Communication apparatus and communication method for ambient internet-of-things (IOT) state transition

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a communication apparatus and a communication method for ambient internet-of-things (IOT) state transition, the communication apparatus comprising: circuitry, which in operation, determines whether to switch from a first state to a second state of a set of states in which the communication apparatus is pre-configured to operate based on one or more triggering events or on one or more signals; and a transceiver, which in operation, performs a transmission or a reception in the second state in response to determining to switch to the second state.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title Of Invention: COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND COMMUNICATION METHOD FOR AMBIENT INTERNET-OF-THINGS (IOT) STATE TRANSITION

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] [1] The following disclosure relates to a communication apparatus and a communication method, more particularly, for ambient internet-of-things (loT) state transition.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] [2] Ambient loT (A-loT) has been identified as one of the working areas for 3GPP Release 19 (Rel-19) as described in the Study Item Description (SID) RP-234058. The study item of A- loT is newly introduced into 3GPP in release 19 and targeting two types of lower power device: (i) ~1 W peak power consumption, has energy storage. UL transmission is backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally; and (ii) < a few hundred pW peak power consumption, has energy storage. UL transmission may be generated internally by the device, or be backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally. The SID also requires a harmonized air interface design for both types, and no RRC states forA-loT devices.

[0007] [3] While A-loT is newly introduced to Rel-19, it is not clear how the UE behaves under different circumstances, with different signaling, or with different events. It may cause signal collision (in air), interference, power consumption or UE malfunctioning if without proper UE behaviours and procedures.

[0008] [4] Hence, there is a need to address one or more of the above challenges and provide communication apparatuses and communication methods for ambient internet-of-things (loT) state transition. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the disclosure. SUMMARY

[0009] [5] One non-limiting and exemplary embodiment facilitates providing communication apparatuses and methods for ambient internet-of-things (loT) state transition.

[0010] [6] In an embodiment, the techniques disclosed here provides a communication apparatus comprising: circuitry, which in operation, determines whether to switch from a first state to a second state of a set of states in which the communication apparatus is pre-configured to operate based on one or more triggering events or on one or more signals; and a transceiver, which in operation, performs a transmission or a reception in the second state in response to determining to switch to the second state.

[0011] [7] In another embodiment, the techniques disclosed here provides a communication method comprising: determining whether to switch from a first state to a second state of a set of states in which the communication apparatus is pre-configured to operate based on one or more triggering events or on one or more signals; and performing a transmission ora reception in the second state in response to determining to switch to the second state.

[0012] [8] It should be noted that general or specific embodiments may be implemented as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, a storage medium, or any selective combination thereof.

[0013] [9] Additional benefits and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the specification and drawings. The benefits and / or advantages may be individually obtained by the various embodiments and features of the specification and drawings, which need not all be provided in order to obtain one or more of such benefits and / or advantages.

[0014] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]

[0010] Embodiments of the disclosure will be better understood and readily apparent to one of ordinary skilled in the art from the following written description, by way of example only, and in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0011] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary 3GPP NR-RAN architecture.

[0016]

[0012] Fig. 2A shows a schematic diagram illustrating a connectivity topology in which an ambient loT device communicates with a base station.

[0017]

[0013] Fig. 2B shows a schematic diagram illustrating a connectivity topology in which an ambient loT device communicates with an intermediate node between the device and a base station.

[0018]

[0014] Fig. 3 shows a schematic example of communication apparatus in accordance with various embodiments. The communication apparatus may be implemented as a UE or a gNB / base station and configured for A-loT state transition in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019]

[0015] Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram illustrating a communication method for A-loT state transition implemented by a communication apparatus in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020]

[0016] Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram illustrating a communication method for A-loT state transition implemented by another communication apparatus in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021]

[0017] Fig. 6 shows a block diagram illustrating an example set of states of a A-loT device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022]

[0018] Fig. 7 shows a block diagram illustrating two different sets of states configured for two different types of A-loT devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023]

[0019] Fig. 8 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example state transition of an A-loT device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024]

[0020] Fig. 9 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example state transition of a type i A-loT device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Fig. 10 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example state transition of a type ii A-loT device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025]

[0022] Fig. 11 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example process of determining whether or not to switch from a power off state to a charging state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026]

[0023] Fig. 12 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example process of determining whether or not to switch from a sleep state to a communication state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027]

[0024] Fig. 13 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example process of determining whether or not to switch from a power off state to a sleep state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028]

[0025] Fig. 14 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example process of determining whether or not to switch from a charging state to a communication state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029]

[0026] Fig. 15 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example process of determining whether or not to switch from a communication state to a power off state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030]

[0027] Fig. 16 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example process of determining whether or not to switch from a communication state to a sleep state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031]

[0028] Fig. 17 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example process of determining whether or not to switch from a communication state to a charging state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Fig. 18 shows a flow diagram illustrating another example process of determining whether or not to switch from a communication state to a power off state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032]

[0030] Fig. 19 shows a flow diagram illustrating yet another example process of determining whether or not to switch from a communication state to a power off state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033]

[0031] Fig. 20 shows exemplary functional split options in 5G O-RAN.

[0034]

[0032] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been depicted to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the illustrations, block diagrams or flowcharts may be exaggerated in respect to other elements to help to improve understanding of the present embodiments.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036]

[0033] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings. Like reference numerals and characters in the drawings refer to like elements or equivalents.

[0037]

[0034] 3GPP has been working at the next release for the 5thgeneration cellular technology, simply called 5G, including the development of a new radio access technology (NR) operating in frequencies ranging up to 100 GHz. The first version of the 5G standard was completed at the end of 2017, which allows proceeding to 5G NR standard-compliant trials and commercial deployments of smartphones. The second version of the 5G standard was completed in June 2020, which further expand the reach of 5G to new services, spectrum and deployment such as unlicensed spectrum (NR-U), non-public network (NPN), time sensitive networking (TSN) and cellular-V2X.

[0038]

[0035] 5G NR system architecture assumes an NG-RAN (Next Generation - Radio Access Network) that comprises gNBs, providing the NG-radio access user plane (SDAP / PDCP / RLC / MAC / PHY) and control plane (RRC) protocol terminations towards the UE. The gNBs are interconnected with each other by means of the Xn interface. The gNBs are also connected by means of the Next Generation (NG) interface to the NGC (Next Generation Core), more specifically to the AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) (e.g. a particular core entity performing the AMF) by means of the NG-C interface and to the UPF (User Plane Function) (e g. a particular core entity performing the UPF) by means of the NG- U interface. The NG-RAN architecture is illustrated in Fig. 1 (see e.g. 3GPP TS 38.300 v15.6.0, section 4).

[0039]

[0036] The user plane protocol stack for NR (see e.g. 3GPP TS 38.300, section 4.4.1) comprises the PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol, see section 6.4 of TS 38.300), RLC (Radio Link Control, see section 6.3 of TS 38.300) and MAC (Medium Access Control, see section 6.2 of TS 38.300) sublayers, which are terminated in the gNB on the network side. Additionally, a new access stratum (AS) sublayer (SDAP, Service Data Adaptation Protocol) is introduced above PDCP (see e.g. sub-clause 6.5 of 3GPP TS 38.300). A control plane protocol stack is also defined for NR (see for instance TS 38.300, section 4.4.2). An overview of the Layer 2 functions is given in sub-clause 6 of TS 38.300. The functions of the PDCP, RLC and MAC sublayers are listed respectively in sections 6.4, 6.3, and 6.2 of TS 38.300. The functions of the RRC layer are listed in sub-clause 7 of TS 38.300.

[0040]

[0037] For instance, the Medium-Access-Control layer handles logical-channel multiplexing, and scheduling and scheduling-related functions, including handling of different numerologies.

