Method and system for WTRU controlled reconfigurable intelligent surfaces

Abstract

A first wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU) may receive a first discovery message associated with a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS). In response to receiving the first discovery message, the first WTRU may send a request message to a RIS controller, the request message including one or more of capability information associated with the first WTRU, one or more RIS capabilities, one or more RIS modes, or an indication of a second WTRU. In response to the request message, the first WTRU may receive a request response message from the RIS controller, the request response message including RIS control information associated with the RIS. The first WTRU may send a transmission to the second WTRU via the RIS based on the RIS control information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 399,350, filed August 19, 2022. U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 399,350 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] The technology described herein relates to the field of computing and communications, and more particularly to methods, apparatus, systems, architectures, and interfaces for computing and communications in advanced or next-generation wireless communication systems, including communications performed using new radio and / or New Radio (NR) access technologies and communications systems. Such NR access and technologies, which may also be referred to as 5G and / or 6G, and / or other similar wireless communication systems and technologies, may include functionality and / or technology for reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs). As described herein, RISs may adapt to wireless environmental conditions. For example, RISs may electronically control the propagation of radio frequency (RF) signals that contact the surface of the RIS. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The reconfigurable intelligent surface may be controlled by a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU) to communicate with another WTRU, for example, via a RIS. The WTRU may receive a discovery message associated with the RIS. For example, the discovery message may include one or more functions associated with the RIS (e.g., reflection, absorption, or refraction). The WTRU may transmit a solicitation message in response to receiving the discovery message. For example, the solicitation message may include an indication of the source WTRU, an indication of the target WTRU, and a requested function (e.g., any of the one or more functions associated with the RIS included in the discovery message). The WTRU may receive a response to the solicitation message, for example, including an indication that the solicitation message was accepted by the RIS. The WTRU may establish a link between the source WTRU and the target WTRU via the RIS. For example, the source WTRU, the target WTRU, and the RIS may be associated with a personal IoT network (PIN). For example, the source WTRU, the target WTRU, and the RIS may be associated with a customer premises network (CPN).

[0004] A first wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU) may receive a first discovery message associated with a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS). The first discovery message includes one or more capability parameters associated with the RIS. In response to receiving the first discovery message, the first WTRU may send a request message to the RIS controller, the request message including one or more of capability information associated with the first WTRU, one or more RIS functions, one or more RIS modes, or an indication of a second WTRU. The one or more RIS functions may include reflection, refraction, and / or absorption. The one or more RIS modes may include a passive mode, an active mode, and / or a semi-active mode. In response to the request message, the first WTRU may receive a request response message from the RIS controller, the request response message including RIS control information associated with the RIS. The request response message indicates that the second WTRU has been discovered.

[0005] The first WTRU may send a transmission to the second WTRU via the RIS based on the RIS control information. The transmission may be sent to the second WTRU using a RIS adaptation layer controlled by the first WTRU. The first WTRU may determine that the second WTRU has been discovered. The first WTRU may send a second discovery message to the second WTRU via the RIS. The first WTRU may receive a second discovery message response from the second WTRU via the RIS. The first WTRU may establish a unicast link with the second WTRU via the RIS. The RIS may be a PIN element (PERC) with RIS functionality. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1A] 1 is a system diagram illustrating an example communication system in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be implemented. [Figure 1B]1B is a system diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU) that may be used within the communication system illustrated in FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment. [Figure 1C] 1A is a system diagram illustrating an example radio access network (RAN) and an example core network (CN) that may be used within the communication system illustrated in FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment. [Figure 1D] 1B is a system diagram illustrating a further exemplary RAN and a further exemplary CN that may be used within the communication system illustrated in FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system including a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS). [Figure 3] 1 illustrates an exemplary home automation Personal Internet of Things (IoT) network (PIN). [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an exemplary customer premises network (CPN). [Figure 5] 1 illustrates an embodiment associated with ProSe direct discovery. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates an embodiment associated with ProSe direct discovery. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates an exemplary topology of a RIS-integrated CPN. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates an example topology for a RIS-integrated PIN. [Figure 9] 1 illustrates an example protocol stack. [Figure 10] 10 illustrates an example call flow for RIS discovery and / or use of the RIS for inter-WTRU communication. [Figure 11] 1 illustrates an example call flow for RIS-enabled PIN Component (PERC) discovery and control of the RIS using a PIN Component with Management Capability (PEMC) or a PIN Component with Gateway Capability (PEGC). [Figure 12]1 illustrates an exemplary control plane protocol stack for inter-WTRU communication via a RIS. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] 1A is a diagram illustrating an example communication system 100 in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be implemented. Communication system 100 may be a multiple-access system that provides content, such as voice, data, video, messaging, broadcasts, etc., to multiple wireless users. Communication system 100 may enable multiple wireless users to access such content through sharing of system resources, including wireless bandwidth. For example, the communication system 100 may employ one or more channel access methods such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), zero-tail unique-word DFT-Spread OFDM (ZT UW DTS-s OFDM), unique word OFDM (UW-OFDM), resource block filtered OFDM, filter bank multicarrier (FBMC), etc.

[0008] 1A, communications system 100 may include wireless transmit / receive units (WTRUs) 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, RANs 104 / 113, CNs 106 / 115, public switched telephone network (PSTN) 108, the Internet 110, and other networks 112, although it will be understood that the disclosed embodiments contemplate any number of WTRUs, base stations, networks, and / or network elements. Each of WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may be any type of device configured to operate and / or communicate in a wireless environment. By way of example, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, any of which may be referred to as a "station" and / or "STA," may be configured to transmit and / or receive wireless signals and may include user equipment (WTRU), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a subscription-based unit, a pager, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, a laptop, a netbook, a personal computer, a wireless sensor, a hotspot or Mi-Fi device, an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable device, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and application (e.g., for remote surgery), an industrial device and application (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or automated processing chain context), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on a commercial wireless network and / or an industrial wireless network, etc. Any of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d may be referred to interchangeably as a WTRU.

[0009] The communications system 100 may also include a base station 114a and / or a base station 114b. Each of the base stations 114a, 114b may be any type of device configured to wirelessly interface with at least one of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d to facilitate access to one or more communications networks, such as the CN 106 / 115, the Internet 110, and / or other networks 112. By way of example, the base stations 114a, 114b may be a base transceiver station (BTS), a Node B, an eNodeB, a Home Node B, a Home eNodeB, a gNB, an NR Node B, a site controller, an access point (AP), a wireless router, etc. Although the base stations 114a, 114b are each depicted as a single element, it will be understood that the base stations 114a, 114b may include any number of interconnected base stations and / or network elements.

[0010] The base station 114a may be part of the RAN 104 / 113, which may also include other base stations and / or network elements (not shown), such as a base station controller (BSC), a radio network controller (RNC), relay nodes, etc. The base station 114a and / or base station 114b may be configured to transmit and / or receive radio signals on one or more carrier frequencies, which may be referred to as a cell (not shown). These frequencies may be licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or a combination of licensed and unlicensed spectrum. A cell may provide wireless service coverage for a particular geographic area, which may be relatively fixed or may change over time. A cell may be further divided into cell sectors. For example, the cell associated with the base station 114a may be divided into three sectors. Thus, in one embodiment, the base station 114a may include three transceivers, i.e., one transceiver for each sector of the cell. In one embodiment, the base station 114a may employ multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) technology and may utilize multiple transceivers per sector of the cell, for example, using beamforming to transmit and / or receive signals in desired spatial directions.

[0011] The base stations 114a, 114b may communicate with one or more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d over an air interface 116, which may be any suitable wireless communication link (e.g., radio frequency (RF), microwave, centimeter wave, micrometer wave, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), visible light, etc.). The air interface 116 may be established using any suitable radio access technology (RAT).

[0012] More specifically, as noted above, the communications system 100 may be a multiple-access system, but may employ one or more channel access schemes, such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA, etc. For example, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c in the RAN 104 / 113 may implement a radio technology such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), which may establish the air interface 115 / 116 / 117 using wideband CDMA (WCDMA). WCDMA may include communications protocols such as High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA) and / or Evolved HSPA (HSPA+). HSPA may include High-Speed ​​Downlink (DL) Packet Access (HSDPA) and / or High-Speed ​​Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA).

[0013] In one embodiment, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement a radio technology such as Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA), which may establish the air interface 116 using Long Term Evolution (LTE) and / or LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) and / or LTE-Advanced Pro (LTE-A Pro).

[0014] In one embodiment, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement a radio technology such as NR radio access, which may establish the air interface 116 using New Radio (NR).

[0015] In one embodiment, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement multiple radio access technologies. For example, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may jointly implement LTE radio access and NR radio access, e.g., using dual connectivity (DC) principles. Thus, the air interface utilized by the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may be characterized by multiple types of radio access technologies and / or transmissions sent to and from multiple types of base stations (e.g., eNBs and gNBs).

