Mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described below. A mobility function network entity may send an inventory request message to a leader wireless device requesting that the leader report an inventory of ambient-powered wireless devices associated with each leader. The leader may request and receive information from ambient-powered wireless devices, and the leader may send an inventory response message to the mobility function network entity identifying the ambient-powered wireless devices and their associated information. Based on a first inventory response message indicating that a first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the first leader, the mobility function network entity may send a message to the first leader for relaying to the first ambient-powered wireless device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross-reference) This patent application claims the benefit of Greek Patent Application No. 20230100481, titled "MOBILITY MANAGEMENT FOR AMBIENT-POWERED WIRELESS DEVICES," filed on June 15, 2023, which was assigned to the assignee of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Technical Field The following relates generally to wireless communication, and more particularly to mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices.

Background Art

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, including voice, video, packet data, messaging, and broadcast. These systems may be able to support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth-generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth-generation (5G) systems, sometimes referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more base stations, each of which supports wireless communication with communication devices that may be known as user equipment (UEs). [Overview of the project]

[0004] The techniques described relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatus that support mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices. For example, a function (Ambient Internet-of-Things (A-IoT) Mobility Function (A-IMF)) may manage mobility management for ambient wireless devices. In some cases, the A-IMF may send an inventory request message to one or more leader wireless devices (e.g., leaders) requesting that the leader wireless device report an inventory of ambient wireless devices (e.g., A-IoT) associated with that particular leader. Each leader wireless device may query its associated ambient wireless devices and receive a query response from them. The leader wireless device may then send an inventory response message back to the A-IMF identifying the ambient wireless devices based on the query response. The A-IMF may send a message to each leader wireless device indicating that the ambient wireless device is associated with the leader (this message will be relayed to the ambient wireless devices associated with that leader wireless device). In this way, the A-IMF (or another central node) can store ambient wireless device identifiers (IDs) and locations and interact with the reader wireless device to authenticate the ambient wireless device information.

[0005] A method for wireless communication in a mobility function network entity is described. The method may include: sending a set of inventory request messages to a set of multiple leader wireless devices requesting that the set of multiple leader wireless devices report an inventory of ambient-powered wireless devices associated with each leader wireless device; receiving a set of inventory response messages from the set of multiple leader wireless devices that identify the set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices in response to the set of inventory request messages; and sending a message to the first leader wireless device for relaying to the first ambient-powered wireless device based on the first inventory response message, the first inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the first leader wireless device.

[0006] A device for wireless communication in a mobility-functional network entity is described. The device may include at least one processor, a memory coupled to the at least one processor (e.g., operationally, communicatively, functionally, electronically, or electrically), and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may cause the device to send a set of multiple inventory request messages requesting that the set of multiple leader wireless devices report an inventory of ambient-powered wireless devices associated with each leader wireless device; to receive a set of multiple inventory response messages from the set of multiple leader wireless devices in response to the set of multiple inventory request messages, identifying the set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices; and to cause the first leader wireless device to send a message for relaying to the first ambient-powered wireless device based on the first inventory response message, the first inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the first leader wireless device.

[0007] Another device for wireless communication in a mobility function network entity is described. This device may include: means for sending a set of multiple inventory request messages to a set of multiple leader wireless devices requesting that the set of multiple leader wireless devices report an inventory of ambient-powered wireless devices associated with each leader wireless device; means for receiving a set of multiple inventory response messages from the set of multiple leader wireless devices that identify the set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices in accordance with the set of multiple inventory request messages; and means for sending a message to the first leader wireless device for relaying to the first ambient-powered wireless device based on the first inventory response message, the first inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the first leader wireless device.

[0008] The present invention describes a non-temporary computer-readable medium for storing code for wireless communication in a mobility-functional network entity. The code may include instructions that can be executed by at least one processor (e.g., directly, indirectly, after preprocessing, without preprocessing) to send a message to the first leader wireless device for relaying to the first ambient-powered wireless device, based on the first inventory response message, which is a first inventory response message among the set of inventory response messages, where the first inventory response message indicates that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the first leader wireless device.

[0009] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving from a set of reader wireless devices a set of inventory response messages that identify a set of ambient-powered wireless devices based on a set of reflected messages of a set of ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0010] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving from a set of multiple reader wireless devices a set of multiple second inventory response messages identifying a set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices based on a set of multiple notification messages for a set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0011] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include an operation, feature, means, or instruction which involves sending one or more request messages to one or more reader wireless devices, which are selected from a set of multiple reader wireless devices, on the basis of stored information associated with the set of multiple reader wireless devices, requesting one or more reader wireless devices to report data for relay to an application function network entity, and which involves one or more reader wireless devices sending one or more request messages to one or more reader wireless devices, which may be selected on the basis of stored information associated with the set of multiple reader wireless devices, in response to one or more request messages which involves one or more response messages which involve are the data.

[0012] In some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, one or more reader wireless devices may be selected based on distance or signal strength between the reader wireless devices and one or more of a set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0013] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a message to an application-function network entity indicating the location of a first reader wireless device, the location of a first ambient-powered wireless device, or both.

[0014] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for storing information associated with an identified set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices based on a set of multiple inventory response messages.

[0015] In some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, a set of multiple inventory request messages is shown to interrupt the transmission of one or more sets of multiple inventory response messages by one or more sets of multiple reader wireless devices for a period of time or based on a trigger.

[0016] In some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, a set of multiple inventory response messages indicates a set of multiple locations of a set of multiple reader wireless devices, a set of multiple reader wireless device IDs, and a set of multiple ambient-powered wireless device IDs.

[0017] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting one or more sets of inventory request messages, which may be based on a traffic profile associated with one or more of a set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0018] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include an operation, feature, means, or instruction for storing a set of information associated with an identified set of a plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices, wherein the set of information includes power characteristics, energy storage capacity, mobility characteristics, or any combination thereof.

[0019] In some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, a set of multiple inventory request messages includes a set of reporting parameters.

[0020] A method for wireless communication in a reader wireless device is described. The method may include: receiving an inventory request message from a mobility function network entity requesting the reader wireless device to report an inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device; sending an inventory response message to the mobility function network entity in response to the inventory request message, identifying the inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device; receiving a message from the mobility function network entity for relaying to a first ambient-powered wireless device based on the inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device; and sending the message to the first ambient-powered wireless device.

[0021] The present invention describes an apparatus for wireless communication in a reader wireless device. The apparatus may include at least one processor, a memory coupled to the at least one processor (e.g., operable, communicative, functionally, electronically, or electrically), and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by at least one processor (e.g., directly, indirectly, after preprocessing, or without preprocessing) to cause the apparatus to receive an inventory request message from a mobility function network entity requesting the reader wireless device to report an inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device; to cause the apparatus to send an inventory response message to the mobility function network entity in response to the inventory request message, identifying the inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device; and to receive a message from the mobility function network entity for relaying to a first ambient-powered wireless device based on the inventory response message indicating that a first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device, and to send the message to the first ambient-powered wireless device.

[0022] Another apparatus for wireless communication in a leader wireless device is described. This apparatus may include means for receiving an inventory request message from a mobility function network entity requesting the leader wireless device to report an inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the leader wireless device; means for transmitting an inventory response message to the mobility function network entity in response to the inventory request message, identifying the inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the leader wireless device; means for receiving a message from the mobility function network entity for relaying to a first ambient-powered wireless device based on the inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the leader wireless device; and means for transmitting the message to the first ambient-powered wireless device.

[0023] A non - transient computer - readable medium storing code for wireless communication in a leader wireless device is described. The code causes a leader wireless device to receive an inventory request message from a mobility function network entity that requests the leader wireless device to report an inventory of one or more ambient - powered wireless devices associated with the leader wireless device, and in response to the inventory request message, transmit an inventory response message to the mobility function network entity that identifies an inventory of one or more ambient - powered wireless devices associated with the leader wireless device, and based on an inventory response message indicating that a first ambient - powered wireless device is associated with the leader wireless device, receive from the mobility function network entity a message for relaying to the first ambient - powered wireless device, and include instructions executable by at least one processor (e.g., directly, indirectly, after pre - processing, without pre - processing) to transmit the message to the first ambient - powered wireless device.

[0024] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatuses, and non - transient computer - readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting one or more query messages that request information associated with one or more ambient - powered wireless devices to the one or more ambient - powered wireless devices.

[0025] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatuses, and non - transient computer - readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting one or more query messages to one or more ambient - powered wireless devices, which may be based on movement of the leader wireless device, movement of one or more ambient - powered wireless devices, environmental changes, or a combination thereof.

[0026] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving one or more query response messages that identify information associated with one or more ambient-powered wireless devices in response to one or more query messages, wherein an inventory response message includes the information.

[0027] In some embodiments of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, one or more query messages indicate to interrupt the transmission of one or more query response messages by one or more ambient-powered wireless devices during a time period or based on a trigger.

[0028] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving one or more reflection messages from one or more ambient-powered wireless devices and transmitting an inventory response message in response to receiving the one or more reflection messages.

[0029] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving one or more notification messages from one or more ambient-powered wireless devices and transmitting a second inventory response message that identifies the one or more ambient-powered wireless devices to a mobility function network entity.

[0030] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a first request message from a mobility function network entity requesting a reader wireless device to report data for relay to an application function network entity; transmitting one or more second request messages to one or more ambient-powered wireless devices requesting data in response to the first request message; receiving one or more first response messages from one or more ambient-powered wireless devices identifying the data in response to one or more second request messages; and transmitting a response message identifying the data in response to one or more first response messages.

[0031] In some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, a first request message may be received based on the distance or signal strength between a reader wireless device and one or more ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0032] In some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, an inventory request message is indicated to interrupt the transmission of an inventory response message by the reader wireless device for a certain period of time or based on a trigger.

[0033] In some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, the inventory request message indicates the location of the reader wireless device, the reader wireless device ID, and one or more ambient-powered wireless device IDs.

[0034] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving instructions for a traffic profile associated with one or more ambient-powered wireless devices, and receiving inventory request messages may be based on the traffic profile.

[0035] In some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, the inventory request message includes a set of reporting parameters.

[0036] A method for wireless communication in an ambient-powered wireless device is described. The method may include: receiving a query message from a reader wireless device requesting the ambient-powered wireless device to report that it has been associated with a reader wireless device; sending a query response message to the reader wireless device in response to the query message, the query response message reporting that the ambient-powered wireless device has been associated with the reader wireless device; and receiving a message from the reader wireless device based on the query response message indicating that the ambient-powered wireless device has been associated with the reader wireless device.

[0037] The present invention describes an apparatus for wireless communication in an ambient-powered wireless device. The apparatus may include at least one processor, a memory coupled to the at least one processor (for example, operationally, communicatively, functionally, electronically, or electrically), and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by at least one processor (for example, directly, indirectly, after preprocessing, or without preprocessing) to cause the apparatus to receive a query message from the leader wireless device requesting the ambient-powered wireless device to report that it is associated with the leader wireless device, to cause the leader wireless device to send a query response message in response to the query message, the query response message reporting that the ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the leader wireless device, and to receive a message from the leader wireless device based on the query response message indicating that the ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the leader wireless device.

[0038] Another apparatus for wireless communication in an ambient-powered wireless device is described. This apparatus may include means for receiving a query message from a leader wireless device requesting the ambient-powered wireless device to report that it is associated with a leader wireless device; means for transmitting a query response message to the leader wireless device in response to the query message, the query response message reporting that the ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the leader wireless device; and means for receiving a message from the leader wireless device based on the query response message indicating that the ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the leader wireless device.

[0039] The present invention relates to a non-temporary computer-readable medium for storing code for wireless communication in an ambient-powered wireless device. The code may include instructions that can be executed by at least one processor (e.g., directly, indirectly, after preprocessing, without preprocessing) to receive a query message from a reader wireless device requesting the ambient-powered wireless device to report that it has associated with a reader wireless device, send a query response message to the reader wireless device in response to the query message, the query response message reporting that the ambient-powered wireless device has associated with the reader wireless device, and receive a message from the reader wireless device based on the query response message indicating that the ambient-powered wireless device has associated with the reader wireless device.

[0040] In some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, receiving a query message may include an operation, feature, means, or instruction to receive a query message requesting information associated with an ambient-powered wireless device.

[0041] In some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, transmitting a query response message may include an operation, feature, means, or instruction that transmits a query response message identifying information associated with an ambient-powered wireless device in response to the query message.

[0042] In some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, a query message is indicated to interrupt the transmission of a query response message by an ambient-powered wireless device for a period of time that terminates based on a trigger.

[0043] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a second query message from a second reader wireless device requesting second information associated with an ambient-powered wireless device based on environmental changes.

[0044] In some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, transmitting a query response message may include an operation, feature, means, or instruction for transmitting a query response message which may be a backscatter of the query message.

[0045] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include an operation, feature, means, or instruction for transmitting an announcement message to a reader wireless device, the announcement message identifying information associated with an ambient-powered wireless device based on the expiration of a timer.

[0046] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a request message from a reader wireless device requesting data for relay to a mobility function network entity, and, in response to the request message, transmitting a response message to the reader wireless device identifying the data.

[0047] In some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, query messages may be received based on the movement of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices, the movement of a reader wireless device, environmental changes, or a combination thereof.

[0048] Some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting instructions for a traffic profile associated with an ambient-powered wireless device, and receiving query messages based on the traffic profile.

[0049] In some embodiments of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, the query message includes a set of reporting parameters. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0050] [Figure 1] This document illustrates one embodiment of a wireless communication system supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This disclosure illustrates one embodiment of a network architecture supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This document illustrates one embodiment of a wireless communication system supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This disclosure provides examples of process flows supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This disclosure provides examples of process flows supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] The image shows a block diagram of a device supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] The image shows a block diagram of a device supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] A block diagram of a communications manager supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 9] The diagram shows a system including a device that supports mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of this disclosure. [Figure 10] The image shows a block diagram of a device supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] The image shows a block diagram of a device supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] A block diagram of a communications manager supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 13] The diagram shows a system including a device that supports mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of this disclosure. [Figure 14] The image shows a block diagram of a device supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] The image shows a block diagram of a device supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] A block diagram of a communications manager supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 17] The diagram shows a system including a device that supports mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of this disclosure. [Figure 18]A flowchart illustrating a method for supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 19] A flowchart illustrating a method for supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 20] A flowchart illustrating a method for supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 21] A flowchart illustrating a method for supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 22] A flowchart illustrating a method for supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 23] A flowchart illustrating a method for supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 24] A flowchart illustrating a method for supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of this disclosure is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0051] Ambient wireless devices (e.g., ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) devices) are wireless devices that may have limited or no energy storage. Ambient wireless devices may lack the ability to perform autonomous transmission and therefore may communicate by reflecting received energy using some additional modulation (e.g., backscatter) to carry information. Furthermore, ambient wireless devices may lack support for several mobility management procedures, including cell selection and reselection, as well as registration procedures, and such ambient wireless devices may not be able to initiate communication with other wireless devices. In some cases, wireless devices such as user equipment (UEs) and network entities (e.g., base stations) may lack techniques for directing communication to ambient wireless devices that do not follow mobility management procedures when a UE leaves, for example, its current registration area. Furthermore, techniques for selecting a UE, network entity, or other wireless node to communicate with a particular ambient wireless device may be desirable.

[0052] The techniques described relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatus that support mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices. For example, a function (A-IoT Mobility Function (A-IMF)) may manage mobility management for ambient wireless devices. In some cases, the A-IMF may send an inventory request message to one or more leader wireless devices (e.g., leaders) requesting that the leader wireless device report an inventory of ambient wireless devices (e.g., A-IoT) associated with that particular leader. The report may indicate that zero or more ambient wireless devices are associated with that particular leader. Each leader wireless device may send a query and receive zero or more query responses from zero or more ambient wireless devices near that particular leader. The leader wireless devices may then send back an inventory response message to the A-IMF identifying zero or more ambient wireless devices based on the query responses or based on the receipt of no query responses. A-IMF may send a message to each leader wireless device indicating that zero or more ambient wireless devices are associated with the reader (this message will be relayed to the ambient wireless devices associated with that leader wireless device). In this way, A-IMF (or another central node) can store ambient wireless device identifiers (IDs) and locations and interact with the leader wireless device to authenticate the ambient wireless device information.

[0053] The aspects of this disclosure will first be described in the context of wireless communication systems. The aspects of this disclosure will then be described in the context of network architecture and process flows. The aspects of this disclosure will be further illustrated and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flow diagrams relating to mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0054] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a wireless communication system 100 supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some embodiments, the wireless communication system 100 may be a network operating according to Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks, LTE Advanced (LTE-A) networks, LTE-A Pro networks, New Radio (NR) networks, or other systems and radio technologies, including future systems and radio technologies not expressly mentioned herein.

[0055] The network entity 105 can be distributed across a geographical area to form a wireless communication system 100 and may include devices of different forms or with different capabilities. In various embodiments, the network entity 105 may be referred to as a network element, mobility element, radio access network (RAN) node, or network equipment, among many technical terms. In some embodiments, the network entity 105 and UE 115 can communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., radio frequency (RF) access links). For example, the network entity 105 can support a coverage area 110 (e.g., a geographical coverage area) on which the UE 115 and the network entity 105 can establish one or more communication links 125. The coverage area 110 can be an embodiment of a geographical area on which the network entity 105 and UE 115 can support signal communication according to one or more radio access technologies (RATs).

