Slot-based synchronous inventory procedures for ambient IoT devices

Abstract

An apparatus configured to process, based on signaling from a network, paging monitoring parameters comprising a paging monitoring window for a paging discontinuous (P-DM cycle) and a periodicity for the P-DM cycle, monitor for reception of a paging command during the paging monitoring window in the P-DM cycle, wherein the paging command is used to trigger an inventory procedure and, if no paging command is received during the monitoring window, harvest energy by converting radio frequency (RF) signals received from a network into electrical energy during a remaining duration of the P-DM cycle.

Description

PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1Slot-Based Synchronous Inventory Procedures for Ambient loT DevicesInventors : Hong He, Ankit Bhamri, Chunxuan Ye, Dawei Zhang, Haitong Sun, Huaning Niu, Jie Cui and Wei ZengPriority / Incorporation By Reference

[0001] This application claims priority to U. S . Provisional Application Serial No . 63 / 680, 378 filed on August 7 , 2024 and entitled, "Slot-Based Synchronous Inventory Procedures for Ambient loT Devices, " the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein .Background

[0002] A network may support ambient Internet of Things (A- loT ) devices . An ambient loT device may harvest energy from the ambient environment . For example, radio waves may serve as an energy source for an ambient loT device . This feature provides cost and / or size reduction benefits that may enable a variety of different use cases . A simple design of ambient I0T device is to operate in a "always-on" operation . However, supporting "always- on" operation reguires -20dBm constant high Rx power for ambient IOT devices and has potential issues, such as : a short range between energy source and ambient IOT devices , causing significant deployment cost ; potential strong interference on non-Ambient IOT devices ( e . g . , cellular phones ) in the proximity range ; and human exposure concerns .

[0003] To mitigate the problem of "always-on" operation and to minimize deployment cost, one area to address is the potential impact of energy harvesting on device availability for transmission and reception procedures . The Radio Frequency (RF)PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 energy harvesting time depends on the RF power at receivers, energy harvesting efficiency, and battery capacity . To minimize the inventory latency for Ambient IOT devices , it would be beneficial to develop solutions that can align the time window that a reader can transmit query commands and communicate with Ambient IOT devices and the time period that ambient IOT devices can perform RF energy harvesting without monitoring a signal from the reader .Summary

[0004] Some example embodiments are related to an apparatus having processing circuitry coupled to memory, the processing circuitry configured to process , based on signaling from a network, paging monitoring parameters comprising a paging monitoring window for a paging discontinuous (P-DM cycle ) and a periodicity for the P-DM cycle, monitor for reception of a paging command during the paging monitoring window in the P-DM cycle, wherein the paging command is used to trigger an inventory procedure and if no paging command is received during the monitoring window, harvest energy by converting radio frequency (RF) signals received from a network into electrical energy during a remaining duration of the P-DM cycle .

[0005] Other example embodiments are related to a system having a reader, a first ambient Internet of Things ( IOT ) device and a second ambient IOT device . Each of the first IOT device and the second IOT device comprise processing circuitry configured to process parameters that are used for monitoring a paging command that triggers am inventory procedure, the parameters comprising a paging monitoring window for a paging discontinuous ( P-DM cycle) and a periodicity for the P-DM cycle,PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 monitor for reception of a paging command during the paging monitoring window in the P-DM cycle and, when no paging command is received during the monitoring window, harvest energy by converting radio freguency (RF) signals received from a network into electrical energy during a remaining duration of the P-DM cycle .Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] Fig . 1 shows a first example deployment scenario according to various example embodiments .

[0007] Fig . 2 shows a second example deployment scenario according to various example embodiments .

[0008] Fig . 3 shows an example wireless device according to various example embodiments .

[0009] Fig . 4 shows an example user equipment (UE) according to various example embodiments .

[0010] Fig . 5 shows an example base station according to various example embodiments .

[0011] Fig . 6 shows an example deployment scenario according to various example embodiments .

[0012] Fig . 7 shows a diagram illustrating an example of RF energy harvesting time to charge a battery according to various example embodiments .PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102Ref . No . P68926WO1

[0013] Fig . 8 shows an example paging discontinuous monitoring (P-DM) cycle for an inventory procedure for ambient IOT devices according to various example embodiments .

