Methods and Systems for WTRU-Controlled Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 399,350, filed on August 19, 2022. U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 399,350 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background Art

[0002] The technology described herein relates to the fields of computing and communication, and more specifically, to methods, devices, systems, architectures, and interfaces for computing and communication in advanced or next - generation wireless communication systems, including communication executed using new radio (NR) access technology and / or New Radio (NR) access technology and communication systems. Such NR access and technology, and / or other similar wireless communication systems and technologies, which may also be referred to as 5G and / or 6G, etc., may include functions and / or technologies for reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS). As described herein, RIS can adapt to wireless environmental conditions. For example, RIS can electronically control the propagation of radio frequency (RF) signals contacting the surface of the RIS.

Summary of the Invention

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

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

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

[0006] [Figure 1A] This is a system diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be implemented. [Figure 1B]This is a system diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU) that may be used in a communication system illustrated in Figure 1A, according to one embodiment. [Figure 1C] This is a system diagram illustrating an exemplary radio access network (RAN) and an exemplary core network (CN) that may be used in a communication system illustrated in Figure 1A according to one embodiment. [Figure 1D] This is a system diagram illustrating a further exemplary RAN and a further exemplary CN that may be used in the communication system illustrated in Figure 1A according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] An example of a wireless communication system, including a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), is shown. [Figure 3] An example of a personal Internet of Things (IoT) network (PIN) for home automation is shown. [Figure 4] An example of a customer network (CPN) is shown. [Figure 5] Examples associated with ProSe Direct Discovery are shown. [Figure 6] Examples associated with ProSe Direct Discovery are shown. [Figure 7] This shows an example topology of a RIS-integrated CPN. [Figure 8] This shows an example topology of a RIS integrated PIN. [Figure 9] An example protocol stack is shown below. [Figure 10] This shows an example call flow for RIS discovery and / or RIS use for WTRU-to-WTRU communication. [Figure 11] This document shows an example call flow for RIS-enabled PIN element (PERC) discovery, and for controlling the RIS using a managed PIN element (PEMC) or a gateway PIN element (PEGC). [Figure 12]This shows an example control plane protocol stack for WTRU-to-WTRU communication via RIS. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

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

[0008] As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system 100 may include radio transmit / receive units (WTRUs) 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, RAN 104 / 113, CN 106 / 115, public switched telephone network (PSTN) 108, the Internet 110, and other networks 112, but it will be understood that the disclosed embodiments intend any number of WTRUs, base stations, networks, and / or network elements. Each of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may be any type of device configured to operate and / or communicate in a radio environment. For example, WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d, any of which may be referred to as “stations” and / or “STAs,” may be configured to transmit and / or receive radio signals and may include user equipment (WTRUs), mobile stations, fixed subscriber units or mobile subscriber units, subscriber-based units, pagers, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones, laptops, netbooks, personal computers, radio sensors, hotspots or Mi-Fi devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearable devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., for remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other radio devices operating in industrial and / or automated processing chain contexts), consumer electronics devices, and devices operating on commercial and / or industrial radio networks. WTRU 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d can all be referred to as WTRU for interchangeable purposes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0017] The base station 114b in Figure 1A may be, for example, a wireless router, home node B, home e-node B, or access point, and may utilize any suitable RAT to facilitate wireless connectivity in local areas such as offices, homes, vehicles, campuses, industrial facilities, aerial corridors (for use by drones, for example), roads, etc. In one embodiment, the base station 114b and WTRUs 102c, 102d may implement wireless technologies such as IEEE 802.11 to establish a wireless local area network (WLAN). In one embodiment, the base station 114b and WTRUs 102c, 102d may implement wireless technologies such as IEEE 802.15 to establish a wireless personal area network (WPAN). In yet another embodiment, base stations 114b and WTRUs 102c, 102d may establish picocells or femtocells using cellular-based RATs (e.g., WCDMA, CDMA2000, GSM, LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR, etc.). As shown in Figure 1A, base station 114b may have a direct connection to the internet 110. Therefore, base station 114b may not need to access the internet 110 via CN 106 / 115.

