the first power control parameter to the A-IoT device 19 based on information from the core network 15. For example, the reader 26 may obtain information from the core network 15 (e.g., the CN / AIoTF), which may be indicative of a device type associated with the A-IoT device 19, a proximity of the A-IoT device 19 to the reader 26, and / or information associated with a last (e.g., most recent) successful transmission for one or more devices (e.g., the A-IoT devicel9 and / or one or more other A-IoT devices). In some instances, the reader 25 may obtain the information via an interface between the reader 26 and the core network 15 (e.g., a reader-CN / AIoTF interface). Additionally, or alternatively, the reader 26 may determine the information, for example, based on statistical data that the reader 26 collects during previous access trials / inventory procedures associated with the A-IoT device 19.

[0091] In some examples, the reader 26 may transmit the first and / or the second option for the first power control parameter based on device information associated with a group of A-IoT devices. For example, the reader 26 may determine a quantity and / or type of A-loT devices that may respond (e.g., to one or more trigger messages) based on information provided by a service request from the core network 15. In some other examples, such as examples in which the information is not provided by the core network 15 (e.g., in the service request), the reader 26 may determine the device information, for example, based on one or more previous access trials and / or inventory procedures. The core network 15 may, in some examples, configure the reader 26 with respect to whether the reader is allowed to perform such autonomous power control (e.g., transmit the first and / or second option for the first parameter to one or more A-IoT devices). Additionally, or alternatively, the core network 15 may indicate, to the reader 26, a set of readers which may collaborate (e.g., align) regarding the power controls for one or more A-IoT devices. In other words, the core network 15 may configure the set of readers to coordinate power controls for the one or more A-IoT devices in accordance with one or more power control mechanisms.

[0092] In some examples, the first set of power control parameters (e.g., R2D control information) may include a second power control parameter, which may indicate, to the A-loT device 19, a request for the A-IoT device 19 to provide device information to the reader 26. For example, the request may indicate for the A-IoT device 19 to provide the reader 26 with information pertaining to a device type associated with the A-IoT device 19 and / or one or more power amplification capabilities associated with the A-IoT device 19. In other words, the request may indicate for the A-IoT device 19 to provide the reader 26 with device type information and / or power amplification information (e.g., power amplification settings) associated with the A-IoT device 19. In some examples, the reader 26 may request the device information based on the reader 26 failing to receive (e.g., not being provided) the device information from the core network 15 (e.g., in the service request) and / or based on the reader 26 lacking a capability to autonomously determine the device information (e.g., based on previous access trials). In some examples, the reader 26 may request that the A-IoT device 19 provide (or the A-IoT device 19 may determine to -36- provide) the device information to the reader 26 in a D2R response, such as a D2R transmission that is responsive to the trigger message or one or more other messages from the reader 26.

[0093] In some examples, such as examples in which device information is neither available at the reader 26 nor can be autonomously determined at the reader 26, the reader 26 may set one or more power control parameters (e.g., the power-control configuration) to a default value. In some such examples, the default value (e.g., a respective default value for each of the one or more power control parameters) may be determined at the reader 26 based on one or more previous access trials (e.g., one or more random access trials in which the A-IoT device 19 was located at a maximum or otherwise suitable distance from reader 26 and the reader 26 successfully reached the A-IoT deice 19). Alternatively, the reader 26 may transmit a third power control parameter to the A-IoT device, which may indicate for the A-IoT device to use a transmission power (e.g., to start a random access procedure with some nominal power, which may be the same for initial transmissions from multiple devices). In some examples, prior to transmission of the trigger message at operation 51, the reader 26 may use (or may indicate to a carrier wave node if different from the reader 26) a particular transmission power level for a carrier wave signal. In some examples, the trigger message may be an example of a message associated with AIoT paging, a message associated with A-IoT activation, or an initial trigger message, among other examples. In some examples, a carrier wave signal (e.g., for a D2R transmission, such as in response to the trigger message) may be transmitted after the trigger message, for example, for the purpose of backscattering the D2R message.

[0094] In some instances, the reader 26 and / or the core network 15 (e.g., the CN / AIoTF) may use one or more timer / counter-based mechanisms associated with responses from the A-IoT device 19. For example, after transmission of the trigger message (e.g., while waiting for a response from the A-IoT device 19), the reader 26 and / or the core network 15 (e.g., the CN / AIoTF) may initiate a first timer (MSG1 timer).

[0095] In some examples, at operation 52, the reader 26 and / or the core network 15 may determine that the first timer expired. In some examples, such as examples in which the first timer expires without the reader 26 and / or the core network 15 receiving a response to the trigger message from the A-IoT device 19 (e.g., without receiving a random ID from the A-IoT device), the core network 15 (e.g., the CN / AIoTF) and / or the reader 26 may determine that the access procedure failed. Accordingly, in some such -37- examples, the core network 15 and / or the reader 26 may initiate a procedure to update the access power control information (e.g., the first set of power control parameters). For example, the core network 15 and / or the reader 26 may initiate the procedure to update the access power control information while re-triggering the A-IoT device 19 (e.g., before, after, or concurrently with the transmission of another trigger message, such as at operation 58). [0096J In some other examples, at illustrated in operation 53, the reader 26 may receive a response from the A-IoT device 19 prior to expiration of the first timer. For example, at operation 54, the A-IoT device may transmit a first message (MSG1) associated with the random access procedure to the reader 26 in response to the trigger message. The first message may include information used by the A-IoT device for establishing a connection with the network in accordance with the random access procedure. For example, as illustrated in the example of Figure 5, the first message may include a random ID associated with the A-IoT device (e.g., a random ID generated at the A-IoT device). In other words, the A-IoT device 19 may reply to the reader 26 with a D2R transmission (e.g., MSG1) that includes a random device identifier generated by the device. The random identifier may include a permanent identifier or a temporary identifier of 16 bits (or some other suitable quantity of bits), such as 16-bit random number (RN16) associated with an ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio frequency identifier (RFID).