[0014] Fig . 9 shows an example SYNC signal to enable dutycycle based paging monitoring for an inventory procedure for ambient I0T devices according to various example embodiments .

[0015] Fig . 10 shows example transmissions of SYNC signals and paging commands in a duty-cycle-based paging monitoring inventory procedure for ambient I0T devices according to various example embodiments .

[0016] Fig . 11 shows an example of a duty-cycle based paging monitoring for an example inventory procedure for ICT devices according to various example embodiments .

[0017] Fig . 12 shows an example Medium Access Control (MAC) control element (CE) designed to acknowledge reception in a contention period for multiple A-IOT devices according to various example embodiments .

[0018] Fig . 13 shows an example contention-based random access (CBRA) procedure for inventory operation for A-IOT devices where each P-DM cycle is divided into three parts according to various example embodiments .Detailed Description

[0019] The example embodiments may be further understood with reference to the following description and the related appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals . The example embodiments disclose methods and techniques for slot-based synchronous inventory procedures forPCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 ambient Internet of things ( loT) devices and duty-cycle based monitoring for inventory procedures for ambient loT devices .

[0020] The example embodiments are described with regard to ambient loT devices . An ambient loT device refers to a Third Generation Partnership Proj ect ( 3GPP) loT device that is smaller than other types of loT devices and provides cost-efficient solutions to various types of use cases such as, but not limited to, tracking and monitoring obj ects . Throughout this description, the terms "wireless device" or "tag" may be used to generally refer to an ambient loT device or any other type of smaller wireless device that is equipped with similar capabilities and configured with the hardware, software, and / or firmware to exchange information and data with a network . Therefore, the terms "ambient loT device, " "wireless device" and "tag" as described herein is used to represent any appropriate electronic component .

[0021] The example embodiments are further described with regard to different device types including device type 1 , device type 2a and device type 2b . The term "device type 1" may refer to a wireless device that possesses one or more of the following characteristics : a peak power consumption of approximately 1 microwatt (pW) , energy storage capabilities , an initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10xparts per million (ppm) where x could be as high as 5, neither downlink nor uplink amplification in the wireless device and uplink transmissions that are backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally to the wireless device .PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1

[0022] The term "device type 2a" may refer to a wireless device that possesses one or more of the following characteristics : a peak power consumption equal to or less than (<) a few hundred microwatt (pW) , energy storage capabilities , an initial SFO up to 10xppm where x could be same or lower than that of device type 1 , downlink and / or uplink amplification in the wireless device and uplink transmissions that are backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally to the wireless device .

[0023] The term "device type 2b" may refer to a wireless device that possesses one or more of the following characteristics : a peak power consumption of equal to or less than (< ) a few hundred microwatt (pW) , energy storage capabilities, an initial SFO up to 10xppm where x could be same or lower than that of device type 1 , downlink and / or uplink amplification in the wireless device and uplink transmissions that are generated internally by the wireless device . However, any reference to a particular device type ( e . g . , device type 1 , 2a, eb, etc . ) is merely provided for illustrative purposes . Different entities may refer to similar concepts in a different manner .

[0024] The example embodiments are also described with regard to a 5G New Radio (NR) network . However, reference to a 5G NR network is merely provided for illustrative purposes . The example embodiments may be utilized with any network that may establish a connection to a wireless device and exchange information and data with the wireless device (e . g . , 5G-Advanced networks, 6G networks , etc . ) .PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1

[0025] The example embodiments are further described with regard to different types of deployment scenarios . In some examples, the wireless device ( e . g . , ambient loT device ) may communicate over the air with a base station of the network . In other examples , the wireless device may communicate over the air with a user equipment (UE) that acts as an intermediate node, under network control , between the wireless device and the base station . Throughout this description, the term "reader" may refer to the node that is communicating over the air with the wireless device . Therefore, a reader may refer to a base station or a UE depending on the applicable deployment scenario . Thus , in the example embodiments , communications may be referred to as reader to device (R2D) communications where the transmitter is the reader and the receiver is the ambient loT device .Similarly, device to reader (D2R) communications refer to the scenario where the transmitter is the ambient loT device and the receiver is the reader .

