Device identification for communication with a reader in ambient internet of things deployments
By generating and using local identifiers for ambient IoT devices, the security risks and overhead issues associated with permanent IDs are mitigated, enhancing communication efficiency and privacy in ambient IoT systems.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/CN2025/087969
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-04-10
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-16
AI Technical Summary
Existing wireless communication systems face security risks and high overhead costs due to the exposure of permanent identifiers in ambient IoT devices, which can compromise confidential information and incur significant signaling overhead.
Generate and utilize local, temporary identifiers associated with ambient IoT devices, storing a mapping between permanent and local identifiers to facilitate secure communication without exposing the permanent ID.
Enhances security by avoiding exposure of permanent IDs and reduces signaling overhead, thereby improving communication efficiency and privacy in ambient IoT deployments.
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Figure CN2025087969_16102025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
DEVICE IDENTIFICATION FOR COMMUNICATION WITH A READER IN AMBIENT INTERNET OF THINGS DEPLOYMENTSCROSS REFERENCE
[0001] The present Application for Patent claims priority to PCT / CN2024 / 086919 by KRISHNAN et al., entitled “DEVICE IDENTIFICATION FOR COMMUNICATION WITH A READER IN AMBIENT INTERNET OF THINGS DEPLOYMENTS, ” filed April 10, 2024, and assigned to the assignee hereof. PCT / CN2024 / 086919 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The following relates to wireless communication, including device identification for communication with a reader in ambient internet of things (A-IoT) deployments.BACKGROUND
[0003] Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power) . Examples of such multiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA) , time division multiple access (TDMA) , frequency division multiple access (FDMA) , orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) , or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM) . A wireless multiple-access communications system may include one or more base stations, each supporting wireless communication for communication devices, which may be known as user equipment (UE) .SUMMARY
[0004] The systems, methods, and devices of this disclosure each have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes disclosed herein.
[0005] A method for wireless communication by a first wireless entity is described. The method may include generating a local identifier associated with an ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of ambient internet of things (A-IoT) communication, transmitting, to a second wireless entity, a first message including one or both of an indication of a static identifier associated with the ambient energy device or an indication of the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, and communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0006] A first wireless entity for wireless communication is described. The first wireless entity may include one or more memories storing processor executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories. The one or more processors may individually or collectively be operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to generate a local identifier associated with an ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of A-IoT communication, transmit, to a second wireless entity, a first message including one or both of an indication of a static identifier associated with the ambient energy device or an indication of the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, and communicate one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0007] Another first wireless entity for wireless communication is described. The first wireless entity may include means for generating a local identifier associated with an ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of A-IoT communication, means for transmitting, to a second wireless entity, a first message including one or both of an indication of a static identifier associated with the ambient energy device or an indication of the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, and means for communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0008] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication is described. The code may include instructions executable by one or more processors (e.g., directly, indirectly, without pre-processing, after pre-processing) to generate a local identifier associated with an ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of A-IoT communication, transmit, to a second wireless entity, a first message including one or both of an indication of a static identifier associated with the ambient energy device or an indication of the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, and communicate one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0009] Some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for storing a mapping between the local identifier and the static identifier in association with generating the local identifier, where transmitting the first message may be in association with storing the mapping.
[0010] In some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the mapping may be between the local identifier, the static identifier, and an identifier associated with a reader device.
[0011] In some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, communicating the one or more second messages may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, from a reader device, a first signaling message including one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device and transmitting, to the reader device, a second signaling message associated with the first signaling message in accordance with the local identifier still being valid, where the first wireless entity includes the ambient energy device.
[0012] In some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, communicating the one or more second messages may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, from a controller device, a first signaling message including one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device and transmitting, to the ambient energy device, a second signaling message including one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the second signaling message may be a relayed version of the first signaling message, where the first wireless entity includes a reader device.
[0013] In some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, communicating the one or more second messages may include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, to a reader device, a signaling message including one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, and where the signaling message may be relayed to the ambient energy device in association with the signaling message including one or both of the indication of the local identifier or the indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the first wireless entity includes a controller device.
[0014] Some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving an indication of the static identifier or a local identifier derivation function, where generating the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device may be based on the static identifier or the local identifier derivation function.
[0015] In some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, generating the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device may include operations, features, means, or instructions for generating the local identifier as a random number, generating the local identifier in accordance with a local identifier derivation function, selecting the local identifier from a set of multiple local identifiers, and generating the local identifier based on the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0016] Some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for generating one or more local identifiers associated with one or more ambient energy devices, including the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, per ambient energy device, per reader device, per session, per transaction, per message, or any combination thereof.
[0017] Some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for generating the local identifier, updating the local identifier, or transmitting a message indicative of the local identifier or an updated local identifier in accordance with the ambient energy device powering on, in accordance with the ambient energy device satisfying a threshold energy level, in accordance with detecting or associating with a reader device or a controller device, in accordance with a message being received, in accordance with a previously generated local identifier expiring, in accordance with receiving a request to generate, update, or indicate the local identifier, or any combination thereof.
[0018] Some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving an indication that a second ambient energy device may be associated with a same local identifier as the local identifier generated for the ambient energy device, generating an updated local identifier associated with the ambient energy device in association with receiving the indication that the second ambient energy device may be associated with the same local identifier, and transmitting a third message including an indication of the updated local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0019] Some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for releasing the local identifier in accordance with the ambient energy device powering off, in accordance with the ambient energy device failing to satisfy a threshold energy level, in accordance with a threshold amount of time elapsing after generating the local identifier, in accordance with one or more radio conditions failing to satisfy one or more threshold conditions, in accordance with transmitting or receiving a request to release the local identifier, or any combination thereof.
[0020] In some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the ambient energy device may be an ambient IoT device that may be capable of harvesting radio frequency (RF) energy to power the ambient energy device or that uses an energy storage to communicate with a reader device.
[0021] A method for wireless communication by a first wireless entity is described. The method may include receiving, from a second wireless entity, a first message including an indication of a static identifier associated with an ambient energy device and including an indication of a local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of A-IoT communication and communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0022] A first wireless entity for wireless communication is described. The first wireless entity may include one or more memories storing processor executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories. The one or more processors may individually or collectively be operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to receive, from a second wireless entity, a first message including an indication of a static identifier associated with an ambient energy device and including an indication of a local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of A-IoT communication and communicate one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0023] Another first wireless entity for wireless communication is described. The first wireless entity may include means for receiving, from a second wireless entity, a first message including an indication of a static identifier associated with an ambient energy device and including an indication of a local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of A-IoT communication and means for communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0024] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication is described. The code may include instructions executable by one or more processors (e.g., directly, indirectly, without pre-processing, after pre-processing) to receive, from a second wireless entity, a first message including an indication of a static identifier associated with an ambient energy device and including an indication of a local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of A-IoT communication and communicate one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0025] Some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for storing a mapping between the local identifier and the static identifier in association with receiving the first message, where communicating the one or more second messages may be in association with storing the mapping.
[0026] In some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the mapping may be between the local identifier, the static identifier, and an identifier associated with a reader device.
[0027] In some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, communicating the one or more second messages may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, from a reader device, a first signaling message including one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device and transmitting, to the reader device, a second signaling message associated with the first signaling message in accordance with the local identifier still being valid, where the first wireless entity includes the ambient energy device.
[0028] In some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, communicating the one or more second messages may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, from a controller device, a first signaling message including one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device and transmitting, to the ambient energy device, a second signaling message including one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the second signaling message may be a relayed version of the first signaling message, where the first wireless entity includes a reader device.
[0029] In some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, communicating the one or more second messages may include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, to a reader device, a signaling message including one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, and where the signaling message may be relayed to the ambient energy device in association with the signaling message including one or both of the indication of the local identifier or the indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the first wireless entity includes a controller device.
[0030] Some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, to the second wireless entity, an indication of the static identifier or a local identifier derivation function, where the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device may be based on the static identifier or the local identifier derivation function.
[0031] Some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a message indicative of the local identifier or an updated local identifier in accordance with the ambient energy device powering on, in accordance with the ambient energy device satisfying a threshold energy level, in accordance with detecting or associating with a reader device or a controller device, in accordance with a message being received, in accordance with a previously generated local identifier expiring, in accordance with transmitting a request to generate, update, or indicate the local identifier, or any combination thereof.
[0032] Some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, to the second wireless entity, an indication that a second ambient energy device may be associated with a same local identifier as the local identifier generated for the ambient energy device and receiving a third message including an indication of an updated local identifier associated with the ambient energy device in association with transmitting the indication that the second ambient energy device may be associated with the same local identifier.
[0033] Some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for releasing the local identifier in accordance with the ambient energy device powering off, in accordance with the ambient energy device failing to satisfy a threshold energy level, in accordance with a threshold amount of time elapsing after a generation of the local identifier, in accordance with one or more radio conditions failing to satisfy one or more threshold conditions, in accordance with transmitting or receiving a request to release the local identifier, or any combination thereof.
[0034] In some examples of the method, first wireless entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the ambient energy device may be an ambient IoT device that may be capable of harvesting radio frequency (RF) energy to power the ambient energy device or that uses an energy storage to communicate with a reader device.
[0035] Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings and the claims. Note that the relative dimensions of the following figures may not be drawn to scale.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] FIG. 1 shows an example of a wireless communications system that supports device identification for communication with a reader in ambient internet of things (A-IoT) deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 2 shows an example signaling diagrams that support device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows an example of a network architecture that supports device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0039] FIGs. 4–7 show examples of process flows that support device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0040] FIGs. 8 and 9 show block diagrams of devices that support device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of a communications manager that supports device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0042] FIG. 11 shows a diagram of a system including a UE that supports device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 12 shows a diagram of a system including a network entity that supports device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0044] FIGs. 13 and 14 show flowcharts illustrating methods that support device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] In some wireless communication systems, one or more wireless entities (e.g., one or more wireless communication devices, which may refer generally to any device, entity, or component capable of wireless communication in addition to, or instead of, wired communication) may support or be associated with an Internet of Things (IoT) deployment. Further, in some systems, one or more wireless entities may be examples of, serve as, function as, or otherwise perform operations in accordance with being an ambient IoT (A-IoT) device. An A-IoT device may refer to any wireless entity or device that is capable of harvesting radio frequency (RF) energy to power the wireless entity or device and / or that uses an energy storage to communicate with another wireless entity or device (e.g., a reader device) . As described herein, an A-IoT device may be equivalently referred to as an ambient energy device. A reader device may communicate with an A-IoT device by transmitting signaling / data to the A-IoT device, and the A-IoT device may respond by transmitting, backscattering, reflecting, or otherwise providing signaling / data to the reader device. The A-IoT device may transmit and / or backscatter signaling / data to the reader device in accordance with using the RF energy associated with the communication from the reader device to power one or more components of the A-IoT device.
[0046] In some cases, a reader device and an A-IoT device may communicate in accordance with a static (e.g., permanent) identifier (ID) associated with the A-IoT device. Such a permanent ID may identify the A-IoT device. In some deployment scenarios, however, exposing such a permanent ID via over-the-air signaling may compromise or risk security. For example, in scenarios in which A-IoT devices are associated with products in a warehouse, a competitor may ascertain confidential or secret product (or, more generally, business-critical) information by scanning various A-IoT devices and obtaining the permanent IDs associated with the A-IoT devices. Additionally, or alternatively, transmitting and / or receiving messages including a such a permanent ID may incur relatively high overhead costs. For example, a permanent ID may be associated with a relatively large quantity of bits (e.g., 96+ bits) , which may cause relatively high signaling overhead.
[0047] In accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure, one or more wireless entities (such as one or more of an A-IoT device, a reader device, or an A-IoT controller device) may generate and / or exchange signaling related to a local (e.g., temporary, access stratum (AS) ) ID associated with an A-IoT device. In some implementations, the one or more wireless entities may (subsequently) communicate (e.g., transmit and / or receive) one or more messages using or otherwise in accordance with the generated local ID. In such implementations, the one or more wireless entities may include an indication of the local ID in one or more (over-the-air) messages, which may enable the one or more wireless entities to avoid exposing a permanent ID associated with the A-IoT device in over-the-air signaling.
[0048] In some implementations, a wireless entity that generates the local ID may store a mapping between the permanent ID associated with the A-IoT device and the local ID associated with the A-IoT device. In some implementations, the wireless entity that generates the local ID may inform one or more other wireless entities of the generated local ID. In such implementations, the wireless entity that generates the local ID may transmit a message including / indicating one or both of the permanent ID associated with the A-IoT device and the local ID associated with the A-IoT device, such as to facilitate a storage of a mapping between the permanent ID and the local ID at the one or more other (informed) wireless entities. In some examples, if an A-IoT controller generates the local ID, the local ID may be a temporary ID. In some examples, if a reader device generates the local ID, the local ID may be an AS ID. An AS ID may be an ID used in an interface (e.g., air interface) between a reader device and an A-IoT device. Additionally, or alternatively, each of the one or more wireless entities may generate the local ID at their respective devices, such that the one or more wireless entities may refrain from signaling the generated local ID. Various further aspects of the present disclosure relate to one or more signaling-or configuration-based mechanisms according to which one or more wireless entities may generate a local ID, update a local ID, or release a local ID, among other aspects.
[0049] Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of wireless communications systems. Additionally, aspects of the disclosure are illustrated by and described with reference to signaling diagrams, a network architecture, and process flows. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments. The example implementations disclosed herein may support techniques associated with A-IoT device identification for communication with a reader device.
[0050] FIG. 1 shows an example of a wireless communications system 100 that supports device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system 100 may include one or more devices, such as one or more network devices (e.g., network entities 105) , one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communications system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, a New Radio (NR) network, or a network operating in accordance with other systems and radio technologies, including future systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein. Components within a wireless communication system may be coupled (for example, operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, and / or electrically) to each other.
