Wireless device communication for energy harvesting

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to wireless device communication for energy harvesting. A wireless device, such as an Ambient Internet of Things (IoT) device, can be in one of multiple different states, including at least one of a transmit and receive state, a receive state, and a sleep or energy harvesting state. The wireless device transitions between states based at least in part on an amount of energy that is stored at the wireless device, and optionally on one or more additional criteria (e.g., whether the wireless device has data to transfer). The wireless device transmits to a reader device an indication of the new state that the wireless device is transitioning to or has transitioned to. The wireless device also transmits to the reader device an indication of a duration for which the wireless device can operate in the new state.

Description

WIRELESS DEVICE COMMUNICATION FOR ENERGY HARVESTINGRELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 572,599 filed April 1, 2024 entitled “WIRELESS DEVICE COMMUNICATION 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 wireless device communication 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 apparatus (e.g., an Ambient Internet of Things (loT) device, a UE, an NE (e.g., a base station), or an intermediate 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 transmit a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, where the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state; select a first state of the set of one or more states; and receive or transmit at least one signaling based at least in part on the first state.

[0006] A processor (e.g., a standalone processor chipset, or a component of an Ambient loT device, a UE, an NE (e.g., a base station), or an intermediate 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 transmit a configuration of a set of one or more states of the processor, where the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state; select a first state of the set of one or more states; and receive or transmit at least one signaling based at least in part on the first state.

[0007] A method performed or performable by an apparatus (e.g., an Ambient loT device, a UE, an NE (e.g., a base station), or an intermediate node) for wireless communication is described. The method may include transmitting a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, where the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state; selecting a first state of the set of one or more states; and receiving or transmit at least one signaling based at least in part on the first state.

[0008] In some implementations of the apparatus, the processor, and the method described herein, the configuration indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in each state of the set of one or more states. In some implementations of the apparatus, the processor, and the method described herein, the duration is indicated in at least one of a number of time slots, a number of milliseconds, or a number of seconds.

[0009] 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 select a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the first state; and transmit an indication that the wireless device is transitioning to the second state. In some implementations of the apparatus, the processor, and the method described herein, the indication indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in the second state.

[0010] 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 select the second state based at least in part on an amount of energy stored at the wireless device. In some implementations of the apparatus, the processor, and the method described herein, the second state comprises the sleep state or the energy harvesting state, and the indication indicates a charging duration until the wireless device is able to enter another state of the set of one or more states.

[0011] 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 an indication to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the first state; and transition, in response to the indication, to the second state. In some implementations of the apparatus, the processor, and the method described herein, the configuration indicates an amount of data at the wireless device that is pending transfer. In some implementations of the apparatus, the processor, and the method described herein, the wireless device comprises an Ambient Internet of Things (loT) device.

[0012] 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 configuration to a base station. In some implementations of theapparatus, processor, and method described herein, the apparatus, processor, and method may further be configured to, capable of, performed, performable, or operable to transmit the configuration to an intermediate node.

[0013] An apparatus (e.g., an Ambient Internet of Things (loT) device, a UE, an NE (e.g., a base station), or an intermediate 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, from a wireless device, a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, where the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep, or an energy harvesting state; and receive from or transmit to the wireless device at least one signaling based at least in part on a selected one of the set of one or more states.

[0014] A processor (e.g., a standalone processor chipset, or a component of an Ambient loT device, a UE, an NE (e.g., a base station), or an intermediate 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, from a wireless device, a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, where the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep, or an energy harvesting state; and receive from or transmit to the wireless device at least one signaling based at least in part on a selected one of the set of one or more states.

[0015] A method performed or performable by an apparatus (e.g., an Ambient loT device, a UE, an NE (e.g., a base station), or an intermediate node) for wireless communication is described. The method may include receiving, from a wireless device, a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, where the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state; and receiving from or transmit to the wireless device at least one signaling based at least in part on a selected one of the set of one or more states.

[0016] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the configuration indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in each state of the set of one or more states. In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and methoddescribed herein, the duration is indicated in at least one of a number of time slots, a number of milliseconds, or a number of seconds.

[0017] 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, from the wireless device, an indication that the wireless device is to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the selected one of the set of one or more states. In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the indication indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in the second state.

[0018] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the second state is selected based at least in part on an amount of energy stored at the wireless device. In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the second state comprises the sleep or energy harvesting state, and the indication indicates a charging duration until the wireless device is able to enter another state of the set of one or more states.

[0019] 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, to the wireless device, an indication for the wireless device to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the selected one of the set of one or more states. In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the configuration indicates an amount of data at the wireless device that is pending transfer to the device.

