Ambient internet of things group backscatter

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for positioning for energy harvesting devices. The method can include receiving at a tag, from an activator, a configuration comprising a tag specific phase toggling pattern and a group identifier identifying a group of tags including the tag and a plurality of other tags (S2010). A first activation signal is received from the activator. The first activation signal includes the group identifier (S2020). A first response signal is backscattered in response to the first activation signal. The first response signal is adjusted by a first phase shift based on a first phase setting of the received tag specific phase toggling pattern (S2030).

Description

[0001]TITLE: AMBIENT INTERNET OF THINGS GROUP BACKSCATTER FIELD: Some example embodiments may generally relate to mobile or wireless telecommunication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or fifth generation (5G) radio access technology or new radio (NR) access technology or sixth generation (6G) radio access technology, or other communications systems. For example, certain example embodiments may relate to ambient internet of things group backscatter. BACKGROUND: Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunication systems may include the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), LTE Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), MulteFire, LTE-A Pro, fifth generation (5G) radio access technology or NR access technology, and / or 5G-Advanced. 5G wireless systems refer to the next generation (NG) of radio systems and network architecture. 5G network technology is mostly based on NR technology, but the 5G (or NG) network can also build on E-UTRAN radio. It is estimated that NR may provide bitrates on the order of 10-20 Gbit / s or higher, and may support at least enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) as well as massive machine-type communication (mMTC). NR is expected to deliver extreme broadband and ultra-robust, low-latency connectivity and massive networking to support the IoT. As the internet of things (IoT) expands and includes more devices, more devices are being connected. Inventory in warehouses and the like are tracked using various methods. These methods generally require a significant amount of time and labor to track the inventory. For example, quick response (QR) codes are often used to track boxes. However, if the box is moved only a few feet away without having the QR code scanned and the move logged, the box can be lost without an easy method to find the box. SUMMARY: An embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. The instructions stored in the at least memory, when executed by the at least one processor may cause the apparatus at least to perform receiving at a tag, from an activator, a configuration comprising a tag specific phase toggling pattern and a group identifier identifying a group of tags including the tag and a plurality of other tags. A first activation signal may be received from the activator. The first activation signal may include the group identifier. A first response signal may be backscattered in response to the first activation signal. The first response signal may be adjusted by a first phase shift based on a first phase setting of the received tag specific phase toggling pattern. An embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. The instructions stored in the at least memory, when executed by the at least one processor may cause the apparatus at least to perform receiving, from a session control unit (SCU), configuration of a group of tags. The configuration may comprise a group identifier, identifier of each radio tag, and a group phase pattern. At least one of the group of tags may be configured with the group identifier and a tag specific phase toggling pattern. A command of tag group beam sweeping is received from the SCU. An activation signal may be transmitted to the at least one of the group of tags. The activation signal may include the group identifier. An embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. The instructions stored in the at least memory, when executed by the at least one processor may cause the apparatus at least to perform transmitting, to an activator, configuration of a group of tags, wherein the configuration comprising a group identifier, identifier of each tag, and a group phase pattern. A command of tag group beam sweeping may be transmitted to the activator. A measurement result of the group of tags may also be received from at least one reader. An embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. The instructions stored in the at least memory, when executed by the at least one processor may cause the apparatus perform receiving, from a session control unit (SCU), a command of tag group beam sweeping, wherein the command comprising a group identifier of a group of tags. An activation signal is received from an activator. The activation signal may include the group identifier. Response signals may be received from the group of tags. Each of the response signals may be adjusted by a phase setting based on a tag specific phase toggling pattern. The received response signals of the group of tags may be measured. The measurement result of the group of tags may also be reported to the SCU. An embodiment may be directed to a method. The method can include receiving at a tag, from an activator, a configuration comprising a tag specific phase toggling pattern and a group identifier identifying a group of tags including the tag and a plurality of other tags. A first activation signal may be received from the activator. The first activation signal may include the group identifier. A first response signal may be backscattered in response to the first activation signal. The first response signal may be adjusted by a first phase shift based on a first phase setting of the received tag specific phase toggling pattern. An embodiment may be directed to a method. The method can include receiving, from a session control unit (SCU), configuration of a group of tags. The configuration may comprise a group identifier, identifier of each radio tag, and a group phase pattern. At least one of the group of tags may be configured with the group identifier and a tag specific phase toggling pattern. A command of tag group beam sweeping is received from the SCU. An activation signal may be transmitted to the at least one of the group of tags. The activation signal may include the group identifier. An embodiment may be directed to a method. The method can include transmitting, to an activator, configuration of a group of tags, wherein the configuration comprising a group identifier, identifier of each tag, and a group phase pattern. A command of tag group beam sweeping may be transmitted to the activator. A measurement result of the group of tags may also be received from at least one reader. An embodiment may be directed to a method. The method can include receiving, from a session control unit (SCU), a command of tag group beam sweeping, wherein the command comprising a group identifier of a group of tags. An activation signal is received from an activator. The activation signal may include the group identifier. Response signals may be received from the group of tags. Each of the response signals may be adjusted by a phase setting based on a tag specific phase toggling pattern. The received response signals of the group of tags may be measured. The