Methods for coverage enhancement for ambient IoT devices

Abstract

Embodiments herein include coverage enhancement procedures for ambient Internet of Things (IoT) devices. An ambient IoT device may receive a transmission from a network node. The ambient IoT device may determine a current power level of harvested energy stored by the ambient IoT device. When the current power level is less than the required transmit power level, the ambient IoT device may perform a coverage enhancement maneuver such as a delay or repetitions.

Description

METHODS FOR COVERAGE ENHANCEMENT FOR AMBIENT IOT DEVICESTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This application relates generally to wireless communication systems, including uplink transmission procedures for ambient loT devices.BACKGROUND

[0002] Wireless mobile communication technology uses various standards and protocols to transmit data between a base station and a wireless communication device. Wireless communication system standards and protocols can include, for example. 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) (e.g., 4G). 3GPP New Radio (NR) (e g., 5G), and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) (commonly known to industry groups as Wi-Fi®).

[0003] As contemplated by the 3GPP, different wireless communication systems' standards and protocols can use various radio access networks (RANs) for communicating between a base station of the RAN (which may also sometimes be referred to generally as a RAN node, a network node, or simply a node) and a wireless communication device known as a user equipment (UE). 3GPP RANs can include, for example, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) RAN (GERAN), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), and / or Next-Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN).

[0004] Each RAN may use one or more radio access technologies (RATs) to perform communication between the base station and the UE. For example, the GERAN implements GSM and / or EDGE RAT. the UTRAN implements Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) RAT or other 3GPP RAT, the E-UTRAN implements LTE RAT (sometimes simply referred to as LTE), and NG-RAN implements NR RAT (sometimes referred to herein as 5G RAT, 5G NR RAT, or simply NR). In certain deployments, the E-UTRAN may also implement NR RAT. In certain deployments, NG-RAN may also implement LTE RAT.

[0005] A base station used by a RAN may correspond to that RAN. One example of an E-UTRAN base station is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (also commonly denoted as evolved Node B, enhanced Node B, eNodeB. or eNB). One example of an NG-RAN base station is a next generation Node B (also sometimes referred to as a g Node B or gNB).

[0006] A RAN provides its communication services with external entities through its connection to a core network (CN). For example, E-UTRAN may utilize an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) while NG-RAN may utilize a 5G Core Network (5GC).BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a table of design targets for an example set of loT device types in accordance with some embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method for an ambient loT device using delayed uplink transmissions, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a transmission timeline with multiple RACH occasions (ROs) per association period for an ambient loT device using a delayed PRACH transmission in accordance with some embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a transmission timeline with one RO per association period for an ambient loT device using a delayed PRACH transmission in accordance with some embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of a method for an ambient loT device using repetition of uplink transmissions, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a transmission timelines with multiple ROs per association period for an ambient loT device using repetitions of PRACH transmissions in accordance with some embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates a transmission timeline with one RO per association period for an ambient loT device using repetitions of a PRACH transmission in accordance with some embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates a method performed by an ambient loT device in accordance with some embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 9 illustrates an example architecture of a wireless communication system, according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0017] FIG. 10 illustrates a system for performing signaling between a wireless device and a network device, according to embodiments disclosed herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Various embodiments are described with regard to a UE. However, reference to a UE is merely provided for illustrative purposes. The example embodiments may be utilized with any electronic component that may establish a connection to a network and is configured with the hardware, software, and / or firmware to exchange information and data with the network. Therefore, the UE as described herein is used to represent any appropriate electronic component.

[0019] Additionally, embodiments herein are described with regard to Internet of Things (loT) devices. Reference to an loT device is merely provided for illustrative purposes, and the embodiments herein may be utilized with any device that has the capability to collect and exchange data. loT devices may be embedded with sensors, software, and network connectivity, allowing them to communicate with other devices and systems. loT devices can vary in size, complexity, and functionality. They can range from small, simple devices such as temperature sensors and smart home appliances to more complex devices like industrial machinery and autonomous vehicles.

[0020] Some loT devices include ambient loT devices. An ambient loT device is a device that is able to harvest energy from ambient sources. For example, some ambient loT devices may use radio frequency (RF) waves for power. To power such devices using RF, embodiments herein provide enhancements to a wireless communication system framework to introduce a new category of device(s) that is able to harvest energy from ambient sources. An ambient loT device may be referred to as an RF powered device. An ambient loT device may also be a UE device.

[0021] There may be multiple types of ambient loT devices that the wireless communication system may support. For instance, in terms of energy storage, some devices may be battery -less devices with no energy storage capability at all, and completely dependent on the availability of an external source of energy. Some devices may include limited energy storage capability that do not need to be replaced or recharged manually, but can be charged by harvesting energy from ambient sources. Insome embodiments, device categorization may be based on characteristics corresponding to a device (e.g., energy source, energy storage capability, passive / active transmission, etc.).