[0026] According to some aspects, the example embodiments introduce methods and techniques for slot-based synchronous inventory procedures for ambient I0T devices . According to other aspects, the example embodiments introduce duty-cycle based monitoring for inventory procedures for ambient loT devices, and in particular paging discontinuous monitoring cycles ( P-DM cycles ) . According to further aspects , the example embodiments introduce new parameters to control paging monitoring operation of ambient I0T devices . According to further aspects , one or more P-DM patterns, which may include a new synchronization signal may be configured and broadcast to the ambient IOT devices . According to further aspects , a variety of approaches are introduced for inventory proceduresPCT / US25 / 3960029 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No. 30134 / 98102 Ref. No. P68926WO1 when an ambient I0T paging command is received during a paging monitoring window of a P-DM cycle. These and other example embodiments are described in greater detail below.

[0027] The example embodiments may be used independently from one another, in conjunction with currently implemented inventory procedures for A-IOT devices, in conjunction with future implementations of inventory procedures for A-IOT devices, or independently from other inventory procedures for A-IOT devices.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a first example deployment scenario 100 according to various example embodiments. The example deployment scenario 100 includes multiple wireless devices 112A - 112N. The wireless devices 112A - 112N may be ambient loT devices or any other appropriate type of electronic component that is configured to communicate via a network. An actual deployment scenario may include any number of wireless devices being used by any number of users.

[0029] The example deployment scenario 100 also includes a UE 110. The UE 110 may be any type of electronic component that is configured to communicate via a network, e.g., mobile phones, tablet computers, desktop computers, smartphones, phablets, embedded devices, wearables, Internet of Things (loT) devices, etc. An actual deployment scenario may include any number of UEs being used by any number of users. Thus, the example of a single UE 110 is merely provided for illustrative purposes.

[0030] The example deployment scenario 100 also includes a 5G new radio (NR) radio access network (RAN) 120. However, the example embodiments may apply to other types of networks (e.g.,PCT / US25 / 3960029 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No. 30134 / 98102Ref. No. P68926WO1 sixth generation (6G) RAN, 5G cloud RAN, a next generation RAN (NG-RAN) , a long-term evolution (LTE) RAN, a legacy cellular network, a wireless local area network (WLAN), etc.) .

[0031] The 5G NR RAN 120 may be a portion of a cellular network that may be deployed by a network carrier (e.g., Verizon, AT&T, T -Mobile, etc.) . The 5G NR RAN 120 may include base stations or access nodes (Node Bs, eNodeBs, HeNBs, eNBS, gNBs, gNodeBs, macrocells, microcells, small cells, femtocells, etc.) that are configured to send and receive traffic from devices that are equipped with the appropriate cellular chip set. In the example deployment scenario 100, the 5G NR RAN 120 deploys a gNB 120A.

[0032] In the example deployment scenario 100, the UE 110 may be configured to operate as an intermediate node between the wireless devices 112A - 112N and the network. Thus, the UE 110 may be configured as a reader and communicate with the wireless devices 112A - 112N over the air. The wireless devices 112A - 112N may also send messages directly to the UE 110. The channels between the reader (e.g., UE 110) and the wireless devices 112A - 112N may be referred to as a physical device-to- reader data channel (PDRCH) for uplink (D2R) communication and a physical reader-to-device data channel (PRDCH) for downlink communication and / or control (R2D) .

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a second example deployment scenario 200 according to various example embodiments. The example deployment scenario 100 includes multiple wireless devices 112A - 112N, similar to the example deployment scenario 100. The wireless devices 112A - 112N may be ambient loT devices or any otherPCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 appropriate type of electronic component that is configured to communicate via a network .