[0020] In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the wireless device comprises an Ambient loT device. In some implementations of the apparatus, processor, and method described herein, the device comprises a base station.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figures 1 through 4 illustrate examples of wireless communications systems in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 5 illustrates an example of a wireless device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 6 illustrates an example of stored energy fluctuation at a device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 7 illustrates an example of communication states in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figures 8 through 10 illustrate examples of duty cycle based operations in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 11 illustrates an example of a device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 12 illustrates an example of a processor in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 13 illustrates an example of a network equipment (NE) in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 14 illustrates a flowchart of a method in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 15 illustrates a flowchart of a method in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] 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 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 storedenergy 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] The techniques discussed herein describe communication for devices supporting harvesting. An Ambient loT device can be in one of multiple different states, including at least one of a transmit (TX) state (also referred to as a TX and receive (RX) state), an RX state (also referred to as an RX only state), a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state. In the TX state the Ambient loT device can transmit data or commands to a reader (e.g., an intermediate device or a base station) andoptionally receive data or commands from a transmitter (e.g., a carrier wave transmitter). In the RX state the Ambient loT device is able to receive data or commands from a transmitter but does not transmit data or commands. In the energy harvesting state, the Ambient loT device neither receives nor transmits data or commands, but is able to harvest (and optionally store) energy from received signals (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signals). In the sleep state, the Ambient loT device neither receives nor transmits data or commands, and is optionally able to harvest (and optionally store) energy from received signals (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signals).

[0035] The Ambient loT device transitions between states based at least in part on an amount of energy that is stored at the Ambient loT device, and optionally on one or more additional criteria (e.g., whether the Ambient loT device has data to transfer). The Ambient loT device transmits to a reader an indication of the new state that the Ambient loT device is transitioning to or has transitioned to. The Ambient loT device also transmits to the reader an indication of a duration for which the Ambient loT device can operate in the new state (e.g., a number of time slots, milliseconds, seconds, etc.). This indication of duration can be transmitted along with the indication the new state that the Ambient loT device is transitioning to or has transitioned to.

[0036] By transmitting an indication of the state that the Ambient loT device is transitioning to or has transitioned to as well as a duration that the Ambient loT is able to operate in that state allows a device (e.g., a base station) managing communication with the Ambient loT to coordinate UL or DL transmissions with the Ambient loT device. For example, this allows the device (e.g., a base station) to prioritize UL transmission or DL / UL transmission according to the sustainable operating time in the transmit and receive state. By way of another example, this allows the device (e.g., a base station) to not schedule UL transmission by the Ambient loT device when the Ambient loT device is not in (or is not expected to be in) the transmit and receive state. By way of another example, this allows the device (e.g., a base station) to communicate commands to a group of Ambient loT devices concurrently based on their states (e.g., a group of Ambient loT devices that are in the transmit and receive state, a group of Ambient loT devices that are in the receive state, and so forth).

[0037] 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 interchangeablywith 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).

[0038] Aspects of the present disclosure are described in the context of a wireless communications system.

[0039] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 100 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system 100 may include one or more NE 102, one or more UE 104, and a core network (CN) 106. The wireless communications system 100 may support various radio access technologies. In some implementations, the wireless communications 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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 be referred 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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).

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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, or one 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)).

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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 stackand 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).

[0049] 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 accordance with 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.

[0050] 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, 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.

[0051] 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).

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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 morenumerologies 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 a numerology. 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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 kHzsubcarrier spacing; and a fourth numerology (e.g., / r=3), which includes 120 kHz subcarrier spacing.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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 perform random access and data transmission for transmitting an electronic product code identifier (ID) to the network. This allows, for example, objects in the indoor area to be inventoried, tracked, and so forth.

[0061] One or more aspects of the present disclosure provides for solutions on how to handle communication for one or more devices supporting harvesting. An Ambient loT device can be in one of multiple different states, including at least one of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state. In the transmit state the Ambient loT device can transmit data or commands to a reader (e.g., an intermediate device or a base station) and optionally receive data or commands from a transmitter (e.g., a carrier wave transmitter). Accordingly, the transmit state may also be referred to as a transmit and receive state. In the receive state the Ambient loT device is able to receive data or commands from a transmitter but does not transmit data or commands. In theenergy harvesting state, the Ambient loT device neither receives nor transmits data or commands, but is able to harvest (and optionally store) energy from received signals (e.g., RF signals). In the sleep state, the Ambient loT device neither receives nor transmits data or commands, and is optionally able to harvest (and optionally store) energy from received signals (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signals).