[0097] The first message may be transmitted using one or more time / frequency resources associated with the random access procedure. For example, the first message may be transmitted using one or more time and / or frequency resources allocated for access in a contention-based or contention-free manner. In some examples, the reader 26 may indicate the one or more time / frequency resources to the A-IoT device 19 via the trigger message (e.g., transmitted at operation 51). The response message (e.g., MSG1 transmitted at operation 54) may, in some examples, include other information requested by the reader 26 via the trigger message. For example, the response message may include device information, such as a device type associated with the A-IoT device 19 and / or power amplification capability information / settings associated with the A-IoT device 19. In some examples, the first message may include an indication of a device type associated with the A-IoT device 19, an indication of whether the A-IoT device 19 has used power amplification, and / or an indication of a power level of amplifications / transmissions as additional information in the first message (e.g., an access message, the response message). In some examples, the reader 26 may evaluate the additional information for modifications (e.g., adjustments) to the transmission power of the carrier wave signal, to facilitate determination on whether to activate or deactivate a power amplification capability at the A-IoT device 19 (e.g., if the A-IoT device has such a capability) and / or modifications to a power amplification level. In other words, the additional information may include a suggested power amplification level and / or a suggested transmission power for one or more carrier wave signals to be used by the A-IoT device 19 (e.g., for backscattering). In some examples, the A-IoT device 19 may determine to use a default set of power control parameters (e.g., a default power setting, such as a minimum, maximum, or otherwise suitable power amplification) based on the first set of parameters including one or more of the same power control parameters as the default set of power control parameters (e.g., the A-IoT device 19 may determine to use the default set of power control parameters unless the R2D control information indicates a different power control setting for the A-IoT device 19 to use).

[0098] At operation 55, the reader 26 may transmit a second message (MSG2) to the A-IoT device 19, for example, in response to the first message (MSG1). The second message may include a response for the random ID included in the first message. In some instances, the reader 26 and / or the core network 15 (e.g., the CN / AIoTF) may use one or more timer / counter-based mechanisms associated with responses from the A-IoT device 19. For example, after transmission of the second message (e.g., while waiting for a response from the A-IoT device 19), the reader 26 and / or the core network 15 (e.g., the CN / AIoTF) may initiate a second timer (MSG3 timer).

[0099] In some examples, at operation 56, the reader 26 and / or the core network 15 may determine that the second timer expired. In some examples, such as examples in which the second timer expires without the reader 26 and / or the core network 15 receiving a response from the A-IoT device 19 (e.g., without receiving a device identifier from the A-IoT device 19), the core network 15 (e.g., the CN / AIoTF) and / or the reader 26 may determine that the access procedure failed. Accordingly, in some such examples, the core network 15 and / or the reader 26 may initiate the procedure to update the access power control information (e.g., the first set of power control parameters). For example, the core network 15 and / or the reader 26 may initiate the procedure to update the access power control information while re-triggering the A-IoT device 19 (e.g., before, after, or concurrently with the transmission of another trigger message, such as at operation 58). -39-

[00100] At operation 57, the core network 15 may transmit an update request message to the reader 26. For example, the core network 15 (e.g., the CN / AIoTF) may use the update request message to request that the reader 26 update one or more power control parameters for the A-IoT device (e.g., the first power control parameter, the second power control parameter, and the third power control parameter). In some such examples, the core network 15 may use the update request message to request that the reader 26 update the first power control parameter. For example, the update request message may indicate, to the reader 26, to activate one or more power amplification capabilities at the A-IoT device 19 (e.g., while re-triggering the A-IoT device 19, such as via a second set of power control parameters). In some examples, the core network 15 may request that the reader activate the one or more power amplification capabilities based on determining that the A-IoT device 19 failed to successfully complete the access procedure (e.g., based on the expiration of the first timer at operation 52 and / or the second timer at operation 56). Additionally, or alternatively, the update request message may request that the reader 26 update one or more other power control parameters, such as a power control parameter associated with the carrier wave transmission power. For example, the updated request message may indicate for the reader 26 to increase the carrier wave transmission power for CW2D transmissions to the A-IoT device 19. In some examples, the core network 15 may request for the reader 26 to increase the carrier wave transmission power based on the A-loT device lacking a power amplification capability and / or based on the core network 15 and / or the reader 26 determining that activation of the power amplification capability of the A-IoT device 19 would lead to one or more inefficiencies. In some other examples, in which the reader is an intermediate node (e.g., a UE) the update request message may be sent by core network 15 to the reader through the access node 12 (e.g., a gNB) or may be sent autonomously by the access node 12 without relying on receiving a message from the core network 15.

[00101] For example, the A-IoT device 19 may experience one or more time-variant radio conditions (e.g., relatively poor time-variant radio conditions) in which D2R transmissions from the A-IoT device are not successfully received at the reader 26 (e.g., even if the carrier wave transmission power is significantly increased). In some examples, such radio conditions may be referred to as a double-near far problem, in which the R2D signal may be temporarily blocked (e.g., due to an object in an environment of the A-IoT device and / or reader) or the A-IoT device may be located in a dead spot, such as at a -40 - corner of a coverage area provided by the reader (e.g., a location in which a received power of the carrier wave signal at the A-IoT device is relatively low and the reader cannot receive D2R transmissions from the A-IoT device regardless of the transmission power of the carrier wave signal). In some such examples, the core network 15 may determine to request (e.g., via the update request message at operation 57) that the reader 26 include an indication in an R2D transmission to the A-IoT device (e.g., a subsequent R2D message, such as may be transmitted at operation 58 or 60) to activate one or more power amplification capabilities at the A-IoT device 16 for one or more subsequent D2R transmissions (such as may be transmitted at operation 59 or 61). In other words, the core network 15 may determine that the A-IoT device 19 received the R2D transmission from the reader 26 (e.g., the trigger message and / or the response for the random ID), but the reader 26 failed to receive a D2R response from the A-IoT device 19 (e.g., the first message or the third message). As such, the core network 15 may determine to request that the reader 26 activate one or more power amplification capabilities for one or more subsequent D2R transmissions from the A-IoT device 19.

