System and apparatus for determining a signal transmission duration and a method in association thereto

Abstract

System (100), apparatus (102) and a method (300) for determining a signal transmission duration are disclosed. The method (300) includes receiving a signal; determining an activation time category based on the received signal; and transmitting the activation time category to determine the signal transmission duration in a subsequent transmission.

Description

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A SIGNAL TRANSMISSION DURATION AND A METHOD IN ASSOCIATION THERETOField Of Invention

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to one or both of a system and an apparatus for determining a signal transmission duration in association with, for example, a User Equipment (UE) usable for communication. The present disclosure further relates a method which can be associated with the system and / or the apparatus.Background of Invention

[0002] Generally, energy efficiency and power saving would be helpful in communication networks, for example, a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G (fifth generation) New Radio (NR) standard-based telecommunications network.

[0003] Current techniques may not address the issue of determining the transmission duration for a signal in a communication network with energy harvesting devices. This may lead to problems such as having wasteful signal transmissions and delays in signal transmission. Thus, the current techniques may not facilitate energy efficiency and power saving in an optimal manner.

[0004] The present disclosure contemplates that it would be helpful to address or at least mitigate one or more issues in relation to conventional techniques for facilitating energy efficiency and power saving when determining a signal transmission duration.Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for determining a signal transmission duration, the method comprising: receiving a signal; determining an activation time category based on the received signal; andtransmitting the activation time category to determine the signal transmission duration in a subsequent transmission.

[0006] Advantageously, the method as described herein can avoid wasteful transmission of a signal (for example Energy Harvesting EH signal) by the reader (or a base station) for the maximum possible duration. Delays in subsequent control or data transmission may also be avoided.

[0007] In an embodiment, receiving the signal comprises receiving the signal in a data channel and / or a control channel.

[0008] In an embodiment, receiving the signal comprises receiving the signal in a periodic event and / or an aperiodic event.

[0009] In an embodiment, determining an activation time category comprises determining an activation time; and analyzing the activation time with a categorization based on an activation time range including a maximum signal transmission time.

[0010] In an embodiment, the method includes pre-determining the categorization based on the activation time range.

[0011] In an embodiment, transmitting the activation time category comprises transmitting via at least one of: a device capability message, a control channel and / or a data channel.

[0012] In an embodiment, the method includes receiving the activation time category; and adapting the signal transmission time based on the received activation time category.

[0013] In an embodiment, the method includes transmitting the adapted signal transmission time in the subsequent transmission.

[0014] In an embodiment, the signal is an Energy Harvesting (EH) signal.

[0015] In an embodiment, the signal comprises a request for information relating to activation time in a current transmission.

[0016] In an embodiment, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out at least one of the input step and the processing step according to the method of the first aspect.

[0017] In an embodiment, there is provided a computer readable storage medium having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out at least one of the input step and the processing step according to the method of the first aspect.

[0018] In an embodiment, there is provided an apparatus for determining a signal transmission duration comprising: a first module configured to receive at least one input signal; a second module configured to at least one of process and facilitate the method of the first aspect to generate at least one output signal; and a third module configured to communicate at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for determining a signal transmission duration.

[0019] In an embodiment, the apparatus corresponds to a User Equipment (UE) communicable with a device corresponding to a base station, and wherein the base station corresponds to a Next generation Node B (gNB) configured to communicate the at least one input signal to the UE.

[0020] In an embodiment, there is provided a system comprising: at least one apparatus(es); and at least one device(s), wherein the apparatus(es) and thedevice(s) are capable of being coupled via at least one of wired coupling and wireless coupling.