[0016] In other embodiments, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement a wireless technology such as IEEE 802.11 (i.e., Wireless Fidelity, WiFi), IEEE 802.16 (i.e., Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, WiMAX), CDMA2000, CDMA2000 1X, CDMA2000 EV-DO, Interim Standard 2000 (IS-2000), Interim Standard 95 (IS-95), Interim Standard 856 (IS-856), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), GSM EDGE (GERAN), or the like.

[0017] 1A may be, for example, a wireless router, a Home NodeB, a Home eNodeB, or an access point and may utilize any suitable RAT to facilitate wireless connectivity in a local area such as a business, a home, a vehicle, a campus, an industrial facility, an air corridor (e.g., for use by drones), a road, etc. In one embodiment, the base station 114b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d may implement a radio technology such as IEEE 802.11 to establish a wireless local area network (WLAN). In one embodiment, the base station 114b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d may implement a radio technology such as IEEE 802.15 to establish a wireless personal area network (WPAN). In yet another embodiment, the base station 114b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d may establish a picocell or a femtocell using a cellular-based RAT (e.g., WCDMA, CDMA2000, GSM, LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR, etc.). As shown in FIG. 1A, the base station 114b may have a direct connection to the Internet 110. Thus, the base station 114b may not need to access the Internet 110 through the CN 106 / 115.

[0018] The RAN 104 / 113 may communicate with the CN 106 / 115, which may be any type of network configured to provide voice, data, application, and / or voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services to one or more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d. The data may have various quality of service (QoS) requirements, such as different throughput, latency, error tolerance, reliability, data throughput, mobility, etc. The CN 106 / 115 may provide call control, billing services, mobile location-based services, prepaid calling, Internet connectivity, video distribution, etc., and / or perform high-level security functions such as user authentication. 1A, it will be understood that the RAN 104 / 113 and / or the CN 106 / 115 may communicate directly or indirectly with other RANs employing the same RAT as the RAN 104 / 113 or a different RAT. For example, in addition to being connected to the RAN 104 / 113, which may utilize NR radio technology, the CN 106 / 115 may also communicate with another RAN (not shown) employing GSM, UMTS, CDMA 2000, WiMAX, E-UTRA, or WiFi radio technology.

[0019] The CN 106 / 115 may also serve as a gateway for the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d to access the PSTN 108, the Internet 110, and / or other networks 112. The PSTN 108 may include a circuit-switched telephone network providing plain old telephone service (POTS). The Internet 110 may include a global system of interconnected computer networks and devices, which use common communication protocols such as the transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), and / or the internet protocol (IP) of the TCP / IP Internet protocol suite. The network 112 may include wired and / or wireless communication networks owned and / or operated by other service providers. For example, the network 112 may include another CN connected to one or more RANs, which may employ the same RAT as the RAN 104 / 113 or a different RAT.

[0020] Some or all of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d in the communications system 100 may include multi-mode capabilities (e.g., the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may include multiple transceivers for communicating with different wireless networks over different wireless links.) For example, the WTRU 102c shown in FIG. 1A may be configured to communicate with a base station 114a, which may employ a cellular-based wireless technology, and a base station 114b, which may employ an IEEE 802.11 wireless technology.

[0021] 1B is a system diagram illustrating an example WTRU 102. As shown in FIG. 1B, the WTRU 102 may include, among other things, a processor 118, a transceiver 120, a transmit / receive element 122, a speaker / microphone 124, a keypad 126, a display / touchpad 128, non-removable memory 130, removable memory 132, a power source 134, a global positioning system (GPS) chipset 136, and / or other peripherals 138. It will be understood that the WTRU 102 may include any sub-combination of the foregoing elements while remaining consistent with an embodiment.

[0022] The processor 118 may be a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors associated with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) circuit, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), a state machine, etc. The processor 118 may perform signal coding, data processing, power control, input / output processing, and / or any other functionality that enables the WTRU 102 to operate in a wireless environment. The processor 118 may be coupled to the transceiver 120, which may be coupled to the transmit / receive element 122. While FIG. 1B depicts the processor 118 and the transceiver 120 as separate components, it will be understood that the processor 118 and the transceiver 120 may be integrated together in an electronic package or chip.

[0023] The transmit / receive element 122 may be configured to transmit or receive signals to or from a base station (e.g., base station 114a) over the air interface 116. For example, in one embodiment, the transmit / receive element 122 may be an antenna configured to transmit and / or receive RF signals. In one embodiment, the transmit / receive element 122 may be an emitter / detector configured to transmit and / or receive IR signals, UV signals, or visible light signals, for example. In yet another embodiment, the transmit / receive element 122 may be configured to transmit and / or receive both RF signals and light signals. It will be understood that the transmit / receive element 122 may be configured to transmit and / or receive any combination of wireless signals.

[0024] 1B as a single element, the WTRU 102 may include any number of transmit / receive elements 122. More specifically, the WTRU 102 may employ MIMO technology. Thus, in one embodiment, the WTRU 102 may include two or more transmit / receive elements 122 (e.g., multiple antennas) for transmitting and receiving wireless signals over the air interface 116.

[0025] The transceiver 120 may be configured to modulate signals transmitted by the transmit / receive element 122 and demodulate signals received by the transmit / receive element 122. As mentioned above, the WTRU 102 may have multi-mode capabilities. Thus, the transceiver 120 may include multiple transceivers to enable the WTRU 102 to communicate via multiple RATs, such as, for example, NR and IEEE 802.11.

[0026] The processor 118 of the WTRU 102 may be coupled to and may receive user-entered data from a speaker / microphone 124, a keypad 126, and / or a display / touchpad 128 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display unit). The processor 118 may also output user data to the speaker / microphone 124, the keypad 126, and / or the display / touchpad 128. Additionally, the processor 118 may access information from and store data in any type of suitable memory, such as non-removable memory 130 and / or removable memory 132. The non-removable memory 130 may include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, or any other type of memory storage device. The removable memory 132 may include a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a secure digital (SD) memory card, etc. In other embodiments, the processor 118 may access information from and store data in memory that is not physically located on the WTRU 102, such as on a server or home computer (not shown).

[0027] The processor 118 may receive power from the power source 134 and may be configured to distribute and / or control the power to other components in the WTRU 102. The power source 134 may be any suitable device for providing power to the WTRU 102. For example, the power source 134 may include one or more dry batteries (e.g., nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-zinc (NiZn), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion), etc.), solar cells, fuel cells, etc.

[0028] The processor 118 may also be coupled to a GPS chipset 136, which may be configured to provide location information (e.g., longitude and latitude) regarding the current location of the WTRU 102. In addition to, or instead of, information from the GPS chipset 136, the WTRU 102 may receive location information from base stations (e.g., base stations 114a, 114b) over the air interface 116 and / or determine its location based on the timing of signals received from two or more nearby base stations. It will be appreciated that the WTRU 102 may acquire location information by way of any suitable location-determination method while remaining consistent with an embodiment.

[0029] The processor 118 may further be coupled to other peripherals 138, which may include one or more software and / or hardware modules that provide additional features, functionality, and / or wired or wireless connectivity. For example, the peripherals 138 may include an accelerometer, an electronic compass, a satellite transceiver, a digital camera (for photos and / or videos), a universal serial bus (USB) port, a vibration device, a television transceiver, a hands-free headset, a Bluetooth module, a frequency modulated (FM) radio unit, a digital music player, a media player, a video game player module, an internet browser, a virtual reality and / or augmented reality (VR / AR) device, an activity tracker, etc. The peripheral device 138 may include one or more sensors, which may be one or more of a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a Hall effect sensor, a magnetometer, a direction sensor, a proximity sensor, a temperature sensor, a time sensor, a geolocation sensor, an altimeter, a light sensor, a touch sensor, a magnetometer, a barometer, a gesture sensor, a biometric sensor, and / or a humidity sensor.

[0030] The WTRU 102 may include a full-duplex radio where transmission and reception of some or all of the signals associated with a particular subframe (e.g., for both the UL (e.g., for transmission) and downlink (e.g., for reception)) may be parallel and / or simultaneous. The full-duplex radio may include an interference management unit 139 to reduce and or substantially eliminate self-interference either through hardware (e.g., chokes) or signal processing via a processor (e.g., via a separate processor (not shown) or processor 118). In one embodiment, the WTRU 102 may include a half-duplex radio for transmission and reception of some or all of the signals (e.g., associated with a particular subframe for either the UL (e.g., for transmission) or downlink (e.g., for reception)).

[0031] 1C is a system diagram illustrating the RAN 104 and the CN 106, according to one embodiment. As noted above, the RAN 104 may employ E-UTRA radio technology to communicate with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 116. The RAN 104 may also communicate with the CN 106.