[0056] UE115 may be distributed throughout the wireless communication system 100, and each UE115 may be fixed or movable. UE115 may also be referred to as a mobile device, wireless device, remote device, handheld device, or subscriber device, or any other preferred term, and “device” may also be referred to as a unit, station, terminal, or client. UE115 may be a cellular phone, smartphone, or personal digital assistant (PDA). Devices such as assistants, PDAs, multimedia / entertainment devices (e.g., radios, MP3 players, or video devices), cameras, game consoles, navigation / positioning devices (e.g., GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) devices based on GPS (Global Positioning System), Beidou, GLONASS, or Galileo, or ground-based devices), tablet computers, laptop computers, netbooks, smartbooks, personal computers, smart devices, wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart clothing, smart glasses, virtual reality goggles, smart wristbands, smart jewelry (e.g., smart rings, smart bracelets)), drones, robots / robot devices, vehicles, vehicle devices, meters (e.g., parking meters, electric meters, gas meters, water meters), monitors, gas pumps, household appliances (e.g., kitchen appliances, washing machines, dryers), location tags, medical / healthcare devices, implants, sensors / actuators, displays, or any other suitable device configured to communicate via wireless or wired media. In some embodiments, UE115 may also refer to wireless local loop (WLL) stations, IoT devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, or MTC devices, which can be implemented in a variety of items such as home appliances, drones, robots, vehicles, and meters.

[0057] Some UE115s, such as MTC devices or IoT devices, may be low-cost or low-complexity devices that can provide automated communication between machines (e.g., via machine-to-machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC may refer to data communication technology that enables devices to communicate with each other or with network entities 105 (e.g., base stations) without human intervention. In some embodiments, M2M communication or MTC may include communication from devices that incorporate sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay that information to a central server or application program where that information can be used, or present that information to a human interacting with the program or application. Some UE115s may be designed to collect information or enable automated machine behavior. Examples of applications for MTC devices include smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcare monitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather and geological event monitoring, fleet management and tracking, remote security detection, physical access control, and transaction-based business billing. In one embodiment, the techniques disclosed herein may be applicable to MTC UE or IoT UE. MTC UE or IoT UE may include MTC / extended MTC (eMTC, also known as CAT-M or Cat M1) UE, NB-IoT (also known as CAT NB1) UE, and other types of UE. eMTC and NB-IoT may refer to future technologies that may evolve from or build upon these technologies. For example, eMTC may include FeMTC (further eMTC), eFeMTC (extended further eMTC), and mMTC (massive MTC), and NB-IoT may include eNB-IoT (extended NB-IoT) and FeNB-IoT (further extended NB-IoT).

[0058] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, including voice, video, packet data, messaging, and broadcast. These systems can be multiple access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Wireless networks, such as Wi-Fi® (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, IEEE) 802.11) networks, and wireless local area networks (WLANs), may include access points (APs) that can communicate with one or more wireless or mobile devices. APs may be coupled to a network such as the Internet, and may enable mobile devices to communicate over the network (or with other devices coupled to the APs). Wireless devices can communicate bidirectionally with network devices. For example, in a WLAN, a device may communicate with a relevant AP via downlink (e.g., a communication link from the AP to the device) and uplink (e.g., a communication link from the device to the AP). A wireless personal area network (PAN), which may include Bluetooth connectivity, can provide short-range wireless connectivity between two or more paired wireless devices. For example, a wireless device such as a cellular phone may utilize wireless PAN communication to exchange information, such as audio signals, with a wireless headset. Components within a wireless communication system may be coupled to one another (e.g., operationally, communicatively, functionally, electronically, and / or electrically).

[0059] As described herein, a node of the wireless communication system 100, which may be referred to as a network node or wireless node, can be a network entity 105 (e.g., any network entity described herein), a UE 115 (e.g., any UE described herein), a network controller, a device, a computing system, one or more components, or another suitable processing entity configured to perform any of the techniques described herein. For example, a node can be a UE 115. In another embodiment, a node can also be a network entity 105. In another embodiment, the first node may be configured to communicate with a second or third node. In one aspect of this embodiment, the first node can be a UE 115, the second node can be a network entity 105, and the third node can be a UE 115. In another aspect of this embodiment, the first node can be a UE 115, the second node can be a network entity 105, and the third node can be a network entity 105. In yet another embodiment of this embodiment, the first node, the second node, and the third node may differ from those of these embodiments. Similarly, references to UE115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, or computing system may include disclosures of UE115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, or computing system that are nodes. For example, a disclosure that UE115 is configured to receive information from network entity 105 also discloses that the first node is configured to receive information from the second node.

[0060] In some embodiments, network entities 105 can communicate with the core network 130, communicate with each other, or communicate with both. For example, network entities 105 can communicate with the core network 130 via one or more backhaul communication links 120 (e.g., according to S1, N2, N3, or other interface protocols). In some embodiments, network entities 105 can communicate with each other via the backhaul communication links 120 (e.g., according to X2, Xn, or other interface protocols) either directly (e.g., directly between network entities 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130). In some embodiments, network entities 105 can communicate with each other via a midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., according to a midhaul interface protocol), or via a fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., according to a fronthaul interface protocol), or via any combination thereof. The backhaul communication link 120, the midhaul communication link 162, or the fronthaul communication link 168 may be one or more wired links (e.g., electrical links, fiber optic links), one or more wireless links (e.g., wireless links, wireless optical links), or may include such links, in various embodiments or combinations thereof. The UE 115 can communicate with the core network 130 via the communication link 155.

[0061] One or more of the network entities 105 described herein may include a base station 140 (e.g., base transceiver station, radio base station, NR base station, AP, radio transceiver, node B, eNode B (eNodeB, eNB), next-generation node B or giganode B (both sometimes referred to as gNB), 5G NB, next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), home node B, home eNB, or other preferred terminology), or may be referred to as base station 140. In some embodiments, the network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140) may be implemented in an aggregated (e.g., monolithic, standalone) base station architecture, which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single network entity 105 (e.g., a single RAN node such as base station 140).

[0062] In some embodiments, the network entity 105 may be implemented in a decoupled architecture (e.g., a decoupled base station architecture, a decoupled RAN architecture) that can be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed among two or more network entities 105, such as an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open RAN (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration supported by the O-RAN Alliance), or a virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a cloud RAN (C-RAN)). For example, network entity 105 may include one or more of the following: central unit (CU) 160, distributed unit (DU) 165, radio unit (RU) 170, RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) 175 (e.g., Near-Real Time RIC, Near-RT RIC, Non-Real Time RIC), Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) 180 system, or any combination thereof. RU 170 may also be referred to as a radio head, smart radio head, remote radio head (RRH), remote radio unit (RRU), or transmission reception point (TRP). In a separated RAN architecture, one or more components of network entity 105 may be co-located, or one or more components of network entity 105 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations).In some embodiments, one or more network entities 105 of a separate RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., virtual CUs (VCUs), virtual DUs (VDUs), virtual RUs (VRUs)).

[0063] The functional division between CU160, DU165, and RU170 is flexible, and different functionalities can be supported depending on which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, RF functions, and any combination thereof) are performed in CU160, DU165, or RU170. For example, a functional division of the protocol stack may be adopted between CU160 and DU165, so that CU160 can support one or more layers of the protocol stack, and DU165 can support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. In some embodiments, CU160 can host higher protocol layer (e.g., Layer 3 (L3), Layer 2 (L2)) functionalities and signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC), Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP)). A CU160 can connect to one or more DU165s or RU170s, each of which can host lower protocol layers such as Layer 1 (L1) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer) functionality and signaling, each of which can be at least partially controlled by the CU160. Alternatively, a functional partition of the protocol stack may be employed between the DU165 and RU170, so that the DU165 can support one or more layers of the protocol stack, and the RU170 can support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DU165 can support one or more different cells (e.g., via one or more RU170s).In some cases, the functional division between CU160 and DU165, or between DU165 and RU170, may be within the protocol layer (for example, some functions relating to the protocol layer may be performed by one of CU160, DU165, or RU170, while other functions of the protocol layer may be performed by a different one of CU160, DU165, or RU170). CU160 may be further functionally divided into CU control plane (CU-CP) functions and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. CU160 may be connected to one or more DU165s via midhaul communication links 162 (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u), and DU165s may be connected to one or more RU170s via fronthaul communication links 168 (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interfaces). In some embodiments, a midhaul communication link 162 or a fronthaul communication link 168 may be implemented according to an interface (e.g., a channel) between layers of the protocol stack supported by each network entity 105 communicating over such a communication link.

[0064] In a wireless communication system (e.g., wireless communication system 100), the infrastructure and spectral resources for radio access can provide an IAB network architecture (e.g., to a core network 130) by supporting wireless backhaul link capabilities to complement wired backhaul connections. In some cases, in an IAB network, one or more network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) may be partially controlled by one another. One or more IAB nodes 104 may be referred to as donor entities or IAB donors. One or more DU 165 or one or more RU 170 may be partially controlled by one or more CU 160 associated with a donor network entity 105 (e.g., donor base station 140). One or more donor network entities 105 (e.g., IAB donors) may communicate with one or more additional network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) via supported access links and backhaul links (e.g., backhaul communication link 120). IAB node 104 may include an IAB mobile termination (IAB-MT) controlled (e.g., scheduled) by the DU165 of the coupled IAB donor. The IAB-MT may include a separate set of antennas for relaying communications with UE115, or it may share the same antennas of IAB node 104 (e.g., RU170) used for access to IAB node 104 via DU165 (e.g., a virtual IAB-MT (referred to as vIAB-MT)). In some embodiments, IAB node 104 may include a DU165 that supports communication links with additional entities (e.g., IAB node 104, UE115) in the relay chain or relay configuration of the access network (e.g., downstream).In such cases, one or more components of the isolated RAN architecture (e.g., one or more IAB nodes 104, or components of IAB nodes 104) may be configured to operate in accordance with the techniques described herein.

[0065] For example, an access network (AN) or RAN may include communication between an access node (e.g., an IAB donor), an IAB node 104, and one or more UEs 115. The IAB donor can facilitate the connection between the core network 130 and the AN (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection to the core network 130). That is, the IAB donor may refer to a RAN node with a wired or wireless connection to the core network 130. The IAB donor may include a CU 160 and at least one DU 165 (e.g., RU 170), in which case the CU 160 can communicate with the core network 130 via an interface (e.g., a backhaul link). The IAB donor and IAB node 104 can communicate via the F1 interface according to a protocol that defines signaling messages (e.g., the F1 AP protocol). Additionally or alternatively, a CU160 may communicate with the core network via an interface that may be an embodiment of a backhaul link, and may communicate with other CU160s (e.g., CU160s associated with an alternative IAB donor) via an Xn-C interface that may also be an embodiment of a backhaul link.

[0066] IAB node 104 may refer to a RAN node that provides IAB functionality (e.g., access to UE 115, wireless self-backhaul capability). DU 165 may act as a distributed scheduling node toward child nodes associated with IAB node 104, and IAB-MT may act as a scheduled node toward a parent node associated with IAB node 104. That is, an IAB donor may be referred to as a parent node communicating with one or more child nodes (e.g., an IAB donor can relay transmissions about the UE through one or more other IAB nodes 104). Additionally or alternatively, IAB node 104 may also be referred to as a parent or child node toward other IAB nodes 104, depending on the relay chain or relay configuration of the AN. Therefore, the IAB-MT entity of IAB node 104 can provide a Uu interface for child IAB node 104 to receive signaling from parent IAB node 104, and the DU interface (e.g., DU165) can provide a Uu interface for parent IAB node 104 to signal to child IAB node 104 or UE115.

[0067] For example, IAB node 104 may be referred to as a parent node that supports communication with child IAB nodes, or as a child IAB node associated with an IAB donor, or both. An IAB donor may include a CU 160 with a wired or wireless connection (e.g., a backhaul communication link 120) to the core network 130 and may act as a parent node to IAB node 104. For example, the IAB donor's DU 165 may relay transmissions to UE 115 via IAB node 104, or directly signal transmissions to UE 115, or both. The IAB donor's CU 160 can signal the establishment of a communication link to IAB node 104 via the F1 interface, and IAB node 104 can schedule transmissions (e.g., transmissions to UE 115 relayed from the IAB donor) via DU 165. In other words, data may be relayed to and from IAB node 104 via signaling through the NR Uu interface to the MT of IAB node 104. Communication with IAB node 104 may be scheduled by the DU165 of the IAB donor, or communication with IAB node 104 may be scheduled by the DU165 of IAB node 104.

[0068] In the case of the techniques described herein, applied in the context of a separated RAN architecture, one or more components of the separated RAN architecture may be configured to support mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices as described herein. For example, some operations described as being performed by UE115 or network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140) may, in addition or alternatively, be performed by one or more components of the separated RAN architecture (e.g., IAB node 104, DU165, CU160, RU170, RIC175, SMO180).

[0069] UE115 may include, or may be referred to as, a mobile device, wireless device, remote device, handheld device, or subscriber device, or any other preferred term; “device” may also be referred to as a unit, station, terminal, or client in any of the many embodiments. UE115 may also include, or may be referred to as, a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, PDA, tablet computer, laptop computer, or personal computer. In some embodiments, UE115 may include, or may be referred to as, a WLL station, IoT device, IoE device, or machine-type communications (MTC) device, which may be implemented in any of the many embodiments in various items, such as home appliances, vehicles, or meters.

[0070] The UE115 described herein, as shown in Figure 1, may be capable of communicating with other UE115s that can sometimes function as repeaters, as well as with various types of devices, including network entities 105 and network equipment, such as macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations, among many embodiments.

[0071] UE115 and network entity 105 can communicate wirelessly with each other over one or more communication links 125 (e.g., access links) using resources associated with one or more carriers. The term “carrier” may refer to a set of RF spectral resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting communication links 125. For example, the carrier used for communication link 125 may include a portion of the RF spectral band (e.g., a bandwidth part (BWP)) operating according to one or more physical layer channels for a given RAT (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry acquired signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling that coordinates the operation of the carrier, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communication system 100 can support communication with UE115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. UE115 may consist of multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used with both frequency division duplexing (FDD) component carriers and time division duplexing (TDD) component carriers. Communication between network entity 105 and other devices may refer to communication between those devices and any part of network entity 105 (e.g., entity, sub-entity). For example, when referring to network entity 105, the terms “transmitting,” “receiving,” or “communicating” may refer to any part of network entity 105 in the RAN (e.g., base station 140, CU160, DU165, RU170) communicating with another device (e.g., directly or via one or more other network entities 105).

[0072] The signal waveform transmitted over a carrier may consist of multiple subcarriers (for example, using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM). In systems employing MCM techniques, a resource element may refer to a single symbol period (e.g., duration of a single modulation symbol) and a single subcarrier resource, in which case the symbol period and subcarrier spacing may be inversely proportional. The amount of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., modulation order, modulation coding rate, or both) so that a relatively larger number of resource elements (e.g., within the transmission duration) and a relatively higher-order modulation scheme can accommodate relatively higher communication rates. Wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of RF spectral resources, temporal resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers, beams), and the use of multiple spatial resources can improve the data rate or data integrity of communication with UE115.

[0073] The time interval relating to network entity 105 or UE115 is, for example, T s = 1 / (Δf max ·N f ) can refer to a sampling period of seconds, which can be expressed as a multiple of the basic time unit, in this case Δf max This may represent the supported subcarrier intervals, N f This may represent the supported Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) size. The time interval of the communication resources can be organized according to radio frames, each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame can be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., in the range of 0 to 1023).

[0074] Each frame may contain multiple subframes or slots that are sequentially numbered, and each subframe or slot may have the same duration. In some embodiments, a frame can be divided into subframes (e.g., in the time domain), and each subframe may be further divided into a certain number of slots. Alternatively, each frame may contain a variable number of slots, the number of slots may depend on the subcarrier interval. Each slot may contain a certain number of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix added to the beginning of each symbol period). In some wireless communication systems 100, a slot may be further divided into a plurality of minislots, each associated with one or more symbols. Each symbol period, excluding the cyclic prefix, may be divided into one or more (e.g., N) f The sampling period can be associated with the number of symbols. The duration of the symbol period may depend on the subcarrier interval or the frequency band of operation.

[0075] A subframe, slot, minislot, or symbol can be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communication system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some embodiments, the TTI duration (e.g., the amount of symbol duration within the TTI) can be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 can be dynamically selected (e.g., in bursts of shortened TTIs, sTTIs).

[0076] With respect to carrier-based communications, physical channels can be multiplexed according to various techniques. For example, one or more of the following techniques can be used to multiplex physical control channels and physical data channels with respect to signaling over the downlink carrier: time division multiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), or hybrid TDM-FDM. A control domain (e.g., a control resource set, CORESET) with respect to a physical control channel can be defined by a set of symbol periods and can be extended over the system bandwidth or a subset of the system bandwidth of that carrier. One or more control domains (e.g., CORESET) can be configured with respect to a set of UE115s. For example, one or more of the UE115s can monitor or explore control domains with respect to control information according to one or more search space sets, each search space set may contain one or more control channel candidates at one or more aggregation levels, configured in a cascaded manner. The aggregation level for control channel candidates may refer to the amount of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements, CCEs) associated with encoded information for a control information format with a given payload size. The search space set may include a common search space set configured to send control information to multiple UE115s, and a UE-specific search space set for sending control information to a particular UE115.