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

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

[0020] Some or all of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d in the communication system 100 may include multimode functionality (for example, WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d may include multiple transceivers for communicating with different radio networks via different radio links). For example, WTRU 102c shown in Figure 1A may be configured to communicate with base station 114a, which may employ cellular-based radio technology, and base station 114b, which may employ IEEE 802 radio technology.

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

[0022] The processor 118 may be a general-purpose processor, a dedicated processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors associated with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) circuit, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), a state machine, etc. The processor 118 may perform signal coding, data processing, power control, input / output processing, and / or any other functions that enable WTRU 102 to operate in a wireless environment. The processor 118 may be coupled to a transceiver 120 which may be coupled to a transmit / receive element 122. Figure 1B depicts the processor 118 and transceiver 120 as separate components, but it will be understood that the processor 118 and transceiver 120 may be integrated together in an electronic package or chip.

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

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

[0025] The transceiver 120 may be configured to modulate the signal transmitted by the transmit / receive element 122 and demodulate the signal received by the transmit / receive element 122. As described above, the WTRU 102 may have multimode capabilities. Therefore, the transceiver 120 may include multiple transceivers to enable the WTRU 102 to communicate via multiple RATs, such as NR and IEEE 802.11.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0032] RAN 104 may include e-nodes B 160a, 160b, and 160c, but it will be understood that RAN 104 may include any number of e-nodes B while maintaining consistency with one embodiment. Each of e-nodes B 160a, 160b, and 160c may include one or more transceivers for communicating with WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c via the air interface 116. In one embodiment, e-nodes B 160a, 160b, and 160c may implement MIMO technology. Thus, e-node B 160a may, for example, use multiple antennas to transmit radio signals to and / or receive radio signals from WTRU 102a.

[0033] Each of the e-nodes B 160a, 160b, and 160c may be associated with a specific cell (not shown) and may be configured to handle wireless resource management decisions, handover decisions, user scheduling in UL and / or DL, etc. As shown in Figure 1C, the e-nodes B 160a, 160b, and 160c may communicate with each other via the X2 interface.

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

[0035] The MME 162 can be connected to each of the e-nodes B 162a, 162b, and 162c in RAN 104 via the S1 interface and can function as a control node. For example, the MME 162 may be responsible for authenticating users of WTRU 102a, 102b, and 102c, activating / deactivating bearers, and selecting a specific serving gateway during the initial attachment of WTRU 102a, 102b, and 102c. The MME 162 may also provide control plane functionality for switching between RAN 104 and other RANs (not shown) employing other radio technologies such as GSM and / or WCDMA.

[0036] SGW 164 can be connected to each of the e-nodes B 160a, 160b, and 160c in RAN 104 via the S1 interface. SGW 164 can generally route and forward user data packets to and from WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c. SGW 164 can also perform other functions, such as anchoring the user plane during e-node B handovers, triggering paging when DL data is available to WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c, and managing and remembering the context of WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c.

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

[0038] CN 106 may facilitate communication with other networks. For example, CN 106 may provide WTRU 102a, 102b, and 102c with access to a circuit-switched network such as PSTN 108 to facilitate communication between WTRU 102a, 102b, and 102c and conventional terrestrial line communication devices. For example, CN 106 may include, or communicate with, an IP gateway (e.g., an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) server) that acts as an interface between CN 106 and PSTN 108. In addition, CN 106 may provide WTRU 102a, 102b, and 102c with access to another network 112, which may include other wired and / or wireless networks owned and / or operated by other service providers.

[0039] Although the WTRU is described as a wireless terminal in Figures 1A to 1D, in certain representative embodiments, such a terminal is intended to be able to use a wired communication interface with a communication network (for example, temporarily or permanently).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0049] RAN 113 may include gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c, but it will be understood that RAN 113 may include any number of gNBs while maintaining consistency with one embodiment. Each of gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c may include one or more transceivers for communicating with WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c via the air interface 116. In one embodiment, gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c may implement MIMO technology. For example, gNBs 180a and 180b may use beamforming to transmit signals to and / or receive signals from gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c. Thus, gNB 180a may, for example, use multiple antennas to transmit and / or receive radio signals to and from WTRU 102a. In one embodiment, gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c may implement carrier aggregation technology. For example, gNB 180a may transmit multiple component carriers to WTRU 102a (not shown). A subset of these component carriers may be on the unauthorized spectrum, while the remaining component carriers may be on the authorized spectrum. In one embodiment, gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c may implement coordinated multi-point (CoMP) technology. For example, WTRU 102a may receive coordinated transmissions from gNBs 180a and 180b (and / or gNB 180c).