[0034] The example deployment scenario 200 also includes a 5G new radio (NR) radio access network (RAN) 120 similar to the deployment scenario 100 . The 5G NR RAN 120 deploys a gNB 120A. In the example deployment scenario 200 , the wireless devices 112A - 112N communicate directly with the gNB 120A, e . g . , there is no intermediate UE . Thus , the gNB 120A may be configured as a reader and communicate with the wireless devices 112A - 112N over the air . The wireless devices 112A - 112N may also send messages directly to the gNB 120A. The channels between the reader ( e . g . , gNB 120A) and the wireless devices 112A - 112N may also be referred to as the PDRCH for uplink communication and PRDCH for downlink communication and / or control .

[0035] Fig . 3 shows an example wireless device 112 according to various example embodiments, e . g . , any of the wireless devices 112A - 112N of the example deployments 100 or 200 . The wireless device 112 may include a processor 305, a memory arrangement 310 , a transceiver 315 and other components 320. The other components may include, for example, an audio output device, a power supply, energy storage, ports to electrically connect the wireless device 112 to other electronic components , etc .

[0036] The processor 305 may be comprised of processing circuitry that is configured to execute a plurality of engines of the wireless device 112 . For example, the engines may include an Ambient IOT Inventory Procedure engine 335. The Ambient IOT Inventory Procedure engine 335 may perform various operations ioPCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 related to methods and techniques for slot-based synchronous inventory procedures for ambient IOT devices , duty-cycle based monitoring for inventory procedures for ambient loT devices, and in particular paging discontinuous monitoring cycles ( P-DM cycles ) , receiving and or sending parameters to control paging monitoring operation of ambient IOT devices , receiving and utilizing one or more P-DM patterns, which may include a new synchronization signal may be configured and broadcast to ambient IOT devices, and performing inventory procedures when an ambient IOT paging command is received during a paging monitoring window of a P-DM cycle . These and other operations are described in greater detail below.

[0037] The above referenced engine 335 being an application (e . g . , a program) executed by the processor 305 is merely provided for illustrative purposes . The functionality associated with the processor 305 and / or engine 335 may also be represented as a separate incorporated component of the wireless device 112 or may be a modular component coupled to the wireless device 112 , e . g . , an integrated circuit with or without firmware . For example, the integrated circuit may include input circuitry to receive signals and processing circuitry to process the signals and other information . The engine may also be embodied as one application or separate applications . In addition, in some devices, the functionality described for the processor 305 is split among two or more processors such as a baseband processor and an applications processor . The example embodiments may be implemented in any of these or other configurations of a wireless device .PCT / US25 / 3960029 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No. 30134 / 98102 Ref. No. P68926WO1

[0038] The memory arrangement 310 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by the wireless device 112. In some examples, the memory arrangement 310 may include non-volatile memory (NVM) that is used to permanently store certain types of information (e.g., device ID, etc.) and registers for temporarily storing information while energy is available in energy storage. However, reference to NVM and registers is merely provided for illustrative purposes. The example embodiments may be implemented in any of these or other configurations of a memory arrangement.

[0039] The transceiver 315 may be a hardware component configured to communicate with the 5G NR-RAN 120, an LTE-RAN (not pictured) , a legacy RAN (not pictured) , a WLAN (not pictured) , etc. Accordingly, the transceiver 315 may operate on a variety of different frequencies or channels (e.g., set of consecutive frequencies) . The transceiver 315 includes circuitry configured to transmit and / or receive signals (e.g., control signals, data signals) . Such signals may be encoded with information implementing any one of the methods described herein. The processor 305 may be operably coupled to the transceiver 315 and configured to receive from and / or transmit signals to the transceiver 315. The processor 305 may be configured to encode and / or decode signals (e.g., signaling from a base station of a network) for implementing any one of the techniques described herein.

[0040] Fig. 4 shows an example UE 110 according to various example embodiments. The UE 110 will be described with regard to the example deployment 100 of Fig. 1. The UE 110 may include a processor 405, a memory arrangement 410, a display device 415,PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 an input / output ( I / O) device 420 , a transceiver 425 and other components 430. The other components 430 may include, for example, an audio input device, an audio output device, a power supply, a data acquisition device, ports to electrically connect the UE 110 to other electronic devices , etc .