[00102] Additionally, or alternatively, the core network 15 (e.g., the CN / AIoTF) may use the update request message to request that the reader 26 update the first power control parameter. For example, the core network 15 may use the update request message to request that the reader 26 indicate, to the A-IoT device 19, to use a power amplification level (e.g., a predefined or configured power amplification level) for one or more D2R transmission. In some examples, the power amplification level may be based on one or more supported power amplification gain levels at the A-IoT device 19. Additionally, or alternatively, the power amplification level (or the request to indicate the power amplification level) may be based on a transmit power of the carrier wave signal used for the initial access trial (which, in some examples, the A-IoT device 19 failed to complete), a received power of one or more D2R signals (e.g., a received power of the backscattered / transmitted D2R signal transmitted at operation 54 (MSG1)), and / or a proximity of the A-IoT device 19 to the reader 26. In some examples, such as examples in which the access procedure failed due to the expiration of the second timer (e.g., due to MSG3 timer being expired), the power amplification level (e.g., the updated power amplification level) may be determined at the core network 15 (or the reader 26) based on one or more measured received power levels associated with one or more D2R messages from the A-IoT device 19. For example, the power amplification level may be determined based on a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and / or a reference signal received power (RSRP) of one or more D2R messages backscattered / transmitted from the A-IoT device 19 during the initial access procedure (e.g., based on an RSSI and / or an RRSP associated with MSG1).

[00103] The reader 26 may indicate, to the A-IoT device 19, to use the updated power amplification level for a subsequent re-access transmission of the first message (e.g., retransmission MSG1, such as at operation 59) and / or for a subsequent D2R data transmission (e.g., transmission of MSG3 at operation 61). In some examples, the indicated power amplification gain level may be determined (e.g., and dynamically configured) by the reader 26 based on an amount of stored energy levels at the A-IoT device 19 (e.g., a level of energy stored at the A-IoT device, such as for access transmissions).

[00104] In some other examples, such as examples in which the A-IoT device 19 lacks one or more power amplification capabilities and / or the A-IoT device 16 is sufficiently close to the reader 26 (and power amplification by the A-IoT device 19 may provide the A-loT device 19 with a disproportionate bias for winning contention over other devices further away from the reader 26 or lack one or more power amplification capabilities), the core network 15 may refrain from activating a power amplification capability at the A-IoT device 19. Accordingly, in some such examples, the core network 15 may request (via the update request message) that the reader 26 increase the transmission power of the CW signal and indicate, to the A-IoT device 19 to use a previous set of power control parameters, such as the set of power control parameters used during the initial failed access trial (e.g., may request that the A-IoT device 19 maintain use of the first set of power control parameters).

[00105] In some examples, the updated power amplification configuration and / or the carrier wave transmission power level (e.g., one or more power control parameters) may be based on one or more previous RSSI or RSRP measurements and / or may be configured with respect to a distance or relative location of one or more other A-IoT device (e.g., the A-IoT device 19) to the reader 26. For example, the core network 15 may perform a mapping procedure in which the core network 15 may map one or more device identifiers (e.g., each device ID) to one or more (initial) reader measured received power values (e.g., RSRP and / or RSSI values). In some examples, the core network 15 may map the one or more device identifiers to the one or more received power values by configuring a carrier wave node (e.g., the reader 26) to transmit a lower power carrier wave signal to a first one -42 - or more A-IoT devices located relatively close to the reader 26 (e.g., to read close-by tags). That is, the mapping procedure may include a first operation in which a carrier wave node transmits a lower power carrier wave signal to a first one or more A-IoT devices located relatively close to the reader 26, such that the reader 26 may map the one or more device identifiers (e.g., corresponding to the first one or more A-IoT devices) to the one or more received power values. In some such examples, after determining a respective received power for the first one or more A-IoT devices (e.g., based on reception of D2R signals from the first one or more A-IoT devices during the first operation), the first one or more A-IoT devices may be deactivated (e.g., automatically based on an a "new transmission bit" or based on an indication from the reader 26 and / or core network 15). That is, the mapping procedure may include a second operation in which the first one or more A-IoT devices are deactivated. Hereafter, in accordance with the mapping procedure, the core network 15 may configure the carrier wave node (e.g., the reader 26) to increase the carrier wave transmission power and transmit another (higher powered) carrier wave signal to a second one or more A-IoT devices. Additionally, after determining a respective received power for the second one or more A-IoT devices (e.g., based on reception of D2R signals from the second one or more A-IoT devices), the second one or more A-IoT devices may be deactivated (e.g., automatically based on a "new transmission bit" or based on an indication from the reader 26 and / or core network 15). In other words, after the second operation in which the first one or more A-IoT devices are deactivated, the first operation and second operation may be repeated for the second one or more A-IoT devices. The core network 15 may configure the carrier wave node to repeat the mapping procedure multiple times (e.g., with several increases in carrier wave transmission power relative to the first iteration of the first operation) for A-IoT devices to be reached (e.g., any remaining device to be reached) by the reader 26. In some examples, such as prior to one or more iterations of the mapping procedure, the reader 26 may indicate, to one or more enabled A-IoT devices via an R2D message, that A-IoT devices with amplification are expected to provide D2R response with the amplification enabled (or disabled). In some other examples, the reader 26 may indicate, to the one or more enabled A-IoT devices via the R2D message, that A-IoT devices without amplification are expected to provide D2R response.

