Configuring wireless devices for energy harvesting

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to configuring wireless devices for energy harvesting. A network equipment (NE) configures a device to transmit an energy harvesting tone when it is determined that a wireless device, such as an Ambient Internet-of-Things (IoT) device, is low on power or otherwise could benefit from more power. This determination can be made by the NE or by the wireless device itself, which can transmit a request to the NE for additional power. In response to determining that the wireless device is low on power or otherwise could benefit from more power, the NE configures itself or another node to transmit an energy harvesting tone for the wireless device. The wireless device collects energy from the energy harvesting tone, as well as optionally from a carrier wave, and uses the energy to charge the wireless device.

Description

CONFIGURING WIRELESS DEVICES FOR ENERGY HARVESTINGRELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 572,617 filed April 1, 2024 entitled “CONFIGURING WIRELESS DEVICES FOR ENERGY HARVESTING,” 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 configuring wireless devices for energy harvesting.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). Byway 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 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 receive at least one first signaling; generate, based at least in part on the at least one first signaling, a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone; and transmit the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone.

[0006] 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 receive at least one first signaling; generate, based at least in part on the at least one first signaling, a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone; and transmit the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone.

[0007] A method performed or performable by an NE (e.g., a base station) for wireless communication is described. The method may include receiving at least one first signaling; generating, based at least in part on the at least one first signaling, a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone; and transmitting the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone.

[0008] In some implementations of the NE, processor, and method described herein, the NE, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to transmit a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting related capability of a first wireless device; and receive an indication of the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device.

[0009] In some implementations of the NE, processor, and method described herein, the at least one first signaling comprises a request that the base station configure the energy harvesting tone, and where to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone, the NE, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the request.

[0010] In some implementations of the NE, processor, and method described herein, the request comprises a request to configure an energy harvesting tone and a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone.

[0011] In some implementations of the NE, processor, and method described herein, the at least one first signaling comprises a backscattered or uplink (UL) signal, and where to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone, the NE, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on evaluating the at least one first signaling.

[0012] In some implementations of the NE, processor, and method described herein, the NE, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to receive at least one first signaling from an Ambient Internet-of-Things (loT) device.

[0013] In some implementations of the NE, processor, and method described herein, the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device comprises at least one of a capability of the first wireless device to support energy harvesting tone reception, a carrier frequency of the energy harvesting tone, or a storage capability of the first wireless device.

[0014] In some implementations of the NE, processor, and method described herein, the NE, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on at least one of a capability of a first wireless device, a strength of a backscattered or UL signal received from the first wireless device, a length of UL frames received from the first wireless device, or autonomous segmentation by the first wireless device of the UL signal.

[0015] In some implementations of the NE, processor, and method described herein, the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises at least one of an indication to assign the energy harvesting tone, an indication of a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone, or an indication of a direction of the energy harvesting tone.

[0016] In some implementations of the NE, processor, and method described herein, the NE, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to transmit the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone to one or more external nodes that are used for transmission of a carrier wave.

[0017] In some implementations of the NE, processor, and method described herein, the NE, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to transmit the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone to one or more external nodes that are not used for transmission of a carrier wave.

[0018] In some implementations of the NE, processor, and method described herein, the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises an indication for a wireless device to increase or decrease a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone.

[0019] In some implementations of the NE, processor, and method described herein, the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises an indication for a wireless device to stop transmission of the energy harvesting tone.

[0020] In some implementations of the NE, processor, and method described herein, the NE, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to receive the request from a first wireless device, where the request is based at least in part on at least one of a capability of the first wireless device, a strength of a carrier wave signal received by the first wireless device, a length of UL frames transmitted by the first wireless device, or a stored energy in a storage of the first wireless device.

[0021] In some implementations of the NE, processor, and method described herein, the request indicates to increase or decrease a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone.

[0022] In some implementations of the NE, processor, and method described herein, the request indicates to stop transmission of the energy harvesting tone.

[0023] In some implementations of the NE, processor, and method described herein, the NE, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to receive the request is received from a first wireless device in a control part of a physical device to reader channel (PDRCH).

[0024] An apparatus (e.g., an external node, an external carrier wave node, a carrier wave node, an emitter node) 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 first signaling that indicates a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone; and transmit the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the configuration.

[0025] A processor (e.g., a standalone processor chipset, or a component of an external node, an external carrier wave node, a carrier wave node, an emitter node) 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 first signaling that indicates a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone; and transmit the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the configuration.

[0026] A method performed or performable by an apparatus (e.g., an external node, an external carrier wave node, a carrier wave node, an emitter node) for wireless communication is described. The method may include receiving a first signaling that indicates a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone; and transmitting the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the configuration.

[0027] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the apparatus, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to transmit the energy harvesting tone to an Ambient loT device.

[0028] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises at least one of an indication to assign the energy harvesting tone, an indication of a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone, or an indication of a direction of the energy harvesting tone.

[0029] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the apparatus, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to transmit a carrier wave to a second wireless device.

[0030] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the apparatus, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to transmit a carrier wave to a second wireless device.

[0031] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises an indication for the first wireless device to increase or decrease a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone.

[0032] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises an indication for the first wireless device to stop transmission of the energy harvesting tone.

[0033] An apparatus (e.g., an Ambient loT device) 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 transmit at least one first signaling; and receive an energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the at least one first signaling.

[0034] A processor (e.g., a standalone processor chipset, or a component of an Ambient loT 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 transmit at least one first signaling; and receive an energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the at least one first signaling.

[0035] A method performed or performable by an apparatus (e.g., an Ambient loT device) for wireless communication is described. The method may include transmitting at least one first signaling; and receiving an energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the at least one first signaling.

[0036] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the apparatus, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable,or operable to receive a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device; and transmit a second signaling that indicates the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device.

[0037] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the at least one first signaling comprises a request from the first wireless device that a network device configure the energy harvesting tone.

[0038] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the request from the first wireless device comprises a request to configure an energy harvesting tone and a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone.

[0039] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the at least one first signaling comprises a backscattered or UL signal.

[0040] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the first wireless device comprises an Ambient loT device.

[0041] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device comprises at least one of a capability of the first wireless device to support energy harvesting tone reception, a carrier frequency of the energy harvesting tone, or a storage capability of the first wireless device.

[0042] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the request from the first wireless device is based at least in part on at least one of a capability of the first wireless device, a strength of a carrier wave signal received by the first wireless device, a length of UL frames transmitted by the first wireless device, or a stored energy in a storage of the first wireless device.

[0043] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the request from the first wireless device indicates to increase or decrease a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone.

[0044] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the request from the first wireless device indicates to stop transmission of the energy harvesting tone.

[0045] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the apparatus, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to transmit the request to the network device in a control part of a PDRCH.

[0046] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the network device comprises a base station.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figures 2 through 4 illustrate example topology of wireless communications system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 5 illustrates an example of a wireless device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 6 illustrates an example of stored energy fluctuation in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 7 illustrates an example of backscattered and absorbed signals in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 8 illustrates an example of an energy harvesting tone transmitted together with a carrier wave in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 9 illustrates an example of signaling among a base station, Ambient loT device, and external node in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 10 illustrates an example of signaling among a base station, Ambient loT device, and external node in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0055] Figure 11 illustrates an example of a device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0056] Figure 12 illustrates an example of a processor in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0057] Figure 13 illustrates an example of a network equipment (NE) in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0058] Figures 14 through 16 illustrate flowcharts of methods in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] 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 radio frequency (RF) component for transmission), and may use backscattering transmission.

[0060] 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. The source of the carrier wave may also be referred to as an external carrier wave node, a carrier wave node, an external node, an emitter node, and so forth.

[0061] An Ambient loT device uses stored energy to activate its components, including baseband or digital components. Different device types have different activation levels for reception and transmission depending on the supported components, particularly the active components. This involves a phase for charging the device prior to active reception or transmission. Once the device is charged and reached the activation point, the UL transmission or backscattering can be triggered, which leads to fast consumption of the power. The drop of the stored power, due to active operation, below the activation level leads to a stop in transmission until the Ambient loT device is recharged again. Accordingly, relying on a downlink (DL) signal or carrier wave used for communication to power the Ambient loT device leads to fluctuations of device activities based on the stored energy. This becomes an issue in various scenarios, such as if an UL frame is longer than the activation time of the device.