[0050] WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c may communicate with gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c using transmissions associated with scalable neurology. For example, OFDM symbol intervals and / or OFDM subcarrier intervals may vary for different transmissions, different cells, and / or different portions of the radio transmission spectrum. WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c may communicate with gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c using subframes or transmission time intervals (TTIs) of varying or scalable lengths (e.g., containing varying numbers of OFDM symbols and / or having varying absolute time durations).

[0051] gNB 180a, 180b, and 180c can be configured to communicate with WTRU 102a, 102b, and 102c in standalone and / or non-standalone configurations. In a standalone configuration, WTRU 102a, 102b, and 102c can communicate with gNB 180a, 180b, and 180c without accessing other RANs (e.g., e-node B 160a, 160b, and 160c). In a standalone configuration, WTRU 102a, 102b, and 102c can utilize one or more of gNB 180a, 180b, and 180c as mobility anchor points. In a standalone configuration, WTRU 102a, 102b, and 102c can communicate with gNB 180a, 180b, and 180c using signals in unauthorized bands. In a non-standalone configuration, WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c can communicate with and connect to gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c, while also communicating with and connecting to other RANs such as enodes B 160a, 160b, and 160c. For example, WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c can implement DC principles for substantially simultaneous communication with one or more gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c and one or more enodes B 160a, 160b, and 160c. In a non-standalone configuration, e-nodes B 160a, 160b, and 160c can function as mobility anchors for WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c, and gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c can provide additional coverage and / or throughput to service WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c.

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

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

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

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

[0056] UPF 184a, 184b may be connected via the N3 interface to one or more gNB 180a, 180b, 180c in RAN 113, thereby providing WTRU 102a, 102b, 102c with access to a packet-switched network such as the Internet 110 to facilitate communication between WTRU 102a, 102b, 102c and IP-enabled devices. UPF 184, 184b may perform other functions such as routing and forwarding packets, enforcing user plane policies, supporting multiple home PDU sessions, handling user plane QoS, buffering downlink packets, and providing mobility anchoring.

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

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

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

[0060] One or more emulation devices may perform one or more functions, including all of the above, while not implemented / deployed as part of a wired and / or wireless communication network. For example, an emulation device may be used in a test laboratory test scenario, and / or in a wired and / or wireless communication network that is not deployed (e.g., for testing purposes), to implement testing of one or more components. One or more emulation devices may be test equipment. Direct RF coupling and / or wireless communication via RF circuitry (e.g., which may include one or more antennas) may be used by the emulation device to transmit and / or receive data.

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

[0062] RIS can be used to provide smart and reconfigurable wireless environments (e.g., future wireless communication systems such as 5G and 6G and beyond). For example, an RIS may include a plane with multiple (e.g., many) elements, each element capable of independently inducing / causing controllable amplitude and / or phase changes in accordance with the incident signal. For example, by deploying RISs densely within a wireless network, wireless channels between transmitters and receivers can be (e.g., flexibly) reconfigured to achieve desired realization and distribution, address wireless channel fading and interference, and / or improve wireless communication capability and reliability. Using RISs, for example, virtual line-of-sight (LoS) links can be created to bypass obstacles via smart reflections, and signal paths can be added in desired directions. For example, RISs can be used to improve channel rank, refine channel statistics or distributions, and / or suppress or neutralize interference and / or noise.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0073] Figure 6 shows an example of ProSe Direct Discovery 600 using Model B. In Model B, a WTRU (e.g., discovering WTRU 610) may broadcast one or more solicitation request messages 602a, 602b, 602c, 602d containing a ProSe query code (e.g., which may be associated with the ID of the WTRU to be discovered and / or the service to be discovered). One or more other WTRUs 612, 614, 616, 618 (e.g., discovered WTRUs) that have received the solicitation request messages may respond to the request (e.g., by sending response messages 604a, 604b) containing a ProSe response code (e.g., which may be associated with the ID of the discovered WTRU and / or the ProSe service provided by the discovered WTRU). Discovering WTRU 610 can determine that the discovered WTRUs (e.g., WTRU 612 and WTRU 614, etc.) are in proximity.