[0041]

[0038] The physical layer (PHY) is for example responsible for coding, PHY hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processing, modulation, multi-antenna processing, and mapping of the signal to the appropriate physical time-frequency resources. It also handles mapping of transport channels to physical channels. The physical layer provides services to the MAC layer in the form of transport channels. A physical channel corresponds to the set of time-frequency resources used for transmission of a particular transport channel, and each transport channel is mapped to a corresponding physical channel. For instance, the physical channels are PRACH (Physical Random Access Channel), PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) and PUCCH(Physical Uplink Control Channel) for uplink, PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) and PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel) for downlink, and PSSCH (Physical Sidelink Shared Channel), PSCCH (Physical Sidelink Control Channel) and Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH) for sidelink (SL).

[0039] SL supports UE-to-UE direct communication using the SL resource allocation modes, physical layer signals / channels, and physical layer procedures. Two SL resource allocation mode are supported: (a) mode 1 , where the SL resource allocation is provided by the network; and (b) mode 2, where UE decides SL transmission resource in the resource pool(s).

[0042]

[0040] PSCCH indicates resource and other transmission parameters used by a UE for PSSCH. PSCCH transmission is associated with a demodulation reference signal (DM-RS). PSSCH transmits the transport blocks (TBs) of data themselves, and control information for HARQ procedure and channel state information (CSI) feedback triggers, etc. At least 6 Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (OFDM) symbols within a slot are used for PSSCH transmission. PSSCH transmission is associated with a DM-RS and may be associated with a phase-tracking reference signal (PT-RS).

[0043]

[0041] PSFCH carries HARQ feedback over the SL from a UE which is an intended recipient of a PSSCH transmission to the UE which performed the transmission. PSFCH sequence is transmitted in one PRB repeated over two OFDM symbols near the end of the SL resource in a slot.

[0044]

[0042] The SL synchronization signal consists of SL primary and SL secondary synchronization signals (S-PSS, S-SSS), each occupying 2 symbols and 127 subcarriers. Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH) occupies 9 and 5 symbols for normal and extended cyclic prefix cases respectively, including the associated demodulation reference signal (DM-RS).

[0045]

[0043] Regarding physical layer procedure for HARQ feedback for sidelink, SL HARQ feedback uses PSFCH and can be operated in one of two options. In one option, which can be configured for unicast and groupcast, PSFCH transmits either ACK or NACK using a resource dedicated to a single PSFCH transmitting UE. In another option, which can be configured for groupcast, PSFCH transmits NACK, or no PSFCH signal is transmitted, on a resource that can be shared by multiple PSFCH transmitting UEs.

[0046]

[0044] In SL resource allocation mode 1, a UE which received PSFCH can report SL HARQ feedback to gNB via PUCCH or PUSCH.

[0045] Regarding physical layer procedure for power control for sidelink, for in-coverage operation, the power spectral density of the SL transmissions can be adjusted based on the pathloss from the gNB; whereas for unicast, the power spectral density of some SL transmissions can be adjusted based on the pathloss between the two communicating UEs.

[0047]

[0046] Regarding physical layer procedure for CSI report, for unicast, channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) is supported for CSI measurement and reporting in sidelink. A CSI report is carried in a SL MAC CE (Control Element).

[0048]

[0047] For measurement on the sidelink, the following UE measurement quantities are supported:

[0049] • PSBCH reference signal received power (PSBCH RSRP);

[0050] • PSSCH reference signal received power (PSSCH-RSRP);

[0051] • PSCCH reference signal received power (PSCCH-RSRP);

[0052] • Sidelink received signal strength indicator (SL RSSI);

[0053] • Sidelink channel occupancy ratio (SL CR);

[0054] • Sidelink channel busy ratio (SL CBR).

[0055]

[0048] Use cases / deployment scenarios for NR could include enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), massive machine type communication (mMTC), which have diverse requirements in terms of data rates, latency, and coverage. For example, eMBB is expected to support peak data rates (20Gbps for downlink and 10Gbps for uplink) and user-experienced data rates in the order of three times what is offered by IMT-Advanced. On the other hand, in case of URLLC, the tighter requirements are put on ultra-low latency (0.5ms for UL and DL each for user plane latency) and high reliability (1-1 O'5within 1ms). Finally, mMTC may preferably require high connection density (1 ,000,000 devices / km2in an urban environment), large coverage in harsh environments, and extremely long-life battery for low cost devices (15 years).

[0056]

[0049] Therefore, the OFDM numerology (e.g. subcarrier spacing, OFDM symbol duration, cyclic prefix (CP) duration, number of symbols per scheduling interval) that is suitable for one use case might not work well for another. For example, low-latency services may preferably require a shorter symbol duration (and thus larger subcarrier spacing) and / or fewer symbols per scheduling interval (aka, TTI) than an mMTC service. Furthermore, deployment scenarios with large channel delay spreads may preferably require a longer CP duration than scenarios with short delay spreads. The subcarrier spacing should be optimized accordingly to retain the similar CP overhead. NR may support more than one value of subcarrier spacing. Correspondingly, subcarrier spacing of 15kHz, 30kHz, 60 kHz... are being considered at the moment. The symbol duration Tuand the subcarrier spacing Af are directly related through the formula Af = 1 / Tu. In a similar manner as in LTE systems, the term “resource element” can be used to denote a minimum resource unit being composed of one subcarrier for the length of one OFDM / SC-FDMA symbol.

[0057]

[0050] In the new radio system 5G-NR for each numerology and carrier a resource grid of subcarriers and OFDM symbols is defined respectively for uplink and downlink. Each element in the resource grid is called a resource element and is identified based on the frequency index in the frequency domain and the symbol position in the time domain (see 3GPP TS 38.211 V16.3.0).

[0058]

[0051] Ambient loT (A-loT) has been identified as one of the working areas for 3GPP Release 19 as described in SID RP-234058. In particular, a harmonized air interface design with minimized differences (when necessary) is studied for Ambient loT to enable the following devices: (i) ~1 pW peak power consumption, has energy storage, sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10 ppm, neither DL nor UL amplification in the device (hereinafter may be referred to as type i device). The device’s uplink (UL) transmission is backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally; and (ii) < a few hundred pW peak power consumption, has energy storage, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10 ppm, both DL and / or UL amplification in the device (hereinafter may be referred to as type ii device). The device’s UL transmission may be generated internally by the device or be backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally. The SID also requires a harmonized air interface design for both types, and no RRC states for A-loT devices.

[0059]

[0052] Figs. 2A and 2B shows schematic diagrams 200, 210 illustrating two connectivity topologies under Topology 1 and Topology 2, respectively. In Topology 1 , the Ambient loT device directly and bidirectionally communicates with a base station (BS). The communication between the base station and the ambient loT device includes Ambient loT data and / or signalling. This topology includes the possibility that the BS transmitting to the Ambient loT device is a different from the BS receiving from the Ambient loT device. In Topology 2, the Ambient loT device communicates bidirectionally with an intermediate node between the device and base station. In this topology, the intermediate node can be a relay, IAB node, UE, repeater, etc. which is capable of Ambient loT. The intermediate node transfers Ambient loT data and / or signalling between BS and the Ambient loT device. For both Topologies 1 and 2, where UE as intermediate node under network (NW) control, there is no radio resource control (RRC) states, no mobility (i.e., at least no cell selection / re-selection-like function), no Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) and no Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ). The Base station and coexistence characteristic (Micro-cell, co-site) are also discussed in as the deployment scenario with Topology 1 and, additionally, the location of intermediate being indoor are also discussed as the deployment scenario with Topology 2 and UE as intermediate node under network control. Device-terminated (DT) traffic and device-originated (DO) deviceterminated triggered (DO-DTT) traffic with focus on rUC1 (indoor inventory) and rUC4 (indoor command) are also discussed.

[0060]

[0053] In addition, the downlink channel / signal aspects, the uplink channel / signal aspects, and scheduling and timing relationships fortheA-loT DLand UL are also studied. For Topology 2, it is studied that there is no difference in the physical layer design from Topology 1.

[0061]

[0054] As mentioned earlier, As A-loT is newly introduced to Rel-19, it is not clear how the UE behaves under different circumstances, with different signaling, or with different events. It may cause signal collision (in air), interference, power consumption or UE malfunctioning if without proper UE behaviours and procedures.

