Techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device
Energy harvesting wireless devices synchronize using duty-cycles and delimiter signals to optimize power usage, addressing power consumption issues from false wake-ups and enhancing energy efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/CN2024/077181
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-14
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-21
AI Technical Summary
Ambient wireless devices, such as energy harvesting wireless devices, face challenges with power consumption due to false wake-ups from environmental RF signals, leading to unnecessary energy consumption.
Energy harvesting wireless devices operate in a duty-cycle manner, receiving synchronization signals during an on-state to establish timing and frequency synchronization, and utilize delimiter signals to indicate the start of subsequent symbols for message reception, optimizing power usage.
This approach reduces power consumption by aligning device operation with energy availability, ensuring efficient energy harvesting and minimizing unnecessary energy expenditure.
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Figure CN2024077181_21082025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNIQUES FOR SYNCHRONIZATION OF AN AMBIENT WIRELESS DEVICE
[0001] FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0002] The following relates to wireless communications, including techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device.BACKGROUND
[0003] Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power) . Examples of such multiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA) , time division multiple access (TDMA) , frequency division multiple access (FDMA) , orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) , or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM) . A wireless multiple-access communications system may include one or more base stations, each supporting wireless communication for communication devices, which may be known as user equipment (UE) .SUMMARY
[0004] The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device. For example, the described techniques provide for an ambient wireless device or an energy harvesting wireless device to operate in a duty-cycle manner. In some examples, the energy harvesting wireless device may receive a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device. The duty-cycle may include the on-state and an off-state. The energy harvesting wireless device may establish timing synchronization, frequency synchronization or both based on the synchronization signal. The energy harvesting wireless device may receive a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or the frequency synchronization, and the delimiter signal may indicate a beginning of a plurality of subsequent symbols. The energy harvesting wireless device may receive a message in the plurality of subsequent symbols.
[0005] A method for wireless communications by an energy harvesting wireless device is described. The method may include receiving a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device, where the duty cycle includes the on-state and an off-state, establishing timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based on the synchronization signal, receiving a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or frequency synchronization, the delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols, and receiving a message in the set of multiple subsequent symbols.
[0006] An energy harvesting wireless device for wireless communications is described. The energy harvesting wireless device may include one or more memories storing processor executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories. The one or more processors may individually or collectively be operable to execute the code to cause the energy harvesting wireless device to receive a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device, where the duty cycle includes the on-state and an off-state, establish timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based on the synchronization signal, receive a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or frequency synchronization, the delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols, and receive a message in the set of multiple subsequent symbols.
[0007] Another energy harvesting wireless device for wireless communications is described. The energy harvesting wireless device may include means for receiving a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device, where the duty cycle includes the on-state and an off-state, means for establishing timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based on the synchronization signal, means for receiving a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or frequency synchronization, the delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols, and means for receiving a message in the set of multiple subsequent symbols.
[0008] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications is described. The code may include instructions executable by one or more processors to receive a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device, where the duty cycle includes the on-state and an off-state, establish timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based on the synchronization signal, receive a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or frequency synchronization, the delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols, and receive a message in the set of multiple subsequent symbols.
[0009] In some examples of the method, energy harvesting wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a duration of the on-state of the duty cycle may be based on an energy harvest efficiency associated with the energy harvesting wireless device.
[0010] In some examples of the method, energy harvesting wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a duration of the on-state of the duty cycle may be based on a clock associated with the timing synchronization.
[0011] In some examples of the method, energy harvesting wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a duration of the on-state of the duty cycle may be based on an amount of energy in a storage associated with the energy harvesting wireless device.
[0012] In some examples of the method, energy harvesting wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, subsequent to a reception of the synchronization signal, the on-state may be maintained until a reception of the message.
[0013] In some examples of the method, energy harvesting wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a transmission duration associated with the synchronization signal may be greater than a duration associated with the off-state.
[0014] In some examples of the method, energy harvesting wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the synchronization signal includes a repeated sequence.
[0015] In some examples of the method, energy harvesting wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the delimiter signal may be received with the synchronization signal.
[0016] In some examples of the method, energy harvesting wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the synchronization signal may be received periodically.
[0017] In some examples of the method, energy harvesting wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a periodicity associated with the synchronization signal may be greater than a duration associated with the off-state.
[0018] In some examples of the method, energy harvesting wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the message includes a second synchronization signal, and the message may be received based on the second synchronization signal.
[0019] Some examples of the method, energy harvesting wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting control signaling indicating the duty cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device.
[0020] A method for wireless communications by a wireless device is described. The method may include outputting a synchronization signal to an energy-harvesting wireless device, outputting, to the energy-harvesting wireless device, a delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols associated with the synchronization signal, and outputting a message subsequent to output of the delimiter signal.
[0021] A wireless device for wireless communications is described. The wireless device may include one or more memories storing processor executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories. The one or more processors may individually or collectively be operable to execute the code to cause the wireless device to output a synchronization signal to an energy-harvesting wireless device, output, to the energy-harvesting wireless device, a delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols associated with the synchronization signal, and output a message subsequent to output of the delimiter signal.
[0022] Another wireless device for wireless communications is described. The wireless device may include means for outputting a synchronization signal to an energy-harvesting wireless device, means for outputting, to the energy-harvesting wireless device, a delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols associated with the synchronization signal, and means for outputting a message subsequent to output of the delimiter signal.
[0023] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications is described. The code may include instructions executable by one or more processors to output a synchronization signal to an energy-harvesting wireless device, output, to the energy-harvesting wireless device, a delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols associated with the synchronization signal, and output a message subsequent to output of the delimiter signal.
[0024] Some examples of the method, wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for obtaining control signaling indicating a duty cycle associated with an energy harvesting wireless device.
[0025] In some examples of the method, wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a transmission duration associated with the synchronization signal may be greater than a duration of an off-state of the duty cycle.
[0026] In some examples of the method, wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a transmission duration associated with the synchronization signal may be greater than a duration of an off-state of a duty cycle associated with an energy harvesting wireless device.
[0027] In some examples of the method, wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the synchronization signal includes a repeated sequence.
[0028] In some examples of the method, wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the delimiter signal may be output with the synchronization signal.
[0029] In some examples of the method, wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the synchronization signal may be output periodically.
[0030] In some examples of the method, wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a periodicity associated with the synchronization signal may be greater than a duration of an off-state of a duty cycle associated with an energy harvesting wireless device.
[0031] In some examples of the method, wireless devices, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the message includes a second synchronization signal.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 shows an example of a wireless communications system that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows an example of a wireless communications system that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows an example of a timing diagram that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows an example of a timing diagram that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 5 shows an example of a timing diagram that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 6 shows an example of a process flow that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIGs. 7 and 8 show block diagrams of devices that support techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a communications manager that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0040] FIG. 10 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0041] FIGs. 11 and 12 show block diagrams of devices that support techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0042] FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of a communications manager that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 14 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0044] FIGs. 15 through 17 show flowcharts illustrating methods that support techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] Some wireless communications system may deploy ambient internet of things devices. Ambient internet of things devices may not have their own power sources and may receive power from transmissions by other devices or from the environment. Ambient internet of things devices may be referred to as energy harvesting wireless devices. A radio frequency (RF) reader (e.g., source device) , such as a transmitter user equipment (Tx UE) or wireless device, may transmit a continuous wave signal to the energy harvesting wireless device, and the energy harvesting wireless device may harvest energy, store energy, or both from the continuous wave signal. An example of the energy harvesting wireless device may be a radio frequency identification tag (RFID) . In some examples, the energy harvesting wireless device may include an energy storage. In some cases, the energy harvesting wireless device may consume power of the storage inappropriately. For example, the energy harvesting wireless device may have a wake-up threshold associated with an amount of harvested energy, and environmental RF signals from devices other than the RF reader may provide enough RF incident energy to false wake-up the energy harvesting wireless device. During the false wake-up, the energy harvesting wireless device may consume a greater amount of energy from storage than harvested from the environmental RF signals resulting in an unnecessary consumption of energy from storage.
[0046] An energy harvesting wireless device may operate in a duty-cycle manner, and the RF reader or wireless device may provide signaling to synchronize the energy harvesting wireless device with the wireless device. In some examples, the energy harvesting wireless device may receive a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device. The duty-cycle may include the on-state and an off-state. During the off-state, the energy harvesting device may reduce power consumption such as, for example, turning off circuitry used for wireless communication. In some cases, the on-state duration of the duty-cycle may be associated with an energy harvest efficiency associated with the energy harvesting wireless device. In some cases, the on-state duration of the duty-cycle may be associated with an amount of energy in a storage associated with the energy harvesting wireless device. In some examples, a transmission duration associated with the synchronization signal may be greater than a duration associated with the off-state. The energy harvesting wireless device may establish timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based on the synchronization signal. The energy harvesting wireless device may receive a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or the frequency synchronization, and the delimiter signal may indicate a beginning of a plurality of subsequent symbols. The energy harvesting wireless device may receive a message in the plurality of subsequent symbols.
[0047] Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of wireless communications systems. Aspects of the disclosure are also described in context of timing diagrams and a process flow. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device.
[0048] FIG. 1 shows an example of a wireless communications system 100 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system 100 may include one or more devices, such as one or more network devices (e.g., network entities 105) , one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communications system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, a New Radio (NR) network, or a network operating in accordance with other systems and radio technologies, including future systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.
[0049] The network entities 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic area to form the wireless communications system 100 and may include devices in different forms or having different capabilities. In various examples, a network entity 105 may be referred to as a network element, a mobility element, a radio access network (RAN) node, or network equipment, among other nomenclature. In some examples, network entities 105 and UEs 115 may wirelessly communicate via communication link (s) 125 (e.g., a radio frequency (RF) access link) . For example, a network entity 105 may support a coverage area 110 (e.g., a geographic coverage area) over which the UEs 115 and the network entity 105 may establish the communication link (s) 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area over which a network entity 105 and a UE 115 may support the communication of signals according to one or more radio access technologies (RATs) .