[0074] Using RIS, smart and reconfigurable wireless environments can be realized, for example, for future wireless communication systems such as 5G and 6G and beyond. For example, an RIS can reflect, refract, and / or absorb an incident beam in a desired direction (e.g., an undesired direction in the case of absorption). In certain scenarios, an RIS deployment may include an integrated RIS network that can be used to improve the spectral efficiency, network coverage, etc., of a cellular network. In such a deployment, control of one or more RIS antennas (e.g., a number of small antennas) or the wireless surface of metamaterial elements can be performed by a base station. The RIS can also, or alternatively, be part of smaller personal indoor networks, such as residential networks or PINs (e.g., direct WTRU-to-WTRU communication that does not involve a network / base station). The control of the RIS (e.g., reflection, refraction, and / or absorption of the incident beam) can be assigned to one or more WTRUs (e.g., a set of WTRUs) for, for example, WTRU-to-WTRU unicast (or multicast) communication.

[0075] This specification describes techniques that may be used to enable the discovery of RISs for WTRU-to-WTRU communication. This specification describes techniques that may be used, for example, to enable WTRUs to control RISs in personal / customer premises networks (e.g., operating on authorized and / or unauthorized spectra).

[0076] As described herein, the term control signaling may include control signaling and / or side control information used in the operation and / or optimization of the RIS integrated network. As described herein, the terms “RIS” and “RIS controller” may be used interchangeably. As described herein, the term “public network operator” may be used to represent an operator providing outdoor coverage and / or an authorized operator operating on the authorized spectrum on which a given personal / indoor network operates. As described herein, the WTRU may have already successfully implemented initial access and / or established a communication link with the access node via the RIS.

[0077] RIS-integrated personal networks can be associated with topology and / or configuration. One or more of the following may apply: The RIS can be configured for RIS-integrated CPNs using eRG / PRAS. The RIS can be configured for RIS-integrated PINs using PEGC / PEMC.

[0078] RIS discovery for WTRU communication can be performed via the RIS. One or more of the following may apply: A specific protocol stack can be used in RIS discovery messages. Model A and / or Model B discovery models can be used in RIS discovery. The RIS controller can send / receive request messages / requests to / from eRG / PRAS / PEGC / PEMC, for example, instructing the functionality of the RIS. The RIS controller can send / receive discovery / broadcast messages / requests (for example, based on the functionality of the RIS) to / from eRG / PRAS / PEGC / PEMC. The eRG / PRAS can configure the RIS to reflect contact signals back to its signal source and / or can put the CPN WTRU into scan mode (for example, a mode in which the CPN WTRU transmits a signal and the reflected signal power is measured to discover the RIS).

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

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

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

[0082] Figure 7 shows an example topology of a RIS-integrated CPN 700. One or more of the following may apply: The CPN 700 may be a network located within a building (e.g., a residence, office, or retail space) and may be owned, installed, and / or (e.g., at least partially) configured by a customer of the public network operator. A premises (e.g., a residential area including residences, an office, or retail space) may be within the network's coverage. The CPN 700 may include a RIS 702, a RIS controller 712, an eRG 710, a PRAS 708, and one or more WTRUs 704a, 704b, 704c, and 704d. The eRG 710 and PRAS 708 may be located within the premises. PRAS 708 may provide access to a system (e.g., a 5G system) for WTRUs 704a, 704b, 704c, and 704d within the premises, and / or may be connected to eRG 710 (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection). eRG 710 may be connected to the same system (e.g., a 5G system) via, for example, wireless and / or wired links. Depending on the premises in question, one or more PRAS units (e.g., PRAS 708, etc.) may be installed in a single CPN.