[0022] For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a table of design targets 102 for an example set of loT device types. As shown, some embodiments may include loT device type A, loT device type B and loT device type C. loT device type A may include no energy storage, harvests energy from ambient sources, and has no independent signal generation, but only backs cattering transmission. loT device ty pe B may have energy storage and may harvest energy from ambient sources, but does not perform independent signal generation, i.e., only backscattering transmission. loT device type B's use of stored energy can include amplification for backscattered signals. loT device type C may have energy storage from harvesting ambient sources, and has independent signal generation (e.g., active RF component for transmission). Common aspects for all these device categories are that they have may have very low complexity and can rely on the harvested energy for transmission and reception. From a wireless communication system perspective, RF energy harvesting may be considered. For example, the devices may utilize the energy of the incoming signals from other nodes in the system.

[0023] Other aspects of the design targets 102 for example loT devices is shown in FIG. 1. For example, there may be specific targets for power consumption, coverage, message size, device density, device complexity, data-rate. positioning accuracy, and device mobility. These illustrate example design targets 102. Design targets 102 may vary based on actual implantation.

[0024] For example, in some embodiments, ambient loT devices may be categorized into different groups: lower-category loT devices, and higher-category loT devices. The lower- category may include devices between type A and type B from the previously described categorization. For example, the lower-category devices may have about 1 pW peak power consumption, energy storage but neither downlink nor uplink amplification in the device, and initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) can be up to thousands of ppm. Further, the device’s uplink transmission may be backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally.

[0025] In some embodiments, higher-category7devices may include devices between type B and type C from the previously described categorization. For example, the higher- category devices may have less than or equal to a few hundred pW peak power consumption. Further, the higher-category devices may have energy storage and bothdownlink and / or uplink amplification. The initial SFO may be up to thousands of ppm for the higher-category devices. The higher-category device's uplink transmission may be generated internally by the device, or be backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally.

[0026] Both lower-category loT device and higher-category loT device categories may have very low complexity. Further, the loT devices in both categories can rely on the harvested energy for transmission and reception. These qualities may facilitate mass deployment and increased scalability. However, the lower complexity of the loT devices and the number of devices may lead to issues with coverage.

[0027] Embodiments herein consider the coverage enhancements for ambient loT devices. One goal of a wireless communication device is an acceptable coverage range. In some embodiments, ambient loT devices may have design targets with a coverage range up to 50 meters for indoors and coverage range up to 500 meters for outdoors is expected. The low power consumption of an ambient loT device may impact the coverage range. For passive devices, as there is no dedicated energy' source, it could be quite challenging to achieve the desired coverage range of 50 meters for indoors and 500 meters for outdoors.

[0028] For passive devices, the uplink transmit power is dependent upon the downlink received power. Therefore, if the downlink received power is not enough, then some additional methods to improve the uplink coverage based on the limited uplink transmit power may be introduced. Embodiments herein include systems, methods, and apparatuses for coverage enhancement for the random access of the ambient loT devices, particularly for device type A, device type B, and other lower-category and higher- category devices. Some embodiments may improve coverage using delayed uplink transmission for Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) and other uplink transmission in RACH procedure. Some embodiments may improve coverage using repetitions of PRACH and other uplink transmissions in RACH procedure. Some embodiments may include a combination of delayed uplink transmissions and repetitions of uplink transmissions.

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method 202 for an ambient loT device using delayed uplink transmissions, in accordance with some embodiments. An ambient loT device may delay uplink transmissions based on an amount of stored energy. A storedenergy threshold may be used to determine whether the ambient loT device has stored a level of energy that is sufficient for a desired coverage range.

[0030] An ambient loT device (that may be capable of harvesting and storing energy) may determine whether to delay the UL transmission or not based on the method 202. As shown, the ambient loT device may receive 204 a transmission (e.g., a downlink transmission from a network node). The transmission may be either an unmodulated carrier wave for solely energy harvesting, and / or a modulated signal for communication and / or energy harvesting.

[0031] The ambient loT device may determine 206 the power level it obtained from the received transmission. The ambient loT device may determine 208 if the harvested energy is sufficient enough to reach a desired power level for transmission. The desired power level may be a threshold based on the category’ of device, the devices power consumption, coverage range, and / or the desired transmit power. The threshold may be preconfigured or determined by the device.

[0032] If the harvested energy is not sufficient to reach the desired power level, then the ambient loT device may not transmit in the next available transmission occasion. Instead, the ambient loT device may' continue receiving 212 harvesting energy and storing energy until the desired power level for transmission is achieved. The ambient loT device may continue harvesting energy from an unmodulated carrier wave or modulated signals. Once the desired power level is achieved, then the device may perform 210 a transmission on the next available transmission occasion.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a transmission timeline 302 with multiple RACH occasions (ROs) per association period 306 for an ambient loT device using the method 202 of FIG. 2 for a delayed PRACH transmission in accordance with some embodiments. While the illustrated embodiment specifies delayed PRACH transmission, the method may be applied to delay other uplink transmissions.

[0034] For an ambient loT device (that may be capable of harvesting and storing energy), the device may determine whether to delay the PRACH transmission to a later RO within the next available association period or not. When there are multiple ROs associated with a synchronization signal block (SSB) within an association period, then the device may transmit PRACH on a later RO within an association period, if there is not sufficient power, when enough energy is harvested to reach the desired power level.

[0035] For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the ambient loT device may receive an SSB 304 from a network node. The SSB 304 may correspond with an association period 306 comprising multiple ROs (e.g., first RO 308, second RO 310, and third RO 312). The ambient loT device may use any of the ROs in the association period 306 to send the network node a PRACH transmission.