[0032] The RAN 104 may include eNodeBs 160a, 160b, and 160c, although it will be understood that the RAN 104 may include any number of eNodeBs while remaining consistent with an embodiment. The eNodeBs 160a, 160b, and 160c may each include one or more transceivers for communicating with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c over the air interface 116. In an embodiment, the eNodeBs 160a, 160b, and 160c may implement MIMO technology. Thus, the eNodeB 160a may, for example, use multiple antennas to transmit wireless signals to and / or receive wireless signals from the WTRU 102a.

[0033] Each of the eNodeBs 160a, 160b, 160c may be associated with a particular cell (not shown) and may be configured to handle radio resource management decisions, handover decisions, scheduling of users in the UL and / or DL, etc. As shown in FIG. 1C, the eNodeBs 160a, 160b, 160c may communicate with each other via an X2 interface.

[0034] 1C may include a mobility management entity (MME) 162, a serving gateway (SGW) 164, and a packet data network (PDN) gateway (or PGW) 166. Although each of the foregoing elements is depicted as part of the CN 106, it will be understood that any of these elements may be owned and / or operated by an entity other than the CN operator.

[0035] The MME 162 may be connected to each of the eNodeBs 162a, 162b, 162c in the RAN 104 via an S1 interface and may function as a control node. For example, the MME 162 may be responsible for authenticating users of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, activating / deactivating bearers, selecting a particular serving gateway during initial attach of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, etc. The MME 162 may provide a control plane function for switching between the RAN 104 and other RANs (not shown) that employ other radio technologies such as GSM and / or WCDMA.

[0036] The SGW 164 may be connected to each of the eNodeBs 160a, 160b, 160c in the RAN 104 via an S1 interface. The SGW 164 may generally route and forward user data packets to and from the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c. The SGW 164 may perform other functions, such as anchoring the user plane during inter-eNodeB handovers, triggering paging when DL data is available to the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and managing and storing the context of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c.

[0037] The SGW 164 may be connected to a PGW 166, which may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to packet-switched networks, such as the Internet 110, to facilitate communication between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and IP-enabled devices.

[0038] The CN 106 may facilitate communications with other networks. For example, the CN 106 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to circuit-switched networks, such as the PSTN 108, to facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and traditional landline communications devices. For example, the CN 106 may include or communicate with an IP gateway (e.g., an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) server) that serves as an interface between the CN 106 and the PSTN 108. Additionally, the CN 106 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to other networks 112, which may include other wired and / or wireless networks owned and / or operated by other service providers.

[0039] Although the WTRU is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D as a wireless terminal, it is contemplated that in certain representative embodiments, such a terminal may use a wired communication interface (e.g., temporarily or permanently) with the communication network.

[0040] In a representative embodiment, the other network 112 may be a WLAN.

[0041] A WLAN in infrastructure Basic Service Set (BSS) mode may have an access point (AP) of the BSS and one or more stations (STAs) associated with the AP. The AP may have access to or interface with a Distribution System (DS) or another type of wired / wireless network that carries traffic into and / or out of the BSS. Traffic originating from outside the BSS to a STA may arrive through the AP and be delivered to the STA. Traffic originating from a STA to a destination outside the BSS may be sent to the AP to be delivered to the respective destination. Traffic between STAs within a BSS may be sent, for example, through the AP, where the source STA may send traffic to the AP, and the AP may deliver the traffic to the destination STA. Traffic between STAs within a BSS may be considered and / or referred to as peer-to-peer traffic. Peer-to-peer traffic may be sent between (e.g., directly between) a source STA and a destination STA using a direct link setup (DLS). In certain representative embodiments, the DLS may use 802.11e DLS or 802.11z tunneled DLS (TDLS). A WLAN using an Independent BSS (IBSS) mode may not have an AP, and STAs within or using the IBSS (e.g., all of the STAs) may communicate directly with each other. The IBSS mode of communication may be referred to herein as an "ad hoc" communication mode.

[0042] When using the 802.11ac infrastructure mode of operation or a similar mode of operation, an AP may transmit beacons on a fixed channel, such as a primary channel. The primary channel may be a fixed width (e.g., a 20 MHz wide bandwidth) or a width that is dynamically set via signaling. The primary channel may be the operating channel of the BSS, but may also be used by STAs to establish a connection with the AP. In certain representative embodiments, for example, in an 802.11 system, Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA / CA) may be implemented. With CSMA / CA, STAs (e.g., all STAs), including the AP, may sense the primary channel. If a particular STA senses / detects and / or determines that the primary channel is busy, the particular STA may back off. One STA (e.g., only one station) may transmit in a given BSS at any given time.

[0043] High Throughput (HT) STAs may use 40 MHz wide channels for communication, which may be formed, for example, through a combination of a primary 20 MHz channel and adjacent or non-adjacent 20 MHz channels.

[0044] A Very High Throughput (VHT) STA may support 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, and / or 160 MHz wide channels. A 40 MHz and / or 80 MHz channel may be formed by combining contiguous 20 MHz channels. A 160 MHz channel may be formed by combining eight contiguous 20 MHz channels or by combining two non-contiguous 80 MHz channels, which may be referred to as an 80+80 configuration. For the 80+80 configuration, after channel encoding, the data may pass through a segment parser that may split the data into two streams. Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) processing and time-domain processing may be performed separately on each stream. The streams may be mapped to two 80 MHz channels, and the data may be transmitted by the transmitting STA. At the receiver of the receiving STA, the operations described above for the 80+80 configuration may be reversed, and the combined data may be sent to Medium Access Control (MAC).

[0045] Sub-1 GHz operating modes are supported by 802.11af and 802.11ah. Channel operating bandwidths and carriers are reduced in 802.11af and 802.11ah compared to those used in 802.11n and 802.11ac. 802.11af supports 5 MHz, 10 MHz, and 20 MHz bandwidths in the TV White Space (TVWS) spectrum, while 802.11ah supports 1 MHz, 2 MHz, 4 MHz, 8 MHz, and 16 MHz bandwidths using non-TVWS spectrum. According to representative embodiments, 802.11ah may support meter-type control / machine-type communications, such as MTC devices, within a macro coverage area. MTC devices may have limited capabilities, including, for example, support for (e.g., only support for) certain specific and / or limited bandwidths. MTC devices may include batteries with above-threshold battery life (e.g., to maintain very long battery life).

[0046] WLAN systems that can support multiple channels and channel bandwidths, such as 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11af, and 802.11ah, include a channel that can be designated as a primary channel. The primary channel can have a bandwidth equal to the maximum common operating bandwidth supported by all STAs in the BSS. The bandwidth of the primary channel can be configured and / or limited by a STA from among all STAs operating in the BSS that support the minimum bandwidth operating mode. In an 802.11ah embodiment, the primary channel can be 1 MHz wide for STAs (e.g., MTC-type devices) that support (e.g., only) the 1 MHz mode, even if the AP and other STAs in the BSS support 2 MHz, 4 MHz, 8 MHz, 16 MHz, and / or other channel bandwidth operating modes. Carrier sensing and / or Network Allocation Vector (NAV) configuration can depend on the status of the primary channel. For example, if the primary channel is busy due to a STA (that only supports 1 MHz operating mode) transmitting to the AP, the entire available frequency band may be considered busy, even though most of the frequency band may remain idle and be available for use.

[0047] In the United States, the available frequency band that can be used by 802.11ah is 902MHz to 928MHz. In South Korea, the available frequency band is 917.5MHz to 923.5MHz. In Japan, the available frequency band is 916.5MHz to 927.5MHz. The total bandwidth available for 802.11ah is 6MHz to 26MHz depending on the country code.

[0048] 1D is a system diagram illustrating the RAN 113 and the CN 115, according to one embodiment. As noted above, the RAN 113 may employ NR radio technology to communicate with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 116. The RAN 113 may also communicate with the CN 115.

[0049] The RAN 113 may include the gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c, although it will be understood that the RAN 113 may include any number of gNBs while remaining consistent with an embodiment. The gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c may each include one or more transceivers for communicating with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c over the air interface 116. In one embodiment, the gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c may implement MIMO technology. For example, the gNBs 180a, 180b may utilize beamforming to transmit signals to and / or receive signals from the gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c. Thus, the gNB 180a may transmit and / or receive wireless signals to and / or from the WTRU 102a using, for example, multiple antennas. In one embodiment, the gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c may implement carrier aggregation technology. For example, the gNB 180a may transmit multiple component carriers to the WTRU 102a (not shown). A subset of these component carriers may be on an unlicensed spectrum, while the remaining component carriers may be on a licensed spectrum. In one embodiment, the gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c may implement Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) technology. For example, the WTRU 102a may receive coordinated transmissions from the gNBs 180a and 180b (and / or 180c).