[0050] The UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout a coverage area 110 of the wireless communications system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary, or mobile, or both at different times. The UEs 115 may be devices in different forms or having different capabilities. Some example UEs 115 are illustrated in FIG. 1. The UEs 115 described herein may be capable of supporting communications with various types of devices in the wireless communications system 100 (e.g., other wireless communication devices, including UEs 115 or network entities 105) , as shown in FIG. 1.
[0051] As described herein, a node of the wireless communications system 100, which may be referred to as a network node, or a wireless node, may be a network entity 105 (e.g., any network entity described herein) , a UE 115 (e.g., any UE described herein) , a network controller, an apparatus, a device, a computing system, one or more components, or another suitable processing entity configured to perform any of the techniques described herein. For example, a node may be a UE 115. As another example, a node may be a network entity 105. As another example, a first node may be configured to communicate with a second node or a third node. In one aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a UE 115. In another aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a network entity 105. In yet other aspects of this example, the first, second, and third nodes may be different relative to these examples. Similarly, reference to a UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, or the like may include disclosure of the UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, or the like being a node. For example, disclosure that a UE 115 is configured to receive information from a network entity 105 also discloses that a first node is configured to receive information from a second node.
[0052] In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with a core network 130, or with one another, or both. For example, network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130 via backhaul communication link (s) 120 (e.g., in accordance with an S1, N2, N3, or other interface protocol) . In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with one another via backhaul communication link (s) 120 (e.g., in accordance with an X2, Xn, or other interface protocol) either directly (e.g., directly between network entities 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130) . In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with one another via a midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., in accordance with a midhaul interface protocol) or a fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., in accordance with a fronthaul interface protocol) , or any combination thereof. The backhaul communication link (s) 120, midhaul communication links 162, or fronthaul communication links 168 may be or include one or more wired links (e.g., an electrical link, an optical fiber link) or one or more wireless links (e.g., a radio link, a wireless optical link) , among other examples or various combinations thereof. A UE 115 may communicate with the core network 130 via a communication link 155.
[0053] One or more of the network entities 105 or network equipment described herein may include or may be referred to as a base station 140 (e.g., a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an NR base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB) , a next-generation NodeB or giga-NodeB (either of which may be referred to as a gNB) , a 5G NB, a next-generation eNB (ng-eNB) , a Home NodeB, a Home eNodeB, or other suitable terminology) . In some examples, a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may be implemented in an aggregated (e.g., monolithic, standalone) base station architecture, which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within one network entity (e.g., a network entity 105 or a single RAN node, such as a base station 140) .
[0054] In some examples, a network entity 105 may be implemented in a disaggregated architecture (e.g., a disaggregated base station architecture, a disaggregated RAN architecture) , which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed among multiple network entities (e.g., network entities 105) , such as an integrated access and 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 105 may include one or more of a central unit (CU) , such as a CU 160, a distributed unit (DU) , such as a DU 165, a radio unit (RU) , such as an RU 170, a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) , such as an RIC 175 (e.g., a Near-Real Time RIC (Near-RT RIC) , a Non-Real Time RIC (Non-RT RIC) ) , a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) system, such as an SMO system 180, or any combination thereof. An RU 170 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 105 in a disaggregated RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of the network entities 105 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations) . In some examples, one or more of the network entities 105 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) ) .
[0055] The split of functionality between a CU 160, a DU 165, and an RU 170 is flexible and may support different functionalities depending on which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, RF functions, or any combinations thereof) are performed at a CU 160, a DU 165, or an RU 170. For example, a functional split of a protocol stack may be employed between a CU 160 and a DU 165 such that the CU 160 may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the DU 165 may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. In some examples, the CU 160 may host upper protocol layer (e.g., layer 3 (L3) , layer 2 (L2) ) functionality and signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) , service data adaption protocol (SDAP) , Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) ) . The CU 160 (e.g., one or more CUs) may be connected to a DU 165 (e.g., one or more DUs) or an RU 170 (e.g., one or more RUs) , or some combination thereof, and the DUs 165, RUs 170, or both may host lower protocol layers, such as layer 1 (L1) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or 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 160. Additionally, or alternatively, a functional split of the protocol stack may be employed between a DU 165 and an RU 170 such that the DU 165 may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the RU 170 may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DU 165 may support one or multiple different cells (e.g., via one or multiple different RUs, such as an RU 170) . In some cases, a functional split between a CU 160 and a DU 165 or between a DU 165 and an RU 170 may be within a protocol layer (e.g., some functions for a protocol layer may be performed by one of a CU 160, a DU 165, or an RU 170, while other functions of the protocol layer are performed by a different one of the CU 160, the DU 165, or the RU 170) . A CU 160 may be functionally split further into CU control plane (CU-CP) and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. A CU 160 may be connected to a DU 165 via a midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u) , and a DU 165 may be connected to an RU 170 via a fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface) . In some examples, a midhaul communication link 162 or a fronthaul communication link 168 may be implemented in accordance with an interface (e.g., a channel) between layers of a protocol stack supported by respective network entities (e.g., one or more of the network entities 105) that are in communication via such communication links.
[0056] In some wireless communications systems (e.g., the wireless communications system 100) , infrastructure and spectral resources for radio access may support wireless backhaul link capabilities to supplement wired backhaul connections, providing an IAB network architecture (e.g., to a core network 130) . In some cases, in an IAB network, one or more of the network entities 105 (e.g., network entities 105 or IAB node (s) 104) may be partially controlled by each other. The IAB node (s) 104 may be referred to as a donor entity or an IAB donor. A DU 165 or an RU 170 may be partially controlled by a CU 160 associated with a network entity 105 or base station 140 (such as a donor network entity or a donor base station) . The one or more donor entities (e.g., IAB donors) may be in communication with one or more additional devices (e.g., IAB node (s) 104) via supported access and backhaul links (e.g., backhaul communication link (s) 120) . IAB node (s) 104 may include an IAB mobile termination (IAB-MT) controlled (e.g., scheduled) by one or more DUs (e.g., DUs 165) of a coupled IAB donor. An IAB-MT may be equipped with an independent set of antennas for relay of communications with UEs 115 or may share the same antennas (e.g., of an RU 170) of IAB node (s) 104 used for access via the DU 165 of the IAB node (s) 104 (e.g., referred to as virtual IAB-MT (vIAB-MT) ) . In some examples, the IAB node (s) 104 may include one or more DUs (e.g., DUs 165) that support communication links with additional entities (e.g., IAB node (s) 104, UEs 115) within the relay chain or configuration of the access network (e.g., downstream) . In such cases, one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture (e.g., the IAB node (s) 104 or components of the IAB node (s) 104) may be configured to operate according to the techniques described herein.
[0057] In the case of the techniques described herein applied in the context of a disaggregated RAN architecture, one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture may be configured to support test as described herein. For example, some operations described as being performed by a UE 115 or a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may additionally, or alternatively, be performed by one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture (e.g., components such as an IAB node, a DU 165, a CU 160, an RU 170, an RIC 175, an SMO system 180) .
[0058] A UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology, where the “device” may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. A UE 115 may also include or may be referred to as a personal electronic device such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, a UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine type communications (MTC) device, among other examples, which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances, vehicles, or meters, among other examples.
[0059] The UEs 115 described herein may be able to communicate with various types of devices, such as UEs 115 that may sometimes operate as relays, as well as the network entities 105 and the network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations, among other examples, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0060] The UEs 115 and the network entities 105 may wirelessly communicate with one another via the communication link (s) 125 (e.g., one or more access links) using resources associated with one or more carriers. The term “carrier” may refer to a set of RF spectrum resources having a defined PHY layer structure for supporting the communication link (s) 125. For example, a carrier used for the communication link (s) 125 may include a portion of an RF spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth part (BWP) ) that is operated according to one or more PHY layer channels for a given RAT (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR) . Each PHY layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information) , control signaling that coordinates operation for the carrier, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communications system 100 may support communication with a UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. A UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used with both frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing (TDD) component carriers. Communication between a network entity 105 and other devices may refer to communication between the devices and any portion (e.g., entity, sub-entity) of a network entity 105. For example, the terms “transmitting, ” “receiving, ” or “communicating, ” when referring to a network entity 105, may refer to any portion of a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, a CU 160, a DU 165, a RU 170) of a RAN communicating with another device (e.g., directly or via one or more other network entities, such as one or more of the network entities 105) .
[0061] Signal waveforms transmitted via a carrier may be made up of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM) ) . In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element may refer to resources of one symbol period (e.g., a duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, in which case the symbol period and subcarrier spacing may be inversely related. The quantity of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both) , such that a relatively higher quantity of resource elements (e.g., in a transmission duration) and a relatively higher order of a modulation scheme may correspond to a relatively higher rate of communication. A wireless communications resource may refer to a combination of an RF spectrum resource, a time resource, and a spatial resource (e.g., a spatial layer, a beam) , and the use of multiple spatial resources may increase the data rate or data integrity for communications with a UE 115.
[0062] The time intervals for the network entities 105 or the UEs 115 may be expressed in multiples of a basic time unit which may, for example, refer to a sampling period of Ts=1 / (Δfmax·Nf) seconds, for which Δfmax may represent a supported subcarrier spacing, and Nf may represent a supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size. Time intervals of a communications resource may be organized according to radio frames each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms) ) . Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023) .
[0063] Each frame may include multiple consecutively-numbered subframes or slots, and each subframe or slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may be divided (e.g., in the time domain) into subframes, and each subframe may be further divided into a quantity of slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable quantity of slots, and the quantity of slots may depend on subcarrier spacing. Each slot may include a quantity of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix prepended to each symbol period) . In some wireless communications systems, such as the wireless communications system 100, a slot may further be divided into multiple mini-slots associated with one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may be associated with one or more (e.g., Nf) sampling periods. The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or frequency band of operation.