[0062] The Ambient loT device transitions between states based at least in part on an amount of energy that is stored at the Ambient loT device, and optionally on one or more additional criteria (e.g., whether the Ambient loT device has data to transfer). The Ambient loT device transmits to a reader an indication of the new state that the Ambient loT device is transitioning to or has transitioned to. The Ambient loT device also transmits to the reader an indication of a duration for which the Ambient loT device can operate in the new state (e.g., a number of time slots, milliseconds, seconds, etc.).

[0063] In one or more implementations, the duration for which the Ambient loT device can operate in each of the multiple different states is static and can be communicated to the reader once. Additionally, or alternatively, the duration for which the Ambient loT can operate in a state the Ambient loT device is transitioning to or has transitioned to can be transmitted along with the indication of the state that the Ambient loT device is transitioning to or has transitioned to. Additionally, or alternatively, the duration for which the Ambient loT device can operate in a state can vary based on various criteria, such as a current amount of energy stored at the Ambient loT device, whether the Ambient loT device is transmitting data or commands, and so forth. In such situations, the Ambient loT device can transmit to the reader updates as to the duration for which the Ambient loT device can operate in its current state.

[0064] 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).

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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 key performance indicators (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.

[0067] 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).

[0068] 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.

[0069] Since existing technologies cannot meet all the requirements of target use cases, a new loT technology is desired to open new markets within 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) systems, whose number of connections and / or device density can be orders of magnitude higher than existing 3GPP loT technologies. The new loT technology is expected to provide complexity and power consumption orders of magnitude lower than the existing 3 GPP low power wide area(LPWA) technologies (e.g., narrowband (NB)-IoT and enhanced machine type communication (eMTC)), and is expected to address use cases and scenarios that cannot otherwise be fulfilled based on existing 3GPP LPWA loT technologies.

[0070] Assessment of Ambient loT suitable for deployment in a 3GPP system that relies on ultra-low complexity devices with ultra-low power consumption for the very-low end loT applications is taken into consideration. Addressing use cases and scenarios that cannot otherwise be fulfilled based on existing 3GPP LPWA loT technology, e.g., NB-IoT including with reduced peak transmit (TX) power is taken into consideration.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] The techniques discussed herein consider the occurrence of transmission from Ambient loT device (including backscattering when used) at least in UL spectrum. The techniques discussed herein also consider: 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.

[0074] The techniques discussed herein also consider: 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. The techniques discussed herein also consider, or the Ambient loT DL and UL: 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.

[0075] The techniques discussed herein also consider 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. The techniques discussed herein also consider 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.

[0076] The techniques discussed herein also consider coexistence of Ambient loT and NR / LTE; RF for Ambient loT, including Ambient loT base station transmission and reception, Ambient loTDevice transmission and reception, intermediate node (e.g., UE), transmission and reception. The techniques discussed herein also consider targeting an loT segment well below the existing 3GPP loT technologies, e.g., NB-IoT, eMTC, RedCap, etc. The techniques discussed herein also consider not replacing existing 3GPP LPWA technologies.

[0077] For various applications, numerous (e.g., billions) of loT devices are expected to be deployed in a wireless communications system. However, it is difficult to power this large number of devices with batteries that need to be replaced for re-charging, which leads to high maintenance cost. Accordingly, devices that consume 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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 some examples, 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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. Thesource 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).

[0083] 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. 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). Ambient loT data and signaling is transmitted between the NE 202 and the Ambient loT device 204.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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 includesa 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 DL communication (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. 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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 is generated internally. E.g., the D2R signal is generated internally by the wireless device 204 rather than being a backscattered signal.

[0090] 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).

[0091] The antenna 502 can be shared or separate for RF energy harvester and receiver / transmitter. 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). The RF energy harvester 506 can include a rectifier performing RF signal (alternating current (AC)) to direct current (DC) conversion. The energy storage 508 (e.g., one or more capacitors) stores harvested energy from the RF energy harvester 506.

[0092] 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. The digital BB logic 512 includes functional blocks such as an encoder, a decoder, a controller, and so forth. 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. The clock generator 516 provides one or more clock signals used by the various components of the wireless device 500.

[0093] 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.

[0094] The RF envelope detector 520 converts the RF signal to baseband. 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.

[0095] The comparator 524 determines high / low of input signal. 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.

[0096] A plurality of communication states can be defined to maintain the Ambient loT communication state with a NE (e.g., a base station) to improve the intermittent communication between the Ambient loT device and the NE (e.g., base station) so that the NE (e.g., base station) is aware of the Ambient loT communication state because of limited energy storage. One communication state is TX / RX where above a certain threshold of stored energy the Ambient loT device may perform transmission and reception. A second communication state is RX where below a certain threshold of stored energy the Ambient loT device may perform reception only (not transmission), assuming that more energy is needed for transmission than reception. A third communication state is sleep or harvesting state where below a certain threshold of stored energy the Ambient loT device may go into a sleep state or an energy harvesting state.