[0021] Advantageously, the system as disclosed herein can avoid wasting time in signal transmission (for example EH signal) when devices do not require maximum EH transmission time. This can lead to less delay in data or control information transmission to devices. In addition, energy for transmissions can be saved if the reader is an intermediate node other than a base station or a gNB (e.g., a UE) where energy is constrained. Furthermore, network efficiency can be achieved as the saved time can be used to schedule other transmissions or the saved energy can be used for other in-band transmissions if the reader is a base station (or gNB).Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] Embodiments of the disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0023] Fig. 1A shows a schematic diagram illustrating a system for determining a signal transmission duration which can include at least one apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] Fig. 1 B to Fig. 1 C show example scenarios in association with the system of Fig. 1A, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the apparatus of Fig. 1A in further detail, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0026] Fig. 3 shows a method in association with the system of Fig. 1A, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0027] Fig. 4A to Fig. 4D show schematic diagrams illustrating the flow of information in association with the method of Fig. 3, according to an embodiment of the invention.Detailed Description

[0028] The present specification discloses apparatus for performing the operations of the methods. Such apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or may comprise a computer or other device selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various machines may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein. Alternatively, the construction of more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps may be appropriate. The structure of a computer will appear from the description below.

[0029] In addition, the present specification also implicitly discloses a computer program, in that it would be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the individual steps of the method described herein may be put into effect by computer code. The computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular programming language and implementation thereof. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages and coding thereof may be used to implement the teachings of the disclosure contained herein. Moreover, the computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular control flow. There are many other variants of the computer program, which can use different control flows without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

[0030] Furthermore, one or more of the steps of the computer program may be performed in parallel rather than sequentially. Such a computer program may be stored on any computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include storage devices such as magnetic or optical disks, memory chips, or other storage devices suitable for interfacing with a computer. The computer readable medium may also include a hard-wired medium such as exemplified in the Internet system, or wireless medium such as exemplified in the mobile telephone system. The computer program when loaded and executed on such a computer effectively results in an apparatus that implements the steps of the preferred method.

[0031] The present disclosure generally contemplates the facilitation and optimization of a network (for example in association with 3GPP based standard / specification etc.) and / or user equipment (UE) efficiency and mobility (for example energy efficiency or power saving), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Specifically, the present disclosure contemplates the possibility of determining a signal transmission duration of a UE, for example an Ambient Internet- of-Things (A-loT) device, in connection with 3GPP standard(s).

[0032] The present disclosure generally contemplates the possibility of several Ambient Internet of Things (A-loT) device categories and each device within a device category can have different Energy Harvesting (EH) capabilities. For example, a reader in a network, such as a Radio Access Network RAN1 , may supply an EH signal and the activation time for each device before being able to receive control or data signals can be different. The present disclosure contemplates the transmission of the EH signal for maximum duration to cover all devices may be wasteful.

[0033] The present disclosure further contemplates that a Radio Access Network 1 (RAN1 ) may use the following terminologies. For example, device 1 can have approximately 1 pW peak power consumption, can have energy storage and initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10xppm and downlink (DL) uplink (UL) amplification may not be present in the device. The device’s UL transmission can also be backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally. In another example, device 2a may have less than or equal to a few hundred pW peak power consumption, can have energy storage and initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10xppm together with both DL and / or UL amplification capabilities. The device’s UL transmission can be backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally. In a further example, device 2b may have less than or equal to a few hundred pW peak power consumption, can have energy storage and initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10xppm and may have both DL and / or UL amplification. Furthermore, the device’s UL transmission can be generated internally by the device. It can be appreciated the examples as described above are not limited thereto andfurther examples may be present, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0034] The present disclosure further contemplates a categorization of activation times can be specified, and devices (e.g. A-loT devices) may report their own activation time category to the reader corresponding to a particular Reader-to-Device (R2D) transmission. The reader may subsequently adapt a duration of the signal (e.g. EH signal) in the subsequent R2D transmission based on the indications received from the devices.

[0035] The present disclosure also contemplates that different A-loT devices may take different times to be activated before they can receive the R2D transmissions or perform Device-to-Reader (D2R) transmissions. For example, if the Radio Frequency (RF) EH source is the reader itself, then, the R2D data transmission needs to be preceded by an EH signal transmission. In another example for unified Physical (PHY) layer design, the duration of EH transmission can be the same for all devices and device categories in the network. The present disclosure contemplates that constantly keeping the EH signal duration equal to maximum of all possible device types and devices in all R2D transmissions can be wasteful and may not be practical.