measurement result of the group of tags may also be reported to the SCU. Another embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for receiving at a tag, from an activator, a configuration comprising a tag specific phase toggling pattern and a group identifier identifying a group of tags including the tag and a plurality of other tags. A first activation signal may be received from the activator. The first activation signal may include the group identifier. A first response signal may be backscattered in response to the first activation signal. The first response signal may be adjusted by a first phase shift based on a first phase setting of the received tag specific phase toggling pattern. Another embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for receiving, from a session control unit (SCU), configuration of a group of tags, wherein the configuration comprising a group identifier, identifier of each radio tag, and a group phase pattern, means for configuring at least one of the group of tags with the group identifier and a tag specific phase toggling pattern, means for receiving, from the SCU, a command of tag group beam sweeping, and means for transmitting an activation signal to the at least one of the group of tags, wherein the activation signal comprises the group identifier. Another embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for transmitting, to an activator, configuration of a group of tags, wherein the configuration comprising a group identifier, identifier of each tag, and a group phase pattern, means for transmitting, to the activator, a command of tag group beam sweeping, and means for receiving, from at least one reader, a measurement result of the group of tags. Another embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for receiving, from a session control unit (SCU), a command of tag group beam sweeping, wherein the command comprising a group identifier of a group of tags, means for receiving, from an activator, an activation signal, wherein the activation signal comprises the group identifier, means for receiving, from the group of tags, response signals, wherein each of the response signals is adjusted by a phase setting based on a tag specific phase toggling pattern, means for measuring the received response signals of the group of tags, and means for reporting, to the SCU, the measurement result of the group of tags. Another embodiment may be directed to an apparatus comprising circuitry configured to perform a method. The method can include receiving at a tag, from an activator, a configuration comprising a tag specific phase toggling pattern and a group identifier identifying a group of tags including the tag and a plurality of other tags. A first activation signal may be received from the activator. The first activation signal may include the group identifier. A first response signal may be backscattered in response to the first activation signal. The first response signal may be adjusted by a first phase shift based on a first phase setting of the received tag specific phase toggling pattern. Another embodiment may be directed to an apparatus comprising circuitry configured to perform a method. The method can include receiving, from a session control unit (SCU), configuration of a group of tags. The configuration may comprise a group identifier, identifier of each radio tag, and a group phase pattern. At least one of the group of tags may be configured with the group identifier and a tag specific phase toggling pattern. A command of tag group beam sweeping is received from the SCU. An activation signal may be transmitted to the at least one of the group of tags. The activation signal may include the group identifier. Another embodiment may be directed to an apparatus comprising circuitry configured to perform a method. The method can include transmitting, to an activator, configuration of a group of tags, wherein the configuration comprising a group identifier, identifier of each tag, and a group phase pattern. A command of tag group beam sweeping may be transmitted to the activator. A measurement result of the group of tags may also be received from at least one reader. Another embodiment may be directed to an apparatus comprising circuitry configured to perform a method. The method can include receiving, from a session control unit (SCU), a command of tag group beam sweeping, wherein the command comprising a group identifier of a group of tags. An activation signal is received from an activator. The activation signal may include the group identifier. Response signals may be received from the group of tags. Each of the response signals may be adjusted by a phase setting based on a tag specific phase toggling pattern. The received response signals of the group of tags may be measured. The measurement result of the group of tags may also be reported to the SCU. Another embodiment may be directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method. The method can include receiving at a tag, from an activator, a configuration comprising a tag specific phase toggling pattern and a group identifier identifying a group of tags including the tag and a plurality of other tags. A first activation signal may be received from the activator. The first activation signal may include the group identifier. A first response signal may be backscattered in response to the first activation signal. The first response signal may be adjusted by a first phase shift based on a first phase setting of the received tag specific phase toggling pattern. Another embodiment may be directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method. The method can include receiving, from a session control unit (SCU), configuration of a group of tags. The configuration may comprise a group identifier, identifier of each radio tag, and a group phase pattern. At least one of the group of tags may be configured with the group identifier and a tag specific phase toggling pattern. A command of tag group beam sweeping is received from the SCU. An activation signal may be transmitted to the at least one of the group of tags. The activation signal may include the group identifier. Another embodiment may be directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method. The method can include transmitting, to an activator, configuration of a group of tags, wherein the configuration comprising a group identifier, identifier of each tag, and a group phase pattern. A command of tag group beam sweeping may be transmitted to the activator. A measurement result of the group of tags may also be received from at least one reader. Another embodiment may be directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method. The method can include receiving, from a session control unit (SCU), a command of tag group beam sweeping, wherein the command comprising a group identifier of a group of tags. An activation signal is received from an activator. The activation signal may include the group identifier. Response signals may be received from the group of tags. Each of the response signals may be adjusted by a phase setting based on a tag specific phase toggling pattern. The received response signals of the group of tags may be measured. The measurement result of the group of tags may also be reported to the SCU. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: For proper understanding of example embodiments, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 illustrates an example flow diagram of communications between a session control unit (SCU), activator, radio tags, and readers, according to certain example embodiments; FIG. 2 illustrates an example flow chart for a method of controlling the radio tag, according to certain example embodiments; FIG.3 illustrates an example flow chart for a method of controlling the SCU, according to certain example embodiments; FIG. 4 illustrates an example flow chart for a method of controlling the activator, according to certain example embodiments; FIG. 5 illustrates an example flow chart for a method of controlling the reader, according to certain example embodiments; FIG. 6 illustrates an example utilization of the tags, according to certain example embodiments; FIG. 7A illustrates an example utilization of a tag group, according to certain example embodiments; FIG. 7B illustrates an example spacing of tags in a tag group, according to certain example embodiments; FIG. 7C illustrates an example implementation of a tag group, according to certain example embodiments; FIG. 8 illustrates another example utilization of a tag group, according to certain example embodiments; FIG. 9A illustrates another example utilization of a tag group, according to certain example embodiments; FIG.9B illustrates another example spacing of tags in a tag group, according to certain example embodiments; FIG.9C illustrates another example implementation of a tag group, according to certain example embodiments; FIG. 10 illustrates example signals to the tags, according to certain example embodiments; FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a radiation pattern, according to certain example embodiments; FIG. 12 illustrates an example implementation of repeated tag array activation, according to certain example embodiments; FIG. 13 illustrates another example implementation of repeated tag array activation, according to certain example embodiments; FIG.14 illustrates a tag, according to certain example embodiments; and FIG.15 illustrates a set of apparatuses, according to some example embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION: It will be readily understood that the components of certain example embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. The following is a detailed description of some example embodiments of systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for positioning of IoT devices, such as energy harvesting devices. The features, structures, or characteristics of example embodiments described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases “certain embodiments,” “an example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “various embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in certain embodiments,” “an example embodiment,” “in some embodiments,” “in other embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. Further, the terms “base station”, “cell”, “node”, “gNB”, “network” or other similar language throughout this specification may be used interchangeably. As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or,” mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements. IoT devices may connect to a network and share information electronically over networks, such as cell networks. IoT devices, such as radio frequency identification devices (RFID), have a limited range. The following description provides example embodiments which may allow for increased range of communications with IoT devices. FIG.1 illustrates an example flow diagram 1000 of communications between a session control unit (SCU) 100, activator 200, radio tags (tags) 300, and readers 400, according to certain example embodiments. The SCU 100 may be implemented on a User Equipment (UE) or a network entity. The UE may be a cell phone, computer, laptop, tablet, etc. The activator 200 may also be implemented on a UE or on other devices which can receive and send radio or wireless signals. The tags 300 may be RFID tags or other types of IoT devices. For example, the radio tags 300 may be 3GPP ambient- IoT (A-IoT) devices. The readers 400 may be UEs or base stations or other hardware which can receive and transmit radio or wireless signals. At S1010, the SCU 100 may obtain group constellation and capability information for each tag in the group. This information can be obtained from a database, from the readers 400 based on previous communications with the tags, from communications with the tags 300 via the activator and readers 400, etc. The group constellation and capability information may include the individual identification for each tag 300 (tag ID) in the group as well as a group identification (group ID). The group constellation and capability information may also include model numbers, configurations, communication protocols and / or other information useful for determining the capabilities and communication methods of the tags 300. At S1020, the SCU 100 may communicate with the activator 200 the tag IDs for each tag 300 in the group and the group ID along with a tag configuration. The SCU 100 may communicate instructions which cause the activator 200 to configure the tags 300 to emit / reflect a phase pattern. The phase pattern may include emitting (e.g. backscattering reflection or active transmission) the same signal by each of the tags 300 in the group in which each tag 300 emits the signal with a specified phase shift for each emission of the signal. The signal may include the group ID of the tag group. Each of the tags may be capable of emitting the signal with at least 2 different phase shifts (e.g., 0⁰ and 120⁰, or 0⁰, 120⁰, and 240⁰). Examples of phase patterns are discussed in greater detail below. At S1030, the activator 200 may send a configuration communication to each of the tags 300 in the group (e.g., tags tag_A, tag_B, tag_C, and tag_D). The communication to each tag 300 in the group may be unique and may include the tag ID of the tag 300 to be configured. The configuration communication may indicate a pattern of phase shifts (e.g., a phase toggling pattern for each of the tags 300); for example, a pattern of toggling between a first phase shift and a second phase shift, toggling after two emissions between a first phase shift and a second phase shift, toggling after four emissions between a first phase shift and a second phase shift, or no toggling between phase shifts. The form of the configuration communication may be altered based on the processing capabilities of the tags 300. For example, if the tags 300 have the capability to store a pattern of phase shifts across multiple emissions, the activator 200 may emit a configuration communication including instructions for the next phase shift. The communication of the confirmation communications would then need to be repeated before each emission. At S1032, the tags 300 may emit a confirmation signal which at least one of the readers 400 may register. The confirmation signal may include the tag ID and an indication of the configured phase pattern. The readers 400 may include a plurality of readers such as reader A, reader B, and reader C. Reader B 400 may be a proximity reader which may be located near the activator so as to be close enough to the tags to receive the confirmation signal without the tags 300 being configured with group phase settings which allow signals to have increased directional gains. In some example embodiments, the activator 200 and reader B 400 may be implemented in the same device which sends and receives communications with the tags 300. The general maximum range for receiving signals from tags using