[0097] Figure 6 illustrates an example 600 of stored energy fluctuation at a device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The example 600 illustrates stored energy fluctuation at a device and (e.g., an Ambient loT device) and corresponding communication state. In the example 600, stored energy is along the vertical axis and time is along the horizontal axis. 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 initially in a charging only period 602 until the stored energy reaches a threshold level 604. Upon reaching the threshold level 604, the Ambient loT device switches to a TX and RX communication state 606, during which the Ambient loT devicetransmits or backscatters signals. When the stored energy drops to be equal to or less than the threshold level 604, illustrated as an RX only state threshold, the Ambient loT device transitions to a RX state (e.g., RX only state) 608. When the stored energy drops to be equal to or less than another threshold level 610, illustrated as a sleep state threshold, the Ambient loT device is inactive (not actively transmitting or backscattering signals) and in a sleep state or energy harvesting state 612 until the Ambient loT device is again recharged to the threshold level 604 or 608.

[0098] When the Ambient loT device is in the transmission & reception state, the Ambient loT device may indicate to the NE (e.g., base station) a duration (e.g., a number of the time slots or milliseconds or seconds) that the Ambient loT device can maintain sustainable operation of TX / RX to the NE (e.g., base station), so that an energy aware scheduler at the NE (e.g., base station) may prioritize the UL grant to the UL transmission / backscattered communication to the Ambient loT device. In a first UL transmission to the NE (e.g., base station), the Ambient loT device may transmit in a field in the UL control channel or in the UL data channel, the sustainable time of operation in this communication state. Additionally, or alternatively, the Ambient loT device may report a pending amount of data in its buffer or in its memory and the sustainable TX / RX operations to the NE (e.g., base station) to help the energy aware scheduler at the NE (e.g., base station) prioritize scheduling UL transmission within this communication state.

[0099] When the energy at the Ambient loT device energy storage (e.g., one or more capacitors) drops below a certain threshold, the Ambient loT device may transmit to the NE (e.g., base station) the transition from the TX & RX communication state to the RX only communication state and before transition to the RX only communication state, the Ambient loT device may indicate to the NE (e.g., base station) in the last UL transmission about its intention to go to the RX only communication state. The Ambient loT device may also indicate the sustainable RX only operation duration in terms of time slots, milliseconds, or seconds to the NE (e.g., base station) as part of the last transmission which may help the NE (e.g., base station) to prioritize DL signal transmission to the Ambient loT device within the sustainable RX time duration. In this communication state, the Ambient loT device may receive the DL signal and process it.

[0100] When the energy at the Ambient loT device energy storage (e.g., one or more capacitors) drops below a certain threshold, the Ambient loT device may enter the sleep state or energy harvesting state. The Ambient loT device may indicate the charging time to enter one or both of thetwo-communication states such as the TX / RX communication state and RX only communication state as part of the capability signaling.

[0101] Figure 7 illustrates an example 700 of communication states in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The example 700 illustrates communication states for, e.g., an Ambient loT device. The example 700 includes a sleep or energy harvesting state 702, an RX only communication state 704, and a TX and RX state 706. In each of the states a trigger can be received to transition to a different state. This trigger can be, for example, a command received from a NE (e.g., a base station), an autonomous internal trigger state change based at least in part on one or more rules or events, and so forth.

[0102] The Ambient loT device transitions from the sleep or energy harvesting state 702 to the TX and RX state 706 if the Ambient loT device has sufficient energy to operate in the TX and RX state 706, and optionally if one or more additional criteria are satisfied (e.g., the Ambient loT device has data in its buffer to transmit). The Ambient loT device transitions from the sleep or energy harvesting state 702 to the RX only state 704 if the Ambient loT device has sufficient energy to operate in the RX only state 704, and optionally if one or more additional criteria are satisfied (e.g., the Ambient loT device has no data in its buffer to transmit) but is expecting to receive data or is monitoring for a wake up signal.

[0103] The Ambient loT device transitions from the RX only state 704 to the TX and RX state 706 if the Ambient loT device has sufficient energy to operate in the TX and RX state 706, and optionally if one or more additional criteria are satisfied (e.g., the Ambient loT device has data in its buffer to transmit). The Ambient loT device transitions from the RX only state 704 to the sleep or energy harvesting state 702 if the Ambient loT device no longer has sufficient energy to operate in the RX only state 704, or there is no data for the Ambient loT device to transmit or receive.