[0062] The techniques discussed herein describe assisting or enhancing energy harvesting at an Ambient loT device. The collected energy, e.g., from a carrier wave, is used for charging the Ambient loT device and part of the signal is stored at the device’s storage (e.g., in one or more capacitors). An energy harvesting tone is also transmitted to the Ambient loT device. The energy harvesting tone refers to an RF signal, other than the carrier wave, transmitted to the Ambient loT device for the purpose of energy harvesting at the Ambient loT device. In one or more implementations, the energy harvesting tone is a signal that is dedicated to energy harvesting and is transmitted for the sole purpose of energy harvesting at the Ambient loT device. Accordingly, in one or more implementations the energy harvesting tone carries or encodes no data or command information. The energy harvesting tone can be, for example, a tone at a different frequency than the tone of the carrier wave. In some examples, the energy harvesting tone can be received by the Ambient loT device concurrently with receipt of one or more additional signals, such as a carrier wave.

[0063] Using the techniques discussed herein, an NE (e.g., a base station) generates a configuration for a device to transmit an energy harvesting tone when it is determined that the Ambient loT device is low on power or otherwise could benefit from more power. In one or more implementations, this determination is made by the NE (e.g., the base station). Additionally or alternatively, this determination is made by the Ambient loT device itself, which transmits a request to the NE for additional power. In response to determining that the Ambient loT device is low onpower or otherwise could benefit from more power, the NE configures itself or another node (e.g., an external node that may or may not be the device that is transmitting the carrier wave to the Ambient loT device) to transmit an energy harvesting tone for the Ambient loT device.

[0064] By transmitting an energy harvesting tone when the Ambient loT device is low on power, the Ambient loT device is able to harvest energy from the energy harvesting tone (optionally concurrently with harvesting energy from a carrier wave) and perform any of various tasks, such as tasks the Ambient loT device has begun or has been configured or requested to perform. The energy harvesting tone provides the Ambient loT device with enough power, for example, to perform a requested UL transmitting or backscattering. This allows the Ambient loT device to perform the requested UL transmitting or backscattering in situations where the UL frame is longer than the activation time for the Ambient loT device based on energy harvested from the carrier wave alone without having to take pauses in the transmitting or backscattering in order to recharge using energy harvested from the carrier wave. This also reduces the cost and size of energy storage components (e.g., one or more capacitors) on the Ambient loT device because the energy storage components can be recharged as desired or needed using the energy harvesting tone, allowing smaller (and cheaper) storage components to be used for the Ambient loT device.

[0065] Reference is made herein to receiving, transmitting, or 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. Similarly, other terms may be used interchangeably with transmitting (e.g., communicating, signaling, outputting, forwarding, and so forth), and other terms may be used interchangeably with receiving (e.g., communicating, retrieving, obtaining, and so forth).

[0066] Aspects of the present disclosure are described in the context of a wireless communications system.

[0067] Eigure 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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).

[0073] In some implementations, an 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 NE 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 network entity 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 NearReal Time RIC (Near-RT RIC), a Non-Real Time RIC (Non-RT RIC)), a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) system, or any combination thereof.

[0074] 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 network entities 102 in a disaggregated RAN architecture may be co-located, orone or more components of the network entities 102 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations). In some implementations, one or more network entities 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)).

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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).

[0077] 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 network entities 102 that are in communication via such communication links.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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).

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] Communication between devices discussed herein, such as between NEs 102 and UEs 104, between NEs 102 and external carrier wave nodes, or between NEs 102 and Ambient loT devices, is performed using any of a variety of different signaling. For example, such signaling can be any of various messages, requests, or responses, such as triggering messages, configuration messages, and so forth. By way of another example, such signaling can be any of various signaling mediums or protocols over which messages are conveyed, such as any combination of radio resource control (RRC), downlink control information (DCI), uplink control information (UCI), medium access control element (MAC-CE), and so forth.

[0087] 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.

[0088] The wireless communications system 100 may also include various low power devices, such as Ambient loT devices. These low power devices may communicate with any of various NEs 102 or UEs 104. One usage of such low power devices is to track inventory in an indoor area (e.g., a factory or warehouse) where low power devices are attached to objects (e.g., products, boxes, pallets) that are being tracked. These low power devices may do random access and data transmission for transmitting, e.g., an electronic product code identifier (ID) to the network. This objects in the indoor area to be inventoried, tracked, and so forth.

[0089] In recent years, loT has attracted much attention in the wireless communication world. More things are expected to be interconnected for improving productivity, efficiency, and increasing 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).

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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).

[0093] 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 readers and capacity problems, especially in case of dense deployment. It is difficult to support large-scale network with seamless coverage for RFID.

[0094] 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 (EPWA) 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 EPWA loT technologies.

[0095] 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 EPWA loT technology, e.g., NB-IoT including with reduced peak transmit (TX) power is taken into consideration.

[0096] 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 DL nor uplink (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.

[0097] 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 LTE / 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.

[0098] The occurrence of transmission from Ambient loT device (including backscattering when used) at least in UL spectrum is considered.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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.

[0105] Target an loT segment well below the existing 3GPP loT technologies, e.g. NB-IoT, eMTC, RedCap, etc., is considered. Not replacing existing 3GPP LPWA technologies is also considered.

[0106] 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 maintenancecost. 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.

[0107] 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 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.

[0108] The Ambient loT device may be classified or defined as a low power device if a power consumption level of the Ambient loT device satisfies (e.g., is less than) a threshold value. The Ambient loT device may include a low power processor to reduce the power consumption level of the Ambient loT device. 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 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 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.

[0109] In one or more implementations, the Ambient loT device may be a sensor (e.g., a tag), an actuator, an appliance, or another device capable of connecting to a wireless network. In someexamples, the Ambient loT device is categorized according to a set of components and / or capabilities 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.

[0110] 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 device (e.g., a node such as an intermediate node) and modulating a reflection of the incoming signaling towards a destination device (e.g., a reader node such as an intermediate node). Thus, the Ambient loT device may not use an active receiver and / or transmitter component for receiving and transmitting signaling, which reduces a power consumption level of the device.

[0111] In some examples, the Ambient loT device may be capable of energy harvesting using energy harvesting techniques. For example, the Ambient loT device may extract energy from transmission waves from a source device (e.g., an NE) to power the Ambient loT device. 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 includes an energy storage component, then the Ambient loT device may store the extracted energy for later use (e.g., to amplify a reflection of signal or to generate a new signal).

[0112] Figure 2 illustrates an example wireless communications system 200 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the wireless communications system 200 implements aspects of the wireless communications system 100. For example, the wireless communications system 200 includes a NE 202 (e.g., a base station) and a wireless device 204 (e.g. a low power device, such as an Ambient loT device). In the wireless communications system 200, Ambient loT data and signaling is transmitted between the NE 202 and the Ambient loT device 204.

[0113] Figure 2 illustrates an example wireless communications system 200 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the wireless communications system 200 is part of the wireless communications system 100. The wireless communications system 200 includes a NE 202 (e.g., a base station) illustrated as Rl / CW, the wireless device 204 (e.g., an Ambient loT device) illustrated as D, and a reader device 206 (e.g., a TRP or other NE, a UE). For example, the NE 202 may be an indoor base station, the wireless device 204 may be an indoor Ambient loT device, and the carrier wave is inside the topology (e.g., of NE 202 and wireless device 204). The NE 202 provides a DL communication (illustrated as R2D) to the wireless device 204, such as any of various configuration information for configuring the wireless device 204. The NE 202 also provides a carrier wave (illustrated as CW2D) to the wireless device 204. The wireless device 204 transmits or backscatters a signal (e.g., the carrier wave CW2D), illustrated as D2R, to the reader device 206, which reads the transmitted or backscattered signal.

[0114] In the wireless communications system 200, the NE 202 (the emitter of the carrier wave CW2D) is different than the reader device 206 that receives D2R. However, the NE 202 (the emitter of the carrier wave CW2D) is the same as the transmitter of the DL communication (the transmitter of R2D). Furthermore, the transmitter of R2D is different than the receiver of D2R.

[0115] Figure 3 illustrates an example wireless communications system 300 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the wireless communications system 300 is part of the wireless communications system 100. The wireless communications system 300 includes a NE 302 (e.g., a base station) illustrated as R / CW and a wireless device 304 (e.g., a low power device, such as an Ambient loT device) illustrated as D. For example, the NE 302 may be an indoor base station, the wireless device 304 may be an indoor Ambient loT device, and the carrier wave is inside the topology (e.g., of NE 302 and wireless device 304). The NE 302 provides a DLcommunication (illustrated as R2D) to the wireless device 304 such as any of various configuration information for configuring the wireless device 304. The NE 302 also provides a carrier wave (illustrated as CW2D) to the wireless device 304. The wireless device 304 transmits or backscatters a signal (e.g., the carrier wave CW2D), illustrated as D2R, to the NE 302, which reads the transmitted or backscattered signal.

