Transmission and reception using multiple transmission reception points

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to transmission and reception using multiple transmission reception points (TRPs). An intermediate node (e.g., a TRP or a user equipment (UE)) receives (e.g., from a base station) configuration information for transmitting a downlink request to multiple Ambient Internet of things (IoT) devices. This intermediate node is one of multiple intermediate nodes in a wireless communications system. The configuration information can be one or both of an Ambient IoT frequency channel or a time duration. The intermediate node transmits the downlink request to the multiple Ambient IoT devices in accordance with the configuration information and receives (e.g., in a backscattered Ambient IoT signal) a response from at least one of the multiple Ambient IoT devices. This response can then be reported back to the base station.

Description

TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION USING MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION RECEPTION POINTSRELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 558,620 filed February 27, 2024 entitled “TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION USING MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION RECEPTION POINTS,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and more specifically to transmission and reception using multiple transmission reception points.BACKGROUND

[0003] A wireless communications system may include one or multiple network communication devices, which may be otherwise known as network equipment (NE), supporting wireless communications for one or multiple user communication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE), or other suitable terminology. The wireless communications system may support wireless communications with one or multiple user communication devices by utilizing resources of the wireless communication system (e.g., time resources (e.g., symbols, slots, subframes, frames, or the like) or frequency resources (e.g., subcarriers, carriers, or the like). Additionally, the wireless communications system may support wireless communications across various radio access technologies including third generation (3G) radio access technology, fourth generation (4G) radio access technology, fifth generation (5G) radio access technology, among other suitable radio access technologies beyond 5G (e.g., sixth generation (6G)).SUMMARY

[0004] An article “a” before an element is unrestricted and understood to refer to “at least one” of those elements or “one or more” of those elements. The terms “a,” “at least one,” “one or more,” and “at least one of one or more” may be interchangeable. As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of’ or“one or more of’ or “one or both of’) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). By way of another example, a list of at least one of A; B; or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on”. Further, as used herein, including in the claims, a “set” may include one or more elements.

[0005] An apparatus (e.g., a low power device or a UE) for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may be configured to, capable of, or operable to perform one or more operations as described herein. For example, the apparatus may be configured to, capable of, or operable to receive a plurality of downlink requests or commands from a plurality of network nodes in at least one of an Ambient Internet of things (loT) frequency channel or a time duration; and transmit an uplink response to the plurality of downlink requests or commands in one or more Ambient loT frequency channels.

[0006] A processor (e.g., a standalone processor chipset, or a component of a UE or of a low power device) for wireless communication is described. The processor may be configured to, capable of, or operable to perform one or more operations as described herein. For example, the processor may be configured to, capable of, or operable to receive a plurality of downlink requests or commands from a plurality of network nodes in at least one of an Ambient Internet of things (loT) frequency channel or a time duration; and transmit an uplink response to the plurality of downlink requests or commands in one or more Ambient loT frequency channels.

[0007] A method performed or performable by an apparatus (e.g., a UE or Ambient loT device) for wireless communication is described. The method may include receiving a plurality of downlink requests or commands from a plurality of network nodes in at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; and transmitting an uplink response to the plurality of downlink requests or commands in one or more Ambient loT frequency channels.

[0008] In some implementations of the apparatus, the processor, and the method described herein, the apparatus, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to transmit the uplink response in a backscattered transmission.

[0009] In some implementations of the apparatus, the processor, and the method described herein, the apparatus, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to transmit the uplink response in an internally generated uplink data transmission.

[0010] In some implementations of the apparatus, the processor, and the method described herein, the apparatus comprises an Ambient loT device.

[0011] In some implementations of the apparatus, the processor, and the method described herein, the plurality of downlink requests or commands comprises a plurality of inventory requests.

[0012] In some implementations of the apparatus, the processor, and the method described herein, the uplink response comprises an electronic packet code identifier of the apparatus.

[0013] A network node (e.g., a transmission / reception point (TRP) or a UE) for wireless communication is described. The network node may be configured to, capable of, or operable to perform one or more operations as described herein. For example, the network node may be configured to, capable of, or operable to receive (e.g., from a central control unit, such as a gNodeB -centralized unit (gNB-CU)) a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient loT device, where the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; transmit, to the at least one Ambient loT device, the downlink request where the downlink request may be transmitted by multiple network nodes in at least one of the Ambient loT frequency channel in a time duration or in multiple time durations; and receive, from at least one of the at least one Ambient loT device, a response to the downlink request in a configured Ambient loT frequency channel.

[0014] A processor (e.g., a standalone processor chipset, or a component of a UE or of a TRP) for wireless communication is described. The processor may be configured to, capable of, or operable to perform one or more operations as described herein. For example, the processor may be configured to, capable of, or operable to receive a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient loT device, where the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loTfrequency channel or a time duration; transmit, to the at least one Ambient loT device, the downlink request where the downlink request may be transmitted by multiple network nodes in at least one of the Ambient loT frequency channel in a time duration or in multiple time durations; and receive, from at least one of the at least one Ambient loT device, a response to the downlink request in a configured Ambient loT frequency channel.

[0015] A method performed or performable by a network node (e.g., a TRP or a UE) for wireless communication is described. The method may include receiving a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient loT device, where the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; transmitting, to the at least one Ambient loT device, the downlink request where the downlink request may be transmitted by multiple network nodes in at least one of the Ambient loT frequency channel in a time duration or in multiple time durations; and receiving, from at least one of the at least one Ambient loT devices, a response to the downlink request in a configured Ambient loT frequency channel.

[0016] In some implementations of the network node, processor, and method described herein, the network node, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to receive the response to the downlink request from the at least one of the at least one Ambient loT device in a backscattered Ambient loT signal.

[0017] In some implementations of the network node, processor, and method described herein, the configuration indicates that the network node is to receive responses to the downlink request in a set of Ambient loT frequency channels but is to transmit the downlink request in a subset of the set of Ambient loT frequency channels.

[0018] In some implementations of the network node, processor, and method described herein, the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel as one or more additional network nodes but in a different time duration than the one or more additional network nodes.

[0019] In some implementations of the network node, processor, and method described herein, the time duration corresponds to a time slot or a number of slot durations.

[0020] In some implementations of the network node, processor, and method described herein, each time duration corresponds to a time slot (e.g., tO, tl, etc.), or a number (e.g., N) slot durations.

[0021] In some implementations of the network node, processor, and method described herein, the configuration indicates that the network node is to mute physical channel transmissions in the same Ambient loT frequency channel during a time duration that one of the one or more additional network nodes is to transmit an additional downlink request to the multiple Ambient loT devices.

[0022] In some implementations of the network node, processor, and method described herein, the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel and a same time duration as one or more additional network nodes.

[0023] In some implementations of the network node, processor, and method described herein, the downlink request comprises an inventory request.

[0024] In some implementations of the network node, processor, and method described herein, for each of the multiple Ambient loT devices, the response comprises an electronic packet code identifier of the Ambient loT device.

[0025] In some implementations of the network node, processor, and method described herein, the network node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a subset of Ambient loT frequency channels.

[0026] In some implementations of the network node, processor, and method described herein, the network node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a set of multiple Ambient loT frequency channels.

[0027] In some implementations of the network node, processor, and method described herein, to receive the configuration is to receive the configuration from a configuring network node, and the network node, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to transmit, to the configuring network node, a report indicating the received responses.

[0028] An NE (e.g., a base station) for wireless communication is described. The NE may be configured to, capable of, or operable to perform one or more operations as described herein. For example, the NE may be configured to, capable of, or operable to transmit a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient loT device, where the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; and receive a report indicating responses received by an intermediate node, where the responses comprise responses from ones of the at least one Ambient loT device to the downlink request.

[0029] A processor (e.g., a standalone processor chipset, or a component of a NE (e.g., a base station)) for wireless communication is described. The processor may be configured to, capable of, or operable to perform one or more operations as described herein. For example, the processor may be configured to, capable of, or operable to transmit a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient loT device, where the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; and receive a report indicating responses received by an intermediate node, where the responses comprise responses from ones of the at least one Ambient loT device to the downlink request.

[0030] A method performed or performable by an NE (e.g., a base station) for wireless communication is described. The method may include transmitting a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient loT device, where the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; and receiving a report indicating responses received by an intermediate node, where the responses comprise responses from ones of the at least one Ambient loT device to the downlink request.

[0031] In some implementations of the NE, the processor, and the method described herein, the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to receive responses to the downlink request in a set of Ambient loT frequency channels but is to transmit the downlink request in a subset of the set of Ambient loT frequency channels.

[0032] In some implementations of the NE, the processor, and the method described herein, the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel as one or more additional network nodes but in a different time duration than the one or more additional network nodes.

[0033] In some implementations of the NE, the processor, and the method described herein, the time duration corresponds to a time slot or a number of slot durations.

[0034] In some implementations of the NE, the processor, and the method described herein, the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to mute physical channel transmissions in the same Ambient loT frequency channel during a time duration that one of the one or more additional network nodes is to transmit an additional downlink request to the at least one Ambient loT device.

[0035] In some implementations of the NE, the processor, and the method described herein, the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel and a same time duration as one or more additional network nodes.

[0036] In some implementations of the NE, the processor, and the method described herein, the downlink request comprises an inventory request.

[0037] In some implementations of the NE, the processor, and the method described herein, the responses comprises electronic packet code identifiers of the ones of the Ambient loT device.

[0038] In some implementations of the NE, the processor, and the method described herein, the intermediate node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a subset of Ambient loT frequency channels.