[0064] A subframe, a slot, a mini-slot, or a symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communications system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI) . In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., a quantity of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally, or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communications system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., in bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs) ) .
[0065] Physical channels may be multiplexed for communication using a carrier according to various techniques. A physical control channel and a physical data channel may be multiplexed for signaling via a downlink carrier, for example, using one or more of time division multiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency division multiplexing (FDM) techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET) ) for a physical control channel may be defined by a set of symbol periods and may extend across the system bandwidth or a subset of the system bandwidth of the carrier. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a set of the UEs 115. For example, one or more of the UEs 115 may monitor or search control regions for control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set may include one or multiple control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. An aggregation level for a control channel candidate may refer to an amount of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs) ) associated with encoded information for a control information format having a given payload size. Search space sets may include common search space sets configured for sending control information to UEs 115 (e.g., one or more UEs) or may include UE-specific search space sets for sending control information to a UE 115 (e.g., a specific UE) .
[0066] In some examples, a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) may be movable and therefore provide communication coverage for a moving coverage area, such as the coverage area 110. In some examples, coverage areas 110 (e.g., different coverage areas) associated with different technologies may overlap, but the coverage areas 110 (e.g., different coverage areas) may be supported by the same network entity (e.g., a network entity 105) . In some other examples, overlapping coverage areas, such as a coverage area 110, associated with different technologies may be supported by different network entities (e.g., the network entities 105) . The wireless communications system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of the network entities 105 support communications for coverage areas 110 (e.g., different coverage areas) using the same or different RATs.
[0067] The wireless communications system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable communications or low-latency communications, or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communications system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) . The UEs 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency, or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communications may include private communication or group communication and may be supported by one or more services such as push-to-talk, video, or data. Support for ultra-reliable, low-latency functions may include prioritization of services, and such services may be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, and ultra-reliable low-latency may be used interchangeably herein.
[0068] In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured to support communicating directly with other UEs (e.g., one or more of the UEs 115) via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link, such as a D2D communication link 135 (e.g., in accordance with a peer-to-peer (P2P) , D2D, or sidelink protocol) . In some examples, one or more UEs 115 of a group that are performing D2D communications may be within the coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) , which may support aspects of such D2D communications being configured by (e.g., scheduled by) the network entity 105. In some examples, one or more UEs 115 of such a group may be outside the coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 or may be otherwise unable to or not configured to receive transmissions from a network entity 105. In some examples, groups of the UEs 115 communicating via D2D communications may support a one-to-many (1: M) system in which each UE 115 transmits to one or more of the UEs 115 in the group. In some examples, a network entity 105 may facilitate the scheduling of resources for D2D communications. In some other examples, D2D communications may be carried out between the UEs 115 without an involvement of a network entity 105.
[0069] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or 5G core (5GC) , which may include at least one control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME) , an access and mobility management function (AMF) ) and at least one 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) ) . The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for the UEs 115 served by the network entities 105 (e.g., base stations 140) associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be transferred through the user plane entity, which may provide IP address allocation as well as other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to IP services 150 for one or more network operators. The IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, Intranet (s) , an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) , or a Packet-Switched Streaming Service.
[0070] The wireless communications system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands, which may be in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz) . Generally, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is known as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelengths range from approximately one decimeter to one meter in length. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features, which may be referred to as clusters, but the waves may penetrate structures sufficiently for a macro cell to provide service to the UEs 115 located indoors. Communications using UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than one hundred kilometers) compared to communications using the smaller frequencies and longer waves of the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrum below 300 MHz.
[0071] The wireless communications system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed RF spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communications system 100 may employ License Assisted Access (LAA) , LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U) RAT, or NR technology using an unlicensed band such as the 5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. While operating using unlicensed RF spectrum bands, devices such as the network entities 105 and the UEs 115 may employ carrier sensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples, operations using unlicensed bands may be based on a carrier aggregation configuration in conjunction with component carriers operating using a licensed band (e.g., LAA) . Operations using unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, among other examples.
[0072] A network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) or a UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, or beamforming. The antennas of a network entity 105 or a UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels, which may support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. In some examples, antennas or antenna arrays associated with a network entity 105 may be located at diverse geographic locations. A network entity 105 may include an antenna array with a set of rows and columns of antenna ports that the network entity 105 may use to support beamforming of communications with a UE 115. Likewise, a UE 115 may include one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally, or alternatively, an antenna panel may support RF beamforming for a signal transmitted via an antenna port.
[0073] Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., a network entity 105, a UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining the signals communicated via antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating along particular orientations with respect to an antenna array experience constructive interference while others experience destructive interference. The adjustment of signals communicated via the antenna elements may include a transmitting device or a receiving device applying amplitude offsets, phase offsets, or both to signals carried via the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustments associated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g., with respect to the antenna array of the transmitting device or receiving device, or with respect to some other orientation) .
[0074] Some wireless communications system may deploy ambient internet of things devices. Ambient internet of things devices may not have their own power sources and may receive power from transmissions by other devices or from the environment. Ambient internet of things devices may be referred to as energy harvesting wireless devices. A RF reader (e.g., source device) , such as a Tx UE 115 or wireless device, may transmit a continuous wave signal to the energy harvesting wireless device, and the energy harvesting wireless device may harvest energy, store energy, or both from the continuous wave signal. In some cases, the RF reader or wireless device may be a network entity 105 or a UE 115. An example of the energy harvesting wireless device may be a RFID tag. In some examples, the energy harvesting wireless device may include an energy storage. In some cases, the energy harvesting wireless device may consume power of the storage inappropriately. For example, the energy harvesting wireless device may have a wake-up threshold associated with an amount of harvested energy, and environmental RF signals from devices other than the RF reader may provide enough RF incident energy to false wake-up the energy harvesting wireless device. During the false wake-up, the energy harvesting wireless device may consume a greater amount of energy from storage than harvested from the environmental RF signals resulting in an unnecessary consumption of energy.
[0075] An energy harvesting wireless device may operate in a duty-cycle manner, and the RF reader or wireless device may provide signaling to synchronize the energy harvesting wireless device with the wireless device. In some examples, the energy harvesting wireless device may receive a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device. The duty-cycle may include the on-state and an off-state. In some cases, the on-state duration of the duty-cycle may be associated with an energy harvest efficiency associated with the energy harvesting wireless device. In some cases, the on-state duration of the duty-cycle may be associated with an amount of energy in a storage associated with the energy harvesting wireless device. In some examples, a transmission duration associated with the synchronization signal may be greater than a duration associated with the off-state. The energy harvesting wireless device may establish timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based on the synchronization signal. The energy harvesting wireless device may receive a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or the frequency synchronization, and the delimiter signal may indicate a beginning of a plurality of subsequent symbols. The energy harvesting wireless device may receive a message in the plurality of subsequent symbols.
[0076] FIG. 2 shows an example of a wireless communications system 200 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system 200 may implement aspects of or may be implemented by aspects of the wireless communications system 100. For example, the wireless communications system 200 includes a wireless device 205, which may be an example of a UE 115 or a network entity 105 as described herein.
[0077] In some examples, wireless communications system 200 may include an ambient wireless device or an energy harvesting wireless device 210. The energy harvesting wireless device 210 may receive power from transmissions by the wireless device 205 or from the environment. In some cases, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may be an example of a passive radio device, a semi-passive radio device with energy harvesting and energy storing capabilities, an active radio device with energy harvesting and energy storing capabilities, an active radio device with a battery, or a combination thereof. Further, while wireless communications system 200 illustrates communications between the wireless device 205 and the energy harvesting wireless device 210, it is understood that the communications described herein may happen between the energy harvesting wireless device 210 and any type of wireless device (e.g., a network entity 105, a UE 115, an access point (AP) , among other examples) .
[0078] In some examples, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may communicate with the wireless device 205 via a continuous waveform (e.g., forward link) and a backscattered signal (e.g., backscatter link) . The wireless device 205 may transmit a signal on a forward link (FL) from the wireless device 205 to the energy harvesting wireless device 210. The energy harvesting wireless device 210 may transmit a signal in a backscatter operation on a backscatter link (BL) from the energy harvesting wireless device 210 to the wireless device 205. The energy harvesting wireless device 210 may be one or more types of an RFID tag. Systems that support communications between the energy harvesting wireless device 210 and the wireless device 205 may be referred to as RFID systems, ambient internet of things systems, or both. Additionally, such systems may operate in ISM bands, NR licensed bands, or NR-U bands. In some cases, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may include a battery or other energy storage device that may be rechargeable or may perform energy harvesting and store the harvested energy in energy storage circuits. In some examples, the wireless device 205 may be RF reader (e.g., source device) , such as a transmitter user equipment (Tx UE) . The wireless device 205 may transmit a continuous wave signal to the energy harvesting wireless device 210, and the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may harvest energy, store energy, or both from the continuous wave signal.
[0079] In some examples, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may be an ultra-high frequency RFID that may be designed to work without energy storage. The continuous waveform may be Pulse Interval Encoding (PIE) rather than Manchester encoding to enable the forward link to supply energy to the energy harvesting wireless device 210 more efficiently. In some cases, the continuous waveform may supply energy during a time without forward link communication. For the RFID, energy storage with a diode detector may lower an RF receive threshold, such as from -20dBm to -35dBm, with 100nA for the detector. If the energy storage supports energy harvesting over the air, the RF threshold lowering may be sustained. The RFID with the diode detector may be referred to as a battery-assisted RFID tag or a battery-assisted semi-passive tag.