[0077] In some embodiments, the network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU170) can be mobile and therefore can provide communication coverage for a moving coverage area 110. In some embodiments, different coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but these different coverage areas 110 can be supported by the same network entity 105. In some other embodiments, overlapping coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies can also be supported by different network entities 105. The wireless communication system 100 may include heterogeneous networks, for example, in which different types of network entities 105 provide coverage to various coverage areas 110 using the same or different RATs.

[0078] The wireless communication system 100 can be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communications, low-latency communications, or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communication system 100 can be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC). The UE 115 can be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency, or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communications may include private or group communications and may be supported by one or more services such as push-to-talk, video, or data. Support for ultra-reliable and low-latency functions may include service prioritization, and such services may be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, and ultra-reliable low-latency may be used interchangeably herein.

[0079] In some embodiments, a UE 115 can be configured to support direct communication with other UEs 115 via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (for example, according to a peer-to-peer (P2P) protocol, a D2D protocol, or a sidelink protocol). In some embodiments, one or more UEs 115 in a group performing D2D communication may reside within the coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, RU 170), and the modes of such D2D communication may be configured (e.g., scheduled) by the network entity 105. In some embodiments, one or more UEs 115 in such a group may reside outside the coverage area 110 of the network entity 105, or may otherwise be unable to receive or not configured to receive transmissions from the network entity 105. In some embodiments, a group of UE115s communicating via D2D communication can support a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE115 transmits to each of the other UE115s in the group. In some embodiments, a network entity 105 can facilitate the scheduling of resources related to D2D communication. In some other embodiments, D2D communication can occur between UE115s without the involvement of the network entity 105.

[0080] The core network 130 can provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC), which may include at least one control plane entity (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF)) that manages access and mobility, and at least one user plane entity (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)) that routes packets or interconnects to external networks. The control plane entity can manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management, for UE 115 serviced by network entities 105 (e.g., base station 140) associated with the core network 130. User IP packets can be forwarded via user plane entities, which may provide IP address assignment and other functions. The user plane entity can connect to IP services 150 relating to one or more network operators. IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, one or more intranets, IP Multimedia Subsystems (IMS), or packet-switched streaming services.

[0081] The wireless communication system 100 can operate using one or more frequency bands, which may be in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Generally, the 300 MHz to 3 GHz range is known as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) range or decimeter band, as the wavelengths are in the range of approximately 1 decimeter to 1 meter. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features, sometimes referred to as clusters, but these waves can penetrate structures well enough for macrocells to serve UE115 located indoors. Communication using UHF waves can be associated with smaller antennas and shorter distances (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) compared to communication using lower frequencies and longer waves in the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0082] The wireless communication system 100 can utilize both licensed and unlicensed RF spectral bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may employ License Assisted Access (LAA), LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U) RAT, or NR technologies using unlicensed bands such as the 5GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. While operating using unlicensed RF spectral bands, devices such as network entities 105 and UE115 may employ carrier sensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some embodiments, operation using unlicensed bands may be based on a carrier aggregation configuration (e.g., LAA) in conjunction with component carriers operating using licensed bands. Operation using unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmission, uplink transmission, P2P transmission, or D2D transmission, among many embodiments.

[0083] A network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU170) or UE115 may be equipped with multiple antennas that can be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. The antennas of the network entity 105 or UE115 may be located in one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels that can transmit or receive MIMO operation or beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located in an antenna assembly such as an antenna tower. In some embodiments, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with the network entity 105 may be located in diverse geographical locations. The network entity 105 may include an antenna array having a set of rows and columns of antenna ports that the network entity 105 can use to support beamforming of communication with the UE115. Similarly, the UE115 may include one or more antenna arrays that can support various MIMO or beamforming operations. As an addition or alternative, the antenna panel may support RF beamforming with respect to signals transmitted through the antenna port.

[0084] Beamforming, sometimes referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signal processing technique that can be used in a transmitting or receiving device (e.g., network entity 105, UE115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting and receiving devices. Beamforming can be achieved by combining signals communicated through the antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating along a particular orientation relative to the antenna array undergo constructive interference, while other signals undergo destructive interference. The modulation of signals communicated through antenna elements may include the transmitting or receiving device applying amplitude offset, phase offset, or both to the signals carried through the antenna elements associated with that device. The modulation associated with each antenna element can be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting or receiving device, or to some other orientation).

[0085] The wireless communication system 100 can be a packet-based network operating according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communication at the bearer or PDCP layer can be IP-based. To communicate over logical channels, the RLC layer can perform packet segmentation and reassembly. The MAC layer can perform priority processing and multiplexing of logical channels to transport channels. The MAC layer may also implement error detection techniques, error correction techniques, or both to support retransmission to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the RRC layer can provide establishment, configuration, and maintenance of RRC connections between the UE 115 and the network entity 105 or core network 130 supporting the wireless bearer for user plane data. The PHY layer can map transport channels to physical channels.

[0086] The wireless communication system 100 may support mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices. For example, A-IMF may manage the mobility management of ambient wireless devices. In some cases, A-IMF may send an inventory request message to one or more leader wireless devices (e.g., leaders) requesting that the leader wireless device report an inventory of ambient wireless devices (e.g., A-IoT) associated with that particular leader. Each leader wireless device may query its associated ambient wireless devices and receive a query response from the ambient wireless devices. The leader wireless device may then send an inventory response message back to A-IMF identifying the ambient wireless devices based on the query response. A-IMF may send a message to each leader wireless device indicating that the ambient wireless device is associated with a leader (this message will be relayed to the ambient wireless devices associated with that leader wireless device). In this way, A-IMF (or another central node) may store ambient wireless device IDs and locations and interact with leader wireless devices to authenticate ambient wireless device information.

[0087] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a network architecture 200 (e.g., a separate base station architecture, a separate RAN architecture) that supports mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The network architecture 200 may represent an embodiment for implementing one or more embodiments of a wireless communication system 100. The network architecture 200 may include one or more CU160-a that can communicate directly with the core network 130-a via a backhaul communication link 120-a, or indirectly with the core network 130-a via one or more separate network entities 105 (e.g., a quasi-RT RIC175-b via an E2 link, or a non-RT RIC175-a associated with an SMO180-a (e.g., an SMO framework), or both). The CU160-a may communicate with one or more DU165-a via their respective midhaul communication links 162-a (e.g., an F1 interface). A DU165-a may communicate with one or more RU170-a via their respective fronthaul communication links 168-a. A RU170-a may be associated with a respective coverage area 110-a and may communicate with a UE115-a via one or more communication links 125-a. In some implementations, a UE115-a may be serviced simultaneously by multiple RU170-a.

[0088] Each of the network entities 105 of the network architecture 200 (e.g., CU160-a, DU165-a, RU170-a, non-RT RIC175-a, quasi-RT RIC175-b, SMO180-a, Open Clouds (O-Clouds) 205, Open eNBs (O-eNBs) 210) may include one or more interfaces, or may be coupled with one or more interfaces configured to receive or transmit signals (e.g., data, information) via a wired or wireless transmitting medium. Each network entity 105, or an associated processor (e.g., a controller) that provides instructions to the interfaces of the network entities 105, may be configured to communicate with one or more of the other network entities 105 via a transmitting medium. For example, a network entity 105 may include a wired interface configured to receive or transmit signals to one or more of the other network entities 105 via a wired transmitting medium. Additionally or alternatively, a network entity 105 may include a wireless interface which may include a receiver, transmitter, or transceiver (e.g., an RF transceiver), the wireless interface being configured to receive and / or transmit signals to one or more other network entities 105 via a wireless transmission medium.

[0089] In some embodiments, the CU160-a may host one or more higher-layer control functions. Such control functions may include RRC, PDCP, or SDAP. Each control function may be implemented using an interface configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by the CU160-a. The CU160-a may be configured to handle user plane functionality (e.g., CU-UP), control plane functionality (e.g., CU-CP), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the CU160-a may be logically divided into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. When implemented in an O-RAN configuration, the CU-UP units may communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP units via an interface such as the E1 interface. The CU160-a may be implemented to communicate with the DU165-a as needed for network control and signaling.

[0090] The DU165-a may correspond to a logic unit containing one or more functions (e.g., base station functions, RAN functions) for controlling the operation of one or more RU170-a. In some embodiments, the DU165-a may at least partially host one or more of one or more aspects of the RLC layer, MAC layer, and PHY layer (e.g., high PHY layers such as modules for FEC coding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc.), at least in part according to a functional partition, such as those defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®). In some embodiments, the DU165-a may further host one or more low PHY layers. Each layer may be implemented using interfaces configured to communicate signals with other layers hosted by the DU165-a or with control functions hosted by the CU160-a.

[0091] In some embodiments, lower-layer functionality may be implemented by one or more RU170-a. For example, a RU170-a controlled by a DU165-a may correspond to a logical node hosting RF processing functions, or low-PHY layer functions (e.g., performing fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering), or both, at least partially based on a functional partition such as lower-layer functional partitioning. In such an architecture, the RU170-a may be implemented to handle over-the-air (OTA) communication with one or more UE115-a. In some implementations, real-time and non-real-time modes of control plane and user plane communication with RU(s)170-a may be controlled by the corresponding DU165-a. In some embodiments, such configurations may enable the DU165-a and CU160-a to be implemented in cloud-based RAN architectures such as vRAN architectures.

[0092] The SMO180-a may be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of non-virtualized and virtualized network entities 105. For non-virtualized network entities 105, the SMO180-a may be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements that can be managed via an operational and maintenance interface (e.g., the O1 interface). For virtualized network entities 105, the SMO180-a may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (e.g., O-Cloud205) to perform network entity lifecycle management (e.g., instantiating the virtualized network entity 105) via a cloud computing platform interface (e.g., the O2 interface). Such virtualized network entities 105 may include, but are not limited to, CU160-a, DU165-a, RU170-a, and quasi-RT RIC175-b. In some implementations, the SMO180-a may communicate with components configured according to 4G RAN (e.g., via the O1 interface). As an addition or alternative, in some implementations, the SMO180-a may communicate directly with one or more RU170-a via the O1 interface. The SMO180-a may also include a non-RT RIC175-a configured to support the functionality of the SMO180-a.

[0093] Non-RT RIC175-a may be configured to include logical functions that enable non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and RAN resources, artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) workflows including model training and updating, or policy-based guidance for applications / features in quasi-RT RIC175-b. Non-RT RIC175-a may be coupled to or communicate with quasi-RT RIC175-b (e.g., via the A1 interface). Quasi-RT RIC175-b may be configured to include logical functions that enable quasi-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and RAN resources via data acquisition and actions via an interface connecting one or more CU160-a, one or more DU165-a, or both, and the O-eNB210 to quasi-RT RIC175-b (e.g., via the E2 interface).

[0094] In some embodiments, non-RT RIC175-a may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server to generate AI / ML models deployed to quasi-RT RIC175-b. Such information may be utilized by quasi-RT RIC175-b and may be received by SMO180-a or non-RT RIC175-a from non-network data sources or network functions. In some embodiments, non-RT RIC175-a or quasi-RT RIC175-b may be configured to adjust RAN behavior or RAN performance. For example, non-RT RIC175-a may monitor long-term trends and patterns in performance and employ AI or ML models to implement corrective actions through SMO180-a (e.g., reconfiguration via O1) or by creating RAN management policies (e.g., A1 policies).

[0095] The network architecture 200 may support mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices. For example, A-IMF may manage the mobility management of ambient wireless devices. In some cases, A-IMF may send an inventory request message to one or more leader wireless devices (e.g., leaders) requesting that the leader wireless device report an inventory of ambient wireless devices (e.g., A-IoT) associated with that particular leader. Each leader wireless device may query its associated ambient wireless devices and receive a query response from the ambient wireless devices. The leader wireless device may then send an inventory response message back to A-IMF identifying the ambient wireless devices based on the query response. A-IMF may send a message to each leader wireless device indicating that the ambient wireless device is associated with a leader (this message will be relayed to the ambient wireless devices associated with that leader wireless device). In this way, A-IMF (or another central node) may store ambient wireless device IDs and locations and interact with leader wireless devices to authenticate ambient wireless device information.

[0096] Figure 3 shows one embodiment of a wireless communication system 300 supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system may include an ambient wireless device 305-a (e.g., an A-IoT device), a reader wireless device 310-a (e.g., a reader), and a mobility function network entity 330-a (e.g., an A-IMF), which may be embodiments of the corresponding devices described herein. In some embodiments, the mobility function network entity 330-a may communicate with a plurality of reader wireless devices 310, and each reader wireless device 310 may communicate with one or more ambient wireless devices 305.

[0097] Ambient wireless device 305-a may be an A-IoT device that has no energy storage or has limited energy storage. For example, ambient wireless device 305-a may be unable to transmit autonomously or may be able to transmit autonomously with limitations. Instead of, or in addition to, limited autonomous transmission, ambient wireless device 305-a may communicate by reflecting received energy using some additional modulation (e.g., backscatter transmission) that carries information. Ambient wireless device 305-a may lack support for some mobility management procedures, such as cell selection and reselection, system information block (SIB) reading, tracking area configuration, and network-attached storage (NAS) registration procedures.

[0098] The ambient wireless device 305-a may be one of several different types of A-IoT devices. A first device type (Type A) may have no energy storage and may not have independent signal generation (e.g., may use backscatter transmission). A second device type (Type B) may have limited energy storage (e.g., for amplification of reflected signals) and may not have independent signal generation (e.g., may use backscatter transmission). A third device type (Type C) may have limited energy storage (e.g., for amplification of reflected signals) and limited independent signal generation (e.g., an active RF component for transmission). In some embodiments, an A-IoT device of the third device type may be associated with a particular energy storage class. For example, a device that can store up to E1 / E2 joules of energy may have limited energy storage. Therefore, a Type C device may, in some cases, be unable to autonomously transmit to or reach a particular node for complex procedures such as registration (e.g., due to a limited amount of messages or a limited message size).

[0099] The ambient wireless device 305-a may possess a subscriber identification module (SIM) and may be associated with a UE subscription. In addition, different wireless communication environments (e.g., RAN topologies) may support the ambient wireless device 305-a (e.g., communication toward a gNB or network entity 105, UE 115, or any other node acting as a repeater or independently).

[0100] Ambient wireless devices 305-a (particularly Type A or Type B devices) may have limited ability to initiate communication due to their limited energy storage capacity. Other devices (e.g., network entity 105, UE115, or other wireless nodes) may have difficulty directing communication towards ambient wireless devices 305-a because ambient wireless devices 305-a may not support standard mobility management procedures (e.g., cell reselection or enrollment procedures when moving from the current enrollment area to a new enrollment area). Therefore, a method for selecting wireless devices or nodes to communicate with ambient wireless devices 305-a may be desirable (for example, because the communication range is likely to be much shorter for A-IoT devices than for normal or typical mobile devices).

[0101] In some embodiments, the leader wireless device 310-a may communicate and interact directly with the ambient wireless device 305. The leader wireless device 310-a may transmit and receive communications from other wireless devices and, if applicable, may further provide RF energy that can be used to power the ambient wireless device 305-a. In some embodiments, the leader wireless device 310-a may be the UE 115, gNB or network entity 105, an IAB node, another node in a 5G system, or a dedicated node.

[0102] The leader wireless device 310-a can query its environment by sending a query message 315 (e.g., a general query). The leader wireless device 310-a may autonomously send a query message 315 via configuration from the mobility function network entity 330, for example, in response to detecting a change in the environment. In some embodiments, such as when the ambient wireless device 305-a is a type A or type B device incapable of independent signal generation, the query message 315 may provide the ambient wireless device 305-a with an opportunity to send uplink data.

[0103] In some embodiments, the query message 315 may indicate a specific ambient wireless device 305-a or a set of ambient wireless devices 305-a that may use the query message 315 to transmit data (e.g., device information). In some embodiments, the leader wireless device 310-a may indicate the periodicity of the query message 315 to the ambient wireless devices 305-a. In some embodiments, the ambient wireless device 305-a may provide the leader wireless device 310-a with a traffic forecast that the leader wireless device 310-a may use to determine or modify the periodicity of the query message 315. In some other embodiments, the mobility function network entity 330-a may configure the leader wireless device using periodicity based on the traffic profile and characteristics of the ambient wireless devices 305-a.

[0104] The ambient wireless device 305-a may respond to the query message 315 (e.g., via backscatter transmission) with a query response message 320 which may include ambient wireless device information such as the device ID and other information about the ambient wireless device 305-a (e.g., sensor information or location information). In some embodiments (e.g., when the ambient wireless device 305-a is a transmittable type C device), the ambient wireless device 305-a may autonomously send an announcement message to the reader wireless device 310, as described herein with reference to Figure 5. The announcement message may include an indicator that the ambient wireless device 305-a has data (e.g., device information or sensor data) to send to the network. Additionally or alternatively, the announcement message may include data that the ambient wireless device 305-a should send to the network. The reader wireless device 310-a may interact with the ambient wireless device 305-a to acknowledge the data, to retrieve the data (e.g., via a query procedure), or both.

[0105] The leader wireless device 310-a may store ambient wireless device information and / or communicate device information and its own location to a central node such as a mobility function network entity 330-a via an inventory response message 325. The leader wireless device 310-a may interact (e.g., communicate) with ambient wireless device 305-a and a server (e.g., a mobility function network entity 330-a) to authenticate the reported ambient wireless device ID.

[0106] Mobility function network entity 330-a may be an embodiment of the AMF, another core network node, or an external server, and may be referred to as A-IMF. In some embodiments, mobility function network entity 330-a may reside within an authorized (e.g., 3GPP) core network (e.g., within the AMF), within a RAN, within an external server (e.g., outside 3GPP), or in any combination thereof (e.g., some functionality may reside within the core network, and some functionality may reside externally).