[0116] In the wireless communications system 300, the emitter of the carrier wave CW2D, the transmitter of the DL communication (the transmitter of R2D), and the reader that receives D2R are the same device.

[0117] Figure 4 illustrates an example wireless communications system 400 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the wireless communications system 400 is part of the wireless communications system 100. The wireless communications system 400 includes a NE 402 (e.g., a base station) illustrated as R, a wireless device 404 (e.g., a low power device, such as an Ambient loT device) illustrated as D, and a carrier wave device 406 (e.g., a TRP or other NE, a UE). For example, the NE 402 may be an indoor base station, the wireless device 404 may be an indoor Ambient loT device, and the carrier wave is outside the topology (e.g., of NE 402 and wireless device 404). The NE 402 provides a DL communication (illustrated as R2D) to the wireless device 404, such as any of various configuration information for configuring the wireless device 404. The carrier wave device 406 also provides a carrier wave (illustrated as CW2D) to the wireless device 404. The wireless device 404 transmits or backscatters a signal (e.g., the carrier wave CW2D), illustrated as D2R, to the NE 402, which reads the transmitted or backscattered signal.

[0118] In the wireless communications system 400, the carrier wave device 406 (the emitter of the carrier wave CW2D) is different than the reader (NE 402) that receives D2R. Additionally, the carrier wave device 406 (the emitter of the carrier wave CW2D) is different than the transmitter of the DL communication (the transmitter of R2D). Furthermore, the transmitter of the DL communication (the transmitter of R2D) and the reader that receives D2R are the same device.

[0119] In another example wireless communications system, an NE 402 may be an indoor base station, a wireless device 404 may be an indoor Ambient loT device, and the D2R signal isgenerated internally. E.g., the D2R signal is generated internally by the wireless device 204 rather than being a backscattered signal.

[0120] Figure 5 illustrates an example of a wireless device 500 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless device 500 may be, for example, a low power device or Ambient loT device of the wireless communications system 100, the wireless communications system 200, the wireless communications system 300, or the wireless communications system 400. The wireless device 500 includes an antenna 502, a matching network 504, an RF energy harvester 506, energy storage 508, a power management unit (PMU) 510, digital broadband (BB) logic 512, memory 514, a clock generator 516, reception related blocks (e.g., including an RF bandpass filter (BPF) 518, an RF envelope detector 520, an BB low-pass filter (EPF) 522, and a comparator 524), and a transmission related blocks (e.g., including a backscatter modulator 526).

[0121] The antenna 502 can be shared or separate for RF energy harvester and receiver / transmitter.

[0122] The matching network 504 is to match impedance between the antenna 502 and other components (including an RF energy harvester 506 and receiver related blocks).

[0123] The RF energy harvester 506 can include a rectifier performing RF signal (alternating current (AC)) to direct current (DC) conversion.

[0124] The energy storage 508 (e.g., one or more capacitors) stores harvested energy from the RF energy harvester 506.

[0125] The PMU 510 manages storing energy to the energy storage 508 from the RF energy harvester 506 and supplying power to active component blocks of the wireless device 500 that use or need a power supply.

[0126] The digital BB logic 512 includes functional blocks such as an encoder, a decoder, a controller, and so forth.

[0127] The memory 514 can include one or more types of memory. Example of such types of memory include non-volatile memory (NVM) such as EEPROM for permanently storing device ID, etc., and one or more registers for temporarily keeping information used or required for the operation of the wireless device 500 only while energy is available in the energy storage 508.

[0128] The clock generator 516 provides one or more clock signals used by the various components of the wireless device 500.

[0129] The reception related blocks (also referred to as receiver related blocks) include the RF BPF 518, the RF envelope detector 520, the BB LPF 522, and the comparator 524. The RF BPF 518 improves selectivity. In one or more implementations, the wireless device 500 may not include the RF BPF 518. Additionally or alternatively, various RF criteria (e.g., adjacent channel selectivity (ACS)) and peak power consumption target are also considered.

[0130] The RF envelope detector 520 converts the RF signal to baseband.

[0131] The BB LPF 522 can filter out harmonics and high frequency components to improve input signal quality to comparator. In one or more implementations, the wireless device may not include the BB LPF 522.

[0132] The comparator 524 determines high / low of input signal.

[0133] The transmission related blocks include, for example, the backscatter modulator 526, which switches impedance to modulate backscattered signal with a TX signal from the digital BB logic 512.

[0134] An OFDM-based waveform from an Ambient loT R2D (reader-to-device) perspective is taken into consideration. What one or more modulations to use is taken into consideration, as well as whether or how to handle cyclic prefix (CP) at the transmitter or device. Characteristics of the OFDM waveform are taken into consideration, such as CP-OFDM, DFT-s-OFDM, the type of OFDM waveform being transparent to the Ambient loT device, and so forth. Other waveforms from the perspective of a DL transmitter is also taken into consideration.

[0135] An Ambient loT DL that includes on-off keying (OOK) from the perspective of a DL transmitter is taken into consideration. For an OFDM waveform, OOK-1 for single-chip per OFDM symbol transmission, and OOK-4 for M-chip per OFDM symbol transmission, can be assumed. If other DL waveforms are included, OOK generation by the transmitter is taken into consideration.

[0136] Ambient loT UL for baseband modulation is taken into consideration, including OOK and binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), and other baseband modulation (e.g., binary frequency-shift keying (FSK)).

[0137] For R2D, line codes such as Manchester encoding and pulse-interval encoding (PIE) are taken into consideration. One or more mappings from one or more bits to line-code codewords is taken into consideration. Time domain definition of, e.g., chips and relation to OFDM symbols, resource allocation unit, and so forth is taken into consideration.

[0138] Regarding forward error correction (FEC), R2D with no FEC code is taken into consideration.

[0139] R2D using cyclic redundancy check (CRC) is taken into consideration. Which one or more CRC generator polynomials are used, and if any cases are included with no CRC, is taken into consideration. An association, if any, between one or more down-selected CRCs and message size, considering at least false-alarm rate target, is taken into consideration.

[0140] D2R using CRC is taken into consideration. Which one or more CRC generator polynomials are used, and if any cases are included with no CRC, is taken into consideration. An association, if any, between one or more down-selected CRCs and message size, considering at least false-alarm rate target, is taken into consideration.

[0141] Ambient loT UE for baseband modulation is taken into consideration, including OOK and BPSK. Identifying Binary FSK aspects is taken into consideration, including spectral or resource efficiency compared to other included modulations, power consumption and complexity feasibility for the devices in the SID, impacts of phase discontinuity, possible imperfection in the modulation, and so forth.

[0142] Bandwidths for R2D are taken into consideration. Transmission bandwidth, Btx,R2D from a reader perspective: the frequency resources used for transmitting R2D is taken into consideration. Occupied bandwidth, B0CC,R2D from a reader perspective: the frequency resources used for transmitting R2D, and potential guard band is taken into consideration. B0CC,R2D > Btx,R2D, further constraints (e.g. B0CC,R2D = Btx,R2D), possible values of each bandwidth, and so forth is taken into consideration.

[0143] With respect to frame structure and timing aspects for Ambient loT devices, at least when a response is expected from multiple devices that are intended to be identified, using an Ambient loT device contention-based access procedure initiated by the reader is taken intoconsideration. For Ambient loT device contention-based access procedure, at least slotted- ALOHA based access is taken into consideration.

[0144] At least the following time domain frame structure is taken into consideration for Ambient loT device R2D and D2R transmission. For R2D transmission, including an R2D timing acquisition signal (e.g., R2D preamble) at least for timing acquisition and for indicating the start of the R2D transmission in time domain is taken into consideration. For D2R transmission, including a D2R timing acquisition signal (e.g., D2R preamble) at least for timing acquisition and for indicating the start of the D2R transmission in time domain is taken into consideration. Other components, e.g., midamble, postamble, periodic sync signal, control fields, guard period, and so forth is taken into consideration.