[0050] The WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c using transmissions associated with scalable numerology. For example, the OFDM symbol spacing and / or OFDM subcarrier spacing may vary for different transmissions, different cells, and / or different portions of the wireless transmission spectrum. The WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c using subframes or transmission time intervals (TTIs) of different or scalable lengths (e.g., including different numbers of OFDM symbols and / or lasting different absolute times).

[0051] The gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may be configured to communicate with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c in a standalone configuration and / or a non-standalone configuration. In a standalone configuration, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c without accessing another RAN (e.g., eNodeBs 160a, 160b, 160c, etc.). In a standalone configuration, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may utilize one or more of the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c as mobility anchor points. In a standalone configuration, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c using signals in unlicensed bands. In a non-standalone configuration, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with and connect to gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c while also communicating with and connecting to another RAN, such as eNodeBs 160a, 160b, 160c. For example, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement DC principles to communicate with one or more gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c and one or more eNodeBs 160a, 160b, 160c substantially simultaneously. In a non-standalone configuration, the eNodeBs 160a, 160b, 160c may act as mobility anchors for the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may provide additional coverage and / or throughput for serving the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c.

[0052] Each of the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may be associated with a particular cell (not shown) and may be configured to handle radio resource management decisions, handover decisions, scheduling of users in the UL and / or DL, support for network slicing, dual connectivity, interworking between NR and E-UTRA, routing of user plane data to User Plane Functions (UPFs) 184a, 184b, routing of control plane information to Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMFs) 182a, 182b, etc. As shown in FIG. 1D, the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may communicate with each other via an Xn interface.

[0053] 1D may include at least one AMF 182a, 182b, at least one UPF 184a, 184b, at least one Session Management Function (SMF) 183a, 183b, and possibly a Data Network (DN) 185a, 185b. While each of the foregoing elements is depicted as part of the CN 115, it will be understood that any of these elements may be owned and / or operated by an entity other than the CN operator.

[0054] The AMF 182a, 182b may be connected to one or more of the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c in the RAN 113 via an N2 interface and may function as a control node. For example, the AMF 182a, 182b may be responsible for authenticating users of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, supporting network slicing (e.g., handling different PDU sessions with different requirements), selecting a particular SMF 183a, 183b, managing registration areas, terminating NAS signaling, mobility management, etc. Network slicing may be used by the AMF 182a, 182b to customize the CN support of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c based on the type of service utilizing the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c. For example, different network slices may be established for different use cases, such as services relying on ultra-reliable low latency (URLLC) access, services relying on enhanced massive mobile broadband (eMBB) access, services for machine type communication (MTC) access, etc. The AMF 162 may provide a control plane function for switching between the RAN 113 and other RANs (not shown) that employ other radio technologies, such as LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, and / or non-3GPP access technologies, such as WiFi.

[0055] The SMFs 183a, 183b may be connected to the AMFs 182a, 182b in the CN 115 via an N11 interface. The SMFs 183a, 183b may also be connected to the UPFs 184a, 184b in the CN 115 via an N4 interface. The SMFs 183a, 183b may select and control the UPFs 184a, 184b and configure the routing of traffic through the UPFs 184a, 184b. The SMFs 183a, 183b may perform other functions such as managing and assigning WTRU IP addresses, managing PDU sessions, controlling policy enforcement and QoS, providing downlink data notification, etc. The PDU session type may be IP-based, non-IP-based, Ethernet-based, etc.

[0056] The UPFs 184a, 184b may be connected to one or more of the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c in the RAN 113 via an N3 interface, which may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to packet-switched networks such as the Internet 110 to facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and IP-enabled devices. The UPFs 184, 184b may perform other functions such as routing and forwarding packets, enforcing user plane policy, supporting multi-homed PDU sessions, handling user plane QoS, buffering downlink packets, providing mobility anchoring, etc.

[0057] The CN 115 may facilitate communication with other networks. For example, the CN 115 may include or communicate with an IP gateway (e.g., an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) server) that acts as an interface between the CN 115 and the PSTN 108. In addition, the CN 115 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to other networks 112, which may include other wired and / or wireless networks owned and / or operated by other service providers. In one embodiment, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may be connected to local data networks (DNs) 185a, 185b through the UPFs 184a, 184b via an N3 interface to the UPFs 184a, 184b and an N6 interface between the UPFs 184a, 184b and the DNs 185a, 185b.

[0058] 1A-1D and the corresponding descriptions thereof, one or more or all of the functions described herein with respect to one or more of the WTRUs 102a-d, base stations 114a-b, eNode-Bs 160a-c, MME 162, SGW 164, PGW 166, gNBs 180a-c, AMFs 182a-ab, UPFs 184a-b, SMFs 183a-b, DNs 185a-b, and / or any other devices described herein may be performed by one or more emulation devices (not shown). The emulation devices may be one or more devices configured to emulate one or more or all of the functions described herein. For example, the emulation devices may be used to test other devices and / or simulate network and / or WTRU functions.

[0059] The emulation devices may be designed to implement one or more tests of other devices in a lab environment and / or an operator network environment. For example, one or more emulation devices may perform one or more or all functions while fully or partially implemented and / or deployed as part of a wired and / or wireless communication network to test other devices in the communication network. One or more emulation devices may perform one or more or all functions while temporarily implemented / deployed as part of a wired and / or wireless communication network. The emulation devices may be directly coupled to another device for testing purposes and / or may use terrestrial wireless communication to perform the tests.

[0060] One or more emulation devices may perform one or more functions, inclusive, while not being implemented / deployed as part of a wired and / or wireless communication network. For example, the emulation devices may be utilized in test scenarios in a test lab and / or in an undeployed (e.g., test) wired and / or wireless communication network to implement testing of one or more components. One or more emulation devices may be test equipment. Direct RF coupling and / or wireless communication via RF circuitry (which may include, e.g., one or more antennas) may be used by the emulation devices to transmit and / or receive data.

[0061] As described herein, a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) may refer to a type of network node that uses a smart wireless surface of one or more (e.g., small) antennas or metamaterial elements. For example, a smart wireless surface of one or more antennas may be used to control the propagation environment, e.g., through tunable scattering of electromagnetic waves (EM waves). The surface may have reflective, refractive, and absorptive properties and may be configured, reconfigured, and / or adapted to a particular wireless channel environment, e.g., using a microcontroller (e.g., a field programmable gate array, or FPGA). The configuration of the RIS may be performed or assisted by the network, e.g., through a separate control signaling link for exchanging relevant side control information.

[0062] A RIS can be used to provide a smart and reconfigurable wireless environment (e.g., future wireless communication systems such as 5G and 6G and beyond). For example, a RIS can include a plane with multiple (e.g., numerous) elements, each capable of independently inducing / causing controllable amplitude and / or phase changes to an incident signal. For example, dense deployment of RISs within a wireless network can (e.g., flexibly) reconfigure wireless channels between transmitters and receivers to, for example, achieve desired realization and distribution, combat wireless channel fading and interference, and / or improve wireless communication capacity and reliability. A RIS can be used to create virtual line-of-sight (LoS) links to bypass obstacles and add signal paths toward desired directions, e.g., via smart reflection. For example, a RIS can be used to improve channel rank, refine channel statistics or distribution, and / or suppress or neutralize interference and / or noise.

[0063] The RIS may be integrated into existing wireless systems, e.g., cellular systems. For example, the RIS may be deployed (e.g., large-scale deployment) in wireless networks to enhance spectral efficiency and energy efficiency in a cost-effective manner. The RIS may lead to a fundamental paradigm shift in wireless system and / or network design from existing MIMO systems that do not use a RIS to RIS-assisted MIMO systems. Because the RIS is associated with a lower cost (e.g., than other network nodes), the RIS may be deployed more densely within wireless networks in a cost-effective manner.

[0064] 2 shows an example wireless communication system 200 including a RIS 202, a WTRU 204, a RIS controller 208, and a network node (e.g., gNB, TRP, etc.) 206. The RIS 202 may be deployed in several scenarios, such as a RIS-based massive MIMO system and / or RIS-based coverage extension. For example, in a RIS-based massive MIMO scenario, the RIS 202 may be deployed near (e.g., adjacent to) the gNB / TRP 206, e.g., to improve spectral efficiency. For example, in a RIS-based coverage extension scenario, the RIS 202 may be deployed away from the gNB / TRP 206, e.g., to extend network coverage (e.g., for both weak coverage areas or coverage holes due to obstructions in the line-of-sight link from the gNB / TRP 206 to the WTRU 202) and / or to extend the coverage area of ​​the gNB / TRP 206.

[0065] In certain scenarios, a personal Internet of Things (IoT) network (PIN) may be implemented. One or more of the following may apply: FIG. 3 shows an example home automation PIN 300. Certain IoT functionality may be designed for devices that communicate using traditional cellular networks. Devices with IoT functionality may exhibit improved power consumption performance, which may enable efficient deployment (e.g., efficient large-scale deployment).