back scattering techniques may be, for example, about 50 meters. Generally, the activation range for the activator 200 to activate the tag 300 using a back scatter technique may be, for example, about 5 meters. At S1032, the reader B 400 may report the configuration successful confirmation signals from the tags 300 to the SCU 100. The SCU 100 may then determine that the tags 300 are configured for the phase pattern. If certain confirmation for certain tags 300 are not received or do not have the correct phase pattern configuration, the SCU 100 may determine that corrections are needed or that one or more of the tags 300 in the group is defective. At S1040, the SCU 100 may communicate with the activator 200 and the readers 400 to configure a tag group beam sweeping. The communication may include a command to perform beam sweeping. The phase pattern may define a beam sweeping pattern. The communications with the activator 200 may include instructions which cause the activator 200 to communicate with the tags 300 as a group using the group ID to perform the phase pattern. The communication with the readers 400 may include instructions to receive (e.g., listen for) the emissions from the tags 300 of the group and the frequency of the emission. At S1050, the activator 200 may send a series of activation messages to the tags 300 using the group ID such that the tags 300 simultaneously sent out their emissions according to the phase pattern. For example, if there are 4 tags 300 with two phase shifts each, the phase pattern may include 8 emissions such that 8 different combinations of phases of the emission by the 4 tags are emitted. The differences in combinations of phases may result in greater gains, caused by constructive interference, at different angles relative to a plane of the tags. This is demonstrated in greater detail below. At S1060, the tags 300 may emits the emissions according to the phase pattern and the readers 400 may receive the emissions. Some of the emissions may not be registered by the readers 400 because the signal does not have enough power in the direction of the reader. Each emission may include an indication of an emission number to inform the readers which emission in the phase pattern is being received. At S1070, the readers 400 may measure the combined group signal (e.g., backscatter signal) for each tag group activation. The measurements may be power measurements to determine which emissions had a sufficient power or gain to be registered at the reader 400. The readers 400 may be in different locations and thus the measurements at the locations of each of the readers 400 may be different for each emission. Each emission may have a phase setting (e.g., the combination of phase shifts for each of the tags 300 in the group). The measurement may include demodulating the received response signals by the group identifier and determining the signal strength of the demodulated response signals. At S1080, the readers 400 may report the measured tag group received level (e.g., signal strength or received power) for each emission in the phase pattern. Operations S1050- 1080 may be performed for each phase setting of the phase pattern, such that the SCU receives measurements for each phase setting. At S1090, the SCU 100 may select a tag group phase setting for reaching at least one of reader A, B, and C. The selection of group phase settings may include a phase shift for each of the tags 300 in the group. The selection may be based on highest signal strength, greatest number of readers which can register an emission with that group phase setting. The SCU 100 may also store one or more group phase setting for each reachable reader and then target a specific reader (e.g. the one with highest receive signal strength) in a subsequent communication by configuring the tag group with that specific reader optimum phase setting The selection may be based on a threshold signal strength. For example, a group phase setting where the most readers receive the emission with a signal strength over a threshold may be selected. At S1100, the SCU 100 may cause the activator 200 to configure the tags 300 according to the selected phase setting. The activator 200 may receive instructions from the SCU 100 and send a configuration message to each of the tags 300 in the group with a phase shift for future emissions. In this way, the tags 300 in the group may be configured to communicate with the readers 400 when activated. In some example embodiments, reader A 400 and reader C 400 may be base stations. In some example embodiments, when the base station is able to receive the emissions but not able to activate the tags 300 in the group, an activator 200 (which may be a UE or other portable device) that is more proximate to the tags 300 may be able to activate the tags 300 and the base station may be able to receive the emissions. In this way, only the activator 200 may need to move through the warehouse (or be arranged at strategic areas of the warehouse to allow for all groups of tags to be activated). Thus, by moving a single activator 200 through the warehouse, inventory may be taken, or by using strategically placed activators, inventory of the warehouse may be taken without any person or machine needing to move through the warehouse. The hardware and operations disclosed herein may also be used for various other purposes, such as triangulation, to locate the group of tags based on known locations of the readers and known signal strength patterns for particular phase settings. FIG. 2 illustrates an example flow diagram for a method 2000 of controlling the radio tag 300, according to certain example embodiments. In an example embodiment, the method of FIG.2 may be performed by a network entity, or a group of multiple network elements in a 3GPP system, such as LTE or 5G-NR. For instance, in an example embodiment, the method of FIG. 2 may be performed by a radio tag 300, or the like. The radio tag may be similar to the radio tag 300 illustrated in FIG.14. According to certain example embodiments, the method of FIG. 2 may include, at S2010, receiving at a tag, from an activator, a configuration comprising a tag specific phase toggling pattern and a group identifier identifying a group of tags including the tag and a plurality of other tags , at S2020, receiving, from the activator, a first activation signal, wherein the first activation signal comprises the group identifier, at S2030, in response to the first activation signal, backscattering a first response signal, wherein the first response signal is adjusted by a first phase shift based on a first phase setting of the received tag specific phase toggling pattern. FIG. 3 illustrates an example flow chart for a method 3000 of controlling the SCU, according to certain example embodiments. In an example embodiment, the method of FIG.3 may be performed by a network entity, or a group of multiple network elements in a 3GPP system, such as LTE or 5G-NR. For instance, in an example embodiment, the method of FIG.3 may be performed by a user equipment (UE) implementing a SCU, or the like. The UE may be similar to one of apparatuses 10 or 20 illustrated in FIG.15. According to certain example embodiments, the method of FIG. 3 may include, at S3010, receiving, from a session control unit (SCU), configuration of a group of tags, wherein the configuration comprising a group identifier, identifier of each radio tag, and a group phase pattern, at S3020, configuring at least one of the group of tags with the group