[0036] In the above manner, the signal transmission duration can be determined which can reduce time wasting and delay in signal transmissions. Power saving and energy consumption efficiency can possibly be facilitated in the network, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0037] The foregoing will be discussed in further detail with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 hereinafter.

[0038] Referring to Fig. 1A, a schematic diagram illustrating a system 100 for determining a signal transmission duration is shown, according to an embodiment ofthe invention. The system 100 can, for example, be suitable for facilitating energy and improve power efficiency, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0039] As shown, the system 100 can include one or more apparatuses 102, at least one device 104 and, optionally, a communication network 106, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0040] The apparatus(es) 102 can be coupled to the device(s) 104. Specifically, the apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be coupled to the device(s) 104 via the communication network 106, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0041] In one embodiment, the apparatus(es) 102 can be coupled to the communication network 106 and the device(s) 104 can be coupled to the communication network 106. Coupling can be by manner of one or both of wired coupling and wireless coupling. The apparatus(es) 102 can, in general, be configured to communicate with the device(s) 104 via the communication network 106, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0042] The apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be associated with or correspond to or include one or more user equipment (UE) which can carry one or more computers, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, an apparatus 102 can correspond to a UE carrying at least one computer (e.g. an electronic device or module having computing capabilities such as an electronic mobile device which can be carried into a vehicle or an electronic module which can be installed in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention) which can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks in association with adaptive / dynamic / gradual control, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0043] In an embodiment, the apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be configured to receive one or more input signals and perform at least one processing task based on the input signal(s) in a manner to generate one or more output signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be communicated from the device(s) 104 and received by the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The inputsignal can be an Energy Harvesting (EH) signal and be associated with a request for information relating to activation time in a current transmission. As a possible option, the output signal(s) can, for example, be communicated from the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The output signal may correspond to a control signal for determining a signal transmission duration. The apparatus(es) 102 will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 2, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0044] The device(s) 104 can, for example, be associated with / correspond to at least one base station, where the at least one base station can be a Next Generation Node B (gNB). Moreover, the device(s) 104 can, for example, be configured to carry / be associated with / include one or more computers (e.g., an electronic device / module having computing capabilities) which can, for example, be configured to perform one or more processing tasks in association with the base station. The device(s) 104 can be configured to generate one or more input signals which can be communicated to the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. This will be discussed later in further detail in the context of an example scenario, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0045] The communication network 106 can, for example, correspond to an Internet communication network, a cellular-based communication network, a wired-based communication network, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based communication network, a wireless-based communication network, or any combination thereof. Communication (e.g., between the apparatuses 102 and / or between the apparatus(es) 102 and the device(s) 104) via the communication network 106 can be by manner of one or both of wired communication and wireless communication.

[0046] As mentioned, the apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be configured to receive at least one input signal and perform at least one processing task in association with dynamic / adaptive / gradual control on the input signal(s) in a manner so as to generate at least one output signal. Moreover, the device(s) 104 can, for example, be configured to generate (and communicate) the input signal(s) to theapparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Accordingly, the device(s) 104 can pre-determine a categorization based on an activation time range to the apparatus(es) 102. This will be discussed, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in the context of an example scenario with reference to Fig. 1 B and Fig. 1 C, hereinafter.

[0047] Fig. 1 B and Fig. 1 C show example scenarios in association with the system of Fig. 1A, according to an embodiment of the invention. Specifically, Fig. 1 B shows an example of a framework for signaling or data transmission between a base station and a device, for example an Ambient Internet of Things (A-loT) device while Fig. 1 C shows an example of a framework for signaling or data transmission between a base station, an intermediate node and a device, for example an Ambient Internet of Things (A-loT) device.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 1 B, Topology 1 can be an example of communication between the base station (e.g. gNB) and an A-loT device. In an embodiment, the present disclosure contemplates the possibility of harmonized air interface design with minimized differences (where necessary) for Ambient loT (A-loT) which may enable approximately 1 pW peak power consumption, has energy storage, has neither downlink (DL) nor uplink (UL) amplification in the device and UL transmission backscattered on a carrier wave can be provided externally. In another embodiment, the present disclosure contemplates the possibility of A-loT having less than or equal to a few hundred pW peak power consumption, has energy storage, has both DL and / or UL amplification in device and UL transmission may be generated internally or backscattered. In this embodiment, a coverage target having a maximum 10-50m with device indoors may be realized. The present disclosure also contemplates that topologies 1 (Fig. 1 B) and 2 (Fig. 1 C) can have no Radio Resource Control (RRC) states, no mobility, no hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) and no automatic repeat request (ARQ).