[0080] In some examples, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may include an energy storage device, such as a capacitor. In some cases, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may inefficiently consume power of the energy storage device. The energy harvesting wireless device 210 may be operated in-band or guard-band of a regular NR carrier. An incident RF power coming to the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may routinely exceed a wake-up threshold, and the incident RF power may be frequent or continuous due to of RF transmissions between UEs 115 and network entities 105 in the environment of the energy harvesting wireless device 210. For example, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may have a wake-up threshold associated with an amount of harvested energy, and environmental RF signals from devices other than the wireless device 205 (RF reader) may provide enough RF incident energy to false wake-up the energy harvesting wireless device 210. During the false wake-up, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may consume a greater amount of energy from storage than harvested from the environmental RF signals resulting in an unnecessary consumption of energy. For an example energy harvesting wireless device 210, the wake-up threshold of RF incident power may be -30dBm and the energy harvest efficiency at -30dBm may be 10%, and the power consumption during wake-up state may be 1uW; then, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may consume 1uW while harvest 0.1uW from the incident RF, so the energy harvesting wireless device 210, during the false wake-up, may consumes 0.9uW unnecessarily from the associated energy storage.
[0081] FIG. 3 shows an example of a timing diagram 300 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Aspects of the timing diagram 300 may implement, or be implemented by, aspects of wireless communications system 100 and the wireless communications system 200, or any combination thereof.
[0082] In some examples, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may operate in a duty-cycle matter. FIG. 3 illustrates an example duty-cycle operation 305 of the energy harvesting wireless device 210. The duty-cycle operation 305 may include an on-state 310 and an off-state 315. During the on-state 310, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may be in a wake-up mode, and, during the off-state 315, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may be in a sleep mode (e.g., a reduced power consumption mode) . The duty-cycle may be selected based on energy harvesting efficiency. For example, if energy harvesting from RF is 0.1uW and power consumption during wake-up is 1uW, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may have a 10%duty-cycle operation (with uncertainty) to balance the energy consumption and the energy harvest (e.g., operates in the on-state 10%of the time and in the off-state 90%of the time) . During the off-state 315 of the duty-cycle, energy harvesting wireless device 210 may not, in some examples, wake-up (even with high incident RF power) . During the on-state 310 of the duty-cycle, energy harvesting wireless device 210 device may monitor, receive, or search for a signal from the wireless device 205.
[0083] In some examples, the duty-cycle may depend on an energy harvest efficiency associated with the energy harvesting wireless device 210. A duration of the on-state 310 of the duty-cycle may be based on an energy harvest efficiency associated with the energy harvesting wireless device 210. For example, if the energy harvesting efficiency is 30%for a given RF power, the duty-cycle may include the on-state 310 being 30%of the duty-cycle. In some cases, the energy harvesting efficiency may depend on a carrier frequency, a received RF power or combination thereof. In some examples, the duty-cycle may depend on an amount of energy in the storage (or voltage for the storage) of the energy harvesting wireless device 210. A duration of the on-state 310 of the duty-cycle may be based at least in part on an amount of energy in a storage associated with the energy harvesting wireless device 210. In some cases, if the storage of the energy harvesting wireless device 210 is fully charged or sufficiently charged to support device operation, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may wake-up, and if the storage is going to be empty (e.g., capacitor has no or little remaining charge) , the duty-cycle may be longer so that the device sustains further operation. In some cases, a level associated with the energy storage of the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may be identified by observing a voltage of the energy storage. If the voltage of the energy storage is greater than a threshold, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may be considered as fully charged or sufficiently charged to support device operation. If the voltage of the energy storage is less than the threshold, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may be considered as not sufficiently charged to support normal device operation.
[0084] In some cases, the duty-cycle may depend on the clock of the energy harvesting wireless device 210 operating during the sleep-state. The clock may count a quantity of ticks, and if the counted quantity of ticks exceeds a threshold, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may wake up. During the on-state, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may count a quantity of ticks, and if the counted quantity of ticks exceeds another threshold, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may go to the sleep state or off-state. In some examples, the duty-cycle may not be accurate and may be different for different energy harvesting devices. For example, the energy harvesting rate may not be stable, and the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may use an inaccurate clock to count time for duty-cycle durations and occasions, offset, drift, error, or a combination thereof may be unavoidable. In some cases, the wireless device 205 may not know the duty-cycle of the energy harvesting wireless device 210.
[0085] In some examples, the wireless device 205 may transmit a synchronization signal 215 for the energy harvesting wireless device 210 to synchronize and to perform energy harvesting. The synchronization signal 215 may at least contain a waveform that the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may use to synchronize its clock, time and frequency with the synchronization signal 215. The synchronization signal 215 may be transmitted such that the energy harvesting wireless device 210 with duty-cycle operation may detect synchronization signal 215. The energy harvesting wireless device 210 may establish timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based at least in part on the synchronization signal 215. In some examples, subsequent to a reception of the synchronization signal 215, the on-state may be maintained until a reception of a message from the wireless device 205 or for a duration of a timer.
[0086] FIG. 3 illustrates another example of a duty-cycle operation 320 of the energy harvesting wireless device 210 and the synchronization signal 325. In some examples, a transmission duration associated with the synchronization signal 325 may be greater than a duration associated with the off-state of the duty-cycle. For example, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may have a duty-cycle of approximately 10%with approximately 5ms wake-up and approximately 50ms periodicity. If the wireless device 205 transmits the synchronization signal of 50ms or longer duration, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may receive and detect the synchronization signal 215 at least at one of wake-up durations of the on-state 310. In some cases, even if the energy harvesting wireless device 210 considers the periodicity of the duty-cycle as 50ms, an actual time gap between two wake-up occasions (on-states) may be longer than 50ms. Such uncertainty may be considered by the wireless device 205, and the wireless device 205 may transmit the synchronization signal over a duration longer than 50ms.
[0087] In some examples, the wireless device 205 may enable the synchronization for multiple energy harvesting wireless devices. The different energy harvesting wireless devices may start receiving at different times in the duration of the synchronization signal transmission, and the different energy harvesting wireless devices may have different duration of on-state for the respective duty-cycle operation. In some examples, the wireless device 205 may transmit a synchronization signal that includes a sequence for synchronization that may be repeated multiple times over the duration of the transmission of the synchronization signal. FIG. 3 illustrates another example of a duty-cycle operation 330 for a first energy harvesting wireless device and a duty-cycle operation 335 for a second energy harvesting wireless device. The synchronization signal 340 may include a short sequence repeated in the duration (or window) of the transmission, where each box in the synchronization signal 340 represents a repetition of the short sequence. In some cases, where the clock of the energy harvesting wireless device 210 is considered as accurate, the uncertainty accommodation with the repeated sequence for synchronization may not be used.
[0088] FIG. 4 shows an example of a timing diagram 400 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Aspects of the timing diagram 400 may implement, or be implemented by, aspects of wireless communications system 100 and the wireless communications system 200, or any combination thereof.
[0089] In some examples, the wireless device 205 may transmit a message 225 or a forward link (FL) packet including a preamble, data, and control information after transmission of the synchronization signal 215. The energy harvesting wireless device 210 may first synchronize its clock, time, frequency or a combination thereof with the synchronization signal 215 and may receive the message using the synchronized clock, time, frequency or the combination thereof. In some cases, the message 225 or FL packet may be repeated or may not be repeated. In some cases, the message 225 may occur after a delimiter 220, where the delimiter 220 indicates the start of the message 225 (e.g., delimiter 220 is a known sequence or pattern) . The lengths of the synchronization signal 215 and the message 225 may be independent. The length of the message 225 may be dependent on the payload or coding scheme associated with the message 225.
[0090] In some examples, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may receive a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both established based on the synchronization signal. In some cases, the delimiter signal may indicate a beginning of a plurality of subsequent symbols (or subsequent symbols modulated by amplitude-shift keying or on-off keying modulation) , and a message may be received in the plurality of subsequent symbols. In some cases, the delimiter signal may indicate a beginning of a message (e.g., identify a beginning symbol period (earliest in time) of a set of one or more symbol periods over which a data message is transmitted by the wireless device 205 to the energy harvesting wireless device 210) . FIG. 4 illustrates an example duty-cycle operation 405 of the energy harvesting wireless device 210. The energy harvesting wireless device 210 may receive the synchronization signal 410, the delimiter 415, and the message 420. FIG. 4 illustrates another example duty-cycle operation 425 of the energy harvesting wireless device 210. The energy harvesting wireless device 210 may receive the synchronization signal 430, the delimiter 435, and the message 440. The wireless device 205 may consider the duty-cycle associated with the duty-cycle operation 405 as shorter or an quantity associated with an uncertainty of wake-occasions is smaller than the duty-cycle associated with the duty-cycle operation 425, so the synchronization signal window associated with the synchronization signal 410 may be shorter than the synchronization signal window associated with the synchronization signal 430.
[0091] In some examples, the FL packet or message may be a duration from the end of the synchronization signal. FIG. 4 illustrates an example with a synchronization signal 445, a delimiter 450, and a message 455. The end of the synchronization signal 445 is a duration 460 offset in time from the message 455. In some cases, the delimiter may be part of the synchronization signal. FIG. 4 illustrates an example with a synchronization signal 465, a delimiter 470, and a message 475. The delimiter 470 that is part of the synchronization signal 465 is a duration 480 offset in time from the message 475. The energy harvesting wireless device 210 may maintain synchronization after the reception of the synchronization signal until the message reception or until a timer expires. Maintaining synchronization after the reception of the synchronization signal until the message reception or until a timer expires may achieve flexibility of resource allocation for the message at a cost of power consumption.
[0092] FIG. 5 shows an example of a timing diagram 500 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Aspects of the timing diagram 500 may implement, or be implemented by, aspects of wireless communications system 100 and the wireless communications system 200, or any combination thereof.