[0036] The determination of which RO to use may be based on the amount of energy harvested by the ambient loT device. The ambient loT device may harvest energy from an unmodulated carrier wave or modulated signals. Before the first RO 308, the ambient loT device may compare its harvested energy to a minimum threshold power for transmission. In the illustrated example, the ambient loT device determines that it has not harvested enough energy to transmit during the first RO 308. Accordingly, the ambient loT device continues harvesting energy' from an unmodulated carrier wave or modulated signals.

[0037] The ambient loT device may again compare its harvested energy to a minimum threshold power for transmission before the second RO 310. In the illustrated example, the ambient loT device determines that it has not harvested enough energy to transmit during the second RO 310. Accordingly, the ambient loT device once again delays sending the PRACH transmission, and continues harvesting energy. In the illustrated embodiment, the ambient loT device determines that the harvested energy has reached the threshold before the third RO 312 and sends the PRACH transmission in the third RO 312. In other words, when sufficient energy is reached the ambient loT device may transmit on the next RO in the association period 306. Accordingly, the ambient loT device may send a delayed PRACH transmission on a later RO (e.g., not the first RO 308) based on the harvested energy level.

[0038] In some embodiments, the ambient loT device may compare the energy harvested to the desired threshold power for transmission continuously. In some embodiments, the ambient loT device may compare the energy harvested to the desired threshold power for transmission periodically at points where there is sufficient time before the next RO to generate the PRACH transmission. In some embodiment, the ambient loT device may compare a current energy harvested to the threshold. In some embodiments, the ambient loT device may predict a future energy harvested amount based on the current state and energy harvesting trend, and compare the prediction to the threshold.

[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates a transmission timeline 402 with one RO per association period for an ambient loT device using the method 202 of FIG. 2 for a delayed PRACH transmission in accordance with some embodiments. While the illustrated embodiment specifies delayed PRACH transmission, the method may be applied to delay other uplink transmissions.

[0040] For an ambient loT device (that may be capable of harvesting and storing energy), it determines whether to delay the PRACH transmission to a later RO in a later association period or not. The device may transmit PRACH on a RO within a later association period, if there is not sufficient power, when enough energy is harvested to reach the desired power level, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, if there are not multiple ROs associated with SSB within an association period and / or sufficient energy is not reached within the first available association period, then the ambient loT device may use a later association period.

[0041] For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the ambient loT device may receive an SSB 404 from a network node. The SSB 404 may correspond with a first association period 406 comprising one RO (e.g.. first RO 410). The ambient loT device may use the first RO 410 in the first association period 406 or a later RO in a later association period (e.g., a second RO 412 in a second association period 408) to send the network node a PRACH transmission based on harvested energy level.

[0042] The determination of which RO in which association period to use may be based on the amount of energy harvested by the ambient loT device. The ambient loT device may harvest energy from an unmodulated carrier wave or modulated signals. The harvested energy may be compared to a threshold value to determine if the harvested energy is sufficient for the PRACH transmission. In the illustrated example, the ambient loT device determines that it has not harvested enough energy to transmit during the first RO 410 in the first association period 406. Accordingly, the ambient loT device continues harvesting energy from an unmodulated carrier wave or modulated signals.

[0043] In the illustrated example, the ambient loT device determines that it has harvested enough energy to transmit during the second RO 412 in the second association period 408. The device may send the PRACH transmission in the second RO 412 in the second association period 408. Accordingly, the ambient loT device may send a delayed PRACH transmission on a later RO on a later association period based on the harvested energy level.

[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of a method 502 for an ambient loT device using repetition of uplink transmissions, in accordance with some embodiments. An ambient loT device may perform repetitions of uplink transmissions based on an amount of stored energy. A stored energy threshold may be used to determine whether the ambient loT device has stored a level of energy that is sufficient for a desired coverage range.

[0045] An ambient loT device (that may be capable of harvesting and storing energy) may determine implicitly whether to repeat an uplink transmission or not based on the method 502. As shown, the ambient loT device may receive 504 a transmission (e.g., a downlink transmission from a network node). The transmission may be either an unmodulated carrier wave for solely energy harvesting, and / or a modulated signal for communication and / or energy harvesting.

[0046] The ambient loT device may determine 506 the power level it obtained from the received transmission. The ambient loT device may determine 508 if the harvested energy is sufficient enough to reach a desired power level for transmission (e.g., uplink transmission to the netw ork node). The desired pow er level may be a threshold based on the category of device, the devices power consumption, coverage range, and / or the desired transmit power. The threshold may be preconfigured or determined by the device. If the harvested energy reaches the desired power level, the device may perform 510 a transmission on the next available transmission occasion.

[0047] If the harvested energy is not sufficient to reach the desired power level, then the ambient loT device may determine 512 a number of repetitions for the transmission. The ambient loT device may start the transmission 514 and repetitions until the number of repetitions is reached on the first available transmission occasions. The repetitions may improve the upload transmission range coverage. For instance repetitions may be used to overcome signal degradation, enhance signal-to-noise ratio, mitigate interference, enhance error correction, etc.