[0107] The exact signaling routes and transports may differ depending on whether, and where, the mobility function network entity 330-a and the reader wireless device 310-a are hosted. For example, the inventory request message 335, the inventory response message 325, or both may include user plane signaling sent to the UE 115, or they may use control plane signaling sent to the network entity 105 (e.g., gNB).

[0108] The mobility function network entity 330-a may possess several functions to support mobility management for ambient wireless devices 305-a. In some embodiments, the mobility function network entity 330-a may store, use, or access a database of A-IoT device characteristics (e.g., power characteristics, energy storage capacity, or mobility characteristics). In some embodiments, the mobility function network entity 330-a may configure a support leader wireless device 310-a to collect and report data about ambient wireless devices 305-a in their vicinity (e.g., within a specific distance or vicinity, or with sufficient signal strength). For example, the mobility function network entity 330-a may send an inventory request message 335 to one or more leader wireless devices 310-a. In some embodiments, the mobility function network entity 330-a may receive reports (e.g., inventory response messages 325) from one or more leader wireless devices 310-a that may include ambient wireless device information (e.g., A-IoT device location and A-IoT device ID), leader wireless device information (e.g., leader location and leader ID, such as UE ID if leader wireless device 310-a is UE115, or network node identification information if leader wireless device 310-a is network entity 105), or any combination thereof. The mobility function network entity 330-a may store the received information, along with the leader history (e.g., when the inventory response messages 325 were sent or received), in a database, for example. The mobility function network entity 330-a may further support downlink and uplink communication, discovery functionality, and communication with other wireless devices capable of transmitting.

[0109] In some embodiments, other functions (e.g., application function network entities) may interact with the mobility function network entity 330-a to communicate with the ambient wireless device 305-a (e.g., to request data, to request fresh location reports, or to transmit data such as status changes), or to obtain information about the ambient wireless device 305-a. In such embodiments, the mobility function network entity 330-a may act as a routing device, or it may provide data for use by other functions.

[0110] When acting as a routing device, the mobility function network entity 330-a may select one or more suitable leader wireless devices 310-a based on stored data (e.g., the location of the last known leader wireless device 310, the last known ambient wireless device 305-a, or leader history). The mobility function network entity 330-a may forward requests to one or more leader wireless devices 310-a and await responses. One or more leader wireless devices 310-a may provide a device ID to ensure that no other devices (e.g., ambient wireless devices 305-a other than those with which other functions are communicating) respond. For example, if a mobility function network entity 330-a is routing to or querying a particular ambient wireless device 305, the leader wireless device 310-a may include the device ID of that particular ambient wireless device 305-a in the query message 315, such that the ambient wireless device 305-a sends a query response message 320 only if its device ID matches the ID in the query message 315. If no response is received (for example, during the duration after the request is sent), the mobility function network entity 330-a may relax the leader selection criteria by selecting all leader wireless devices 310-a that are known to be within a certain distance of the last known location of ambient wireless device 305-a (or are known to have sufficient signal strength with ambient wireless device 305-a). When the leader wireless device 310-a receives a suitable response from a target device (e.g., ambient wireless device 305-a), the leader wireless device 310-a can forward the response back to the mobility function network entity 330-a, which can then provide the received information to the transmitting function.

[0111] When providing data for use by one or more other functions (for example, so that these other functions can communicate with ambient wireless device 305-a), the mobility function network entity 330-a may provide the target device (e.g., ambient wireless device 305-a) with the leader location, ambient wireless device location, and other leader-related data. If the location data has not been updated for some time (e.g., is not fresh enough), the mobility function network entity 330-a may follow the same steps described herein, but may refrain from forwarding the data to one or more other functions. Instead, the mobility function network entity 330-a may send an acknowledgment of the presence and location of ambient wireless device 305-a to one or more other functions.

[0112] In some embodiments, communication with the mobility function network entity 330-a may enable one or more other functions (e.g., application function network entities) to track the location of the ambient wireless device 305-a (e.g., for general item tracking). In some embodiments, the mobility function network entity 330-a may receive a request message from a function about ambient device information. In response to the request message, the mobility function network entity 330-a may send the function location and timestamp data associated with the ambient wireless device 305-a. The location and timestamp data may be based on a database of previous reports from the reader wireless device 310 and may include the previous location of the reader wireless device 310, the previous location of the ambient wireless device 305-a (e.g., determined by the reader wireless device 310-a), or both.

[0113] In some embodiments, the timestamp of the location data may not meet the threshold freshness (for example, the location data may be outdated and therefore less useful to other functions requesting the information). In such embodiments, the mobility function network entity 330-a may initiate a procedure (similar to the procedure for sending data as a routing device) to provide the updated location information to other functions. For example, the mobility function network entity 330-a may select one or more reader wireless devices 310-a based on data stored in the database (e.g., the location of the last known reader wireless device 310-a, the location of the last known ambient wireless device 305-a, the history of the reader wireless device 310-a). The mobility function network entity 330-a may forward the request message to one or more selected reader wireless devices 310-a (e.g., via an inventory request message 335) and await a response. One or more reader wireless devices 310-a may send a query message 315 requesting device information from one or more ambient wireless devices 305-a. In some embodiments, the query message 315 may include a device ID to ensure that other devices (e.g., ambient wireless devices 305-a other than those about which other functions are requesting information) do not respond.

[0114] If mobility function network entity 330-a does not receive a response (e.g., inventory response message 325) within a certain time period, mobility function network entity 330-a may relax its leader selection criteria. For example, mobility function network entity 330-a may select all leader wireless devices 310-a that are known to be within a certain distance of the last known location of ambient wireless device 305-a (or known to have at least a threshold signal strength with ambient wireless device 305-a) and send an inventory request message 335 to the selected leader wireless devices 310-a. When leader wireless device 310-a receives a query response message 320 from ambient wireless device 305, leader wireless device 310-a may forward data (e.g., the location of ambient wireless device 305-a, the location of leader wireless device 310-a, or both) to mobility function network entity 330-a. Mobility function network entity 330-a may store updated location information along with a timestamp in a database and may transmit reports containing the updated location information and timestamp along with other information to other functions.

[0115] Figure 4 shows one embodiment of a process flow 400 supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the process flow 400 may implement, or be implemented by, an embodiment of a wireless communication system 100, a network architecture 200, a wireless communication system 300, or any combination thereof. For example, the process flow 400 may include an ambient wireless device 305-b (e.g., an A-IoT device), a reader wireless device 310-b (e.g., a reader), and a mobility function network entity 330-b (e.g., an A-IMF), which may be embodiments of the corresponding devices described herein with respect to Figure 3. In some embodiments, the process flow 400 may include a plurality of ambient wireless devices 305 and a plurality of reader wireless devices 310. The following alternative embodiments may be implemented, where some steps are performed in a different order than described or not performed at all. In some cases, the steps may include additional features not mentioned below, or further steps may be added. The ambient wireless device 305-b, the reader wireless device 310-b, and the mobility function network entity 330-b are shown performing the operations of process flow 400, but some aspects of some operations may also be performed by one or more other wireless devices.

[0116] In 405, the mobility function network entity 330-b may send an inventory request message to the leader wireless device 310-b. In some embodiments, the inventory request message may configure the leader wireless device 310-b to provide an inventory of one or more ambient wireless devices 305-a. For example, the configuration may include reporting parameters (e.g., reporting periodicity, movement of the leader wireless device 310-b, event triggers such as movement detection, changes in local data such as sensor data, or other triggers).

[0117] In 410, the leader wireless device 310-b may send a query message to the ambient wireless device 305-b, for example, in response to an inventory request message received in 405. The leader wireless device 310-b may send the query message to all ambient wireless devices 305-a in the area, or to a subset of ambient wireless devices 305. In some embodiments, the leader wireless device 310-b may send the query message periodically (for example, according to the reporting periodicity configured by the mobility function network entity 330-b in 405).

[0118] At 415, ambient wireless device 305-b may send a query response message to reader wireless device 310-b (for example, in response to a query message received at 410). The query response message may include ambient wireless device information, such as the device ID and other information (e.g., sensor information or location information). Reader wireless device 310-b may store the device information (along with other information such as a timestamp) in a database. Any other ambient wireless device 305 may also respond at 415 to a query message communicated at 410, if any.

[0119] In 420, the reader wireless device 310-b may send an inventory response message to the mobility function network entity 330-b (for example, according to the reporting parameters provided in 405). The inventory response message may include information obtained from the query response message in 415, and may additionally or alternatively include information associated with the reader wireless device 310-b (e.g., location and ID). The inventory response message may report information about one or more reader wireless devices 310.

[0120] In 425, the leader wireless device 310-b may detect environmental changes. For example, the leader wireless device 310-b may detect that it has moved to a new area, that one or more ambient wireless devices (e.g., ambient wireless device 305-b) have moved to a new location, that local data (such as sensor data) has changed, that the level of light or sound has changed, that other environmental changes have occurred, or any combination thereof.

[0121] In 430, the leader wireless device 310-b may send an autonomously initiated query message to the ambient wireless device 305-b (not in response to, for example, an inventory request message from the mobility function network entity 330-b). That is, the leader wireless device 310-b may autonomously initiate the transmission of a query message. In some embodiments, the leader wireless device 310-b may send a query message based on the detection of an environmental change in 425, or based on other reporting parameters / triggers received from the mobility function network entity 330-b in 405. In some embodiments, the leader wireless device 310-b may, in addition or alternatively, send a message that causes the ambient wireless device 305-b to refrain from responding for a period of time, or based on a trigger such as motion detection or a change in local data (e.g., sensor data).

[0122] In 435, the ambient wireless device 305-b may, for example, send a query response message to the reader wireless device 310-b in response to a query message received in 430. Similar to the query response message received in 415, the query response message may include ambient wireless device information, such as the device ID and other information (e.g., sensor information or location information). Other ambient wireless devices 305 may also respond to a query message with a query response message. The reader wireless device 310-b may store the device information (along with other information such as a timestamp) in a database.

[0123] In 440, the reader wireless device 310-b may send another inventory response message to the mobility function network entity. In addition to the information obtained from the query response message in 435 and the information about the reader wireless device 310-b, the inventory response message may include the results of multiple query response messages from the same ambient wireless device 305-b over time (e.g., a history of query response data including timestamps). In some embodiments, the inventory response sent in 440 may include information about one or more ambient wireless devices 305. In some embodiments, the mobility function network entity 330-b may receive one or more inventory responses from each of the one or more reader wireless devices 310.

[0124] In 445, the mobility function network entity 330-b may send an association message to the reader wireless device 310-b for relaying to the ambient wireless device 305-b. In some embodiments, the mobility function network entity 330-b may send an association message based on, or in response to, receiving an inventory response from the reader wireless device 310-b in 420 or 440. The association message may indicate an association between the ambient wireless device 305-b and the reader wireless device 310-b.

[0125] In 450, the leader wireless device 310-b may transmit an associated message to be relayed to the ambient wireless device 305-b (for example, based on or in response to having received an associated message for relaying from the mobility function network entity 330-b in 445). The associated message may indicate an association between the ambient wireless device 305-b and the leader wireless device 310-b. In some embodiments, the ambient wireless device 305-b may transmit an acknowledgment message to the leader wireless device 310-b acknowledging that the ambient wireless device 305-b has received the associated message. In some embodiments, the leader wireless device 310-b may transmit an acknowledgment message to the mobility function network entity 330-b acknowledging that the ambient wireless device 305-b has received the associated message to be relayed.

[0126] Figure 5 shows one embodiment of a process flow 500 supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the process flow 500 may implement, or be implemented by, an embodiment of a wireless communication system 100, a network architecture 200, a wireless communication system 300, or any combination thereof. For example, the process flow 500 may include an ambient wireless device 305-c (e.g., an A-IoT device), a reader wireless device 310-c (e.g., a reader), and a mobility function network entity 330-c (e.g., an A-IMF), which may be embodiments of the corresponding devices described herein with respect to Figure 3. In some embodiments, the process flow 500 may include a plurality of ambient wireless devices 305 and a plurality of reader wireless devices 310. The following alternative embodiments may be implemented, where some steps are performed in a different order than described or not performed at all. In some cases, the steps may include additional features not mentioned below, or further steps may be added. The ambient wireless device 305-c, the reader wireless device 310-c, and the mobility function network entity 330-c are shown performing the operations of process flow 500, but some aspects of some operations may also be performed by one or more other wireless devices.

[0127] In 505, the mobility function network entity 330-c may send an inventory request message to the leader wireless device 310-c. In some embodiments, the inventory request message may configure the leader wireless device 310-c to provide an inventory of one or more ambient wireless devices 305. For example, the configuration may include reporting parameters (e.g., reporting periodicity, movement of the leader wireless device 310-c, or other triggers).

[0128] In 510, the leader wireless device 310-c may send a query message to the ambient wireless device 305-c, for example, in response to an inventory request message received in 505. In some embodiments, the leader wireless device 310-c may send a query message to all ambient wireless devices 305-a in the area, or to a subset of ambient wireless devices 305. In some embodiments, the leader wireless device 310-c may send query messages periodically (for example, according to the reporting periodicity configured by the mobility function network entity 330-b in 405), or may initiate a query message when triggered by another reporting parameter configured by the mobility function network entity 330-b in 405 (for example, when it detects nearby movement, a change in lighting level, a change in sound level, it has moved to a new area, or another environmental change).

[0129] In some embodiments (for example, when ambient wireless device 305-c is a Type C device capable of autonomous transmission), the query message may include reporting parameters that are the same as, similar to, or different from, the reporting parameters received by the reader wireless device 310-c in 505 (e.g., the periodicity of sending notification messages, or one or more other triggers for sending notification messages, such as motion detection or other event triggers, changes in local data such as sensor data, or other triggers). In some embodiments, the query message may include a timer and instructions for sending notification messages when the timer expires. That is, the query message may configure ambient wireless device 305-c to start the timer and send notification messages when the timer expires. In some embodiments, the reader wireless device 310-c may be configured to stop or start sending notification messages, or to start or stop responding (e.g., for a certain period of time, or based on a trigger such as motion detection or a change in local sensor data).

[0130] In 515, the ambient wireless device 305-c may send a query response message to the reader wireless device 310-c (for example, in response to a query message received in 510). The query response message may include ambient wireless device information, such as the device ID and other information (e.g., sensor information or location information). The reader wireless device 310-c may store the device information (along with other information such as a timestamp) in a database.

[0131] In 520, the reader wireless device 310-c may send an inventory response message to the mobility function network entity 330-c (for example, according to the reporting parameters provided in 505). The inventory response message may include information obtained from the query response message in 515, and may, in addition or alternatively, include information about the reader wireless device 310-c. The inventory response message may report information about one or more reader wireless devices 310.

[0132] At 525, an elapsed timer (e.g., a timer transmitted at 510) may expire. In some embodiments, another trigger may occur (e.g., a trigger specified by a reporting parameter at 510, such as ambient wireless device 305-c detecting a change in location).

[0133] The ambient wireless device 305-c may autonomously initiate transmission (for example, in addition to directly responding to an initial query message in 510) (for example, since it is a Type C device). For example, in 530, the ambient wireless device 305-c may send an announcement message to the reader wireless device 310-c (for example, in response to timer expiration in 525 or another reporting parameter / trigger). The ambient wireless device 305-c may send an announcement in 510 according to reporting parameters received by the ambient wireless device 305-c via a query message. The ambient wireless device 305-c may use its limited energy storage to send an announcement instead of backscattered or reflected messages. The announcement message may include ambient wireless device information, such as device ID, device status, and other peripheral information (e.g., sensor information or location information). The reader wireless device 310-c may store the device information (along with other information such as a timestamp) in a database. In some cases, the notification message may include an instruction that ambient wireless device 305-c has data to send to the network, but may not include such data. In such cases, reader wireless device 310-c may initiate a query procedure to retrieve data from ambient wireless device 305-c.

[0134] In some embodiments, the leader wireless device 310-c may send an acknowledgment message to the ambient wireless device 305-c acknowledging that the leader wireless device 310-c has received the notification message at 530. In some embodiments, the ambient wireless device 305-c may be configured to repeat sending the notification message (or query response message) until the ambient wireless device 305-c receives an acknowledgment (for example, by the reporting parameters received at 510). In some embodiments, the ambient wireless device 305-c may repeat sending the notification message or query response message until two or more or all of the leader wireless devices 310-c in the area respond with an acknowledgment message.

[0135] In 535, the leader wireless device 310-c may, in some cases, send an inventory response message to the mobility function network entity 330-c in response to the notification message in 530. In addition to the information obtained from the notification message in 530 and information about the leader wireless device 310-c (e.g., leader location and leader ID), the inventory response message may include the results of multiple query response messages from the same ambient wireless device 305-c over time (e.g., a history of query response data including a list of device IDs and timestamps of query response messages and / or notification messages, where in some embodiments the list may be empty because no query response is received from any ambient wireless device). In some embodiments, the inventory response sent in 535 may include information about one or more ambient wireless devices 305. In some embodiments, the mobility function network entity 330-c may receive one or more inventory responses from each of the one or more leader wireless devices 310.