[0083] RIS 702 can be used in CPN 700, for example, to extend coverage within a residential area for WTRUs 704a, 704b, 704c, and 704d attempting inter-WTRU communication within a residential network, such as PRAS 708.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0090] Figure 8 shows an example topology of the RIS integrated PIN 800. One or more of the following may apply: The PIN 800 may include, for example, a WTRU and / or one or more PEs 804a, 804b, 804c, 804d, or a group of configured and managed devices including WTRUs authorized to communicate with each other (e.g., pre-approved). The PIN may be implemented in an indoor or outdoor environment. PEs 804a, 804b, 804c, 804d may use PIN connections (e.g., direct connections) and / or repeaters for end-to-end communication. Direct connections in the PIN 800 may be implemented, for example, via approved spectra (e.g., 3GPP approved spectra and / or direct device connections). The PEMC 804c may receive information related to the PEs (e.g., their identification information, functions, etc.) and manage the PIN. A PEGC 804d may be connected to another network (e.g., a 5G system) to provide direct or indirect connectivity between one or more PE 804a, 804b, 804c, and 804d devices and the other network. A single PIN element can be associated with both Mgmt and GW functions. The PIN may include at least one PEGC (e.g., PEGC 804d) and a PEMC (e.g., PEMC 804c).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0099] In Model A, for example, the RIS controller 904 can announce its presence to other WTRUs. When the RIS controller broadcasts its announcement message, WTRU 902 can receive direct discovery-related parameters, including, for example, discovery codes and filters. WTRU 902 can also, or alternatively, receive functional parameters that indicate RIS functions (e.g., reflection, refraction, and / or absorption). If the RIS can support multiple of the above functions, the functional parameters may include a list of functions. In a particular scenario, the functionality of the RIS can be considered as a RIS mode (e.g., passive RIS, semi-active RIS, or active RIS).

[0100] In Model B, the RIS controller 904 may attempt to discover which WTRUs are adjacent to the RIS. When the RIS controller 904 broadcasts a discovery message, it may attempt to discover and / or identify a WTRU 902 around the RIS that may request (e.g., require) signal reflection, refraction, and / or absorption. When a WTRU 902 around the RIS receives the discovery message from the RIS controller, the WTRU 902 can send a request message to the RIS controller 904. For example, the request message may include relevant RIS functions (e.g., reflection, refraction, and / or absorption), RIS mode (e.g., passive, semi-active, or active), WTRU function information, and / or destination WTRU information. In a particular scenario, the RIS controller 904 may receive a request message and send a discovery message to the destination WTRU 902. In a particular scenario, the RIS controller 904 may respond to a request message sent by the WTRU 902. For example, the RIS controller's response may include information related to the control of the RIS (e.g., what to control and how to control it in the RIS). In response to receiving a request message response, WTRU 902 can control the RIS to send a discovery message to destination WTRU 902.

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

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

[0103] For example, if source WTRU 1002a is taking various indirect routes to reach destination WTRU 1002c (e.g., via RIS, via inter-WTRU repeaters, etc.), source WTRU 1002a can determine and / or specify a route (e.g., from existing routes) based on the source WTRU's signal strength, operating frequency, resource pool size, SL-RSRP, SL-RSSI, etc. Source WTRU 1002a can further, or alternatively, determine and / or specify a route via RIS based on, for example, energy consumption savings, link capacity, SINR, etc. In certain scenarios, source WTRU 1002a can communicate with destination WTRU 1002c via direct communication. Source WTRU 1002a can further, or alternatively, use a route via RIS to improve the reliability of communication.

[0104] In certain scenarios, a RIS may be considered a PIN element (e.g., having reflective, refractional, and / or absorbing functions). As described herein, such a PIN element may be referred to as a PIN element with RIS functionality (PERC). A RIS controller may receive discovery / broadcast messages from another PIN element that is part of an existing PIN. This PIN element may be a PEMC and / or PEGC. If the RIS controller of a PERC receives a discovery / broadcast message containing a PIN ID, the RIS controller (e.g., the RIS controller of the PERC) may send a connection request (e.g., directly). For example, the connection request may specify the functionality of the PERC (e.g., reflection, refraction, and / or absorption). The PERC may send a connection request to a PEMC and / or PEGC.