[0048] The repetitions may be transmitted across multiple ROs in an association period, or using multiple ROs across multiple association periods. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates a transmission timelines 602 with multiple ROs per association period 606 for an ambient loT device using the method 502 of FIG. 5 for repetitions of PRACH transmissions in accordance with some embodiments. While the illustrated embodiment includes repetition of PRACH transmission, the method may be applied to delay other uplink transmissions.

[0049] For an ambient loT device (that may be capable of harvesting and storing energy), the device may determine whether to repeat the PRACH transmissions or not based on the harvested energy and desired transmit power. When there are multiple ROs associated with an SSB within an association period, then the device may transmit PRACH repetitions on the ROs corresponding to SSB within an association period, until the determined number of repetitions is reached or the available ROs are exhausted, as illustrated in FIG. 6

[0050] For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the ambient loT device may receive an SSB 604 from a network node. The SSB 604 may correspond with an association period 606 comprising multiple ROs (e.g., first RO 608, second RO 610, and third RO 612). The ambient loT device may use multiple of the ROs in the association period 606 to send the network node a PRACH transmission if it determines that repetition of the transmission should apply based on the amount of energy harvested by the ambient loT device. In the illustrated embodiment, the ambient loT device sends a first repetition during the first RO 608, a second repetition during the second RO 610, and a third repetition during the third RO 612.

[0051] FIG. 7 illustrates a transmission timeline 702 with one RO per association period for an ambient loT device using the method 502 of FIG. 5 for repetitions of a PRACH transmission in accordance with some embodiments. An ambient loT device may determine whether to repeat the PRACH transmissions or not based on the harvested energy and desired transmit power. While the illustrated embodiment includes repetition of PRACH transmission, the method may be applied to delay other uplink transmissions.

[0052] When there are no ROs associated with an SSB within an association period and / or there are not sufficient RO’s within an association period, then the device may transmit PRACH repetitions on the ROs corresponding to the SSB across multiple association period, until the determined number of repetitions is reached, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0053] For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the ambient loT device may receive an SSB 704 from a network node. The SSB 704 may correspond with a first association period 706 comprising a first RO 710 and a second association period 708 comprising the second RO 712. The ambient loT device may determine that the energy harvested is less than a descried power threshold and implement PRACH repetition. Accordingly, thedevice may send a first repetition on the first RO 710 and a second repetition on the second RO 712. In this way the device may send repetitions across association periods.

[0054] Signaling framework may be enhanced for the ambient loT device to indicate that repetition or a delay will be used for the uplink transmission. For example, in some embodiments, an ambient loT device may indicate to a network node additional information if the device needs repetitions for uplink transmission and / or to indicate a number of repetitions. In some embodiments, the device may use a first transmission occasion for transmitting this information. For example, In FIG. 6 the network may not be aware of the quality / power level of the signals of the device so the network may not know whether the ambient loT device should perform repetition or not. The ambient loT device may determine the available stored power and explicitly indicate to the network node that it will perform repetition using a PRACH transmission on the first RO 608. The network node may therefore know whether to expect repetitions for the transmission.

[0055] Similarly, the ambient loT device may indicate to the network node additional information if the device needs to delay uplink transmission and / or indicate the amount of delay. In some embodiments, the ambient loT device may use the first transmission occasion for transmitting this additional information. The additional information may indicate that a delayed transmission will occur and / or how much of a delay may occur. In some embodiments, the ambient loT device may predict the amount of delay based on the current energy harvested and the rate at which the energy is being harvested.

[0056] In some embodiments, the signaling framework may be enhanced to allow the network node to indicate that the ambient loT device should implement delay and / or repetition. For example, the network node may indicate to ambient loT device either one or both of the following. The network node may indicate repetitions should be implemented for uplink transmissions (e.g., for PRACH transmissions). The network node may indicate repetitions in the master information block (MIB) and / or system information block (SIB) in the corresponding SSB block. Similarly, the network node may indicate delayed uplink transmissions in the MIB and / or SIB in the corresponding SSB block. In some embodiments, the network node may determine when to indicate a delay or repetitions for uplink transmissions based on historic information. For example, a network node may determine based on past performance of devices within the network to determine that repetitions and / or delay should be applied.

[0057] For an ambient loT device, the network may first determine if the repetitions and / or delayed uplink transmission should be used or not based on the following. In some embodiments, the determination may be based on the number of PRACH transmissions on ROs for corresponding SSB. In some embodiments, the determination may be based on signal strength of received PRACH transmissions on ROs for corresponding SSB.

[0058] FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 performed by an ambient loT device in accordance with some embodiments. The method 800 includes receiving 802 a transmission from a network node. The method 800 further includes determining 804 a current power level of harvested energy stored by the ambient loT device. The method 800 includes comparing 806 the current power level to a required transmit power level for an uplink transmission. The method 800 includes sending 808, when the current power level is equal to or greater than the required transmit power level, the uplink transmission to the network node on a next available transmission occasion. The method 800 includes performing 810, when the current power level is less than the required transmit power level, a coverage enhancement maneuver.