[0136] Figure 6 shows a block diagram 600 of a device 605 that supports mobility management for an ambient-powered wireless device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Device 605 may be an embodiment of an embodiment of the mobility function network entity described herein. Device 605 may include a receiver 610, a transmitter 615, and a communications manager 620. Device 605, or one or more components of device 605 (e.g., the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, and the communications manager 620), may include at least one processor that can be coupled with at least one memory to individually or collectively support or enable the techniques described. Each of these components may communicate with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0137] The receiver 610 may provide means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices). The information may be passed to other components of device 605. The receiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0138] The transmitter 615 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 605. For example, the transmitter 615 may transmit information such as packets associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the transmitter 615 may be co-located with the receiver 610 within the transceiver module. The transmitter 615 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0139] The communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be embodiments of means for implementing various aspects of mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices as described herein. For example, the communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations thereof or components thereof may be capable of implementing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0140] In some embodiments, the communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuits). The hardware may include, individually or collectively, processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, microcontrollers, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, configured individually or collectively as means for performing the functions described herein, or supporting such means in other ways. In some embodiments, at least one processor and at least one memory coupled with at least one processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by one or more processors individually or collectively executing instructions stored in at least one memory).

[0141] As an addition or alternative, the communications manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or any combination or component thereof may be implemented in hardware, software (e.g., run by at least one processor), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code run by at least one processor, the functions of the communications manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or any combination or component thereof may be implemented by general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, GPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, microcontrollers, or any combination thereof or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured individually or collectively as means of performing the functions described in this disclosure, or supporting such means in other ways).

[0142] In some embodiments, the communications manager 620 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or in other ways in cooperation with the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or both. For example, the communications manager 620 may receive information from the receiver 610 and send information to the transmitter 615, or, in combination with the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or both, acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0143] The communication manager 620 may support wireless communication in a mobility function network entity according to embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 620 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of sending a set of inventory request messages to a set of multiple leader wireless devices requesting that the set of multiple leader wireless devices report an inventory of ambient-powered wireless devices associated with each leader wireless device. The communication manager 620 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of receiving a set of inventory response messages from the set of multiple leader wireless devices that identify a set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices in response to the set of multiple inventory request messages. The communication manager 620 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of sending a message to a first leader wireless device for relaying to a first ambient-powered wireless device based on a first inventory response message from the set of multiple inventory response messages, the first inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the first leader wireless device.

[0144] By including or configuring the communication manager 620 according to the embodiments described herein, the device 605 (e.g., a receiver 610, a transmitter 615, a communication manager 620, or at least one processor controlling a combination thereof or otherwise coupled thereto) can support a technique for mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices, which can support reduced power consumption, reduced processing load, more efficient use of communication resources, improved coordination between devices, and improved reliability.

[0145] Figure 7 shows a block diagram 700 of a device 705 that supports mobility management for an ambient-powered wireless device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Device 705 may be an embodiment of an embodiment of device 605 or a mobility function network entity described herein. Device 705 may include a receiver 710, a transmitter 715, and a communications manager 720. Device 705, or one or more components of device 705 (e.g., the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, and the communications manager 720), may include at least one processor that can be coupled with at least one memory to support the techniques described. Each of these components may communicate with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0146] The receiver 710 may provide means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices). The information may be passed to other components of device 705. The receiver 710 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0147] The transmitter 715 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 705. For example, the transmitter 715 may transmit information such as packets associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the transmitter 715 may be co-located with the receiver 710 within the transceiver module. The transmitter 715 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0148] Device 705, or various components thereof, may be an embodiment of means for implementing various aspects of mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices as described herein. For example, the communications manager 720 may include a request manager 725, a response manager 730, a relay manager 735, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 720 may be an embodiment of an aspect of the communications manager 620 as described herein. In some embodiments, the communications manager 720, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or in other ways in cooperation with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both. For example, the communications manager 720 may receive information from the receiver 710 and send information to the transmitter 715, or, in combination with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both, acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0149] The communication manager 720 may support wireless communication in a mobility function network entity according to embodiments disclosed herein. The request manager 725 can support, is configured to support, or is operable to support, means of sending a set of multiple inventory request messages to a set of multiple leader wireless devices requesting that the set of multiple leader wireless devices report an inventory of ambient-powered wireless devices associated with each leader wireless device. The response manager 730 can support, is configured to support, or is operable to support, means of receiving a set of multiple inventory response messages from a set of multiple leader wireless devices that identify a set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices in response to a set of multiple inventory request messages. The relay manager 735 can support, is configured to support, or is operable to support, means of sending a message to a first leader wireless device for relaying to a first ambient-powered wireless device based on a first inventory response message from a set of multiple inventory response messages, the first inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the first leader wireless device.

[0150] Figure 8 shows a block diagram 800 of a communications manager 820 supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The communications manager 820 may be an embodiment of communications manager 620, communications manager 720, or both, as described herein. The communications manager 820, or various components thereof, may be an embodiment of means for implementing various embodiments of mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices as described herein. For example, the communications manager 820 may include a request manager 825, a response manager 830, a relay manager 835, an information storage manager 840, or any combination thereof. Each of these components, or any of these components or subordinate components (e.g., one or more processors, one or more memories), may communicate with one another directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0151] The communication manager 820 may support wireless communication in a mobility function network entity according to embodiments disclosed herein. The request manager 825 can support, is configured to support, or is operable to support, means of sending a set of multiple inventory request messages to a set of multiple leader wireless devices requesting that the set of multiple leader wireless devices report an inventory of ambient-powered wireless devices associated with each leader wireless device. The response manager 830 can support, is configured to support, or is operable to support, means of receiving a set of multiple inventory response messages from a set of multiple leader wireless devices that identify a set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices in response to a set of multiple inventory request messages. The relay manager 835 can support, is configured to support, or is operable to support, means of sending a message to a first leader wireless device for relaying to a first ambient-powered wireless device based on a first inventory response message from a set of multiple inventory response messages, the first inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the first leader wireless device.

[0152] In some embodiments, the response manager 830 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support means of receiving from a set of multiple reader wireless devices a set of multiple inventory response messages that identify a set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices based on a set of multiple reflected messages of a set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0153] In some embodiments, the response manager 830 can, is configured to, or can operate to support means of receiving from a set of multiple reader wireless devices a set of multiple second inventory response messages that identify a set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices based on a set of multiple notification messages for a set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0154] In some embodiments, the request manager 825 is capable, configured, or operable to support means of sending one or more request messages to one or more reader wireless devices from a set of multiple reader wireless devices, requesting that one or more reader wireless devices report data for relay to an application function network entity, where one or more reader wireless devices are selected based on stored information associated with the set of multiple reader wireless devices. In some embodiments, the response manager 830 is capable, configured, or operable to support means of receiving one or more response messages from one or more reader wireless devices that identify data in response to one or more request messages. In some embodiments, the relay manager 835 is capable, configured, or operable to support means of sending messages to an application function network entity based on one or more response messages indicating data.

[0155] In some embodiments, one or more reader wireless devices are selected based on the distance or signal strength between the reader wireless device and one or more of a set of ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0156] In some embodiments, the relay manager 835 can, is configured to, or can operate to support means for sending a message to an application function network entity indicating the location of a first leader wireless device, the location of a first ambient-powered wireless device, or both.

[0157] In some embodiments, the information storage manager 840 is capable, configured to support, or operable to support means for storing information associated with an identified set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices based on a set of multiple inventory response messages.

[0158] In some embodiments, a set of multiple inventory request messages is configured to interrupt the transmission of one or more sets of multiple inventory response messages by one or more sets of multiple reader wireless devices for a certain period of time or based on a trigger.

[0159] In some embodiments, a set of multiple inventory response messages may represent a set of multiple locations for a set of multiple reader wireless devices, a set of multiple reader wireless device IDs, and a set of multiple ambient-powered wireless device IDs.

[0160] In some embodiments, sending one or more sets of inventory request messages is based on a traffic profile associated with one or more sets of ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0161] In some embodiments, the information storage manager 840 is capable, configured, or operable to support means for storing a set of information associated with an identified set of a plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices, where the set of information includes power characteristics, energy storage capacity, mobility characteristics, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a set of a plurality of inventory request messages includes a set of reporting parameters.

[0162] Figure 9 shows a diagram of a system 900 including a device 905 that supports mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Device 905 may be, or include, one embodiment of, the devices 605, 705, or components of the mobility function network entity described herein. Device 905 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communications manager 920, an I / O controller 910, a transceiver 915, an antenna 925, at least one memory 930, a code 935, and at least one processor 940. These components may communicate electronically or otherwise be coupled (e.g., operably, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., bus 945).

[0163] The I / O controller 910 can manage input and output signals related to device 905. The I / O controller 910 can also manage peripherals not integrated into device 905. In some cases, the I / O controller 910 may represent physical connections or ports to external peripherals. In some cases, the I / O controller 910 may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS / 2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system. Additionally or alternatively, the I / O controller 910 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, or similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 910 may be implemented as part of one or more processors, such as at least one processor 940. In some cases, the user may interact with device 905 via the I / O controller 910 or via hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 910.

[0164] In some cases, device 905 may include a single antenna 925. However, in some other cases, device 905 may have two or more antennas 925 that may be capable of simultaneously transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. Transceiver 915 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 925, a wired link, or a wireless link, as described herein. For example, transceiver 915 may represent a wireless transceiver and communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 915 may also include a modem for modulating packets and providing those modulated packets to one or more antennas 925 for transmission, and for demodulating packets received from those one or more antennas 925. Transceiver 915, or transceiver 915 and one or more antennas 925, may be a transmitter 615, transmitter 715, receiver 610, receiver 710, or any combination thereof or an embodiment of their components, as described herein.

[0165] At least one memory 930 may include RAM and ROM. At least one memory 930 may store computer-readable computer-executable code 935, which, when executed by at least one processor 940, causes device 905 to perform various functions described herein. The code 935 may be stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium, such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 935 may not be directly executable by at least one processor 940, but (for example, when compiled and executed) may cause the computer to perform functions described herein. In some cases, at least one memory 930 may include a BIOS that can control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or peripheral devices.

[0166] At least one processor 940 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, GPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, at least one processor 940 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into at least one processor 940. At least one processor 940 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., at least one memory 930) to cause device 905 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices). For example, device 905 or components of device 905 may include at least one processor 940, or at least one memory 930 coupled with (with or to) at least one processor 940, and at least one processor 940 and at least one memory 930 are configured to perform the various functions described herein. In some embodiments, at least one processor 940 may include multiple processors, and at least one memory 930 may include multiple memory locations. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memory locations, and these may be configured individually or collectively to perform various functions of this specification.

[0167] The communication manager 920 may support wireless communication in a mobility function network entity according to embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 920 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of sending a set of inventory request messages to a set of multiple leader wireless devices requesting that the set of multiple leader wireless devices report an inventory of ambient-powered wireless devices associated with each leader wireless device. The communication manager 920 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of receiving a set of inventory response messages from the set of multiple leader wireless devices that identify the set of multiple ambient-powered wireless devices in response to the set of multiple inventory request messages. The communication manager 920 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of sending a message to the first leader wireless device for relay to a first ambient-powered wireless device based on a first inventory response message from the set of multiple inventory response messages, the first inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the first leader wireless device.

[0168] By including or configuring a communication manager 920 according to the embodiments described herein, device 905 can support a technique for mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices, which can support reduced power consumption, reduced processing load, more efficient use of communication resources, improved coordination between devices, and improved reliability.

[0169] In some embodiments, the communications manager 920 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or in cooperation with the transceiver 915, one or more antennas 925, or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 920 is shown as a separate component, in some embodiments, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 920 may be supported or performed by at least one processor 940, at least one memory 930, code 935, or any combination thereof. For example, code 935 may include instructions executable by at least one processor 940 to cause device 905 to perform various aspects of mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices as described herein, or at least one processor 940 and at least one memory 930 may, in some cases, be configured to perform or support such operations individually or collectively.

[0170] Figure 10 shows a block diagram 1000 of a device 1005 that supports mobility management for an ambient-powered wireless device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Device 1005 may be an embodiment of an embodiment of the reader wireless device described herein. Device 1005 may include a receiver 1010, a transmitter 1015, and a communications manager 1020. Device 1005, or one or more components of device 1005 (e.g., receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, and communications manager 1020), may include at least one processor that can be coupled with at least one memory to individually or collectively support or enable the techniques described. Each of these components may communicate with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0171] Receiver 1010 may provide means for acquiring (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with the protocol stack). The information may be passed to other components of device 1005. In some embodiments, receiver 1010 may support acquiring information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, receiver 1010 may support acquiring information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical fiber) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0172] The transmitter 1015 may provide means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information generated by other components of device 1005. For example, the transmitter 1015 may output information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with the protocol stack). In some embodiments, the transmitter 1015 may support outputting information by transmitting signals through one or more antennas. As an addition or alternative, the transmitter 1015 may support outputting information by transmitting signals through one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical fiber) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the transmitter 1015 and receiver 1010 may be housed in a transceiver that may include or be coupled with a modem.

[0173] The communication manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be embodiments of means for implementing various aspects of mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations thereof or components thereof may be capable of implementing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0174] In some embodiments, the communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuits). The hardware may include at least one of processors, DSPs, CPUs, GPUs, ASICs, FPGAs or other programmable logic devices, microcontrollers, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, which are configured individually or collectively as means for performing the functions described herein, or which otherwise support such means. In some embodiments, at least one processor and at least one memory coupled with at least one processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by one or more processors individually or collectively executing instructions stored in at least one memory).

[0175] As an addition or alternative, the communications manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware, software (e.g., run by at least one processor), or any combination thereof. When implemented in code run by at least one processor, the functions of the communications manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented by general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, GPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, microcontrollers, or any combination thereof or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured individually or collectively as means of performing the functions described in this disclosure, or supporting such means in other ways).

[0176] In some embodiments, the communication manager 1020 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or both, or in other ways in cooperation with them. For example, the communication manager 1020 may receive information from the receiver 1010 and send information to the transmitter 1015, or, in combination with the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or both, acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0177] The communication manager 1020 may support wireless communication in a reader wireless device according to embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 1020 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of receiving an inventory request message from a mobility function network entity requesting the reader wireless device to report an inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device. The communication manager 1020 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of sending an inventory response message to the mobility function network entity in response to the inventory request message, identifying the inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device. The communication manager 1020 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of receiving a message from a mobility function network entity for relaying to a first ambient-powered wireless device based on an inventory response message indicating that a first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device. The communication manager 1020 is capable of supporting, configured to support, or operable to support means for sending messages to a first ambient-powered wireless device.

[0178] By including or configuring the communication manager 1020 according to the embodiments described herein, device 1005 (e.g., a receiver 1010, a transmitter 1015, the communication manager 1020, or at least one processor controlling a combination thereof or otherwise coupled thereto) can support a technique for mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices, which can support reduced power consumption, reduced processing load, more efficient use of communication resources, improved coordination between devices, and improved reliability.

[0179] Figure 11 shows a block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 that supports mobility management for an ambient-powered wireless device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Device 1105 may be an embodiment of an embodiment of device 1005 or a reader wireless device described herein. Device 1105 may include a receiver 1110, a transmitter 1115, and a communications manager 1120. Device 1105, or one or more components of device 1105 (e.g., receiver 1110, transmitter 1115, and communications manager 1120), may include at least one processor that can be coupled with at least one memory to support the techniques described. Each of these components may communicate with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0180] Receiver 1110 may provide means for acquiring (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with the protocol stack). The information may be passed to other components of device 1105. In some embodiments, receiver 1110 may support acquiring information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, receiver 1110 may support acquiring information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0181] The transmitter 1115 may provide means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information generated by other components of device 1105. For example, the transmitter 1115 may output information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with the protocol stack). In some embodiments, the transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by transmitting signals through one or more antennas. As an addition or alternative, the transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by transmitting signals through one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the transmitter 1115 and receiver 1110 may be housed in a transceiver that may include or be coupled with a modem.

[0182] Device 1105, or various components thereof, may be an embodiment of means for implementing various aspects of mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1120 may include an inventory request manager 1125, an inventory response manager 1130, a relay message manager 1135, a message manager 1140, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 1120 may be an embodiment of an aspect of the communications manager 1020 as described herein. In some embodiments, the communications manager 1120, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or in other ways in cooperation with the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or both. For example, the communications manager 1120 may receive information from the receiver 1110 and send information to the transmitter 1115, or, in combination with the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or both, may acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0183] The communication manager 1120 may support wireless communication in the reader wireless device according to embodiments disclosed herein. The inventory request manager 1125 can support, is configured to support, or is operable to support, means of receiving an inventory request message from a mobility function network entity requesting the reader wireless device to report an inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device. The inventory response manager 1130 can support, is configured to support, or is operable to support, means of sending an inventory response message to the mobility function network entity in response to an inventory request message, identifying the inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device. The relay message manager 1135 can support, is configured to support, or is operable to support, means of receiving a message from a mobility function network entity for relaying to a first ambient-powered wireless device based on an inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device. The message manager 1140 is capable of supporting, configured to support, or operable to support means for sending messages to a first ambient-powered wireless device.

[0184] Figure 12 shows a block diagram 1200 of a communications manager 1220 supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The communications manager 1220 may be an embodiment of communications manager 1020, communications manager 1120, or both, as described herein. The communications manager 1220, or various components thereof, may be an embodiment of means for implementing various embodiments of mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1220 may include an inventory request manager 1225, an inventory response manager 1230, a relay message manager 1235, a message manager 1240, a query message manager 1245, an announcement message manager 1250, or any combination thereof. Each of these components, or any of those components or subordinate components (e.g., one or more processors, one or more memories), may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0185] The communication manager 1220 may support wireless communication in the reader wireless device according to embodiments disclosed herein. The inventory request manager 1225 can support, is configured to support, or is operable to support, means of receiving an inventory request message from a mobility function network entity requesting the reader wireless device to report an inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device. The inventory response manager 1230 can support, is configured to support, or is operable to support, means of sending an inventory response message to the mobility function network entity in response to an inventory request message, identifying the inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device. The relay message manager 1235 can support, is configured to support, or is operable to support, means of receiving a message from a mobility function network entity for relaying to a first ambient-powered wireless device based on an inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device. The message manager 1240 is capable of supporting, configured to support, or operable to support means of sending a message to a first ambient-powered wireless device.