[0062]

[0055] There is thus a need to address one or more of the above challenges and develop new communication apparatuses and communication methods for ambient internet-of-things (loT) state transition.

[0063]

[0056] In the present disclosure, the term “A-loT device” may be used interchangeable with the term “UE” or “user equipment”, while the term “base station” may be used interchangeable with the term “gNB” or “gNodeB”.

[0064]

[0057] In various embodiments, the term “state” in may be used interchangeably with “mode”, “scheme” and “level”.

[0065]

[0058] Fig. 3 shows a schematic example of communication apparatus 300 in accordance with various embodiments. The communication apparatus may be implemented as a UE or a gNB / base station and configured for A-loT state transition in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication apparatus 300 may include circuitry 314, at least one radio transmitter 302, at least one radio receiver 304, and at least one antenna 312 (for the sake of simplicity, only one antenna is depicted in Fig. 3 for illustration purposes). The circuitry 314 may include at least one controller 306 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks that the at least one controller 306 is designed to perform, including control of communications with one or more other communication apparatuses in a wireless network. The circuitry 314 may furthermore include at least one transmission signal generator 308 and at least one receive signal processor 310. The at least one controller 306 may control the at least one transmission signal generator 308 for generating signals (for example, a sidelink / uplink / downlink signal) to be sent through the at least one radio transmitter 302 to one or more other communication apparatuses and the at least one receive signal processor 310 for processing signals (for example, a sidelink / uplink / downlink signal) received through the at least one radio receiver 304 from the one or more other communication apparatuses under the control of the at least one controller 306. The at least one transmission signal generator 308 and the at least one receive signal processor 310 may be stand-alone modules of the communication apparatus 300 that communicate with the at least one controller 306 for the above-mentioned functions, as shown in Fig. 3. Alternatively, the at least one transmission signal generator 308 and the at least one receive signal processor 310 may be included in the at least one controller 306. In various embodiments, when in operation, the at least one radio transmitter 302, at least one radio receiver 304, and at least one antenna 312 may be controlled by the at least one controller 306.

[0066]

[0059] The at least one radio transmitter 302 and the at least one radio receiver 304 may be included in a stand-alone module of the communication apparatus 300 to perform functions of both sending and receiving signals to and from another communication apparatus respectively. Such module may be referred to as a transceiver 302, 304 in various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0067]

[0060] It is appreciable to those skilled in the art that the arrangement of these functional modules is flexible and may vary depending on the practical needs and / or requirements. The data processing, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and / or in chipsets.

[0068]

[0061] Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram illustrating a communication method for A-loT state transition implemented by the communication apparatus 300 when it is a UE in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication apparatus 300, when in operation, provides functions required for ambient internet-of-things (loT) state transition, and is configured to carry out the operation in Figure 4. In particular, in step 402, The circuitry 314 (the at least one controller 306 of the circuitry 314) may, in operation, determine whether to switch from a first state to a second state of a set of states in which the communication apparatus is pre-configured to operate based on one or more triggering events or on one or more signals; and in step 404, the transceiver (including the at least one radio transmitter 302 and the at least one radio receiver 304) may, in operation, perform a transmission or a reception in the second state in response to determining to switch to the second state.

[0069]

[0062] In various embodiments, each of the set of states relates to one or a combination of a power state, a signal communication state, a configuration state and an operation state; the power state being at least one of a state in which the circuitry is powered off, a state in which the circuitry is operational, a state in which a part of the circuitry is operational, and a state in which the communication apparatus acquires power from a power source, and the signal communication state being at least one of a state in which the transceiver performs (or is ready to perform) the transmission and / or the reception and a state in which the transceiver is performs (or is ready to perform) a transmission / reception type; the configuration state being a state in which an operation of the communication apparatus is configured; the operation state being one of a state in which the communication apparatus is configured to carry out a pre-configured operation and a state in which the communication apparatus is configured to carry out the pre-configured operation for a pre-configured time period.

[0070]

[0063] The transceiver (including the at least one radio transmitter 302 and the at least one radio receiver 304) may receive the one or more signals from another communication apparatus (e.g., base station) and the circuitry 314 (the at least one controller 306 of the circuitry 314) may determine whether to switch from the first state to the second state based on the received one or more signals. Such signals can be an in-band signal, a guard-band signal, an out-band signal, a standalone signal, an unlicensed-band signal or a combination thereof.

[0071]

[0064] In one embodiment, in step 402, the circuitry 314 (the at least one controller 306 of the circuitry 314) may determine not to switch to the second state or may determine that there is none of the one or more triggering events and one or more signals, and, in response to such determination, in step 404, the transceiver (including the at least one radio transmitter 302 and the at least one radio receiver 304) may perform the transmission or the reception in the first state or a third state of the set of states after the first state.

[0072]

[0065] In another embodiment, the one or more triggering events may comprise a result of a determination on whether at least a part of an earlier transmission or an earlier reception and / or a result of a determination on whether a value of an operating parameter (e.g., current power level of the communication apparatus 300) exceeds a threshold value, and in step 402, the circuitry 314 (the at least one controller 306 of the circuitry 314) may determine whether or not to switch from the first state and the second state based on such result of determination(s).

[0073]

[0066] In an embodiment, the communication apparatus 300 may be (pre-)configured with at least one set of states according to at least one of an apparatus type, a power level, a geolocation, an application layer configuration, a cell, a group of communication apparatuses, a cast type, a service and an application of the communication apparatus 300. The first state may be from a first set of states while the second state is from a second set of states, and in step 402, the circuitry 314 (the at least one controller 306 of the circuitry 314) may determine whether to switch from the first state of the first set of states to the second state of the second set of states based on the one or more triggering events or on the one or more signals.

[0074]

[0067] The communication apparatus 300 may be a gNB or base station and configured for A-loT state transition to carry out the following operations. Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram illustrating a communication method for A-loT state transition implemented by the communication apparatus 300 when it is a gNB or base station in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this implementation, in step 502, the at least one radio transmitter 302, which in operation, may transmit a signal to switch an operation of another communication apparatus from a first state to a second state of a set of states in which the another communication apparatus (e.g., a UE) is pre-configured to operate, and in step 504, the at least one radio receiver 304) may receive another signal from the another communication apparatus operating in the second state.

[0075]

[0068] According to the present disclosure, an A-loT device is specified with several states (a set of states). Each of the several states are different according to one of or a combination of power status, transmitting status, or receiving status, and it follows specified / (pre-)configured state transition sequence according to some specific triggering events or signaling. It is noted that the states intend to have the modeling of how to visible from outside (gNB and / or intermediate node) for the standardization. The actual implementation of states may be different. A state could be explicit / implicit and could be a UE behavior, a (step of) UE procedure, a timing duration for a certain purpose, etc. This advantageously provides a unified and organized solution for A-loT with consideration on low power devices and power saving aspects, etc.

[0076]

[0069] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an A-loT UE is specified with, or is pre-configured to operate in, at least one set of states according to its power, transmitting and / or receiving status. For example, the set of states include: a power off state, a charging state, a communication state, a sleep state and a configuration state (hereinafter are referred to as “POWER OFF”, “CHARGING, “COMMUNIACTION”, “SLEEP” and “CONFIGURATION”, respectively).

[0077]

[0070] Fig. 6 shows a block diagram 600 illustrating an example set of states of a A-loT device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Different states provide different levels of power, UE complexity, UE behavior, procedure and operations. For example:

[0078] • POWER OFF: all circuitries are OFF in the A-loT device

[0079] • CHARGING: acquiring power through energy harvesting, turning on required circuitries, and / or clock frequency change for better synchronization

[0080] • COMMUNICATION: the device is ready to perform or performing transmission and / or reception

[0081] • SLEEP: only certain circuitries are running (e.g., internal clock), may only be applicable for type II and / or DO-A (device-originated autonomous) devices.