[0145] With respect to frame structure and timing aspects for Ambient loT devices, the following terminologies used for Ambient loT device processing time aspects are taken into consideration. TR2D_min refers to a Minimum Time between a R2D transmission and the corresponding D2R transmission following it. TD2R_min refers to a Minimum Time between a D2R transmission and the corresponding R2D transmission following it. TR2D_R2D_min refers to a Minimum Time between two different consecutive R2D transmissions to the same Ambient loT device. TD2R_D2R_min refers to a Minimum Time between two different consecutive D2R transmissions from the same Ambient loT device. Implementation restrictions for existing base stations or UEs, processing time being common or different for different Ambient loT devices, processing time for different traffic types or command types (e.g., DT or DO-DTT) and / or different use case (e.g., inventory or command), and other timing aspects is taken into consideration.

[0146] To receive a PR2DCH or to transmit a PD2RCH, the following for an Ambient loT device considering all device types is taken into consideration: how to determine the transmission length; whether or how to know the frequency domain resource; wow to know the transport block size (TBS), other information for demodulation of the PR2DCH, and other necessary information for transmission of the PD2RCH.

[0147] With respect to downlink and uplink channel or signal aspects, for Ambient loT devices, a dedicated physical broadcast channel for R2D, e.g. physical broadcast channel (PBCH)-like, may be taken into consideration.

[0148] For Ambient loT devices, at least for R2D data transmission, a physical channel (PRDCH) is taken into consideration. System information (if defined) is transmitted on the PRDCH is taken into consideration. Whether or how control information is transmitted on the PRDCH is taken into consideration. Other names for PRDCH is taken into consideration.

[0149] With respect to downlink and uplink channel or signal aspects, for Ambient loT devices, at least for D2R data transmission, a physical channel (PDRCH) is taken into consideration.Response transmitted from device to reader during contention-based access procedure is transmitted on the PDRCH is taken into consideration. Details of the response are taken into consideration. Whether, how, or what D2R control information (if defined) is transmitted on the PDRCH is taken into consideration. Other names for PDRCH is taken into consideration.

[0150] With respect to carrier wave waveform characteristics for Ambient loT devices, at least single-tone unmodulated sinusoid waveform is a candidate waveform for carrier wave for D2R backscattering is taken into consideration. Multi-tone waveforms for carrier wave for D2R backscattering is taken into consideration. For the case that D2R backscattering is transmitted in the same carrier as carrier wave for D2R backscattering, and for topology 1 (e.g., the carrier wave is transmitted by a base station or external node), the following cases for carrier wave (CW) transmission are taken into consideration: Case 1-1, carrier wave is transmitted from inside the topology, transmitted in DL spectrum; Case 1-2, carrier wave is transmitted from inside the topology, transmitted in UL spectrum, Case l-4:carrier wave is transmitted from outside the topology, transmitted in UL spectrum.

[0151] The techniques discussed herein describe different configurations for enhancing energy harvesting at Ambient loT devices. An Ambient loT device has a level of stored energy to activate its components including RF and baseband or digital components. Different device types have different activation levels depending on the supported components especially the active components and storage capability. The Ambient loT device cannot operate for transmitting or backscattering the UL unless a certain power level is reached. This involves a phase for charging prior to active transmission. The collected energy, e.g., from a carrier wave is used for charging the Ambient loT device and part of the signal is stored at the Ambient loT device’s storage, e.g., one or more capacitors. Relying on the carrier wave used for communication leads to fluctuations of Ambient loT device activities based on the stored energy. Once the Ambient loT device is charged andreached the activation point, the UL transmission or backscattering can be triggered which leads to fast consumption of the power especially in the active components of the Ambient loT device, and hence the reduction of the stored power below the activation level leads to stop transmission until the Ambient loT device is recharged again.

[0152] Figure 6 illustrates an example of stored energy fluctuation in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. An example 600 of stored energy fluctuation at an Ambient loT device and transmission activity is illustrated. In the example 600, stored energy is along the vertical axis and time is along the horizontal axis. A start of carrier wave (CW) transmission 602 is illustrated. The Ambient loT device (e.g., a wireless device 204 of Figure 2, a wireless device 304 of Figure 3, or a wireless device 404 of Figure 4) is in a charging period 604 until the stored energy reaches a threshold level at activation point 606. Upon reaching the activation point 606, the Ambient loT device switches to an active transmission / backscattering period 608, during which the Ambient loT device transmits or backscatters signals. When the stored energy drops to be equal to or less than the threshold level, the Ambient loT device enters an inactive period 610 (e.g., not actively transmitting or backscattering signals) until the Ambient loT device is again recharged to the threshold level. Accordingly, when the stored energy drops to the threshold level the Ambient loT device stops transmitting.

[0153] Stopping transmission until the Ambient loT device is recharged again becomes an issue, such as if the UL frame is longer than the activation time of the device. The time of energy consumption depends on the amount of collected energy during charging and the capacity level of the capacitor, e.g., capacitor value in micro farads (uF).

[0154] As mentioned above, charging of the capacitor can be going on even during backscattering or transmission or during receiving DL as shown in Figure 6. However, during backscattering, part of the signal is reflected at the matching network to modulate the signal, e.g., OOK modulation which means during ON state most of the energy is reflected to the antenna and during OFF state the signal is absorbed and can pass to the rectifier for energy harvesting. The collected energy in this case largely depends on the number of OFF states of OOK UL signal which makes storing the energy fluctuating.

[0155] Figure 7 illustrates an example 700 of backscattered and absorbed signals in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The example 700 illustrates backscattered signal 702 (UL signal ON / OFF) and absorbed signal 704 during OFF states of UL. During the ON state the energy is reflected to the antenna (backscattered signal 702) and during the OFF state the signal (absorbed signal 704) is absorbed and passed to the rectifier for energy harvesting.

[0156] To keep the stored energy at the Ambient loT device stable and enough to transmit the desired (e.g., scheduled or configured) UL, a stable unmodulated source of RF energy during backscattering or transmission can be used. One solution is to transmit an extra RF tone from the base station or from an external emitter along with the carrier wave, used for communications, towards the Ambient loT device during the backscattering or transmission.

[0157] It should be noted that although given example solutions or implementations may focus on passive Ambient loT devices, the techniques discussed herein are equally applicable for active Ambient loT devices.

[0158] A NE (e.g., a base station) can configure external nodes to transmit energy harvesting tones (also referred to as charging tones). Additionally or alternatively, a NE (e.g., a base station) may itself be configured (e.g., may configure itself) to transmit energy harvesting tones.

[0159] In one or more implementations, a NE (e.g., base station) sends a configuration to an external node to transmit an RF tone for energy harvesting (EH) at the Ambient loT device. The energy harvesting tone may have a different frequency than the carrier wave to enable the Ambient loT device for parallel communication and energy harvesting. Based on the Ambient loT device capability, the NE decides the frequency of the energy harvesting tone. Ambient loT devices that support parallel energy harvesting and communication may have a circuit to split both tones. For example, a design of matching network as well as an additional band pass filter can be used to select the tone for communication, while both tones can be used for energy harvesting.

[0160] Figure 8 illustrates an example 800 of an energy harvesting tone transmitted together with a carrier wave in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In the example 800, during the ON state the energy is reflected to the antenna (backscattered signal 802), during the OFF state the partially absorbed tone#l (communication tone at 804) at the matching network in addition to fully absorbed tone#2 (at 806) can used for energy harvesting. The matching network is designedsuch that the impedance states for ON / OFF affects tone#l and has less effect (e.g., with full load) for tone#2, so that a high (e.g., maximum) level of tone#2 is absorbed.

[0161] Based on one or more implementation rules, the NE (e.g., base station) identifies that the Ambient loT device needs or could benefit from energy harvesting (e.g., is low on energy) to communicate with the NE or to enhance the quality of the UL signal. For example, the strength or quality of received UL signal may indicate that the Ambient loT device, e.g., an Ambient loT device with a reflection amplifier or power amplifier (PA), is running out of power and the configured gain of the Ambient loT device’s amplifier is reduced to save energy. The expected length of the UL signal may indicate that the device is low on energy, e.g., a long UL frame or repetition of the UL takes a long time for charging the Ambient loT device and Ambient loT device may benefit from an extra tone for energy harvesting. Another indication might be the segmented UL. If the UL signal is autonomously segmented by the Ambient loT device this may indicate that the Ambient loT device has low stored energy and it is waiting to recharge.