[0049] In an example embodiment, there can be a deployment scenario 1 (micro-cell or pico-cell) with topology 1 (Fig. 1 B) and a deployment scenario 2 (macro-cell ormicro-cell) with Topology 2 (Fig. 1 C). There may a frequency range (e.g. FR1 ) licensed spectrum in FDD. In another example embodiment, there can be a spectrum deployment in-band to new radio (NR), in guard-band to LTE / NR and in standalone band(s). In a further example embodiment, there can be traffic types device-terminated triggered (DO-DTT), device-triggered (DT), a focus on rUC1 (indoor inventory) and rUC4 (indoor command) while transmission from Ambient loT can occur at least in an UL spectrum.

[0050] In topology 1 (Fig. 1 B) or topology 2 (Fig. 1 C), if the reader (i.e., gNB at Fig. 1 B or intermediate node at Fig. 1 C) transmits the signal for energy harvesting (EH), the subsequent data transmission can be received by the A-loT device only if the device is activated at any time within the EH signal transmission, according to an embodiment of the invention. The activation time for each device can be different because there are several A-loT device types and each device within a type can have different EH capabilities. On the other hand, there can be a possibility for a harmonized air interface design with minimized differences for the devices. Therefore, the present disclosure contemplates that it can be desirable to have a single duration for EH signal transmission from the reader to all A-loT devices in the system.

[0051] The above-described aspect(s) of the system 100 of the present invention can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of a below described apparatus 102 of the present invention. Likewise, all below described aspect(s) of the apparatus 102 of the invention can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of above-described system 100 of the invention.

[0052] The aforementioned apparatus(es) 102 or User Equipment (UE) will be discussed in further detail with reference to Fig. 2 hereinafter.

[0053] Referring to Fig. 2, a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus 102 is shown in further detail in the context of an example implementation 200, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0054] In the example implementation 200, the apparatus 102 can correspond to an electronic module 200a. The electronic module 200a can, in one example, correspond to a mobile device which can, for example, be carried into the vehicle by a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In another example, the electronic module 200a can correspond to an electronic device which can be installed / mounted in the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this regard, the electronic module 200a can be considered to be carried by the vehicle (e.g., either carried into the vehicle by a user or installed / mounted in the vehicle).

[0055] It is contemplated that the electronic module 200a can be capable of performing one or more processing tasks in association with adaptive / dynamic / gradual control related processing, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0056] The electronic module 200a can, for example, include a casing 200b. Moreover, the electronic module 200a can, for example, carry any one of a first module 202, a second module 204, a third module 206, or any combination thereof.

[0057] In one embodiment, the electronic module 200a can carry a first module 202, a second module 204 and / or a third module 206. In a specific example, the electronic module 200a can carry a first module 202, a second module 204 and a third module 206, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0058] In this regard, it is appreciable that, in one embodiment, the casing 200b can be shaped and dimensioned to carry any one of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206, or any combination thereof.