[0082] • CONFIGURATION: the device is configured by factory, cable or online setting, may be visible as "POWER OFF" from outside (gNB / intermediate node).

[0083]

[0071] It is noted that some states can be combined into one single state. For example, CHARGING and COMMUNICATION could be simultaneously performed as one state. Some states may be split into multiple states. For example, COMMUNICATION may be further divided into multiple states like, READY (ready state), TRANSMISSION (ready-to-transmit or transmission state), RECEPTION (ready to receive or receiving state), TRANSMISSION_Backscattering, TRANSMISSION_lnternal_UL, etc. It is appreciated that there could be more or less states, with different names (e.g., IDLE, HALT, PAUSE, etc., or state A, B, C, etc.). The circuitries, could be all circuits within the device, the modem part only, or the 3gpp communication part only, etc.

[0084]

[0072] Moreover, different UEs may be configured with different states or different set(s) of states, and there could be an initial / default set of states. Such different sets of states can accommodate different use case and scenarios. The different states or different set(s) of states of an UE may depend on:

[0085] • UE types: type i devices may have one set of states (e.g., POWER OFF, CHARGING, COMMUNICATION) and type ii devices may have a different set of states (e g., POWER OFF, CHARGING, COMMUNICATION, SLEEP).

[0086] • Power / energy level: an A-loT device is with full communication states if with sufficient power, but when the power is insufficient (e.g., bellow a level) it’ll be with limited communication states

[0087] • Some other categorizations: geo-location, application layer configuration, cell-wise, group-based, cast type, service, use cases, etc.

[0088]

[0073] Fig. 7 shows a block diagram 700 illustrating two different sets of states 702, 712 configured for two different types of A-loT devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, a type i A-loT device may be configured with a power off state, a communication state and a charging state; whereas a type ii A-loT device may be configured with a power off state, a communication state, a charging state and a sleep state.

[0089]

[0074] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an A-loT UE is specified with, or is pre-configured to follow a state transition sequence (or state diagram, state machine, etc.) for state transition, for example, to switch from one to another state when triggering condition(s) is satisfied. This advantageously provides specified switching and / or fallback mechanism to operation of the A-loT UE.

[0090]

[0075] Fig. 8 shows a flow diagram 800 illustrating an example state transition of an A-loT device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The A-loT UE should perform predefined / (pre-)configured UE procedure or behavior after a state transition (from one state to another state). In particular, the A-loT device may be pre-configured to perform a transmission or a reception in a set of states sequentially, for example, from a power off state, a charging state, a communication state, a sleep state to a power off state, as indicated using arrows 802, 804, 806, 808. According to the present disclosure, the A-loT device may determine to switch from the power off state directly to the communication state, as indicated using arrow 810; or directly to the sleep state, as indicated using arrow 812 in certain transition trigger condition; or determine not to switch to another state and stay in the power off state, as indicated using arrow 814. Additionally, it is also possible to switch from the sleep state back to the communication state or the charging state, as indicated using arrows 816, 818, respectively, in certain trigger condition. Such transition triggering condition may be based on signalling, e g., one or more signal, or some specific triggering events. It is appreciated that the A-loT device may only switch from one state to another state according to the preconfigured sequence (e.g., from the power off state to the charging state, or the charging state to the communication state, or so on) based on the signalling or the triggering events.

[0091]

[0076] The signaling would be 3GPP specified signaling but not limited to one or a combination of RRC, MAC CE, or PHY channels / signals. New signal(s), with different type and / or name, may also be used for triggering since protocol forA-loT is undetermined. There might be different type of signals for triggering various state transitions and various paths, which is different from single condition and single path between states for RFID (radio frequency identifier). On the other hand, the triggering events could be some predefined / (pre-)configured parameter checking, criteria, threshold, etc.

[0092]

[0077] Similarly, an A-loT device may also be configured with more than 1 state transition sequence, and such state transition sequence can accommodate different use case and scenarios. The different sequence may be categorized by UE type, complexity, geo-location, application layer configuration, cell-wise, group-based, service, use cases, etc.

[0093]

[0078] Figs. 9 and 10 show flow diagram 900, 1000 illustrating an example state transition of a type i A-loT device and a type ii A-loT device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0094]

[0079] In this example, it is assumed that states configured for a type i device and a type ii device are same, but it is not limited to it. A type ii device may have more transition paths (shown using arrows in Fig. 10) as compared to a type i device (shown using arrows in Fig. 9). The type i device may be low power and with simpler circuits and not capable for complicated transitions, while type ii device has higher power, more complex circuits, more state transition paths and triggering conditions. In an implementation, different signals may trigger different sequences of state transition.

[0080] An A-loT device may be specified with minimum timing(s) that it stays in a certain state, and / or required maximum timing(s) to complete a specified state transition. An A-loT device may be (pre)configured and / or defined with maximum timing(s) that it stays in a certain state, and / or minimum timing(s) to complete a specified state transition.

[0095]

[0081] Examples of triggering signals for state transition include: (a) radio frequency (RF) signal(s) (from gNB, other UE, intermediate node, or standalone carrier wave generator) applicable for energy harvesting (may or may not carry information); (b) Wake-up signal from gNB or intermediate node (there might be multiple types of wake-up signals, could be RF signal, Synchronization Signal Block (SSB), or Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), etc.); (c) Synchronization signal from gNB, intermediate node or other UEs (by SSB, Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), Primary synchronization signal (PSS), Secondary synchronization signal (SSS), PDCCH, etc.); (d) Feedback received or to be sent (HARQ, ARQ or higher layer) and (e) Other signals from DL (data, UL grant, etc.), UL or SL.

[0096]

[0082] In various implementations, the triggering signals could be from in-band, guard-band, out-band, standalone or unlicensed band, etc. The signals for energy harvesting, synchronization, data reception and data transmission (UL or backscattering) may be in same or different spectrums (i.e., Frequency-division multiplexed signals). The signals for harvesting, synchronization, data reception could be combined or standalone signals. The triggering signal(s) may have same or different waveform with same or different resource allocation, format, procedure, etc. compare with legacy UL / DL transmissions. For example, the wake-up / synchronization signal might be On-Off Keying (OOK) with preamble, while transmission could be Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with PBCH / CORSET. Additionally, the intermediate node may act as a gNB, an Integrated Access / Backhaul (IAB) node, a relay, a repeater or Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) (as a single role, or configurable between multiple roles).

[0097]

[0083] Examples of triggering events for state transition of an A-loT device include: (a) whether or not the A-loT device completed power-up by collecting ambient power (e g., electromagnetic (EM) field strength falls within threshold range); (b) whether or not the A-loT device has insufficient power (e.g., EM field strength falls outside threshold range); (c) whether or not the A-loT device completed all required data transmission; (d) whether or not the A-loT device completed part of required data transmission (and indicated subsequent transmission); (e) whether or not there is a configuration for periodic Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) and / or Discontinuous Reception (DRX); (f) whether or not a timer is expired (if configured, e.g., wake-up timer, sleep timer, etc.); and (g) whether or not there is external events / configurations (e.g., human actions, hardware change, etc ).

[0098]

[0084] Fig. 11 shows a flow diagram 1100 illustrating an example process of determining whether or not to switch from a power off state to a charging state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 1102, the device may be in the power off state; in step 1104, the device may determine whether there is a RF signal for energy harvesting to determine whether or not to switch from the power off state. If there is the RF signal for energy harvesting, step 1106 is carried out, and the device (or a part of the device) is configured to switch to and operate in the charging state. If there is no RF signal for energy harvesting, the device is configured to remain in, and not to switch from, the power off state.

[0099]

[0085] Fig. 12 shows a flow diagram 1200 illustrating an example process of determining whether or not to switch from a sleep state to a communication state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 1202, the device may be in the sleep state; in step 1204, the device may determine whether a wake-up signal is received, for example, from another device, to determine whether or not to switch from the sleep state. If it is determined that a wake-up signal is received, step 1206 is carried out, and the device (or a part of the device) is configured to switch to and operate in the communication state. If no wake-up signal is received, the device is configured to remain in, and not to switch from, the sleep state.