[0059] In some embodiments, the coverage enhancement maneuver comprises delaying the uplink transmission to the network node for one or more transmissions occasions while continuing to harvest and store energy until the current power level is equal to or greater than the required transmit power level, and once the required transmit power level is achieved sending the uplink transmission on a later transmission occasion.

[0060] In some embodiments, when the uplink transmission is a PRACH transmission, and when there are multiple RACH occasions associated with a SSB within an association period, then the PRACH transmission is sent on a later RACH occasion within the association period when enough energy is harvested to reach the required transmit power level.

[0061] In some embodiments, the uplink transmission is a PRACH transmission, and when sufficient energy is not reached within a first available association period, then the PRACH transmission is sent on a RACH occasion of a later association period.

[0062] In some embodiments, the coverage enhancement maneuver comprises sending repetitions of the uplink transmission based on the current power level.

[0063] In some embodiments, when the uplink transmission is a PRACH transmission, and when there are multiple RACH occasions associated with a SSB within anassociation period, then repetitions of the PRACH transmission are sent on the multiple RACH occasions within the association period.

[0064] In some embodiments, the repetitions of the uplink transmission occur across association periods.

[0065] In some embodiments, the method 800 further comprises indicating to the network node that repetitions for the uplink transmission are needed and a number of repetitions, or a delay in sending the uplink transmission is needed and an amount of delay.

[0066] In some embodiments, the method 800 further comprises receiving, from the network node, an indication that repetitions for the uplink transmission are needed and a number of repetitions, or a delay in sending the uplink data is needed and the amount of delay.

[0067] In some embodiments, the uplink transmission is a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission responding to a downlink control information received from the network node.

[0068] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means to perform one or more elements of the method 202, method 502, and method 800. This apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as a wireless device 1002 that is a UE, as described herein).

[0069] Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions to cause an electronic device, upon execution of the instructions by one or more processors of the electronic device, to perform one or more elements of the method 202, method 502, and method 800. This non-transitory computer-readable media may be, for example, a memory of a UE (such as a memory 1006 of a wireless device 1002 that is a UE, as described herein).

[0070] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logic, modules, or circuitry to perform one or more elements of the method 202, method 502, and method 800. This apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as a wireless device 1002 that is a UE, as described herein).

[0071] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors toperform one or more elements of the method 202, method 502, and method 800. This apparatus may be. for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as a wireless device 1002 that is a UE, as described herein).

[0072] Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or related to one or more elements of the method 202, method 502, and method 800.

[0073] Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product comprising instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processor is to cause the processor to carry out one or more elements of the method 202, method 502, and method 800. The processor may be a processor of a UE (such as a processor(s) 1004 of a wireless device 1002 that is a UE, as described herein). These instructions may be, for example, located in the processor and / or on a memory of the UE (such as a memory’ 1006 of a wireless device 1002 that is a UE, as described herein).

[0074] FIG. 9 illustrates an example architecture of a wireless communication system 900, according to embodiments disclosed herein. The following description is provided for an example wireless communication system 900 that operates in conjunction with the LTE system standards and / or 5G or NR system standards as provided by 3GPP technical specifications.

[0075] As shown by FIG. 9, the wireless communication system 900 includes UE 902 and UE 904 (although any number of UEs may be used). In this example, the UE 902 and the UE 904 are illustrated as smartphones (e.g., handheld touchscreen mobile computing devices connectable to one or more cellular networks), but may also comprise any mobile or non-mobile computing device configured for wireless communication.

[0076] The UE 902 and UE 904 may be configured to communicatively couple with a RAN 906. In embodiments, the RAN 906 may be NG-RAN, E-UTRAN, etc. The UE 902 and UE 904 utilize connections (or channels) (shown as connection 908 and connection 910, respectively) with the RAN 906, each of which comprises a physical communications interface. The RAN 906 can include one or more base stations (such as base station 912 and base station 914) that enable the connection 908 and connection 910.

[0077] In this example, the connection 908 and connection 910 are air interfaces to enable such communicative coupling, and may be consistent with RAT(s) used by the RAN 906, such as, for example, an LTE and / or NR.

[0078] In some embodiments, the UE 902 and UE 904 may also directly exchange communication data via a sidelink interface 916. The UE 904 is shown to be configured to access an access point (shown as AP 918) via connection 920. By way of example, the connection 920 can comprise a local wireless connection, such as a connection consistent with any IEEE 802.11 protocol, wherein the AP 918 may comprise a Wi-Fi® router. In this example, the AP 918 may be connected to another network (for example, the Internet) without going through a CN 924.

[0079] In embodiments, the UE 902 and UE 904 can be configured to communicate using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals with each other or with the base station 912 and / or the base station 914 over a multicarrier communication channel in accordance with various communication techniques, such as, but not limited to, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication technique (e.g., for downlink communications) or a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communication technique (e.g., for uplink and ProSe or sidelink communications), although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. The OFDM signals can comprise a plurality of orthogonal subcarriers.