[00106] In some examples, the updated power amplification configuration and / or the carrier wave transmission power level (e.g., the update for one or more power control -43 - parameters) may be associated with (e.g., targeted for) a group of A-IoT devices. In some such examples, the one or more power control parameters may be based on one or more previous D2R messages and / or one or more D2R responses from one or more A-IoT devices, a timer status and / or expiration of a timer, one or more previous RSSI or RSRP measurements, and / or a respective distance of one or more A-IoT devices (e.g., each A-IoT device) to or relative location of one or more A-IoT devices (e.g., each A-IoT device) from the reader. In some examples, such as examples in which the core network 15 identifies one or more device IDs associated with the one or more A-IoT devices, which may be mapped to successful responses from the one or more A-IoT devices, the core network 15 may determine (e.g., create) a group ID to be associated with one or more power control parameters (e.g., a particular power amplification configuration and / or carrier wave transmission power level). In some examples, the core network 15 may determine a group ID (e.g., a minimum one group ID) that is associated with an enabled power amplification configuration. Additionally, or alternatively, the core network 15 may determine a group ID based on the mapping procedure and / or one or more other mechanisms. In some examples, A-IoT devices associated with a group ID may be configured to use the one or more power control parameters (e.g., the power amplification configuration) associated with the group ID. In some examples, the core network 15 may determine one or more other group IDs with associated power control parameters (e.g., power amplification and carrier wave transmit power) for one or more devices to be reached by the reader 26 (e.g., any A-IoT device not already associated with the group ID). For example, the core network 15 may use a first iteration of the mapping procedure to determine a first group ID (and associated power control configuration) for the first one or more A-IoT devices and may determine one or more other group IDs for remaining A-IoT devices using one or more other iterations of the mapping procedure. In some examples, the first one or more A-IoT devices may be associated with a first proximity level and the second one or more A-IoT device may be associated with a second proximity level. Accordingly, the core network 15 may map one or more proximity levels and / or one or more group IDs to one or more power control parameters.

[00107] At operation 58, the reader 26 may transmit another trigger message to the A-loT device 19 with a second set of power control parameters. The second set of power control parameters may include one or more of the same power control parameters as the first set of power control parameters. Additionally, or alternatively, the second set of power -44 - control parameters may include one or more updates (e.g., updated values) for one or more power control parameters of the first set of power control parameters. For example, the second set of power control parameters may include an indication to activate one or more power amplification capabilities at the A-IoT device 19 for one or more subsequent D2R transmissions (e.g., an update to the first power control parameter).

[00108] Additionally, or alternatively, the second set of power control parameters may include an indication to use a particular power amplification level (e.g., a predefined or configured power amplification level). Additionally, or alternatively, the second set of power control parameters may include an indication to use one or more previously configured power control parameters (e.g., one or more of the first set of power control parameters). Additionally, or alternatively, the second set of power control parameters may include a group ID (and thus indicate for the A-IoT device 19 to use one or more power control parameters associated with the group ID). In other words, the reader 26 may use the trigger message at operation 58 to indicate, to the A-IoT device, whether to use one or more updated power control parameters (e.g., whether to activate a previously deactivated power amplification capability) or to use previously configured power control parameters (e.g., a power amplification / transmission configuration of an initial access trial) based on the update request message from the core network 15. The trigger message may, in some examples, include an indication of whether the second set of power control parameters (e.g., a desired power amplification update) is applicable to one or multiple D2R transmissions (e.g., whether the second set of power control parameters is to be applied to a next D2R transmission or to all subsequent D2R transmissions until indicated otherwise). For example, the second set of power control parameters may indicate a quantity of D2R transmissions for which the second set of power control parameters is to be used.

[00109] In some examples, such as in addition to the device proximity or location from the reader 26 and / or the device power amplification / transmission capabilities, the core network 15 and / or the reader 26 may determine the updated power amplification / transmission configurations (e.g., the second set of power control parameters) based on an estimated number of to-be-triggered A-IoT devices and / or a quantity of A-IoT devices that failed to complete the random access procedure. In some examples, the reader 26 may indicate the second set of power control parameters to the A-loT device in a first trigger message (MSG0) from the reader 26 (e.g., the trigger message transmitted at operation 51) and the A-IoT device 19 may autonomously apply the second -45 - set of power control parameters based on a failure of the A-IoT device 19 to receive a response to the random identifier from the reader 26 (e.g., based on a failure of the A-IoT device 19 to receive MSG2 at operation 55 or 60) and / or based on a failure of the A-IoT device to receive a response to the device / group ID from the reader 26 (e.g., based on failure of the A-IoT device 19 to receive MSG4 at operation 62).

[00110] At operation 59, the A-IoT device may re-transmit the first message (e.g., MSG1) to the reader 26. The first message may include a random ID (e.g., the same random ID or a different random ID as was transmitted at operation 54). The A-IoT device may re-transmit the first message using the second set of power control parameters. In other words, the A-IoT device 19 may respond to the reader 26 with a random device identifier using the power control parameters (e.g., the power amplification configurations) indicated by the reader 26 in the re-trigger message (e.g., the triggering message transmitted at operation 58). Additionally, in some examples, the A-IoT device 19 may store information (e.g., temporary information) about the second set of power control parameters (e.g., the power amplification configurations requested for subsequent D2R transmissions). In some such examples, the A-IoT device 19 may store the information until the current access procedure is deemed successful by the A-IoT device 19. In some examples, such as examples in which the access transmission is performed in a contentionbased manner, the A-IoT device may store the information until the A-IoT device receives a contention resolution confirmation from the reader 26. Additionally, or alternatively, the A-IoT device may store the information until the reader 26 indicates, to the A-IoT device 19, to use one or more other power control parameters (e.g., indicates a new power amplification configuration for the A-IoT device 19).