identifier and a tag specific phase toggling pattern, at S3030, receiving, from the SCU, a command of tag group beam sweeping , at S3040, transmitting an activation signal to the at least one of the group of tags, wherein the activation signal comprises the group identifier. FIG. 4 illustrates an example flow diagram 4000 for a method of controlling the SCU, according to certain example embodiments. In an example embodiment, the method of FIG.4 may be performed by a network entity, or a group of multiple network elements in a 3GPP system, such as LTE or 5G-NR. For instance, in an example embodiment, the method of FIG. 4 may be performed by an activator 200, or the like. The activator 200 may be similar to one of apparatuses 10 or 20 illustrated in FIG.15. According to certain example embodiments, the method of FIG. 4 may include, at S4010, transmitting, to an activator, configuration of a group of tags, wherein the configuration comprising a group identifier, identifier of each tag, and a group phase pattern, at S4020, transmitting, to the activator, a command of tag group beam sweeping, at S4030, receiving, from at least one reader, a measurement result of the group of tags. FIG. 5 illustrates an example flow chart for a method 5000 of controlling the SCU, according to certain example embodiments. In an example embodiment, the method of FIG.5 may be performed by a network entity, or a group of multiple network elements in a 3GPP system, such as LTE or 5G-NR. For instance, in an example embodiment, the method of FIG. 5 may be performed by a reader 400, or the like. The reader 400 being similar to one of apparatuses 10 or 20 illustrated in FIG.15. According to certain example embodiments, the method of FIG. 5 may include, at S5010, receiving, from a session control unit (SCU), a command of tag group beam sweeping, wherein the command comprising a group identifier of a group of tags, at S5020, receiving, from an activator, an activation signal, wherein the activation signal comprises the group identifier, at S5030, receiving, from the group of tags, response signals, wherein each of the response signals is adjusted by a phase setting based on a tag specific phase toggling pattern, at S5040, measuring the received response signals of the group of tags, S5050, reporting, to the SCU, the measurement result of the group of tags. FIG. 6 illustrates an example utilization of the tags 300, according to certain example embodiments. The example illustrated in FIG. 6 is a warehouse where boxes have tags 300 attached to the boxes. The activator 200 can send an activation signal to the tags 300 and the tags 300 may emit a backscatter signal to the reader 400. The readers 400 may be on the ceiling of the warehouse. FIG. 7A illustrates an example utilization of a tag group, according to certain example embodiments. The tag group may include four tags arranged in a horizontal line on a flat plane of a box, crate, or similar object. Surfaces which are not flat may also be used as long as the tags can be mounted without being damaged. The activator 200 may activate the group of tags 300 using the group ID. The group of tags 300 may emit an emission to the reader 400 by backscattering the activation message (e.g., by backscattering the activation signal with at least the group ID modulated onto the reflection). The tags 300 being arranged in a horizontal line allows for constructive interference in the horizontal plane. The tag can backscatter by reflecting the activation signal applying phase shift and modulation (payload data) to the reelection of the activation signal. Payload data may include individual ID and / or group ID. FIG. 7B illustrates an example spacing of tags in a tag group, according to certain example embodiments. The tag group may include tag_A 300A, tag_B 300B, tag_C 300C, and tag_D 300D. The distance between tag_A 300A and tag_B 300B may be a distance d. The distance d may be about half of a wavelength of the activation / backscatter signal of the tags 300 (measured from the center of each tag). The distance between each of the tags 300 and the neighboring tag(s) may be the distance d. A consistent distance of half the wavelength of the activation / backscatter signal of the tags 300 may allow for constructive gains up to 6dB with four tags compared to a single tag being used. However, other distances may be used with similar effects. FIG. 7C illustrates an example implementation of a tag group, according to certain example embodiments. The tag group is connected to a sticker or other type of adhering strip. The tags are mounted with a distance between neighboring tags 300 as the embodiment of FIG. 7B. The strip may include a keep out area around the tags to prevent interference, short circuits, damage, etc. The tags 300 being connected to the strip may allow for the tags 300 to be placed on a surface of a box or other device with the desired distance between the tags and orientation of the tags. FIG. 8 illustrates another example utilization of a tag group, according to certain example embodiments. In this example utilization, the tags 300 may be arranged in a vertical line. The tags 300 being arranged in a vertical line may allow for tag group reflection gain in the vertical plane. This may be helpful in the case where the reader 400 is on the ceiling of a warehouse or in a similar situation. Thus, the phase setting of the tag group may be adjusted for a reader above (e.g., +40⁰) the tags 300, or a reader 400 below (e.g., -40⁰) the tags 300. The spacing between the tags 300 may be the same, or different, as the examples shown in FIGS. 7A-7C. FIG. 9A illustrates another example utilization of a tag group, according to certain example embodiments. The tags 300 may be attached to the surface of the box in a square pattern. The square patterns may allow for some constructive interference in the horizontal plane and some in the vertical plane. FIG. 9B illustrates another example spacing of tags 300 in a tag group, according to certain example embodiments. The tags may be spaced vertically and horizontally by the distance d of half the wavelength of the emission of the tags. FIG.9C illustrates another example implementation of a tag group, according to certain example embodiments. The tag group may be connected to a strip with a keep out area around the tags. FIG. 10 illustrates example signals to the tags 300, according to certain example embodiments. Messages to individual tags may include a preamble, a group ID of the tag group and the tag ID of the tag as well as the command related to the phase pattern. The command may be a command to perform beam sweeping. The phase pattern may define a beam sweeping pattern. Messages to the group may include a preamble, the group ID and scrambled IDs (an indication for each tag in the group to respond), and the beamformed packet upon which the emission is based. FIG. 11 illustrates an example radiation pattern according to certain example embodiments. FIG. 11 shows a 2D cut of an antenna radiation patten for a single tag and for three different phase settings for a combined antenna radiation pattern for 4 Tag in a linear configuration. The radiation pattern represents Tag / tag group backscatter antenna gain directivity in decibels per isotropic (dBi) for different angular directions (in degrees) at the activation frequency 28GHz. The increase in the combined antenna gain for the three latter cases when compared to the antenna gain of a single tag is caused by the constructive interference of the