[0066] When multiple IoT devices are deployed in a private environment, WTRUs with IoT capabilities may be organized under a PIN. For example, in a residential environment, security sensors, smart lights, smart plugs, printers, mobile phones, etc. may be managed by a residential gateway and communicate with each other. In this case, devices in the home may configure a PIN. Each device (e.g., security sensors, smart lights, smart plugs, printers, mobile phones, etc.) may be referred to as a PIN element, and various PIN elements may be associated with various functions. For example, the residential gateway may be a PIN element associated with a gateway function (e.g., PIN GW) and / or may be used to provide connectivity between PIN elements and between the 5G network and the PIN elements. Additionally or alternatively, the residential gateway may support PIN management functionality.

[0067] A particular PIN may include a wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch, VR / AR glasses, airpods, etc.). For example, in such a PIN, a WTRU (e.g., a mobile phone) may be configured with a PIN element associated with a gateway function and a PIN element associated with a management function. The wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch, VR / AR glasses, airpods, etc.) may communicate with other devices in the PIN via the WTRU (e.g., a WTRU associated with the gateway function). Additionally or alternatively, the wearable device may communicate with other WTRUs (e.g., WTRUs not included in the PIN) via an external network (e.g., a 5G network).

[0068] In certain scenarios, a residential / customer premises network (CPN) may be implemented. FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment associated with a CPN 400 in a residential scenario. One or more of the following may apply: In certain scenarios, a home may have coverage issues due to floors and other obstacles (e.g., walls, doors, pillars, furniture). At 3.5 GHz, mmWave, and / or higher frequencies, coverage between outdoors and indoors may be an issue. Coverage that can be provided using indoor solutions may be the answer. For example, a private wireless access station (PRAS) can be connected via fixed access. Certain organizations (e.g., 3GPP, Broadband Forum) may offer / consider implementations that include fixed access as part of a 5G system (e.g., wired-wireless convergence architecture implementations), for example.

[0069] In certain scenarios (e.g., most scenarios), a residence may include a single entry network point where, for example, an evolved residential gateway (eRG) may be implemented. Connectivity to the eRG may be implemented via fixed access, 5G fixed wireless access, and / or hybrid fixed access / 5G fixed wireless access.

[0070] In certain scenarios, connectivity may not be provided throughout the home from a single PRAS. For example, if concrete floors and / or walls are present, one or more PRASs may be deployed within the home to provide sufficient coverage (e.g., attic, cell, and even garage). At mmWave frequencies, because high-frequency signals and channels may be blocked (e.g., significantly blocked) by walls, a PRAS may be implemented in each room (e.g., living room, kitchen, bedroom, attic, etc.).

[0071] Proximity-based services (ProSe) may include services provided (e.g., by 3GPP systems) based on the proximity of WTRUs to each other. To provide proximity services, a WTRU may perform a ProSe discovery procedure, for example, to discover other WTRUs in its vicinity. There are two ProSe discovery modes: Model A and Model B.

[0072] 5 shows an example ProSe direct discovery 500 using Model A. In Model A, a WTRU (e.g., a broadcasting WTRU 510) may broadcast one or more broadcast messages 502a, 502b, 502c, 502d that include a ProSe code (e.g., that may be associated with the ID of the broadcasting WTRU and / or associated with a service provided by the broadcasting WTRU 510). Other WTRUs 512, 514, 516, 518 (e.g., monitoring WTRUs) that receive the respective broadcast messages 502a, 502b, 502c, 502d can determine that the broadcasting WTRU 510 is nearby.

[0073] 6 shows an example ProSe direct discovery 600 using Model B. In Model B, a WTRU (e.g., a discoverer WTRU 610) may broadcast one or more solicitation request messages 602a, 602b, 602c, 602d including a ProSe inquiry code (e.g., which may be associated with the ID of the WTRU to be discovered and / or associated with a service to be discovered). One or more of the other WTRUs 612, 614, 616, 618 (e.g., discoveree WTRUs) that receive the solicitation request messages may respond to the request (e.g., by sending response messages 604a, 604b), including, for example, a ProSe response code (e.g., which may be associated with the ID of the discoveree WTRU and / or associated with a ProSe service provided by the discoveree WTRU). The discoverer WTRU 610 may determine that the discoveree WTRUs (e.g., WTRU 612 and WTRU 614) are in proximity.

[0074] The RIS can be used to realize a smart and reconfigurable wireless environment, for example, for future wireless communication systems such as 5G and 6G. For example, the RIS can reflect, refract, and / or absorb an incident beam in a desired direction (e.g., an undesired direction in the case of absorption). In certain scenarios, a RIS deployment can include a RIS integrated network, which can be used to improve the spectral efficiency, network coverage, etc. of a cellular network. In such a deployment, control of one or more antennas (e.g., multiple small antennas) or the radio surface of the metamaterial elements of the RIS can be performed by a base station. The RIS can also or alternatively be part of a smaller personal indoor network, such as a residential network or a PIN (e.g., where direct inter-WTRU communication can occur without involving a network / base station). Control of the RIS (e.g., reflection, refraction, and / or absorption of an incident beam) can be assigned to one or more WTRUs (e.g., a set of WTRUs), for example, for unicast (or multicast) communication between the WTRUs.

[0075] Techniques are described herein that may be used to enable discovery of a RIS for inter-WTRU communications, for example, in personal / customer premises networks (e.g., operating in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum) to enable a WTRU to control a RIS.

[0076] As used herein, the term control signaling may include control signaling and / or side control information used in the operation and / or optimization of the RIS integrated network. As used herein, the terms "RIS" and "RIS controller" may be used interchangeably. As used herein, the term "public network operator" may be used to refer to an operator providing outdoor coverage and / or an operator with authorization to operate in the licensed spectrum in which a given personal / indoor network operates. As used herein, the WTRU may have already successfully performed initial access and / or established a communications link with an access node via the RIS.

[0077] A RIS-integrated personal network may be associated with a topology and / or configuration. One or more of the following may apply: The RIS may be configured for a RIS-integrated CPN using an eRG / PRAS. The RIS may be configured for a RIS-integrated PIN using a PEGC / PEMC.

[0078] RIS discovery for inter-WTRU communications may be performed via the RIS. One or more of the following may apply: A specific protocol stack may be used for RIS discovery messages. RIS discovery may use Model A and / or Model B discovery models. The RIS controller may send / receive solicitation messages / requests to / from the eRG / PRAS / PEGC / PEMC, for example, indicating the capabilities of the RIS. The RIS controller may send / receive discovery / broadcast messages / requests (e.g., based on the capabilities of the RIS) to / from the eRG / PRAS / PEGC / PEMC. The eRG / PRAS may configure the RIS to reflect contact signals back to their source and / or place the CPN WTRU in a scan mode (e.g., a mode in which the CPN WTRU transmits a signal and measures the reflected signal power to discover the RIS).

[0079] The RIS may be controlled by the WTRU. One or more of the following may apply: The control plane protocol stack of the RIS controller may be used for inter-WTRU communications. For example, the control plane protocol stack may include an RLC layer, a MAC layer, a PHY layer, and / or a RIS adaptation layer, which may be disposed over the RLC layer and / or used to adjust / configure the characteristics of the RIS and / or RIS elements. The RIS adaptation layers, RLC, MAC, and PHY, may or may not be terminated in the RIS controller. For example, the RIS adaptation layer may be terminated in the RIS controller and used (e.g., only used) to adapt the RIS elements to reflect signals from the source WTRU to the destination WTRU. The RIS adaptation layer may be controlled by the source / destination WTRU, for example, based on the status of the PC5-RLC layer, PC5-MAC layer, and PC5-PHY layer between the source / destination WTRU and the RIS controller. The control plane protocol stack of the RIS controller for inter-WTRU communications may include (e.g., only include) the PHY layer and the RIS adaptation layer. The RIS adaptation layer may support multiple access (e.g., a first set of RIS elements may be dedicated to transmissions from a source WTRU to a destination WTRU, and a second set of RIS elements may be dedicated to transmissions from the destination WTRU to the source WTRU). The RIS adaptation layer may support multiple access where one set of RIS elements is dedicated to WTRU-to-WTRU transmissions and another set of RIS elements is dedicated to transmissions from the gNB / PRAS / PEMC / PEGC to the WTRU (e.g., including PIN elements, a CPN WTRU, and a WTRU). The RIS adaptation layer may support multicast transmissions, unicast transmissions, and / or WTRU-to-WTRU transmissions.

[0080] The RIS may be integrated into a personal network (e.g., a RIS-integrated personal network). One or more of the following may apply: A RIS-integrated personal network may be considered part of one or more different topologies, including, for example, a RIS-integrated CPN and / or a RIS-integrated PIN.