[0162] The NE (e.g., base station) requests, e.g., during inventory, the Ambient loT device to send its capability in terms of supporting parallel or time division multiplexed (TDMed) communication and energy harvesting. The Ambient loT device may indicate its capability of supporting BPE, the desired or optimal frequency of energy harvesting tone, and the storage capability of the device, e.g., capacitor value. To configure the external node, the NE (e.g., base station), in one or more implementations, sends information to one or more external nodes used for transmitting the carrier wave to assign another tone to be transmitted along with the carrier wave. The configuration may contain the carrier frequency of the tone, the direction, and a dedicated transmission power, which may be different than the transmission power of the carrier wave. Additionally or alternatively, the NE (e.g., base station) sends information to one or more external nodes, e.g., TRPs or UEs that may not be involved in transmitting a carrier wave to the Ambient loT device, to transmit an energy harvesting tone with the desired frequency, direction, and transmission power. The NE (e.g., base station) may select an external node to transmit an energy harvesting tone based on whether the node supports the desired carrier frequency for the energy harvesting. The NE (e.g., base station) may indicate to the external node to increase or decrease transmission power of the energy harvesting tone. Increasing the transmission power of the energy harvesting tone can be done by power boosting of the energy harvesting tone subcarrier, in case offrequency-division multiplexing (FDM) between carrier wave and the energy harvesting tone, or can be adaptation of PA gain in case of time division multiplexing (TDM) between carrier wave and energy harvesting tone. The NE (e.g., base station) may send a stop command to the one or more external nodes to stop the transmission of the energy harvesting tone if the Ambient loT device no longer desires an extra energy harvesting tone or if there is no communication activity to be performed.

[0163] Figure 9 illustrates an example 900 of signaling among a base station, Ambient loT device, and external node in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The signaling in the example 900 is signaling for energy harvesting tone configuration by the base station.

[0164] The example illustrates a base station 902, an Ambient loT device 904, and an external node 906. The base station 902 transmits a capability request 908 (e.g., as part of an inventory request), to the Ambient loT device 904, such as a request for the capability of the Ambient loT device 904, such as in terms of supporting parallel or TDMed communication and energy harvesting. The Ambient loT device 904 receives a carrier wave 910 from the external node and backscatters to the base station 902 a capability report 912 on the carrier wave. One or more additional requests and backscattered responses are optionally communicated between the base station 902 and the Ambient loT device 904.

[0165] At 914, the base station 902 identifies a desire (e.g., a need) for energy harvesting at the Ambient loT device 904. This identification can be based on various criteria, factors, or rules, such as capability of the Ambient loT device 904, strength of an UL signal from the Ambient loT device 904, whether UL from the Ambient loT device 904 is segmented, a required length of UL frames from the Ambient loT device 904, whether repetition is configured for the Ambient loT device 904, and so forth.

[0166] In response to identifying a desire (e.g., need) of energy harvesting at the Ambient loT device 904, the base station 902 transmits to an external node 906 an energy harvesting tone configuration 916. The base station 902 also transmits a downlink command 918 to the Ambient loT device 904, e.g., requesting information from the Ambient loT device 904. The external node 906 transmits an energy harvesting tone and carrier wave 920, which are both received by the Ambient loT device 904. The Ambient loT device 904 responds (e.g., backscattering on the carrierwave received from the external node 906) by transmitting an uplink response 922 to the base station 902.

[0167] When the base station 902 identifies that there is no longer a desire (e.g., a need) for energy harvesting at the Ambient loT device 904, the base station 902 transmits an energy harvesting stop indication 924 (e.g., a command or configuration) to the external node 906. In response, the external node ceases transmitting the energy harvesting tone.

[0168] Additionally or alternatively, an Ambient loT device request the NE (e.g., base station) to assist with RF energy harvesting.

[0169] In one or more implementations, the Ambient loT device sends an indication to a NE (e.g., a base station) to assist in energy harvesting at the Ambient loT device. Based on Ambient loT device capability, e.g., in terms of the supported RF circuitry for parallel communication and energy harvesting and the storage capability, the Ambient loT device may indicate to the NE (e.g., base station) to configure an additional tone for RF energy harvesting. Based on one or more implementation rules, the Ambient loT device identifies that the Ambient loT device needs or could benefit from (e.g., is low one energy) an energy harvesting RF tone to communicate with the NE (e.g., base station) or to enhance the quality of the UE signal. For example, the strength or quality of received carrier wave signal may indicate that the Ambient loT device needs or could benefit from more power to turn on or increase the gain of reflection amplifier or PA to amplify the backscattered or transmitted signal. The prepared or requested length of UL signal may indicate that the Ambient loT device could benefit from or requires more energy, e.g., long UL frame or repetition of UL involves a long time for charging the Ambient loT device and more consumption of power, and hence, the Ambient loT device may benefit from or require an extra tone for energy harvesting. Another indication might be the stored energy level at Ambient loT device storage. A PMU of the device may indicate to Ambient loT device logic that the stored energy is reaching a certain threshold and there is a need for recharging. The request for energy harvesting tone from the Ambient loT device may include the desired or required frequency of energy harvesting and the transmission power of the energy harvesting tone. This information may be sent in the control part of physical to reader channel (PDRCH). Upon receiving the request from the Ambient loT device, the NE (e.g., base station) sends configuration to an external node to transmit the energy harvesting tone. The energy harvesting tone may have a different frequency than the carrier wave to enable theAmbient loT device for parallel communication and energy harvesting. To configure the external node, the NE (e.g., base station), in one example, sends information to one or more external nodes used for transmitting the carrier wave to assign another tone to be transmitted along with the carrier wave. The configuration may contain the carrier frequency of the tone, the direction, and a dedicated transmission power, which may be different than the transmission power of the carrier wave. Additionally or alternatively, the NE (e.g., base station) sends information to one or more external nodes, e.g., TRPs or UEs that are not involved in transmitting the carrier wave, to transmit an energy harvesting tone with the desired or required frequency, direction, and transmission power. The Ambient loT device may request to decrease or increase the transmission power of the energy harvesting tone. The Ambient loT device may send an energy harvesting tone stop request if the Ambient loT device does not desire or need an extra energy harvesting tone, e.g., there is enough stored energy at the Ambient loT device for further transmission and reception.

[0170] Figure 10 illustrates an example 1000 of signaling among a base station, Ambient loT device, and external node in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The signaling in the example 1000 is signaling for energy harvesting tone requested by the Ambient loT device.

[0171] The example illustrates a base station 1002, an Ambient loT device 1004, and an external node 1006. The base station 1002 transmits a capability request 1008 (e.g., as part of an inventory request), to the Ambient loT device 1004, such as a request for the capability of the Ambient loT device 1004, such as in terms of supporting parallel or TDMed communication and energy harvesting. The Ambient loT device 1004 receives a carrier wave 1010 from the external node 1006 and backscatters to the base station 1002 a capability report 1012 on the carrier wave. One or more additional requests and backscattered responses are optionally communicated between the base station 1002 and the Ambient loT device 1004.

[0172] At 1014, the Ambient loT device 1004 identifies a desire (e.g., a need) for energy harvesting at the Ambient loT device 1004. This identification can be based on various criteria, factors, or rules, such as strength or quality of received carrier wave signal, the prepared or requested length of UL signal, stored energy level at the Ambient loT device 1004, and so forth.

[0173] The Ambient loT device 1004 receives a carrier wave 1016 from the external node 1006 and, in response to identifying a desire (e.g., need) of energy harvesting at the Ambient loT device1004, backscatters to the base station 1002 an energy harvesting request 1018. In response to the energy harvesting request 1018, the base station 1002 transmits to the external node 1006 an energy harvesting tone configuration 1020. The base station 1002 also transmits a downlink command 1022 to the Ambient loT device 1004, e.g., requesting information from the Ambient loT device 1004. The external node 1006 transmits an energy harvesting tone and carrier wave 1024, which are both received by the Ambient loT device 1004. The Ambient loT device 1004 responds (e.g., backscattering on the carrier wave received from the external node 1006) by transmitting an uplink response 1026 to the base station 1002.

[0174] The Ambient loT device 1004 receives an energy harvesting tone and carrier wave 1028 from the external node 1006 and, when the Ambient loT device 1004 identifies that there is no longer a desire (e.g., a need) for energy harvesting at the Ambient loT device 1004, backscatters to the base station 1002 an energy harvesting stop request 1030. In response to the energy harvesting stop request 1030, the base station 1002 transmits an energy harvesting stop indication 1032 (e.g., a command or configuration) to the external node 1006, in response to which the external node ceases transmitting the energy harvesting tone.