[00111] In some examples, the A-IoT device 19 may determine whether to modify one or more power control parameters indicated to the A-IoT device from the reader 26 (e.g., whether to modify the received power amplification / transmission configurations from the reader 26, such as at operation 51 or 58). Additionally, in some such examples, the A-IoT device 19 may determine whether to use the modified power control parameters to send or resend the access transmission (e.g., whether to use the modified power control parameters for transmission of MSG1 at operation 54 or 59). In some examples, a modification to a power control parameter may be based on one or more received power levels of a R2D signal (e.g., a received power of a trigger message, such as is transmitted at operation 51 or 58). That is, in some examples, the A-IoT device 19 may measure a received power of an -46 - R2D signal for determination of a modification to a configured power control parameter. In some examples, such as examples in which the A-IoT device is not capable of determining the received power levels of the R2D signals, a modification to a power control parameter may be based on one or more modulation and coding scheme (MCS) levels indicated in the R2D control information. In some such examples, the modification may change (e.g., be different, vary) based on a deployment scenario (e.g., whether the A-IoT device is operating in scenarios associated with monostatic or bistatic backscattering in the first or second topology). Additionally, or alternatively, the modification may be based on an available (e.g., minimum) power level used for one or more subsequent transmissions (e.g., to reduce a likelihood of the A-IoT device running out of power). Additionally, or alternatively, the modification may be based on a quantity of failed access attempts by the A-IoT device 19. In some examples, the A-IoT device may apply the modification to one or more D2R transmissions and / or report the modification (e.g., one or more suitable power amplification / transmission configurations) to the reader 26. For example, the A-IoT device may report the modification to the reader 26 as part of the control information associated with this D2R transmission (e.g., in MSG1 transmitted at operation 54 or 59 or in MSG3 transmitted in operation 61).

[00112] At operation 60, the reader 26 may re-transmit the second message (MSG2) to the A-IoT device 19. For example, the reader 26 may re-transmit the second message (MSG2) in response to the A-IoT devices re-transmission of the first message (MSG1) at operation 59. In some examples, the second message may indicate a third set of power control parameters (e.g., an update associated with the second set of power control parameters). Additionally, in some examples, the second message may include an acknowledgement associated with receipt of MSG1 at the reader 26 (e.g., transmitted from the A-IoT device at operation 59). In other words, the reader 26 may respond with a confirmation of receipt of the random device identifier and may indicate updated power control parameters (e.g., updated power amplification / transmission configurations). In some examples, the updated power control parameters may be based on one or more modifications indicated via the D2R transmission at operation 59 and / or an update request message from the core network 15. For example, the core network 15 and / or the reader 26 may determine (e.g., after receiving MSG 1 at operation 59) to increase the power amplification gain based on a received D2R power being within a threshold and / or may determine to deactivate the power amplification gain of the A-IoT device based on a -47 - decrease in a quantity of failed access transmissions (e.g., based on a quantity of contending A-IoT devices attempting to access the network decreasing by a significant margin).

[00113] In some examples, at operation 61, the A-IoT device 19 may transmit a third message (MSG3) to the reader 26. The third message may include, for example, a device identifier associated with the A-IoT device 19 and / or data. In other words, at operation 61, the A-loT device 19 may transmit a device identifier and a D2R data transmission via the third message (MSG3). In some examples, at operation 62, the reader 26 may transmit a fourth message (MSG4) to the A-IoT device in response to receiving the device identifier. In other words, at operation 62, the reader may transmit a response for the device identifier and a R2D transmission via the fourth message (MSG4). That is, in some examples, the access procedure may be completed by the A-IoT device 19 and the reader 26 exchanging a D2R signal (e.g., MSG3 at operation 61) and an R2D signal (e.g., MSG4 at operation 61).

[00114] Referring now to Figure 6, some operations performed in order to provide for one or more power control mechanisms for an A-IoT device, in one example embodiment, are depicted. As shown in Figure 6, the apparatus 30 (e.g., the reader 26) is configured to provide for transmission of power control configuration parameters to one or more A-IoT devices in accordance with one or more power control mechanisms as described herein. In some examples, the apparatus 30 may provide for transmission of the power control configuration parameters in an initial triggering message and / or a random-access response message.

[00115] As shown at block 64, the apparatus 30 includes (e.g., the processing circuitry 32, the communication interface 36), means for providing for transmission of a first control signal (e.g., a first power control message) that indicates a first set of power control parameters for transmission of at least one message by an A-IoT device. For example, the at least one message may include at least one D2R transmission transmitted from the A-loT device using one or more of the first set of power control parameters (e.g., initial power control parameters) indicated in the first control signal. The first signal may be transmitted via one or more paging and / or initial random access trigger messages (e.g., a first R2D signal). That is, the first control signal may refer to the initialization of one or more power control parameters and may be transmitted in an AIoT paging / initial trigger message. In some examples, the same power control parameters (e.g., the first set of power -48 - control parameters) may be used for multiple (e.g., subsequent) D2R transmissions. Alternatively, the first set of power control parameters may be updated for one or more subsequent D2R transmissions. That is, in some examples, the first set of power control parameters may be updated in the subsequent R2D signals based on underlying channel conditions and / or conditions at the A-IoT device (e.g., stored energy levels). The apparatus 20 may be a receiver of the D2R transmissions, or another reader may be the receiver of the D2R transmissions. In other words, the receiving reader of the D2R transmissions may be the transmitter reader of the R2D signal (e.g., the first power control signal) or a different reader.