[0039] In some implementations of the NE, the processor, and the method described herein, the intermediate node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a set of multiple Ambient loT frequency channels.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 2 illustrates an example topology of a wireless communications system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 3 illustrates another example topology of a wireless communications system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 4 illustrates another example topology of a wireless communications system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 5 illustrates an example of a multiple TRP architecture in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 6 illustrates another example of a multiple TRP architecture in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 7 illustrates an example of muting transmission by a neighboring network node in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 8 illustrates an example of an inventory request or command transmission in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 9 illustrates an example of an inventory request or command transmission in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 10 illustrates an example of an inventory request or command transmission in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 11 illustrates an example of an inventory request or command transmission in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 12 illustrates an example of a UE in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 13 illustrates an example of a processor in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 14 illustrates an example of a NE in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figures 15 through 17 illustrate flowcharts of method in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] For various applications, numerous (e.g., billions) of loT devices are expected to be deployed in wireless communications systems. However, it is difficult to power this large number of devices with batteries that need to be replaced for re-charging, which leads to high maintenance cost. Accordingly, devices that consume very low power and / or rely on harvesting the energy are considered. One example of such a device is a device (e.g., referred to as a passive device) that has no energy storage, no independent signal generation, and uses backscattering transmission. Another example of such a device is a device (e.g., referred to as a semi-passive device) that has energy storage, no independent signal generation, and uses backscattering transmission. Use of stored energy can include amplification for reflected signals. Another example of such a device is a device (e.g., referred to as an active device) that has energy storage, has independent signal generation (e.g., an active RF component for transmission), and may use backscattering transmission.

[0056] loT devices may include Ambient loT devices. An Ambient loT device refers to a low- power (e.g., self-powered) sensor or device, which is typically small and / or low-cost. For example, Ambient loT devices may include an energy harvester with an output power of from 1 microwatt (pW) to a few hundreds of pW. Ambient loT devices also typically do not include a subscriber identity module (SIM) card. There are different topologies and deployment scenarios of Ambient loT devices. Examples of these topologies include a topology where a base station acts as reader and as source of a carrier wave, a topology where the base station acts as a reader but another device is used as a source of the carrier wave, a topology where the base station acts as a controller and another intermediate node is used as a reader and as a source of the carrier wave, and so forth.

[0057] In some scenarios, there can be a large number of Ambient loT devices (e.g., as many as 150 devices per 100 square meters (m2)), such as in an indoor factory area where Ambient loT devices are attached to objects (e.g., products, boxes, pallets) being tracked. These devices do random access and data transmission for transmitting, e.g., an electronic product code identifier (ID) to the network.

[0058] These Ambient loT devices need not be connected to a cell and may not need or maintain radio resource control (RRC) states, mobility (e.g., cell selection, cell reselection), and so forth. The transmission and reception to these Ambient loT devices from a node is challenging considering that the node does not perform and report measurement information such as beam, channel state information, mobility, and so forth. Additionally, the transmission and reception from these nodes without accurate location measurement and level 1 (LI) measurement is challenging at least in part because a nearest transmission / reception point (TRP) for transmission and / or reception is not known a priori, however, the location can be determined from the uplink (UL) response from the Ambient loT device.

[0059] The techniques discussed herein address transmission and reception (e.g., for Ambient loT devices) using multiple TRPs. These techniques enhance the multi-TRP architecture in new radio (NR) to support Ambient loT. These techniques are directed, for example, to a wireless communication system that includes multiple intermediate nodes (e.g., each of which may be a TRP or a UE) that can communicate with multiple Ambient loT devices. A TRP refers to a network node that has one or more (and optionally a large number) transmit or receive antenna elements that may generate directional beams.

[0060] Using the techniques discussed herein, an intermediate node receives (e.g., from a base station) configuration information for transmitting a downlink (DL) request to multiple Ambient loT devices. This configuration information can be one or both of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration. Each Ambient loT frequency channel can be, for example, a particular frequency or frequency range. The intermediate node transmits the downlink request to the multiple Ambient loT devices in accordance with the configuration information and receives (e.g., in a backscattered Ambient loT signal) a response from at least one of the multiple Ambient loT devices. This response can then be reported back to the base station.

[0061] With respect to the Ambient loT frequency channel, each of the intermediate nodes can be configured to receive the UL transmission, including the backscatter transmission, from at least one of the Ambient loT devices in a set of multiple Ambient loT frequencies, but to transmit the DL request in a subset of the set of multiple Ambient loT frequency channels. For example, a first TRP may be configured to transmit at transmit (TX) frequency fl and a second TRP may be configured to transmit at TX frequency f2 at the same time (e.g., in a same time duration), but both TRPs maybe configured to receive the UL transmission in both receive (RX) frequency fl and RX frequency f2. This configuration allows the two TRPs to transmit DL requests to multiple Ambient loT devices concurrently (e.g., in a same time duration) without interfering with one another due to the two different TX frequencies.

[0062] With respect to the time duration, each of the intermediate nodes can be configured to receive the UL transmission, including the backscatter transmission, from at least one of the Ambient loT devices in a set of multiple Ambient loT frequencies, but to transmit the DL request at the same frequency but in different time durations or time spans. For example, a first TRP may be configured to transmit at TX frequency fl at time tO, and a second TRP may be configured to transmit at TX frequency fl at time tl. This configuration allows the two TRPs to transmit DL requests to multiple Ambient loT devices using the same TX frequency without interfering with one another due to the two different TX times.

[0063] Accordingly, the techniques discussed herein provide for multiple TRPs transmitting to and receiving from multiple Ambient loT devices. This transmitting and receiving is done in a manner that reduces or eliminates interference between the multiple TRPs when transmitting. This allows the TRPs to communicate with a large number of Ambient loT devices in a relatively small area without the TRPs knowing the locations of the Ambient loT devices, without the TRPs knowing the signal strength from the Ambient loT devices at different TRPs, and without the Ambient loT devices being connected to any particular TRP.

[0064] Reference is made herein to communicating data or information, such as signaling communication resources and / or communications that are transmitted or received between devices. It is to be appreciated that other terms may be used interchangeably with communicating, such as signaling, transmitting, receiving, outputting, forwarding, retrieving, obtaining, and so forth.

[0065] Aspects of the present disclosure are described in the context of a wireless communications system.

[0066] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 100 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system 100 may include one or more NE 102, one or more UE 104, and a core network (CN) 106. The wireless communications system 100 may support various radio access technologies. In some implementations, the wirelesscommunications system 100 may be a 4G network, such as an LTE network or an LTE- Advanced (LTE-A) network. In some other implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a new radio (NR) network, such as a 5G network, a 5G-Advanced (5G-A) network, or a 5G ultrawideband (5G-UWB) network. In other implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a combination of a 4G network and a 5G network, or other suitable radio access technology including Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20. The wireless communications system 100 may support radio access technologies beyond 5G, for example, 6G. Additionally, the wireless communications system 100 may support technologies, such as time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), or code division multiple access (CDMA), etc.

[0067] The one or more NE 102 may be dispersed throughout a geographic region to form the wireless communications system 100. One or more of the NE 102 described herein may be or include or may be referred to as a network node, a base station, a network element, a network function, a network entity, a radio access network (RAN), a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB), a nextgeneration NodeB (gNB), or other suitable terminology. An NE 102 and a UE 104 may communicate via a communication link, which may be a wireless or wired connection. For example, an NE 102 and a UE 104 may perform wireless communication (e.g., receive signaling, transmit signaling) over a Uu interface.

[0068] An NE 102 may provide a geographic coverage area for which the NE 102 may support services for one or more UEs 104 within the geographic coverage area. For example, an NE 102 and a UE 104 may support wireless communication of signals related to services (e.g., voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc.) according to one or multiple radio access technologies. In some implementations, an NE 102 may be moveable, for example, a satellite associated with a nonterrestrial network (NTN). In some implementations, different geographic coverage areas associated with the same or different radio access technologies may overlap, but the different geographic coverage areas may be associated with different NE 102.

[0069] The one or more UE 104 may be dispersed throughout a geographic region of the wireless communications system 100. A UE 104 may include or may be referred to as a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a subscriber device, a transmitter device, a receiver device, or some other suitable terminology. In some implementations, the UE 104 may bereferred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE 104 may be referred to as an Internet-of-Things (loT) device, an Internet-of- Everything (loE) device, or machine-type communication (MTC) device, among other examples.

[0070] A UE 104 may be able to support wireless communication directly with other UEs 104 over a communication link. For example, a UE 104 may support wireless communication directly with another UE 104 over a device-to-device (D2D) communication link. In some implementations, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) deployments, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) deployments, or cellular-V2X deployments, the communication link may be referred to as a sidelink. For example, a UE 104 may support wireless communication directly with another UE 104 over a PC5 interface.

[0071] An NE 102 may support communications with the CN 106, or with another NE 102, or both. For example, an NE 102 may interface with other NE 102 or the CN 106 through one or more backhaul links (e.g., SI, N2, N6, or other network interface). In some implementations, the NE 102 may communicate with each other directly. In some other implementations, the NE 102 may communicate with each other indirectly (e.g., via the CN 106). In some implementations, one or more NE 102 may include subcomponents, such as an access network entity, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC). An ANC may communicate with the one or more UEs 104 through one or more other access network transmission entities, which may be referred to as a radio heads, smart radio heads, or transmission-reception points (TRPs).

[0072] In some implementations, a NE 102 may be configured in a disaggregated architecture, which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack physically or logically distributed among two or more NEs 102, such as an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open RAN (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance), or a virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a cloud RAN (C-RAN)). For example, a NE 102 may include one or more of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a radio unit (RU), a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) (e.g., a Near-Real Time RIC (Near-RT RIC), a Non-Real Time RIC (Non-RT RIC)), a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) system, or any combination thereof.

[0073] An RU may also be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, a remote radio head (RRH), a remote radio unit (RRU), or a transmission reception point (TRP). One or more components of the NEs 102 in a disaggregated RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or morecomponents of the NEs 102 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations). In some implementations, one or more NEs 102 of a disaggregated RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., a virtual CU (VCU), a virtual DU (VDU), a virtual RU (VRU)).