[0100]

[0086] Fig. 13 shows a flow diagram 1300 illustrating an example process of determining whether or not to switch from a power off state to a sleep state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 1302, the device may be in the power off state; in step 1304, the device may determine whether a synchronization signal is received, for example, from another device, to determine whether or not to switch from the power off state. If it is determined that a synchronization signal is received, step 1306 is carried out, and the device (or a part of the device) is configured to switch to and operate in the sleep state. If no synchronization signal is received, the device is configured to remain in, and not to switch from, the power off state.

[0101]

[0087] Fig. 14 shows a flow diagram 1400illustrating an example process of determining whether or not to switch from a charging state to a communication state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 1402, the device may be in the charging state; in step 1404, the device may determine whether sufficient power has been harvested. The result of the determination can be a triggering event to determine whether or not to switch from the charging state. If it is determined that sufficient power has been harvested, step 1406 is carried out, and the device (or a part of the device) is configured to switch to and operate in the communication state. If it is determined that sufficient power has not been harvested, the device is configured to remain in, and not to switch from, the charging state.

[0102]

[0088] Fig. 15 shows a flow diagram 1500 illustrating an example process of determining whether or not to switch from a communication state to a power off state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 1502, the device may be in the communication state; in step 1504, the device may determine whether there is sufficient power. The result of the determination can be a triggering event to determine whether or not to switch from the communication state. If it is determined that there is not sufficient power, step 1506 is carried out, and the device (or a part of the device) is configured to switch to and operate in the power off state. If it is determined that there is sufficient power, the device is configured to remain in, and not to switch from, the communication state.

[0103]

[0089] Fig. 16 shows a flow diagram 1600 illustrating an example process of determining whether or not to switch from a communication state to a sleep state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 1602, the device may be in the communication state; in step 1604, the device may determine whether all transmissions have been completed. The result of the determination can be a triggering event to determine whether or not to switch from the communication state. If it is determined that all transmissions have been completed, step 1606 is carried out, and the device (or a part of the device) is configured to switch to and operate in the sleep state. If it is determined that all transmissions have not yet been completed, the device is configured to remain in, and not to switch from, the communication state.

[0104]

[0090] Fig. 17 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example process of determining whether or not to switch from a communication state to a charging state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 1702, the device may be in the communication state; in step 1704, the device may determine whether a segment of transmission has been completed. The result of the determination can be a triggering event to determine whether or not to switch from the communication state. If it is determined that the segment of transmission has been completed, step 1706 is carried out, and the device (or a part of the device) is configured to switch to and operate in the charging state. If it is determined that the segment of transmission has not yet been completed, the device is configured to remain in, and not to switch from, the communication state.

[0091] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an A-loT may be one of the following approaches on state transition for POWER OFF. For example, by default, or (pre-)configuration, an A-loT device may always try to switch to POWER OFF state to save power unless: (a) there is an on-going transmission and / or reception (trigger event); (b) a wake-up signal or a reservation from gNB is received in one of previous DL; (c) a keep-alive signal / timer is received from gNB in one of previous DL; or (d) there is a configuration for periodic transmission / reception (Tx / Rx) and in the “ON” duration.

[0105]

[0092] Alternatively, by default, or (pre-)configuration, an A-loT device may avoid switching to POWER OFF state to achieve low latency, unless: (a) a “Turn Off command is received from gNB in one of previous DL; (b) a keep-alive timer is received from gNB in one of previous DL and the timer is expired; (c) EM field I energy level (value) is below a threshold level (value); or (d) there is configuration for periodic Tx / Rx and in the “OFF” duration. It is noted that an A- loT may be configured / specified of either to always try to switch to POWER OFF state or to always avoid switching to POWER OFF state, or being configurable among the two.

[0106]

[0093] It is appreciated that the same or similar condition may be applied to other state (e g., SLEEP), that is, the A-loT device may be, by default, or (pre-)configuration, always try to switch or avoid switching to SLEEP state unless there is a signal or a trigger event.

[0107]

[0094] Fig. 18 shows a flow diagram 1800 illustrating another example process of determining whether or not to switch from a communication state to a power off state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 1802, the device may be in the communication state. In step 1804, the device may determine whether a keep-alive timer is received. If it is determined that a keep-alive timer is received, step 1806 is carried out, otherwise step 1808 is carried out. In step 1806, the device may determine whether the keep-alive timer has expired. If it is determined that the keep-alive has expired, step 1808 is carried out; otherwise the process return to step 1802 where the device is configured to remain in, and not to switch from, the communication state. In step 1808, the device (or a part of the device) is configured to switch to and operate in the power off state.

[0108]

[0095] Fig. 19 shows a flow diagram 1900 illustrating yet another example process of determining whether or not to switch from a communication state to a power off state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 1902, the device may be in the communication state. In step 1904, the device may determine whether a turn-off signal is received. If it is determined that a turn-off signal is received, step 1906 is carried out, otherwise the process return to step 1902 where the device is configured to remain in, and not to switch from, the communication state. In step 1906, the device (or a part of the device) is configured to switch to and operate in the power off state.

[0109]

[0096] In various implementations, the at least one state(s), categorization of set of states, state transition sequence(s), and / or categorization of state transition sequences in the embodiments are for instance only and can be changed or described with different names or descriptions. The at least one state(s), categorization of set of states, state transition sequence(s), and / or categorization of state transition sequences can be specified by standardization bodies, or configured by regulators, UE vendors, operators, base stations, etc. The at least one state(s), categorization of set of states, state transition sequence(s), and / or categorization state transition sequences could be switched by higher layer signaling (gNB, internal or other UE).

[0110]

[0097] The signaling for state transition triggering could be either explicitly or implicitly. The explicit signaling can be PHY or higher layer signaling from gNB, other UE or self-generation; whereas the implicit signaling means state transition triggering be inferred by other non-explicit signaling (e.g., specific sequence for RS, specific time or frequency resource allocation for physical channels or signals, synchronization ID, etc.).

[0111]

[0098] An A-loT device may be configured with a default / initial configuration of states, a set of states, and / or a state transition sequence. A fallback mechanism may be further configured for the A-loT device to switch back to the default configuration(s), and / or the device may stay in its original state after checking triggering events / signaling.

[0112]

[0099] It is appreciated that the solutions can be applied for both back scattering or internal generated UL transmission. The solutions can also be applied with or without higher layer management, for all kinds of UEs (including intermediate node, assisting node, normal UE, A- loT UE, relay, IAB, repeater, etc.). The different type of A-loT devices (type i, type ii, etc.) can be distinguished by UE features, UE capabilities, UE reporting, etc.

[0113] RRC connection setup and reconfiguration procedures

[0114]

[0100] Interactions between a UE, gNB, and AMF (an 5G core (5GC) entity) in the context of a transition of the UE from RRCJDLE to RRC_CONNECTED for the NAS part are described (see TS 38.300 v15.6.0).

[0101] RRC is a higher layer signaling (protocol) used for UE and gNB configuration. In particular, this transition involves that the AMF prepares the UE context data (including e.g. PDU session context, the Security Key, UE Radio Capability and UE Security Capabilities, etc.) and sends it to the gNB with the INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST. Then, the gNB activates the AS security with the UE, which is performed by the gNB transmitting to the UE a SecurityModeCommand message and by the UE responding to the gNB with the SecurityModeComplete message. Afterwards, the gNB performs the reconfiguration to setup the Signaling Radio Bearer 2, SRB2, and Data Radio Bearer(s), DRB(s) by means of transmitting to the UE the RRCReconfiguration message and, in response, receiving by the gNB the RRCReconfigurationComplete from the UE. For a signalling-only connection, the steps relating to the RRCReconfiguration are skipped since SRB2 and DRBs are not setup. Finally, the gNB informs the AMF that the setup procedure is completed with the INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP RESPONSE.