[0104] The Ambient loT device transitions from the TX and RX state 706 to the RX only state 704 if the Ambient loT device no longer has sufficient energy to operate in the TX and RX state 706 but has sufficient energy to operate in the RX only state 704, or if the Ambient loT device has no data to transfer. The Ambient loT device transitions from the TX and RX state 706 to the sleep or energy harvesting state 702 if the Ambient loT device no longer has sufficient energy to operatein the TX and RX state 706 (and optionally no longer has sufficient energy to operate in the RX only state 704), or has no data to transmit or receive.

[0105] The NE (e.g., base station) may also signal the state transition of Ambient loT devices, at least the Ambient loT device state may be changed to the TX and RX communication state or RX only communication state. The Ambient loT device state at least may change to the RX only state or to the sleep or energy harvesting state after successfully transmitting the inventory identity (e.g., to the NE (e.g., base station)) and receiving confirmation from the reader. The Ambient loT device may stay in the RX only state or the sleep or energy harvesting state until the Ambient loT device receives a command from the NE (e.g., base station) to transition to the TX and RX state 706. The Ambient loT device may also go to the sleep or energy harvesting state periodically when configured with a duty cycle -based operation.

[0106] Accordingly, a plurality of communication states for the Ambient loT device to improve (e.g., optimize) the communication with the NE (e.g., base station) is described. The Ambient loT device may signal the transition of states and sustainable operating time at each state to the NE (e.g., base station). The Ambient loT device helps an energy aware scheduler at the NE (e.g., base station) to prioritize UL transmission or DL / UL transmission according to the sustainable operating time. Also described is that, after the inventorying of the Ambient loT device, the Ambient loT device may enter the RX only communication state.

[0107] Figure 8 illustrates an example 800 of a duty cycle based operation in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The example 800 illustrates a duty cycle based inventory operation for an Ambient loT device. Operation in the RX state is illustrated with cross-hatching. Operation in the sleep or harvesting state is illustrated with diagonal lines from top left to lower right. Operation in the TX state (e.g., TX and RX state) is illustrated with diagonal lines from bottom left to top right.

[0108] When an inventory command is received is from the reader as illustrated in the example 800, the Ambient loT device may start a duty cycle based operation where the Ambient loT device periodically wakes up to receive the Query rep command from the reader containing the slot number or instruction to increase the window duration for the slotted aloha scheme. When the Ambient loT device is to transmit in a certain slot, which it calculated at the beginning of theinventory or query command, the Ambient loT device transmits and once it receives confirmation from the reader, the Ambient loT device may continue to sleep until the end of the inventory round. The inventory command message or the query command or system information may provide the duty cycle periodicity, slot offset, and so forth for the Ambient loT device to wake up and receive the periodic Query rep command from the reader.

[0109] Figure 9 illustrates an example 900 of a duty cycle based operation during paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Operation in the RX state is illustrated with cross-hatching. Operation in the sleep or harvesting state is illustrated with diagonal lines from top left to lower right, diagonal lines from bottom left to top right, or vertical lines.

[0110] The Ambient loT device may be configured to periodically wake up to monitor any paging command from the reader where the paging command contains the group id or the masking bits, e.g., most significant bits (MSBs) of the electronic product code (EPC) ID, where only devices whose EPC ID matches with that of the paging command may further get activated to receive the inventory command from the reader as shown in the example 900. Different sleep times may be configured in between the paging command, between the paging and the inventory command, and within the inventory command as shown in example 900 and example 800 of Figure 8.

[0111] Figure 10 illustrates an example 1000 of a duty cycle based operation in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The example 1000 illustrates a duty cycle based group wake up signal (WUS) monitoring using a best effort method. The Ambient loT device may be configured to monitor the synchronization (synch) signal and the WUS periodically, where the WUS may contain the group id or the mask MSB bits of the EPC ID indicating the group to monitor the paging command from the reader. Monitoring for the synch signal and WUS is illustrated with crosshatching. Monitoring for the paging command is illustrated with diagonal lines from top left to lower right. Operation in the sleep or harvesting state is illustrated with diagonal lines from bottom left to top right.