[0074] Split of functionality between a CU, a DU, and an RU may be flexible and may support different functionalities depending upon which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, radio frequency functions, and any combinations thereof) are performed at a CU, a DU, or an RU. For example, a functional split of a protocol stack may be employed between a CU and a DU such that the CU may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the DU may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. In some implementations, the CU may host upper protocol layer (e.g., a layer 3 (L3), a layer 2 (L2)) functionality and signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC), service data adaption protocol (SDAP), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP)). The CU may be connected to one or more DUs or RUs, and the one or more DUs or RUs may host lower protocol layers, such as a layer 1 (LI) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or an L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer) functionality and signaling, and may each be at least partially controlled by the CU.

[0075] Additionally, or alternatively, a functional split of the protocol stack may be employed between a DU and an RU such that the DU may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the RU may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DU may support one or multiple different cells (e.g., via one or more RUs). In some implementations, a functional split between a CU and a DU, or between a DU and an RU may be within a protocol layer (e.g., some functions for a protocol layer may be performed by one of a CU, a DU, or an RU, while other functions of the protocol layer are performed by a different one of the CU, the DU, or the RU).

[0076] A CU may be functionally split further into CU control plane (CU-CP) and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. A CU may be connected to one or more DUs via a midhaul communication link (e.g., Fl, Fl-c, Fl-u), and a DU may be connected to one or more RUs via a fronthaul communication link (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface). In some implementations, a midhaul communication link or a fronthaul communication link may be implemented in accordancewith an interface (e.g., a channel) between layers of a protocol stack supported by respective NEs 102 that are in communication via such communication links.

[0077] The CN 106 may support user authentication, access authorization, tracking, connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The CN 106 may be an evolved packet core (EPC), or a 5G core (5GC), which may include a control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management functions (AMF)) and a user plane entity that routes packets or interconnects to external networks (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)). In some implementations, the control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management (e.g., data bearers, signal bearers, etc.) for the one or more UEs 104 served by the one or more NE 102 associated with the CN 106.

[0078] The CN 106 may communicate with a packet data network over one or more backhaul links (e.g., via an SI, N2, N6, or other network interface). The packet data network may include an application server. In some implementations, one or more UEs 104 may communicate with the application server. A UE 104 may establish a session (e.g., a protocol data unit (PDU) session, or the like) with the CN 106 via an NE 102. The CN 106 may route traffic (e.g., control information, data, and the like) between the UE 104 and the application server using the established session (e.g., the established PDU session). The PDU session may be an example of a logical connection between the UE 104 and the CN 106 (e.g., one or more network functions of the CN 106).

[0079] In the wireless communications system 100, the NEs 102 and the UEs 104 may use resources of the wireless communications system 100 (e.g., time resources (e.g., symbols, slots, subframes, frames, or the like) or frequency resources (e.g., subcarriers, carriers)) to perform various operations (e.g., wireless communications). In some implementations, the NEs 102 and the UEs 104 may support different resource structures. For example, the NEs 102 and the UEs 104 may support different frame structures. In some implementations, such as in 4G, the NEs 102 and the UEs 104 may support a single frame structure. In some other implementations, such as in 5G and among other suitable radio access technologies, the NEs 102 and the UEs 104 may support various frame structures (i.e., multiple frame structures). The NEs 102 and the UEs 104 may support various frame structures based on one or more numerologies.

[0080] One or more numerologies may be supported in the wireless communications system 100, and a numerology may include a subcarrier spacing and a cyclic prefix. A first numerology (e.g., / r=0) may be associated with a first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. In some implementations, the first numerology (e.g., / r=0) associated with the first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) may utilize one slot per subframe. A second numerology (e.g., / r=l) may be associated with a second subcarrier spacing (e.g., 30 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. A third numerology (e.g., / r=2) may be associated with a third subcarrier spacing (e.g., 60 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix or an extended cyclic prefix. A fourth numerology (e.g., / r=3) may be associated with a fourth subcarrier spacing (e.g., 120 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. A fifth numerology (e.g., / r=4) may be associated with a fifth subcarrier spacing (e.g., 240 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix.

[0081] A time interval of a resource (e.g., a communication resource) may be organized according to frames (also referred to as radio frames). Each frame may have a duration, for example, a 10 millisecond (ms) duration. In some implementations, each frame may include multiple subframes. For example, each frame may include 10 subframes, and each subframe may have a duration, for example, a 1 ms duration. In some implementations, each frame may have the same duration. In some implementations, each subframe of a frame may have the same duration.

[0082] Additionally or alternatively, a time interval of a resource (e.g., a communication resource) may be organized according to slots. For example, a subframe may include a number (e.g., quantity) of slots. The number of slots in each subframe may also depend on the one or more numerologies supported in the wireless communications system 100. For instance, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth numerologies (i.e., / r=0, jU=l , / r=2, / r=3, / r=4) associated with respective subcarrier spacings of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, and 240 kHz may utilize a single slot per subframe, two slots per subframe, four slots per subframe, eight slots per subframe, and 16 slots per subframe, respectively. Each slot may include a number (e.g., quantity) of symbols (e.g., OFDM symbols). In some implementations, the number (e.g., quantity) of slots for a subframe may depend on a numerology. For a normal cyclic prefix, a slot may include 14 symbols. For an extended cyclic prefix (e.g., applicable for 60 kHz subcarrier spacing), a slot may include 12 symbols. The relationship between the number of symbols per slot, the number of slots per subframe, and the number of slots per frame for a normal cyclic prefix and an extended cyclic prefix may depend on anumerology. It should be understood that reference to a first numerology (e.g., / r=0) associated with a first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) may be used interchangeably between subframes and slots.

[0083] In the wireless communications system 100, an electromagnetic (EM) spectrum may be split, based on frequency or wavelength, into various classes, frequency bands, frequency channels, etc. By way of example, the wireless communications system 100 may support one or multiple operating frequency bands, such as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz - 7.125 GHz), FR2 (24.25 GHz - 52.6 GHz), FR3 (7.125 GHz - 24.25 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz - 114.25 GHz), FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz - 71 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz - 300 GHz). In some implementations, the NEs 102 and the UEs 104 may perform wireless communications over one or more of the operating frequency bands. In some implementations, FR1 may be used by the NEs 102 and the UEs 104, among other equipment or devices for cellular communications traffic (e.g., control information, data). In some implementations, FR2 may be used by the NEs 102 and the UEs 104, among other equipment or devices for short-range, high data rate capabilities.

[0084] FR1 may be associated with one or multiple numerologies (e.g., at least three numerologies). For example, FR1 may be associated with a first numerology (e.g., / r=0), which includes 15 kHz subcarrier spacing; a second numerology (e.g., / r=l), which includes 30 kHz subcarrier spacing; and a third numerology (e.g., / r=2), which includes 60 kHz subcarrier spacing. FR2 may be associated with one or multiple numerologies (e.g., at least 2 numerologies). For example, FR2 may be associated with a third numerology (e.g., / r=2), which includes 60 kHz subcarrier spacing; and a fourth numerology (e.g., / r=3), which includes 120 kHz subcarrier spacing.

[0085] In some cases, a cell refers to a radio access node in communication with a base station or including a base station. A cell typically has a coverage area, which is a geographic area in which the cell provides wireless connectivity to devices within. Different cells may operate on defined frequencies or frequency bands, referred to as subcarriers. In some examples, a UE 104 establishes a wireless connection with a cell, and subsequently that cell may be referred to as a serving cell of the UE 104.

[0086] In recent years, loT has attracted much attention in the wireless communication world. More things are expected to be interconnected for improving productivity, efficiency, andincreasing comforts of life. Further reduction of size, complexity, and power consumption of loT devices can enable the deployment of tens or even hundreds of billion loT devices for various applications and provide added value across the entire value chain. It is impractical to power all the loT devices by batteries that need to be replaced or recharged manually, which leads to high maintenance cost, serious environmental issues, and even safety hazards for some use cases (e.g., wireless sensor in electric power and petroleum industry).

[0087] Many existing wireless communication devices are powered by battery that needs to be replaced or recharged manually. The automation and digitalization of various industries open numbers of new markets considering new loT technologies of supporting battery-less devices with no energy storage capability or devices with energy storage that do not need to be replaced or recharged manually. The form factor of such devices are expected to be reasonably small to convey the validity of target use cases.

[0088] Various use cases, traffic scenarios, device constraints of ambient power-enabled Internet of Things are considered and identification of new potential service requirements as well as new KPIs are considered. Devices being battery-less or with limited energy storage capability (e.g., using a capacitor) are considered and the energy is provided through the harvesting of radio waves, light, motion, heat, or any other power source .

[0089] Considering the limited size and complexity required by practical applications for battery-less devices with no energy storage capability or devices with limited energy storage that do not need to be replaced or recharged manually, the output power of energy harvester is typically from 1 microwatt (pW) to a few hundreds of pW. Existing cellular devices may not work well with energy harvesting due to their peak power consumption of higher than 10 milliwatts (mW).

[0090] An example type of application is asset identification, which presently resorts mainly to barcode and radio frequency identification (RFID) in most industries. An advantage of these two technologies is the ultra-low complexity and small form factor of the tags. However, the limited reading range of a few meters usually requires handheld scanning which leads to labor intensive and time-consuming operations, or RFID portals or gates, which leads to costly deployments. Moreover, the lack of interference management scheme results in severe interference between RFID readersand capacity problems, especially in case of dense deployment. It is difficult to support large-scale network with seamless coverage for RFID.

[0091] Since existing technologies cannot meet all the requirements of target use cases, a new loT technology is desired to open new markets within 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) systems, whose number of connections and / or device density can be orders of magnitude higher than existing 3GPP loT technologies. The new loT technology is expected to provide complexity and power consumption orders of magnitude lower than the existing 3 GPP low power wide area (LPWA) technologies (e.g., narrowband (NB)-IoT and enhanced machine type communication (eMTC)), and is expected to address use cases and scenarios that cannot otherwise be fulfilled based on existing 3GPP LPWA loT technologies.