[0093] In some examples, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may count time using an internal clock to maintain the duty-cycle operation. The internal clock may not be accurate as the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may count time during the sleep state (off-state) with very low power consumption. In some examples, the wireless device 205 may transmit a synchronization signal occasionally (e.g., periodically) to sustain the duty-cycle operation of the energy harvesting wireless device 210. The periodic synchronization signal may be used to maintain duty-cycle operation of the energy harvesting wireless device 210 and may not be used to synchronize the time, clock, or frequency for message reception. In some cases, a periodicity of the periodic synchronization signal may be greater than the duty-cycle duration of the energy harvesting wireless device 210. For example, the periodicity associated with the synchronization signal may be greater than a duration associated with the off-state. The energy harvesting wireless device 210 that acquires the periodic synchronization signal may enable duty-cycle operation with a smaller uncertainty. FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the periodic synchronization signal 505 for an energy harvesting wireless device 210 having duty-cycle operation 510 or duty-cycle operation 515.
[0094] In some examples, the periodic synchronization signal may be repeated in a window to accommodate uncertainty of energy harvesting wireless device 210 wake-up timing and / or uncertain duration due to duty-cycle operation using an inaccurate internal clock. FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the periodic synchronization signal 520 repeated in a window 525 with an associated duration to accommodate uncertainty of energy harvesting wireless device 210 wake-up timing and / or uncertainty of duration due to duty-cycle operation using an inaccurate clock. In cases where the clock of the energy harvesting wireless device 210 is considered as accurate, the uncertainty accommodation with the periodic synchronization signal 520 repetition in the window 525 may not be used.
[0095] In some examples, the periodic synchronization signal for duty-cycle operation and the synchronization signal associated with the message or FL packet may have different synchronization signal structures. In some cases, the periodic synchronization signal may not be able to be used for clock, time, frequency synchronization for message or FL packet reception. FIG. 5. illustrates the periodic synchronization signal 520 and a synchronization signal 530 for the message reception. The synchronization signal 530 may be prior to a delimiter signal 535 and a message 540. In some examples, the periodic synchronization signal for the duty-cycle operation and synchronization signal associated with message or FL packet may have a same synchronization signal structure. For example, the synchronization signal 545 may provide both the synchronization for the duty-cycle operation and the synchronization for the clock, time, frequency for message 555. The delimiter 550 may be received between the synchronization signal 545 and the message 555.
[0096] In some examples, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may report to the wireless device 205 its preferred (or operated) duty-cycle. For example, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may transmit control signal 230 indicating the duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device 210. In some cases, the report of the duty-cycle may be triggered by the wireless device 205. For example, the wireless device may transmit a message or FL that requests the energy harvesting wireless device 210 to report the duty-cycle. After the receiving request, the energy harvesting wireless device 210 may transmit the report indicating the duty-cycle via back link (BL) with backscattering or carrier frequency. The wireless device 205 may determine or may be configured with the synchronization signal window size based on the preferred (or operated) duty-cycle of the energy harvesting wireless device 210 or several energy harvesting wireless devices, or based on a maximum duty-cycle that the wireless device 205 may consider that target devices implement.
[0097] FIG. 6 shows an example of a process flow 600 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the process flow 600 may implement or be implemented by aspects of the wireless communications systems 100 and 200 as described with reference to FIGs. 1 and 2, respectively. For example, the process flow 600 may be implemented by a wireless device 205-a, which may be an example of the wireless device 205 as described with reference to FIG. 2. The process flow 600 may be implemented by an energy harvesting wireless device 210-a, which may be an example of the energy harvesting wireless device 210 as described with reference to FIG. 2.
[0098] In some examples, the operations illustrated in process flow 600 may be performed by hardware (e.g., including circuitry, processing blocks, logic components, and other components) , code (e.g., software executed by a processor) , or any combination thereof. Alternative examples of the following may be implemented, where some steps are performed in a different order than described or are not performed at all. In some cases, steps may include additional features not mentioned below, or further steps may be added.
[0099] At 605, the energy harvesting wireless device 210-a may receive a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device. The duty-cycle may include the on-state and an off-state.
[0100] In some examples, a duration of the on-state of the duty-cycle may be based at least in part on an energy harvest efficiency associated with the energy harvesting wireless device 210-a. In some examples, a duration of the on-state of the duty-cycle may be based at least in part on a clock associated with the timing synchronization. In some examples, a duration of the on-state of the duty-cycle may be based at least in part on an amount of energy in a storage associated with the energy harvesting wireless device.
[0101] In some examples, a transmission duration associated with the synchronization signal may be greater than a duration associated with the off-state. In some examples, the synchronization signal may include a repeated sequence. In some examples, the synchronization signal is received periodically. In some examples, a periodicity associated with the synchronization signal may be greater than a duration associated with the off-state.
[0102] At 610, the energy harvesting wireless device 210-a may establish establishing timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based at least in part on the synchronization signal.
[0103] At 615, the energy harvesting wireless device 210-a may receive a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or the frequency synchronization. The delimiter signal may indicate a beginning of a plurality of subsequent symbols. In some examples, the delimiter signal may be received with the synchronization signal.
[0104] At 620, the energy harvesting wireless device 210-a may receive a message in the plurality of subsequent symbols. In some examples, the message may include a second synchronization signal, and the message may be received based at least in part on the second synchronization signal. In some examples, subsequent to a reception of the synchronization signal, the on-state may be maintained until a reception of the message.
[0105] At 625, the energy harvesting wireless device 210-a may transmit control signaling indicating the duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device.
[0106] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram 700 of a device 705 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 705 may be an example of aspects of an energy harvesting wireless device 210 as described herein. The device 705 may include a receiver 710, a transmitter 715, and a communications manager 720. The device 705, or one or more components of the device 705 (e.g., the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, the communications manager 720) , may include at least one processor, which may be coupled with at least one memory, to, individually or collectively, support or enable the described techniques. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .
[0107] The receiver 710 may provide a means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device) . Information may be passed on to other components of the device 705. The receiver 710 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
[0108] The transmitter 715 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 705. For example, the transmitter 715 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device) . In some examples, the transmitter 715 may be co-located with a receiver 710 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 715 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
[0109] The communications manager 720, the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or various combinations or components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device as described herein. For example, the communications manager 720, the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or various combinations or components thereof may be capable of performing one or more of the functions described herein.
[0110] In some examples, the communications manager 720, the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry) . The hardware may include at least one of a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP) , a central processing unit (CPU) , an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting, individually or collectively, a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, at least one processor and at least one memory coupled with the at least one processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by one or more processors, individually or collectively, executing instructions stored in the at least one memory) .
[0111] Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager 720, the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e.g., as communications management software or firmware) executed by at least one processor (e.g., referred to as a processor-executable code) . If implemented in code executed by at least one processor, the functions of the communications manager 720, the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting, individually or collectively, a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure) .
[0112] In some examples, the communications manager 720 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both. For example, the communications manager 720 may receive information from the receiver 710, send information to the transmitter 715, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
[0113] The communications manager 720 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 720 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device, where the duty-cycle includes the on-state and an off-state. The communications manager 720 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based on the synchronization signal. The communications manager 720 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or frequency synchronization, the delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols. The communications manager 720 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a message in the set of multiple subsequent symbols.
[0114] By including or configuring the communications manager 720 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 705 (e.g., at least one processor controlling or otherwise coupled with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, the communications manager 720, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for reduced power consumption and more efficient utilization of communication resources.
[0115] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram 800 of a device 805 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 805 may be an example of aspects of a device 705 or an energy harvesting wireless device 210 as described herein. The device 805 may include a receiver 810, a transmitter 815, and a communications manager 820. The device 805, or one or more components of the device 805 (e.g., the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, the communications manager 820) , may include at least one processor, which may be coupled with at least one memory, to support the described techniques. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .
[0116] The receiver 810 may provide a means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device) . Information may be passed on to other components of the device 805. The receiver 810 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
[0117] The transmitter 815 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 805. For example, the transmitter 815 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device) . In some examples, the transmitter 815 may be co-located with a receiver 810 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 815 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
[0118] The device 805, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device as described herein. For example, the communications manager 820 may include a synchronization signal manager 825, a synchronization manager 830, a delimiter signal manager 835, a message manager 840, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 820 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 720 as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 820, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or both. For example, the communications manager 820 may receive information from the receiver 810, send information to the transmitter 815, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
[0119] The communications manager 820 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The synchronization signal manager 825 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device, where the duty-cycle includes the on-state and an off-state. The synchronization manager 830 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based on the synchronization signal. The delimiter signal manager 835 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or frequency synchronization, the delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols . The message manager 840 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a message in the set of multiple subsequent symbols.
[0120] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram 900 of a communications manager 920 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The communications manager 920 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 720, a communications manager 820, or both, as described herein. The communications manager 920, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device as described herein. For example, the communications manager 920 may include a synchronization signal manager 925, a synchronization manager 930, a delimiter signal manager 935, a message manager 940, a duty-cycle manager 945, or any combination thereof. Each of these components, or components or subcomponents thereof (e.g., one or more processors, one or more memories) , may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .
[0121] The communications manager 920 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The synchronization signal manager 925 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device, where the duty-cycle includes the on-state and an off-state. The synchronization manager 930 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based on the synchronization signal. The delimiter signal manager 935 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or frequency synchronization, the delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols . The message manager 940 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a message in the set of multiple subsequent symbols.
[0122] In some examples, a duration of the on-state of the duty-cycle is based on an energy harvest efficiency associated with the energy harvesting wireless device.
[0123] In some examples, a duration of the on-state of the duty-cycle is based on a clock associated with the timing synchronization.
[0124] In some examples, a duration of the on-state of the duty-cycle is based on an amount of energy in a storage associated with the energy harvesting wireless device.
[0125] In some examples, subsequent to a reception of the synchronization signal, the on-state is maintained until a reception of the message.
[0126] In some examples, a transmission duration associated with the synchronization signal is greater than a duration associated with the off-state.