[0112] Each Ambient loT device may have different storage capacity and hence the sustainable operational time of each device may vary significantly, but for such duty cycle based operation, the device may be expected to periodically wake up from the sleep state or harvesting state to monitor for any command. To align the duty cycle based operator among a group of Ambient loT devices,the reader may obtain the Ambient loT storage capability, e.g., sustainable operation time, harvesting time, and so forth. With such knowledge, the reader may synchronize the duty cycle based operation among the group of Ambient loT devices. In one or more implementations, the network may implement energy aware Ambient loT scheduling of devices within the inventory process by signaling an energy threshold value corresponding to the device type as part of the periodic query command within an inventory process. The network may configure at least one resource occasion for each device’s reception, transmission round to transmit their electronic product code identifier and other user data to the reader within an inventory process, where such configured at least one resource occasion may contain reception and transmission slot occasions while the Ambient loT device may choose (e.g., randomly) an occasion after receiving the command from the reader for Ambient loT device transmission from a plurality of occasions. The Ambient loT device may periodically monitor a Query command within an inventory process, resulting in spending energy for reception. The slotted aloha scheme may randomly select a slot for transmission occasion within a window of an inventory process, however such mechanism does not take into consideration the energy availability at the device, resulting in situations where a device with less energy storage or energy availability selects a random slot beyond their available energy to monitor or transmit. For example, a device with 4 microfarad (pF) capacitance, available energy of 4.5 microjoule ( j) can monitor and transmit only within the first 25 occasions within an inventory process, beyond that it may not monitor nor transmit due to depleted energy.

[0113] Hence the energy aware scheduling may account for the energy availability at the device in selecting an occasion for transmission. A device with less energy availability may choose a slot early within their sustainable operation time to receive and transmit while a device having larger availability of energy may chose a random occasion according to their sustainable operation time window. Further, the reader can be made aware of the sustainable operation timing of each side according to their instantaneous energy availability at the start of the inventory process or within the inventory round, or the reader may periodically transmit the command containing energy threshold values. The energy threshold may be the availability of energy at the device, hence a device with less or equal to the threshold value may chose a random slot within a window provided in the command.

[0114] 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, an intermediate node, and so forth.

[0115] 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.

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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 to support a means for transmitting a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, where the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state; selecting a first state of the set of one or more states; and receiving or transmit at least one signaling based at least in part on the first state.

[0119] Additionally, the device 1100 may be configured to or operable to support any one or combination of where the configuration indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in each state of the set of one or more states; where the duration is indicated in at least one of a number of time slots, a number of milliseconds, or a number of seconds; selecting a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the first state; and transmitting an indication that the wireless device is transitioning to the second state; where the indication indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in the second state; selecting the second state based at least in part on an amount of energy stored at the wireless device; where the second state comprises the sleep state or the energy harvesting state, and the indication indicates a charging duration until the wireless device is able to enter another state of the set of one or more states; receiving an indication to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the first state; and transitioning, in response to the indication, to the second state; where the configuration indicates an amount of data at the wireless device that is pending transfer; where the wireless device comprises an loT device; transmitting the configuration comprises transmitting the configuration to a base station; transmitting the configuration comprises transmitting the configuration to an intermediate node.

[0120] 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 a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, where the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state; select a first state of theset of one or more states; and receive or transmit at least one signaling based at least in part on the first state.

[0121] Additionally, the device 1100 may be configured to or operable to support any one or combination of the at least one processor is configured to or operable to where the configuration indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in each state of the set of one or more states; where the duration is indicated in at least one of a number of time slots, a number of milliseconds, or a number of seconds; cause the wireless device to: select a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the first state; and transmit an indication that the wireless device is transitioning to the second state; where the indication indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in the second state; to cause the wireless device to select the second state based at least in part on an amount of energy stored at the wireless device; where the second state comprises the sleep state or the energy harvesting state, and the indication indicates a charging duration until the wireless device is able to enter another state of the set of one or more states; to cause the wireless device to: receive an indication to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the first state; and transition, in response to the indication, to the second state; where the configuration indicates an amount of data at the wireless device that is pending transfer; where the wireless device comprises an Ambient loT device; transmit the configuration to a base station; transmit the configuration to an intermediate node.

[0122] The device 1100 may be configured to or operable to support a means for receiving, from a wireless device, a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, where the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state; and receiving from or transmit to the wireless device at least one signaling based at least in part on a selected one of the set of one or more states.

[0123] Additionally, the device 1100 may be configured to or operable to support any one or combination of where the configuration indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in each state of the set of one or more states; where the duration is indicated in at least one of a number of time slots, a number of milliseconds, or a number of seconds; receiving, from the wireless device, an indication that the wireless device is to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the selected one of the set of one or more states; where the indication indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in the second state;where the second state is selected based at least in part on an amount of energy stored at the wireless; where the second state comprises the sleep or energy harvesting state, and the indication indicates a charging duration until the wireless device is able to enter another state of the set of one or more states; transmitting, to the wireless device, an indication for the wireless device to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the selected one of the set of one or more states; where the configuration indicates an amount of data at the wireless device that is pending transfer to the device; where the wireless device comprises an loT device; where the device comprises a base station; where the device comprises an intermediate node.