[0115]

[0102] In the present disclosure, thus, an entity (for example Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), etc.) of a 5th Generation Core (5GC) is provided that comprises control circuitry which, in operation, establishes a Next Generation (NG) connection with a gNodeB, and a transmitter which, in operation, transmits an initial context setup message, via the NG connection, to the gNodeB to cause a signaling radio bearer setup between the gNodeB and a user equipment (UE). In particular, the gNodeB transmits a Radio Resource Control, RRC, signaling containing a resource allocation configuration information element to the UE via the signaling radio bearer. The UE then performs an uplink transmission or a downlink reception based on the resource allocation configuration.

[0116] QoS control

[0117]

[0103] The 5G QoS (Quality of Service) model is based on QoS flows and supports both QoS flows that require guaranteed flow bit rate (GBR QoS flows) and QoS flows that do not require guaranteed flow bit rate (non-GBR QoS Flows). At NAS level, the QoS flow is thus the finest granularity of QoS differentiation in a PDU session. A QoS flow is identified within a PDU session by a QoS flow ID (QFI) carried in an encapsulation header over NG-U interface.

[0118]

[0104] For each UE, 5GC establishes one or more PDU Sessions. For each UE, the NG-RAN establishes at least one Data Radio Bearers (DRB) together with the PDU Session, and additional DRB(s) for QoS flow(s) of that PDU session can be subsequently configured (it is up to NG-RAN when to do so). The NG-RAN maps packets belonging to different PDU sessions to different DRBs. NAS level packet filters in the UE and in the 5GC associate UL and DL packets with QoS Flows, whereas AS-level mapping rules in the UE and in the NG- RAN associate UL and DL QoS Flows with DRBs.

[0119] Open- RAN

[0120]

[0105] The base station described in each exemplary embodiment (for example, a 5G NR base station called gNB) may be formed of three functional modules: Centralized Unit (CU), Distributed Unit (DU), and Radio Unit (RU).

[0121]

[0106] CU may also be referred as, for example, a centralized node, an aggregated node, a centralized station, an aggregated station, or a central unit. DU may also be referred as, for example, O-DU (O-RAN Distributed Unit), a distributed node, a distributed station, or a distributed unit. RU may also be referred as, for example, O-RU (O-RAN Radio Unit), a radio apparatus, a radio node, a radio station, an antenna unit, or a radio unit.

[0122]

[0107] Several split options are defined for the functional split configuration (or functional split point) between CU, DU, and RU. The term “functional split point” may also be referred to as “split”, “option”, or “split option”.

[0123]

[0108] Examples of the “split option” include the following split options 1 to 8. The functionality of the base station described in each exemplary embodiment may be split into functions as CU, DU, and RU by one of the following split options 1 to 8. For example, each of CU, DU, and RU may be subjected to functional splitting or functional splitting only between CU and DU or only between DU and RU is possible.

[0124] (1) Split Option 1 : between RRC (radio resource control) and PDCP

[0125] (2) Split Option 2: between PDCP and RLC (High-RLC)

[0126] (3) Split Option 3: between High-RLC and Low-RLC

[0127] (4) Split Option 4: between RLC (Low-RLC) and MAC (High-MAC)

[0128] (5) Split Option 5: between High-MAC and Low-MAC

[0129] (6) Split Option 6: between MAC (Low-MAC) and PHY (High-PHY)

[0130] (7) Split Option 7: between High-PHY and Low-PHY

[0131] (8) Split Option 8: between PHY (Low-PHY) and RF

[0132]

[0109] The functional split point between CU and O-DU may be Split Option 2. The link between CU and O-DU is referred to as midhaul and the F1 interface is defined by the 3GPP. Further, the link between O-DU and O-RU is referred to as fronthaul and its functional split point may be Split Option 7-2x adopted as the O-RAN fronthaul specifications.

[0133]

[0110] FIG. 20 illustrates an example in which the base station functionality of the gNB is subjected to functional splitting into OU, O-DU, O-RU by Split Option 2 and Split Option 7-2x.

[0134]

[0111] CU may include, for example, an RRC (radio resource control) function, an SDAP (service data adaptation protocol) function, and a PDCP (packet data convergence protocol) function.

[0135]

[0112] O-DU may include, for example, an RLC (radio link control) function, a MAC function, and a higher physical layer (HIGH-PHY) function. Further, the HIGH-PHY function may include an encoding function, a scrambling function, a modulation function, a layer mapping function, a precoding function, and an RE (resource element) mapping function for downlink (DL) transmission. The HIGH-PHY function may also include a decoding function, a descrambling function, a demodulation function, a layer demapping function, and an RE (resource element) demapping function for uplink (UL) reception.

[0136]

[0113] O-RU may include, for example, a LOW-PHY function and an RF function. Further, the LOW-PHY function may include a beamforming function, IFFT (Inverse First Fourier Transform) + CP (Cyclic Prefix) addition functions, and a D / A (Digital to Analog) conversion function for downlink transmission. Further, the LOW-PHY function may include an A / D (Analog to Digital) conversion function, CP removal + FFT (First Fourier Transform) functions, and a beamforming function for uplink reception.

[0137]

[0114] Note that, in a case where O-DU does not include the precoding function, O-RU may include the precoding function.

[0138]

[0115] O-RU may include an LBT (listen before Talk)-related function.

[0139]

[0116] eCPRI (Evolved Common Public Radio Interface) is defined as a communication scheme between O-DU and O-RU in Split Option 7-2x.

[0140]

[0117] In Split Option 7-2x, a sampling sequence of the in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of an OFDM signal in the frequency domain as well as information used for beamforming in the antenna, a time synchronization signal, and the like are transmitted and received by eCPRI.

[0141]

[0118] Information transmitted by signals (PDCCH, PUCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, MAC CE, RRC, and the like) described in each exemplary embodiment may be transmitted by using the User Plane (U-Plan) or Control Plane (C-Plane) of eCPRI between O-DU and O-RU.

[0142]

[0119] In a case where a function described in each exemplary embodiment is executed in O-RU by function splitting, O-DU may control O-RU by transmitting information for controlling the function by means of a control signal (for example, eCPRI) between O-DU and O-RU.

[0143]

[0120] In a case where a function described in each exemplary embodiment is executed by function splitting in O-DU, O-RU may receive a result of the execution of the function in O-DU by means of a control signal (for example, eCPRI) and may control O-RU based on the received result.

[0144]

[0121] CU, O-DU, and O-RU may be deployed in physically different apparatuses, the respective functions of which are connected by optical fibers or the like, or some or all of the functions may be deployed in a physically identical apparatus.

[0145]

[0122] CU and O-DU may be logical entities implemented as software operating on a server, such as a cloud, as a virtual Radio Access Network (vRAN). Further, some or all of the functions of CU and O-DU may be provided as services of a Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) function.

[0146]

[0123] The transceiver may not be a radio transceiver and may be, for example, a network transceiver, an optical transceiver, or the like. The radio resource allocated by O-DU may be a resource for radio communication between O-RU and the UE.

[0147] SBFD

[0148]

[0124] Operations on uplink, downlink, and sidelink symbols in one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to symbols (for example, SBFD (Subband nonoverlapping full duplex) symbols, Subband full duplex) on which an SBFD operation or control is performed. For SBFD symbols, the frequency domain (or frequency resource or frequency bandwidth) is divided into a plurality of frequency domains (also referred to as, for example, sub-bands, RB sets, sub-bandwidths, or sub-BWPs (Bandwidth parts)). The terminal performs transmission and reception in a direction (for example, a downlink or uplink direction) in units of sub-bands that are the divided domains. For SBFD symbols, the terminal may perform transmission / reception in one direction of uplink and downlink directions, and may not perform transmission / reception in the other direction. The base station, on the other hand, may be capable of performing both uplink and downlink transmissions / receptions simultaneously. SBFD symbols may have a fewer frequency domain usable for downlink compared to symbols for which only downlink transmission / reception is performed. Further, SBFD symbols may have a fewer frequency domain usable for uplink compared to symbol for which only uplink transmission / reception is performed.