[0127] In some examples, the synchronization signal includes a repeated sequence.
[0128] In some examples, the delimiter signal is received with the synchronization signal.
[0129] In some examples, the synchronization signal is received periodically.
[0130] In some examples, a periodicity associated with the synchronization signal is greater than a duration associated with the off-state.
[0131] In some examples, the message includes a second synchronization signal, and the message is received based on the second synchronization signal.
[0132] In some examples, the duty-cycle manager 945 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting control signaling indicating the duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device.
[0133] FIG. 10 shows a diagram of a system 1000 including a device 1005 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1005 may be an example of or include components of a device 705, a device 805, or an energy harvesting wireless device 210 as described herein. The device 1005 may communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with one or more other devices (e.g., network entities 105, UEs 115, or a combination thereof) . The device 1005 may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communications manager 1020, an input / output (I / O) controller, such as an I / O controller 1010, a transceiver 1015, one or more antennas 1025, at least one memory 1030, code 1035, and at least one processor 1040. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 1045) .
[0134] The I / O controller 1010 may manage input and output signals for the device 1005. The I / O controller 1010 may also manage peripherals not integrated into the device 1005. In some cases, the I / O controller 1010 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral. In some cases, the I / O controller 1010 may utilize an operating system such as or another known operating system. Additionally, or alternatively, the I / O controller 1010 may represent or interact with a modem, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, or a similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 1010 may be implemented as part of one or more processors, such as the at least one processor 1040. In some cases, a user may interact with the device 1005 via the I / O controller 1010 or via hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 1010.
[0135] In some cases, the device 1005 may include a single antenna. However, in some other cases, the device 1005 may have more than one antenna, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 1015 may communicate bi-directionally via the one or more antennas 1025 using wired or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 1015 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1015 may also include a modem to modulate the packets, to provide the modulated packets to one or more antennas 1025 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one or more antennas 1025. The transceiver 1015, or the transceiver 1015 and one or more antennas 1025, may be an example of a transmitter 715, a transmitter 815, a receiver 710, a receiver 810, or any combination thereof or component thereof, as described herein.
[0136] The at least one memory 1030 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM) . The at least one memory 1030 may store computer-readable, computer-executable, or processor-executable code, such as the code 1035. The code 1035 may include instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 1040, cause the device 1005 to perform various functions described herein. The code 1035 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 1035 may not be directly executable by the at least one processor 1040 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the at least one memory 1030 may include, among other things, a basic I / O system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.
[0137] The at least one processor 1040 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices (e.g., one or more general-purpose processors, one or more DSPs, one or more central processing units (CPUs) , one or more graphics processing units (GPUs) , one or more neural processing units (NPUs) (also referred to as neural network processors or deep learning processors (DLPs) ) , one or more microcontrollers, one or more ASICs, one or more FPGAs, one or more programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, one or more discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof) . In some cases, the at least one processor 1040 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into the at least one processor 1040. The at least one processor 1040 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the at least one memory 1030) to cause the device 1005 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device) . For example, the device 1005 or a component of the device 1005 may include at least one processor 1040 and at least one memory 1030 coupled with or to the at least one processor 1040, the at least one processor 1040 and the at least one memory 1030 configured to perform various functions described herein. In some examples, the at least one processor 1040 may include multiple processors and the at least one memory 1030 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 described herein. In some examples, the at least one processor 1040 may be a component of a processing system, which may refer to a system (such as a series) of machines, circuitry (including, for example, one or both of processor circuitry (which may include the at least one processor 1040) and memory circuitry (which may include the at least one memory 1030) ) , or components, that receives or obtains inputs and processes the inputs to produce, generate, or obtain a set of outputs. The processing system may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein. For example, the at least one processor 1040 or a processing system including the at least one processor 1040 may be configured to, configurable to, or operable to cause the device 1005 to perform one or more of the functions described herein. Further, as described herein, being “configured to,” being “configurable to, ” and being “operable to” may be used interchangeably and may be associated with a capability, when executing code 1035 (e.g., processor-executable code) stored in the at least one memory 1030 or otherwise, to perform one or more of the functions described herein.
[0138] The communications manager 1020 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1020 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device, where the duty-cycle includes the on-state and an off-state. The communications manager 1020 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based on the synchronization signal. The communications manager 1020 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or frequency synchronization, the delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols . The communications manager 1020 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a message in the set of multiple subsequent symbols.
[0139] By including or configuring the communications manager 1020 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 1005 may support techniques for improved communication reliability, reduced power consumption, and improved coordination between devices.
[0140] In some examples, the communications manager 1020 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the transceiver 1015, the one or more antennas 1025, or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 1020 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 1020 may be supported by or performed by the at least one processor 1040, the at least one memory 1030, the code 1035, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 1035 may include instructions executable by the at least one processor 1040 to cause the device 1005 to perform various aspects of techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device as described herein, or the at least one processor 1040 and the at least one memory 1030 may be otherwise configured to, individually or collectively, perform or support such operations.
[0141] FIG. 11 shows a block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1105 may be an example of aspects of a network entity 105, a UE 115, or a wireless device 205 as described herein. The device 1105 may include a receiver 1110, a transmitter 1115, and a communications manager 1120. The device 1105, or one or more components of the device 1105 (e.g., the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, the communications manager 1120) , may include at least one processor, which may be coupled with at least one memory, to, individually or collectively, support or enable the described techniques. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .
[0142] The receiver 1110 may provide a means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack) . Information may be passed on to other components of the device 1105. In some examples, the receiver 1110 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the receiver 1110 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.
[0143] The transmitter 1115 may provide a means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information generated by other components of the device 1105. For example, the transmitter 1115 may output information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack) . In some examples, the transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1115 and the receiver 1110 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include or be coupled with a modem.
[0144] The communications manager 1120, the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or various combinations or components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1120, the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or various combinations or components thereof may be capable of performing one or more of the functions described herein.
[0145] In some examples, the communications manager 1120, the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry) . The hardware may include at least one of a processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting, individually or collectively, a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, at least one processor and at least one memory coupled with the at least one processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by one or more processors, individually or collectively, executing instructions stored in the at least one memory) .
[0146] Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager 1120, the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e.g., as communications management software or firmware) executed by at least one processor (e.g., referred to as a processor-executable code) . If implemented in code executed by at least one processor, the functions of the communications manager 1120, the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting, individually or collectively, a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure) .
[0147] In some examples, the communications manager 1120 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or both. For example, the communications manager 1120 may receive information from the receiver 1110, send information to the transmitter 1115, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
[0148] The communications manager 1120 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1120 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for outputting a synchronization signal to an energy-harvesting wireless device. The communications manager 1120 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for outputting, to the energy-harvesting wireless device, a delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols associated with the synchronization signal. The communications manager 1120 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for outputting a message subsequent to output of the delimiter signal.
[0149] By including or configuring the communications manager 1120 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 1105 (e.g., at least one processor controlling or otherwise coupled with the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, the communications manager 1120, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for reduced power consumption and more efficient utilization of communication resources.
[0150] FIG. 12 shows a block diagram 1200 of a device 1205 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1205 may be an example of aspects of a device 1105 or a network entity 105, a UE 115, or a wireless device 205 as described herein. The device 1205 may include a receiver 1210, a transmitter 1215, and a communications manager 1220. The device 1205, or one or more components of the device 1205 (e.g., the receiver 1210, the transmitter 1215, the communications manager 1220) , may include at least one processor, which may be coupled with at least one memory, to support the described techniques. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .
[0151] The receiver 1210 may provide a means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack) . Information may be passed on to other components of the device 1205. In some examples, the receiver 1210 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the receiver 1210 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.
[0152] The transmitter 1215 may provide a means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information generated by other components of the device 1205. For example, the transmitter 1215 may output information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack) . In some examples, the transmitter 1215 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the transmitter 1215 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1215 and the receiver 1210 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include or be coupled with a modem.
[0153] The device 1205, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1220 may include a synchronization signal manager 1225, a delimiter signal manager 1230, a message manager 1235, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 1220 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 1120 as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 1220, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 1210, the transmitter 1215, or both. For example, the communications manager 1220 may receive information from the receiver 1210, send information to the transmitter 1215, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 1210, the transmitter 1215, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
[0154] The communications manager 1220 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The synchronization signal manager 1225 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for outputting a synchronization signal to an energy-harvesting wireless device. The delimiter signal manager 1230 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for outputting, to the energy-harvesting wireless device, a delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols associated with the synchronization signal. The message manager 1235 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for outputting a message subsequent to output of the delimiter signal.
[0155] FIG. 13 shows a block diagram 1300 of a communications manager 1320 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The communications manager 1320 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 1120, a communications manager 1220, or both, as described herein. The communications manager 1320, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1320 may include a synchronization signal manager 1325, a delimiter signal manager 1330, a message manager 1335, a duty-cycle manager 1340, or any combination thereof. Each of these components, or components or subcomponents thereof (e.g., one or more processors, one or more memories) , may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) . The communications may include communications within a protocol layer of a protocol stack, communications associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack, within a device, component, or virtualized component associated with a network entity 105, between devices, components, or virtualized components associated with a network entity 105) , or any combination thereof.
[0156] The communications manager 1320 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The synchronization signal manager 1325 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for outputting a synchronization signal to an energy-harvesting wireless device. The delimiter signal manager 1330 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for outputting, to the energy-harvesting wireless device, a delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols associated with the synchronization signal. The message manager 1335 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for outputting a message subsequent to output of the delimiter signal.
[0157] In some examples, the duty-cycle manager 1340 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for obtaining control signaling indicating a duty-cycle associated with an energy harvesting wireless device.
[0158] In some examples, a transmission duration associated with the synchronization signal is greater than a duration of an off-state of the duty-cycle.