[00116] As shown at block 66, the apparatus 30 includes (e g., the processing circuitry 32, the communication interface 36), means for providing for transmission of a first carrier wave signal for the transmission of the at least one message by the A-IoT device. For example, the apparatus 30 may transmit the first carrier wave signal or may instruct another device (e.g., a carrier wave node) to transmit the first carrier wave signal to the A-loT device for transmission of the at least one message. In other words, the first carrier wave signal may be transmitted by the reader (e.g., the apparatus 30) or by an external node which can be controlled by either the reader and / or the core network (e.g., CN / AIoTF). For example, for one or more R2D transmissions, a carrier wave signal may be transmitted (e.g., either by the reader or by an external node) to enable the A-IoT device to backscatter the corresponding D2R transmission. A first transmission power level associated with the first carrier wave signal is based on the first set of power control parameters. For example, the transmission power level may depend on whether the first set of power control parameters include an indication to enable (or disable) a power amplification capability at the A-IoT device.

[00117] Referring now to Figure 7, some operations performed in order to provide for one or more power control mechanisms for an A-IoT device, in one example embodiment, are depicted. As shown in Figure 7, the apparatus 30 (e.g., the A-IoT device 19) is configured with power control configuration parameters in accordance with one or more power control mechanisms as described herein. In some examples, the apparatus 30 may use the configured power control parameters (e.g., a power amplification level) for one or more D2R transmissions (e.g., for all D2R transmissions or for one or more D2R transmissions based on instructions from the reader 26). The power control configuration parameters may be based on device information associated with the A-IoT device, such as -49 - power capabilities of the A-IoT device, including an available power amplification. In some examples, the apparatus 30 may indicate the device information to the reader 26.

[00118] As shown at block 70, the apparatus 30 includes (e.g., the processing circuitry 32, the communication interface 36), means for receiving a first control signal (e.g., a first power control message) from a network node (e.g., the reader 26) that indicates a first set of power control parameters for at least one A-IoT transmission at the apparatus 30. For example, the at least one A-loT transmission may include at least one D2R transmission from the A-IoT device using one or more of the first set of power control parameters (e.g., initial power control parameters) indicated in the first control signal. The first signal may be transmitted via one or more paging and / or initial random access trigger messages (e.g., a first R2D signal).

[00119] As shown at block 72, the apparatus 30 includes (e.g., the processing circuitry 32, the communication interface 36), means for providing for an A-IoT transmission of the at least one A-IoT transmission in accordance with the first set of power control parameters. The A-IoT transmission may include a message indicating an identifier associated with the apparatus (e.g., a device ID), a device type associated with the apparatus (e.g., indicative of a specific power-amplification capability), whether one or more power amplification capabilities associated with the apparatus were used for the A-loT transmission, one or more power levels associated with the one or more power amplification capabilities, and / or a status of energy level stored at the apparatus 30. In other words, the apparatus 30 may transmit device information to the network (e.g., the reader 26 and / or another reader) in response to the first control signal.

[00120] Referring now to Figure 8, some operations performed in order to provide for one or more power control mechanisms for an A-IoT device, in one example embodiment, are depicted. As shown in Figure 8, the apparatus 30 (e.g., the core network 15, a network node) may be configured to provide an update request message to the reader 26 to activate or deactivate one or more power amplification capabilities of the A-IoT device 19. In some examples, the apparatus 30 may transmit the update request message to the reader and / or a carrier wave node to adjust the transmission power level of a carrier wave signal in accordance with one or more power control mechanisms as described herein. In some examples, the apparatus 30 may receive a report (e.g., from the reader 26, such as via a wired communication) with a device type of the A-IoT device 19 device, power amplification capabilities of the A-IoT device 19, a proximity of the A-IoT device 19 from - 50 - the reader 26, and / or a failure rate associated with previous access transmission (e.g., collected over a window of the past access trials and / or inventory procedures of the A-IoT device 19). In some examples, the apparatus 30 may indicate the proximity level and / or a mapping of proximity levels and / or group IDs to power control parameters to the reader 26, for example, with a paging message and / or a message for an inventory command. In some examples, such as examples in which the core network 15 includes multiple device types and / or multiple proximity levels in the update request message, the reader 26 may execute the request (e.g., an inventory command) towards A-IoT devices based on a group-ID, which may be based on a power amplification configuration, a proximity level, or a device type.

[00121] As shown at block 80, the apparatus 30 includes (e.g., the processing circuitry 32, the memory 34), means for determining one or more properties associated with at least one ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) device. For example, the apparatus 30 (e.g., CN / AIoTF) may obtain (e.g., collect) information associated with the A-IoT device (e.g., and one or more other A-IoT devices) and may use the information to determine whether to request that the reader update the power control configuration and / or increase the carrier wave transmission power. The information may include or be otherwise indicative of the one or more proprieties associated with the at least one A-IoT device. In some examples, the one or more properties may include, a quantity of (or timing associated with) failed access attempts by the at least one A-IoT device, a failure to receive one or more D2R transmissions from the A-IoT device, a location of the device, and / or an expiration of a timer. In some examples, the information is collected by the apparatus 30 (e.g., autonomously or via a report from the reader) over a particular window of past transmissions from the A-IoT device. That is, the at least one property may be associated with information collected over a window associated with previous transmissions from the A-IoT device.

[00122] As shown at block 82, the apparatus 30 includes (e.g., the processing circuitry 32, the communication interface 36), means for providing for transmission of an indication of a request, to a network node (e.g., the reader and / or the carrier wave node), to update one or more power control parameters associated with the at least one A-IoT device or a transmission power level associated with a first carrier wave signal associated with communications with the at least one A-IoT device.

[00123] Referring now to Figure 9, some operations performed in order to provide for one or more power control mechanisms for an A-IoT device, in one example embodiment, are depicted. As shown in Figure 9, the apparatus 30 (e.g., the reader 26) is configured to provide for transmission of power control configuration parameters to one or more A-IoT devices in accordance with one or more power control mechanisms as described herein. In some examples, the apparatus 30 may provide for transmission of the power control configuration parameters in an initial triggering message and / or a random-access response message.