[0051] The network entities 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic area to form the wireless communications system 100 and may include devices in different forms or having different capabilities. In various examples, a network entity 105 may be referred to as a network element, a mobility element, a radio access network (RAN) node, or network equipment, among other nomenclature. In some examples, network entities 105 and UEs 115 may wirelessly communicate via communication link (s) 125 (e.g., a radio frequency (RF) access link) . For example, a network entity 105 may support a coverage area 110 (e.g., a geographic coverage area) over which the UEs 115 and the network entity 105 may establish the communication link (s) 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area over which a network entity 105 and a UE 115 may support the communication of signals according to one or more radio access technologies (RATs) .
[0052] The UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout a coverage area 110 of the wireless communications system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary, or mobile, or both at different times. The UEs 115 may be devices in different forms or having different capabilities. Some example UEs 115 are illustrated in FIG. 1. The UEs 115 described herein may be capable of supporting communications with various types of devices in the wireless communications system 100 (e.g., other wireless communication devices, including UEs 115 or network entities 105) , as shown in FIG. 1.
[0053] As described herein, a node of the wireless communications system 100, which may be referred to as a network node, or a wireless node, may be a network entity 105 (e.g., any network entity described herein) , a UE 115 (e.g., any UE described herein) , a network controller, an apparatus, a device, a computing system, one or more components, or another suitable processing entity configured to perform any of the techniques described herein. For example, a node may be a UE 115. As another example, a node may be a network entity 105. As another example, a first node may be configured to communicate with a second node or a third node. In one aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a UE 115. In another aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a network entity 105. In yet other aspects of this example, the first, second, and third nodes may be different relative to these examples. Similarly, reference to a UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, or computing system may include disclosure of the UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, or computing system being a node. For example, disclosure that a UE 115 is configured to receive information from a network entity 105 also discloses that a first node is configured to receive information from a second node.
[0054] In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with a core network 130, or with one another, or both. For example, network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130 via backhaul communication link (s) 120 (e.g., in accordance with an S1, N2, N3, or other interface protocol) . In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with one another via backhaul communication link (s) 120 (e.g., in accordance with an X2, Xn, or other interface protocol) either directly (e.g., directly between network entities 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130) . In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with one another via a midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., in accordance with a midhaul interface protocol) or a fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., in accordance with a fronthaul interface protocol) , or any combination thereof. The backhaul communication link (s) 120, midhaul communication links 162, or fronthaul communication links 168 may be or include one or more wired links (e.g., an electrical link, an optical fiber link) or one or more wireless links (e.g., a radio link, a wireless optical link) , among other examples or various combinations thereof. A UE 115 may communicate with the core network 130 via a communication link 155.
[0055] One or more of the network entities 105 or network equipment described herein may include or may be referred to as a base station 140 (e.g., a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an NR base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB) , a next-generation NodeB or giga-NodeB (either of which may be referred to as a gNB) , a 5G NB, a next-generation eNB (ng-eNB) , a Home NodeB, a Home eNodeB, or other suitable terminology) . In some examples, a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may be implemented in an aggregated (e.g., monolithic, standalone) base station architecture, which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within one network entity (e.g., a network entity 105 or a single RAN node, such as a base station 140) .
[0056] In some examples, a network entity 105 may be implemented in a disaggregated architecture (e.g., a disaggregated base station architecture, a disaggregated RAN architecture) , which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed among multiple network entities (e.g., network entities 105) , such as an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) network, an open RAN (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance) , or a virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a cloud RAN (C-RAN) ) . For example, a network entity 105 may include one or more of a central unit (CU) , such as a CU 160, a distributed unit (DU) , such as a DU 165, a radio unit (RU) , such as an RU 170, a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) , such as an RIC 175 (e.g., a Near-Real Time RIC (Near-RT RIC) , a Non-Real Time RIC (Non-RT RIC) ) , a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) system, such as an SMO system 180, or any combination thereof. An RU 170 may also be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, a remote radio head (RRH) , a remote radio unit (RRU) , or a transmission reception point (TRP) . One or more components of the network entities 105 in a disaggregated RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of the network entities 105 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations) . In some examples, one or more of the network entities 105 of a disaggregated RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., a virtual CU (VCU) , a virtual DU (VDU) , a virtual RU (VRU) ) .
[0057] The split of functionality between a CU 160, a DU 165, and an RU 170 is flexible and may support different functionalities depending on which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, RF functions, or any combinations thereof) are performed at a CU 160, a DU 165, or an RU 170. For example, a functional split of a protocol stack may be employed between a CU 160 and a DU 165 such that the CU 160 may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the DU 165 may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. In some examples, the CU 160 may host upper protocol layer (e.g., layer 3 (L3) , layer 2 (L2) ) functionality and signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) , service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) , Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) ) . The CU 160 (e.g., one or more CUs) may be connected to a DU 165 (e.g., one or more DUs) or an RU 170 (e.g., one or more RUs) , or some combination thereof, and the DUs 165, RUs 170, or both may host lower protocol layers, such as layer 1 (L1) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer) functionality and signaling, and may each be at least partially controlled by the CU 160. Additionally, or alternatively, a functional split of the protocol stack may be employed between a DU 165 and an RU 170 such that the DU 165 may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the RU 170 may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DU 165 may support one or multiple different cells (e.g., via one or multiple different RUs, such as an RU 170) . In some cases, a functional split between a CU 160 and a DU 165 or between a DU 165 and an RU 170 may be within a protocol layer (e.g., some functions for a protocol layer may be performed by one of a CU 160, a DU 165, or an RU 170, while other functions of the protocol layer are performed by a different one of the CU 160, the DU 165, or the RU 170) . A CU 160 may be functionally split further into CU control plane (CU-CP) and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. A CU 160 may be connected to a DU 165 via a midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u) , and a DU 165 may be connected to an RU 170 via a fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface) . In some examples, a midhaul communication link 162 or a fronthaul communication link 168 may be implemented in accordance with an interface (e.g., a channel) between layers of a protocol stack supported by respective network entities (e.g., one or more of the network entities 105) that are in communication via such communication links.
[0058] In some wireless communications systems (e.g., the wireless communications system 100) , infrastructure and spectral resources for radio access may support wireless backhaul link capabilities to supplement wired backhaul connections, providing an IAB network architecture (e.g., to a core network 130) . In some cases, in an IAB network, one or more of the network entities 105 (e.g., network entities 105 or IAB node (s) 104) may be partially controlled by each other. The IAB node (s) 104 may be referred to as a donor entity or an IAB donor. A DU 165 or an RU 170 may be partially controlled by a CU 160 associated with a network entity 105 or base station 140 (such as a donor network entity or a donor base station) . The one or more donor entities (e.g., IAB donors) may be in communication with one or more additional devices (e.g., IAB node (s) 104) via supported access and backhaul links (e.g., backhaul communication link (s) 120) . IAB node (s) 104 may include an IAB mobile termination (IAB-MT) controlled (e.g., scheduled) by one or more DUs (e.g., DUs 165) of a coupled IAB donor. An IAB-MT may be equipped with an independent set of antennas for relay of communications with UEs 115 or may share the same antennas (e.g., of an RU 170) of IAB node (s) 104 used for access via the DU 165 of the IAB node (s) 104 (e.g., referred to as virtual IAB-MT (vIAB-MT) ) . In some examples, the IAB node (s) 104 may include one or more DUs (e.g., DUs 165) that support communication links with additional entities (e.g., IAB node (s) 104, UEs 115) within the relay chain or configuration of the access network (e.g., downstream) . In such cases, one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture (e.g., the IAB node (s) 104 or components of the IAB node (s) 104) may be configured to operate according to the techniques described herein.
[0059] For instance, an access network (AN) or RAN may include communications between access nodes (e.g., an IAB donor) , IAB node (s) 104, and one or more UEs 115. The IAB donor may facilitate connection between the core network 130 and the AN (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection to the core network 130) . That is, an IAB donor may refer to a RAN node with a wired or wireless connection to the core network 130. The IAB donor may include one or more of a CU 160, a DU 165, and an RU 170, in which case the CU 160 may communicate with the core network 130 via an interface (e.g., a backhaul link) . The IAB donor and IAB node (s) 104 may communicate via an F1 interface according to a protocol that defines signaling messages (e.g., an F1 AP protocol) . Additionally, or alternatively, the CU 160 may communicate with the core network 130 via an interface, which may be an example of a portion of a backhaul link, and may communicate with other CUs (e.g., including a CU 160 associated with an alternative IAB donor) via an Xn-C interface, which may be an example of another portion of a backhaul link.
[0060] IAB node (s) 104 may refer to RAN nodes that provide IAB functionality (e.g., access for UEs 115, wireless self-backhauling capabilities) . A DU 165 may act as a distributed scheduling node towards child nodes associated with the IAB node (s) 104, and the IAB-MT may act as a scheduled node towards parent nodes associated with IAB node (s) 104. That is, an IAB donor may be referred to as a parent node in communication with one or more child nodes (e.g., an IAB donor may relay transmissions for UEs through other IAB node (s) 104) . Additionally, or alternatively, IAB node (s) 104 may also be referred to as parent nodes or child nodes to other IAB node (s) 104, depending on the relay chain or configuration of the AN. The IAB-MT entity of IAB node (s) 104 may provide a Uu interface for a child IAB node (e.g., the IAB node (s) 104) to receive signaling from a parent IAB node (e.g., the IAB node (s) 104) , and a DU interface (e.g., a DU 165) may provide a Uu interface for a parent IAB node to signal to a child IAB node or UE 115.
[0061] For example, IAB node (s) 104 may be referred to as parent nodes that support communications for child IAB nodes, or may be referred to as child IAB nodes associated with IAB donors, or both. An IAB donor may include a CU 160 with a wired or wireless connection (e.g., backhaul communication link (s) 120) to the core network 130 and may act as a parent node to IAB node (s) 104. For example, the DU 165 of an IAB donor may relay transmissions to UEs 115 through IAB node (s) 104, or may directly signal transmissions to a UE 115, or both. The CU 160 of the IAB donor may signal communication link establishment via an F1 interface to IAB node (s) 104, and the IAB node (s) 104 may schedule transmissions (e.g., transmissions to the UEs 115 relayed from the IAB donor) through one or more DUs (e.g., DUs 165) . That is, data may be relayed to and from IAB node (s) 104 via signaling via an NR Uu interface to MT of IAB node (s) 104 (e.g., other IAB node (s) ) . Communications with IAB node (s) 104 may be scheduled by a DU 165 of the IAB donor or of IAB node (s) 104.
[0062] In the case of the techniques described herein applied in the context of a disaggregated RAN architecture, one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture may be configured to support test as described herein. For example, some operations described as being performed by a UE 115 or a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may additionally, or alternatively, be performed by one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture (e.g., components such as an IAB node, a DU 165, a CU 160, an RU 170, an RIC 175, an SMO system 180) .
[0063] A UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology, where the “device” may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. A UE 115 may also include or may be referred to as a personal electronic device such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , a multimedia / entertainment device (e.g., a radio, a MP3 player, or a video device) , a camera, a gaming device, a navigation / positioning device (e.g., GNSS (global navigation satellite system) devices based on, for example, GPS (global positioning system) , Beidou, GLONASS, or Galileo, or a terrestrial-based device) , a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a smartbook, a personal computer, a smart device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, smart clothing, smart glasses, virtual reality goggles, a smart wristband, smart jewelry (e.g., a smart ring, a smart bracelet) ) , a drone, a robot / robotic device, a vehicle, a vehicular device, a meter (e.g., parking meter, electric meter, gas meter, water meter) , a monitor, a gas pump, an appliance (e.g., kitchen appliance, washing machine, dryer) , a location tag, a medical / healthcare device, an implant, a sensor / actuator, a display, or any other suitable device configured to communicate via a wireless or wired medium. In some examples, a UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine type communications (MTC) device, among other examples, which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances, vehicles, or meters, among other examples.
[0064] The UEs 115 described herein may be able to communicate with various types of devices, such as UEs 115 that may sometimes operate as relays, as well as the network entities 105 and the network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations, among other examples, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0065] The UEs 115 and the network entities 105 may wirelessly communicate with one another via the communication link (s) 125 (e.g., one or more access links) using resources associated with one or more carriers. The term “carrier” may refer to a set of RF spectrum resources having a defined PHY layer structure for supporting the communication link (s) 125. For example, a carrier used for the communication link (s) 125 may include a portion of an RF spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth part (BWP) ) that is operated according to one or more PHY layer channels for a given RAT (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR) . Each PHY layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information) , control signaling that coordinates operation for the carrier, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communications system 100 may support communication with a UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. A UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used with both frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing (TDD) component carriers. Communication between a network entity 105 and other devices may refer to communication between the devices and any portion (e.g., entity, sub-entity) of a network entity 105. For example, the terms “transmitting, ” “receiving, ” or “communicating, ” when referring to a network entity 105, may refer to any portion of a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, a CU 160, a DU 165, a RU 170) of a RAN communicating with another device (e.g., directly or via one or more other network entities, such as one or more of the network entities 105) .
[0066] In some examples, such as in a carrier aggregation configuration, a carrier may have acquisition signaling or control signaling that coordinates operations for other carriers. A carrier may be associated with a frequency channel (e.g., an evolved universal mobile telecommunication system terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) absolute RF channel number (EARFCN) ) and may be identified according to a channel raster for discovery by the UEs 115. A carrier may be operated in a standalone mode, in which case initial acquisition and connection may be conducted by the UEs 115 via the carrier, or the carrier may be operated in a non-standalone mode, in which case a connection is anchored using a different carrier (e.g., of the same or a different RAT) .