emissions of the tags where the tags are mounted on a flat surface in a horizontal line, while the decrease in combined antenna gain is caused by destructive interference of the tags where the tags are mounted on a flat surface in a horizontal line. Differences in the relative phase settings at the tags cause the combined radio emissions to interfere constructively and destructively differently to cause the maximum and minimum antenna gain to be different at different angles. The distance from the center represents the dBi of antenna gain at a given angle. The radiation pattern includes three example phase settings and radiation from a single tag. The first signal is the radiation pattern for a single tag emitting a signal. The second signal provides optimized signal strength at 0⁰, which may be considered straight ahead of the plane with the tags 300 (boresight direction). Each of the tags 300 in the group of tags has the same phase in the phase setting of the second signal (e.g., tag_A 0⁰, tag_B 0⁰, tag_C 0⁰, tag_D 0⁰). The third signal as a -40⁰ shift compared to boresight and is obtained with a 120⁰ relative phase shift for the tags in the tag array (e.g., tag_A 0⁰, tag_B 120⁰, tag_C 240⁰, tag_D 0⁰). The fourth signal as a +40⁰ shift compared to boresight and is obtained with a -120⁰ relative phase shift for the tags in the tag array (e.g., tag_A 0⁰, tag_B 240⁰, tag_C 120⁰, tag_D 0⁰). By comparing point 1 and point 3 of FIG. 11, the second signal may be understood to allow for an increase of about 5.5 dB compared to a single tag at zero degrees (e.g., the first signal). By comparing point 2 with point 4 in FIG. 11, the fourth signal may be understood to allow for an increase of about 5.7dB compared to a single tag at +40⁰ degrees. Accordingly, by selecting the correct phase setting, an emission from the group of tags can have a significantly greater signal strength at the location of the reader 400. The strategy disclosed herein allows the steering of the direction of the reflection gain. This may be a significant advantage over using only a single tag and / or when the phase setting configuration strategy disclosed herein is not implemented. FIG. 12 illustrates an example implementation of repeated tag array activation (phase pattern), according to certain example embodiments. The group includes 4 tags and each of the tags has two possible phase shifts. The first tag 300 may not change phase. Because phase is relative to the generally cyclical nature of the radio signals emitted by the tags 300, one of the tags 300 may not toggle its phase settings. The second tag 300 may toggle with every emission between the phase a and the phase b. The third tag 300 may toggle with every second emission between the phase a and the phase b. The fourth tag 400 may toggle with every fourth emission between the phase a and the phase b. Thus, eight different phase settings (combinations of phases of the first to fourth tags 300) may cause emissions in sequence. Each emission being caused by the tag group ID activating backscattering of a packet. As an example, the phase a may be 0⁰ and the phase b may be 120⁰. FIG. 13 illustrates another example implementation of repeated tag array activation, according to certain example embodiments. Similar to the diagram in FIG. 12, the diagram of FIG 13 may illustrate phase settings for four tags. Each emission from the group of tags 300 may be caused by the tag group ID activating back scattering of a packet. Each tag 300 may have three possible phases (0⁰, 120⁰ and 240⁰). Tag_D 300D may not toggle phase, and combinations of the three phases for tag_A 300A, tag_B 300B, and tag_C 300C may be emitted in activations 1-27, as shown in FIGs. 7B and 9B. Generally, the number of activations may be (number of phases)^(number of tags - 1). For example, in FIG.13 four tags with three phases are used and 3^(4-1)=27. Various other examples of phase patterns may be possible. For example, if five or six tags are used, the number of phase settings in the phase pattern may be increased. Further, if five phase settings are used by each tag, the number of phase settings may increase. To reduce the time needed to determine the phase setting for the tags, the number of phase settings may also be reduced. For example, the second third and fourth phase settings of FIG. 11 may be used along with two other phase settings which are more optimized for +20⁰ and -20⁰. As another example, multiple rounds of phase patterns may be performed. For example, if a first phase pattern including the second third and fourth phase settings of FIG. 11 with the two other phase settings which are more optimized for +20⁰ and -20⁰ show that the optimal gain should be between +20⁰ and +40⁰, a second phase pattern with phase settings with optimized gains in the +20⁰ and +40⁰ range may be performed as well (e.g., S1020-1090 may be performed twice). As another example, the orientation of the tag group may be recorded and the beam sweeping pattern may be adjusted based on the known orientation of the tag group and the location of the readers. FIG. 14 illustrates a tag 300 according to certain example embodiments. The tag 300 may be 3GPP A-IoT device, an RFID tag, or similar type of tag. The tag 300 may include the hardware necessary to perform the operations described with regard to the tags 300. The tag 300 may include an antenna 315, , processing circuitry 320, energy harvester 330, phase shifter 360 and on-off keying (OOK) or binary phase shifting keying (BPSK) modulation switch 380. The antenna 315 may be a wire or other type of antenna which received electromagnetic radiation at a particular frequency or set of frequencies. The processing circuitry may include field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or other programmable hardware. The energy harvester 330 may include a capacitor or other type of energy storing hardware that can absorb energy from a radio signal received from the antenna 315 to power the processing circuitry 320 and OOK or BPSK modulation switch 380. The phase shifter 360 may include a phase shifting circuit which is activated when the processing circuitry 320 controls the phase shifter 360 and the modulation switch 380 based on the received configuration / commands. The OOK or BPSK modulation switch 380 may include circuitry which may cause the antenna 315 to emit an electromagnetic signal based on signals from the processing circuitry 320. For backscatter type tags there is no active RF transmitter. there is instead a modulator (e.g., modulation switch 380) modulating the tag response data onto the activation signal. The modulator may shift the phase of the reflection coefficient causing BPSK modulation of the activation signal or switching between fully matched antenna (harvesting energy) and full reflection causing on-off keying modulation. FIG. 15 illustrates a set of apparatuses, according to some example embodiments. In certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may be elements in a communications network or associated with such a network. For example, apparatus 10 may be an activator 200 or SCU 100 implemented on a computing device or machine such as, for example, a UE, and apparatus 20 may be an activator 200 or a reader 400, (e.g., UE, base station, etc.). In some example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may include one or more processors, one or more computer-readable storage medium (for example, memory, storage, or the like), one or more radio access components (for example, a modem, a transceiver, or the like), and / or a user interface. In some example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may be configured to operate using one or more radio access technologies, such as GSM, LTE, LTE-A, NR, 5G, WLAN, WiFi, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, NFC, MulteFire, and / or any other radio access technologies. It should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that apparatuses 10 and 20 may include components or features not shown in FIG. 15. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 15 apparatuses 10 and 20 may include or be coupled to a processors 12 and 22 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. Processors 12 and 22 may be any type of general or specific purpose processor. In fact, processors 12 and 22 may include one or more of general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), FPGAs, ASICs, and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as examples. While a single processors 12 and 22 is shown in FIG. 15, multiple processors may be utilized according to other example embodiments. For example, it should be understood that, in certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may include two or more processors that may form a multiprocessor system (e.g., in this case processors 12 may represent a multiprocessor) that may support multiprocessing. According to certain example embodiments, the multiprocessor system may be tightly coupled or loosely coupled (e.g., to form a computer cluster). Processors 12 and 22 may perform functions associated with the operation of apparatuses 10 and 20 including, as some examples, precoding of antenna gain / phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming a communication message, formatting of information, and overall control of the apparatuses 10 and 20, including processes and examples illustrated in FIGs.1-14. Apparatuses 10 and 20 may further include or be coupled to a memories 14 and 24 (internal or external), which may be respectively coupled to processors 12 and 24 for storing information and instructions that may be executed by processors 12 and 24. Memories 14 and 24 may be one or more memories and of any type suitable to the local application environment, and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or nonvolatile data storage technology such as a semiconductor-based memory device, a magnetic memory device and system, an optical memory device and system, fixed memory, and / or removable memory. For example, memories 14 and 24 can be comprised of any combination of random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), static storage such as a magnetic or optical disk, hard disk drive (HDD), or any other type of non-transitory machine or computer readable media. The instructions stored in memories 14 and 24 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processors 12 and 22, enable the apparatuses 10 and 20 to perform tasks as described herein. In certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may further include or be coupled to (internal or external) a drive or port that is configured to accept and read an external computer readable storage medium, such as an optical disc, USB drive, flash drive, or any other storage medium. For example, the external computer readable storage medium may store a computer program or software for execution by processors 12 and 22 and / or apparatuses 10 and 20 to perform any of the methods and examples illustrated in FIGs.1-14. In some example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may also include or be coupled to one or more antennas 15 and 25 for receiving a downlink signal and for transmitting via an UL from apparatuses 10 and 20. Apparatuses 10 and 20 may further include a transceivers 18 and 28 configured to transmit and receive information. The transceivers 18 and 28 may also include a radio interface (e.g., a modem) coupled to the antennas 15 and 25. The radio interface may correspond to a plurality of radio access technologies including one or more of GSM, LTE, LTE-A, 5G, NR, WLAN, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, BT-LE, NFC, RFID, UWB, and the like. The radio interface may include other components, such as filters, converters (for example, digital-to-analog converters and the like), symbol demappers, signal shaping components, an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) module, and the like, to process symbols, such as OFDMA symbols, carried by a downlink or an UL. For instance, transceivers 18 and 28 may be configured to modulate information on to a carrier waveform for transmission by the antennas 15 and 25 and demodulate information received via the antenna 15 and 25 for further processing by other elements of apparatuses 10 and 20. In other example embodiments, transceivers 18 and 28 may be capable of transmitting and receiving signals or data directly. Additionally or alternatively, in some example embodiments, apparatus 10 may include an input and / or output device (I / O device). In certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may further include a user interface, such as a graphical user interface or touchscreen. In certain example embodiments, memories 14 and 34 store software modules that provide functionality when executed by processors 12 and 22. The modules may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for apparatuses 10 and 20. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as an application or program, to provide additional functionality for apparatuses 10 and 20. The components of apparatuses 10 and 20 may be implemented in hardware, or as any suitable combination of hardware and software. According to certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may optionally be configured to communicate each other (in any combination) via a wireless or wired communication links 70 according to any radio access technology, such as NR. According to certain example embodiments, processors 12 and 22 and memories 14 and 24 may be included in or may form a part of processing circuitry or control circuitry. In addition, in some example embodiments, transceivers 18 and 28 may be included in or may form a part of transceiving circuitry. One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the invention as discussed above may be practiced with procedures in a different order, and / or with hardware elements in configurations which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the invention has been described based upon these example embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of example embodiments. Although the above embodiments refer to 5G NR and LTE technology, the above embodiments may also apply to any other present or future 3GPP technology, such as LTE-advanced, and / or fourth generation (4G) technology. Partial Glossary CSI Channel State Information DL Downlink DMRS Demodulation Reference Signal gNB Base station in 5G New Radio HARQ Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request IIoT Industrial IoT IoT Internet of Things LMF Location Management Function LPP LTE Positioning Protocol MAC MediumAccess Control NR New Radio NW Network PRS Positioning Reference Signal RACH Radio Access Channel RRC Radio Resource Control RTT Round Trip Time SCU Session Control Unit SDT Small Data Transmission SR Scheduling Request TRP Transmission Reception Point UCI Uplink Control Information UE User Equipment (device) UL Uplink URLLC Ultra-reliable low latency communication WSN Wireless Sensor Network