[00124] As shown at block 90, the apparatus 30 includes (e.g., the processing circuitry 32, the communication interface 36), means for receiving a first request from a network node (e.g., the core network) that indicates for the apparatus 30 to initiate a random access procedure with an A-IoT device. For example, the core network may transmit a service request to the apparatus 30, which may trigger the apparatus 30 to perform the random access procedure with the A-IoT device.

[00125] As shown at block 92, the apparatus 30 includes (e.g., the processing circuitry 32, the communication interface 36), means for providing for transmission of a first control signal in response to the first request. For example, the first control signal (e.g., a power control message) may indicate a first set of power control parameters for transmission of at least one random access message associated with the random access procedure.

[00126] As shown at block 94, the apparatus 30 includes (e.g., the processing circuitry 32, the communication interface 36), means for providing for transmission of a first carrier wave signal for the transmission of the at least one message by the A-IoT device. For example, the apparatus 30 may transmit the first carrier wave signal or may instruct another device (e.g., a carrier wave node) to transmit the first carrier wave signal to the A-loT device for transmission of the at least one message. In other words, the first carrier wave signal may be transmitted by the reader (e.g., the apparatus 30) or by an external node which can be controlled by either the reader and / or the core network (e.g., CN / AIoTF). For example, for one or more R2D transmissions, a carrier wave signal may be transmitted (e.g., either by the reader or by an external node) to enable the A-IoT device to backscatter the corresponding D2R transmission. A first transmission power level associated with the first carrier wave signal is based on the first set of power control parameters. For example, the first transmission power level may depend on whether the first set of power control parameters includes an indication to enable (or disable) a power amplification capability at the A-IoT device.

[00127] Referring now to Figure 10, some operations performed in order to provide for one or more power control mechanisms for an A-IoT device, in one example embodiment, are depicted. As shown in Figure 10, the apparatus 30 (e.g., the A-IoT device 19) is configured with power control configuration parameters in accordance with one or more power control mechanisms as described herein. In some examples, the apparatus 30 may use the configured power control parameters (e.g., a power amplification level) for one or more D2R transmissions (e.g., for all D2R transmission or for one or more D2R transmissions based on instructions from the reader 26). The power control configuration parameters may be based on device information associated with the A-IoT device, such as power capabilities of the A-IoT device, including an available power amplification. In some examples, the apparatus 30 may indicate the device information to the reader 26.

[00128] As shown at block 100, the apparatus 30 includes (e.g., the processing circuitry 32, the communication interface 36), means for receiving a first control signal (e.g., a first power control message) from a network node (e.g., the reader 26) that indicates a first set of power control parameters for at least one A-IoT transmission, at the apparatus 30. In some examples, the at least one A-IoT transmission is associated with a random access procedure. For example, the at least one A-IoT transmission may include at least one D2R message transmitted from the A-IoT device in accordance with the random access procedure (e.g., in an attempt to establish a connection with the network).

[00129] As shown at block 102, the apparatus 30 includes (e.g., the processing circuitry 32, the communication interface 36), means for providing for an A-IoT transmission of the at least one A-IoT transmission in accordance with the first set of power control parameters. The A-IoT transmission may include a message indicating an identifier associated with the apparatus (e.g., a random ID), a device type associated with the apparatus, whether one or more power amplification capabilities associated with the apparatus were used for the A-IoT transmission, one or more power levels associated with the one or more power amplification capabilities, and / or a status of energy level stored at the apparatus 30 (e.g., a status of stored energy levels). In other words, the apparatus 30 may transmit device information to the network (e.g., the reader 26 and / or another reader) in response to the first control signal.

[00130] Referring now to Figure 11, some operations performed in order to provide for one or more power control mechanisms for an A-IoT device, in one example embodiment, are depicted. As shown in Figure 11, the apparatus 30 (e.g., the core network 15, a network node) may be configured to provide an update request message to the reader 26 to activate or deactivate one or more power amplification capabilities of the A-IoT device 19. In some examples, the apparatus 30 may transmit the update request message to the reader (e.g., a CW node) to adjust the transmission power level of a carrier wave signal in accordance with one or more power control mechanisms as described herein. In some examples, the apparatus 30 may receive a report (e.g., from the reader 26) with a device type of the A-loT device 19 device, power amplification capabilities of the A-IoT device 19, a proximity of the A-IoT device 19 from the reader 26, and / or a failure rate associated with previous access transmissions (e.g., collected over a window of the past access trials and / or inventory procedures of the A-IoT device 19). In some examples, the apparatus 30 may indicate the proximity level and / or a mapping of proximity levels and / or group IDs to power control parameters to the reader 26, for example, with a paging message and / or a message for an inventory command. In some examples, such as examples in which the core network 15 includes multiple device types and / or multiple proximity levels in the update request message, the reader 26 may execute the request (e.g., an inventory command) towards A-IoT devices based on a group-ID, which may be based on a power amplification configuration, a proximity level, or a device type.

[00131] As shown at block 110, the apparatus 30 includes (e g., the processing circuitry 32, the communication interface 36), means for providing for transmission of a first request to a network node (e.g., the reader) that indicates for the network node to initiate a random access procedure with an A-IoT device. For example, the core network may transmit a service request to the reader, which may trigger the reader to initiate the random access procedure with the A-IoT device.

[00132] As shown at block 112, the apparatus 30 includes (e.g., the processing circuitry 32, the communication interface 36), means for providing for transmission of a second request (e.g., the reader and / or carrier wave node) to update one or more power control parameters at the at least one A-IoT device or to update a transmission power level associated with a first carrier wave signal associated with communications with the at least one A-IoT device.