[0149]

[0125] Further, for SBFD symbols, the terminal may perform uplink and downlink transmissions / receptions simultaneously. At this time, the frequency domain transmitted by the terminal and the frequency domain received by the terminal may not be adjacent and a frequency interval (also referred to as a frequency gap) may be provided therebetween.

[0150]

[0126] Further, sidelink transmission / reception may also be included as a transmission / reception direction in units of sub-bands which are the divided domains.

[0151] XDD: Cross Division Duplex

[0152]

[0127] Operations on uplink, downlink, and sidelink symbols in one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to symbols (for example, Full duplex symbols) on which a Full duplex operation or control is performed. For Full duplex symbols, both the terminal and the base station are capable of performing uplink and downlink transmissions / receptions simultaneously. For Full duplex symbols, the terminal and the base station may operate to perform transmission / reception simultaneously in available frequency domains (or frequency resources or frequency bandwidths) or may operate to perform transmission / reception simultaneously in one or some of frequency domains (that is, may operate to perform transmission or reception in the other frequency domains). At this time, the frequency domain transmitted by the base station or the terminal and the frequency domain received by the base station or the terminal may not be adjacent and a frequency interval (also referred to as a frequency gap) may be provided therebetween. Further, for example, for the purpose of reduction in interference or the like, one of the terminal and the base station may operate to perform transmission / reception simultaneously (that is, the other may operate to perform transmission or reception).

[0153]

[0128] Further, the Full duplex operation may be applied to an operation in which the terminal is capable of performing sidelink transmission / reception simultaneously. Further, the Full T1 duplex operation may be applied to an operation in which the terminal is capable of performing sidelink transmission / reception and uplink or downlink transmission / reception simultaneously.

[0154] Control Signals

[0155]

[0129] In the present disclosure, the downlink control signal (information) related to the present disclosure may be a signal (information) transmitted through PDCCH of the physical layer or may be a signal (information) transmitted through a MAC Control Element (CE) of the higher layer or the RRC. The downlink control signal may be a pre-defined signal (information).

[0156]

[0130] The uplink control signal (information) related to the present disclosure may be a signal (information) transmitted through PUCCH of the physical layer or may be a signal (information) transmitted through a MAC CE of the higher layer or the RRC. Further, the uplink control signal may be a pre-defined signal (information). The uplink control signal may be replaced with uplink control information (UCI), the 1st stage sidelink control information (SCI) or the 2nd stage SCI.

[0157] Base Station

[0158]

[0131] In the present disclosure, the base station may be a Transmission Reception Point (TRP), a clusterhead, an access point, a Remote Radio Head (RRH), an eNodeB (eNB), a gNodeB (gNB), a Base Station (BS), a Base Transceiver Station (BTS), a base unit or a gateway, for example. Further, in sidelink communication, a terminal may be adopted instead of a base station. The base station may be a relay apparatus that relays communication between a higher node and a terminal. The base station may be a roadside unit as well.

[0159]

[0132] The present disclosure may be applied to any of uplink, downlink and sidelink.

[0160]

[0133] The present disclosure may be applied to, for example, uplink channels, such as PUSCH, PUCCH, and PRACH, downlink channels, such as PDSCH, PDCCH, and PBCH, and side link channels, such as Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH), and Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH).

[0161]

[0134] PDCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, and PUCCH are examples of a downlink control channel, a downlink data channel, an uplink data channel, and an uplink control channel, respectively. PSCCH and PSSCH are examples of a sidelink control channel and a sidelink data channel, respectively. PBCH and PSBCH are examples of broadcast channels, respectively, and PRACH is an example of a random access channel.

[0162] Data Channels / Control Channels

[0163]

[0135] The present disclosure may be applied to any of data channels and control channels. The channels in the present disclosure may be replaced with data channels including PDSCH, PUSCH and PSSCH and / or control channels including PDCCH, PUCCH, PBCH, PSCCH, and PSBCH.

[0164] Reference Signals

[0165]

[0136] In the present disclosure, the reference signals are signals known to both a base station and a mobile station and each reference signal may be referred to as a Reference Signal (RS) or sometimes a pilot signal. The reference signal may be any of a DMRS, a Channel State Information - Reference Signal (CSI-RS), a Tracking Reference Signal (TRS), a Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS), a Cell-specific Reference Signal (CRS), and a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS).

[0166] Time Intervals

[0167]

[0137] In the present disclosure, time resource units are not limited to one or a combination of slots and symbols, and may be time resource units, such as frames, superframes, subframes, slots, time slots, subslots, minislots, or time resource units, such as symbols, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, Single Carrier-Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) symbols, or other time resource units. The number of symbols included in one slot is not limited to any number of symbols exemplified in the embodiment(s) described above, and may be other numbers of symbols.

[0168] Frequency Bands

[0169]

[0138] The present disclosure may be applied to any of a licensed band and an unlicensed band.

[0170] Communication

[0171]

[0139] The present disclosure may be applied to any of communication between a base station and a terminal (Uu-link communication), communication between a terminal and a terminal (Sidelink communication), and Vehicle to Everything (V2X) communication. The channels in the present disclosure may be replaced with PSCCH, PSSCH, Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH), PSBCH, PDCCH, PUCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, and PBCH.

[0140] In addition, the present disclosure may be applied to any of a terrestrial network or a network other than a terrestrial network (NTN: Non-Terrestrial Network) using a satellite or a High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS). In addition, the present disclosure may be applied to a network having a large cell size, and a terrestrial network with a large delay compared with a symbol length or a slot length, such as an ultra-wideband transmission network.

[0172] Antenna Ports

[0173]

[0141] An antenna port refers to a logical antenna (antenna group) formed of one or more physical antenna(s). That is, the antenna port does not necessarily refer to one physical antenna and sometimes refers to an array antenna formed of multiple antennas or the like. For example, it is not defined how many physical antennas form the antenna port, and instead, the antenna port is defined as the minimum unit through which a terminal is allowed to transmit a reference signal. The antenna port may also be defined as the minimum unit for multiplication of a precoding vector weighting.

[0174]

[0142] The present disclosure can be realized by software, hardware, or software in cooperation with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of each embodiment described above can be partly or entirely realized by an LSI such as an integrated circuit, and each process described in the each embodiment may be controlled partly or entirely by the same LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be individually formed as chips, or one chip may be formed so as to include a part or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may include a data input and output coupled thereto. The LSI here may be referred to as an IC, a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI depending on a difference in the degree of integration. However, the technique of implementing an integrated circuit is not limited to the LSI and may be realized by using a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a special-purpose processor. In addition, a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after the manufacture of the LSI or a reconfigurable processor in which the connections and the settings of circuit cells disposed inside the LSI can be reconfigured may be used. The present disclosure can be realized as digital processing or analogue processing. If future integrated circuit technology replaces LSIs as a result of the advancement of semiconductor technology or other derivative technology, the functional blocks could be integrated using the future integrated circuit technology. Biotechnology can also be applied.

[0175]

[0143] The present disclosure can be realized by any kind of apparatus, device or system having a function of communication, which is referred to as a communication apparatus.

[0144] The communication apparatus may comprise a transceiver and processing / control circuitry. The transceiver may comprise and / or function as a receiver and a transmitter. The transceiver, as the transmitter and receiver, may include an RF (radio frequency) module including amplifiers, RF modulators / demodulators and the like, and one or more antennas.

[0176]

[0145] Some non-limiting examples of such a communication apparatus include a phone (e.g., cellular (cell) phone, smart phone), a tablet, a personal computer (PC) (e.g., laptop, desktop, netbook), a camera (e.g., digital still / video camera), a digital player (digital audio / video player), a wearable device (e.g., wearable camera, smart watch, tracking device), a game console, a digital book reader, a telehealth / telemedicine (remote health and medicine) device, and a vehicle providing communication functionality (e.g., automotive, airplane, ship), and various combinations thereof.