[0067] The communication link (s) 125 of the wireless communications system 100 may include downlink transmissions (e.g., forward link transmissions) from a network entity 105 to a UE 115, uplink transmissions (e.g., return link transmissions) from a UE 115 to a network entity 105, or both, among other configurations of transmissions. Carriers may carry downlink or uplink communications (e.g., in an FDD mode) or may be configured to carry downlink and uplink communications (e.g., in a TDD mode) .
[0068] A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of the RF spectrum and, in some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as a “system bandwidth” of the carrier or the wireless communications system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of a set of bandwidths for carriers of a particular RAT (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 megahertz (MHz) ) . Devices of the wireless communications system 100 (e.g., the network entities 105, the UEs 115, or both) may have hardware configurations that support communications using a particular carrier bandwidth or may be configurable to support communications using one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communications system 100 may include network entities 105 or UEs 115 that support concurrent communications using carriers associated with multiple carrier bandwidths. In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured for operating using portions (e.g., a sub-band, a BWP) or all of a carrier bandwidth.
[0069] Signal waveforms transmitted via a carrier may be made up of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM) ) . In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element may refer to resources of one symbol period (e.g., a duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, in which case the symbol period and subcarrier spacing may be inversely related. The quantity of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both) , such that a relatively higher quantity of resource elements (e.g., in a transmission duration) and a relatively higher order of a modulation scheme may correspond to a relatively higher rate of communication. A wireless communications resource may refer to a combination of an RF spectrum resource, a time resource, and a spatial resource (e.g., a spatial layer, a beam) , and the use of multiple spatial resources may increase the data rate or data integrity for communications with a UE 115.
[0070] One or more numerologies for a carrier may be supported, and a numerology may include a subcarrier spacing (Δf) and a cyclic prefix. A carrier may be divided into one or more BWPs having the same or different numerologies. In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured with multiple BWPs. In some examples, a single BWP for a carrier may be active at a given time and communications for the UE 115 may be restricted to one or more active BWPs.
[0071] The time intervals for the network entities 105 or the UEs 115 may be expressed in multiples of a basic time unit which may, for example, refer to a sampling period of Ts=1 / (Δfmax·Nf) seconds, for which Δfmax may represent a supported subcarrier spacing, and Nf may represent a supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size. Time intervals of a communications resource may be organized according to radio frames each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms) ) . Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023) .
[0072] Each frame may include multiple consecutively-numbered subframes or slots, and each subframe or slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may be divided (e.g., in the time domain) into subframes, and each subframe may be further divided into a quantity of slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable quantity of slots, and the quantity of slots may depend on subcarrier spacing. Each slot may include a quantity of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix prepended to each symbol period) . In some wireless communications systems, such as the wireless communications system 100, a slot may further be divided into multiple mini-slots associated with one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may be associated with one or more (e.g., Nf) sampling periods. The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or frequency band of operation.
[0073] A subframe, a slot, a mini-slot, or a symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communications system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI) . In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., a quantity of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally, or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communications system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., in bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs) ) .
[0074] Physical channels may be multiplexed for communication using a carrier according to various techniques. A physical control channel and a physical data channel may be multiplexed for signaling via a downlink carrier, for example, using one or more of time division multiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency division multiplexing (FDM) techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET) ) for a physical control channel may be defined by a set of symbol periods and may extend across the system bandwidth or a subset of the system bandwidth of the carrier. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a set of the UEs 115. For example, one or more of the UEs 115 may monitor or search control regions for control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set may include one or multiple control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. An aggregation level for a control channel candidate may refer to an amount of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs) ) associated with encoded information for a control information format having a given payload size. Search space sets may include common search space sets configured for sending control information to UEs 115 (e.g., one or more UEs) or may include UE-specific search space sets for sending control information to a UE 115 (e.g., a specific UE) .
[0075] A network entity 105 may provide communication coverage via one or more cells, for example, a macro cell, a small cell, a hot spot, or other types of cells, or any combination thereof. The term “cell” may refer to a logical communication entity used for communication with a network entity 105 (e.g., using a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier for distinguishing neighboring cells (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID) , a virtual cell identifier (VCID) ) . In some examples, a cell also may refer to a coverage area 110 or a portion of a coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) over which the logical communication entity operates. Such cells may range from smaller areas (e.g., a structure, a subset of structure) to larger areas depending on various factors such as the capabilities of the network entity 105. For example, a cell may be or include a building, a subset of a building, or exterior spaces between or overlapping with coverage areas 110, among other examples.
[0076] A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by the UEs 115 with service subscriptions with the network provider supporting the macro cell. A small cell may be associated with a network entity 105 operating with lower power (e.g., a base station 140 operating with lower power) relative to a macro cell, and a small cell may operate using the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed) frequency bands as macro cells. Small cells may provide unrestricted access to the UEs 115 with service subscriptions with the network provider or may provide restricted access to the UEs 115 having an association with the small cell (e.g., the UEs 115 in a closed subscriber group (CSG) , the UEs 115 associated with users in a home or office) . A network entity 105 may support one or more cells and may also support communications via the one or more cells using one or multiple component carriers.
[0077] In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., MTC, narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) , enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) ) that may provide access for different types of devices.
[0078] In some examples, a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) may be movable and therefore provide communication coverage for a moving coverage area, such as the coverage area 110. In some examples, coverage areas 110 (e.g., different coverage areas) associated with different technologies may overlap, but the coverage areas 110 (e.g., different coverage areas) may be supported by the same network entity (e.g., a network entity 105) . In some other examples, overlapping coverage areas, such as a coverage area 110, associated with different technologies may be supported by different network entities (e.g., the network entities 105) . The wireless communications system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of the network entities 105 support communications for coverage areas 110 (e.g., different coverage areas) using the same or different RATs.
[0079] The wireless communications system 100 may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, network entities 105 (e.g., base stations 140) may have similar frame timings, and transmissions from different network entities (e.g., different ones of the network entities 105) may be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, network entities 105 may have different frame timings, and transmissions from different network entities (e.g., different ones of network entities 105) may, in some examples, not be aligned in time. The techniques described herein may be used for either synchronous or asynchronous operations.
[0080] Some UEs 115, such as MTC or IoT devices, may be relatively low cost or low complexity devices and may provide for automated communication between machines (e.g., via Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication) . M2M communication or MTC may refer to data communication technologies that allow devices to communicate with one another or a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC may include communications from devices that integrate sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay such information to a central server or application program that uses the information or presents the information to humans interacting with the application program. Some UEs 115 may be designed to collect information or enable automated behavior of machines or other devices. Examples of applications for MTC devices include smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcare monitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather and geological event monitoring, fleet management and tracking, remote security sensing, physical access control, and transaction-based business charging. In an aspect, techniques disclosed herein may be applicable to MTC or IoT UEs. MTC or IoT UEs may include MTC / enhanced MTC (eMTC, also referred to as CAT-M, Cat M1) UEs, NB-IoT (also referred to as CAT NB1) UEs, as well as other types of UEs. eMTC and NB-IoT may refer to future technologies that may evolve from or may be based on these technologies. For example, eMTC may include FeMTC (further eMTC) , eFeMTC (enhanced further eMTC) , and mMTC (massive MTC) , and NB-IoT may include eNB-IoT (enhanced NB-IoT) , and FeNB-IoT (further enhanced NB-IoT) .
[0081] Some UEs 115 may be configured to employ operating modes that reduce power consumption, such as half-duplex communications (e.g., a mode that supports one-way communication via transmission or reception, but not transmission and reception concurrently) . In some examples, half-duplex communications may be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other power conservation techniques for the UEs 115 may include entering a power saving deep sleep mode when not engaging in active communications, operating using a limited bandwidth (e.g., according to narrowband communications) , or a combination of these techniques. For example, some UEs 115 may be configured for operation using a narrowband protocol type that is associated with a defined portion or range (e.g., set of subcarriers or resource blocks (RBs) ) within a carrier, within a guard-band of a carrier, or outside of a carrier.
[0082] The wireless communications system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable communications or low-latency communications, or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communications system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) . The UEs 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency, or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communications may include private communication or group communication and may be supported by one or more services such as push-to-talk, video, or data. Support for ultra-reliable, low-latency functions may include prioritization of services, and such services may be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, and ultra-reliable low-latency may be used interchangeably herein.
[0083] In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured to support communicating directly with other UEs (e.g., one or more of the UEs 115) via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link, such as a D2D communication link 135 (e.g., in accordance with a peer-to-peer (P2P) , D2D, or sidelink protocol) . In some examples, one or more UEs 115 of a group that are performing D2D communications may be within the coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) , which may support aspects of such D2D communications being configured by (e.g., scheduled by) the network entity 105. In some examples, one or more UEs 115 of such a group may be outside the coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 or may be otherwise unable to or not configured to receive transmissions from a network entity 105. In some examples, groups of the UEs 115 communicating via D2D communications may support a one-to-many (1: M) system in which each UE 115 transmits to one or more of the UEs 115 in the group. In some examples, a network entity 105 may facilitate the scheduling of resources for D2D communications. In some other examples, D2D communications may be carried out between the UEs 115 without an involvement of a network entity 105.
[0084] In some systems, a D2D communication link 135 may be an example of a communication channel, such as a sidelink communication channel, between vehicles (e.g., UEs 115) . In some examples, vehicles may communicate using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, or some combination of these. A vehicle may signal information related to traffic conditions, signal scheduling, weather, safety, emergencies, or any other information relevant to a V2X system. In some examples, vehicles in a V2X system may communicate with roadside infrastructure, such as roadside units, or with the network via one or more network nodes (e.g., network entities 105, base stations 140, RUs 170) using vehicle-to-network (V2N) communications, or with both.
[0085] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core or 5G core (5GC) , which may include at least one control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME) , an access and mobility management function (AMF) ) and at least one user plane entity that routes packets or interconnects to external networks (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW) , a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (P-GW) , or a user plane function (UPF) ) . The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for the UEs 115 served by the network entities 105 (e.g., base stations 140) associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be transferred through the user plane entity, which may provide IP address allocation as well as other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to IP services 150 for one or more network operators. The IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, Intranet (s) , an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) , or a Packet-Switched Streaming Service.
[0086] The wireless communications system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands, which may be in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz) . Generally, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is known as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelengths range from approximately one decimeter to one meter in length. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features, which may be referred to as clusters, but the waves may penetrate structures sufficiently for a macro cell to provide service to the UEs 115 located indoors. Communications using UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than one hundred kilometers) compared to communications using the smaller frequencies and longer waves of the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrum below 300 MHz.
[0087] The wireless communications system 100 may also operate using a super high frequency (SHF) region, which may be in the range of 3 GHz to 30 GHz, also known as the centimeter band, or using an extremely high frequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz) , also known as the millimeter band. In some examples, the wireless communications system 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW) communications between the UEs 115 and the network entities 105 (e.g., base stations 140, RUs 170) , and EHF antennas of the respective devices may be smaller and more closely spaced than UHF antennas. In some examples, such techniques may facilitate using antenna arrays within a device. The propagation of EHF transmissions, however, may be subject to even greater attenuation and shorter range than SHF or UHF transmissions. The techniques disclosed herein may be employed across transmissions that use one or more different frequency regions, and designated use of bands across these frequency regions may differ by country or regulating body.
[0088] The wireless communications system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed RF spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communications system 100 may employ License Assisted Access (LAA) , LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U) RAT, or NR technology using an unlicensed band such as the 5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. While operating using unlicensed RF spectrum bands, devices such as the network entities 105 and the UEs 115 may employ carrier sensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples, operations using unlicensed bands may be based on a carrier aggregation configuration in conjunction with component carriers operating using a licensed band (e.g., LAA) . Operations using unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, among other examples.
[0089] A network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) or a UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, or beamforming. The antennas of a network entity 105 or a UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels, which may support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. In some examples, antennas or antenna arrays associated with a network entity 105 may be located at diverse geographic locations. A network entity 105 may include an antenna array with a set of rows and columns of antenna ports that the network entity 105 may use to support beamforming of communications with a UE 115. Likewise, a UE 115 may include one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally, or alternatively, an antenna panel may support RF beamforming for a signal transmitted via an antenna port.
[0090] The network entities 105 or the UEs 115 may use MIMO communications to exploit multipath signal propagation and increase spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. Such techniques may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. The multiple signals may, for example, be transmitted by the transmitting device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Likewise, the multiple signals may be received by the receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry information associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords) . Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports used for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) , for which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device, and multiple-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) , for which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.
[0091] Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., a network entity 105, a UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining the signals communicated via antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating along particular orientations with respect to an antenna array experience constructive interference while others experience destructive interference. The adjustment of signals communicated via the antenna elements may include a transmitting device or a receiving device applying amplitude offsets, phase offsets, or both to signals carried via the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustments associated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g., with respect to the antenna array of the transmitting device or receiving device, or with respect to some other orientation) .
[0092] A network entity 105 or a UE 115 may use beam sweeping techniques as part of beamforming operations. For example, a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to conduct beamforming operations for directional communications with a UE 115. Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted by a network entity 105 multiple times along different directions. For example, the network entity 105 may transmit a signal according to different beamforming weight sets associated with different directions of transmission. Transmissions along different beam directions may be used to identify (e.g., by a transmitting device, such as a network entity 105, or by a receiving device, such as a UE 115) a beam direction for later transmission or reception by the network entity 105.