[0105] In certain scenarios, PEMC and / or PEGC may send discovery messages. For example, a discovery message may include instructions for requested (e.g., desired) functions for PERC. For example, PEMC and / or PEGC may broadcast a discovery message in which the desired function is indicated as a reflection. This function may be indicated as a bit sequence or service code within the discovery message. This discovery message may further, or alternatively, indicate the requested (e.g., requested) frequency range (e.g., or other functions for RIS) for the reflection, including, for example, authorized and unauthorized spectra.

[0106] If PERC receives a discovery message (e.g., from PEMC and / or PEGC), PERC may respond to this discovery message. For example, a response to a discovery message may include one or more of the following: an instruction regarding a requested (e.g., desired) function (e.g., an instruction indicating that the desired function is supported by PERC), an instruction indicating that a requested (e.g., requested) frequency range is supported, etc. PEMC / PEGC may send a request for PERC to join a PIN. PERC may respond to the request message by including supported RIS control signaling information (e.g., functions supported by PERC). PEMC / PEGC may establish a link with PERC and initiate control of the RIS element to reflect signals from PEMC / PEGC in a desired direction, for example, to reach another PIN element.

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

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

[0109] For example, if eRG / PRAS is configured to control the RIS via the RIS controller, eRG / PRAS can enable / authorize an existing CPN WTRU to control the RIS for inter-WTRU communication. eRG / PRAS can provide the RIS controller with access information for the CPN WTRU. As described herein, the CPN WTRU can reach the RIS controller using either a Model A and / or Model B discovery model. Furthermore, or alternatively, eRG / PRAS can configure the RIS to reflect contact signals back to its signal source, thereby putting the CPN WTRU into a "scan" mode (e.g., a mode in which the CPN WTRU transmits a signal and measures the reflected signal power to discover the RIS).

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

[0111] In a particular scenario, the control plane protocol stack associated with the RIS controller for WTRU-to-WTRU communication may include an RLC layer, a MAC layer, a PHY layer, and / or a RIS adaptive layer, which may be arranged across the RLC layer and / or used to adjust the characteristics of the RIS / RIS elements. For example, the RIS adaptive layer may be used for one or more purposes: to change / update the phase and / or amplitude of the RIS elements (e.g., explicit or implicit phase and / or amplitude of the RIS elements); to allocate RIS resources containing RIS elements (e.g., reassign); to change / update the directivity / beamforming characteristics / TCI state of contact signals; to change / update the UL / DL configuration; to configure (e.g., reconfigure) the timing advance offset alignment; to turn the RIS and / or RIS elements (e.g., individual RIS elements) on / off; to transition between different RIS functions (e.g., transition from reflection to refraction), etc. The source WTRU can control the RIS via the RIS adaptive layer. The source WTRU can transmit, for example, RIS control signaling using the RIS controller's PC5-RLC link, PC5-MAC link, and PC5-PHY link.

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

[0113] In a particular scenario, the RIS adaptive layer may be used to adapt / configure RIS elements so that they are terminated at the RIS controller and reflect signals from source WTRUs to destination WTRUs (e.g., only used).

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

[0115] In a particular scenario, the control plane protocol stack associated with a RIS controller for WTRU-to-WTRU communication may include a PHY layer and / or a RIS adaptive layer (for example, only these layers may be included). A source WTRU can control the RIS, for example, via the RIS adaptive layer, based on information from the PC5-RLC and PC5-MAC links between the source WTRU and the destination WTRU. A destination WTRU can further, or alternatively, control the RIS via the RIS adaptive layer. Based on control signaling provided to the RIS adaptive layer of the RIS controller (e.g., from the source / destination WTRUs), the RIS controller can adapt / configure RIS elements, for example, as part of the RIS-PHY layer of the RIS.

[0116] For example, Figure 12 shows an embodiment associated with control plane protocol stacks 1200 and 1250 for inter-WTRU communication via RIS. One or more of the following may be applied:

[0117] In certain scenarios, the RIS adaptive layer may support multiple accesses, for example, by using a set of RIS elements (e.g., dedicated) for transmission from a source WTRU to a destination WTRU. Another set of RIS elements (e.g., dedicated) may be used for transmission from the destination WTRU to the source WTRU.