[0092] Assessment of Ambient loT suitable for deployment in a 3GPP system that relies on ultra-low complexity devices with ultra-low power consumption for the very-low end loT applications is taken into consideration. Addressing use cases and scenarios that cannot otherwise be fulfilled based on existing 3GPP LPWA loT technology, e.g., NB-IoT including with reduced peak TX power is taken into consideration.

[0093] A harmonized air interface design with reduced (e.g., minimized) differences (where appropriate) for Ambient loT to enable the following devices is considered: a) an approximately 1 pW peak power consumption, has energy storage, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10xppm, neither downlink (DL) nor UL amplification in the device, where X is to be decided; the device’s UL transmission is backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally; b) less than or equal to a few hundred pW peak power consumption, has energy storage, initial SFO up to 10xppm, both DL and / or UL amplification in the device, where X is to be decided; the device’s UL transmission may be generated internally by the device, or be backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally. The coverage design target is a largest distance of 10-50 meters with device indoors. Devices where a UE operates as an intermediate node under network (e.g., base station) control), with no RRC states, no mobility (e.g., at least no cell selection or re-selection -like function), no hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), no automatic repeat request (ARQ), is considered.

[0094] Deployment scenarios with the following characteristics are considered. A deployment and topology scenario with a base station and coexistence characteristics of micro-cell, co-site. A deployment and topology scenario with a UE as an intermediate node, under network (e.g., base station) control and base station and coexistence characteristics of macro-cell, co-site; and the location is of intermediate node is indoor. FR1 licensed spectrum in frequency division duplex (FDD). Spectrum deployment in-band to NR, in guard-band to ETE / NR, in one or more standalone bands. Traffic types DO-DTT, DT, with focus on rUCl (indoor inventory) and rUC4 (indoor command). Whether the harmonized air interface design can address the device-originated autonomous (DO-A) use case is also considered.

[0095] The occurrence of transmission from Ambient loT device (including backscattering when used) at least in UL spectrum is considered.

[0096] The following is considered: applicable largest (e.g., maximum) distance target values(s); latency suitable for use in RAN; 2-dimensional (2D) distribution of devices; deployment scenarios for coverage and coexistence evaluations; identify basic blocks or components of possible Ambient loT device architectures, taking into account implementations of low-power low- complexity devices which meet the RAN design target for power consumption and complexity; link budget calculation for coverage, including whether or how to model carrier wave from one or more nodes inside or outside the connectivity topology.

[0097] The following is considered: appropriate and feasible solutions for Ambient loT, including decisions on which functions, procedures, etc. are used, and providing at least desired (e.g., required) functionalities; positioning , restricted to functionalities which would have no, or little, specification impact; the feasibility and desired (e.g., required) functionalities for proximity determination.

[0098] For the Ambient loT DL and UL, the following is considered: frame structure, synchronization and timing, random access; numerologies, bandwidths, and multiple access; waveforms and modulations; channel coding; downlink channel / signal aspects; uplink channel / signal aspects; scheduling and timing relationships; characteristics of carrier-wave waveform for a carrier wave provided externally to the Ambient loT device, including for interference handling at Ambient loT UL receiver, and at NR base station.

[0099] The following is also considered: functions used for an Ambient loT compact protocol stack and lightweight signaling procedure to enable DO-DTT and DT data transmission; for example, paging, random access, data transmission, including radio resource control aspects, interactions with upper layers.

[0100] The following is also considered: impacts on signaling and procedures for CN-RAN interface, to enable paging, device context management, data transport; RAN architecture aspects, including whether support for split architecture is used; solutions for locating an Ambient loT device with no specification impact, e.g., reusing existing user location report, or reduced (e.g., minimal) specification impact to convey location information to core network.

[0101] The following is also considered: coexistence of Ambient loT and NR / LTE; RF for Ambient loT, including Ambient loT base station transmission and reception, Ambient loT Device transmission and reception, intermediate node (e.g., UE), transmission and reception.

[0102] For various applications, numerous (e.g., billions) of loT devices are expected to be deployed in a wireless communications system. However, it is difficult to power this large number of devices with batteries that need to be replaced for re-charging, which leads to high maintenance cost. Accordingly, devices that consume very low power and / or rely on harvesting the energy are considered. One example of such a device is a device (e.g., referred to as a passive device) that has no energy storage, no independent signal generation, and uses backscattering transmission. Another example of such a device is a device (e.g., referred to as a semi-passive device) that has energy storage, no independent signal generation, and uses backscattering transmission. Use of stored energy can include amplification for reflected signals. Another example of such a device is a device (e.g., referred to as an active device) that has energy storage, has independent signal generation (e.g., an active RF component for transmission), and may use backscattering transmission.

[0103] loT devices may include Ambient loT devices. An Ambient loT device refers to a low- power (e.g., self-powered) sensor or device, which is typically small and / or low-cost. These low- power sensors or device may be, for example, passive devices, semi-passive devices, or active devices. There are different topologies and deployment scenarios of Ambient loT devices.Examples of these topologies include a topology where a base station acts as reader and as source of a carrier wave, a topology where the base station acts as a reader but another device is used as asource of the carrier wave, a topology where the base station acts as a controller and another intermediate node is used as a reader and as a source of the carrier wave, and so forth.

[0104] Figure 2 illustrates an example topology 200 of a wireless communications system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the topology 200 implements aspects of the wireless communications system 100. For example, the topology 200 includes a NE 202 (e.g., a base station), and a low power (e.g., Ambient loT device) 204. In the topology 200, the NE 202 can transmit any of various information to the Ambient loT device 204 in a DL for the Ambient loT device transmission 206. The NE 202 can also transmit a carrier wave 208 to the Ambient loT device 204 to excite the Ambient loT device 204 to transmit (backscatter 210) data or information to the NE 202. Accordingly, in the topology 200, the NE 202 (e.g., a base station) acts as reader and as source of a carrier wave.

[0105] Figure 3 illustrates an example topology 300 of a wireless communications system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the topology 300 implements aspects of the wireless communications system 100. For example, the topology 300 includes a NE 302 (e.g., a base station), and a low power (e.g., Ambient loT device) 304. In the topology 300, the NE 302 can transmit any of various information to the Ambient loT device 304 in a DL for the Ambient loT device transmission 306. The NE 302 also transmits a configuration or control signaling 308 to an external node 310. The configuration or control signaling 308 is for the external node 310 to transmit a carrier wave 312 to the Ambient loT device 304 to excite the Ambient loT device 304 to transmit (backscatter 314) data or information to the NE 302. Accordingly, in the topology 300, the NE 302 (e.g., a base station) acts as a reader but another device is used as a source of the carrier wave.

[0106] Figure 4 illustrates an example topology 400 of a wireless communications system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the topology 400 implements aspects of the wireless communications system 100. For example, the topology 400 includes a NE 402 (e.g., a base station), and a low power (e.g., Ambient loT device) 404. In the topology 400, configuration and reporting signaling 406 is transmitted between the NE 402 and an intermediate node 408. The configuration signaling is transmitted form the NE 402 to the intermediate node 408, and the reporting is transmitted from the intermediate node 408 to the NE 402.

[0107] The intermediate node 408 can transmit any of various information to the Ambient loT device 404 in a DL for the Ambient loT device transmission 410. The configuration signaling from the NE 402 is to configure the intermediate node 408 to transmit a carrier wave 412 to the Ambient loT device 404 to excite the Ambient loT device 404 to transmit (backscatter 414) data or information to the intermediate node 408. The intermediate node 408 can then report the data or information received from the intermediate node 408 to the NE 402.

[0108] In the topology 400, an intermediate node is communicating with the Ambient loT device. Accordingly, in the topology 400, the NE 402 (e.g., a base station) acts as a controller and another intermediate node is used as a reader and as a source of the carrier wave.

[0109] It should be noted that although a single Ambient loT device 404 and a single intermediate node 408 is illustrated in the topology 400, any number of low power devices (e.g., Ambient loT devices) may communicate with any number of intermediate nodes in the topology 400.

[0110] The Ambient loT device 404 may be classified or defined as a low power device if a power consumption level of the Ambient loT device 404 satisfies (e.g., is less than) a threshold value. The Ambient loT device 404 may include a low power processor to reduce the power consumption level of the Ambient loT device 404. A low power processor may be a processor that operates with a power consumption level that satisfies (e.g., is less than) a threshold value. A low power processor and / or the Ambient loT device 404 may have reduced functionality when compared with a processor or other wireless device that operates at a power consumption level that is greater than the threshold values. For example, the low power processor and / or the Ambient loT device 404 may have reduced processing capabilities for decoding and generating signaling, may have reduced transmission and / or reception capabilities (e.g., transmission and / or reception range, among others), reduced energy storage capabilities (e.g., smaller battery), or the like when compared with a processor or wireless device that operates at a power consumption level that is greater than the threshold values.

[0111] In one or more implementations, the Ambient loT device 404 may be a sensor (e.g., a tag), an actuator, an appliance, or another device capable of connecting to a wireless network. In some examples, the Ambient loT device 404 is categorized according to a set of components and / orcapabilities of the Ambient loT devices, where the categories include one or more of an active Ambient loT device category, a semi-passive Ambient loT device category, and / or a passive Ambient loT device category. An active Ambient loT device includes a power source and an active radio frequency component, such as a transmitter and / or receiver component, for signal generation. The transmitter and / or receiver component may include one or more antennas for transmitting and receiving signaling. A semi-passive Ambient loT device may have energy storage capabilities but may not include an active radio frequency component for signal generation. A passive Ambient loT device may not have energy storage capabilities or an active radio frequency component.

[0112] In some cases, semi-passive Ambient loT devices and passive Ambient loT devices use backscattering techniques and / or energy harvesting for transmitting and / or receiving transmissions. In variations, an active Ambient loT device may use a transmitter and / or receiver component for transmitting or receiving transmissions and / or may use backscattering techniques for transmitting and / or receiving transmissions. Semi-passive Ambient loT devices may use the stored energy to amplify a signal when using backscattering techniques. Backscattering techniques include receiving signaling from a source (e.g., a node such as the intermediate node 408) and modulating a reflection of the incoming signaling towards a destination (e.g., a node such as the intermediate node 408). Thus, the Ambient loT device 404 may not use an active receiver and / or transmitter component for receiving and transmitting signaling, which reduces a power consumption level of the device.