[0093] Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device, may be transmitted by a transmitting device (e.g., a network entity 105 or a UE 115) along a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with the receiving device, such as another network entity 105 or UE 115) . In some examples, the beam direction associated with transmissions along a single beam direction may be determined based on a signal that was transmitted along one or more beam directions. For example, a UE 115 may receive one or more of the signals transmitted by the network entity 105 along different directions and may report to the network entity 105 an indication of the signal that the UE 115 received with a highest signal quality or an otherwise acceptable signal quality.
[0094] In some examples, transmissions by a device (e.g., by a network entity 105 or a UE 115) may be performed using multiple beam directions, and the device may use a combination of digital precoding or beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from a network entity 105 to a UE 115) . The UE 115 may report feedback that indicates precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and the feedback may correspond to a configured set of beams across a system bandwidth or one or more sub-bands. The network entity 105 may transmit a reference signal (e.g., a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) , a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) ) , which may be precoded or unprecoded. The UE 115 may provide feedback for beam selection, which may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., a multi-panel type codebook, a linear combination type codebook, a port selection type codebook) . Although these techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted along one or more directions by a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) , a UE 115 may employ similar techniques for transmitting signals multiple times along different directions (e.g., for identifying a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by the UE 115) or for transmitting a signal along a single direction (e.g., for transmitting data to a receiving device) .
[0095] A receiving device (e.g., a UE 115) may perform reception operations in accordance with multiple receive configurations (e.g., directional listening) when receiving various signals from a transmitting device (e.g., a network entity 105) , such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals. For example, a receiving device may perform reception in accordance with multiple receive directions by receiving via different antenna subarrays, by processing received signals according to different antenna subarrays, by receiving according to different receive beamforming weight sets (e.g., different directional listening weight sets) applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, or by processing received signals according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, any of which may be referred to as “listening” according to different receive configurations or receive directions. In some examples, a receiving device may use a single receive configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal) . The single receive configuration may be aligned along a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receive configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have a highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) , or otherwise acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions) .
[0096] The wireless communications system 100 may be a packet-based network that operates according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communications at the bearer or PDCP layer may be IP-based. An RLC layer may perform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicate via logical channels. A MAC layer may perform priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer also may implement error detection techniques, error correction techniques, or both to support retransmissions to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, an RRC layer may provide establishment, configuration, and maintenance of an RRC connection between a UE 115 and a network entity 105 or a core network 130 supporting radio bearers for user plane data. A PHY layer may map transport channels to physical channels.
[0097] The UEs 115 and the network entities 105 may support retransmissions of data to increase the likelihood that data is received successfully. Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback is one technique for increasing the likelihood that data is received correctly via a communication link (e.g., the communication link (s) 125, a D2D communication link 135) . HARQ may include a combination of error detection (e.g., using a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) ) , forward error correction (FEC) , and retransmission (e.g., automatic repeat request (ARQ) ) . HARQ may improve throughput at the MAC layer in relatively poor radio conditions (e.g., low signal-to-noise conditions) . In some examples, a device may support same-slot HARQ feedback, in which case the device may provide HARQ feedback in a specific slot for data received via a previous symbol in the slot. In some other examples, the device may provide HARQ feedback in a subsequent slot, or according to some other time interval.
[0098] In some implementations, one or more wireless entities (such as one or more of an A-IoT device, a reader device, or an A-IoT controller device, which may be examples of any one or more UEs 115 or any one or more network entities 105, or any combination thereof) may generate and / or exchange signaling related to a local (e.g., temporary) ID associated with an A-IoT device. In some implementations, the one or more wireless entities may (subsequently) communicate (e.g., transmit and / or receive) one or more messages using or otherwise in accordance with the generated local ID. In such implementations, the one or more wireless entities may include an indication of the local ID in one or more (over-the-air) messages, which may enable the one or more wireless entities to avoid exposing a permanent ID associated with the A-IoT device in over-the-air signaling.
[0099] In some implementations, a wireless entity that generates the local ID may store a mapping between the permanent ID associated with the A-IoT device and the local ID associated with the A-IoT device. In some implementations, the wireless entity that generates the local ID may inform one or more other wireless entities of the generated local ID. In such implementations, the wireless entity that generates the local ID may transmit a message including / indicating one or both of the permanent ID associated with the A-IoT device and the local ID associated with the A-IoT device, such as to facilitate a storage of a mapping between the permanent ID and the local ID at the one or more other (informed) wireless entities. Additionally, or alternatively, each of the one or more wireless entities may generate the local ID at their respective devices, such that the one or more wireless entities may refrain from signaling the generated local ID. Various further aspects of the present disclosure relate to one or more signaling-or configuration-based mechanisms according to which one or more wireless entities may generate a local ID, update a local ID, or release a local ID, among other aspects.
[0100] FIG. 2 shows example signaling diagrams 200 and 201 that support device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The signaling diagram 200 may be an example of a first network topology associated with a gNB-based reader device 205. For example, a network entity 105 or a component of a network entity 105 may serve or otherwise function as a reader device 205, and may communicate (such as transmit and / or receive) A-IoT data / signaling 215 with an A-IoT device 210. In some examples, the reader device 205 and the A-IoT device 210 may communicate the A-IoT data / signaling 215 via a Ua interface. The signaling diagram 201 may be an example of a second network topology associated with a UE-based reader device 220. For example, a UE 115 or a component of a UE 115 may serve or otherwise function as a reader device 220, and may communicate (such as transmit and / or receive) A-IoT data / signaling 215 with an A-IoT device. In some examples, the UE-based reader device 220 may communicate signaling 225 (e.g., signaling associated with the A-IoT data / signaling 215) with a network entity 105-a via a Uu interface.
[0101] Some systems may support signaling mechanisms and / or architecture to support A-IoT, which may be a class of low-complexity devices (e.g., tags, sensors) . A-IoT devices 210 may operate on ambient signaling 215 (e.g., incident RF sources) from “Readers” (or “reader devices” ) and may rely on, use, or otherwise leverage a backscattering of the incident signals to send (such as transmit or reflect) data to the Reader (e.g., the reader device) . A system may support one or both of a gNB-based reader device 205 or a UE-based reader device 220.
[0102] FIG. 3 shows an example of a network architecture 300 that supports identification of an A-IoT device for communication with a reader device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The network architecture 300 illustrates communication links between various wireless entities as described herein, including an A-IoT device, a reader device, an A-IoT controller, and / or an application function (AF) entity. As described herein, an A-IoT controller may be equivalently referred to as an A-IoT function (A-IoTF) . Each of such wireless entities may support one or more functionalities associated with an identification of an A-IoT device for communication with a reader device.
[0103] A reader device may support a Ua air interface 305 towards A-IoT devices. Additionally, or alternatively, a reader device may register with an A-IoT controller (e.g., via an ambient reader controller (A-RC) 310) . Additionally, or alternatively, a reader device may support one or more of the following functionalities based on requests from an A-IoT controller: performing one-time or periodic inventory, delivering an inventory result to an A-IoT controller, delivering commands (or any signaling or signaled messages) from an A-IoT controller to an A-IoT device, and / or delivering command responses (or any signaling or signaled messages) received from an A-IoT device to an A-IoT controller.
[0104] An A-IoT controller may register one or more reader devices (e.g., via the A-RC 310) . Additionally, or alternatively, an A-IoT controller may authenticate and / or authorize one or more AFs (or, AF entities) . Based on one or more requests from an AF, an A-IoT controller may verify whether an AF is entitled to issue a specific inventory request, may select one or more readers to fulfil one or more inventory and / or command request (s) by AFs, may forward one or more inventory request (s) to readers and / or deliver one or more inventory result (s) to the AF, and / or may forward one or more command (s) to one or more readers and / or one or more command response (s) to the AF. Additionally, or alternatively, an A-IoT controller may optionally collect usage data per AF, e.g., for charging purposes. Additionally, or alternatively, an A-IoT controller may store last known reader information for A-IoT devices.
[0105] An AF (or an “AF entity” ) may authenticate towards the A-IoT controller (e.g., via an ambient control agent (A-CA) 315) . Additionally, or alternatively, an AF may send one or more inventory and / or command request (s) . Additionally, or alternatively, an AF may receive one or more inventory responses and / or command response (s) . As described herein, an inventory request and / or a command request may be an example of a signaling message. An inventory response and / or a command response may be an example of a signaling message. Thus, a “signaling message” may refer to any one or more of an inventory request, a command request, an inventory response, a command response, or any other messaging / signaling that might be communicated between an A-IoT controller, a reader device, and / or an A-IoT device.
[0106] FIG. 4 shows an example of a process flow 400 that supports device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Alternative examples of the following may be implemented (e.g., as discussed further with reference to FIGs. 5–7) . Some steps may be performed in a different order than described or may not be performed at all. In some implementations, steps may include additional features not mentioned below, or further steps may be added. Further, although example devices / entities are shown performing the operations of the process flow 400, some aspects of some operations also may be performed by one or more other devices / entities without exceeding the scope of the present disclosure. For example, any of the described / illustrated signaling may be performed by any one or more of an A-IoT device, a reader device, and / or a controller device (e.g., an A-IoT controller) .
[0107] In some aspects, an A-IoT device and / or an A-IoT controller (e.g., A-IoTF) may be provisioned with a permanent device ID (e.g., electronic product code (EPC) ID or a network, such as 3GPP, defined ID) during an onboarding process. For example, at 405-a and 405-b, an A-IoT device, an A-IoT controller, or both, may each be provisioned with a permanent ID (e.g., a permanent ID of the A-IoT device) . A permanent ID may be equivalently referred to herein as a “static identifier. ” In some aspects, each A-IoT device may be provisioned with a respective permanent (or static) ID. In some aspects, using a permanent ID for communication between an A-IoT device and a reader device might not be suitable for some deployment scenarios and / or for some applications because there may be security concerns associated with exposing a permanent device ID over an air interface, and / or a because a relatively high overhead may be incurred by using a permanent device ID (e.g., 96+ bits for EPC ID) .
[0108] In accordance with some example implementations, one or more wireless entities may define a local ID for A-IoT device identification over a Ua layer. In some implementations, one or more wireless entities may employ such a local ID (or, equivalently, temporary ID, AS ID) to avoid exposing a permanent device ID over a Ua interface and to save on overhead by defining local ID as a shortened ID (such as an ID that is relatively shorter than a permanent ID) . In some aspects, such a local ID may be used by a reader device for identifying an A-IoT device while sending and / or receiving signaling / data to and / or from the A-IoT device and for resource allocation. In accordance with some example implementations, one or more wireless entities may support one or more signaling-or configuration-based mechanisms associated with which one or more wireless entities generate a local ID, which one or more wireless entities maintain a mapping between a local ID and a permanent ID, how a local ID and a (corresponding or mapping) permanent ID are signaled between two or more wireless entities, and / or how to increase a likelihood for, or otherwise maintain a uniqueness of, a local ID, including mechanisms associated with when to update and / or release a local ID.
[0109] At 410, the A-IoT controller may transmit an inventory request associated with the A-IoT device, which may be received by a reader device. The inventory request may include one or more filter criteria and a device ID. In some examples, the one or more filter criteria and the device ID may together be referred to as a “mask. ” At 415, the reader device may transmit an R2D inventory request (e.g., forward the inventory request received from the A-IoT controller) , which may be received by the A-IoT device. As described / illustrated herein, an “R2D” message may be understood as a message transmitted from a reader device to an A-IoT device and a “D2R” message may be understood as a message transmitted from an A-IoT device to a reader device.
[0110] At 420, the A-IoT device may match the filter criteria and device ID included in the R2D inventory request (e.g., match the mask) and may initiate A-IoT access. That is, the A-IoT device may correspond to one or more of the filter criteria, device ID, or both. At 425, the A-IoT device may transmit a random number (e.g., to avoid a contention with other A-IoT devices) , which may be received by the reader device. The reader device, at 430, may transmit a response message (e.g., an acknowledgment, ACK) in response to receiving the random number.
[0111] In some implementations, at 435, a first entity (e.g., a first wireless entity, the A-IoT device) may determine (e.g., generate, calculate, identify, select, compute, or otherwise ascertain) a local ID to be used for communication between an A-IoT device and a reader device and may store the local ID. In some implementations, the first entity may inform one or more other entities (such as a second entity and / or a third entity) of one or both of the local ID and a corresponding (mapping) permanent ID. For example, at 440, the A-IoT device may transmit a D2R inventory response including the local ID and the corresponding permanent ID, which may be received by the reader device.
[0112] At 445, the reader device may store the mapping between the local ID and permanent ID. At 450, the reader device may transmit an inventory response, which may be received by the A-IoT controller. In some examples, the inventory response may include an indication of the permanent ID, the local ID, and an identifier of the reader device (e.g., reader ID) . At 455, the A-IoT controller may store the mapping between the local ID, permanent ID, and reader ID based on receiving the inventory response.
[0113] In some implementations, the first entity may subsequently communicate (e.g., transmit and / or receive) one or more messages from the informed one or more other entities (e.g., the second entity and / or the third entity) with, using, or otherwise in accordance with the generated local ID. For example, at 460, the A-IoT controller may transmit a command request that indicates the local ID, which may be received by the reader device. Additionally, or alternatively, the A-IoT controller may transmit a command request that indicates the local ID and the permanent ID. At 465, the reader device may transmit an R2D command request, which may be received by the A-IoT device. The R2D command request may include one or both of the local ID and the reader ID.
[0114] In some implementations, the first entity may respond to one or more messages associated with (such as indicating or including) the local ID if (as long as) the local ID is still valid. For example, at 470, the A-IoT device may check if the local ID is still valid. If the local ID is valid, at 475, the A-IoT device may transmit a D2R command response, which may be received by the reader device. At 480, the reader device may transmit a command response associated with the D2R command response, which may be received by the A-IoT controller.