[0175] Accordingly, configuring an external node to transmit an energy harvesting tone based on NE (e.g., base station) assessment is discussed herein.

[0176] Transmitting device (e.g., Ambient loT device) capability of supporting parallel energy harvesting and communication is also discussed herein.

[0177] Configuring an external node to transmit an energy harvesting tone based on device (e.g., Ambient loT device) request is also discussed herein.

[0178] Configuration for enabling and disabling an energy harvesting tone is also discussed herein.

[0179] Figure 11 illustrates an example of a device 1100 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1100 may include a processor 1102, a memory 1104, a controller 1106, and a transceiver 1108. The processor 1102, the memory 1104, the controller 1106, or the transceiver 1108, 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. The device 1100 may be a low power device (e.g., an Ambient loT device), a UE, a wireless device associated with a carrier wave (e.g., an external carrier wave node as discussed above), and so forth.

[0180] The processor 1102, the memory 1104, the controller 1106, or the transceiver 1108, 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.

[0181] The processor 1102 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 1102 may be configured to operate the memory 1104. In some other implementations, the memory 1104 may be integrated into the processor 1102. The processor 1102 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 1104 to cause the device 1100 to perform various functions of the present disclosure.

[0182] The memory 1104 may include volatile or non-volatile memory. The memory 1104 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions when executed by the processor 1102 cause the device 1100 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as the memory 1104 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.

[0183] In some implementations, the processor 1102 and the memory 1104 coupled with the processor 1102 may be configured to cause the device 1100 to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., executing, by the processor 1102, instructions stored in the memory 1104). For example, the processor 1102 may support wireless communication at the device 1100 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The device 1100 may be configured to or operable tosupport a means for transmitting at least one first signaling; and receiving an energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the at least one first signaling.

[0184] Additionally, the device 1100 may be configured to support any one or combination receiving a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device; and transmitting a second signaling that indicates the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device; where the at least one first signaling comprises a request from the first wireless device that a network device configure the energy harvesting tone; where the request from the first wireless device comprises a request to configure an energy harvesting tone and a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the at least one first signaling comprises a backscattered or UL signal; where the first wireless device comprises an Ambient loT device; where the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device comprises at least one of a capability of the first wireless device to support energy harvesting tone reception, a carrier frequency of the energy harvesting tone, or a storage capability of the first wireless device; where the request from the first wireless device is based at least in part on at least one of a capability of the first wireless device, a strength of a carrier wave signal received by the first wireless device, a length of UL frames transmitted by the first wireless device, or a stored energy in a storage of the first wireless device; where the request from the first wireless device indicates to increase or decrease a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the request from the first wireless device indicates to stop transmission of the energy harvesting tone; where transmitting the request comprises transmitting the request to the network device in a control part of a PDRCH; where the network device comprises a base station.

[0185] Additionally, or alternatively, the device 1100 may support at least one memory (e.g., the memory 1104) and at least one processor (e.g., the processor 1102) coupled with the at least one memory and configured to or operable to cause the device to transmit at least one first signaling; and receive an energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the at least one first signaling.

[0186] Additionally, the device 1100 may be configured to support any one or combination of where the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the first wireless device to receive a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device; and transmit a second signaling that indicates the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device; where the at least one first signaling comprises a requestfrom the first wireless device that a network device configure the energy harvesting tone; where the request from the first wireless device comprises a request to configure an energy harvesting tone and a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the at least one first signaling comprises a backscattered or UL signal; where the first wireless device comprises an Ambient loT device; where the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device comprises at least one of a capability of the first wireless device to support energy harvesting tone reception, a carrier frequency of the energy harvesting tone, or a storage capability of the first wireless device; where the request from the first wireless device is based at least in part on at least one of a capability of the first wireless device, a strength of a carrier wave signal received by the first wireless device, a length of UL frames transmitted by the first wireless device, or a stored energy in a storage of the first wireless device; where the request from the first wireless device indicates to increase or decrease a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the request from the first wireless device indicates to stop transmission of the energy harvesting tone; where to transmit the request, the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the first wireless device to transmit the request to the network device in a control part of a PDRCH; the network device comprises a base station.

[0187] The controller 1106 may manage input and output signals for the device 1100. The controller 1106 may also manage peripherals not integrated into the device 1100. In some implementations, the controller 1106 may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, WINDOWS®, or other operating systems. In some implementations, the controller 1106 may be implemented as part of the processor 1102.

[0188] In some implementations, the device 1100 may include at least one transceiver 1108. In some other implementations, the device 1100 may have more than one transceiver 1108. The transceiver 1108 may represent a wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1108 may include one or more receiver chains 1110, one or more transmitter chains 1112, or a combination thereof.

[0189] A receiver chain 1110 may be configured to receive signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) over a wireless medium. For example, the receiver chain 1110 may include one or more antennas to receive a signal over the air or wireless medium. The receiver chain 1110 may include at least one amplifier (e.g., a low-noise amplifier (LNA)) configured to amplify the received signal. The receiver chain 1110 may include at least one demodulator configured to demodulate thereceive signal and obtain the transmitted data by reversing the modulation technique applied during transmission of the signal. The receiver chain 1110 may include at least one decoder for decoding the demodulated signal to receive the transmitted data.

[0190] A transmitter chain 1112 may be configured to generate and transmit signals (e.g., control information, data, packets). The transmitter chain 1112 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 1112 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 1112 may also include one or more antennas for transmitting the amplified signal into the air or wireless medium.

[0191] Figure 12 illustrates an example of a processor 1200 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The processor 1200 may be an example of a processor configured to perform various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor 1200 may include a controller 1202 configured to perform various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor 1200 may optionally include at least one memory 1204, which may be, for example, an L1 / L2 / L3 cache. Additionally, or alternatively, the processor 1200 may optionally include one or more arithmetic-logic units (ALUs) 1206. 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).

[0192] The processor 1200 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 1200) or other memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), staticRAM (SRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), resistive RAM (RRAM), flash memory, phase change memory (PCM), and others).

[0193] The controller 1202 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 1200 to cause the processor 1200 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. For example, the controller 1202 may operate as a control unit of the processor 1200, generating control signals that manage the operation of various components of the processor 1200. These control signals include enabling or disabling functional units, selecting data paths, initiating memory access, and coordinating timing of operations.

[0194] The controller 1202 may be configured to fetch (e.g., obtain, retrieve, receive) instructions from the memory 1204 and determine subsequent instruction(s) to be executed to cause the processor 1200 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The controller 1202 may be configured to track memory addresses of instructions associated with the memory 1204. The controller 1202 may be configured to decode instructions to determine the operation to be performed and the operands involved. For example, the controller 1202 may be configured to interpret the instruction and determine control signals to be output to other components of the processor 1200 to cause the processor 1200 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 1202 may be configured to manage flow of data within the processor 1200. The controller 1202 may be configured to control transfer of data between registers, ALUs 1206, and other functional units of the processor 1200.

[0195] The memory 1204 may include one or more caches (e.g., memory local to or included in the processor 1200 or other memory, such as RAM, ROM, DRAM, SDRAM, SRAM, MRAM, flash memory, etc. In some implementations, the memory 1204 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., local to the processor 1200). In some other implementations, the memory 1204 may reside external to the processor chipset (e.g., remote to the processor 1200).

[0196] The memory 1204 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 1200, cause the processor 1200 to perform variousfunctions 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 1202 and / or the processor 1200 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 1204 to cause the processor 1200 to perform various functions. For example, the processor 1200 and / or the controller 1202 may be coupled with or to the memory 1204, the processor 1200, and the controller 1202, and may be configured to perform various functions described herein. In some examples, the processor 1200 may include multiple processors and the memory 1204 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories, which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions herein.

[0197] The one or more ALUs 1206 may be configured to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, the one or more ALUs 1206 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1200). In some other implementations, the one or more ALUs 1206 may reside external to the processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1200). One or more ALUs 1206 may perform one or more computations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on data. For example, one or more ALUs 1206 may receive input operands and an operation code, which determines an operation to be executed. One or more ALUs 1206 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 1206 may support logical operations such as AND, OR, exclusive-OR (XOR), not-OR (NOR), and not-AND (NAND), enabling the one or more ALUs 1206 to handle conditional operations, comparisons, and bitwise operations.

[0198] The processor 1200 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 1200 may be operable to or configured to support at least one controller (e.g., the controller 1202) coupled with at least one memory (e.g., the memory 1204) and configured to or operable to cause the processor to: receive a first signaling that indicates a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone; and transmit the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the configuration.