[0059] The first module 202 can be coupled to one or both of the second module 204 and the third module 206. The second module 204 can be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the third module 206. The third module 206 can be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the second module 204. In one example,the first module 202 can be coupled to the second module 204 and the second module 204 can be coupled to the third module 206, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Coupling between the first module 202, the second module 204 and / or the third module 206 can, for example, be by manner of one or both of wired coupling and wireless coupling. Each of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206 can correspond to one or both of a hardware-based module and a software-based module, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0060] In one example, the first module 202 can correspond to a hardware-based receiver which can be configured to receive one or more input signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be communicated from the device(s) 104 (or base station e.g., a gNB), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0061] The second module 204 can, for example, correspond to a hardware-based processor which can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks (e.g., in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals) as will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0062] The third module 206 can correspond to a hardware-based transmitter which can be configured to communicate one or more output signals from the electronic module 200a. The output signal(s) can, for example, include one or more instructions / commands / control signals in association with the aforementioned dynamic / adaptive / gradual control configuration / determination strategy so as to facilitate efficiency (e.g., power / energy efficiency and / or communication efficiency), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, the output signal(s) can be a control signal(s) to determine a signal transmission duration.

[0063] The present disclosure contemplates the possibility that the first and second modules 202, 204 can be an integrated software-hardware based module, for example, an electronic part which can carry a software program or algorithm in association with receiving and processing functions or an electronic moduleprogrammed to perform the functions of receiving and processing. The present disclosure further contemplates the possibility that the first and third modules 202, 206 can be an integrated software-hardware based module, for example an electronic part which can carry a software program or algorithm in association with receiving and transmitting functions or an electronic module programmed to perform the functions of receiving and transmitting. The present disclosure yet further contemplates the possibility that the first and third modules 202, 206 can be an integrated hardware module, for example a hardware-based transceiver, capable of performing the functions of receiving and transmitting.

[0064] The UE can, for example, be further configured to process the input signal(s), as will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 3, in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals in a manner so as to facilitate efficiency, for example power efficiency or energy efficiency, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one specific example, the output signal(s) can include one or more control signals to facilitate some form of dynamic / adaptive / gradual control configuration / determination strategy so as to facilitate efficiency, for example power efficiency or energy efficiency, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, the output signal(s) can be a control signal(s) to determine a signal transmission duration.

[0065] The above-described aspect(s) of the apparatus 102 of the present invention can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of a below described processing / communication method of the present invention. Likewise, all below described aspect(s) of the method of the invention can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of above described apparatus 102 of the invention. It is to be appreciated that these remarks apply analogously to the earlier discussed system 100 of the present disclosure.

[0066] Referring to Fig. 3, a method 300 (or a communication method) for determining a signal transmission duration, in association with the system 100 is shown, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0067] The method 300 can, for example, be suitable for facilitating energy efficiency, network optimization and power saving in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0068] The method 300 can include any one of an input step 302, a processing step 304 and an output step 306, or any combination thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0069] In an embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302. In another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302 and the processing step 304. In another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306. In yet another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the processing step 304 and one or both of the input step 302 and the output step 306. In yet a further embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306. In yet a further additional embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the processing step 304. In yet another further additional embodiment, the processing method 300 can include any one of or any combination of the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306 (i.e. , the input step 302, the processing step 304 and / or the output step 306).

[0070] With regard to the input step 302, one or more input signal(s) can be received. For example, the input signal(s) can be communicated from the device(s) 104 and can be received by an apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0071] The input step 302 can include receiving at least one input signal. The input signal may be received in a data channel, in a control channel, in a periodic event and / or an aperiodic event. The input signal may be an Energy Harvesting (EH) signal and may include a request for information relating to activation time in a current transmission.

[0072] With regard to the processing step 304, at least a processing task can be performed in association with the received input signal(s) in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0073] The processing step 304 may include at least one of: determining an activation time category based on the received signal; determining an activation time in a current transmission; analyzing the activation time with a categorization based on the activation time range including a maximum signal transmission time; predetermining the categorization based on the activation time range; and transmitting the activation time category to determine the signal transmission duration in a subsequent transmission. The processing step 304 may further include receiving the activation time category; adapting the signal transmission time based on the received activation time category; and transmitting the adapted signal transmission time in the subsequent transmission. Transmission of the activation time category can be via at least one of: a device capability message, a control channel and / or a data channel.

[0074] With regards to the output step 306, the output signal(s) can, for example, be communicated, as an option, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, the output signal(s) can optionally be communicated from the apparatus 102. In a more specific example, the output signal(s) can optionally be communicated from the apparatus 102 to one or both of at least one device 104 and another apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, the apparatus 102 (or UE) may also perform the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306.