[0113] In some examples, the Ambient loT device 404 may be capable of energy harvesting using energy harvesting techniques. For example, the Ambient loT device 404 may extract energy from transmission waves from a source device (e.g., the NE 402) to power the Ambient loT device 404. The source device may transmit the signaling using a continuous wave waveform in which the signaling has a constant amplitude and frequency and / or a carrier wave waveform in which the signaling has a periodic variation in amplitude, duration, and position. Signaling transmitted using a continuous wave waveform may be referred to as a continuous wave transmission, while signaling transmitted using a carrier wave waveform may be referred to as a carrier wave transmission. If the Ambient loT device 404 includes an energy storage component, then the Ambient loT device 404 may store the extracted energy for later use (e.g., to amplify a reflection of signal or to generate a new signal).

[0114] Figure 5 illustrates an example of a multiple TRP architecture 500 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The multiple TRP architecture 500 is illustrated as an architecture for Ambient loT. It should be noted that although TRPs are referred to in the following figures, the following techniques can be used with other types of intermediate nodes (e.g., a UE). An intermediate node or TRP may also be referred to herein as a network node.

[0115] Each network node (e.g., intermediate node, TRP) can be configured to transmit in a subset of Ambient loT frequency channels, e.g., TRP#1 transmits at TX frequency fl and TRP#2 transmits at TX frequency f2 at the same time. However, each network node may be configured to receive UL transmission e.g., including backscattered signal, from a plurality of Ambient loT frequencies at the same time as illustrated in the architecture 500 due at least in part to the Ambient loT device not maintaining an RRC state or an active connection to a network node. Given the limited measurement capability of the Ambient loT device, and to reduce interference to receive UL (e.g., including backscattered) Ambient loT signals, it is difficult to assign an Ambient loT device to a network node. When multiple network nodes transmit Ambient loT signal or carrier wave transmission, there will be an interference in receiving UL Ambient loT signal especially when every node transmits carrier waves to the Ambient loT device. Configuring each network node to transmit in a subset of Ambient loT frequency channels as illustrated in the architecture 500 reduces or eliminates such interference.

[0116] Figure 6 illustrates an example of a multiple TRP architecture 600 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The multiple TRP architecture 600 is illustrated as an architecture using time division multiplexing (TDM) of same frequency channels among network nodes for Ambient loT.

[0117] In the architecture 600, the network node (e.g., intermediate node) may be configured to transmit a subset of frequencies. The architecture 600 illustrates time division multiplexed (TDMed) transmission of a subset of Ambient loT frequency channels configured across network nodes. For example, when network node TRP#1 transmits fl TX frequency at a tO time duration or time slot then the network node TRP#2 transmits fl TX frequency at a tl time duration or time slot. All network nodes may be configured to receive all the configured Ambient loT frequencies, which is a set of all TX Ambient loT frequency channels at every configured time duration or time slot tO, tl, etc. A network node may be configured to transmit at a configured Ambient loT frequency to one ormore Ambient loT devices at a configured Ambient loT transmit time slot or time duration, if the time slot or time duration is not configured then the network may transmit at every time slot.

[0118] In one or more implementations, in the case of usage of an intermediate node, a configuring network node (e.g., a base station) configures the intermediate node with one or both of the subset of Ambient loT frequency channel or time duration for transmission.

[0119] In one or more implementations, in the case of usage of an intermediate node, a configuring network node (e.g., a base station) configures the intermediate node with one or both of the set of Ambient loT frequency channels which may be a set of all Ambient loT TX frequency channels used to receive from the Ambient loT frequency or the time duration.

[0120] The TRPs may transmit simultaneously or jointly in the same Ambient loT frequency channel at the same time, such joint transmission may be received by the Ambient loT device coherently combined over the air, thereby increasing the reliability of DL reception.

[0121] A network node may be configured to mute the NR legacy physical channel transmission overlapping in frequencies with a configured Ambient loT frequencies in the one or more time slots or time durations a neighboring network node is transmitting an Ambient loT request. Following the example above where network node TRP#1 transmits fl TX frequency channel at a tO time duration or time slot, a neighboring network node at time slot or time duration tO mutes transmission on Ambient loT TX frequency channel fl .

[0122] In one or more implementations, in the case of usage of an intermediate node, a configuring network node (e.g., a base station) configures the muting resource includes one or both of Ambient loT frequency channel or time duration (or time slot) to the intermediate node.

[0123] Figure 7 illustrates an example 700 of muting transmission by a neighboring network node in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In the example 700 network nodes TRP#1 and TRP#2 are neighboring network nodes. E.g., network nodes TRP#1 and TRP#2 are situated physically close enough to one another that their transmissions may interfere with one another if they transmit at the same frequency at the same time.

[0124] As illustrated in the example 700, at 702 in time duration or time slot tO, network node TRP#1 transmits an Ambient loT request (e.g., a DL request in an Ambient loT channel) inAmbient loT frequency channel fl and at 704 network node TRP#2 Ambient loT frequency channel fl is muted in time duration or time slot tO. Similarly, at 706 in time duration or time slot tn, network node TRP#2 transmits an Ambient loT request (e.g., a DL request in an Ambient loT channel) in Ambient loT frequency channel fl and at 708 network node TRP#1 Ambient loT frequency channel fl is muted in time duration or time slot tn.

[0125] One usage of Ambient loT devices is to track inventory in an indoor area (e.g., a factory or warehouse) where Ambient loT devices are attached to objects (e.g., products, boxes, pallets) being tracked. These Ambient loT devices do random access and data transmission for transmitting, e.g., an electronic product code ID to the network. An inventory round refers to one or more Ambient loT devices being requested or activated (e.g., excited by a carrier wave) to transmit their electronic product ID to a reader node.

[0126] In one or more implementations, an inventory request for an inventory round is transmitted using a subset of Ambient loT TX frequency channels. Examples of transmitting an inventory request or command using a subset of Ambient loT TX frequency channels are discussed below and with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Inventory requests or commands can be transmitted in accordance with any one or more of these examples.

[0127] For example, the inventory request or command can be transmitted across multiple network nodes in a subset of at least one configured Ambient loT frequency channel, e.g., fl. Since the location of the Ambient loT devices is not known or Ambient loT devices using fl frequency channel are spread across the factory or warehouse, or the Ambient loT devices may be moving within the factory or warehouse, the inventory command needs is transmitted across network nodes using multiple network nodes. The inventory request or command does not contain a cell ID or TRP ID to which it is expected to transmit the request, hence the configuring node (e.g., a base station) attempts to have the request or command broadcast using every network node (e.g., intermediate nodes) across time durations or time slots.

[0128] By way of another example, the inventory request or command can be separately transmitted by every network node (e.g., intermediate node) in a subset of at least one configured Ambient loT frequency channel, e.g., fl in a TDM manner.

[0129] Figure 8 illustrates an example 800 of an inventory request or command transmission in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In the example 800, at 802 an inventory round is illustrated where the inventory request or command is transmitted by multiple TRPs and intermediate nodes on a same subset of one configured Ambient loT frequency channel (fl ) across time durations or time slots. At 804 an inventory round is illustrated where the inventory request or command is separately transmitted by multiple TRPs and intermediate nodes on a same subset of one configured Ambient loT frequency channel (fl) in a TDM manner.

[0130] By way of another example, the inventory request or command can be simultaneously and jointly transmitted using set of network nodes in a subset of at least one configured Ambient loT frequency channel, e.g., fl.

[0131] Figure 9 illustrates an example 900 of an inventory request or command transmission in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The example 900 illustrates inventory request or command transmission using multiple TRPs simultaneously. In the example 900, multiple TRPs are transmitting the inventory request or command on a same frequency simultaneously and jointly.

[0132] In one or more implementations, an inventory request for an inventory round is transmitted using a set of Ambient loT TX frequency channels. Examples of transmitting an inventory request or command using a set of Ambient loT TX frequency channels are discussed below and with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Inventory requests or commands can be transmitted in accordance with any one or more of these examples.

[0133] For example, the inventory request or command can be transmitted across multiple network nodes in a set or plurality of Ambient loT frequency channels, e.g., since there may be multiple Ambient loT devices using multiple (e.g., some different) Ambient loT frequency channels. Hence, the request or command is transmitted in multiple time slots or time duration across network nodes.

[0134] By way of another example, the inventory request or command can be separately transmitted by each network node in a subset of Ambient loT frequency channels in a TDM manner.

[0135] Figure 10 illustrates an example 1000 of an inventory request or command transmission in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In the example 1000, at 1002 an inventoryround is illustrated where the inventory request or command is transmitted by multiple TRPs and intermediate nodes using different Ambient loT frequency channels (fl, f2, and f3) across time durations or time slots. At 1004 an inventory round is illustrated where the inventory request or command is separately transmitted by multiple TRPs and intermediate nodes in a subset of Ambient loT frequency channels (fl, f2, and f3) in a TDM manner.

[0136] By way of another example, the inventory request or command can be simultaneously and jointly transmitted using a set of network node in a set of configured Ambient loT frequency channels e.g., fl, f2, etc.

[0137] Figure 11 illustrates an example 1100 of an inventory request or command transmission in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The example 1100 illustrates inventory request or command transmission using multiple TRPs simultaneously. In the example 1100, multiple TRPs are transmitting the inventory request or command on different frequencies simultaneously and jointly.

[0138] Accordingly, a network node can be configured to transmit in a subset of Ambient loT frequency channels but configured to receive in a set of Ambient loT frequency channels.

[0139] Additionally or alternatively, transmissions can be time division multiplexed at Ambient loT frequencies across network nodes.