[00133] Figures 6-11 illustrate flowcharts depicting methods according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts and combination of blocks in the flowcharts may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and / or other communication devices associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by a memory 34 of an apparatus 30 employing an embodiment of the present disclosure and executed by a processor 32. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (for example, hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus implements the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[00134] Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are - 55 - intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe some example embodiments in the context of some example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by 5 alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. 10

Claims

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 first request from a network node, wherein the first request indicates for the apparatus to initiate a random access procedure with an ambientinternet of things (A-IoT) device;in response to the first request, provide for transmission of a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for transmission of at least one random access message associated with the random access procedure; andprovide for transmission of a first carrier wave signal associated with the transmission of the at least one random access message by the A-IoT device, wherein a first transmission power level associated with the first carrier wave signal is based at least in part on the first set of power control parameters.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first set of power control parameters indicates, to the A-IoT device, to disable a power amplification capability for a first random access message of the at least one random access message.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first set of power control parameters indicates a power amplification level for a first random access message of the at least one random access message.

4. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1—3, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:receive, based at least in part on the first control signal, a message indicating at least one of the following: a random device identifier associated with the A-IoT device, a device type associated with the A-IoT device, whether one or more power amplification capabilities associated with the A-IoT device were used for transmission of the message, one or more power levels associated with the one or more power amplification capabilities, - 57 -a status of energy level stored at the A-IoT device, or a modification to the first set of power control parameters.

5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:determine at least a trigger condition is satisfied, wherein the trigger condition is associated with an expiration of at least one timer.

6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1—5, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:provide for transmission of a second control signal to the A-IoT device, wherein the second control signal is indicative of an update associated with the first set of power control parameters.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the update comprises at leastone of the following: an indication to enable one or more power amplification capabilities at the A-IoT device, an indication to apply the first set of power control parameters for transmission of at least one other message by the A-IoT device, an indication of a quantity of messages for which to apply the first set of power control parameters, second set of power control parameters for transmission of the at least one other message by the A-IoT device, or an update to the first transmission power level associated with the first carrier wave signal8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:provide for transmission of a second carrier wave signal associated with a second transmission power level, wherein the second transmission power level is based on an update to the first transmission power level.

9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6-8, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:receive a second request from the network node to update one or more power control parameters associated with communications with the A-IoT device or the first transmission power level of associated with the first carrier wave signal, wherein the transmission of the second control signal is in response to the second request.

10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6-9, wherein the first set of power control parameters indicates a first power amplification level for a first random access message of the at least one random access message and the update indicates a second power amplification level for at least one other random access message of the at least one random access message, and wherein the second power amplification level is based at least in part on a received power associated with the first random access message or a quantity of stored energy levels at the A-IoT device.

11. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6-10, wherein providing for transmission of the second control signal is based at least in part on a random access failure associated with the A-IoT device.

12. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6-11, wherein providing for transmission of the second control signal is based at least in part on a status of a timer associated with a random access message of the at least one random access message from the A-IoT device.

13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6-12, wherein providing for transmission of the second control signal is based at least in part on a location of the A-IoT device during the transmission of the at least one random access message from the A-IoT device.

14. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6-13, wherein the second control signal further indicates an acknowledgement associated with reception of a message of the at least one random access message from the A-IoT device.

15. 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 first control signal from a network node, wherein the first control signal is indicative of a first set of power control parameters for at least one ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) transmission at the apparatus, wherein the at least one A-IoT transmission is associated with a random access procedure; andprovide for an A-IoT transmission of the at least one A-IoT transmission in accordance with the first set of power control parameters, wherein the A-IoT transmission comprises a message indicating at least one of the following: an identifier associated with the apparatus, a device type associated with the apparatus, whether one or more power amplification capabilities associated with the apparatus were used for the A-IoT transmission, one or more power levels associated with the one or more power amplification capabilities, or a status of one or more energy levels stored at the apparatus, wherein the A-IoT transmission is associated with the random access procedure.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first set of power control parameters indicates, to the apparatus, to disable a power amplification capability for the A-IoT transmission of the at least one A-IoT transmission, wherein the at least one A-IoT transmission is associated with the random access procedure.

17. An apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the first set of power control parameters indicates, to the apparatus, a power amplification level for the A-IoT transmission of the at least one A-IoT transmission, wherein the at least one A-IoT transmission is associated with the random access procedure.

18. An apparatus according to any one of claims 15-17, wherein the first set of power control parameters comprises a default set of power control parameters.

19. An apparatus according to any one of claims 15-18, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:receive a second control signal indicative of an update associated with the first set of power control parameters.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the update comprises at least one of the following: an indication to enable the one or more power amplification capabilities, an indication to apply the first set of power control parameters for at least one other A-IoT transmission, an indication of a quantity of A-IoT transmissions for which to apply the first set of power control parameters, or a second set of power control parameters for the at least one other A-IoT transmission.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the update is based at least in part on at least one of the following: information indicated via the at least one A-IoT transmission, a status of a timer associated with communications at the apparatus, a received power associated with the at least one A-IoT transmission, a location associated with the apparatus during the random access procedure, or an amount of stored energy levels at the apparatus during the random access procedure, wherein the at least one A-IoT transmission is associated with the random access procedure.

22. An apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the second control signal further indicates an acknowledgement associated with the at least one A-IoT transmission.

23. An apparatus according to any one of claims 15-22, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:modify at least one power control parameter of the first set of power control parameters, wherein the at least one A-IoT transmission is in accordance with the modification.

24. An apparatus according to any one of claims 15-23, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:store at least one power control parameter of the first set of power control parameters for a duration that is based at least in part on one or more events, wherein the one or more events include at least one of the following: successfully establishing a connection with a network entity by completing the random access procedure, or reception of another set of power control parameters.

25. 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:provide for transmission of a first request, wherein the first request indicates for the apparatus to initiate a random access procedure with an ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) device; andprovide for transmission of a second request to update one or more power control parameters at the at least one A-IoT device or a transmission power level associated with a first carrier wave signal associated with communications with the at least one A-IoT device.

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