[0075] The present disclosure further contemplates a computer program (not shown) which can include instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer (not shown), cause the computer to carry out the input step 302, the processing step 304 and / or the output step 306 as discussed with reference to the method 300. Forexample, the computer program can include instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the input step 302 and / or the processing step 304, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0076] The present disclosure yet further contemplates a computer readable storage medium (not shown) having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer (not shown), the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out the input step 302, the processing step 304 and / or the output step 306 as discussed with reference to the method 300. For example, the computer readable storage medium can have data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to carry out the input step 302 and / or the processing step 304, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0077] Further in view of the foregoing, it is appreciable that the present disclosure generally contemplates an apparatus 102 for determining a signal transmission duration which can include a first module 202, a second module 204 and / or a third module 206.

[0078] The first module 202 can be configured to receive one or more input signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be an Energy Harvesting (EH) signal and be associated with a request for information relating to activation time in a current transmission.

[0079] The second module 204 can be configured to process and / or facilitate processing of the input signal(s) according to the method 300 as discussed earlier to generate one or more output signals.

[0080] The third module 206 can be configured to communicate one or more output signals. The output signal(s) can, for example, correspond to one or more control signals for determining the signal transmission duration in a subsequent transmission.

[0081] In one embodiment, the apparatus 102 can correspond to a User Equipment (UE) which can communicate with a device 104 corresponding to a base station. The base station can, for example, correspond to a Next generation Node B (gNB) which can be configured to communicate one or more signals (e.g., input signal(s)) to the UE.

[0082] Yet further in view of the foregoing, it is appreciable that the present disclosure generally contemplates a system 100 which can include one or more apparatuses 102 and one or more devices 104. The apparatus(es) 102 and the device(s) 104 can, for example, be capable of being coupled via wired coupling and / or wireless coupling.

[0083] It should be appreciated that the embodiments described above can be combined in any manner as appropriate (e.g., one or more embodiments as discussed in the “Detailed Description” section can be combined with one or more embodiments as described in the “Summary of the Invention” section).

[0084] It should be further appreciated by the person skilled in the art that variations and combinations of embodiments described above, not being alternatives or substitutes, may be combined to form yet further embodiments.

[0085] In one example, the possibility of the output signal(s) being communicated from the apparatus(es) 102 was discussed. It is appreciable that the output signal(s) need not necessarily be communicated from the apparatus(es) 102. Specifically, the possibility that the output signal(s) need not necessarily be communicated outside of the apparatus(es) 102 is contemplated, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. More specifically, the output signal(s) can, for example, correspond to internal command(s) / instruction(s) (e.g., communicated only within an apparatus 102) for adaptively controlling operational configuration of an apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0086] In another example, application(s) of the present disclosure in association with / in the context of low power wake up radio and / or ambient loT (Internet of Things) type device(s) can be possible, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0087] Fig. 4A to Fig. 4D show schematic diagrams illustrating the flow of information in association with the method of Fig. 3, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0088] In the example context as shown in Fig. 4A, a device (or UE) can, for example, be configured to receive radio frequency (RF) Energy Harvesting (EH) signal as part of a reader-to-device transmission (R2D) at step 1. At step 2, the device (or UE) can determine if the signal is activated within the EH signal transmission. At step 3, the device (or UE) can identify the category of activation based on the categorization in the specification. At step 4, the device (or UE) sends an indication about the activation time in response to the reader (or base station or gNB).

[0089] In the example context as shown in Fig. 4B, a reader (or base station or gNB) can, for example, be configured to transmit a signal (e.g. EH signal) as part of a reader-to-device (R2D) transmission at step 5. Subsequently, the reader (or base station or gNB) receives an indication about the activation time from the device(s) (or UEs) at step 6. At step 7, the reader (or base station or gNB) may change the signal (e.g. EH signal) transmission duration in the next R2D transmission based on the received indications.