[0115] As described herein, a first entity, a second entity, and a third entity may be one or more of an A-IoT device, a reader device, or an A-IoT controller in any combination. Further, the first entity, the second entity, and / or the third entity may be provisioned with a permanent device ID (e.g., EPC ID or a new cellular, e.g., 3GPP, defined ID) and / or a local ID derivation function during, e.g., an onboarding process or a registration procedure. In some examples, a local ID derivation may be associated with a function or mechanism to take or select the 16 least significant bits (LSB) of a permanent ID or of any other ID associated with the A-IoT device.
[0116] In some implementations, the local identifier may be determined (e.g., calculated or generated) randomly (e.g., using a random function or a random number generator) or pseudo-randomly, may be selected among a pool of identifiers (where a pool may be pre-configured or received from another entity) , or may be a truncated / partial version of the permanent device ID. In some aspects, different A-IoT devices may receive information indicative of different pools of identifiers (to increase the likelihood of different A-IoT devices having different local IDs) . In some implementations, for example, the pool of identifiers or local IDs may be coordinated by a gNB (e.g., a network entity 105) or one or more reader devices or an A-IoT controller to configure different pools or sets as non-overlapping (e.g., to guarantee or increase the likelihood of uniqueness) .
[0117] In some implementations, the local ID may be allocated (e.g., generated) at different granularities. For example, one or more entities may generate and / or signal a local ID per A-IoT device, per reader device, per session (e.g., per data session) , per transaction, or per message, among other examples. In implementations in which the A-IoT device determines (e.g., generates) the local ID, the upper layers of the A-IoT device may inform the lower layers of the A-IoT device with the permanent device ID and / or a local ID derivation function, and / or may directly indicate the local ID to the lower layers. In some implementations, the first entity, the second entity, and / or the third entity may store an association (e.g., a mapping) between the local ID, a permanent ID, and / or a reader ID. For example, the A-IoT controller may store an association between the local ID, the permanent ID, and the reader ID.
[0118] In some implementations, the local identifier may be determined, updated, generated, and / or informed to other entities if (such as each time) the A-IoT device is powered on, reaches a certain (e.g., threshold) energy level, detects or associates itself with a (new) reader / A-IoT controller, if (such as each time) a message (e.g., inventory request / command request) is received, if (such as each time) the local ID is not valid any more (e.g., due to a timer expiry, or upon the start of a new session or transaction, or during each A-IoT access procedure) , or if (such as each time) explicitly indicated by another entity. In some implementations, the reader / A-IoT controller may inform its ID to the A-IoT device via signaling or messaging.
[0119] In implementations in which an overlap or conflict among two or more local IDs is detected, such a conflict may be indicated to the entity determining (e.g., generating) the local ID, which may update the local ID to resolve the overlap or conflict. In such implementations, messages received with conflicting local IDs may be discarded by one or more entities until the local ID conflict is resolved.
[0120] In some implementations, the local ID may be released by one or more entities when (such as in accordance with or if) the A-IoT device is powered-off or in a lower power mode, when (such as in accordance with or if) harvested energy is below a threshold, when (such as in accordance with or if) a certain (threshold, which may be signaled) time duration has elapsed after the local ID allocation or generation (e.g., periodically) , or when (such as in accordance with or if) radio conditions are below a certain threshold (which may be signaled) , or when (such as in accordance with or if) explicitly by another entity. In some implementations, the local ID can be informed to the (peer) entities either explicitly in a message (such as via a dedicated field of a message) or in a header of a message (such as via a field in a message, packet, or frame header) .
[0121] FIG. 5 shows an example of a process flow 500 that supports device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Some steps may be performed in a different order than described or may not be performed at all. In some implementations, steps may include additional features not mentioned below, or further steps may be added. Further, although example devices / entities are shown performing the operations of the process flow 500, some aspects of some operations also may be performed by one or more other devices / entities without exceeding the scope of the present disclosure. For example, any of the described / illustrated signaling may be performed by any one or more of an A-IoT device, a reader device, and / or a controller device (e.g., an A-IoT controller) .
[0122] In some aspects, an A-IoT device and / or an A-IoT controller (e.g., A-IoTF) may be provisioned with a permanent device ID (e.g., EPC ID or a network, such as 3GPP, defined ID) during an onboarding process. For example, at 505-a and 505-b, an A-IoT device, an A-IoT controller, or both, may each be provisioned with a permanent ID (e.g., a permanent ID of the A-IoT device) . In some aspects, each A-IoT device may be provisioned with a respective permanent (or static) ID.
[0123] At 510, the A-IoT controller (e.g., A-IoTF) may transmit an inventory request associated with the A-IoT device, which may be received by a reader device. The inventory request may include one or more filter criteria and a device ID. At 515, the reader device may transmit an R2D inventory request (e.g., forward the inventory request received from the A-IoT controller) , which may be received by the A-IoT device. At 520, the A-IoT device may match the filter criteria and device ID included in the R2D inventory request (e.g., match the mask) and may initiate A-IoT access. That is, the A-IoT device may correspond to one or more of the filter criteria, device ID, or both.
[0124] At 525, the A-IoT device may transmit a first A-IoT message, which may be received by the reader device. The first A-IoT message may include a random number (e.g., to avoid a contention with other A-IoT devices) . At 530, the reader device may determine (e.g., generate, calculate, identify, select, compute, or otherwise ascertain) a local ID (e.g., an AS ID) to be used for communication between the A-IoT device and the reader device. For example, the AS ID may be used for air interface communications between the A-IoT device and the reader device. In some examples, the reader device may determine the local ID based on the first A-IoT message. At 535, the reader device may transmit a second A-IoT message indicating the local ID (e.g., indicating the local ID) , which may be received by the A-IoT device.
[0125] At 540, the A-IoT device may transmit a D2R inventory response including the local ID (e.g., the AS ID) and a corresponding permanent ID, which may be received by the reader device. At 545, the reader device may store the mapping between the local ID and permanent ID.
[0126] At 550, the reader device may transmit an inventory response, which may be received by the A-IoT controller. In some examples, the inventory response may include an indication of the permanent ID and a reader ID of the reader device. At 555, the A-IoT controller may store the mapping between the permanent ID and reader ID based on receiving the inventory response.
[0127] At 560, the A-IoT controller may transmit a command request that indicates the permanent ID, which may be received by the reader device. At 565, the reader device may transmit an R2D command request, which may be received by the A-IoT device. The R2D command request may include the local ID (e.g., the AS ID) .
[0128] At 570, the A-IoT device may check if the local ID is still valid. If the local ID is valid, at 575, the A-IoT device may transmit a D2R command response, which may be received by the reader device. The D2R command response may include the local ID (e.g., the AS ID) . At 580, the reader device may transmit a command response associated with the D2R command response, which may be received by the A-IoT controller.
[0129] FIG. 6 shows an example of a process flow 600 that supports device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Some steps may be performed in a different order than described or may not be performed at all. In some implementations, steps may include additional features not mentioned below, or further steps may be added. Further, although example devices / entities are shown performing the operations of the process flow 600, some aspects of some operations also may be performed by one or more other devices / entities without exceeding the scope of the present disclosure. For example, any of the described / illustrated signaling may be performed by any one or more of an A-IoT device, a reader device, and / or a controller device (e.g., an A-IoT controller) .
[0130] In some aspects, an A-IoT device and / or an A-IoT controller (e.g., A-IoTF) may be provisioned with a permanent device ID (e.g., EPC ID or a network, such as 3GPP, defined ID) during an onboarding process. For example, at 605-a and 605-b, an A-IoT device, an A-IoT controller, or both, may each be provisioned with a permanent ID (e.g., a permanent ID of the A-IoT device) . In some aspects, each A-IoT device may be provisioned with a respective permanent (or static) ID.
[0131] At 610, the A-IoT controller (e.g., A-IoTF) may transmit an inventory request associated with the A-IoT device, which may be received by a reader device. The inventory request may include one or more filter criteria and a device ID. At 615, the reader device may transmit an R2D inventory request (e.g., forward the inventory request received from the A-IoT controller) , which may be received by the A-IoT device. At 620, the A-IoT device may match the filter criteria and device ID included in the R2D inventory request (e.g., match the mask) and may initiate A-IoT access. That is, the A-IoT device may correspond to one or more of the filter criteria, device ID, or both.
[0132] At 625, the A-IoT device may transmit a first A-IoT message, which may be received by the reader device. The first A-IoT message may include a first random number (e.g., to avoid a contention with other A-IoT devices) . At 630, the reader device may transmit, and the A-IoT device may receive, a second A-IoT message that includes a second random number. In some examples, the second random number may be based on the first random number (e.g., the reader device may generate the second random number using, or in accordance with, the first random number) .
[0133] At 635, the A-IoT device may transmit a D2R inventory response including the second random number and a corresponding permanent ID, which may be received by the reader device. At 640, the reader device may store the mapping between the second random number and the permanent ID.
[0134] At 645, the reader device may transmit an inventory response, which may be received by the A-IoT controller. In some examples, the inventory response may include an indication of the permanent ID and a reader ID of the reader device. At 650, the A-IoT controller may store the mapping between the permanent ID and reader ID based on receiving the inventory response.
[0135] At 655, the A-IoT controller may transmit a command request that indicates the permanent ID, which may be received by the reader device. At 660, the reader device may determine (e.g., generate, calculate, identify, select, compute, or otherwise ascertain) a local ID (e.g., an AS ID) to be used for communication between the A-IoT device and the reader device. For example, the AS ID may be used for air interface communications between the A-IoT device and the reader device. In some examples, the reader device may determine the local ID based on the command request. At 665, the reader device may transmit an R2D command request, which may be received by the A-IoT device. The R2D command request may include the local ID (e.g., the AS ID) .
[0136] At 670, the A-IoT device may check if the local ID is still valid. If the local ID is valid, at 675, the A-IoT device may transmit a D2R command response, which may be received by the reader device. The D2R command response may include the local ID (e.g., the AS ID) . At 680, the reader device may transmit a command response associated with the D2R command response, which may be received by the A-IoT controller.
[0137] FIG. 7 shows an example of a process flow 700 that supports device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Some steps may be performed in a different order than described or may not be performed at all. In some implementations, steps may include additional features not mentioned below, or further steps may be added. Further, although example devices / entities are shown performing the operations of the process flow 700, some aspects of some operations also may be performed by one or more other devices / entities without exceeding the scope of the present disclosure. For example, any of the described / illustrated signaling may be performed by any one or more of an A-IoT device, a reader device, and / or a controller device (e.g., an A-IoT controller) .
[0138] In some aspects, an A-IoT device and / or an A-IoT controller (e.g., A-IoTF) may be provisioned with a permanent device ID (e.g., EPC ID or a network, such as 3GPP, defined ID) during an onboarding process. For example, at 705-a and 705-b, an A-IoT device, an A-IoT controller, or both, may each be provisioned with a permanent ID (e.g., a permanent ID of the A-IoT device) . In some aspects, each A-IoT device may be provisioned with a respective permanent (or static) ID. In some examples, the A-IoT controller may may determine (e.g., generate, calculate, identify, select, compute, or otherwise ascertain) a first local ID (e.g., a temporary ID) to be used for communication between the A-IoT device and the reader device.
[0139] At 710, the A-IoT controller (e.g., A-IoTF) may transmit an inventory request associated with the A-IoT device, which may be received by a reader device. The inventory request may include one or more filter criteria, a device ID, the first local ID (e.g., the temporary ID) , and the permanent ID. In some examples, the A-IoT controller may indicate the first local ID in another message separate from the inventory request. At 715, the reader device may store the mapping between the temporary ID and the permanent ID.
[0140] At 720, the reader device may transmit an R2D inventory request (e.g., forward the inventory request received from the A-IoT controller) , which may be received by the A-IoT device. The R2D inventory request may include the one or more filter criteria and the first local ID. At 725, the A-IoT device may match the filter criteria and first local ID included in the R2D inventory request (e.g., match the mask) and may initiate A-IoT access. That is, the A-IoT device may correspond to one or more of the filter criteria, temporary ID, or both.
[0141] At 730, the A-IoT device may transmit a first A-IoT message, which may be received by the reader device. The first A-IoT message may include a first random number (e.g., to avoid a contention with other A-IoT devices) . At 735, the reader device may determine (e.g., generate, calculate, identify, select, compute, or otherwise ascertain) a second local ID (e.g., an AS ID) to be used for communication between the A-IoT device and the reader device. For example, the AS ID may be used for air interface communications between the A-IoT device and the reader device. In some examples, the reader device may determine the second local ID based on the first A-IoT message. The reader device may store the mapping between the first local ID (e.g., the temporary ID) and the second local ID (e.g., the AS ID) .
[0142] At 740, the reader device may transmit a second A-IoT message that indicates the second local ID (e.g., the AS ID) , which may be received by the A-IoT device. At 745, the A-IoT device may transmit a D2R inventory response including the second local ID and a corresponding permanent ID, which may be received by the reader device.
[0143] At 750, the reader device may transmit an inventory response, which may be received by the A-IoT controller. In some examples, the inventory response may include an indication of the permanent ID and a reader ID of the reader device. At 755, the A-IoT controller may store the mapping between the permanent ID, the reader ID, and the first local ID (e.g., the temporary ID) based on receiving the inventory response.
[0144] At 760, the A-IoT controller may transmit a command request that indicates one or both of the first local ID (e.g., the temporary ID) and the permanent ID, which may be received by the reader device. At 765, the reader device may transmit an R2D command request, which may be received by the A-IoT device. The R2D command request may include the second local ID (e.g., the AS ID) .