[0080] In some embodiments, all or parts of the base station 912 or base station 914 may be implemented as one or more software entities running on server computers as part of a virtual network. In addition, or in other embodiments, the base station 912 or base station 914 may be configured to communicate with one another via interface 922. In embodiments where the wireless communication system 900 is an LTE system (e.g., when the CN 924 is an EPC), the interface 922 may be an X2 interface. The X2 interface may be defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more eNBs and the like) that connect to an EPC, and / or between two eNBs connecting to the EPC. In embodiments where the wireless communication system 900 is an NR system (e.g., when CN 924 is a 5GC), the interface 922 may be an Xn interface. The Xn interface is defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more gNBs and the like) that connect to 5GC, between a base station 912 (e.g.. a gNB) connecting to 5GC and an eNB, and / or between two eNBs connecting to 5GC (e.g.. CN 924).

[0081] The RAN 906 is shown to be communicatively coupled to the CN 924. The CN 924 may comprise one or more network elements 926, which are configured to offer various data and telecommunications services to customers / subscribers (e.g., users of UE902 and UE 904) who are connected to the CN 924 via the RAN 906. The components of the CN 924 may be implemented in one physical device or separate physical devices including components to read and execute instructions from a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium).

[0082] In embodiments, the CN 924 may be an EPC, and the RAN 906 may be connected with the CN 924 via an SI interface 928. In embodiments, the SI interface 928 may be split into two parts, an SI user plane (Sl-U) interface, which carries traffic data between the base station 912 or base station 914 and a serving gateway (S-GW), and the SI -MME interface, which is a signaling interface between the base station 912 or base station 914 and mobility management entities (MMEs).

[0083] In embodiments, the CN 924 may be a 5GC, and the RAN 906 may be connected with the CN 924 via an NG interface 928. In embodiments, the NG interface 928 may be split into two parts, an NG user plane (NG-U) interface, which carries traffic data between the base station 912 or base station 914 and a user plane function (UPF), and the SI control plane (NG-C) interface, which is a signaling interface between the base station 912 or base station 914 and access and mobility management functions (AMFs).

[0084] Generally, an application server 930 may be an element offering applications that use internet protocol (IP) bearer resources with the CN 924 (e.g., packet switched data services). The application server 930 can also be configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., VoIP sessions, group communication sessions, etc.) for the UE 902 and UE 904 via the CN 924. The application server 930 may communicate with the CN 924 through an IP communications interface 932.

[0085] FIG. 10 illustrates a system 1000 for performing signaling 1034 between a wireless device 1002 and a network device 1018, according to embodiments disclosed herein. The system 1000 may be a portion of a wireless communications system as herein described. The wireless device 1002 may be, for example, a UE of a wireless communication system. The network device 1018 may be, for example, a base station (e.g., an eNB or a gNB) of a wireless communication system.

[0086] The wireless device 1002 may include one or more processor(s) 1004. The processor(s) 1004 may execute instructions such that various operations of the wireless device 1002 are performed, as described herein. The processor(s) 1004 may include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, a central processing unit(CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a controller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0087] The wireless device 1002 may include a memory 1006. The memory 1006 may be a non -transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 1008 (which may include, for example, the instructions being executed by the processor(s) 1004). The instructions 1008 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory’ 1006 may also store data used by. and results computed by, the processor(s) 1004.

[0088] The wireless device 1002 may include one or more transceiver(s) 1010 that may include radio frequency (RF) transmitter circuitry and / or receiver circuitry that use the antenna(s) 1012 of the wireless device 1002 to facilitate signaling (e.g.. the signaling 1034) to and / or from the wireless device 1002 with other devices (e.g., the network device 1018) according to corresponding RATs.

[0089] The wireless device 1002 may include one or more antenna(s) 1012 (e.g., one, two, four, or more). For embodiments with multiple antenna(s) 1012, the wireless device 1002 may leverage the spatial diversity of such multiple antenna(s) 1012 to send and / or receive multiple different data streams on the same time and frequency resources. This behavior may be referred to as. for example, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) behavior (referring to the multiple antennas used at each of a transmitting device and a receiving device that enable this aspect). MIMO transmissions by the wireless device 1002 may be accomplished according to precoding (or digital beamforming) that is applied at the wireless device 1002 that multiplexes the data streams across the antenna(s) 1012 according to known or assumed channel characteristics such that each data stream is received with an appropriate signal strength relative to other streams and at a desired location in the spatial domain (e.g., the location of a receiver associated with that data stream). Certain embodiments may use single user MIMO (SU-MIMO) methods (where the data streams are all directed to a single receiver) and / or multi user MIMO (MU-MIMO) methods (where individual data streams may be directed to individual (different) receivers in different locations in the spatial domain).

[0090] In certain embodiments having multiple antennas, the wireless device 1002 may implement analog beamforming techniques, whereby phases of the signals sent by theantenna(s) 1012 are relatively adjusted such that the (joint) transmission of the antenna(s) 1012 can be directed (this is sometimes referred to as beam steering).

[0091] The wireless device 1002 may include one or more interface(s) 1014. The interface(s) 1014 may be used to provide input to or output from the wireless device 1002. For example, a wireless device 1002 that is a UE may include interface(s) 1014 such as microphones, speakers, a touchscreen, buttons, and the like in order to allow for input and / or output to the UE by a user of the UE. Other interfaces of such a UE may be made up of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry' (e.g., other than the transceiver(s) 1010 / antenna(s) 1012 already described) that allow for communication between the UE and other devices and may operate according to known protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, and the like).