[0090] In an embodiment, a maximum signal (e.g. EH signal) transmission time by the reader Tmax may be defined in the specification. A categorization of activation times for the devices (or UEs) based on the maximum EH signal transmission time may also be pre-defined in the specification. The reader may then transmit an indication as part of system information which represents a request for the A-loT devices to send information about the category of their activation time for the current transmission, according to an embodiment of the invention. This indication may be transmitted in any control or data channel available for R2D transmission and such an indication may also be periodic or aperiodic depending on the reader’simplementation. In an implementation, the devices may determine the activation time in a current transmission and analyzes the activation time with a pre-determined or pre-configured table including categorization based on activation time range. An example of a pre-determined table is shown below in Table 1 .Table 1

[0091] In an example embodiment, the devices may subsequently transmit an indication which represents the category of their activation time for the current transmission, for example Table 1. Such an indication may be transmitted in any control or data channel available for device-to-reader (D2R) transmission. Alternatively, the indication may also be transmitted in a device-capability message. The reader may adapt the EH signal transmission time after receiving the indications from the device(s). The adapted or new EH signal transmission time may be broadcast by the reader as part of system information where the broadcast indication may be transmitted in any control or data channel available for R2D transmission.

[0092] Fig. 4C and 4D show an example implementation of the method of Fig. 3. In the example context as shown in the Fig. 4C, the base station may transmit a signal to each of the devices. The signal can be an EH signal and be associated with a request for information relating to an activation time in a current transmission. The devices may then determine their own category based on the activation time range provided by the reader (or base station or gNB). Each of the activation time range Ti ,T2 and Tact may be pre-determined by the reader (or base station or gNB). In the example context as shown in the Fig. 4D, the reader initially transmits an EH signal with maximum possible duration max. The reader may restrict the EH transmission toactivate only those devices after it receives the indication from the device(s). The reader may also choose to periodically transmit with maximum EH signal duration to discover new devices or include devices which have moved farther away.

[0093] In the foregoing manner, various embodiments of the disclosure are described for addressing at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. Such embodiments are intended to be encompassed by the following claims and are not to be limited to specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and / or modification can be made, which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

Claim(s)1. A method (300) for determining a signal transmission duration, the method comprising: receiving a signal; determining an activation time category based on the received signal; and transmitting the activation time category to determine the signal transmission duration in a subsequent transmission.

2. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein receiving the signal comprises receiving the signal in a data channel and / or a control channel.

3. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein receiving the signal comprises receiving the signal in a periodic event and / or an aperiodic event.

4. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein determining an activation time category comprises: determining an activation time; and analyzing the activation time with a categorization based on an activation time range including a maximum signal transmission time.

5. The method (300) according to claim 4, further comprising pre-determining the categorization based on the activation time range.

6. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein transmitting the activation time category comprises transmitting via at least one of: a device capability message, a control channel and / or a data channel.

7. The method (300) according to claim 1 , further comprising: receiving the activation time category; and adapting the signal transmission time based on the received activation time category.

8. The method (300) according to claim 1 , further comprising transmitting the adapted signal transmission time in the subsequent transmission.

9. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein the signal is an Energy Harvesting (EH) signal.

10. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein the signal comprises a request for information relating to activation time in a current transmission.

11. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method (300) of any of the preceding claims.

12. A computer readable storage medium having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out the method (300) of claims 1-10.

13. An apparatus (102) for determining a signal transmission duration comprising: a first module (202) configured to receive at least one input signal; a second module (204) configured to at least one of process and facilitate the method (300) of claim 1 to claim 10 to generate at least one output signal; and a third module (206) configured to communicate at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for determining a signal transmission duration.

14. The apparatus (102) according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus (102) corresponds to a User Equipment (UE) communicable with a device (104) corresponding to a base station, and wherein the base station corresponds to a Next generation Node B (gNB) configured to communicate the at least one input signal to the UE.

15. A system (100) comprising: at least one apparatus (102) according to any of claims 13 and 14; and at least one device (104) according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus (102) and the device (104) are capable of being coupled via at least one of wired coupling and wireless coupling.

Images