[0124] 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: receive, from a wireless device, a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, where the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state; and receive from or transmit to the wireless device at least one signaling based at least in part on a selected one of the set of one or more states.

[0125] Additionally, the device 1100 may be configured to or operable to support any one or combination of the at least one processor is configured to or operable to where the configuration indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in each state of the set of one or more states; where the duration is indicated in at least one of a number of time slots, a number of milliseconds, or a number of seconds; to cause the device to: receive, from the wireless device, an indication that the wireless device is to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the selected one of the set of one or more states; where the indication indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in the second state; where the second state is selected based at least in part on an amount of energy stored at the wireless device; where the second state comprises the sleep or energy harvesting state, and the indication indicates a charging duration until the wireless device is able to enter another state of the set of one or more states; to cause the device to: transmit, to the wireless device, an indication for the wireless device to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the selected one of the set of one or more states; where the configuration indicates an amount of data at the wirelessdevice that is pending transfer to the device; where the wireless device comprises an loT device; where the device comprises a base station; where the device comprises an intermediate node.

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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 the receive 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] 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).

[0131] 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), static RAM (SRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), resistive RAM (RRAM), flash memory, phase change memory (PCM), and others).

[0132] 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.

[0133] 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 withthe 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.

[0134] 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).

[0135] 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 various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. The controller 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.

[0136] 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.

[0137] The processor 1200 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 1200 may be configured to or operable 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 a configuration of a set of one or more states of the processor, where the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state; select a first state of the set of one or more states; and receive or transmit at least one signaling based at least in part on the first state.

[0138] Additionally, the processor 1200 may be configured to or operable to support any one or combination of the at least one controller is configured to or operable to cause the processor to where the configuration indicates a duration for which the processor is able to operate in each state of the set of one or more states; where the duration is indicated in at least one of a number of time slots, a number of milliseconds, or a number of seconds; select a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the first state; and transmit an indication that the processor is transitioning to the second state; where the indication indicates a duration for which the processor is able to operate in the second state; select the second state based at least in part on an amount of energy stored at a wireless device that includes the processor; where the second state comprises the sleep state or the energy harvesting state, and the indication indicates a charging duration until the processor is able to enter another state of the set of one or more states; receive an indication to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the first state; and transition, in response to the indication, to the second state; where the configuration indicates an amount of data at a wireless device that includes the processor that is pending transfer; where the processor is included in an loT device; transmit the configuration to a base station; transmit the configuration to an intermediate node.

[0139] The processor 1200 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 1200 may be configured to or operable 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, from a wireless device, a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, where the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state; and receive from or transmit to the wireless device at least one signaling based at least in part on a selected one of the set of one or more states.

[0140] Additionally, the processor 1200 may be configured to or operable to support any one or combination of the at least one controller is configured to or operable to cause the processor to where the configuration indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in each state of the set of one or more states; where the duration is indicated in at least one of a number of time slots, a number of milliseconds, or a number of seconds; receive, from the wireless device, an indication that the wireless device is to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the selected one of the set of one or more states; where the indication indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in the second state; where the second state is selected based at least in part on an amount of energy stored at the wireless device; where the second state comprises the sleep or energy harvesting state, and the indication indicates a charging duration until the wireless device is able to enter another state of the set of one or more states; transmit, to the wireless device, an indication for the wireless device to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the selected one of the set of one or more states; where the configuration indicates an amount of data at the wireless device that is pending transfer to the device; where the wireless device comprises an loT device; where the device comprises a base station; where the device comprises an intermediate node.

[0141] 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 transceiver 1308, 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 ormore 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.

[0142] 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.

[0143] 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.

[0144] 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.

[0145] 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 or operable to support a means for receiving, from a wireless device, a configuration of a set of one or more statesof the wireless device, where the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state; and receiving from or transmit to the wireless device at least one signaling based at least in part on the a selected one of the set of one or more states.

[0146] Additionally, the NE 1300 may be configured to or operable to support any one or combination of where the configuration indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in each state of the set of one or more states; where the duration is indicated in at least one of a number of time slots, a number of milliseconds, or a number of seconds; receiving, from the wireless device, an indication that the wireless device is to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the selected one of the set of one or more states; where the indication indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in the second state; where the second state is selected based at least in part on an amount of energy stored at the wireless device; where the second state comprises the sleep or energy harvesting state, and the indication indicates a charging duration until the wireless device is able to enter another state of the set of one or more states; transmitting, to the wireless device, an indication for the wireless device to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the selected one of the set of one or more states; where the configuration indicates an amount of data at the wireless device that is pending transfer to the device; where the wireless device comprises an loT device; where the device comprises a base station; where the device comprises an intermediate node.