[0092] The wireless device 1002 may include a coverage enhancement module 1016. The coverage enhancement module 1016 may be implemented via hardware, software, or combinations thereof. For example, the coverage enhancement module 1016 may be implemented as a processor, circuit, and / or instructions 1008 stored in the memory' 1006 and executed by the processor(s) 1004. In some examples, the coverage enhancement module 1016 may be integrated within the processor(s) 1004 and / or the transceiver(s) 1010. For example, the coverage enhancement module 1016 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or a general processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within the processor(s) 1004 or the transceiver(s) 1010.

[0093] The coverage enhancement module 1016 may be used for various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, aspects of FIGS. 1-9. The coverage enhancement module 1016 is configured to determine when to perform a coverage enhancement maneuver such as a delayed uplink transmission or repetitions of the uplink transmission based on the energy harvested.

[0094] The network device 1018 may include one or more processor(s) 1020. The processor(s) 1020 may execute instructions such that various operations of the network device 1018 are performed, as described herein. The processor(s) 1020 may include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, a CPU, a DSP, an ASIC, a controller, an FPGA device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0095] The network device 1018 may include a memory' 1022. The memory 1022 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 1024 (which may include, for example, the instructions being executed by the processor(s) 1020). The instructions 1024 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory' 1022 may also store data used by, and results computed by, the processor(s) 1020.

[0096] The network device 1018 may include one or more transceiver(s) 1026 that may include RF transmitter circuitry' and / or receiver circuitry that use the antenna(s) 1028 of the network device 1018 to facilitate signaling (e.g., the signaling 1034) to and / or from the network device 1018 with other devices (e.g.. the wireless device 1002) according to corresponding RATs.

[0097] The network device 1018 may include one or more antenna(s) 1028 (e.g., one, two, four, or more). In embodiments having multiple antenna(s) 1028, the network device 1018 may perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beam steering, etc., as has been described.

[0098] The network device 1018 may include one or more interface(s) 1030. The interface(s) 1030 may be used to provide input to or output from the network device 1018. For example, a network device 1018 that is a base station may include interface(s) 1030 made up of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry' (e g., other than the transceiver(s) 1026 / antenna(s) 1028 already described) that enables the base station to communicate with other equipment in a core network, and / or that enables the base station to communicate with external networks, computers, databases, and the like for purposes of operations, administration, and maintenance of the base station or other equipment operably connected thereto.

[0099] The network device 1018 may include a carrier wave module 1032. The carrier wave module 1032 may be implemented via hardware, software, or combinations thereof. For example, the carrier wave module 1032 may be implemented as a processor, circuit, and / or instructions 1024 stored in the memory 1022 and executed by the processor(s) 1020. In some examples, the carrier wave module 1032 may be integrated within the processor(s) 1020 and / or the transceiver(s) 1026. For example, the carrier wave module 1032 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or a general processor) and hardware components (e.g.. logic gates and circuitry) within the processor(s) 1020 or the transceiver(s) 1026.

[0100] The carrier wave module 1032 may be used for various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, aspects of FIGS. 1-9. The carrier wave module 1032 is configured to send a carrier wave for the wireless device 1002 to harvest energy.

[0101] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components set forth in one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to perform one or more operations. techniques, processes, and / or methods as set forth herein. For example, a baseband processor as described herein in connection with one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of the examples set forth herein. For another example, circuitry associated with a UE, base station, network element, etc. as described above in connection with one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of the examples set forth herein.

[0102] Any of the above described embodiments may be combined with any other embodiment (or combination of embodiments), unless explicitly stated otherwise. The foregoing description of one or more implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various embodiments.

[0103] Embodiments and implementations of the systems and methods described herein may include various operations, which may be embodied in machine-executable instructions to be executed by a computer system. A computer system may include one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers (or other electronic devices). The computer system may include hardware components that include specific logic for performing the operations or may include a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware.

[0104] It should be recognized that the systems described herein include descriptions of specific embodiments. These embodiments can be combined into single systems. partially combined into other systems, split into multiple systems or divided or combined in other ways. In addition, it is contemplated that parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment. The parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. are merely described in one or more embodiments for clarity, and it is recognized that the parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. can be combined with or substituted forparameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of another embodiment unless specifically disclaimed herein.

[0105] It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users.