[0145] At 770, the A-IoT device may check if the second local ID is still valid. If the second local ID is valid, at 775, the A-IoT device may transmit a D2R command response, which may be received by the reader device. At 780, the reader device may transmit a command response associated with the D2R command response, which may be received by the A-IoT controller.
[0146] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram 800 of a device 805 that supports device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 805 may be an example of aspects of a UE 115 or a network entity 105 as described herein. The device 805 may include a receiver 810, a transmitter 815, and a communications manager 820. The device 805, or one or more components of the device 805 (e.g., the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, the communications manager 820) , may include at least one processor, which may be coupled with at least one memory, to, individually or collectively, support or enable the described techniques. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .
[0147] The receiver 810 may provide a means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments) . Information may be passed on to other components of the device 805. The receiver 810 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
[0148] The transmitter 815 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 805. For example, the transmitter 815 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments) . In some examples, the transmitter 815 may be co-located with a receiver 810 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 815 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
[0149] The communications manager 820, the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or various combinations or components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments as described herein. For example, the communications manager 820, the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or various combinations or components thereof may be capable of performing one or more of the functions described herein.
[0150] In some examples, the communications manager 820, the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry) . The hardware may include at least one of a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP) , a central processing unit (CPU) , an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting, individually or collectively, a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, at least one processor and at least one memory coupled with the at least one processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by one or more processors, individually or collectively, executing instructions stored in the at least one memory) .
[0151] Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager 820, the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e.g., as communications management software) executed by at least one processor (e.g., referred to as a processor-executable code) . If implemented in code executed by at least one processor, the functions of the communications manager 820, the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting, individually or collectively, a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure) .
[0152] In some examples, the communications manager 820 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or both. For example, the communications manager 820 may receive information from the receiver 810, send information to the transmitter 815, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
[0153] The communications manager 820 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 820 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for generating a local identifier associated with an ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of ambient internet of things (IoT) communication. The communications manager 820 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to a second wireless entity, a first message including one or both of an indication of a static identifier associated with the ambient energy device or an indication of the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device. The communications manager 820 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0154] Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager 820 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 820 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from a second wireless entity, a first message including an indication of a static identifier associated with an ambient energy device and including an indication of a local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of ambient internet of things (IoT) communication. The communications manager 820 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0155] By including or configuring the communications manager 820 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 805 (e.g., at least one processor controlling or otherwise coupled with the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, the communications manager 820, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for reduced processing, reduced power consumption, and more efficient utilization of communication resources.
[0156] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram 900 of a device 905 that supports device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 905 may be an example of aspects of a device 805, a UE 115, or a network entity 105 as described herein. The device 905 may include a receiver 910, a transmitter 915, and a communications manager 920. The device 905, or one or more components of the device 905 (e.g., the receiver 910, the transmitter 915, the communications manager 920) , may include at least one processor, which may be coupled with at least one memory, to support the described techniques. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .
[0157] The receiver 910 may provide a means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments) . Information may be passed on to other components of the device 905. The receiver 910 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
[0158] The transmitter 915 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 905. For example, the transmitter 915 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments) . In some examples, the transmitter 915 may be co-located with a receiver 910 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 915 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
[0159] The device 905, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments as described herein. For example, the communications manager 920 may include a local identifier component 925 a messaging component 930, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 920 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 820 as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 920, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 910, the transmitter 915, or both. For example, the communications manager 920 may receive information from the receiver 910, send information to the transmitter 915, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 910, the transmitter 915, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
[0160] The communications manager 920 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The local identifier component 925 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for generating a local identifier associated with an ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of ambient internet of things (IoT) communication. The messaging component 930 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to a second wireless entity, a first message including one or both of an indication of a static identifier associated with the ambient energy device or an indication of the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device. The messaging component 930 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0161] Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager 920 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The local identifier component 925 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from a second wireless entity, a first message including an indication of a static identifier associated with an ambient energy device and including an indication of a local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of ambient internet of things (IoT) communication. The messaging component 930 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0162] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram 1000 of a communications manager 1020 that supports device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The communications manager 1020 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 820, a communications manager 920, or both, as described herein. The communications manager 1020, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1020 may include a local identifier component 1025, a messaging component 1030, a storage component 1035, or any combination thereof. Each of these components, or components or subcomponents thereof (e.g., one or more processors, one or more memories) , may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) . The communications may include communications within a protocol layer of a protocol stack, communications associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack, within a device, component, or virtualized component associated with a network entity 105, between devices, components, or virtualized components associated with a network entity 105) , or any combination thereof.
[0163] The communications manager 1020 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The local identifier component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for generating a local identifier associated with an ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of A-IoT communication. The messaging component 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to a second wireless entity, a first message including one or both of an indication of a static identifier associated with the ambient energy device or an indication of the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device. In some examples, the messaging component 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0164] In some examples, the storage component 1035 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for storing a mapping between the local identifier and the static identifier in association with generating the local identifier, where transmitting the first message is in association with storing the mapping.
[0165] In some examples, the mapping is between the local identifier, the static identifier, and an identifier associated with a reader device.
[0166] In some examples, to support communicating the one or more second messages, the messaging component 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from a reader device, a command request message (a first signaling message) including one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device. In some examples, to support communicating the one or more second messages, the messaging component 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to the reader device, a command response message (a second signaling message) associated with the command request message in accordance with the local identifier still being valid, where the first wireless entity includes the ambient energy device.
[0167] In some examples, to support communicating the one or more second messages, the messaging component 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from a controller device, a first command request message (a first signaling message) including one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device. In some examples, to support communicating the one or more second messages, the messaging component 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to the ambient energy device, a second command request message (a second signaling message) including one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the second command request message is a relayed version of the first command request message, where the first wireless entity includes a reader device.
[0168] In some examples, to support communicating the one or more second messages, the messaging component 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to a reader device, a command request message (a signaling message) including one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, and where the command request message is to be relayed to the ambient energy device in association with the command request message including one or both of the indication of the local identifier or the indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the first wireless entity includes a controller device.
[0169] In some examples, the local identifier component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving an indication of the static identifier or a local identifier derivation function, where generating the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device is based on the static identifier or the local identifier derivation function.
[0170] In some examples, to support generating the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, the local identifier component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for generating the local identifier as a random number. In some examples, to support generating the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, the local identifier component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for generating the local identifier in accordance with a local identifier derivation function. In some examples, to support generating the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, the local identifier component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for selecting the local identifier from a set of multiple local identifiers. In some examples, to support generating the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, the local identifier component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for generating the local identifier based on the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0171] In some examples, the local identifier component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for generating one or more local identifiers associated with one or more ambient energy devices, including the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, per ambient energy device, per reader device, per session, per transaction, per message, or any combination thereof.
[0172] In some examples, the local identifier component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for generating the local identifier, updating the local identifier, or transmitting a message indicative of the local identifier or an updated local identifier in accordance with the ambient energy device powering on, in accordance with the ambient energy device satisfying a threshold energy level, in accordance with detecting or associating with a reader device or a controller device, in accordance with a message being received, in accordance with a previously generated local identifier expiring, in accordance with receiving a request to generate, update, or indicate the local identifier, or any combination thereof.
[0173] In some examples, the local identifier component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving an indication that a second ambient energy device is associated with a same local identifier as the local identifier generated for the ambient energy device. In some examples, the local identifier component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for generating an updated local identifier associated with the ambient energy device in association with receiving the indication that the second ambient energy device is associated with the same local identifier. In some examples, the messaging component 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting a third message including an indication of the updated local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0174] In some examples, the local identifier component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for releasing the local identifier in accordance with the ambient energy device powering off, in accordance with the ambient energy device failing to satisfy a threshold energy level, in accordance with a threshold amount of time elapsing after generating the local identifier, in accordance with one or more radio conditions failing to satisfy one or more threshold conditions, in accordance with transmitting or receiving a request to release the local identifier, or any combination thereof.
[0175] In some examples, the ambient energy device is an ambient IoT device that is capable of harvesting radio frequency (RF) energy to power the ambient energy device or that uses an energy storage to communicate with a reader device, or both. In some examples, the local identifier is a temporary identifier based on the first wireless entity including (or being) a controller device, and the local identifier is an identifier associated with an air interface between the first wireless entity and the second wireless entity based on the first wireless entity including (or being) a reader device.
[0176] Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager 1020 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, the local identifier component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from a second wireless entity, a first message including an indication of a static identifier associated with an ambient energy device and including an indication of a local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of A-IoT communication. In some examples, the messaging component 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0177] In some examples, the storage component 1035 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for storing a mapping between the local identifier and the static identifier in association with receiving the first message, where communicating the one or more second messages is in association with storing the mapping. In some examples, the mapping is between the local identifier, the static identifier, and an identifier associated with a reader device.
[0178] In some examples, to support communicating the one or more second messages, the messaging component 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from a reader device, a command request message (a first signaling message) including one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device. In some examples, to support communicating the one or more second messages, the messaging component 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to the reader device, a command response message (a second signaling message) associated with the command request message in accordance with the local identifier still being valid, where the first wireless entity includes the ambient energy device.
[0179] In some examples, to support communicating the one or more second messages, the messaging component 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from a controller device, a first command request message (a first signaling message) including one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device. In some examples, to support communicating the one or more second messages, the messaging component 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to the ambient energy device, a second command request message (a second signaling message) including one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the second command request message is a relayed version of the first command request message, where the first wireless entity includes a reader device.
[0180] In some examples, to support communicating the one or more second messages, the messaging component 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to a reader device, a command request message (a signaling message) including one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, and where the command request message is to be relayed to the ambient energy device in association with the command request message including one or both of the indication of the local identifier or the indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the first wireless entity includes a controller device.
[0181] In some examples, the local identifier component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to the second wireless entity, an indication of the static identifier or a local identifier derivation function, where the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device is based on the static identifier or the local identifier derivation function.
[0182] In some examples, the local identifier component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a message indicative of the local identifier or an updated local identifier in accordance with the ambient energy device powering on, in accordance with the ambient energy device satisfying a threshold energy level, in accordance with detecting or associating with a reader device or a controller device, in accordance with a message being received, in accordance with a previously generated local identifier expiring, in accordance with transmitting a request to generate, update, or indicate the local identifier, or any combination thereof.
[0183] In some examples, the local identifier component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to the second wireless entity, an indication that a second ambient energy device is associated with a same local identifier as the local identifier generated for the ambient energy device. In some examples, the messaging component 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a third message including an indication of an updated local identifier associated with the ambient energy device in association with transmitting the indication that the second ambient energy device is associated with the same local identifier.
[0184] In some examples, the local identifier component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for releasing the local identifier in accordance with the ambient energy device powering off, in accordance with the ambient energy device failing to satisfy a threshold energy level, in accordance with a threshold amount of time elapsing after a generation of the local identifier, in accordance with one or more radio conditions failing to satisfy one or more threshold conditions, in accordance with transmitting or receiving a request to release the local identifier, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the ambient energy device is an ambient IoT device that is capable of harvesting radio frequency (RF) energy to power the ambient energy device or that uses an energy storage to communicate with a reader device, or both. In some examples, the local identifier is a temporary identifier based on the first wireless entity including (or being) a controller device, and the local identifier is an identifier associated with an air interface between the first wireless entity and the second wireless entity based on the first wireless entity including (or being) a reader device.
[0185] FIG. 11 shows a diagram of a system 1100 including a device 1105 that supports device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1105 may be an example of or include components of a device 805, a device 905, or a UE 115 as described herein. The device 1105 may communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with one or more other devices (e.g., network entities 105, UEs 115, or a combination thereof) . The device 1105 may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communications manager 1120, an input / output (I / O) controller, such as an I / O controller 1110, a transceiver 1115, one or more antennas 1125, at least one memory 1130, code 1135, and at least one processor 1140. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 1145) .
[0186] The I / O controller 1110 may manage input and output signals for the device 1105. The I / O controller 1110 may also manage peripherals not integrated into the device 1105. In some cases, the I / O controller 1110 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral. In some cases, the I / O controller 1110 may utilize an operating system such as or another known operating system. Additionally, or alternatively, the I / O controller 1110 may represent or interact with a modem, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, or a similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 1110 may be implemented as part of one or more processors, such as the at least one processor 1140. In some cases, a user may interact with the device 1105 via the I / O controller 1110 or via hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 1110.
[0187] In some cases, the device 1105 may include a single antenna. However, in some other cases, the device 1105 may have more than one antenna, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 1115 may communicate bi-directionally via the one or more antennas 1125 using wired or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 1115 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1115 may also include a modem to modulate the packets, to provide the modulated packets to one or more antennas 1125 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one or more antennas 1125. The transceiver 1115, or the transceiver 1115 and one or more antennas 1125, may be an example of a transmitter 815, a transmitter 915, a receiver 810, a receiver 910, or any combination thereof or component thereof, as described herein.
[0188] The at least one memory 1130 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM) . The at least one memory 1130 may store computer-readable, computer-executable, or processor-executable code, such as the code 1135. The code 1135 may include instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 1140, cause the device 1105 to perform various functions described herein. The code 1135 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 1135 may not be directly executable by the at least one processor 1140 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the at least one memory 1130 may include, among other things, a basic I / O system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.
[0189] The at least one processor 1140 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices (e.g., one or more general-purpose processors, one or more DSPs, one or more CPUs, one or more graphics processing units (GPUs) , one or more neural processing units (NPUs) (also referred to as neural network processors or deep learning processors (DLPs) ) , one or more microcontrollers, one or more ASICs, one or more FPGAs, one or more programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, one or more discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof) . In some cases, the at least one processor 1140 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into the at least one processor 1140. The at least one processor 1140 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the at least one memory 1130) to cause the device 1105 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments) . For example, the device 1105 or a component of the device 1105 may include at least one processor 1140 and at least one memory 1130 coupled with or to the at least one processor 1140, the at least one processor 1140 and the at least one memory 1130 configured to perform various functions described herein.