[0041] The processor 405 may be comprised of processing circuitry that is configured to execute a plurality of engines for the UE 110. For example, the engines may include an Ambient IOT Inventory Procedure engine 435. The Ambient I0T Inventory Procedure engine 435 may perform various operations related to methods and techniques for slot-based synchronous inventory procedures for ambient IOT devices , duty-cycle based monitoring for inventory procedures for ambient loT devices , and in particular paging discontinuous monitoring cycles ( P-DM cycles ) , receiving and or sending parameters to control paging monitoring operation of ambient IOT devices , generating and transmitting one or more P-DM patterns, which may include a new synchronization signal may be configured and broadcast to ambient IOT devices, and performing inventory procedures when an ambient IOT paging command is received during a paging monitoring window of a P-DM cycle . These and other operations are described in greater detail below.

[0042] The above referenced engine 435 being an application (e . g . , a program) executed by the processor 405 is merely provided for illustrative purposes . The functionality associated with the engine 435 may also be represented as a separate incorporated component of the UE 110 or may be a modular component coupled to the UE 110 , e . g . , an integrated circuit with or without firmware . For example, the integrated circuitPCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 may include input circuitry to receive signals and processing circuitry to process the signals and other information . The engine may also be embodied as one application or separate applications . In addition, in some UEs , the functionality described for the processor 405 is split among two or more processors such as a baseband processor and an applications processor . The example embodiments may be implemented in any of these or other configurations of a UE .

[0043] The memory arrangement 410 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by the UE 110 . The display device 415 may be a hardware component configured to show data to a user while the I / O device 420 may be a hardware component that enables the user to enter inputs . The display device 415 and the I / O device 420 may be separate components or integrated together such as a touchscreen .

[0044] The transceiver 425 may be a hardware component configured to exchange data with the wireless device 112 , the 5G NR RAN 120 and / or any other appropriate type of network . Accordingly, the transceiver 425 may operate on a variety of different frequencies or channels (e . g . , set of consecutive frequencies ) . The transceiver 425 includes circuitry configured to transmit and / or receive signals (e . g . , control signals , data signals ) . Such signals may be encoded with information implementing any one of the methods described herein . The processor 405 may be operably coupled to the transceiver 425 and configured to receive from and / or transmit signals to the transceiver 425. The processor 405 may be configured to encode and / or decode signals (e . g . , signaling from a base station of aPCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 network) for implementing any one of the techniques described herein .

[0045] Fig . 5 shows an example base station 500 according to various example embodiments . The base station 500 may represent the gNB 120A of the deployment scenario 100 or 200 or any other type of access node .

[0046] The base station 500 may include a processor 505, a memory arrangement 510 , an input / output ( I / O) device 515, a transceiver 520 , and other components 525. The other components 525 may include, for example, an audio input device, an audio output device, a battery, a data acquisition device, ports to electrically connect the base station 500 to other electronic devices and / or power sources , transceiver chains , antenna elements, antenna panels, etc .

[0047] The processor 505 may be comprised of processing circuitry that is configured to execute a plurality of engines for the base station 500. For example, the engines may include an Ambient IOT Inventory Procedure engine 535. The Ambient I0T Inventory Procedure engine 535 may perform various operations related to may perform various operations related to methods and techniques for slot-based synchronous inventory procedures for ambient IOT devices, duty-cycle based monitoring for inventory procedures for ambient loT devices , and in particular paging discontinuous monitoring cycles ( P-DM cycles ) , receiving and or sending parameters to control paging monitoring operation of ambient IOT devices, generating and transmitting one or more P- DM patterns , which may include a new synchronization signal may be configured and broadcast to ambient IOT devices , andPCT / US25 / 3960029 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No. 30134 / 98102 Ref. No. P68926WO1 performing inventory procedures when an ambient I0T paging command is received during a paging monitoring window of a P-DM cycle. These and other operations are described in greater detail below.

[0048] The above noted engine 535 being an application (e.g., a program) executed by the processor 505 is only an example. The functionality associated with the engine 535 may also be represented as a separate incorporated component of the base station 500 or may be a modular component coupled to the base station 500, e.g., an integrated circuit with or without firmware. For example, the integrated circuit may include input circuitry to receive signals and processing circuitry to process the signals and other information. In addition, in some base stations, the functionality described for the processor 505 is split among a plurality of processors (e.g., a baseband processor, an applications processor, etc.) . The example embodiments may be implemented in any of these or other configurations of a base station.