[0118] In certain scenarios, the RIS adaptive layer may support multiple access, for example, by using a set of RIS elements for inter-WTRU transmission (e.g., exclusively) (e.g., inter-WTRU transmission only), and another set of RIS elements for transmission from gNB / PRAS / PEMC / PEGC to WTRUs (e.g., including PIN elements, CPN WTRUs, and WTRUs) (e.g., exclusively). Such scenarios may also apply, or alternatively, to scenarios involving multiple network operators or multiple PINs (e.g., where a set of RIS elements may be specialized to operate in a first frequency range / part (e.g., BWP), and another set of RIS elements may be specialized to operate in a second frequency range / part). As described herein, frequency ranges / parts may include BWP, component carriers, Pcells, Scells, MCGs, SCGs, etc. Similarly, the techniques described herein may be used to configure a set of RIS elements quasi-statically or dynamically for a particular frequency range / part.

[0119] In certain scenarios, the RIS adaptive layer may support multicast transmission (e.g., in addition to unicast transmission) and / or inter-WTRU transmission. In RIS-based multicast transmission, for example, gNB / PRAS / PEMC / PEGC / WTRU may control the RIS (e.g., to distribute signals in a desired direction). For example, multicast transmission can be performed using the RIS refraction function.

Claims

1. A first wireless transceiver unit (WTRU), Receiving discovery messages associated with a Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS), In response to receiving the discovery message, a request message is sent to the RIS controller, wherein the request message includes one or more RIS modes, and the one or more RIS modes include a passive mode, an active mode, or a semi-active mode. In response to the aforementioned request message, a request response message is received from the RIS controller, wherein the request response message includes RIS control information associated with the RIS. Based on the RIS control information, the transmission is sent to the second WTRU via the RIS, A first WTRU configured to perform the following.

2. The aforementioned first WTRU further, The first WTRU according to claim 1, configured to determine that the second WTRU has been discovered.

3. The first WTRU according to claim 2, wherein the request response message indicates that the second WTRU has been found.

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

5. The discovery message is a first discovery message, and the first WTRU further, The second discovery message is transmitted to the second WTRU via the RIS, The RIS receives a second discovery message response from the second WTRU, The first WTRU according to claim 2, configured to perform the following:

6. The first WTRU according to claim 1, wherein the request message further comprises one or more of the following: functional information associated with the first WTRU, one or more RIS functions, or an indication of the second WTRU.

7. The first WTRU according to claim 6, wherein the one or more RIS functions include reflection, refraction, or absorption.

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

9. The first WTRU according to claim 1, wherein the transmission is transmitted to the second WTRU using an RIS adaptive layer controlled by the first WTRU.

10. The first WTRU according to claim 1, wherein the RIS is a PIN element (PERC) having RIS functionality.

11. A method performed by a first wireless transceiver unit (WTRU), wherein the method is Receiving discovery messages associated with a Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS), In response to receiving the discovery message, a request message is sent to the RIS controller, wherein the request message includes one or more RIS modes, and the one or more RIS modes include a passive mode, an active mode, or a semi-active mode. In response to the aforementioned request message, a request response message is received from the RIS controller, wherein the request response message includes RIS control information associated with the RIS. Based on the RIS control information, the transmission is sent to the second WTRU via the RIS, Methods that include...

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising determining that the second WTRU has been found.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the request response message indicates that the second WTRU has been found.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the discovery message includes one or more functional parameters associated with the RIS.

15. The aforementioned discovery message is the first discovery message, and further, The second discovery message is transmitted to the second WTRU via the RIS, The RIS receives a second discovery message response from the second WTRU, The method according to claim 12, including the method described in claim 12.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the request message further comprises one or more of the following: functional information associated with the first WTRU, one or more RIS functions, or an indication of the second WTRU.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the one or more RIS functions include reflection, refraction, or absorption.

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

19. The method according to claim 11, wherein the transmission is transmitted to the second WTRU using an RIS adaptive layer controlled by the first WTRU.

20. The method according to claim 11, wherein the RIS is a PIN element (PERC) having RIS functionality.

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