[0199] Additionally, the processor 1200 may be configured to or operable to support any one or combination of where to transmit the energy harvesting tone, the at least one processor is furtheroperable to or configured to cause the first wireless device to transmit the energy harvesting tone to an Ambient loT device; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises at least one of an indication to assign the energy harvesting tone, an indication of a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone, or an indication of a direction of the energy harvesting tone; where the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the first wireless device to transmit a carrier wave to a second wireless device; where the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the first wireless device not to transmit a carrier wave to a second wireless device; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises an indication for the first wireless device to increase or decrease a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises an indication for the first wireless device to stop transmission of the energy harvesting tone.

[0200] The processor 1200 may be operable to or configured to support at least one controller (e.g., the controller 1202) coupled with at least one memory (e.g., the memory 1204) and configured to or operable to cause the processor to: transmit at least one first signaling; and receive an energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the at least one first signaling.

[0201] Additionally, the processor 1200 may be configured to or operable to support any one or combination of where the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the first wireless device to receive a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device; and transmit a second signaling that indicates the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device; where the at least one first signaling comprises a request from the first wireless device that a network device configure the energy harvesting tone; where the request from the first wireless device comprises a request to configure an energy harvesting tone and a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the at least one first signaling comprises a backscattered or UL signal; where the first wireless device comprises an Ambient loT device; where the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device comprises at least one of a capability of the first wireless device to support energy harvesting tone reception, a carrier frequency of the energy harvesting tone, or a storage capability of the first wireless device; where the request from the first wireless device is based at least in part on at least one of a capability of the first wireless device, a strength of a carrier wave signal received by thefirst wireless device, a length of UL frames transmitted by the first wireless device, or a stored energy in a storage of the first wireless device; where the request from the first wireless device indicates to increase or decrease a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the request from the first wireless device indicates to stop transmission of the energy harvesting tone; where to transmit the request, the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the first wireless device to transmit the request to the network device in a control part of a PDRCH; where the network device comprises a base station.

[0202] The processor 1200 may be operable to or configured to support at least one controller (e.g., the controller 1202) coupled with at least one memory (e.g., the memory 1204) and configured to or operable to cause the processor to: receive at least one first signaling; generate, based at least in part on the at least one first signaling, a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone; and transmit the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone.

[0203] Additionally, the processor 1200 may be configured to or operable to support any one or combination of where the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the base station to transmit a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting related capability of a first wireless device; and receive an indication of the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device; where the at least one first signaling comprises a request that the base station configure the energy harvesting tone, and where to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone, the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the base station to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the request; where the request comprises a request to configure an energy harvesting tone and a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the at least one first signaling comprises a backscattered or UL signal, and where to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone, the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the base station to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on evaluating the at least one first signaling; where to receive the at least one first signaling, the at least one processor is further configured to cause the base station to receive at least one first signaling from an Ambient loT device; where the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device comprises at least one of a capability of the first wireless device to support energy harvesting tone reception, a carrier frequency of the energy harvesting tone, or a storagecapability of the first wireless device; where to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone, the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the base station to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on at least one of a capability of a first wireless device, a strength of a backscattered or UL signal received from the first wireless device, a length of UL frames received from the first wireless device, or autonomous segmentation by the first wireless device of the UL signal; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises at least one of an indication to assign the energy harvesting tone, an indication of a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone, or an indication of a direction of the energy harvesting tone; where the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the base station to transmit the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone to one or more external nodes that are used for transmission of a carrier wave; where the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the base station to transmit the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone to one or more external nodes that are not used for transmission of a carrier wave; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises an indication for a wireless device to increase or decrease a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises an indication for a wireless device to stop transmission of the energy harvesting tone; where to receive the at least one first signaling, the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the base station to receive the request from a first wireless device, where the request is based at least in part on at least one of a capability of the first wireless device, a strength of a carrier wave signal received by the first wireless device, a length of UL frames transmitted by the first wireless device, or a stored energy in a storage of the first wireless device; where the request indicates to increase or decrease a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the request indicates to stop transmission of the energy harvesting tone; where to receive the at least one first signaling, the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the base station to receive the request is received from a first wireless device in a control part of a PDRCH.

[0204] Figure 13 illustrates an example of a NE 1300 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The NE 1300 may include a processor 1302, a memory 1304, a controller 1306, and a transceiver 1308. The processor 1302, the memory 1304, the controller 1306, or the transceiver1308, 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. The NE 1300 may be any of a variety of different NEs as discussed above, such as an intermediate node, a TRP, a base station, any device that receives an UL transmission or backscatter transmission, an external node, or any device that transmits a carrier wave.

[0205] The processor 1302, the memory 1304, the controller 1306, or the transceiver 1308, 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.

[0206] The processor 1302 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 1302 may be configured to operate the memory 1304. In some other implementations, the memory 1304 may be integrated into the processor 1302. The processor 1302 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 1304 to cause the NE 1300 to perform various functions of the present disclosure.

[0207] The memory 1304 may include volatile or non-volatile memory. The memory 1304 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions when executed by the processor 1302 cause the NE 1300 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as the memory 1304 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.

[0208] In some implementations, the processor 1302 and the memory 1304 coupled with the processor 1302 may be configured to cause the NE 1300 to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., executing, by the processor 1302, instructions stored in the memory 1304).For example, the processor 1302 may support wireless communication at the NE 1300 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The NE 1300 may be configured to support a means receiving at least one first signaling; generating, based at least in part on the at least one first signaling, a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone; and transmitting the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone.

[0209] Additionally, the NE 1300 may be configured to support any one or combination of transmitting a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting related capability of a first wireless device; and receiving an indication of the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device; where the at least one first signaling comprises a request that the NE configure the energy harvesting tone, and generating the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises generating the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the request; where the request comprises a request to configure an energy harvesting tone and a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the at least one first signaling comprises a backscattered or UL signal, and generating the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises generating the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on evaluating the at least one first signaling; where receiving the at least one first signaling comprises receiving the at least one first signaling from an Ambient loT device; where the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device comprises at least one of a capability of the first wireless device to support energy harvesting tone reception, a carrier frequency of the energy harvesting tone, or a storage capability of the first wireless device; where generating the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises generating the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on at least one of a capability of a first wireless device, a strength of a backscattered or UL signal received from the first wireless device, a length of UL frames received from the first wireless device, or autonomous segmentation by the first wireless device of the UL signal; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises at least one of an indication to assign the energy harvesting tone, an indication of a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone, or an indication of a direction of the energy harvesting tone; transmitting the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone to one or more external nodes that are used for transmission of a carrier wave; transmitting the configuration for transmission of the energyharvesting tone to one or more external nodes that are not used for transmission of a carrier wave; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises an indication for a second wireless device to increase or decrease a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises an indication for a second wireless device to stop transmission of the energy harvesting tone; where receiving the at least one first signaling comprises receiving the request from a first wireless device, where the request is based at least in part on at least one of a capability of the first wireless device, a strength of a carrier wave signal received by the first wireless device, a length of UL frames transmitted by the first wireless device, or a stored energy in a storage of the first wireless device; where the request indicates to increase or decrease a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the request indicates to stop transmission of the energy harvesting tone; receiving the at least one first signaling comprises receiving the request from a first wireless device in a control part of a PDRCH.

[0210] Additionally, or alternatively, the NE 1300 may support at least one memory (e.g., the memory 1304) and at least one processor (e.g., the processor 1302) coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the NE to: receive at least one first signaling; generate, based at least in part on the at least one first signaling, a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone; and transmit the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone.