[0140] Additionally or alternatively, NR legacy physical channel transmission from neighboring TRP overlapping in frequencies with configured Ambient loT frequencies in those time durations or slots can be muted.

[0141] Additionally or alternatively, at least one inventory request for a subset of Ambient loT TX frequency channel can be transmitted.

[0142] Additionally or alternatively, at least one inventory request for a set of Ambient loT TX frequency channel can be transmitted.

[0143] Figure 12 illustrates an example of a device 1200 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1200 may include a processor 1202, a memory 1204, a controller 1206, and a transceiver 1208. The processor 1202, the memory 1204, the controller 1206, or the transceiver 1208, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examplesof means for performing various aspects of the present disclosure as described herein. These components may be coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces. The device 1200 may be a low power device (e.g., an Ambient loT device) or a UE discussed above.

[0144] The processor 1202, the memory 1204, the controller 1206, or the transceiver 1208, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., circuitry). The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure.

[0145] The processor 1202 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, or any combination thereof). In some implementations, the processor 1202 may be configured to operate the memory 1204. In some other implementations, the memory 1204 may be integrated into the processor 1202. The processor 1202 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 1204 to cause the device 1200 to perform various functions of the present disclosure.

[0146] The memory 1204 may include volatile or non-volatile memory. The memory 1204 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions when executed by the processor 1202 cause the device 1200 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as the memory 1204 or another type of memory. Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0147] In some implementations, the processor 1202 and the memory 1204 coupled with the processor 1202 may be configured to cause the device 1200 to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., executing, by the processor 1202, instructions stored in the memory 1204). For example, the processor 1202 may support wireless communication at the device 1200 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The device 1200 (e.g., a network node) may beconfigured to or operable to support a means for receiving a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient loT device, where the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; transmitting, to the at least one Ambient loT device, the downlink request where the downlink request may be transmitted by multiple network nodes in at least one of the Ambient loT frequency channel in a time duration or in multiple time durations; and receiving, from at least one of the at least one Ambient loT devices, a response to the downlink request in a configured Ambient loT frequency channel.

[0148] Additionally, the device 1200 (e.g., a network node) may be configured to support any one or combination of where the UE comprises a network node; receiving the response to the downlink request from the at least one of the at least one Ambient loT device in a backscattered Ambient loT signal; where the configuration indicates that the network node is to receive responses to the downlink request in a set of Ambient loT frequency channels but is to transmit the downlink request in a subset of the set of Ambient loT frequency channels; where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel as one or more additional network nodes but in a different time duration than the one or more additional network nodes; where the time duration corresponds to a time slot or a number of slot durations; where the configuration indicates that the network node is to mute physical channel transmissions in the same Ambient loT frequency channel during a time duration that one of the one or more additional network nodes is to transmit an additional downlink request to the multiple Ambient loT devices; where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel and a same time duration as one or more additional network nodes; where the downlink request comprises an inventory request; where for each of the multiple Ambient loT devices, the response comprises an electronic packet code identifier of the Ambient loT device; where the network node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a subset of Ambient loT frequency channels; where the network node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a set of multipleAmbient loT frequency channels; where receiving the configuration comprises receiving the configuration from a configuring network node, and further including transmitting, to the configuring network node, a report indicating the received responses.

[0149] Additionally, or alternatively, the device 1200 (e.g., a network node) may support at least one memory (e.g., the memory 1204) and at least one processor (e.g., the processor 1202) coupled with the at least one memory and configured to or operable to cause the device to: receive a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient loT device, where the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; transmit, to the at least one Ambient loT device, the downlink request where the downlink request may be transmitted by multiple network nodes in at least one of the Ambient loT frequency channel in a time duration or in multiple time durations; and receive, from at least one of the at least one Ambient loT device, a response to the downlink request in a configured Ambient loT frequency channel.

[0150] Additionally, the device 1200 (e.g., a network node) may be configured to support any one or combination of the at least one processor is configured to or operable to receive the response to the downlink request from the at least one of the at least one Ambient loT device in a backscattered Ambient loT signal; where the device comprises a network node; where the configuration indicates that the network node is to receive responses to the downlink request in a set of Ambient loT frequency channels but is to transmit the downlink request in a subset of the set of Ambient loT frequency channels; where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel as one or more additional network nodes but in a different time duration than the one or more additional network nodes; where the time duration corresponds to a time slot or a number of slot durations; where the configuration indicates that the network node is to mute physical channel transmissions in the same Ambient loT frequency channel during a time duration that one of the one or more additional network nodes is to transmit an additional downlink request to the multiple Ambient loT devices; where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel and a same time duration as one or more additional network nodes; where the downlink request comprises an inventory request; where for each of the multiple Ambient loT devices, the response comprises an electronic packet code identifier of the AmbientloT device; where the network node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a subset of Ambient loT frequency channels; where the network node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a set of multiple Ambient loT frequency channels; where to receive the configuration is to receive the configuration from a configuring network node, and where the at least one processor is further configured to cause the network node to transmit, to the configuring network node, a report indicating the received responses.

[0151] In some implementations, the processor 1202 and the memory 1204 coupled with the processor 1202 may be configured to cause the device 1200 to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., executing, by the processor 1202, instructions stored in the memory 1204). For example, the processor 1202 may support wireless communication at the device 1200 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The device 1200 may be configured to or operable to support a means for receiving a plurality of downlink requests or commands from a plurality of network nodes in at least one of an Ambient Internet of things (loT) frequency channel or a time duration; and transmitting an uplink response to the plurality of downlink requests or commands in one or more Ambient loT frequency channels.

[0152] Additionally, the device 1200 may be configured to support any one or combination of where the transmitting comprises transmitting the uplink response in a backscattered transmission; where the transmitting comprises transmitting the uplink response in an internally generated uplink data transmission; where the low power device comprises an Ambient loT device; where the plurality of downlink requests or commands comprises a plurality of inventory requests; where the uplink response comprises an electronic packet code identifier of the low power device.

[0153] Additionally, or alternatively, the device 1200 may support at least one memory (e.g., the memory 1204) and at least one processor (e.g., the processor 1202) coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the UE to: receive a plurality of downlink requests or commands from a plurality of network nodes in at least one of an Ambient Internet of things (loT) frequencychannel or a time duration; and transmit an uplink response to the plurality of downlink requests or commands in one or more Ambient loT frequency channels.

[0154] Additionally, the device 1200 may be configured to support any one or combination of the at least one processor is further configured to or operable to cause the low power device to transmit the uplink response in a backscattered transmission; cause the low power device to transmit the uplink response in an internally generated uplink data transmission; where the low power device comprises an Ambient loT device; where the plurality of downlink requests or commands comprises a plurality of inventory requests; where the uplink response comprises an electronic packet code identifier of the low power device.

[0155] The controller 1206 may manage input and output signals for the device 1200. The controller 1206 may also manage peripherals not integrated into the device 1200. In some implementations, the controller 1206 may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, WINDOWS®, or other operating systems. In some implementations, the controller 1206 may be implemented as part of the processor 1202.

[0156] In some implementations, the device 1200 may include at least one transceiver 1208. In some other implementations, the device 1200 may have more than one transceiver 1208. The transceiver 1208 may represent a wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1208 may include one or more receiver chains 1210, one or more transmitter chains 1212, or a combination thereof.

[0157] A receiver chain 1210 may be configured to receive signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) over a wireless medium. For example, the receiver chain 1210 may include one or more antennas to receive a signal over the air or wireless medium. The receiver chain 1210 may include at least one amplifier (e.g., a low-noise amplifier (LNA)) configured to amplify the received signal. The receiver chain 1210 may include at least one demodulator configured to demodulate the receive signal and obtain the transmitted data by reversing the modulation technique applied during transmission of the signal. The receiver chain 1210 may include at least one decoder for decoding the demodulated signal to receive the transmitted data.

[0158] A transmitter chain 1212 may be configured to generate and transmit signals (e.g., control information, data, packets). The transmitter chain 1212 may include at least one modulator for modulating data onto a carrier signal, preparing the signal for transmission over a wirelessmedium. The at least one modulator may be configured to support one or more techniques such as amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), or digital modulation schemes like phaseshift keying (PSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). The transmitter chain 1212 may also include at least one power amplifier configured to amplify the modulated signal to an appropriate power level suitable for transmission over the wireless medium. The transmitter chain 1212 may also include one or more antennas for transmitting the amplified signal into the air or wireless medium.

[0159] Figure 13 illustrates an example of a processor 1300 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The processor 1300 may be an example of a processor configured to perform various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor 1300 may include a controller 1302 configured to perform various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor 1300 may optionally include at least one memory 1304, which may be, for example, an L1 / L2 / L3 cache. Additionally, or alternatively, the processor 1300 may optionally include one or more arithmetic-logic units (ALUs) 1306. One or more of these components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses).

[0160] The processor 1300 may be a processor chipset and include a protocol stack (e.g., a software stack) executed by the processor chipset to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, retrieving, transmitting, outputting, forwarding, storing, determining, identifying, accessing, writing, reading) in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor chipset may include one or more cores, one or more caches (e.g., memory local to or included in the processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1300) or other memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), static RAM (SRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), resistive RAM (RRAM), flash memory, phase change memory (PCM), and others).

[0161] The controller 1302 may be configured to manage and coordinate various operations (e.g., signaling, receiving, obtaining, retrieving, transmitting, outputting, forwarding, storing, determining, identifying, accessing, writing, reading) of the processor 1300 to cause the processor 1300 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. For example, the controller 1302 may operate as a control unit of the processor 1300, generating control signalsthat manage the operation of various components of the processor 1300. These control signals include enabling or disabling functional units, selecting data paths, initiating memory access, and coordinating timing of operations.