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method comprising: receiving at a tag, from an activator, a configuration comprising a tag specific phase toggling pattern and a group identifier identifying a group of tags including the tag and a plurality of other tags; receiving, from the activator, a first activation signal, wherein the first activation signal comprises the group identifier; and in response to the first activation signal, backscattering a first response signal, wherein the first response signal is adjusted by a first phase shift based on a first phase setting of the received tag specific phase toggling pattern.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, from the activator, a second activation signal, wherein the second activation signal comprises the group identifier; and in response to the second activation signal, backscattering a second response signal, wherein the second response signal is adjusted by a second phase shift based on a second phase setting of the received tag specific phase toggling pattern.

3. The method of claims 1 or 2, further comprising: in response to receiving the configuration, transmitting a configuration confirmation message.

4. A method comprising: receiving, from a session control unit (SCU), configuration of a group of tags, wherein the configuration comprising a group identifier, identifier of each radio tag, and a group phase pattern; configuring at least one of the group of tags with the group identifier and a tag specific phase toggling pattern;receiving, from the SCU, a command of tag group beam sweeping; and transmitting an activation signal to the at least one of the group of tags, wherein the activation signal comprises the group identifier.

5. The method of claims 4, wherein the group phase pattern includes respective tag specific phase toggling patterns of each of the group of tags, and each of the respective tag specific phase toggling pattern includes at least two phase settings.

6. The method of claims 4 or 5, wherein transmitting the activation signal to the at least one of the group of tags comprises transmitting a plurality of activation signals to the at least one of the group of tags, wherein each of the plurality of activation signals corresponds to a phase setting of the tag specific phase toggling pattern.

7. A method comprising: transmitting, to an activator, configuration of a group of tags, wherein the configuration comprising a group identifier, identifier of each tag, and a group phase pattern; transmitting, to the activator, a command of tag group beam sweeping; and receiving, from at least one reader, a measurement result of the group of tags.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: selecting a group phase setting for the group of tags based on the received measurement, the group phase setting including a phase setting for each of the group of tags; and transmitting, to the activator, the selected group phase setting.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving the measurement result of the group of tags comprises receiving a plurality of measurements from the at least one reader, wherein the selecting the group phase setting for the group of tags is based on the plurality of measurements.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of measurements each correspond to a respective group phase setting of the group of tags within the group phase pattern.

11. The method of any of claims 7-10, wherein wherein the group phase pattern includes respective tag specific phase toggling patterns of each of the group of tags, and each of the respective tag specific phase toggling pattern includes at least two phase settings.

12. The method of any of claims 7-11, wherein the group phase pattern is a beam sweeping pattern.

13. The method of any of claims 7-12, further comprising: receiving a configuration successful confirmation reporting from the at least one reader, the configuration successful confirmation reporting indicating that the at least one reader received a configuration confirmation message from one of the group of tags, wherein transmitting, to the activator, a command of tag group beam sweeping is based on the received configuration successful confirmation reporting.

14. The method of any of claims 7-13, wherein the measurement includes a signal strength measurement for response signals received from the group of tags.

15. A method comprising:receiving, from a session control unit (SCU), a command of tag group beam sweeping, wherein the command comprising a group identifier of a group of tags; receiving, from an activator, an activation signal, wherein the activation signal comprises the group identifier; receiving, from the group of tags, response signals, wherein each of the response signals is adjusted by a phase setting based on a tag specific phase toggling pattern; and measuring the received response signals of the group of tags; and reporting, to the SCU, the measurement result of the group of tags.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the measuring the received response signals of the group of tags includes: demodulating the received response signals by the group identifier; and measuring the received power of the demodulated response signals.

17. An apparatus, comprising: circuitry configured to perform the method according to any of claims 1-16.

18. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method according to any of claims 1-16.

19. A computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any of claims 1-16.

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