[0190] In some examples, the at least one processor 1140 may include multiple processors and the at least one memory 1130 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories, which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions described herein. In some examples, the at least one processor 1140 may be a component of a processing system, which may refer to a system (such as a series) of machines, circuitry (including, for example, one or both of processor circuitry (which may include the at least one processor 1140) and memory circuitry (which may include the at least one memory 1130) ) , or components, that receives or obtains inputs and processes the inputs to produce, generate, or obtain a set of outputs. The processing system may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein. For example, the at least one processor 1140 or a processing system including the at least one processor 1140 may be configured to, configurable to, or operable to cause the device 1105 to perform one or more of the functions described herein. Further, as described herein, being “configured to, ” being “configurable to, ” and being “operable to”may be used interchangeably and may be associated with a capability, when executing code 1135 (e.g., processor-executable code) stored in the at least one memory 1130 or otherwise, to perform one or more of the functions described herein.
[0191] The communications manager 1120 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1120 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for generating a local identifier associated with an ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of A-IoT communication. The communications manager 1120 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to a second wireless entity, a first message including one or both of an indication of a static identifier associated with the ambient energy device or an indication of the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device. The communications manager 1120 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0192] Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager 1120 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1120 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from a second wireless entity, a first message including an indication of a static identifier associated with an ambient energy device and including an indication of a local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of A-IoT communication. The communications manager 1120 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0193] By including or configuring the communications manager 1120 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 1105 may support techniques for improved communication reliability, reduced latency, improved user experience related to reduced processing, reduced power consumption, more efficient utilization of communication resources, improved coordination between devices, longer battery life, and improved utilization of processing capability.
[0194] In some examples, the communications manager 1120 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the transceiver 1115, the one or more antennas 1125, or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 1120 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 1120 may be supported by or performed by the at least one processor 1140, the at least one memory 1130, the code 1135, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 1135 may include instructions executable by the at least one processor 1140 to cause the device 1105 to perform various aspects of device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments as described herein, or the at least one processor 1140 and the at least one memory 1130 may be otherwise configured to, individually or collectively, perform or support such operations.
[0195] FIG. 12 shows a diagram of a system 1200 including a device 1205 that supports device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1205 may be an example of or include components of a device 805, a device 905, or a network entity 105 as described herein. The device 1205 may communicate with other network devices or network equipment such as one or more of the network entities 105, UEs 115, or any combination thereof. The communications may include communications over one or more wired interfaces, over one or more wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. The device 1205 may include components that support outputting and obtaining communications, such as a communications manager 1220, a transceiver 1210, one or more antennas 1215, at least one memory 1225, code 1230, and at least one processor 1235. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 1240) .
[0196] The transceiver 1210 may support bi-directional communications via wired links, wireless links, or both as described herein. In some examples, the transceiver 1210 may include a wired transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wired transceiver. Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, the transceiver 1210 may include a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. In some examples, the device 1205 may include one or more antennas 1215, which may be capable of transmitting or receiving wireless transmissions (e.g., concurrently) . The transceiver 1210 may also include a modem to modulate signals, to provide the modulated signals for transmission (e.g., by one or more antennas 1215, by a wired transmitter) , to receive modulated signals (e.g., from one or more antennas 1215, from a wired receiver) , and to demodulate signals. In some implementations, the transceiver 1210 may include one or more interfaces, such as one or more interfaces coupled with the one or more antennas 1215 that are configured to support various receiving or obtaining operations, or one or more interfaces coupled with the one or more antennas 1215 that are configured to support various transmitting or outputting operations, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 1210 may include or be configured for coupling with one or more processors or one or more memory components that are operable to perform or support operations based on received or obtained information or signals, or to generate information or other signals for transmission or other outputting, or any combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 1210, or the transceiver 1210 and the one or more antennas 1215, or the transceiver 1210 and the one or more antennas 1215 and one or more processors or one or more memory components (e.g., the at least one processor 1235, the at least one memory 1225, or both) , may be included in a chip or chip assembly that is installed in the device 1205. In some examples, the transceiver 1210 may be operable to support communications via one or more communications links (e.g., communication link (s) 125, backhaul communication link (s) 120, a midhaul communication link 162, a fronthaul communication link 168) .
[0197] The at least one memory 1225 may include RAM, ROM, or any combination thereof. The at least one memory 1225 may store computer-readable, computer-executable, or processor-executable code, such as the code 1230. The code 1230 may include instructions that, when executed by one or more of the at least one processor 1235, cause the device 1205 to perform various functions described herein. The code 1230 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 1230 may not be directly executable by a processor of the at least one processor 1235 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the at least one memory 1225 may include, among other things, a BIOS which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices. In some examples, the at least one processor 1235 may include multiple processors and the at least one memory 1225 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions herein (for example, as part of a processing system) .
[0198] The at least one processor 1235 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices (e.g., one or more general-purpose processors, one or more DSPs, one or more CPUs, one or more GPUs, one or more NPUs (also referred to as neural network processors or deep learning processors (DLPs) ) , one or more microcontrollers, one or more ASICs, one or more FPGAs, one or more programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, one or more discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof) . In some cases, the at least one processor 1235 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into one or more of the at least one processor 1235. The at least one processor 1235 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., one or more of the at least one memory 1225) to cause the device 1205 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments) . For example, the device 1205 or a component of the device 1205 may include at least one processor 1235 and at least one memory 1225 coupled with one or more of the at least one processor 1235, the at least one processor 1235 and the at least one memory 1225 configured to perform various functions described herein. The at least one processor 1235 may be an example of a cloud-computing platform (e.g., one or more physical nodes and supporting software such as operating systems, virtual machines, or container instances) that may host the functions (e.g., by executing code 1230) to perform the functions of the device 1205. The at least one processor 1235 may be any one or more suitable processors capable of executing scripts or instructions of one or more software programs stored in the device 1205 (such as within one or more of the at least one memory 1225) .
[0199] In some examples, the at least one processor 1235 may include multiple processors and the at least one memory 1225 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories, which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions herein. In some examples, the at least one processor 1235 may be a component of a processing system, which may refer to a system (such as a series) of machines, circuitry (including, for example, one or both of processor circuitry (which may include the at least one processor 1235) and memory circuitry (which may include the at least one memory 1225) ) , or components, that receives or obtains inputs and processes the inputs to produce, generate, or obtain a set of outputs. The processing system may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein. For example, the at least one processor 1235 or a processing system including the at least one processor 1235 may be configured to, configurable to, or operable to cause the device 1205 to perform one or more of the functions described herein. Further, as described herein, being “configured to, ” being “configurable to, ” and being “operable to”may be used interchangeably and may be associated with a capability, when executing code stored in the at least one memory 1225 or otherwise, to perform one or more of the functions described herein.
[0200] In some examples, a bus 1240 may support communications of (e.g., within) a protocol layer of a protocol stack. In some examples, a bus 1240 may support communications associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack) , which may include communications performed within a component of the device 1205, or between different components of the device 1205 that may be co-located or located in different locations (e.g., where the device 1205 may refer to a system in which one or more of the communications manager 1220, the transceiver 1210, the at least one memory 1225, the code 1230, and the at least one processor 1235 may be located in one of the different components or divided between different components) .
[0201] In some examples, the communications manager 1220 may manage aspects of communications with a core network 130 (e.g., via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links) . For example, the communications manager 1220 may manage the transfer of data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115. In some examples, the communications manager 1220 may manage communications with one or more other network entities 105, and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with UEs 115 (e.g., in cooperation with the one or more other network devices) . In some examples, the communications manager 1220 may support an X2 interface within an LTE / LTE-A wireless communications network technology to provide communication between network entities 105.
[0202] The communications manager 1220 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1220 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for generating a local identifier associated with an ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of A-IoT communication. The communications manager 1220 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to a second wireless entity, a first message including one or both of an indication of a static identifier associated with the ambient energy device or an indication of the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device. The communications manager 1220 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0203] Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager 1220 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1220 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from a second wireless entity, a first message including an indication of a static identifier associated with an ambient energy device and including an indication of a local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of A-IoT communication. The communications manager 1220 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0204] By including or configuring the communications manager 1220 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 1205 may support techniques for improved communication reliability, reduced latency, improved user experience related to reduced processing, reduced power consumption, more efficient utilization of communication resources, improved coordination between devices, longer battery life, and improved utilization of processing capability.
[0205] In some examples, the communications manager 1220 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the transceiver 1210, the one or more antennas 1215 (e.g., where applicable) , or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 1220 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 1220 may be supported by or performed by the transceiver 1210, one or more of the at least one processor 1235, one or more of the at least one memory 1225, the code 1230, or any combination thereof (for example, by a processing system including at least a portion of the at least one processor 1235, the at least one memory 1225, the code 1230, or any combination thereof) . For example, the code 1230 may include instructions executable by one or more of the at least one processor 1235 to cause the device 1205 to perform various aspects of device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments as described herein, or the at least one processor 1235 and the at least one memory 1225 may be otherwise configured to, individually or collectively, perform or support such operations.
[0206] FIG. 13 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1300 that supports device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1300 may be implemented by a UE or a network entity or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1300 may be performed by a UE 115 or a network entity as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 12. In some examples, a UE or a network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE or the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE or the network entity may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.
[0207] At 1305, the method may include generating a local identifier associated with an ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of A-IoT communication. The operations of 1305 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1305 may be performed by a local identifier component 1025 as described with reference to FIG. 10.
[0208] At 1310, the method may include transmitting, to a second wireless entity, a first message including one or both of an indication of a static identifier associated with the ambient energy device or an indication of the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device. The operations of 1310 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1310 may be performed by a messaging component 1030 as described with reference to FIG. 10.
[0209] At 1315, the method may include communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device. The operations of 1315 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1315 may be performed by a messaging component 1030 as described with reference to FIG. 10.
[0210] FIG. 14 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1400 that supports device identification for communication with a reader in A-IoT deployments in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1400 may be implemented by a UE or a network entity or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1400 may be performed by a UE 115 or a network entity as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 12. In some examples, a UE or a network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE or the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE or the network entity may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.
[0211] At 1405, the method may include receiving, from a second wireless entity, a first message including an indication of a static identifier associated with an ambient energy device and including an indication of a local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, where the ambient energy device is a device capable of A-IoT communication. The operations of 1405 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1405 may be performed by a local identifier component 1025 as described with reference to FIG. 10.
[0212] At 1410, the method may include communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device. The operations of 1410 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1410 may be performed by a messaging component 1030 as described with reference to FIG. 10.
[0213] The following provides an overview of aspects of the present disclosure:
[0214] Aspect 1: A method for wireless communication at a first wireless entity, comprising: generating a local identifier associated with an ambient energy device, wherein the ambient energy device is a device capable of ambient internet of things (IoT) communication; transmitting, to a second wireless entity, a first message comprising one or both of an indication of a static identifier associated with the ambient energy device or an indication of the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device; and communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0215] Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1, further comprising: storing a mapping between the local identifier and the static identifier in association with generating the local identifier, wherein transmitting the first message is in association with storing the mapping.
[0216] Aspect 3: The method of aspect 2, wherein the mapping is between the local identifier, the static identifier, and an identifier associated with a reader device.
[0217] Aspect 4: The method of any of aspects 1 through 3, wherein communicating the one or more second messages comprises: receiving, from a reader device, a first signaling message comprising one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device; and transmitting, to the reader device, a second signaling message associated with the first signaling message in accordance with the local identifier still being valid, wherein the first wireless entity comprises the ambient energy device.
[0218] Aspect 5: The method of any of aspects 1 through 4, wherein communicating the one or more second messages comprises: receiving, from a controller device, a first signaling message comprising one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device; and transmitting, to the ambient energy device, a second signaling message comprising one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, wherein the second signaling message is a relayed version of the first signaling message, wherein the first wireless entity comprises a reader device.
[0219] Aspect 6: The method of any of aspects 1 through 5, wherein communicating the one or more second messages comprises: transmitting, to a reader device, a signaling message comprising one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, and wherein the signaling message is to be relayed to the ambient energy device in association with the signaling message comprising one or both of the indication of the local identifier or the indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, wherein the first wireless entity comprises a controller device.
[0220] Aspect 7: The method of any of aspects 1 through 6, further comprising: receiving an indication of the static identifier or a local identifier derivation function, wherein generating the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device is based at least in part on the static identifier or the local identifier derivation function.
[0221] Aspect 8: The method of any of aspects 1 through 7, wherein generating the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device comprises: generating the local identifier as a random number; generating the local identifier in accordance with a local identifier derivation function; selecting the local identifier from a plurality of local identifiers; or generating the local identifier based at least in part on the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0222] Aspect 9: The method of any of aspects 1 through 8, further comprising: generating one or more local identifiers associated with one or more ambient energy devices, including the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, per ambient energy device, per reader device, per session, per transaction, per message, or any combination thereof.
[0223] Aspect 10: The method of any of aspects 1 through 9, further comprising: generating the local identifier, updating the local identifier, or transmitting a message indicative of the local identifier or an updated local identifier in accordance with the ambient energy device powering on, in accordance with the ambient energy device satisfying a threshold energy level, in accordance with detecting or associating with a reader device or a controller device, in accordance with a message being received, in accordance with a previously generated local identifier expiring, in accordance with receiving a request to generate, update, or indicate the local identifier, or any combination thereof.