[0081] In the case of a RIS-integrated CPN, the topology of the RIS-integrated residential network may include one or more of the following: a base station, a RIS controller, and a RIS, an evolved residential gateway (eRG), and / or a private radio access station (PRAS). For example, the RIS controller and the RIS may include a microcontroller that can be used to determine the response of the RIS (e.g., in the electromagnetic field) according to control information from the RIS controller. For example, an eRG may be a gateway between a public network operator (e.g., fixed, mobile, and / or cable) and a CPN in a home, office, and / or store. For example, a PRAS may include a base station installed in the CPN for use in, for example, a home, office, and / or store.

[0082] 7 shows an example topology of a RIS-integrated CPN 700. One or more of the following may apply: The CPN 700 may be a network deployed within a building (e.g., a home, an office, or a store) and may be owned, installed, and / or configured (e.g., at least partially) by a customer of a public network operator. The premise (e.g., a residential area including a home, an office, or a store) may be within the coverage area of ​​the network. The CPN 700 may include a RIS 702, a RIS controller 712, an eRG 710, a PRAS 708, and one or more WTRUs 704a, 704b, 704c, and 704d. The eRG 710 and the PRAS 708 may be deployed within the premise. The PRAS 708 may provide access to a system (e.g., a 5G system) for the WTRUs 704a, 704b, 704c, 704d in the premises and / or may be connected (e.g., wired or wirelessly) to the eRG 710. The eRG 710 may be connected to the same system (e.g., a 5G system), for example, via a wireless and / or wired link. Depending on the premises involved, one or more PRASs (e.g., PRAS 708, etc.) may be installed in a single CPN.

[0083] The RIS 702 may be used in the CPN 700, for example, to extend coverage within a residential area of ​​the PRAS 708 and / or WTRUs 704a, 704b, 704c, 704d attempting inter-WTRU communication within the residential network.

[0084] In certain scenarios, the RIS 702 and RIS controller 712 may be managed by a public network operator, for example, via the eRG 710. The public network operator may enable the eRG 710 to control the RIS controller 712. The public network operator may configure (e.g., pre-configure and / or reconfigure) the RIS controller 712, for example, to receive control signaling from the eRG 710.

[0085] In certain scenarios, a public network operator may enable the PRAS 708 to control the RIS controller 712. For example, the public network operator may configure (e.g., pre-configure and / or reconfigure) the RIS controller 712 to receive control signaling from the PRAS 708.

[0086] In certain scenarios, the RIS 702 and RIS controller 712 may be managed by a customer of a public network operator and / or the owner of the eRG 710 (which may be different from the public network operator that provides coverage to the associated residential area, for example). The RIS 702 and / or RIS controller 712 may be configured (e.g., pre-configured and / or reconfigured) by the customer and / or the eRG owner to receive control signaling from the eRG 710 and / or PRAS 708, for example.

[0087] In certain scenarios, a public network operator may activate / deactivate or turn on / off the RIS 702. For example, the public network operator may activate and / or deactivate the RIS 702 based on the frequency band or bandwidth portion (BWP) in which a given CPN / PRAS operates. In a first CPN (such as the CPN 700), for example, the operating frequency / BWP may include a specific location / floor (e.g., for security or interference management concerns). When the RIS 702 is used to extend the coverage of the first CPN 700, the performance / QoS / KPIs of a certain WTRU (e.g., a WTRU connected to an outdoor network or another outdoor network nearby an indoor network operating on the same frequency / BWP) may be degraded. For example, performance measurements may include measurements that implicitly and / or explicitly consider interference (e.g., RSRQ, SINR, and / or unwanted RIS re-radiation).

[0088] In certain scenarios, one or more (e.g., multiple) PRASs (e.g., PRAS 708, etc.) may be implemented within a CPN. For example, if multiple PRASs are implemented within a CPN, a public network operator and / or eRG 710 may be used to enable control of the RIS 702 via a PRAS (e.g., one of the multiple PRASs).

[0089] The RIS may be integrated into the PIN (e.g., a RIS-integrated PIN). One or more of the following may apply. In the case of a RIS-integrated PIN, the topology may include one or more of the following: a base station, a RIS controller, and a RIS, a PIN Element (PE), a PIN Element with Gateway (GW) Functionality (PEGC), and / or a PIN Element with Management (Mgmt) Functionality (PEMC). For example, the RIS controller and the RIS may include a microcontroller that may be used to determine the response of the RIS (e.g., in the electromagnetic field), for example, according to control information from the RIS controller. The PE may include a device configured to communicate within the PIN and the WTRU. The PEGC may include a WTRU PE that may provide connectivity between other networks (e.g., a 5G network) and a PIN Element that uses a PIN direct connection. The PEMC may include a PE associated with a management function (e.g., having the ability to manage PINs).

[0090] FIG. 8 shows an example topology of a RIS-integrated PIN 800. One or more of the following may apply: The PIN 800 may include, for example, a WTRU and / or one or more PEs 804a, 804b, 804c, 804d, or a group of configured, managed devices including WTRUs authorized (e.g., pre-authorized) to communicate with each other. The PIN may be implemented in an indoor environment or an outdoor environment. The PEs 804a, 804b, 804c, 804d may use a PIN connection (e.g., direct connection) and / or a repeater for end-to-end communication. The direct connection in the PIN 800 may be implemented, for example, over a licensed spectrum (e.g., a 3GPP-licensed spectrum and / or a direct device connection). The PEMC 804c may receive information related to the PEs (e.g., their identities, capabilities, etc.) and manage the PINs. The PEGC 804d may be connected to other networks (e.g., 5G systems) to provide, for example, direct or indirect connectivity between one or more of the PEs 804a, 804b, 804c, and 804d and the other networks. A single PIN element may be associated with both the Mgmt function and the GW function. The PIN may include at least one PEGC (e.g., PEGC 804d) and a PEMC (e.g., PEMC 804c).

[0091] As seen in FIG. 8, the RIS 802 can be used to extend the coverage of the PIN 800 and / or PEs 804a, 804b, 804c, 804d (eg, PEs attempting PIN direct communication within the PIN network).

[0092] In certain scenarios, the RIS 802 and the RIS controller 808 may be managed by a public network operator, e.g., via a PEMC 804c. For example, the public network operator may enable the PEMC 804c to control the RIS controller 808. The public network operator may, for example, configure (e.g., pre-configure and / or reconfigure) the RIS controller 808 to receive control signaling from the PEMC 804c.

[0093] In certain scenarios, a public network operator may be used to enable the PEGC 804d to control the RIS controller 808. The public network operator may configure (e.g., pre-configure and / or reconfigure) the RIS controller 808 to receive control signaling from the PEGC 804d.

[0094] In certain scenarios, the RIS 802 and RIS controller 808 may be managed by the PIN owner (e.g., the PIN owner may be a public network operator). The RIS 802 and / or RIS controller 808 may be configured (e.g., pre-configured and / or reconfigured) by the PIN owner to receive control signaling from, for example, the PEMC 804c and / or the PEGC 804d.

[0095] In certain scenarios, a public network operator may activate / deactivate or turn on / off the RIS 802. For example, the public network operator may activate / deactivate the RIS 802 based on the frequency band or bandwidth portion (BWP) on which the PIN direct communication operates. For example, in a PIN direct connection, the operating frequency / BWP may include a specific location / floor (e.g., due to security concerns and / or interference management). When the RIS 802 is implemented in the PIN 800 to extend the coverage for PIN direct communication, the performance / QoS / KPIs of a certain WTRU may be degraded (e.g., a WTRU connected to an outdoor network or another outdoor network nearby an indoor network operating on the same frequency / BWP). For example, performance measurements may include measurements that implicitly and / or explicitly consider interference (e.g., RSRQ, SINR, and / or unwanted RIS re-radiation).

[0096] In certain scenarios, one or more (e.g., multiple) PEMCs (e.g., PEMC 804c, etc.) and / or PEGCs (e.g., PEGC 804d, etc.) may be implemented within a single PIN. For example, when multiple PEMCs and / or PEGCs are implemented within a single PIN, a public network operator and / or PIN owner may enable control by a RIS (e.g., RIS 802, etc.) over one or more of the PEMCs and / or PEGCs.

[0097] In certain scenarios, one or more (e.g., multiple) PEMCs and / or PEGCs may be implemented within a single PIN. For example, if multiple PEMCs and / or PEGCs are implemented within a single PIN, the public network operator and / or PIN owner may enable RIS control over the PEMCs and / or PEGCs (e.g., in a manner similar to multiple access / resource allocation).

[0098] RIS discovery may be performed for inter-WTRU communications (e.g., via the RIS). One or more of the following may apply: FIG. 9 shows an example protocol stack 900 that may be used for RIS discovery messages. One or more of the following may apply: For example, as seen in FIG. 9, the RIS controller 904 may use a protocol stack for discovery messages. For example, the RIS controller 904 may use discovery models of Model A and / or Model B.