[0159] In some examples, a transmission duration associated with the synchronization signal is greater than a duration of an off-state of a duty-cycle associated with an energy harvesting wireless device.
[0160] In some examples, the synchronization signal includes a repeated sequence.
[0161] In some examples, the delimiter signal is output with the synchronization signal.
[0162] In some examples, the synchronization signal is output periodically.
[0163] In some examples, a periodicity associated with the synchronization signal is greater than a duration of an off-state of a duty-cycle associated with an energy harvesting wireless device.
[0164] In some examples, the message includes a second synchronization signal.
[0165] FIG. 14 shows a diagram of a system 1400 including a device 1405 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1405 may be an example of or include components of a device 1105, a device 1205, a network entity 105, a UE 115, or a wireless device 205 as described herein. The device 1405 may communicate with other network devices or network equipment such as one or more of the network entities 105, UEs 115, or any combination thereof. The communications may include communications over one or more wired interfaces, over one or more wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. The device 1405 may include components that support outputting and obtaining communications, such as a communications manager 1420, a transceiver 1410, one or more antennas 1415, at least one memory 1425, code 1430, and at least one processor 1435. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 1440) .
[0166] The transceiver 1410 may support bi-directional communications via wired links, wireless links, or both as described herein. In some examples, the transceiver 1410 may include a wired transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wired transceiver. Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, the transceiver 1410 may include a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. In some examples, the device 1405 may include one or more antennas 1415, which may be capable of transmitting or receiving wireless transmissions (e.g., concurrently) . The transceiver 1410 may also include a modem to modulate signals, to provide the modulated signals for transmission (e.g., by one or more antennas 1415, by a wired transmitter) , to receive modulated signals (e.g., from one or more antennas 1415, from a wired receiver) , and to demodulate signals. In some implementations, the transceiver 1410 may include one or more interfaces, such as one or more interfaces coupled with the one or more antennas 1415 that are configured to support various receiving or obtaining operations, or one or more interfaces coupled with the one or more antennas 1415 that are configured to support various transmitting or outputting operations, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 1410 may include or be configured for coupling with one or more processors or one or more memory components that are operable to perform or support operations based on received or obtained information or signals, or to generate information or other signals for transmission or other outputting, or any combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 1410, or the transceiver 1410 and the one or more antennas 1415, or the transceiver 1410 and the one or more antennas 1415 and one or more processors or one or more memory components (e.g., the at least one processor 1435, the at least one memory 1425, or both) , may be included in a chip or chip assembly that is installed in the device 1405. In some examples, the transceiver 1410 may be operable to support communications via one or more communications links (e.g., communication link (s) 125, backhaul communication link (s) 120, a midhaul communication link 162, a fronthaul communication link 168) .
[0167] The at least one memory 1425 may include RAM, ROM, or any combination thereof. The at least one memory 1425 may store computer-readable, computer-executable, or processor-executable code, such as the code 1430. The code 1430 may include instructions that, when executed by one or more of the at least one processor 1435, cause the device 1405 to perform various functions described herein. The code 1430 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 1430 may not be directly executable by a processor of the at least one processor 1435 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the at least one memory 1425 may include, among other things, a BIOS which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices. In some examples, the at least one processor 1435 may include multiple processors and the at least one memory 1425 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 (for example, as part of a processing system) .
[0168] The at least one processor 1435 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices (e.g., one or more general-purpose processors, one or more DSPs, one or more central processing units (CPUs) , one or more graphics processing units (GPUs) , one or more neural processing units (NPUs) (also referred to as neural network processors or deep learning processors (DLPs) ) , one or more microcontrollers, one or more ASICs, one or more FPGAs, one or more programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, one or more discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof) . In some cases, the at least one processor 1435 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into one or more of the at least one processor 1435. The at least one processor 1435 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., one or more of the at least one memory 1425) to cause the device 1405 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device) . For example, the device 1405 or a component of the device 1405 may include at least one processor 1435 and at least one memory 1425 coupled with one or more of the at least one processor 1435, the at least one processor 1435 and the at least one memory 1425 configured to perform various functions described herein. The at least one processor 1435 may be an example of a cloud-computing platform (e.g., one or more physical nodes and supporting software such as operating systems, virtual machines, or container instances) that may host the functions (e.g., by executing code 1430) to perform the functions of the device 1405. The at least one processor 1435 may be any one or more suitable processors capable of executing scripts or instructions of one or more software programs stored in the device 1405 (such as within one or more of the at least one memory 1425) . In some examples, the at least one processor 1435 may include multiple processors and the at least one memory 1425 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. In some examples, the at least one processor 1435 may be a component of a processing system, which may refer to a system (such as a series) of machines, circuitry (including, for example, one or both of processor circuitry (which may include the at least one processor 1435) and memory circuitry (which may include the at least one memory 1425) ) , or components, that receives or obtains inputs and processes the inputs to produce, generate, or obtain a set of outputs. The processing system may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein. For example, the at least one processor 1435 or a processing system including the at least one processor 1435 may be configured to, configurable to, or operable to cause the device 1405 to perform one or more of the functions described herein. Further, as described herein, being “configured to, ” being “configurable to, ” and being “operable to” may be used interchangeably and may be associated with a capability, when executing code stored in the at least one memory 1425 or otherwise, to perform one or more of the functions described herein.
[0169] In some examples, a bus 1440 may support communications of (e.g., within) a protocol layer of a protocol stack. In some examples, a bus 1440 may support communications associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack) , which may include communications performed within a component of the device 1405, or between different components of the device 1405 that may be co-located or located in different locations (e.g., where the device 1405 may refer to a system in which one or more of the communications manager 1420, the transceiver 1410, the at least one memory 1425, the code 1430, and the at least one processor 1435 may be located in one of the different components or divided between different components) .
[0170] In some examples, the communications manager 1420 may manage aspects of communications with a core network 130 (e.g., via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links) . For example, the communications manager 1420 may manage the transfer of data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115. In some examples, the communications manager 1420 may manage communications with one or more other network devices 105, and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with UEs 115 (e.g., in cooperation with the one or more other network devices) . In some examples, the communications manager 1420 may support an X2 interface within an LTE / LTE-A wireless communications network technology to provide communication between network entities 105.
[0171] The communications manager 1420 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1420 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for outputting a synchronization signal to an energy-harvesting wireless device. The communications manager 1420 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for outputting, to the energy-harvesting wireless device, a delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols associated with the synchronization signal. The communications manager 1420 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for outputting a message subsequent to output of the delimiter signal.
[0172] By including or configuring the communications manager 1420 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 1405 may support techniques for improved communication reliability, reduced power consumption, and improved coordination between devices.
[0173] In some examples, the communications manager 1420 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the transceiver 1410, the one or more antennas 1415 (e.g., where applicable) , or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 1420 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 1420 may be supported by or performed by the transceiver 1410, one or more of the at least one processor 1435, one or more of the at least one memory 1425, the code 1430, or any combination thereof (for example, by a processing system including at least a portion of the at least one processor 1435, the at least one memory 1425, the code 1430, or any combination thereof) . For example, the code 1430 may include instructions executable by one or more of the at least one processor 1435 to cause the device 1405 to perform various aspects of techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device as described herein, or the at least one processor 1435 and the at least one memory 1425 may be otherwise configured to, individually or collectively, perform or support such operations.
[0174] FIG. 15 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1500 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1500 may be implemented by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1500 may be performed by a UE 115 as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 10. In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.
[0175] At 1505, the method may include receiving a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device, where the duty-cycle includes the on-state and an off-state. The operations of 1505 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1505 may be performed by a synchronization signal manager 925 as described with reference to FIG. 9.
[0176] At 1510, the method may include establishing timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based on the synchronization signal. The operations of 1510 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1510 may be performed by a synchronization manager 930 as described with reference to FIG. 9.
[0177] At 1515, the method may include receiving a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or frequency synchronization, the delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols . The operations of 1515 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1515 may be performed by a delimiter signal manager 935 as described with reference to FIG. 9.
[0178] At 1520, the method may include receiving a message in the set of multiple subsequent symbols. The operations of 1520 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1520 may be performed by a message manager 940 as described with reference to FIG. 9.
[0179] FIG. 16 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1600 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1600 may be implemented by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1600 may be performed by a UE 115 as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 10. In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.
[0180] At 1605, the method may include receiving a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device, where the duty-cycle includes the on-state and an off-state. The operations of 1605 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1605 may be performed by a synchronization signal manager 925 as described with reference to FIG. 9.
[0181] At 1610, the method may include establishing timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based on the synchronization signal. The operations of 1610 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1610 may be performed by a synchronization manager 930 as described with reference to FIG. 9.
[0182] At 1615, the method may include receiving a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or frequency synchronization, the delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols . The operations of 1615 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1615 may be performed by a delimiter signal manager 935 as described with reference to FIG. 9.
[0183] At 1620, the method may include receiving a message in the set of multiple subsequent symbols. The operations of 1620 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1620 may be performed by a message manager 940 as described with reference to FIG. 9.
[0184] At 1625, the method may include transmitting control signaling indicating the duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device. The operations of 1625 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1625 may be performed by a duty-cycle manager 945 as described with reference to FIG. 9.
[0185] FIG. 17 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1700 that supports techniques for synchronization of an ambient wireless device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1700 may be implemented by a network entity or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1700 may be performed by a network entity as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 6 and 11 through 14. In some examples, a network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the network entity may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.