[0106] Although the foregoing has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles thereof. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing both the processes and apparatuses described herein. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered illustrative and not restrictive, and the description is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method performed by an ambient Internet of Things (loT) device, the method comprising: receiving a transmission from a network node; determining a current power level of harvested energy stored by the ambient loT device; comparing the current power level to a required transmit power level for an uplink transmission; when the current power level is equal to or greater than the required transmit power level, sending the uplink transmission to the network node on a next available transmission occasion; and when the current power level is less than the required transmit power level, performing a coverage enhancement maneuver.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the coverage enhancement maneuver comprises delaying the uplink transmission to the network node for one or more transmissions occasions while continuing to harvest and store energy until the current power level is equal to or greater than the required transmit power level, and once the required transmit power level is achieved sending the uplink transmission on a later transmission occasion.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein when the uplink transmission is a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) transmission, and when there are multiple RACH occasions associated with a synchronization signal block (SSB) within an association period, then the PRACH transmission is sent on a later RACH occasion within the association period when enough energy7is harvested to reach the required transmit power level.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the uplink transmission is a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) transmission, and when sufficient energy is not reached within a first available association period, then the PRACH transmission is sent on a RACH occasion of a later association period.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the coverage enhancement maneuver comprises sending repetitions of the uplink transmission, wherein a number of repetitions is based on the current power level.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein when the uplink transmission is a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) transmission, and when there are multiple RACH occasions associated with a synchronization signal block (SSB) within an association period, then repetitions of the PRACH transmission are sent on the multiple RACH occasions within the association period.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the repetitions of the uplink transmission occur across association periods.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising indicating to the network node that repetitions for the uplink transmission are needed and a number of repetitions, or a delay in sending the uplink transmission is needed and an amount of delay.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, receiving, from the network node, an indication that repetitions for the uplink transmission are needed and a number of repetitions, or a delay in sending the uplink transmission is needed and an amount of delay.

10. The method of claim 1. wherein the uplink transmission is a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission responding to a downlink control information received from the network node.

11. An apparatus for an ambient Internet of Things (loT) device comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the apparatus to: receive a transmission from a network node; determine a current power level of harvested energy stored by the ambient loT device; compare the current power level to a required transmit power level for an uplink transmission; when the current power level is equal to or greater than the required transmit power level, sending the uplink transmission to the network node on a next available transmission occasion; and when the current power level is less than the required transmit power level, performing a coverage enhancement maneuver.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the coverage enhancement maneuver comprises delaying the uplink transmission to the network node for one or more transmissions occasions while continuing to harvest and store energy until the current power level is equal to or greater than the required transmit power level, and once the required transmit power level is achieved sending the uplink transmission on a later transmission occasion.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein when the uplink transmission is a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) transmission, and when there are multiple RACH occasions associated with a synchronization signal block (SSB) within an association period, then the PRACH transmission is sent on a later RACH occasion within the association period when enough energy is harvested to reach the required transmit power level.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the uplink transmission is a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) transmission, and when sufficient energy is not reached within a first available association period, then the PRACH transmission is sent on a RACH occasion of a later association period.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the coverage enhancement maneuver comprises sending repetitions of the uplink transmission, wherein a number of repetitions is based on the current powder level.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein when the uplink transmission is a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) transmission, and when there are multiple RACH occasions associated with a synchronization signal block (SSB) within an association period, then repetitions of the PRACH transmission are sent on the multiple RACH occasions within the association period.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the repetitions of the uplink transmission occur across association periods.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the instructions further configure the apparatus to indicate to the netw ork node that repetitions for the uplink transmission are needed and a number of repetitions, or a delay in sending the uplink transmission is needed and an amount of delay.

19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the instructions further configure the apparatus to, receive, from the network node, an indication that repetitions for the uplink transmission are needed and a number of repetitions, or a delay in sending the uplink transmission is needed and an amount of delay.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium including instructions that when executed by an ambient Internet of Things (loT) device, cause the computer to: receive a transmission from a network node; determine a current pow er level of harvested energy stored by the ambient loT device; compare the current power level to a required transmit power level for an uplink transmission; when the current power level is equal to or greater than the required transmit power level, sending the uplink transmission to the network node on a next available transmission occasion; and when the current powder level is less than the required transmit power level, performing a coverage enhancement maneuver.

21. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the coverage enhancement maneuver comprises delaying the uplink transmission to the netw ork node for one or more transmissions occasions while continuing to harvest and store energy until the current power level is equal to or greater than the required transmit power level, and once the required transmit power level is achieved sending the uplink transmission on a later transmission occasion.

22. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein when the uplink transmission is a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) transmission, and when there are multiple RACH occasions associated with a synchronization signal block (SSB) within an association period, then the PRACH transmission is sent on a later RACH occasion within the association period when enough energy is harvested to reach the required transmit power level.

23. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein the uplink transmission is a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) transmission, and when sufficientenergy is not reached within a first available association period, then the PRACH transmission is sent on a RACH occasion of a later association period.

24. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the coverage enhancement maneuver comprises sending repetitions of the uplink transmission, wherein a number of repetitions is based on the current power level.

25. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 24, wherein when the uplink transmission is a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) transmission, and when there are multiple RACH occasions associated with a synchronization signal block (SSB) within an association period, then repetitions of the PRACH transmission are sent on the multiple RACH occasions within the association period.

26. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 24, wherein the repetitions of the uplink transmission occur across association periods.

27. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the instructions further configure the ambient Internet of Things (loT) device to indicate to the network node that repetitions for the uplink transmission are needed and a number of repetitions, or a delay in sending the uplink transmission is needed and an amount of delay.

28. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the instructions further configure the ambient Internet of Things (loT) device to. receive, from the network node, an indication that repetitions for the uplink transmission are needed and a number of repetitions, or a delay in sending the uplink transmission is needed and an amount of delay.

29. An apparatus comprising means to perform the method of any of claim 1 to claim 10.

30. A baseband processor for an ambient Internet of Things (loT) device, the baseband processor configured to cause the ambient loT device to perform the method of any of claim 1 to claim 10.

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