[0177]

[0146] The communication apparatus is not limited to be portable or movable, and may also include any kind of apparatus, device or system being non-portable or stationary, such as a smart home device (e.g., an appliance, lighting, smart meter, control panel), a vending machine, and any other “things” in a network of an “Internet of Things (loT)”.

[0178]

[0147] The communication may include exchanging data through, for example, a cellular system, a wireless LAN system, a satellite system, etc., and various combinations thereof.

[0179]

[0148] The communication apparatus may comprise a device such as a controller or a sensor which is coupled to a communication device performing a function of communication described in the present disclosure. For example, the communication apparatus may comprise a controller or a sensor that generates control signals or data signals which are used by a communication device performing a communication function of the communication apparatus.

[0180]

[0149] The communication apparatus also may include an infrastructure facility, such as a base station, an access point, and any other apparatus, device or system that communicates with or controls apparatuses such as those in the above non-limiting examples.

[0181]

[0150] In the following paragraphs, certain exemplifying embodiments are explained with reference to terms related to 5G core network and the present disclosure regarding communication apparatuses and methods for ambient internet-of-things (loT) state transition, namely: 1. A communication apparatus: circuitry, which in operation, determines whether to switch from a first state to a second state of a set of states in which the communication apparatus is pre-configured to operate based on one or more triggering events or on one or more signals; and a transceiver, which in operation, performs a transmission or a reception in the second state in response to determining to switch to the second state.

[0182] 2. The communication apparatus of embodiment 1 , wherein the transceiver performs the transmission or the reception in the first state or in a third state of the set of states after the first state in response to (i) determining not to switch to the second state or (ii) determining that there is none of the one or more triggering events and one or more signals.

[0183] 3. The communication apparatus of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the transceiver receives the one or more signals from another communication apparatus.

[0184] 4. The communication apparatus of embodiment 3, wherein the one or more signals is one of an in-band signal, a guard-band signal, an out-band signal, a standalone signal and an unlicensed-band signal.

[0185] 5. The communication apparatus of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the one or more triggering events comprises a result of a determination on whether at least a part of an earlier transmission or an earlier reception has been completed.

[0186] 6. The communication apparatus of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the one or more triggering events comprises a result of a determination on whether a value of an operating parameter exceeds a threshold value.

[0187] 7. The communication apparatus of embodiment 6, wherein the operating parameter relates to a current power level of the communication apparatus.

[0188] 8. The communication apparatus of any one of embodiments 1-7, wherein the circuitry is configured to determine whether the communication apparatus is configured to perform a periodic transmission or reception in the first state, and determine whether to switch from the first state to the second state further based on a result of the determination of the configuration to perform the periodic transmission or reception. 9. The communication apparatus of any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein each of the set of states relates to one or a combination of a power state, a signal communication state, a configuration state and an operation state; the power state being at least one of a state in which the circuitry is powered off, a state in which the circuitry is operational, a state in which a part of the circuitry is operational, and a state in which the communication apparatus acquires power from a power source, and the signal communication state being at least one of a state in which the transceiver is ready to perform the transmission and / or the reception, a state in which the transceiver performs the transmission and / or the reception, a state in which the transceiver is ready to perform a transmission / reception type, and a state in which the transceiver performs the transmission / reception type; the configuration state being a state in which an operation of the communication apparatus is configured; the operation state being one of a state in which the communication apparatus is configured to carry out a pre-configured operation and a state in which the communication apparatus is configured to carry out the pre-configured operation for a pre-configured time period.

[0189] 10. The communication apparatus of any one of embodiments 1-10, wherein the first state is from another set of states in which the communication apparatus is pre-configured to operate, and the circuitry, which in operation, determines whether to switch from the first state of the another set of states to the second state of the set of states based on the one or more triggering events or on the one or more signals.

[0190] 11. The communication apparatus of embodiment 10, wherein the set of states and / or the another set of states are configured according to at least one of an apparatus type, a power level, a geo-location, an application layer configuration, a cell, a group of communication apparatuses, a cast type, a service and an application of the communication apparatus.

[0191] 12. A communication method comprising: determining whether to switch from a first state to a second state of a set of states in which the communication apparatus is pre-configured to operate based on one or more triggering events or on one or more signals; and performing a transmission or a reception in the second state in response to determining to switch to the second state.

[0192] 13. A communication apparatus: a transmitter, which in operation, transmits a signal to switch an operation of another communication apparatus from a first state to a second state of a set of states in which the another communication apparatus is pre-configured to operate; and a receiver, which in operation, receives another signal the another communication apparatus operating in the second state.

[0193] 14. A communication method: transmitting a signal to switch an operation of the communication apparatus from a first state to a second state of a set of states in which the another communication apparatus is pre-configured to operate; and receiving another signal from the another communication apparatus receiving the signal and operating in the second state.

[0151] It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and / or modifications may be made to the present disclosure as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A communication apparatus: circuitry, which in operation, determines whether to switch from a first state to a second state of a set of states in which the communication apparatus is preconfigured to operate based on one or more triggering events or on one or more signals; and a transceiver, which in operation, performs a transmission or a reception in the second state in response to determining to switch to the second state.

2. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transceiver performs the transmission or the reception in the first state or in a third state of the set of states after the first state in response to (i) determining not to switch to the second state or (ii) determining that there is none of the one or more triggering events and one or more signals.

3. The communication apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the transceiver receives the one or more signals from another communication apparatus.

4. The communication apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more signals is one of an in-band signal, a guard-band signal, an out-band, a standalone signal and an unlicensed-band signal.

5. The communication apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more triggering events comprises a result of a determination on whether at least a part of an earlier transmission or an earlier reception has been completed.

6. The communication apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more triggering events comprises a result of a determination on whether a value of an operating parameter exceeds a threshold value.

7. The communication apparatus of claim 6, wherein the operating parameter relates to a current power level of the communication apparatus.

8. The communication apparatus of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the circuitry is configured to determine whether the communication apparatus is configured to perform a periodic transmission or reception in the first state, and determine whether to switch from the first state to the second state further based on a result of the determination of the configuration to perform the periodic transmission or reception.

9. The communication apparatus of any one of claims 1-8, wherein each of the set of states relates to one or a combination of a power state, a signal communication state, a configuration state and an operation state; the power state being at least one of a state in which the circuitry is powered off, a state in which the circuitry is operational, a state in which a part of the circuitry is operational, and a state in which the communication apparatus acquires power from a power source, and the signal communication state being at least one of a state in which the transceiver is ready to perform the transmission and / or the reception, a state in which the transceiver perform the transmission and / or the reception, a state in which the transceiver is ready to perform a transmission / reception type and a state in which the transceiver performs the transmission / reception type; the configuration state being a state in which an operation of the communication apparatus is configured; the operation state being one of a state in which the communication apparatus is configured to carry out a pre-configured operation and a state in which the communication apparatus is configured to carry out the pre-configured operation for a pre-configured time period.

10. The communication apparatus of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the first state is from another set of states in which the communication apparatus is pre-configured to operate, and the circuitry, which in operation, determines whether to switch from the first state of the another set of states to the second state of the set of states based on the one or more triggering events or on the one or more signals.11 . The communication apparatus of claim 10, wherein the set of states and / or the another set of states are configured according to at least one of an apparatus type, a power level, a geo-location, an application layer configuration, a cell, a group of communication apparatuses, a cast type, a service and an application of the communication apparatus.

12. A communication method comprising:determining whether to switch from a first state to a second state of a set of states in which the communication apparatus is pre-configured to operate based on one or more triggering events or on one or more signals; and performing a transmission or a reception in the second state in response to determining to switch to the second state.

13. A communication apparatus: a transmitter, which in operation, transmits a signal to switch an operation of another communication apparatus from a first state to a second state of a set of states in which the another communication apparatus is pre-configured to operate; and a receiver, which in operation, receives another signal from the another communication apparatus operating in the second state.

14. A communication method: transmitting a signal to switch an operation of another communication apparatus from a first state to a second state of a set of states in which the another communication apparatus is pre-configured to operate; and receiving another signal from the another communication apparatus operating in the second state.

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