[0186] In some embodiments, the query message manager 1245 can, is configured to, or can operate to support means for sending one or more query messages to one or more ambient-powered wireless devices requesting information associated with one or more ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0187] In some embodiments, sending one or more query messages to one or more ambient-powered wireless devices is based on the movement of a reader wireless device, the movement of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices, environmental changes, or a combination thereof.

[0188] In some embodiments, the query message manager 1245 is capable, configured, or operable to support means for receiving one or more query response messages in response to one or more query messages, which identify information associated with one or more ambient-powered wireless devices, and the inventory response message includes such information.

[0189] In some embodiments, one or more query messages indicate that, for a certain period of time or based on a trigger, one or more ambient-powered wireless devices will interrupt the transmission of one or more query response messages.

[0190] In some embodiments, the query message manager 1245 is capable, configured, or operable to support means for receiving one or more reflected messages from one or more ambient-powered wireless devices. In some embodiments, the inventory response manager 1230 is capable, configured, or operable to support means for sending inventory response messages in response to receiving one or more reflected messages.

[0191] In some embodiments, the notification message manager 1250 is capable, configured, or operable to support means for receiving one or more notification messages from one or more ambient-powered wireless devices. In some embodiments, the inventory response manager 1230 is capable, configured, or operable to support means for sending a second inventory response message identifying one or more ambient-powered wireless devices to a mobility function network entity.

[0192] In some embodiments, the inventory request manager 1225 can support, is configured to support, or is operable to support, means of receiving a first request message from a mobility function network entity requesting a reader wireless device to report data for relay to an application function network entity. In some embodiments, the query message manager 1245 can support, is configured to support, or is operable to support, means of sending one or more second request messages to one or more ambient-powered wireless devices requesting data in response to the first request message. In some embodiments, the query message manager 1245 can support, is configured to support, or is operable to support, means of receiving one or more first response messages from one or more ambient-powered wireless devices identifying data in response to one or more second request messages. In some embodiments, the inventory response manager 1230 can support, is configured to support, or is operable to support, means of sending response messages identifying data in response to one or more first response messages.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first request message is received based on the distance or signal strength between the reader wireless device and one or more ambient-powered wireless devices. In some embodiments, the inventory request message indicates that the reader wireless device should suspend sending inventory response messages for a certain period of time or based on a trigger.

[0194] In some embodiments, the inventory request message indicates the location of the reader wireless device, the reader wireless device ID, and the IDs of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0195] In some embodiments, the inventory request manager 1225 is capable, configured, or operable to support means for receiving instructions for traffic profiles associated with one or more ambient-powered wireless devices, and receiving inventory request messages is based on traffic profiles. In some embodiments, the inventory request message includes a set of reporting parameters.

[0196] Figure 13 shows a diagram of a system 1300 including a device 1305 that supports mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Device 1305 may be, or include, one embodiment of, the devices 605, 705, or components of the mobility function network entity described herein. Device 1305 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communications manager 1320, an I / O controller 1310, a transceiver 1315, an antenna 1325, at least one memory 1330, a code 1335, and at least one processor 1340. These components may communicate electronically or otherwise be coupled (e.g., operably, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1345).

[0197] The I / O controller 1310 can manage input and output signals related to device 1305. The I / O controller 1310 can also manage peripherals not integrated into device 1305. In some cases, the I / O controller 1310 may represent physical connections or ports to external peripherals. In some cases, the I / O controller 1310 may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS / 2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system. Additionally or alternatively, the I / O controller 1310 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, or similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 1310 may be implemented as part of one or more processors, such as at least one processor 1340. In some cases, the user may interact with device 1305 via the I / O controller 1310 or via hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 1310.

[0198] In some cases, device 1305 may include a single antenna 1325. However, in some other cases, device 1305 may have two or more antennas 1325 that can simultaneously transmit or receive multiple wireless transmissions. Transceiver 1315 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 1325, a wired link, or a wireless link, as described herein. For example, transceiver 1315 may represent a wireless transceiver and communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 1315 may also include a modem for modulating packets and providing those modulated packets to one or more antennas 1325 for transmission, and for demodulating packets received from those one or more antennas 1325. The transceiver 1315, or the transceiver 1315 and one or more antennas 1325, may be a transmitter 615, a transmitter 715, a receiver 610, a receiver 710, or any combination thereof or an embodiment of their components as described herein.

[0199] At least one memory 1330 may include RAM and ROM. At least one memory 1330 may store computer-readable computer-executable code 1335, which, when executed by at least one processor 1340, causes device 1305 to perform various functions described herein. The code 1335 may be stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium, such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 1335 may not be directly executable by at least one processor 1340, but (for example, when compiled and executed) may cause the computer to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, at least one memory 1330 may include a BIOS that can control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or peripheral devices.

[0200] At least one processor 1340 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, GPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, at least one processor 1340 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into at least one processor 1340. At least one processor 1340 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., at least one memory 1330) to cause device 1305 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks to support mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices). For example, device 1305 or a component of device 1305 may include at least one processor 1340, or at least one memory 1330 coupled with (with or to) the at least one processor 1340, and the at least one processor 1340 and the at least one memory 1330 may be configured to perform various functions described herein. In some embodiments, the at least one processor 1340 may include multiple processors, and the at least one memory 1330 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories, and these may be configured individually or collectively to perform various functions described herein.

[0201] The communication manager 1320 may support wireless communication in a reader wireless device according to embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 1320 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of receiving an inventory request message from a mobility function network entity requesting the reader wireless device to report an inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device. The communication manager 1320 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of sending an inventory response message to the mobility function network entity in response to the inventory request message, identifying the inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device. The communication manager 1320 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of receiving a message from a mobility function network entity for relaying to a first ambient-powered wireless device based on an inventory response message indicating that a first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device. The communications manager 1320 is capable of supporting, configured to support, or operable to support means for sending messages to a first ambient-powered wireless device.

[0202] By including or configuring the communication manager 1320 according to the embodiments described herein, device 1305 can support a technique for mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices, which can support reduced power consumption, reduced processing load, more efficient use of communication resources, improved coordination between devices, and improved reliability.

[0203] In some embodiments, the communications manager 1320 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or in cooperation with the transceiver 1315, one or more antennas 1325, or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 1320 is shown as a separate component, in some embodiments, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 1320 may be supported or performed by at least one processor 1340, at least one memory 1330, code 1335, or any combination thereof. For example, code 1335 may include instructions executable by at least one processor 1340 to cause device 1305 to perform various aspects of mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices as described herein, or at least one processor 1340 and at least one memory 1330 may be configured to perform or support such operations individually or collectively, as may be the case.

[0204] Figure 14 shows a block diagram 1400 of a device 1405 that supports mobility management for an ambient-powered wireless device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Device 1405 may be an embodiment of an ambient-powered wireless device as described herein. Device 1405 may include a receiver 1410, a transmitter 1415, and a communications manager 1420. Device 1405, or one or more components of device 1405 (e.g., the receiver 1410, the transmitter 1415, and the communications manager 1420), may include at least one processor that can be coupled to at least one memory to individually or collectively support or enable the techniques described. Each of these components may communicate with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0205] Receiver 1410 may provide means for acquiring (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with the protocol stack). The information may be passed to other components of device 1405. In some embodiments, receiver 1410 may support acquiring information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, receiver 1410 may support acquiring information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0206] The transmitter 1415 may provide a means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information generated by other components of device 1405. For example, the transmitter 1415 may output information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with the protocol stack). In some embodiments, the transmitter 1415 may support outputting information by transmitting signals through one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 1415 may support outputting information by transmitting signals through one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the transmitter 1415 and receiver 1410 may be housed in a transceiver that may include or be coupled with a modem.

[0207] The communication manager 1420, receiver 1410, transmitter 1415, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be embodiments of means for implementing various aspects of mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1420, receiver 1410, transmitter 1415, or various combinations thereof or components thereof may be capable of implementing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0208] In some embodiments, the communications manager 1420, the receiver 1410, the transmitter 1415, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuits). The hardware may include at least one of processors, DSPs, CPUs, GPUs, ASICs, FPGAs or other programmable logic devices, microcontrollers, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, which are configured individually or collectively as means for performing the functions described herein, or which otherwise support such means. In some embodiments, at least one processor and at least one memory coupled with at least one processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by one or more processors individually or collectively executing instructions stored in at least one memory).

[0209] As an addition or alternative, the communications manager 1420, receiver 1410, transmitter 1415, or any combination or component thereof may be implemented in hardware, software (e.g., run by at least one processor), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code run by at least one processor, the functions of the communications manager 1420, receiver 1410, transmitter 1415, or any combination or component thereof may be implemented by any combination of general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, GPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, microcontrollers, or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured individually or collectively as means of performing the functions described in this disclosure, or supporting such means in other ways).

[0210] In some embodiments, the communication manager 1420 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using the receiver 1410, the transmitter 1415, or both, or in other ways in cooperation with them. For example, the communication manager 1420 may receive information from the receiver 1410 and send information to the transmitter 1415, or, in combination with the receiver 1410, the transmitter 1415, or both, may acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0211] The communication manager 1420 may support wireless communication in an ambient-powered wireless device according to embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 1420 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means for receiving a query message from a reader wireless device requesting the ambient-powered wireless device to report that it is associated with the reader wireless device. The communication manager 1420 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means for sending a query response message to the reader wireless device in response to the query message, the query response message reporting that the ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device. The communication manager 1420 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means for receiving a message from the reader wireless device based on the query response message indicating that the ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device.

[0212] By including or configuring the communication manager 1420 according to the embodiments described herein, the device 1405 (e.g., a receiver 1410, a transmitter 1415, the communication manager 1420, or at least one processor controlling a combination thereof or otherwise coupled thereto) can support a technique for mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices, which can support reduced power consumption, reduced processing load, more efficient use of communication resources, improved coordination between devices, and improved reliability.

[0213] Figure 15 shows a block diagram 1500 of a device 1505 that supports mobility management for an ambient-powered wireless device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Device 1505 may be an embodiment of device 1305 or an embodiment of an ambient-powered wireless device described herein. Device 1505 may include a receiver 1510, a transmitter 1515, and a communications manager 1520. Device 1505, or one or more components of device 1505 (e.g., receiver 1510, transmitter 1515, and communications manager 1520), may include at least one processor that can be coupled with at least one memory to support the techniques described. Each of these components may communicate with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0214] Receiver 1510 may provide means for acquiring (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with the protocol stack). The information may be passed to other components of device 1505. In some embodiments, receiver 1510 may support acquiring information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, receiver 1510 may support acquiring information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical fiber) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0215] The transmitter 1515 may provide a means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information generated by other components of device 1505. For example, the transmitter 1515 may output information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with the protocol stack). In some embodiments, the transmitter 1515 may support outputting information by transmitting signals through one or more antennas. As an addition or alternative, the transmitter 1515 may support outputting information by transmitting signals through one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the transmitter 1515 and receiver 1510 may be housed in a transceiver that may include or be coupled with a modem.

[0216] Device 1505, or various components thereof, may be an embodiment of means for implementing various aspects of mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1520 may include a query message component 1525, a query response component 1530, a device association component 1535, or any combination thereof. The communication manager 1520 may be an embodiment of an aspect of the communication manager 1320 as described herein. In some embodiments, the communication manager 1520, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or in other ways in cooperation with the receiver 1510, the transmitter 1515, or both. For example, the communication manager 1520 may receive information from the receiver 1510 and send information to the transmitter 1515, or, in combination with the receiver 1510, the transmitter 1515, or both, may acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0217] The communication manager 1520 may support wireless communication in an ambient-powered wireless device according to embodiments disclosed herein. The query message component 1525 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of receiving a query message from a reader wireless device requesting the ambient-powered wireless device to report that it is associated with the reader wireless device. The query response component 1530 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of sending a query response message to the reader wireless device in response to a query message, the query response message reporting that the ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device. The device association component 1535 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of receiving a message from the reader wireless device based on a query response message indicating that the ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device.

[0218] Figure 16 shows a block diagram 1600 of a communications manager 1620 supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The communications manager 1620 may be an embodiment of communications manager 1420, communications manager 1520, or both, as described herein. The communications manager 1620, or various components thereof, may be an embodiment of means for implementing various embodiments of mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1620 may include a query message component 1625, a query response component 1630, a device association component 1635, an announcement message component 1640, a data request component 1645, a data response component 1650, or any combination thereof. Each of these components, or any of them or their subordinate components (e.g., one or more processors, one or more memories), may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0219] The communication manager 1620 may support wireless communication in an ambient-powered wireless device according to embodiments disclosed herein. The query message component 1625 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of receiving a query message from a reader wireless device requesting the ambient-powered wireless device to report that it is associated with the reader wireless device. The query response component 1630 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of sending a query response message to the reader wireless device in response to a query message, the query response message reporting that the ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device. The device association component 1635 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means of receiving a message from the reader wireless device based on a query response message indicating that the ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device.

[0220] In some embodiments, to support receiving query messages, the query message component 1625 is capable, configured, or operable to support receiving means for receiving query messages requesting information associated with an ambient-powered wireless device.

[0221] In some embodiments, to support sending query response messages, the query response component 1630 is capable, configured, or operable to support sending a query response message that identifies information associated with an ambient-powered wireless device in response to a query message.

[0222] In some embodiments, the query message indicates that the ambient-powered wireless device will suspend the transmission of query response messages for a time period that ends based on a trigger.

[0223] In some embodiments, the query message component 1625 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support means of receiving a second query message from a second reader wireless device requesting second information associated with an ambient-powered wireless device based on environmental changes.

[0224] In some embodiments, to support sending a query response message, the query response component 1630 is capable of, configured to support, or operable to support means of sending a query response message which is a backscatter of the query message.

[0225] In some embodiments, the notification message component 1640 is capable, configured, or operable to support means for sending notification messages to a reader wireless device, the notification messages identifying information associated with an ambient-powered wireless device based on the expiration of a timer.

[0226] In some embodiments, the data request component 1645 is capable, configured, or operable to support means of receiving a request message from a reader wireless device requesting data for relay to a mobility function network entity. In some embodiments, the data response component 1650 is capable, configured, or operable to support means of sending a response message identifying data to the reader wireless device in response to the request message.

[0227] In some embodiments, query messages are received based on the movement of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices, the movement of a reader wireless device, environmental changes, or a combination thereof.

[0228] In some embodiments, the query message component 1625 is capable, configured, or operable to support means for sending instructions for a traffic profile associated with an ambient-powered wireless device, and receiving a query message is based on the traffic profile. In some embodiments, the query message includes a set of reporting parameters.

[0229] Figure 17 shows a diagram of a system 1700 including a device 1705 that supports mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Device 1705 may be, or include, one embodiment of, the devices 605, 705, or components of the mobility function network entity described herein. Device 1705 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communications manager 1720, an I / O controller 1710, a transceiver 1715, an antenna 1725, at least one memory 1730, a code 1735, and at least one processor 1740. These components may communicate electronically or otherwise be coupled (e.g., operably, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1745).

[0230] The I / O controller 1710 can manage input and output signals related to device 1705. The I / O controller 1710 can also manage peripherals not integrated into device 1705. In some cases, the I / O controller 1710 may represent physical connections or ports to external peripherals. In some cases, the I / O controller 1710 may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS / 2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system. Additionally or alternatively, the I / O controller 1710 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, or similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 1710 may be implemented as part of one or more processors, such as at least one processor 1740. In some cases, the user may interact with device 1705 via the I / O controller 1710 or via hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 1710.

[0231] In some cases, device 1705 may include a single antenna 1725. However, in some other cases, device 1705 may have two or more antennas 1725 that can simultaneously transmit or receive multiple wireless transmissions. Transceiver 1715 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 1725, a wired link, or a wireless link, as described herein. For example, transceiver 1715 may represent a wireless transceiver and communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 1715 may also include a modem for modulating packets and providing those modulated packets to one or more antennas 1725 for transmission, and for demodulating packets received from one or more antennas 1725. The transceiver 1715, or the transceiver 1715 and one or more antennas 1725, may be a transmitter 615, a transmitter 715, a receiver 610, a receiver 710, or any combination thereof or an embodiment of their components as described herein.

[0232] At least one memory 1730 may include RAM and ROM. At least one memory 1730 may store computer-readable computer-executable code 1735, which, when executed by at least one processor 1740, causes device 1705 to perform various functions described herein. The code 1735 may be stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium, such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 1735 may not be directly executable by at least one processor 1740, but (for example, when compiled and executed) may cause the computer to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, at least one memory 1730 may include a BIOS that can control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or peripheral devices.

[0233] At least one processor 1740 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, GPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, at least one processor 1740 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into at least one processor 1740. At least one processor 1740 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., at least one memory 1730) to cause the device 1705 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks to support mobility management for an ambient-powered wireless device). For example, device 1705 or a component of device 1705 may include at least one processor 1740, or at least one memory 1730 coupled with (with or to) the at least one processor 1740, and the at least one processor 1740 and the at least one memory 1730 may be configured to perform various functions described herein. In some embodiments, the at least one processor 1740 may include multiple processors, and the at least one memory 1730 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories, and these may be configured individually or collectively to perform various functions described herein.