[0099] In Model A, for example, the RIS controller 904 may advertise its presence to other WTRUs. When the RIS controller broadcasts its advertisement message, the WTRU 902 may receive direct discovery related parameters, including, for example, a discovery code, filters, etc. The WTRU 902 may also, or alternatively, receive capability parameters (e.g., reflection, refraction, and / or absorption) that indicate RIS capabilities. If the RIS can support more than one of the above capabilities, the capability parameters may include a list of capabilities. In certain scenarios, the functionality of the RIS may be considered a RIS mode (e.g., passive RIS, semi-active RIS, or active RIS).

[0100] In Model B, the RIS controller 904 may attempt to discover which WTRUs are proximate to the RIS. When the RIS controller 904 broadcasts a discovery message, the RIS controller 904 may attempt to find and / or identify WTRUs 902 around the RIS, which may request (e.g., require) signal reflection, refraction, and / or absorption. When a WTRU 902 around the RIS receives the RIS controller's discovery message, the WTRU 902 may send a solicitation message to the RIS controller 904. For example, the solicitation message may include associated RIS capabilities (e.g., reflection, refraction, and / or absorption), a RIS mode (e.g., passive, semi-active, or active), WTRU capability information, and / or destination WTRU information. In certain scenarios, the RIS controller 904 may receive the solicitation message and send a discovery message to the destination WTRU 902. In certain scenarios, the RIS controller 904 may respond to the solicitation message sent by the WTRU 902. For example, the RIS controller's response may include information related to controlling the RIS (e.g., what and how to control at the RIS). In response to receiving the solicitation message response, the WTRU 902 may control the RIS to send a discovery message to the destination WTRU 902.

[0101] FIG. 10 shows an example associated call flow 1000 that may be used in RIS discovery and / or RIS usage for inter-WTRU communication. One or more of the following may apply: As seen in FIG. 10, the RIS controller may broadcast a discovery message, for example, to determine whether its capabilities are requested (e.g., needed) by surrounding WTRUs. A WTRU 1002a (e.g., a source WTRU) may utilize the RIS and request sending a request message to the RIS controller 1004. For example, the request message may include source WTRU information, destination WTRU information, one or more RIS capabilities, one or more RIS modes, an application ID (in the case of ProSe), etc. The one or more RIS capabilities may be required RIS capabilities and / or expected RIS capabilities. The one or more RIS capabilities may include reflection, refraction, or absorption. The one or more RIS modes may include a passive mode, an active mode, and / or a semi-active mode. At 1010, based on the information provided in the request message, the RIS controller 1004 may send a discovery message to the destination WTRU 1002c. For example, the discovery message may include source WTRU information, destination WTRU information, application ID (in the case of ProSe), etc. At 1012, the destination WTRU 1002c may respond to the discovery message. For example, the destination WTRU 1002c may provide further information as part of the response message. At 1014, based on the destination WTRU's discovery message response, the RIS controller 1004 may send a request message response to the source WTRU 1002a. The request message response from the RIS controller 1004 may include control signaling information, supported side control information, etc. that may be used to control the RIS. Additionally or alternatively, information related to the destination WTRU 1002c may be provided as part of the request message response.At 1016, the source WTRU 1002a may send control signaling to control the RIS and / or utilize the requested RIS functionality (e.g., to reach the destination WTRU). After sending the RIS control signaling to the RIS controller 1004, the source WTRU 1002a may establish a unicast (e.g., PC5) link between the source WTRU 1002a and the destination WTRU 1002c via the RIS at 1026. For example, the source WTRU 1002a may send a transmission to the destination WTRU 1002c via the RIS based on the RIS control information. The transmission may be sent via the unicast link. For example, the transmission may be sent by the source WTRU 1002a to the destination WTRU 1002c using a RIS adaptation layer controlled by the source WTRU 1002a.

[0102] At 1018, the RIS controller 1004 may send a request message response to the source WTRU 1002a in response to the request message received from the source WTRU 1002a at 1008. The request message response from the RIS controller 1004 may include control signaling information, supported side control information, etc. that may be used to control the RIS. At 1020, the source WTRU 1002a may send control signaling to control the RIS and / or utilize the requested RIS functionality (e.g., to send a discovery message to the destination WTRU). At 1022, the source WTRU 1002a may send a discovery message to the destination WTRU 1002c, for example, via the RIS. At 1024, the destination WTRU 1002c may respond to the source WTRU 1002a's discovery message, for example, via the RIS. For example, the destination WTRU 1002c may send a discovery message response to the source WTRU 1002a via the RIS at 1024. After receiving the discovery message from the destination WTRU 1002c, the source WTRU 1002a may establish a unicast (e.g., PC5) link between the source WTRU 1002a and the destination WTRU 1002c via the RIS at 1026. For example, the source WTRU 1002a may send a transmission to the destination WTRU 1002c via the RIS based on the RIS control information. The transmission may be sent via the unicast link. For example, the transmission may be sent by the source WTRU 1002a to the destination WTRU 1002c using a RIS adaptation layer controlled by the source WTRU 1002a.

[0103] For example, if the source WTRU 1002a is via various indirect paths to reach the destination WTRU 1002c (e.g., via a RIS, via relays between WTRUs, etc.), the source WTRU 1002a may determine and / or identify a path (e.g., from existing paths) based on the source WTRU's signal strength, operating frequency, resource pool size, SL-RSRP, SL-RSSI, etc. The source WTRU 1002a may also or alternatively determine and / or identify a path via the RIS based on, for example, energy consumption savings at the source WTRU 1002a, link capacity, SINR, etc. In certain scenarios, the source WTRU 1002a may communicate with the destination WTRU 1002c via direct communication. The source WTRU 1002a may also or alternatively use a path via the RIS to improve communication reliability.

[0104] In certain scenarios, a RIS may be considered a PIN element (e.g., having reflection, refraction, and / or absorption capabilities). As described herein, such a PIN element may be referred to as a RIS-enabled PIN element (PERC). A RIS controller may receive a discovery / announcement message from another PIN element that is part of an existing PIN. This PIN element may be a PEMC and / or a PEGC. When a PERC's RIS controller receives a discovery / announcement message that includes a PIN ID, the RIS controller (e.g., the PERC's RIS controller) may send a (e.g., direct) connection request. For example, the connection request may indicate the PERC's capabilities (e.g., reflection, refraction, and / or absorption). The PERC may send the connection request to a PEMC and / or a PEGC.

[0105] In certain scenarios, the PEMC and / or PEGC may send a discovery message. For example, the discovery message may include an indication of requested (e.g., desired) capabilities for the PERC. For example, the PEMC and / or PEGC may broadcast a discovery message in which the desired capabilities are indicated as reflection. The capabilities may be indicated as a bit string or service code within the discovery message. The discovery message may also, or alternatively, indicate a requested (e.g., required) frequency range for reflection (e.g., or other capabilities for RIS), including, for example, licensed and unlicensed spectrum.

[0106] When the PERC receives a discovery message (e.g., from the PEMC and / or PEGC), the PERC can respond to the discovery message. For example, a response to a discovery message can include one or more of the following: an indication regarding requested (e.g., desired) functionality (e.g., an indication indicating that the desired functionality is supported by the PERC), an indication indicating that a requested (e.g., required) frequency range is supported, etc. The PEMC / PEGC can send a solicitation request for the PERC to join the PIN. The PERC can respond to the solicitation request message with supported RIS control signaling information (e.g., functionality supported by the PERC). The PEMC / PEGC can establish a link with the PERC and initiate control of the RIS element to reflect a signal from the PEMC / PEGC in a desired direction, e.g., to reach another PIN element.

[0107] FIG. 11 shows an example call flow 1100 that may be used for PERC discovery and for controlling a RIS using a PEMC / PEGC 1102. One or more of the following may apply: At 1106, the PEMC / PEGC 1102 may broadcast a discovery message. The PEMC / PEGC 1102 may send the discovery message to determine whether a PERC with appropriate capabilities is available (e.g., a PERC with reflective capabilities in frequency band N77). The discovery message may indicate a PIN ID and / or one or more desired PERC capabilities. At 1108, a PERC (e.g., PERC#1 1104a shown in FIG. 11) may respond to the discovery message with an indication of the PERC's capabilities (e.g., PERC#1 has reflective and absorbing capabilities in frequency band N77). As shown, PERC#2 1104b may not support the requested functionality and PERC#2 1104b may not have sent a response to the discovery message from PEMC / PEGC 1102. At 1110, PEMC / PEGC 1102 may send a solicitation request to PERC#1 1104a to subscribe to the PIN. PEMC / PEGC 1102 may include one or more authorization / security parameters and / or one or more policy configurations associated with the PIN in the solicitation request sent to PERC#1 1104a at 1110. PERC#1 1104a may respond to the solicitation request at 1112, for example, including details of RIS control signaling. At 1114, the PEMC / PEGC 1102 may establish a link with PERC#1 1104a and may begin controlling the RIS element associated with PERC#1 1104a (e.g., to propagate contact signals to reach other PIN elements).