[0211] Additionally, the NE 1300 may be configured to support any one or combination of the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the NE to transmit a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting related capability of a first wireless device; and receive an indication of the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device; where the at least one first signaling comprises a request that the NE configure the energy harvesting tone, and where to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone, the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the NE to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the request; where the request comprises a request to configure an energy harvesting tone and a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the at least one first signaling comprises a backscattered or UL signal, and where to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone, the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the NE to generate theconfiguration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on evaluating the at least one first signaling; where to receive the at least one first signaling, the at least one processor is further configured to cause the NE to receive at least one first signaling from an Ambient loT device; where the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device comprises at least one of a capability of the first wireless device to support energy harvesting tone reception, a carrier frequency of the energy harvesting tone, or a storage capability of the first wireless device; where to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone, the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the NE to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on at least one of a capability of a first wireless device, a strength of a backscattered or UL signal received from the first wireless device, a length of UL frames received from the first wireless device, or autonomous segmentation by the first wireless device of the UL signal; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises at least one of an indication to assign the energy harvesting tone, an indication of a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone, or an indication of a direction of the energy harvesting tone; where the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the NE to transmit the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone to one or more external nodes that are used for transmission of a carrier wave; where the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the NE to transmit the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone to one or more external nodes that are not used for transmission of a carrier wave; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises an indication for a wireless device to increase or decrease a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises an indication for a wireless device to stop transmission of the energy harvesting tone; where to receive the at least one first signaling, the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the NE to receive the request from a first wireless device, where the request is based at least in part on at least one of a capability of the first wireless device, a strength of a carrier wave signal received by the first wireless device, a length of UL frames transmitted by the first wireless device, or a stored energy in a storage of the first wireless device; where the request indicates to increase or decrease a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the request indicates to stop transmission of the energy harvesting tone; to receive the at least one first signaling, the atleast one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the NE to receive the request is received from a first wireless device in a control part of a PDRCH.

[0212] The NE 1300 may be configured to support a means for receiving a first signaling that indicates a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone; and transmitting the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the configuration.

[0213] Additionally, the NE 1300 may be configured to support any one or combination of where transmitting the energy harvesting tone comprises transmitting the energy harvesting tone to an Ambient loT device; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises at least one of an indication to assign the energy harvesting tone, an indication of a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone, or an indication of a direction of the energy harvesting tone; transmitting a carrier wave to a second wireless device; transmitting a carrier wave to a second wireless device; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises an indication for the first wireless device to increase or decrease a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises an indication for the first wireless device to stop transmission of the energy harvesting tone.

[0214] Additionally, or alternatively, the NE 1300 may support at least one memory (e.g., the memory 1304) and at least one processor (e.g., the processor 1302) coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the NE to: receive a first signaling that indicates a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone; and transmit the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the configuration.

[0215] Additionally, the NE 1300 may be configured to support any one or combination of where to transmit the energy harvesting tone, the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the first wireless device to transmit the energy harvesting tone to an Ambient loT device; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises at least one of an indication to assign the energy harvesting tone, an indication of a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone, or an indication of a direction of the energy harvesting tone; where the at least one processor is further operable to or configured to cause the first wireless device to transmit a carrier wave to a second wireless device; where the at least one processor is furtheroperable to or configured to cause the first wireless device not to transmit a carrier wave to a second wireless device; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises an indication for the first wireless device to increase or decrease a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone; where the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises an indication for the first wireless device to stop transmission of the energy harvesting tone.

[0216] The controller 1306 may manage input and output signals for the NE 1300. The controller 1306 may also manage peripherals not integrated into the NE 1300. In some implementations, the controller 1306 may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, WINDOWS®, or other operating systems. In some implementations, the controller 1306 may be implemented as part of the processor 1302.

[0217] In some implementations, the NE 1300 may include at least one transceiver 1308. In some other implementations, the NE 1300 may have more than one transceiver 1308. The transceiver 1308 may represent a wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1308 may include one or more receiver chains 1310, one or more transmitter chains 1312, or a combination thereof.

[0218] A receiver chain 1310 may be configured to receive signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) over a wireless medium. For example, the receiver chain 1310 may include one or more antennas to receive a signal over the air or wireless medium. The receiver chain 1310 may include at least one amplifier (e.g., a low-noise amplifier (LNA)) configured to amplify the received signal. The receiver chain 1310 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 1310 may include at least one decoder for decoding the demodulated signal to receive the transmitted data.

[0219] A transmitter chain 1312 may be configured to generate and transmit signals (e.g., control information, data, packets). The transmitter chain 1312 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 1312 may also include at least one power amplifier configured to amplify the modulated signal to anappropriate power level suitable for transmission over the wireless medium. The transmitter chain 1312 may also include one or more antennas for transmitting the amplified signal into the air or wireless medium.

[0220] Figure 14 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.

[0221] At 1402, the method may include receiving at least one first signaling. The operations of 1402 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1402 may be performed by a NE as described with reference to Figure 13.

[0222] At 1404, the method may include generating, based at least in part on the at least one first signaling, a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone. The operations of 1404 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1404 may be performed by a NE as described with reference to Figure 13.

[0223] At 1406, the method may include transmitting the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone. The operations of 1406 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1406 may be performed a NE as described with reference to Figure 13.

[0224] 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 NE or a device 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.

[0225] At 1502, the method may include receiving a first signaling that indicates a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone. 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 device as described with reference to Figure 11 or Figure 13, such as a UE, a base station, an intermediate node, a TRP, or a carrier wave emitter.

[0226] At 1504, the method may include transmitting the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the configuration. 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 NE as described with reference to Figure 11 or Figure 13, such as a UE, a base station, an intermediate node, a TRP, or a carrier wave emitter.

[0227] 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 device as described herein. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the device to perform the described functions.

[0228] At 1602, the method may include transmitting at least one first signaling. 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 device as described with reference to Figure 11 , such as an Ambient loT device.

[0229] At 1604, the method may include receiving an energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the at least one first signaling. 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 UE as described with reference to Figure 11, such as an Ambient loT device.

[0230] 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.

[0231] 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.

[0232] 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 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: receive at least one first signaling; generate, based at least in part on the at least one first signaling, a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone; and transmit the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone.

2. The base station of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further operable to cause the base station to: transmit a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting related capability of a first wireless device; and receive an indication of the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device.

3. The base station of claim 1, wherein the at least one first signaling comprises a request that the base station configure the energy harvesting tone, and wherein to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone, the at least one processor is further operable to cause the base station to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the request.

4. The base station of claim 3, wherein the request comprises a request to configure an energy harvesting tone and a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone.

5. The base station of claim 1, wherein the at least one first signaling comprises a backscattered or uplink (UL) signal, and wherein to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone, the at least one processor is further operable to cause the base station to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on evaluating the at least one first signaling.

6. The base station of claim 1 , wherein to receive the at least one first signaling, the at least one processor is further configured to cause the base station to receive at least one first signaling from an Ambient Internet-of-Things (loT) device.

7. The base station of claim 2, wherein the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device comprises at least one of a capability of the first wireless device to support energy harvesting tone reception, a carrier frequency of the energy harvesting tone, or a storage capability of the first wireless device.

8. The base station of claim 1, wherein to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone, the at least one processor is further operable to cause the base station to generate the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on at least one of a capability of a first wireless device, a strength of a backscattered or uplink (UL) signal received from the first wireless device, a length of UL frames received from the first wireless device, or autonomous segmentation by the first wireless device of the UL signal.

9. The base station of claim 1, wherein the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises at least one of an indication to assign the energy harvesting tone, an indication of a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone, or an indication of a direction of the energy harvesting tone.

10. The base station of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to cause the base station to transmit the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone to one or more external nodes that are used for transmission of a carrier wave.

11. A first wireless 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 first wireless device to: receive a first signaling that indicates a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone; and transmit the energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the configuration.

12. The first wireless device of claim 11, wherein the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone comprises at least one of an indication to assign the energy harvesting tone, an indication of a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone, or an indication of a direction of the energy harvesting tone.

13. A first wireless 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 first wireless device to: transmit at least one first signaling; and receive an energy harvesting tone based at least in part on the at least one first signaling.

14. The first wireless device of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to cause the first wireless device to: receive a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device; and transmit a second signaling that indicates the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device.

15. The first wireless device of claim 13, wherein the at least one first signaling comprises a request from the first wireless device that a network device configure the energy harvesting tone.

16. The first wireless device of claim 15, wherein the request from the first wireless device comprises a request to configure an energy harvesting tone and a transmission power of the energy harvesting tone.

17. The first wireless device of claim 13, wherein the at least one first signaling comprises a backscattered or uplink (UL) signal.

18. The first wireless device of claim 13, wherein the first wireless device comprises an Ambient Internet-of-Things (loT) device.

19. The first wireless device of claim 14, wherein the energy harvesting related capability of the first wireless device comprises at least one of a capability of the first wireless device to support energy harvesting tone reception, a carrier frequency of the energy harvesting tone, or a storage capability of the first wireless device.

20. A method performed by a base station, the method comprising: receiving at least one first signaling; generating, based at least in part on the at least one first signaling, a configuration for transmission of an energy harvesting tone; and transmitting the configuration for transmission of the energy harvesting tone.

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