[0234] The communication manager 1720 may support wireless communication in an ambient-powered wireless device according to embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 1720 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means for receiving a query message from a reader wireless device requesting the ambient-powered wireless device to report that it is associated with the reader wireless device. The communication manager 1720 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means for sending a query response message to the reader wireless device in response to the query message, the query response message reporting that the ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device. The communication manager 1720 may support, be configured to support, or be operable to support, means for receiving a message from the reader wireless device based on the query response message indicating that the ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device.

[0235] By including or configuring the communication manager 1720 according to the embodiments described herein, device 1705 can support a technique for mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices, which can support reduced power consumption, reduced processing load, more efficient use of communication resources, improved coordination between devices, and improved reliability.

[0236] In some embodiments, the communications manager 1720 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or in cooperation with the transceiver 1715, one or more antennas 1725, or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 1720 is shown as a separate component, in some embodiments, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 1720 may be supported or performed by at least one processor 1740, at least one memory 1730, code 1735, or any combination thereof. For example, code 1735 may include instructions executable by at least one processor 1740 to cause device 1705 to perform various aspects of mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices as described herein, or at least one processor 1740 and at least one memory 1730 may, in some cases, be configured to perform or support such operations individually or collectively.

[0237] Figure 18 shows a flowchart illustrating Method 1800, which supports mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to aspects of the present disclosure. The operation of Method 1800 may be implemented by a mobility function network entity or its components, as described herein. For example, the operation of Method 1800 may be carried out by a mobility function network entity, as described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In some embodiments, the mobility function network entity may execute a set of instructions for controlling the functional elements of the mobility function network entity to perform the functions described. In addition or alternatively, the mobility function network entity may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described.

[0238] In 1805, the method may include sending a plurality of inventory request messages to a plurality of reader wireless devices requesting that the plurality of reader wireless devices report an inventory of ambient-powered wireless devices associated with each reader wireless device. The operation of 1805 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 1805 may be carried out by a request manager 825 as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0239] In 1810, the method may include receiving a plurality of inventory response messages from a plurality of reader wireless devices that identify a plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices in response to a plurality of inventory request messages. The operation of 1810 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 1810 may be carried out by a response manager 830 described with reference to Figure 8.

[0240] In 1815, the method may include sending a message to a first leader wireless device for relaying to a first ambient-powered wireless device, based at least in part on a first inventory response message among a plurality of inventory response messages, wherein the first inventory response message indicates that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the first leader wireless device. The operation of 1815 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 1815 may be carried out by a relay manager 835, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0241] Figure 19 shows a flowchart illustrating Method 1900, which supports mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to aspects of the present disclosure. The operation of Method 1900 may be implemented by a mobility function network entity or its components, as described herein. For example, the operation of Method 1900 may be carried out by a mobility function network entity, as described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In some embodiments, the mobility function network entity may execute a set of instructions for controlling the functional elements of the mobility function network entity to perform the functions described. In addition or alternatively, the mobility function network entity may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described.

[0242] In 1905, the method may include sending a plurality of inventory request messages to a plurality of reader wireless devices requesting that the plurality of reader wireless devices report an inventory of ambient-powered wireless devices associated with each reader wireless device. The operation of 1905 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 1905 may be carried out by a request manager 825 as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0243] In 1910, the method may include receiving a plurality of inventory response messages from a plurality of reader wireless devices that identify a plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices in response to a plurality of inventory request messages. The operation of 1910 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 1910 may be carried out by a response manager 830 described with reference to Figure 8.

[0244] In 1915, the method may include sending a message to a first leader wireless device for relaying to a first ambient-powered wireless device, based at least in part on a first inventory response message among a plurality of inventory response messages, wherein the first inventory response message indicates that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the first leader wireless device. The operation of 1915 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 1915 may be carried out by a relay manager 835, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0245] In 1920, the method may include sending one or more request messages to one or more of a plurality of reader wireless devices requesting that one or more reader wireless devices report data for relay to an application function network entity, the one or more reader wireless devices being selected at least in part on stored information associated with the plurality of reader wireless devices. The operation of 1920 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 1920 may be carried out by a request manager 825 as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0246] In 1925, the method may include receiving one or more response messages identifying data from one or more reader wireless devices in response to one or more request messages. The operation of 1925 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 1925 may be carried out by a response manager 830, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0247] In 1930, the method may include sending a message to an application functional network entity based at least in part on one or more response messages indicating data. The operation of 1930 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 1930 may be carried out by a relay manager 835, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0248] Figure 20 shows a flowchart illustrating method 2000 for supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to aspects of this disclosure. The operation of method 2000 may be implemented by a reader wireless device or its components as described herein. For example, the operation of method 2000 may be carried out by a reader wireless device as described with reference to Figures 1-5 and 10-13. In some embodiments, the reader wireless device may execute a set of instructions for controlling the functional elements of the reader wireless device to perform the functions described. In addition or alternatively, the reader wireless device may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described.

[0249] In 2005, the method may include receiving an inventory request message from a mobility function network entity requesting the reader wireless device to report an inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device. The operation of 2005 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2005 may be carried out by an inventory request manager 1225 as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0250] In 2010, the method may include, in response to an inventory request message, sending an inventory response message to a mobility function network entity that identifies the inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with a leader wireless device. The operation of 2010 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2010 may be carried out by an inventory response manager 1230 as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0251] In 2015, the method may include receiving a message from a mobility function network entity for relaying to a first ambient-powered wireless device, at least in part, based on an inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with a reader wireless device. The operation of 2015 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the mode of operation of 2015 may be carried out by a relay message manager 1235, as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0252] In 2020, the method may include sending a message to a first ambient-powered wireless device. The operation of 2020 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2020 may be carried out by a message manager 1240 as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0253] Figure 21 shows a flowchart illustrating method 2100 for supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to aspects of this disclosure. The operation of method 2100 may be implemented by a reader wireless device or its components as described herein. For example, the operation of method 2100 may be carried out by a reader wireless device as described with reference to Figures 1-5 and 10-13. In some embodiments, the reader wireless device may execute a set of instructions for controlling the functional elements of the reader wireless device to perform the functions described. In addition or alternatively, the reader wireless device may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described.

[0254] In 2105, the method may include receiving an inventory request message from a mobility function network entity requesting the reader wireless device to report an inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device. The operation of 2105 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2105 may be carried out by an inventory request manager 1225 as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0255] In 2110, the method may include sending one or more query messages to one or more ambient-powered wireless devices requesting information associated with one or more ambient-powered wireless devices. The operation of 2110 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2110 may be carried out by a query message manager 1245 as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0256] In 2115, the method may include receiving one or more query response messages in response to one or more query messages, which identify information associated with one or more ambient-powered wireless devices, and an inventory response message including such information. The operation of 2115 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2115 may be carried out by a query message manager 1245 as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0257] In 2120, the method may include, in response to an inventory request message, sending an inventory response message to a mobility function network entity that identifies the inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with a leader wireless device. The operation of 2120 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2120 may be carried out by an inventory response manager 1230 described with reference to Figure 12.

[0258] In 2125, the method may include receiving a message from a mobility function network entity for relaying to a first ambient-powered wireless device, at least in part, based on an inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with a reader wireless device. The operation of 2125 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2125 may be carried out by a relay message manager 1235, as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0259] In 2130, the method may include sending a message to a first ambient-powered wireless device. The operation of 2130 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2130 may be carried out by a message manager 1240, as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0260] Figure 22 shows a flowchart illustrating method 2200 for supporting mobility management for ambient-powered wireless devices according to aspects of this disclosure. The operation of method 2200 may be implemented by a reader wireless device or its components as described herein. For example, the operation of method 2200 may be carried out by a reader wireless device as described with reference to Figures 1-5 and 10-13. In some embodiments, the reader wireless device may execute a set of instructions for controlling the functional elements of the reader wireless device to perform the functions described. Additionally or alternatively, the reader wireless device may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described.

[0261] In 2205, the method may include receiving an inventory request message from a mobility function network entity requesting the reader wireless device to report an inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device. The operation of 2205 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2205 may be carried out by an inventory request manager 1225 as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0262] In 2210, the method may include, in response to an inventory request message, sending an inventory response message to a mobility function network entity that identifies the inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with a leader wireless device. The operation of 2210 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2210 may be carried out by an inventory response manager 1230, as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0263] In 2215, the method may include receiving a message from a mobility function network entity for relaying to a first ambient-powered wireless device, at least in part, based on an inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with a reader wireless device. The operation of 2215 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2215 may be carried out by a relay message manager 1235, as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0264] In 2220, the method may include sending a message to a first ambient-powered wireless device. The operation of 2220 can be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2220 can be carried out by a message manager 1240, as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0265] In 2225, the method may include receiving one or more notification messages from one or more ambient-powered wireless devices. The operation of 2225 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2225 may be carried out by a notification message manager 1250, as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0266] In 2230, the method may include sending a second inventory response message to a mobility function network entity that identifies one or more ambient-powered wireless devices. The operation of 2230 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2230 may be carried out by an inventory response manager 1230 described with reference to Figure 12.

[0267] Figure 23 shows a flowchart illustrating method 2300 for supporting mobility management for an ambient-powered wireless device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The operation of method 2300 may be implemented by an ambient-powered wireless device or its components as described herein. For example, the operation of method 2300 may be implemented by an ambient-powered wireless device as described with reference to Figures 1-5 and 13-17. In some embodiments, the ambient-powered wireless device may execute a set of instructions for controlling the functional elements of the ambient-powered wireless device to perform the functions described. Additionally or alternatively, the ambient-powered wireless device may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described.

[0268] In 2305, the method may include receiving a query message from the reader wireless device requesting the ambient-powered wireless device to report that it has associated with the reader wireless device. The operation of 2305 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2305 may be carried out by a query message component 1625 described with reference to Figure 16.

[0269] In 2310, the method may include sending a query response message to a reader wireless device in response to a query message, the query response message reporting that an ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device. The operation of 2310 can be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2310 can be carried out by a query response component 1630, as described with reference to Figure 16.

[0270] In 2315, the method may include receiving a message from a reader wireless device based at least in part on a query response message indicating that an ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device. The operation of 2315 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2315 may be carried out by a device association component 1635 described with reference to Figure 16.

[0271] Figure 24 shows a flowchart illustrating method 2400 for supporting mobility management for an ambient-powered wireless device according to an aspect of this disclosure. The operation of method 2400 may be implemented by an ambient-powered wireless device or its components as described herein. For example, the operation of method 2400 may be implemented by an ambient-powered wireless device as described with reference to Figures 1-5 and 13-17. In some embodiments, the ambient-powered wireless device may execute a set of instructions for controlling the functional elements of the ambient-powered wireless device to perform the functions described. Additionally or alternatively, the ambient-powered wireless device may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described.

[0272] In 2405, the method may include receiving a query message from the reader wireless device requesting the ambient-powered wireless device to report that it has associated with the reader wireless device. The operation of 2405 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2405 may be carried out by a query message component 1625 described with reference to Figure 16.

[0273] In 2410, the method may include sending a query response message to a reader wireless device in response to a query message, the query response message reporting that an ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device. The operation of 2410 can be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2410 can be carried out by a query response component 1630, as described with reference to Figure 16.

[0274] In 2415, the method may include receiving a message from the reader wireless device, at least in part, based on a query response message indicating that an ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device. The operation of 2415 may be carried out according to embodiments such as those disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the operation of 2415 may be carried out by a device association component 1635, as described with reference to Figure 16.

[0275] At 2420, the method may include sending an announcement message to a leader wireless device, the announcement message identifying information associated with an ambient-powered wireless device based at least in part on expiration of a timer. The operation of 2420 may be implemented according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, aspects of the operation of 2420 may be implemented by the announcement message component 1640 described with reference to FIG. 16.

[0276] The following provides an overview of aspects of the present disclosure.

[0277] Aspect 1: A method for wireless communication in a mobility function network entity, the method comprising: sending a plurality of inventory request messages to a plurality of leader wireless devices, the plurality of inventory request messages requesting that the plurality of leader wireless devices report an inventory of ambient-powered wireless devices associated with each leader wireless device; receiving, in response to the plurality of inventory request messages, a plurality of inventory response messages from the plurality of leader wireless devices, the plurality of inventory response messages identifying a plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices; and sending, based at least in part on a first inventory response message of the plurality of inventory response messages, the first inventory response message indicating that a first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with a first leader wireless device, a message for relaying to the first ambient-powered wireless device to the first leader wireless device.

[0278] Aspect 2: The method according to aspect 1, further comprising receiving, from the plurality of leader wireless devices, a plurality of inventory response messages identifying the plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices based at least in part on the plurality of reflection messages of the plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0279] Aspect 3: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 2, further comprising receiving, from a plurality of leader wireless devices, a plurality of second inventory response messages that identify a plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices based at least in part on a plurality of notification messages of the plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0280] Aspect 4: One or more of the plurality of leader wireless devices, wherein one or more of the leader wireless devices are selected based at least in part on stored information associated with the plurality of leader wireless devices, and one or more of the leader wireless devices are caused to report data for relaying to an application function network entity by transmitting one or more request messages; receiving, from one or more of the leader wireless devices, one or more response messages that identify the data in response to the one or more request messages; and transmitting a message to the application function network entity based at least in part on the one or more response messages that indicate the data. The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, further comprising the above steps.

[0281] Aspect 5: The method according to Aspect 4, wherein one or more of the leader wireless devices are selected based at least in part on a distance or signal strength between the one or more of the leader wireless devices and one or more of the plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0282] Aspect 6: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, further comprising transmitting a message to the application function network entity that indicates the location of the first leader wireless device, the location of the first ambient-powered wireless device, or both.

[0283] Embodiment 7: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, further comprising storing information associated with a plurality of identified ambient-powered wireless devices based at least in part on a plurality of inventory response messages.

[0284] Embodiment 8: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein a plurality of inventory request messages indicate that, for a certain period of time or at least partially based on a trigger, one or more of the transmission of one or more of the plurality of inventory response messages by one or more of the plurality of reader wireless devices.

[0285] Embodiment 9: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the multiple inventory response messages indicate multiple locations of multiple reader wireless devices, multiple reader wireless device IDs, and multiple ambient-powered wireless device IDs.

[0286] Embodiment 10: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein sending one or more of a plurality of inventory request messages is at least partially based on a traffic profile associated with one or more of a plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0287] Embodiment 11: The method according to any one embodiment 1 to 10, further comprising storing a set of information associated with a plurality of identified ambient-powered wireless devices, wherein the set of information includes power characteristics, energy storage capacity, mobility characteristics, or any combination thereof.

[0288] Embodiment 12: The method according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 11, wherein multiple inventory request messages include a set of reporting parameters.

[0289] Embodiment 13: A method for wireless communication in a reader wireless device, comprising: receiving an inventory request message from a mobility function network entity requesting the reader wireless device to report an inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device; transmitting an inventory response message to the mobility function network entity in response to the inventory request message, identifying the inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device; receiving a message from the mobility function network entity for relaying to a first ambient-powered wireless device, at least in part on the inventory response message indicating that a first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device; and transmitting the message to the first ambient-powered wireless device.

[0290] Embodiment 14: The method according to Embodiment 13, further comprising sending one or more query messages to one or more ambient-powered wireless devices requesting information associated with one or more ambient-powered wireless devices.

[0291] Embodiment 15: The method according to Embodiment 14, wherein transmitting one or more query messages to one or more ambient-powered wireless devices is at least partially based on the movement of a reader wireless device, the movement of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices, environmental changes, or a combination thereof.

[0292] Embodiment 16: The method according to any one of embodiments 14 to 15, further comprising receiving one or more query response messages in response to one or more query messages that identify information associated with one or more ambient-powered wireless devices, wherein an inventory response message includes such information.

[0293] Embodiment 17: The method of Embodiment 16, wherein one or more query messages indicate that one or more ambient-powered wireless devices will interrupt the transmission of one or more query response messages for a period of time or at least partially based on a trigger.

[0294] Embodiment 18: The method according to any one of embodiments 13 to 17, further comprising receiving one or more reflected messages from one or more ambient-powered wireless devices, and transmitting an inventory response message in response to receiving one or more reflected messages.

[0295] Embodiment 19: The method according to any one of embodiments 13 to 18, further comprising receiving one or more notification messages from one or more ambient-powered wireless devices and transmitting a second inventory response message identifying one or more ambient-powered wireless devices to a mobility function network entity.

[0296] Embodiment 20: The method according to any one of embodiments 13 to 19, further comprising: receiving a first request message from a mobility function network entity requesting a reader wireless device to report data for relay to an application function network entity; transmitting one or more second request messages to one or more ambient-powered wireless devices requesting data in response to the first request message; receiving one or more first response messages from one or more ambient-powered wireless devices identifying data in response to one or more second request messages; and transmitting a response message identifying data in response to one or more first response messages.

[0297] Aspect 21: The method according to aspect 20, wherein the first request message is received based at least in part on the distance or signal strength between the leader wireless device and one or more ambiently powered wireless devices.

[0298] Aspect 22: The method according to any one of aspects 13 to 21, wherein the inventory request message indicates to interrupt the transmission of an inventory response message by the leader wireless device during a time period or based at least in part on a trigger.

[0299] Aspect 23: The method according to any one of aspects 13 to 22, wherein the inventory request message indicates the location of the leader wireless device, the leader wireless device ID, and the one or more ambiently powered wireless device IDs.