[0162] The controller 1302 may be configured to fetch (e.g., obtain, retrieve, receive) instructions from the memory 1304 and determine subsequent instruction(s) to be executed to cause the processor 1300 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The controller 1302 may be configured to track memory addresses of instructions associated with the memory 1304. The controller 1302 may be configured to decode instructions to determine the operation to be performed and the operands involved. For example, the controller 1302 may be configured to interpret the instruction and determine control signals to be output to other components of the processor 1300 to cause the processor 1300 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 1302 may be configured to manage flow of data within the processor 1300. The controller 1302 may be configured to control transfer of data between registers, ALUs 1306, and other functional units of the processor 1300.

[0163] The memory 1304 may include one or more caches (e.g., memory local to or included in the processor 1300 or other memory, such as RAM, ROM, DRAM, SDRAM, SRAM, MRAM, flash memory, etc. In some implementations, the memory 1304 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., local to the processor 1300). In some other implementations, the memory 1304 may reside external to the processor chipset (e.g., remote to the processor 1300).

[0164] The memory 1304 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 1300, cause the processor 1300 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. The controller 1302 and / or the processor 1300 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 1304 to cause the processor 1300 to perform various functions. For example, the processor 1300 and / or the controller 1302 may be coupled with or to the memory 1304, the processor 1300, and the controller 1302, and may be configured to perform various functions described herein. In some examples, the processor 1300 may include multiple processors and the memory 1304 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiplememories, which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions herein.

[0165] The one or more ALUs 1306 may be configured to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, the one or more ALUs 1306 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1300). In some other implementations, the one or more ALUs 1306 may reside external to the processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1300). One or more ALUs 1306 may perform one or more computations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on data. For example, one or more ALUs 1306 may receive input operands and an operation code, which determines an operation to be executed. One or more ALUs 1306 may be configured with a variety of logical and arithmetic circuits, including adders, subtractors, shifters, and logic gates, to process and manipulate the data according to the operation. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more ALUs 1306 may support logical operations such as AND, OR, exclusive-OR (XOR), not-OR (NOR), and not-AND (NAND), enabling the one or more ALUs 1306 to handle conditional operations, comparisons, and bitwise operations.

[0166] The processor 1300 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 1300 may be configured to or operable to support at least one controller (e.g., the controller 1302) coupled with at least one memory (e.g., the memory 1304) and configured to or operable to cause the processor to: receive a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient loT device, where the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; transmit, to the at least one Ambient loT device, the downlink request where the downlink request may be transmitted by multiple network nodes in at least one of the Ambient loT frequency channel in a time duration or in multiple time durations; and receive, from at least one of the at least one Ambient loT device, a response to the downlink request in a configured Ambient loT frequency channel.

[0167] Additionally, the processor 1300 may be configured to or operable to support any one or combination of the at least one controller is configured to or operable to cause the processor to receive the response to the downlink request from the at least one of the at least one Ambient loT device in a backscattered Ambient loT signal; where the configuration indicates that the processor is to receive responses to the downlink request in a set of Ambient loT frequency channels but is to transmit the downlink request in a subset of the set of Ambient loT frequency channels; where theconfiguration indicates that the processor is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel as one or more network nodes but in a different time duration than the one or more network nodes; where the time duration corresponds to a time slot or a number of slot durations; where the configuration indicates that the processor is to mute physical channel transmissions in the same Ambient loT frequency channel during a time duration that one of the one or more network nodes is to transmit an additional downlink request to the multiple Ambient loT devices; where the configuration indicates that the processor is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel and a same time duration as one or more network nodes; where the downlink request comprises an inventory request; where for each of the multiple Ambient loT devices, the response comprises an electronic packet code identifier of the Ambient loT device; where the processor is included in a network node that is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the processor is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a subset of Ambient loT frequency channels; where the processor is included in a network node that is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the processor is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a set of multiple Ambient loT frequency channels; where to receive the configuration is to receive the configuration from a configuring network node, and where the at least one controller is further configured to or operable to cause the processor to transmit, to the configuring network node, a report indicating the received responses.

[0168] The processor 1300 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 1300 may be configured to or operable to support at least one controller (e.g., the controller 1302) coupled with at least one memory (e.g., the memory 1304) and configured to or operable to cause the processor to: receive a plurality of downlink requests or commands from a plurality of network nodes in at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; and transmit an uplink response to the plurality of downlink requests or commands in one or more Ambient loT frequency channels.

[0169] Additionally, the processor 1300 may be configured to or operable to support any one or combination of the at least one controller is configured to or operable to cause the low power deviceto transmit the uplink response in a backscattered transmission; cause the low power device to transmit the uplink response in an internally generated uplink data transmission; where the low power device comprises an Ambient loT device; where the plurality of downlink requests or commands comprises a plurality of inventory requests; where the uplink response comprises an electronic packet code identifier of the low power device.

[0170] The processor 1300 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 1300 may be configured to or operable to support at least one controller (e.g., the controller 1302) coupled with at least one memory (e.g., the memory 1304) and configured to or operable to cause the processor to: transmit a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient loT device, where the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; and receive a report indicating responses received by an intermediate node, where the responses comprise responses from ones of the at least one Ambient loT device to the downlink request.

[0171] Additionally, the processor 1300 may be configured to or operable to support any one or combination of where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to receive responses to the downlink request in a set of Ambient loT frequency channels but is to transmit the downlink request in a subset of the set of Ambient loT frequency channels; where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel as one or more additional network nodes but in a different time duration than the one or more additional network nodes; where the time duration corresponds to a time slot or a number of slot durations; where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to mute physical channel transmissions in the same Ambient loT frequency channel during a time duration that one of the one or more additional network nodes is to transmit an additional downlink request to the at least one Ambient loT device; where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel and a same time duration as one or more additional network nodes; where the downlink request comprises an inventory request; where the responses comprises electronic packet code identifiers of the ones of the Ambient loT device; where the intermediate node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in adifferent time duration and in a subset of Ambient loT frequency channels; where the intermediate node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a set of multiple Ambient loT frequency channels.

[0172] Figure 14 illustrates an example of a NE 1400 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The NE 1400 may include a processor 1402, a memory 1404, a controller 1406, and a transceiver 1408. The processor 1402, the memory 1404, the controller 1406, or the transceiver 1408, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of the present disclosure as described herein. These components may be coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces.

[0173] The processor 1402, the memory 1404, the controller 1406, or the transceiver 1408, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., circuitry). The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure.

[0174] The processor 1402 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, or any combination thereof). In some implementations, the processor 1402 may be configured to operate the memory 1404. In some other implementations, the memory 1404 may be integrated into the processor 1402. The processor 1402 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 1404 to cause the NE 1400 to perform various functions of the present disclosure.

[0175] The memory 1404 may include volatile or non-volatile memory. The memory 1404 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions when executed by the processor 1402 cause the NE 1400 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as the memory 1404 or another type of memory. Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media andcommunication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0176] In some implementations, the processor 1402 and the memory 1404 coupled with the processor 1402 may be configured to cause the NE 1400 to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., executing, by the processor 1402, instructions stored in the memory 1404). For example, the processor 1402 may support wireless communication at the NE 1400 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The NE 1400 may be configured to support a means for transmitting a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient loT device, where the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; and receiving a report indicating responses received by an intermediate node, where the responses comprise responses from ones of the at least one Ambient loT device to the downlink request.

[0177] Additionally, the NE 1400 may be configured to support any one or combination of where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to receive responses to the downlink request in a set of Ambient loT frequency channels but is to transmit the downlink request in a subset of the set of Ambient loT frequency channels; where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel as one or more additional network nodes but in a different time duration than the one or more additional network nodes; where the time duration corresponds to a time slot or a number of slot durations; where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to mute physical channel transmissions in the same Ambient loT frequency channel during a time duration that one of the one or more additional network nodes is to transmit an additional downlink request to the at least one Ambient loT device; where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel and a same time duration as one or more additional network nodes; where the downlink request comprises an inventory request; where the responses comprises electronic packet code identifiers of the ones of the Ambient loT device; where the intermediate node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a differenttime duration and in a subset of Ambient loT frequency channels; where the intermediate node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a set of multiple Ambient loT frequency channels.

[0178] Additionally, or alternatively, the NE 1400 may support at least one memory (e.g., the memory 1404) and at least one processor (e.g., the processor 1402) coupled with the at least one memory and configured to or operable to cause the NE to: transmit a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient loT device, where the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; and receive a report indicating responses received by an intermediate node, where the responses comprise responses from ones of the at least one Ambient loT device to the downlink request.

[0179] Additionally, the NE 1400 may be configured to support any one or combination of the at least one processor is configured to or operable to cause the NE to: where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to receive responses to the downlink request in a set of Ambient loT frequency channels but is to transmit the downlink request in a subset of the set of Ambient loT frequency channels; where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel as one or more additional network nodes but in a different time duration than the one or more additional network nodes; where the time duration corresponds to a time slot or a number of slot durations; where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to mute physical channel transmissions in the same Ambient loT frequency channel during a time duration that one of the one or more additional network nodes is to transmit an additional downlink request to the at least one Ambient loT device; where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel and a same time duration as one or more additional network nodes; where the downlink request comprises an inventory request; where the responses comprises electronic packet code identifiers of the ones of the Ambient loT device; where the intermediate node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a subset ofAmbient loT frequency channels; where the intermediate node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a set of multiple Ambient loT frequency channels.

[0180] In some implementations, the processor 1402 and the memory 1404 coupled with the processor 1402 may be configured to cause the NE 1400 to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., executing, by the processor 1402, instructions stored in the memory 1404). For example, the processor 1402 may support wireless communication at the NE 1400 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The NE 1400 may be configured to support a means for receiving a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient loT device, where the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; transmitting, to the at least one Ambient loT device, the downlink request where the downlink request may be transmitted by multiple network nodes in at least one of the Ambient loT frequency channel in a time duration or in multiple time durations; and receiving, from at least one of the at least one Ambient loT devices, a response to the downlink request in a configured Ambient loT frequency channel.