[0147] 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 or operable to cause the NE to: receive, from a wireless device, a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, where the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state; and receive from or transmit to the wireless device at least one signaling based at least in part on a selected one of the set of one or more states.

[0148] Additionally, the NE 1300 may be configured to or operable to support any one or combination of the at least one processor is configured to or operable to cause the NE to where the configuration indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in each state of the set of one or more states; where the duration is indicated in at least one of a number of timeslots, a number of milliseconds, or a number of seconds; receive, from the wireless device, an indication that the wireless device is to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the selected one of the set of one or more states; where the indication indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in the second state; where the second state is selected based at least in part on an amount of energy stored at the wireless device; where the second state comprises the sleep or energy harvesting state, and the indication indicates a charging duration until the wireless device is able to enter another state of the set of one or more states; transmit, to the wireless device, an indication for the wireless device to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the selected one of the set of one or more states; where the configuration indicates an amount of data at the wireless device that is pending transfer to the device; where the wireless device comprises an loT device; where the device comprises a base station; where the device comprises an intermediate node.

[0149] 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.

[0150] 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.

[0151] 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.

[0152] 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 an appropriate 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.

[0153] 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 UE 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.

[0154] At 1402, the method may include transmitting a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, where the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state. 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 device as described with reference to Figure 8, such as an Ambient loT device.

[0155] At 1404, the method may include selecting a first state of the set of one or more states. 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 device as described with reference to Figure 8, such as an Ambient loT device.

[0156] At 1406, the method may include receiving or transmit at least one signaling based at least in part on the first state. 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 device as described with reference to Figure 8, such as an Ambient loT device.

[0157] 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.

[0158] 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 as described herein. In some implementations, the NE may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the NE or device to perform the described functions.

[0159] At 1502, the method may include receiving, from a wireless device, a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, where the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state. 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 8 or Figure 10, such as a UE, a base station, an intermediate node, or a TRP.

[0160] At 1504, the method may include receiving from or transmit to the wireless device at least one signaling based at least in part on a selected one of the set of one or more states. 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 device as described with reference to Figure 8 or Figure 10, such as a UE, a base station, an intermediate node, or a TRP.

[0161] 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.

[0162] 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 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 wireless device to: transmit a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, wherein the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state; select a first state of the set of one or more states; and receive or transmit at least one signaling based at least in part on the first state.

2. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the configuration indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in each state of the set of one or more states.

3. The wireless device of claim 2, wherein the duration is indicated in at least one of a number of time slots, a number of milliseconds, or a number of seconds.

4. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to cause the wireless device to: select a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the first state; and transmit an indication that the wireless device is transitioning to the second state.

5. The wireless device of claim 4, wherein the indication indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in the second state.

6. The wireless device of claim 4, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to cause the wireless device to select the second state based at least in part on an amount of energy stored at the wireless device.

7. The wireless device of claim 4, wherein the second state comprises the sleep state or the energy harvesting state, and the indication indicates a charging duration until the wireless device is able to enter another state of the set of one or more states.

8. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to cause the wireless device to: receive an indication to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the first state; and transition, in response to the indication, to the second state.

9. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the configuration indicates an amount of data at the wireless device that is pending transfer.

10. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the wireless device comprises an Ambient Internet of Things (loT) device.

11. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to cause the wireless device to transmit the configuration to a base station.

12. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to cause the wireless device to transmit the configuration to an intermediate node.

13. A 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 wireless device to: receive, from a wireless device, a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, wherein the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep, or an energy harvesting state; and receive from or transmit to the wireless device at least one signaling based at least in part on a selected one of the set of one or more states.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the configuration indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in each state of the set of one or more states.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor is further operable to cause the device to: receive, from the wireless device, an indication that the wireless device is to transition to a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the selected one of the set of one or more states.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the indication indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in the second state.

17. A method performed by a wireless device, the method comprising: transmitting a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, wherein the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state; selecting a first state of the set of one or more states; and receiving or transmit at least one signaling based at least in part on the first state.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: selecting a second state of the set of one or more states that is different than the first state; and transmitting an indication that the wireless device is transitioning to the second state.

19. A method performed by a device, the method comprising: receiving, from a wireless device, a configuration of a set of one or more states of the wireless device, wherein the set of one or more states include one or more of a transmit state, a receive state, a sleep state, or an energy harvesting state; and receiving from or transmit to the wireless device at least one signaling based at least in part on a selected one of the set of one or more states.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the configuration indicates a duration for which the wireless device is able to operate in each state of the set of one or more states, and wherein the duration is indicated in at least one of a number of time slots, a number of milliseconds, or a number of seconds.

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