[0300] Aspect 24: The method according to any one of aspects 13 to 23, further comprising receiving an indication of a traffic profile associated with one or more ambiently powered wireless devices, wherein receiving the inventory request message is based at least in part on the traffic profile.

[0301] Aspect 25: The method according to any one of aspects 13 to 24, wherein the inventory request message includes a set of reporting parameters.

[0302] Embodiment 26: A method for wireless communication in an ambient-powered wireless device, comprising: receiving a query message from a reader wireless device requesting the ambient-powered wireless device to report that it is associated with a reader wireless device; sending a query response message to the reader wireless device in response to the query message, the query response message reporting that the ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device; and receiving a message from the reader wireless device, at least in part, based on the query response message indicating that the ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device.

[0303] Embodiment 27: The method of Embodiment 26, wherein receiving a query message includes receiving a query message requesting information associated with an ambient-powered wireless device.

[0304] Embodiment 28: The method according to Embodiment 27, wherein sending a query response message includes sending a query response message that identifies information associated with an ambient-powered wireless device in response to the query message.

[0305] Embodiment 29: The method according to any one of embodiments 26 to 28, wherein the query message indicates that the ambient-powered wireless device should suspend the transmission of a query response message for a period of time which ends at least partially based on a trigger.

[0306] Embodiment 30: The method according to any one of embodiments 26 to 29, further comprising receiving a second query message from a second reader wireless device requesting second information associated with an ambient-powered wireless device, at least in part on an environmental change.

[0307] Embodiment 31: The method according to any one of embodiments 26 to 30, further comprising sending a query response message which is a backscatter of the query message.

[0308] Embodiment 32: The method according to any one of embodiments 26 to 31, further comprising sending an alert message to a reader wireless device, the alert message identifying information associated with an ambient-powered wireless device, at least in part based on the expiration of a timer.

[0309] Embodiment 33: The method according to any one of embodiments 26 to 32, further comprising receiving a request message from a reader wireless device requesting data for relay to a mobility function network entity, and sending a response message to the reader wireless device in response to the request message, identifying the data.

[0310] Embodiment 34: The method according to any one of embodiments 26 to 33, wherein the query message is received at least in part on the movement of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices, the movement of a reader wireless device, a change in the environment, or a combination thereof.

[0311] Embodiment 35: The method of any one of Embodiments 26 to 34, further comprising transmitting instructions for a traffic profile associated with an ambient-powered wireless device and receiving a query message, which is at least partially based on the traffic profile.

[0312] Embodiment 36: The method according to any one of Embodiments 26 to 35, wherein the query message includes a set of reporting parameters.

[0313] Embodiment 37: Apparatus for wireless communication in a mobility functional network entity, comprising: at least one processor; memory coupled to the at least one processor (e.g., operably, communicatively, functionally, electronically, or electrically); and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the at least one processor (e.g., directly, indirectly, after preprocessing, or without preprocessing) for causing the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 12.

[0314] Embodiment 38: An apparatus for wireless communication in a mobility function network entity, comprising at least one means for implementing the method described in any one of Embodiments 1 to 12.

[0315] Embodiment 39: A non-temporary computer-readable medium for storing code for wireless communication in a mobility function network entity, wherein the code includes instructions that can be executed by at least one processor (e.g., directly, indirectly, after preprocessing, without preprocessing) to carry out the method described in any of Embodiments 1 to 12.

[0316] Embodiment 40: An apparatus for wireless communication in a reader wireless device, comprising: at least one processor; a memory coupled to the at least one processor (e.g., operably, communicatively, functionally, electronically, or electrically); and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the at least one processor (e.g., directly, indirectly, after preprocessing, or without preprocessing) for causing the apparatus to perform the method described in any of Embodiments 13 to 25.

[0317] Embodiment 41: An apparatus for wireless communication in a reader wireless device, comprising at least one means for implementing the method described in any one of Embodiments 13 to 25.

[0318] Embodiment 42: A non-temporary computer-readable medium for storing code for wireless communication in a reader wireless device, wherein the code includes instructions that can be executed by at least one processor (e.g., directly, indirectly, after preprocessing, without preprocessing) to carry out the method described in any of Embodiments 13 to 25.

[0319] Embodiment 43: An apparatus for wireless communication in an ambient-powered wireless device, comprising: at least one processor; a memory coupled to the at least one processor (e.g., operably, communicatively, functionally, electronically, or electrically); and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the at least one processor (e.g., directly, indirectly, after preprocessing, or without preprocessing) for causing the apparatus to perform the method described in any of Embodiments 26 to 36.

[0320] Embodiment 44: An apparatus for wireless communication in an ambient-powered wireless device, comprising at least one means for implementing the method described in any one of Embodiments 26 to 36.

[0321] Embodiment 45: A non-temporary computer-readable medium for storing code for wireless communication in an ambient-powered wireless device, wherein the code includes instructions that can be executed by at least one processor (e.g., directly, indirectly, after preprocessing, without preprocessing) to carry out the method described in any of Embodiments 26 to 36.

[0322] The methods described herein illustrate possible implementations, and it should be noted that the operations and steps may be reconfigured or otherwise modified, and other implementations are possible. Furthermore, combinations of two or more of these methods are also possible.

[0323] While various embodiments of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described for illustrative purposes, and the terms LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR may be used for the majority of the description, the techniques described herein are applicable beyond the scope of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the techniques described may be applicable to various other wireless communication systems such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and wireless technologies, including future systems and wireless technologies not expressly described herein.

[0324] The information and signals described herein can be represented using any of a wide variety of technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips, which may be referred to throughout this description, can be represented by voltage, electric current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0325] The various exemplary blocks and components described herein can be implemented or performed using general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs or other programmable logic devices, individual gate or transistor logic, individual hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, a processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors working with a DSP core, or any other such configuration). Any function or operation described herein as being possible to perform by a processor may be performed by multiple processors capable of performing the described function or operation individually or collectively.

[0326] The functions described herein can be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor, or any combination thereof. Software, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or by other names, should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, or functions. When implemented using software executed by a processor, these functions can be stored as instructions or code in one or more computer-readable media, or transmitted using them. Other embodiments and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the accompanying claims. For example, due to the nature of the software, the functions described herein can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. The features implementing the functions can also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed so that parts of the functions are implemented in different physical locations.

[0327] Computer-readable media include both non-temporary computer storage media and communication media, including any media that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one location to another. Non-temporary storage media can be any available media accessible by a general-purpose computer or a dedicated computer. Examples, but not limitations, of non-temporary computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, phase-change memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-temporary media that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures, and can be accessed by a general-purpose computer or a dedicated computer or a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor. Furthermore, any connection is appropriately referred to as computer-readable media. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then those coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included within the definition of computer-readable media. Disks and discs, as used herein, include CDs, laserdiscs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs. Disks can reproduce data magnetically, and discs can reproduce data optically using a laser. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.Any function or operation described herein as being performable by memory may be performed by multiple memories, each capable of performing the described function or operation individually or collectively.

[0328] When used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in an enumeration of items (including enumerations of items followed by phrases such as “at least one of” or “one or more of”) means an inclusive enumeration, such as the enumeration of at least one of A, B, or C meaning, for example, A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, when used herein, the phrase “based on” should not be interpreted as referring to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step described as “based on condition A” may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In other words, when used herein, the phrase “based on” should be interpreted in the same way as the phrase “at least partially based on.” When used herein, the term “and / or” as used in an enumeration of two or more items means that any one of the enumerated items may be taken alone, or any combination of two or more of the enumerated items may be taken. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition may include A only, B only, C only, a combination of A and B, a combination of A and C, a combination of B and C, or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0329] When used herein, including in the claims, the article “a” preceding a noun is open-ended and understood to refer to “at least one” or “one or more” of those nouns. Thus, the terms “a,” “at least one,” “one or more,” and “at least one of one or more” may be interchangeable. For example, if a claim describes a “component” that performs one or more functions, each of the individual functions may be performed by a single component or by any combination of the components. Thus, the term “component” having a characteristic or performing a function may refer to “at least one of one or more components” that has a particular characteristic or performs a particular function. Subsequent references to a component introduced with the article “a” using the terms “the” or “said” may refer to any or all of one or more components. For example, a component introduced with the article "a" may be understood to mean "one or more components," and a later reference to "that component" in the claims may be understood to be equivalent to a reference to "at least one of the one or more components." Similarly, a subsequent reference to a component introduced as "one or more components" using the terms "the" or "said" may refer to any or all of the one or more components. For example, a later reference to "one or more components" in the claims may be understood to be equivalent to a reference to "at least one of the one or more components."

[0330] The terms “determine” or “determining” or “identify” encompass a variety of actions, and therefore “determining” or “identifying” can include calculating, calculating, processing, deriving, investigating, searching (through searching in tables, databases, or other data structures, for example), verifying, etc. “Determining” or “identifying” can also include receiving (receiving information or signaling, e.g., receiving information or signaling to make a decision, receiving information or signaling to identify), accessing (accessing data in memory, or accessing information, for example). Furthermore, “determining” or “identifying” can include resolving, obtaining, selecting, choosing, establishing, and other similar actions.

[0331] In the attached diagrams, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Furthermore, various components of the same type may be distinguished by adding a dash and a second label that distinguishes similar components after the reference label. Where only the first reference label is used herein, its description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label, regardless of the second reference label or any other subsequent reference labels.

[0332] The descriptions provided herein in relation to the accompanying drawings are illustrative and do not represent all embodiments that are implementable or within the scope of the claims. The term “exemplary” as used herein means “serving as an example, illustration, or representation,” and does not mean “preferred” or “advantageous over other embodiments.” “Modes for carrying out the invention” include specific details intended to provide an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques can be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the embodiments described.

[0333] The descriptions herein are provided to enable those skilled in the art to construct or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and designs described herein, but should be given the broadest scope that is consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A device for wireless communication in a mobility function network entity, At least one processor, The system comprises a memory coupled with at least one processor, and the memory provides the mobility function network entity to The reader wireless devices are instructed to send multiple inventory request messages to each reader wireless device, requesting that each reader wireless device report an inventory of ambient-powered wireless devices associated with that device. In response to the plurality of inventory request messages, the plurality of reader wireless devices receive a plurality of inventory response messages that identify a plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices. A device in which a first inventory response message among the plurality of inventory response messages stores an instruction executable by at least one processor to cause the first reader wireless device to send a message for relaying to the first ambient-powered wireless device, based at least in part on the first inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the first reader wireless device.

2. The aforementioned instruction is given to the mobility function network entity, The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one processor capable of causing the plurality of inventory response messages identifying the plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices to be received from the plurality of reader wireless devices, at least in part, based on a plurality of reflected messages from the plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices.

3. The aforementioned instruction is given to the mobility function network entity, The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the at least one processor capable of causing the plurality of reader wireless devices to receive a plurality of second inventory response messages identifying the plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices, based at least in part on a plurality of notification messages for the plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices.

4. The aforementioned instruction is given to the mobility function network entity, One or more of the aforementioned multi-party reader wireless devices, which are selected at least partially based on stored information associated with the multi-party reader wireless devices, to send one or more request messages requesting that the one or more reader wireless devices report data for relay to an application function network entity. In response to the one or more request messages, one or more response messages identifying the data are received from the one or more reader wireless devices. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the at least one processor capable of causing the application function network entity to send a message based at least in part on the one or more response messages indicating the aforementioned data.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the one or more reader wireless devices are selected at least in part on the distance or signal strength between the one or more reader wireless devices and one or more of the plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices.

6. The aforementioned instruction is given to the mobility function network entity, The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the at least one processor capable of causing an application function network entity to transmit a message indicating the location of the first leader wireless device, the location of the first ambient-powered wireless device, or both.

7. The aforementioned instruction is given to the mobility function network entity, The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the at least one processor capable of storing information associated with the identified plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices based at least in part on the plurality of inventory response messages.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of inventory request messages indicate that the transmission of one or more of the plurality of inventory response messages by one or more of the plurality of reader wireless devices will be interrupted for a certain period of time or at least partially based on a trigger.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of inventory response messages indicate a plurality of locations of the plurality of reader wireless devices, a plurality of reader wireless device identifiers, and a plurality of ambient-powered wireless device identifiers.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein sending one or more of the plurality of inventory request messages is at least partially based on a traffic profile associated with one or more of the plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices.

11. The aforementioned instruction is given to the mobility function network entity, The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor can further perform to cause the set of information associated with the identified plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices to store a set of information including power characteristics, energy storage capacity, mobility characteristics, or any combination thereof.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of inventory request messages include a set of reporting parameters.

13. A device for wireless communication in a reader wireless device, At least one processor, The reader wireless device comprises a memory coupled with at least one processor, and the memory is provided to the reader wireless device. The reader wireless device receives an inventory request message from a mobility function network entity requesting the reader wireless device to report an inventory of one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device. In response to the inventory request message, the mobility function network entity sends an inventory response message identifying the inventory of the one or more ambient-powered wireless devices associated with the reader wireless device. Based at least in part on the inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device, the system causes the mobility function network entity to receive a message for relaying to the first ambient-powered wireless device. A device that stores instructions executable by at least one processor to cause the first ambient-powered wireless device to transmit the aforementioned message.

14. The command is given to the reader wireless device, The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising the at least one processor capable of causing one or more query messages to be sent to one or more ambient-powered wireless devices requesting information associated with those ambient-powered wireless devices.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein transmitting the one or more query messages to the one or more ambient-powered wireless devices is at least partially based on the movement of the reader wireless device, the movement of the one or more ambient-powered wireless devices, environmental changes, or a combination thereof.

16. The command is given to the reader wireless device, The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further capable of causing the apparatus to receive one or more query response messages that identify the information associated with the one or more ambient-powered wireless devices in response to the one or more query messages, the inventory response message comprising the information.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the one or more query messages indicate that the one or more ambient-powered wireless devices will interrupt the transmission of the one or more query response messages for a period of time or at least in part based on a trigger.

18. The command is given to the reader wireless device, The system receives one or more reflected messages from the aforementioned one or more ambient-powered wireless devices. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising at least one processor capable of causing the recipient to send the inventory response message in response to the receipt of the one or more reflected messages.

19. The command is given to the reader wireless device, The system receives one or more notification messages from the aforementioned one or more ambient-powered wireless devices. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising the at least one processor capable of causing the mobility function network entity to transmit a second inventory response message identifying the one or more ambient-powered wireless devices.

20. The command is given to the reader wireless device, The reader wireless device receives a first request message from the mobility function network entity requesting it to report data for relay to the application function network entity. In response to the first request message, one or more second request messages requesting the data are sent to the one or more ambient-powered wireless devices. In response to the one or more second request messages, one or more first response messages identifying the data are received from the one or more ambient-powered wireless devices. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising at least one processor capable of causing the apparatus to transmit a response message identifying the data in response to one or more first response messages.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the first request message is received at least in part on the distance or signal strength between the reader wireless device and the one or more ambient-powered wireless devices.

22. A device for wireless communication in an ambient-powered wireless device, At least one processor, The system comprises a memory coupled to at least one processor, and the memory provides the ambient-powered wireless device to: The ambient-powered wireless device receives a query message from the reader wireless device requesting that the ambient-powered wireless device report that it has become associated with the reader wireless device. In response to the query message, the reader wireless device is instructed to send a query response message, the query response message reporting that the ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device. A device that stores instructions executable by at least one processor to cause a message to be received from the reader wireless device, based at least in part on the query response message indicating that the ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the reader wireless device.

23. The command for receiving the query message is given to the ambient-powered wireless device, The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the at least one processor is capable of causing the device to receive the query message requesting information associated with the ambient-powered wireless device.

24. The instruction for sending the query response message is to the ambient-powered wireless device, The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein at least one processor is capable of causing the device to send a query response message that identifies the information associated with the ambient-powered wireless device in response to the query message.

25. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the query message indicates that the ambient-powered wireless device should suspend the transmission of the query response message for a period of time during which the query message terminates at least partially based on a trigger.

26. The command is directed to the ambient-powered wireless device, The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein at least one processor is further capable of causing a second query message to be received from a second reader wireless device requesting second information associated with the ambient-powered wireless device, at least in part on a change in the environment.

27. The instruction for sending the query response message is sent to the ambient-powered wireless device, The apparatus according to claim 22, further operable by the at least one processor to cause the query response message to be transmitted, which is a backscatter of the query message.

28. The command is directed to the ambient-powered wireless device, The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the at least one processor can further cause the reader wireless device to send a notification message, the notification message identifying information associated with the ambient-powered wireless device, at least in part based on the expiration of a timer.

29. The command is directed to the ambient-powered wireless device, The reader wireless device receives a request message from the reader requesting data for relaying to a mobility function network entity. The apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising at least one processor capable of causing the reader wireless device to transmit a response message identifying the data in response to the request message.

30. A method for wireless communication in a mobility function network entity, Sending multiple inventory request messages to multiple reader wireless devices requesting that each reader wireless device report an inventory of ambient-powered wireless devices associated with that reader wireless device, In response to the plurality of inventory request messages, the plurality of inventory response messages identifying the plurality of ambient-powered wireless devices are received from the plurality of reader wireless devices, A method comprising transmitting a message to the first leader wireless device for relaying to the first ambient-powered wireless device, based at least in part on the first inventory response message, the first inventory response message being a first inventory response message indicating that the first ambient-powered wireless device is associated with the first leader wireless device.

Images