[0181] Additionally, the NE 1400 may be configured to support any one or combination of receiving the response to the downlink request from the at least one of the at least one Ambient loT device in a backscattered Ambient loT signal; where the configuration indicates that the network node is to receive responses to the downlink request in a set of Ambient loT frequency channels but is to transmit the downlink request in a subset of the set of Ambient loT frequency channels; where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel as one or more additional network nodes but in a different time duration than the one or more additional network nodes; where the time duration corresponds to a time slot or a number of slot durations; where the configuration indicates that the network node is to mute physical channel transmissions in the same Ambient loT frequency channel during a time duration that one of the one or more additional network nodes is to transmit an additional downlink request to the multiple Ambient loT devices; where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel and a same time duration as one or more additional network nodes; where the downlink request comprises aninventory request; where for each of the multiple Ambient loT devices, the response comprises an electronic packet code identifier of the Ambient loT device; where the network node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a subset of Ambient loT frequency channels; where the network node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a set of multiple Ambient loT frequency channels; where receiving the configuration comprises receiving the configuration from a configuring network node, and further including transmitting, to the configuring network node, a report indicating the received responses.

[0182] Additionally, or alternatively, the NE 1400 may support at least one memory (e.g., the memory 1404) and at least one processor (e.g., the processor 1402) coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the NE to: receive a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient loT device, where the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; transmit, to the at least one Ambient loT device, the downlink request where the downlink request may be transmitted by multiple network nodes in at least one of the Ambient loT frequency channel in a time duration or in multiple time durations; and receive, from at least one of the at least one Ambient loT device, a response to the downlink request in a configured Ambient loT frequency channel.

[0183] Additionally, the NE 1400 may be configured to support any one or combination of the at least one processor is configured to or operable to cause the NE to receive the response to the downlink request from the at least one of the at least one Ambient loT device in a backscattered Ambient loT signal; where the configuration indicates that the network node is to receive responses to the downlink request in a set of Ambient loT frequency channels but is to transmit the downlink request in a subset of the set of Ambient loT frequency channels; where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel as one or more additional network nodes but in a different time duration than the one or more additional network nodes; where the time duration corresponds to a time slot or a number of slotdurations; where the configuration indicates that the network node is to mute physical channel transmissions in the same Ambient loT frequency channel during a time duration that one of the one or more additional network nodes is to transmit an additional downlink request to the multiple Ambient loT devices; where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel and a same time duration as one or more additional network nodes; where the downlink request comprises an inventory request; where for each of the multiple Ambient loT devices, the response comprises an electronic packet code identifier of the Ambient loT device; where the network node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a subset of Ambient loT frequency channels; where the network node is one of multiple network nodes, and where the configuration indicates that the network node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a set of multiple Ambient loT frequency channels; where to receive the configuration is to receive the configuration from a configuring network node, and where the at least one processor is further configured to or operable to cause the network node to transmit, to the configuring network node, a report indicating the received responses.

[0184] The controller 1406 may manage input and output signals for the NE 1400. The controller 1406 may also manage peripherals not integrated into the NE 1400. In some implementations, the controller 1406 may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, WINDOWS®, or other operating systems. In some implementations, the controller 1406 may be implemented as part of the processor 1402.

[0185] In some implementations, the NE 1400 may include at least one transceiver 1408. In some other implementations, the NE 1400 may have more than one transceiver 1408. The transceiver 1408 may represent a wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1408 may include one or more receiver chains 1410, one or more transmitter chains 1412, or a combination thereof.

[0186] A receiver chain 1410 may be configured to receive signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) over a wireless medium. For example, the receiver chain 1410 may include one or more antennas to receive a signal over the air or wireless medium. The receiver chain 1410 mayinclude at least one amplifier (e.g., a low-noise amplifier (LNA)) configured to amplify the received signal. The receiver chain 1410 may include at least one demodulator configured to demodulate the receive signal and obtain the transmitted data by reversing the modulation technique applied during transmission of the signal. The receiver chain 1410 may include at least one decoder for decoding the demodulated signal to receive the transmitted data.

[0187] A transmitter chain 1412 may be configured to generate and transmit signals (e.g., control information, data, packets). The transmitter chain 1412 may include at least one modulator for modulating data onto a carrier signal, preparing the signal for transmission over a wireless medium. The at least one modulator may be configured to support one or more techniques such as amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), or digital modulation schemes like phaseshift keying (PSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). The transmitter chain 1412 may also include at least one power amplifier configured to amplify the modulated signal to an appropriate power level suitable for transmission over the wireless medium. The transmitter chain 1412 may also include one or more antennas for transmitting the amplified signal into the air or wireless medium.

[0188] Figure 15 illustrates a flowchart of a method in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method may be implemented by a UE or other device (e.g., an intermediate node or network node) as described herein. In some implementations, the UE or other device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the UE or other device to perform the described functions.

[0189] At 1502, the method may include receiving a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient loT device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration. The operations of 1502 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1502 may be performed by a UE as described with reference to Figure 12 or a NE as described with reference to Figure 14.

[0190] At 1504, the method may include transmitting, to the at least one Ambient loT device, the downlink request wherein the downlink request may be transmitted by multiple network nodes in at least one of the Ambient loT frequency channel in a time duration or in multiple timedurations. The operations of 1504 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1504 may be performed by a UE as described with reference to Figure 12 or a NE as described with reference to Figure 14.

[0191] At 1506, the method may include receiving, from at least one of the at least one Ambient loT devices, a response to the downlink request in a configured Ambient loT frequency channel. The operations of 1506 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1506 may be performed a UE as described with reference to Figure 12 or a NE as described with reference to Figure 14.

[0192] It should be noted that the method described herein describes a possible implementation, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible.

[0193] Figure 16 illustrates a flowchart of a method in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method may be implemented by a NE as described herein. In some implementations, the NE may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the NE to perform the described functions.

[0194] At 1602, the method may include transmitting a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient loT device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration. The operations of 1602 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1602 may be performed by a NE as described with reference to Figure 14.

[0195] At 1604, the method may include receiving a report indicating responses received by an intermediate node, wherein the responses comprise responses from ones of the at least one Ambient loT device to the downlink request. The operations of 1604 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1604 may be performed by a NE as described with reference to Figure 14.

[0196] Figure 17 illustrates a flowchart of a method in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method may be implemented by a UE or other low power device (e.g., an Ambient loT device) as described herein. In some implementations, the UE or other lowpower device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the UE or other low power device to perform the described functions.

[0197] At 1702, the method may include receiving a plurality of downlink requests or commands from a plurality of network nodes in at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration. The operations of 1702 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1702 may be performed by a UE or other low power device as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0198] At 1704, the method may include transmitting an uplink response to the plurality of downlink requests or commands in one or more Ambient loT frequency channels. The operations of 1704 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1704 may be performed by a UE or other low power device as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0199] It should be noted that the method described herein describes a possible implementation, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible.

[0200] The description herein is provided to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A low power device for wireless communication, comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory and operable to cause the low power device to: receive a plurality of downlink requests or commands from a plurality of network nodes in at least one of an Ambient Internet of things (loT) frequency channel or a time duration; and transmit an uplink response to the plurality of downlink requests or commands in one or more Ambient loT frequency channels.

2. The low power device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further operable to cause the low power device to transmit the uplink response in a backscattered transmission.

3. The low power device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to cause the low power device to transmit the uplink response in an internally generated uplink data transmission.

4. The low power device of claim 1 , wherein the low power device comprises an Ambient loT device.

5. The low power device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of downlink requests or commands comprises a plurality of inventory requests.

6. The low power device of claim 5, wherein the uplink response comprises an electronic packet code identifier of the low power device.

7. A base station for wireless communication, comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory and operable to cause the base station to:transmit a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient Internet of things (loT) device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; and receive a report indicating responses received by an intermediate node, wherein the responses comprise responses from ones of the at least one Ambient loT device to the downlink request.

8. The base station of claim 7, wherein the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to receive responses to the downlink request in a set of Ambient loT frequency channels but is to transmit the downlink request in a subset of the set of Ambient loT frequency channels.

9. The base station of claim 7, wherein the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel as one or more additional network nodes but in a different time duration than the one or more additional network nodes.

10. The network node of claim 9, wherein the time duration corresponds to a time slot or a number of slot durations.

11. The base station of claim 9, wherein the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to mute physical channel transmissions in the same Ambient loT frequency channel during a time duration that one of the one or more additional network nodes is to transmit an additional downlink request to the at least one Ambient loT device.

12. The base station of claim 7, wherein the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the downlink request in a same Ambient loT frequency channel and a same time duration as one or more additional network nodes.

13. The base station of claim 7, wherein the downlink request comprises an inventory request.

14. The base station of claim 13, wherein the responses comprises electronic packet code identifiers of the ones of the Ambient loT device.

15. The base station of claim 13, wherein the intermediate node is one of multiple network nodes, and wherein the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a subset of Ambient loT frequency channels.

16. The base station of claim 13, wherein the intermediate node is one of multiple network nodes, and wherein the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to transmit the inventory request as part of an inventory round in which each of the multiple network nodes transmits the inventory request in a different time duration and in a set of multiple Ambient loT frequency channels.

17. A method performed by a base station, the method comprising: transmitting a configuration for transmitting a downlink request to at least one Ambient Internet of things (loT) device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of an Ambient loT frequency channel or a time duration; and receiving a report indicating responses received by an intermediate node, wherein the responses comprise responses from ones of the at least one Ambient loT device to the downlink request.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the configuration indicates that the intermediate node is to receive responses to the downlink request in a set of Ambient loT frequency channels but is to transmit the downlink request in a subset of the set of Ambient loT frequency channels.

19. A method performed by a low power device, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of downlink requests or commands from a plurality of network nodes in at least one of an Ambient Internet of things (loT) frequency channel or a time duration; and transmitting an uplink response to the plurality of downlink requests or commands in one or more Ambient loT frequency channels.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting the uplink response in a backscattered transmission.

Images