[0224] Aspect 11: The method of any of aspects 1 through 10, further comprising: receiving an indication that a second ambient energy device is associated with a same local identifier as the local identifier generated for the ambient energy device; generating an updated local identifier associated with the ambient energy device in association with receiving the indication that the second ambient energy device is associated with the same local identifier; and transmitting a third message comprising an indication of the updated local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0225] Aspect 12: The method of any of aspects 1 through 11, further comprising: releasing the local identifier in accordance with the ambient energy device powering off, in accordance with the ambient energy device failing to satisfy a threshold energy level, in accordance with a threshold amount of time elapsing after generating the local identifier, in accordance with one or more radio conditions failing to satisfy one or more threshold conditions, in accordance with transmitting or receiving a request to release the local identifier, or any combination thereof.
[0226] Aspect 13: The method of any of aspects 1 through 12, wherein the ambient energy device is an ambient IoT device that is capable of harvesting radio frequency (RF) energy to power the ambient energy device or that uses an energy storage to communicate with a reader device.
[0227] Aspect 14: The method of any of aspects 1 through 13, wherein the local identifier is a temporary identifier based at least in part on the first wireless entity comprising a controller device, and wherein the local identifier is an identifier associated with an air interface between the first wireless entity and the second wireless entity based at least in part on the first wireless entity comprising a reader device.
[0228] Aspect 15: A method for wireless communication at a first wireless entity, comprising: receiving, from a second wireless entity, a first message comprising an indication of a static identifier associated with an ambient energy device and comprising an indication of a local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, wherein the ambient energy device is a device capable of ambient internet of things (IoT) communication; and communicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
[0229] Aspect 16: The method of aspect 15, further comprising: storing a mapping between the local identifier and the static identifier in association with receiving the first message, wherein communicating the one or more second messages is in association with storing the mapping.
[0230] Aspect 17: The method of aspect 16, wherein the mapping is between the local identifier, the static identifier, and an identifier associated with a reader device.
[0231] Aspect 18: The method of any of aspects 15 through 17, wherein communicating the one or more second messages comprises: receiving, from a reader device, a first signaling message comprising one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device; and transmitting, to the reader device, a second signaling message associated with the first signaling message in accordance with the local identifier still being valid, wherein the first wireless entity comprises the ambient energy device.
[0232] Aspect 19: The method of any of aspects 15 through 18, wherein communicating the one or more second messages comprises: receiving, from a controller device, a first signaling message comprising one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device; and transmitting, to the ambient energy device, a second signaling message comprising one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, wherein the second signaling message is a relayed version of the first signaling message, wherein the first wireless entity comprises a reader device.
[0233] Aspect 20: The method of any of aspects 15 through 19, wherein communicating the one or more second messages comprises: transmitting, to a reader device, a signaling message comprising one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, and wherein the signaling message is to be relayed to the ambient energy device in association with the signaling message comprising one or both of the indication of the local identifier or the indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, wherein the first wireless entity comprises a controller device.
[0234] Aspect 21: The method of any of aspects 15 through 20, further comprising: transmitting, to the second wireless entity, an indication of the static identifier or a local identifier derivation function, wherein the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device is based at least in part on the static identifier or the local identifier derivation function.
[0235] Aspect 22: The method of any of aspects 15 through 21, further comprising: receiving a message indicative of the local identifier or an updated local identifier in accordance with the ambient energy device powering on, in accordance with the ambient energy device satisfying a threshold energy level, in accordance with detecting or associating with a reader device or a controller device, in accordance with a message being received, in accordance with a previously generated local identifier expiring, in accordance with transmitting a request to generate, update, or indicate the local identifier, or any combination thereof.
[0236] Aspect 23: The method of any of aspects 15 through 22, further comprising: transmitting, to the second wireless entity, an indication that a second ambient energy device is associated with a same local identifier as the local identifier generated for the ambient energy device; and receiving a third message comprising an indication of an updated local identifier associated with the ambient energy device in association with transmitting the indication that the second ambient energy device is associated with the same local identifier.
[0237] Aspect 24: The method of any of aspects 15 through 23, further comprising: releasing the local identifier in accordance with the ambient energy device powering off, in accordance with the ambient energy device failing to satisfy a threshold energy level, in accordance with a threshold amount of time elapsing after a generation of the local identifier, in accordance with one or more radio conditions failing to satisfy one or more threshold conditions, in accordance with transmitting or receiving a request to release the local identifier, or any combination thereof.
[0238] Aspect 25: The method of any of aspects 15 through 24, wherein the ambient energy device is an ambient IoT device that is capable of harvesting radio frequency (RF) energy to power the ambient energy device or that uses an energy storage to communicate with a reader device.
[0239] Aspect 26: The method of any of aspects 15 through 25, wherein the local identifier is a temporary identifier based at least in part on the first wireless entity comprising a controller device, and wherein the local identifier is an identifier associated with an air interface between the first wireless entity and the second wireless entity based at least in part on the first wireless entity comprising a reader device.
[0240] Aspect 27: A first wireless entity for wireless communication, comprising one or more memories storing processor-executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to perform a method of any of aspects 1 through 14.
[0241] Aspect 28: A first wireless entity for wireless communication, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 1 through 14.
[0242] Aspect 29: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to perform a method of any of aspects 1 through 14.
[0243] Aspect 30: A first wireless entity for wireless communication, comprising one or more memories storing processor-executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to perform a method of any of aspects 15 through 26.
[0244] Aspect 31: A first wireless entity for wireless communication, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 15 through 26.
[0245] Aspect 32: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to perform a method of any of aspects 15 through 26.
[0246] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations. The operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and other implementations are possible. Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.
[0247] Although aspects of an LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR system may be described for purposes of example, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used in much of the description, the techniques described herein are applicable beyond LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the described techniques may be applicable to various other wireless communications systems such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) , Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi) , IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) , IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, as well as other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.
[0248] Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.
[0249] The various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, a GPU, an NPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor but, in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration) . Any functions or operations described herein as being capable of being performed by a processor may be performed by multiple processors that, individually or collectively, are capable of performing the described functions or operations.
[0250] The functions described herein may be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor, or any combination thereof. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, or functions, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. If implemented using software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored as or transmitted using one or more instructions or code of a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.
[0251] Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one location to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) , flash memory, phase change memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) , or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD) , floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc. Disks may reproduce data magnetically, and discs may reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media. Any functions or operations described herein as being capable of being performed by a memory may be performed by multiple memories that, individually or collectively, are capable of performing the described functions or operations.
[0252] As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (e.g., including a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or “one or more of” ) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C) . Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on. ” As used herein, the term “and / or, ” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.
[0253] As used herein, including in the claims, the article “a” before a noun is open-ended and understood to refer to “at least one” of those nouns or “one or more” of those nouns. Thus, the terms “a, ” “at least one, ” “one or more, ” and “at least one of one or more” may be interchangeable. For example, if a claim recites “a component” that performs one or more functions, each of the individual functions may be performed by a single component or by any combination of multiple components. Thus, the term “a component” having characteristics or performing functions may refer to “at least one of one or more components” having a particular characteristic or performing a particular function. Subsequent reference to a component introduced with the article “a” using the terms “the” or “said” may refer to any or all of the one or more components. For example, a component introduced with the article “a” may be understood to mean “one or more components, ” and referring to “the component” subsequently in the claims may be understood to be equivalent to referring to “at least one of the one or more components. ” Similarly, subsequent reference to a component introduced as “one or more components” using the terms “the” or “said” may refer to any or all of the one or more components. For example, referring to “the one or more components” subsequently in the claims may be understood to be equivalent to referring to “at least one of the one or more components. ”
[0254] The term “determine” or “determining” or “identify” or “identifying” encompasses a variety of actions and, therefore, “determining” or “identifying” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (such as via looking up in a table, a database or another data structure) , ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining” or “identifying” can include receiving (such as receiving information or signaling, e.g., receiving information or signaling for determining, receiving information or signaling for identifying) , accessing (such as accessing data in a memory, or accessing information) and the like. Also, “determining” or “identifying” can include resolving, obtaining, selecting, choosing, establishing and other such similar actions.
[0255] In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label or other subsequent reference label.
[0256] The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “example” used herein means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples. ” The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some figures, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.
[0257] The description herein is provided to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
Claims
1.A first wireless entity, comprising:one or more memories storing processor-executable code; andone or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to:generate a local identifier associated with an ambient energy device, wherein the ambient energy device is a device capable of ambient internet of things (IoT) communication;transmit, to a second wireless entity, a first message comprising one or both of an indication of a static identifier associated with the ambient energy device or an indication of the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device; andcommunicate one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.2.The first wireless entity of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to:store a mapping between the local identifier and the static identifier in association with generating the local identifier, wherein transmitting the first message is in association with storing the mapping.3.The first wireless entity of claim 2, wherein the mapping is between the local identifier, the static identifier, and an identifier associated with a reader device.4.The first wireless entity of claim 1, wherein, to communicate the one or more second messages, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to:receive, from a reader device, a first signaling message comprising one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device; andtransmit, to the reader device, a second signaling message associated with the first signaling message in accordance with the local identifier still being valid, wherein the first wireless entity comprises the ambient energy device.5.The first wireless entity of claim 1, wherein, to communicate the one or more second messages, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to:receive, from a controller device, a first signaling message comprising one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device; andtransmit, to the ambient energy device, a second signaling message comprising one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, wherein the second signaling message is a relayed version of the first signaling message, wherein the first wireless entity comprises a reader device.6.The first wireless entity of claim 1, wherein, to communicate the one or more second messages, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to:transmit, to a reader device, a first signaling message comprising one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, and wherein the first signaling message is to be relayed to the ambient energy device in association with the first signaling message comprising one or both of the indication of the local identifier or the indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, wherein the first wireless entity comprises a controller device.7.The first wireless entity of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to:receive an indication of the static identifier or a local identifier derivation function, wherein generating the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device is based at least in part on the static identifier or the local identifier derivation function.8.The first wireless entity of claim 1, wherein, to generate the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to:generate the local identifier as a random number;generate the local identifier in accordance with a local identifier derivation function;select the local identifier from a plurality of local identifiers; orgenerate the local identifier based at least in part on the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device.9.The first wireless entity of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to:generate one or more local identifiers associated with one or more ambient energy devices, including the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, per ambient energy device, per reader device, per session, per transaction, per message, or any combination thereof.10.The first wireless entity of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to:generate the local identifier, updating the local identifier, or transmitting a message indicative of the local identifier or an updated local identifier in accordance with the ambient energy device powering on, in accordance with the ambient energy device satisfying a threshold energy level, in accordance with detecting or associating with a reader device or a controller device, in accordance with a message being received, in accordance with a previously generated local identifier expiring, in accordance with receiving a request to generate, update, or indicate the local identifier, or any combination thereof.11.The first wireless entity of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to:receive an indication that a second ambient energy device is associated with a same local identifier as the local identifier generated for the ambient energy device;generate an updated local identifier associated with the ambient energy device in association with receiving the indication that the second ambient energy device is associated with the same local identifier; andtransmit a third message comprising an indication of the updated local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.12.The first wireless entity of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to:release the local identifier in accordance with the ambient energy device powering off, in accordance with the ambient energy device failing to satisfy a threshold energy level, in accordance with a threshold amount of time elapsing after generating the local identifier, in accordance with one or more radio conditions failing to satisfy one or more threshold conditions, in accordance with transmitting or receiving a request to release the local identifier, or any combination thereof.13.The first wireless entity of claim 1, wherein the local identifier is a temporary identifier based at least in part on the first wireless entity comprising a controller device, and wherein the local identifier is an identifier associated with an air interface between the first wireless entity and the second wireless entity based at least in part on the first wireless entity comprising a reader device.14.A first wireless entity, comprising:one or more memories storing processor-executable code; andone or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to:receive, from a second wireless entity, a first message comprising an indication of a static identifier associated with an ambient energy device and comprising an indication of a local identifier associated with the ambient energy device, wherein the ambient energy device is a device capable of ambient internet of things (IoT) communication; andcommunicate one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.15.The first wireless entity of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to:store a mapping between the local identifier and the static identifier in association with receiving the first message, wherein communicating the one or more second messages is in association with storing the mapping.16.The first wireless entity of claim 15, wherein the mapping is between the local identifier, the static identifier, and an identifier associated with a reader device.17.The first wireless entity of claim 14, wherein, to communicate the one or more second messages, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to:receive, from a reader device, a first signaling message comprising one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device; andtransmit, to the reader device, a second signaling message associated with the first signaling message in accordance with the local identifier still being valid, wherein the first wireless entity comprises the ambient energy device.18.The first wireless entity of claim 14, wherein, to communicate the one or more second messages, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to:receive, from a controller device, a first signaling message comprising one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device; andtransmit, to the ambient energy device, a second signaling message comprising one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, wherein the second signaling message is a relayed version of the first signaling message, wherein the first wireless entity comprises a reader device.19.The first wireless entity of claim 14, wherein, to communicate the one or more second messages, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the first wireless entity to:transmit, to a reader device, a signaling message comprising one or both of an indication of the local identifier or an indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, and wherein the signaling message is to be relayed to the ambient energy device in association with the signaling message comprising one or both of the indication of the local identifier or the indication of the static identifier associated with the ambient energy device, wherein the first wireless entity comprises a controller device.20.A method for wireless communication at a first wireless entity, comprising:generating a local identifier associated with an ambient energy device, wherein the ambient energy device is a device capable of ambient internet of things (IoT) communication;transmitting, to a second wireless entity, a first message comprising one or both of an indication of a static identifier associated with the ambient energy device or an indication of the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device; andcommunicating one or more second messages with at least the second wireless entity in accordance with the local identifier associated with the ambient energy device.
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