[0108] In certain scenarios, the RIS may be deployed as part of the CPN (e.g., a RIS-integrated CPN). The RIS may be an off-the-shelf component and / or may be deployed together with a PRAS and / or eRG. The RIS may be configured (e.g., pre-configured), for example, via a configuration portal on a web page. The owner of the CPN, for example, via an eRG and / or PRAS, may (re)configure the RIS in a way that allows control of the RIS.

[0109] For example, if the eRG / PRAS is configured to control the RIS through a RIS controller, the eRG / PRAS can enable / authorize an existing CPN WTRU to control the RIS for WTRU-to-WTRU communications. The eRG / PRAS can provide access information to the CPN WTRU to the RIS controller. As described herein, a CPN WTRU can reach the RIS controller using either Model A and / or Model B discovery models. Additionally or alternatively, the eRG / PRAS can configure the RIS to reflect a contact signal back to its source, causing the CPN WTRU to enter a "scan" mode (e.g., a mode in which the CPN WTRU transmits a signal and measures the reflected signal power to discover the RIS).

[0110] In certain scenarios, the eRG / PRAS may provide frequency range information (e.g., allowed frequency ranges) that may be used for inter-WTRU communications via the RIS. For example, the RIS may be configured (e.g., reconfigured) to operate (e.g., only operate) in the allowed frequency ranges.

[0111] In certain scenarios, a control plane protocol stack associated with a RIS controller for inter-WTRU communications may include an RLC layer, a MAC layer, a PHY layer, and / or a RIS adaptation layer, which may be disposed across the RLC layer and / or may be used to adjust characteristics of the RIS / RIS elements. For example, the RIS adaptation layer may be used for one or more of the following purposes: changing / updating the phase and / or amplitude of the RIS elements (e.g., explicit or implicit phase and / or amplitude of the RIS elements), allocating (e.g., reallocating) RIS resources including the RIS elements, changing / updating the directivity / beamforming characteristics / TCI state of contact signals, changing / updating the UL / DL configuration, configuring (e.g., reconfiguring) timing advance offset alignment, turning on / off the RIS and / or RIS elements (e.g., individual RIS elements), transitioning between different RIS functions (e.g., transitioning from reflective to refractive), etc. The source WTRU may control the RIS via the RIS adaptation layer. The source WTRU may utilize the PC5-RLC, PC5-MAC, and PC5-PHY links of the RIS controller to transmit, for example, RIS control signaling.

[0112] In certain scenarios, the RIS adaptation layer, the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and / or the PHY layer may not be terminated at the RIS controller. For example, if the RIS adaptation layer, the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and / or the PHY layer are not terminated at the RIS controller, the source WTRU and / or the destination WTRU may adapt / configure the RIS elements to reflect signals between the source WTRU and the destination WTRU.

[0113] In certain scenarios, the RIS adaptation layer may be terminated in the RIS controller and used (e.g., only used) to adapt / configure the RIS elements to reflect the signal from the source WTRU to the destination WTRU.

[0114] In certain scenarios, the RIS adaptation layer may be controlled by the source and / or destination WTRUs, for example, based on the status of the PC5-RLC, PC5-MAC, and / or PC5-PHY layers between the source / destination WTRUs and the RIS controller. Based on control signaling provided to the RIS adaptation layer of the RIS controller (e.g., from the source / destination WTRUs), the RIS controller can adapt the RIS elements, for example, as part of the RIS-PHY layer of the RIS.

[0115] In certain scenarios, a control plane protocol stack associated with a RIS controller for inter-WTRU communications may include (e.g., include only) a PHY layer and / or a RIS adaptation layer. The source WTRU may control the RIS, e.g., via the RIS adaptation layer, based on information from the PC5-RLC link and PC5-MAC link between the source WTRU and the destination WTRU. For example, the destination WTRU may also or alternatively control the RIS via the RIS adaptation layer. Based on control signaling provided to the RIS adaptation layer of the RIS controller (e.g., from the source / destination WTRU), the RIS controller may adapt / configure the RIS elements, e.g., as part of the RIS-PHY layer of the RIS.

[0116] For example, Figure 12 shows an example associated control plane protocol stack 1200 and 1250 for inter-WTRU communication via a RIS. One or more of the following may apply.

[0117] In certain scenarios, the RIS adaptation layer may support multiple access, for example, where a set of RIS elements may be used (e.g., dedicated) for transmissions from a source WTRU to a destination WTRU, and a different set of RIS elements may be used (e.g., dedicated) for transmissions from the destination WTRU to the source WTRU.

[0118] In certain scenarios, the RIS adaptation layer may support multiple access, for example, where a set of RIS elements may be used (e.g., dedicated) for WTRU-to-WTRU transmissions (e.g., only WTRU-to-WTRU transmissions) and another set of RIS elements may be used (e.g., dedicated) for transmissions from the gNB / PRAS / PEMC / PEGC to the WTRU (e.g., including PIN elements, CPN WTRU, WTRU). Such scenarios may also, or alternatively, apply to scenarios where multiple network operators or multiple PINs exist (e.g., where a set of RIS elements may be specialized to operate in a first frequency range / portion (e.g., BWP) and another set of RIS elements may be specialized to operate in a second frequency range / portion). As described herein, a frequency range / portion may include a BWP, component carrier, Pcell, Scell, MCG, SCG, etc. Similarly, the techniques described herein may be used such that a set of RIS elements is semi-statically or dynamically configured for a particular frequency range / portion.

[0119] In certain scenarios, the RIS adaptation layer may support multicast transmission (e.g., in addition to unicast transmission) and / or WTRU-to-WTRU transmission. In RIS-based multicast transmission, for example, the gNB / PRAS / PEMC / PEGC / WTRU may control the RIS (e.g., to distribute signals in desired directions). For example, the RIS refraction function may be used to perform multicast transmission.

Claims

1. a first wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), receiving a first discovery message associated with a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS); sending a request message to a RIS controller in response to receiving the first discovery message, the request message including one or more of capability information associated with the first WTRU, one or more RIS capabilities, one or more RIS modes, or an indication of a second WTRU; receiving a request response message from the RIS controller in response to the request message, the request response message including RIS control information associated with the RIS; and sending a transmission via the RIS to the second WTRU based on the RIS control information.

2. The first WTRU further comprises: The first WTRU of claim 1 , configured to determine that the second WTRU has been discovered.

3. The first WTRU of claim 2 , wherein the solicitation response message indicates that the second WTRU has been discovered.

4. The first WTRU of claim 1 , wherein the first discovery message includes one or more capability parameters associated with the RIS.

5. The first WTRU further comprises: sending a second discovery message to the second WTRU via the RIS; and receiving, via the RIS, a second discovery message response from the second WTRU.

6. The first WTRU of claim 1 , wherein the one or more RIS functions include reflection, refraction, or absorption.

7. The first WTRU of claim 1 , wherein the one or more RIS modes include a passive mode, an active mode, or a semi-active mode.

8. The first WTRU of claim 5 , wherein the first WTRU is further configured to establish a unicast link with the second WTRU via the RIS.

9. The first WTRU of claim 1 , wherein the first WTRU sends the transmission to the second WTRU using a RIS adaptation layer controlled by the first WTRU.

10. The first WTRU of claim 1 , wherein the RIS is a PIN Element with RIS Capability (PERC).

11. 1. A method performed by a first wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising: receiving a first discovery message associated with a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS); sending a request message to a RIS controller in response to receiving the first discovery message, the request message including one or more of capability information associated with the first WTRU, one or more RIS capabilities, one or more RIS modes, or an indication of a second WTRU; receiving a request response message from the RIS controller in response to the request message, the request response message including RIS control information associated with the RIS; sending a transmission to the second WTRU via the RIS based on the RIS control information.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising determining that the second WTRU has been discovered.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein a solicitation response message indicates that the second WTRU has been discovered.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first discovery message includes one or more capability parameters associated with the RIS.

15. sending a second discovery message to the second WTRU via the RIS; The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving a second discovery message response from the second WTRU via the RIS.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the one or more RIS functions include reflection, refraction, or absorption.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the one or more RIS modes include a passive mode, an active mode, or a semi-active mode.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising establishing a unicast link with the second WTRU via the RIS.

19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the transmission is sent to the second WTRU using a RIS adaptation layer controlled by the first WTRU.

20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the RIS is a PIN Component with RIS Capabilities (PERC).

Images