[0186] At 1705, the method may include outputting a synchronization signal to an energy-harvesting wireless device. The operations of 1705 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1705 may be performed by a synchronization signal manager 1325 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0187] At 1710, the method may include outputting, to the energy-harvesting wireless device, a delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a set of multiple subsequent symbols associated with the synchronization signal. The operations of 1710 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1710 may be performed by a delimiter signal manager 1330 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0188] At 1715, the method may include outputting a message subsequent to output of the delimiter signal. The operations of 1715 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1715 may be performed by a message manager 1335 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0189] The following provides an overview of aspects of the present disclosure:
[0190] Aspect 1: A method for wireless communications at an energy harvesting wireless device, comprising: receiving a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device, wherein the duty cycle comprises the on-state and an off-state; establishing timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based at least in part on the synchronization signal; receiving a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or frequency synchronization, the delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a plurality of subsequent symbols; and receiving a message in the plurality of subsequent symbols.
[0191] Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1, wherein a duration of the on-state of the duty cycle is based at least in part on an energy harvest efficiency associated with the energy harvesting wireless device.
[0192] Aspect 3: The method of any of aspects 1 through 2, wherein a duration of the on-state of the duty cycle is based at least in part on a clock associated with the timing synchronization.
[0193] Aspect 4: The method of any of aspects 1 through 3, wherein a duration of the on-state of the duty cycle is based at least in part on an amount of energy in a storage associated with the energy harvesting wireless device.
[0194] Aspect 5: The method of any of aspects 1 through 4, wherein subsequent to a reception of the synchronization signal, the on-state is maintained until a reception of the message.
[0195] Aspect 6: The method of any of aspects 1 through 5, wherein a transmission duration associated with the synchronization signal is greater than a duration associated with the off-state.
[0196] Aspect 7: The method of aspect 6, wherein the synchronization signal comprises a repeated sequence.
[0197] Aspect 8: The method of any of aspects 1 through 7, wherein the delimiter signal is received with the synchronization signal.
[0198] Aspect 9: The method of any of aspects 1 through 8, wherein the synchronization signal is received periodically.
[0199] Aspect 10: The method of aspect 9, wherein a periodicity associated with the synchronization signal is greater than a duration associated with the off-state.
[0200] Aspect 11: The method of any of aspects 1 through 10, wherein the message comprises a second synchronization signal, and the message is received based at least in part on the second synchronization signal.
[0201] Aspect 12: The method of any of aspects 1 through 11, further comprising: transmitting control signaling indicating the duty cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device.
[0202] Aspect 13: A method for wireless communications at an wireless device, comprising: outputting a synchronization signal to an energy-harvesting wireless device; outputting, to the energy-harvesting wireless device, a delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a plurality of subsequent symbols associated with the synchronization signal; and outputting a message subsequent to output of the delimiter signal.
[0203] Aspect 14: The method of aspect 13, further comprising: obtaining control signaling indicating a duty cycle associated with an energy harvesting wireless device.
[0204] Aspect 15: The method of aspect 14, wherein a transmission duration associated with the synchronization signal is greater than a duration of an off-state of the duty cycle.
[0205] Aspect 16: The method of any of aspects 13 through 15, wherein a transmission duration associated with the synchronization signal is greater than a duration of an off-state of a duty cycle associated with an energy harvesting wireless device.
[0206] Aspect 17: The method of any of aspects 13 through 16, wherein the synchronization signal comprises a repeated sequence.
[0207] Aspect 18: The method of any of aspects 13 through 17, wherein the delimiter signal is output with the synchronization signal.
[0208] Aspect 19: The method of any of aspects 13 through 18, wherein the synchronization signal is output periodically.
[0209] Aspect 20: The method of aspect 19, wherein a periodicity associated with the synchronization signal is greater than a duration of an off-state of a duty cycle associated with an energy harvesting wireless device.
[0210] Aspect 21: The method of any of aspects 13 through 20, wherein the message comprises a second synchronization signal.
[0211] Aspect 22: An energy harvesting wireless device for wireless communications, comprising one or more memories storing processor-executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the energy harvesting wireless device to perform a method of any of aspects 1 through 12.
[0212] Aspect 23: An energy harvesting wireless device for wireless communications, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 1 through 12.
[0213] Aspect 24: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to perform a method of any of aspects 1 through 12.
[0214] Aspect 25: A wireless device for wireless communications, comprising one or more memories storing processor-executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the wireless device to perform a method of any of aspects 13 through 21.
[0215] Aspect 26: A wireless device for wireless communications, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 13 through 21.
[0216] Aspect 27: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to perform a method of any of aspects 13 through 21.
[0217] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations. The operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and other implementations are possible. Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.
[0218] Although aspects of an LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR system may be described for purposes of example, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used in much of the description, the techniques described herein are applicable beyond LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the described techniques may be applicable to various other wireless communications systems such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) , Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi) , IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) , IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, as well as other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.
[0219] Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.
[0220] The various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, a graphics processing unit (GPU) , a neural processing unit (NPU) , an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor but, in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration) . Any functions or operations described herein as being capable of being performed by a processor may be performed by multiple processors that, individually or collectively, are capable of performing the described functions or operations.
[0221] The functions described herein may be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented using software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored as or transmitted using one or more instructions or code of a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.
[0222] 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 location to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) , flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) , or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD) , floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc. Disks may reproduce data magnetically, and discs may reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media. Any functions or operations described herein as being capable of being performed by a memory may be performed by multiple memories that, individually or collectively, are capable of performing the described functions or operations.
[0223] 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” ) 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) . 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. ”
[0224] As used herein, including in the claims, the article “a” before a noun is open-ended and understood to refer to “at least one” of those nouns or “one or more” of those nouns. Thus, the terms “a, ” “at least one, ” “one or more, ” and “at least one of one or more” may be interchangeable. For example, if a claim recites “acomponent” that performs one or more functions, each of the individual functions may be performed by a single component or by any combination of multiple components. Thus, the term “a component” having characteristics or performing functions may refer to “at least one of one or more components” having a particular characteristic or performing a particular function. Subsequent reference to a component introduced with the article “a” using the terms “the” or “said” may refer to any or all of the one or more components. For example, a component introduced with the article “a” may be understood to mean “one or more components, ” and referring to “the component” subsequently in the claims may be understood to be equivalent to referring to “at least one of the one or more components. ” Similarly, subsequent reference to a component introduced as “one or more components” using the terms “the” or “said” may refer to any or all of the one or more components. For example, referring to “the one or more components” subsequently in the claims may be understood to be equivalent to referring to “at least one of the one or more components. ”
[0225] The term “determine” or “determining” encompasses a variety of actions and, therefore, “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (such as via looking up in a table, a database, or another data structure) , ascertaining, and the like. Also, “determining” can include receiving (e.g., receiving information) , accessing (e.g., accessing data stored in memory) , and the like. Also, “determining” can include resolving, obtaining, selecting, choosing, establishing, and other such similar actions.
[0226] In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label or other subsequent reference label.
[0227] The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “example” used herein means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples. ” The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some figures, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.
[0228] 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
1.An energy harvesting wireless device, comprising:one or more memories storing processor-executable code; andone or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the energy harvesting wireless device to:receive a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device, wherein the duty-cycle comprises the on-state and an off-state;establish timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based at least in part on the synchronization signal;receive a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or the frequency synchronization, the delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a plurality of subsequent symbols; andreceive a message in the plurality of subsequent symbols.2.The energy harvesting wireless device of claim 1, wherein a duration of the on-state of the duty-cycle is based at least in part on an energy harvest efficiency associated with the energy harvesting wireless device.3.The energy harvesting wireless device of claim 1, wherein a duration of the on-state of the duty-cycle is based at least in part on a clock associated with the timing synchronization.4.The energy harvesting wireless device of claim 1, wherein a duration of the on-state of the duty-cycle is based at least in part on an amount of energy in a storage associated with the energy harvesting wireless device.5.The energy harvesting wireless device of claim 1, wherein subsequent to a reception of the synchronization signal, the on-state is maintained until a reception of the message.6.The energy harvesting wireless device of claim 1, wherein a transmission duration associated with the synchronization signal is greater than a duration associated with the off-state.7.The energy harvesting wireless device of claim 6, wherein the synchronization signal comprises a repeated sequence.8.The energy harvesting wireless device of claim 1, wherein the delimiter signal is received with the synchronization signal.9.The energy harvesting wireless device of claim 1, wherein:the synchronization signal is received periodically.10.The energy harvesting wireless device of claim 9, wherein a periodicity associated with the synchronization signal is greater than a duration associated with the off-state.11.The energy harvesting wireless device of claim 1, wherein the message comprises a second synchronization signal, and the message is received based at least in part on the second synchronization signal.12.The energy harvesting wireless device of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the energy harvesting wireless device to:transmit control signaling indicating the duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device.13.A wireless device, comprising:one or more memories storing processor-executable code; andone or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the wireless device to:output a synchronization signal to an energy-harvesting wireless device;output, to the energy-harvesting wireless device, a delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a plurality of subsequent symbols associated with the synchronization signal; andoutput a message subsequent to output of the delimiter signal.14.The wireless device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the wireless device to:obtain control signaling indicating a duty-cycle associated with an energy harvesting wireless device.15.The wireless device of claim 13, wherein a transmission duration associated with the synchronization signal is greater than a duration of an off-state of a duty-cycle associated with an energy harvesting wireless device.16.The wireless device of claim 13, wherein the synchronization signal comprises a repeated sequence.17.The wireless device of claim 13, wherein the delimiter signal is output with the synchronization signal.18.The wireless device of claim 13, wherein the message comprises a second synchronization signal.19.A method for wireless communications at an energy harvesting wireless device, comprising:receiving a synchronization signal during an on-state of a duty-cycle associated with the energy harvesting wireless device, wherein the duty-cycle comprises the on-state and an off-state;establishing timing synchronization, frequency synchronization, or both based at least in part on the synchronization signal;receiving a delimiter signal in accordance with the timing synchronization or the frequency synchronization, the delimiter signal indicating a beginning of a plurality of subsequent symbols; andreceiving a message in the plurality of subsequent symbols.20.The method of claim 19, wherein subsequent to a reception of the synchronization signal, the on-state is maintained until a reception of the message.
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