[0049] The memory arrangement 510 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by the base station 500. The I / O device 515 may be a hardware component or ports that enable a user to interact with the base station 500.

[0050] The transceiver 520 may be a hardware component configured to exchange data with the UE 110 and / or the wireless devices 112A - 112N. The transceiver 520 may operate on a variety of different frequencies or channels (e.g., set of consecutive frequencies) . Therefore, the transceiver 520 mayPCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 include one or more components to enable the data exchange with the various networks , UEs and wireless devices . The transceiver 420 includes circuitry configured to transmit and / or receive signals ( e . g . , control signals, data signals ) . Such signals may be encoded with information implementing any one of the methods described herein . The processor 505 may be operably coupled to the transceiver 520 and configured to receive from and / or transmit signals to the transceiver 520 . The processor 505 may be configured to encode and / or decode signals (e . g . , signaling from a UE, a wireless device, etc . ) for implementing any one of the methods described herein .

[0051] Fig . 6 shows an example deployment scenario 500 according to various example embodiments . Like the example deployment scenario 100 , the example deployment scenario 600 includes the wireless device 112 , the gNB 120A and the 5G NR RAN 120 of Fig . 1 . However, in the example deployment scenario 600 , the wireless device 112 communicates directly over the air with the gNB 120A and there is no intermediate node . Thus, the gNB 120A may be configured as a reader and send paging messages over the air to the wireless device 112 . The wireless device 112 may also send messages directly to the gNB 120A. As mentioned above, the channels between the reader and the wireless device 112 may be referred to as a PDRCH for uplink communication and PRDCH for downlink communication .

[0052] loT devices have attracted much attention in the wireless communications world . Most of the existing wireless communication devices are powered by a battery that needs to be replaced or recharged manually. The automation and digitalization of various industries open numbers of new markets requiring new loT technologies of supporting battery-lessPCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 devices with no energy storage capability or devices with energy storage that do not need to be replaced or recharged manually . Since existing technologies cannot meet all the requirements of target use cases , a new loT technology is recommended to open new markets within 3GPP systems , whose number of connections and / or device density can be orders of magnitude higher than existing 3GPP loT technologies . In recent Rel-18 discussions , a simple design of Ambient IOT device is to operate in a "always- on" operation . However, supporting "always-on" operation requires -20dBm constant high Rx power for Ambient IOT devices and has potential issues, such as : a short range between energy source and Ambient IOT devices, causing significant deployment cost ; potential strong interference on non-Ambient IOT devices (e . g . , cellular phones ) in the proximity range ; and human exposure concerns .

[0053] To mitigate the problem of "always-on" operation and to minimize deployment cost, one area to address is the potential impact of energy harvesting on device availability for transmission and reception procedures . The duration of one device' s unavailability due to charging by energy harvesting can be assumed up to several tens of seconds . The Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvesting time depends on the RF power at receivers , energy harvesting efficiency, and battery capacity . Fig . 7 shows a diagram illustrating an example of RF energy harvesting time to charge a battery according to various example embodiments . As depicted in Fig . 7 , it takes 250ms and 4000ms to fully charge a battery with 0.25uJ capacity assuming 10% energy harvesting efficiency . In addition, A-IOT devices can sustain 'On' duration over 250ms .PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1

[0054] To minimize the inventory latency for Ambient I0T devices, it would be beneficial to develop solutions that can align the time window that a reader can transmit query commands and communicate with Ambient IOT devices and the time period that ambient IOT devices can perform RF energy harvesting by converting the RF signals received from a network into electrical energy without monitoring a signal from the reader .

[0055] As described above, in one aspect of the example embodiments , methods and techniques for slot-based synchronous inventory procedures and duty-cycle based monitoring for inventory procedures for ambient ToT devices for ambient IOT devices are introduced, for either deployment scenario 100, deployment scenario 200 , or deployment scenario 600 . These criteria may be specific to the deployment scenario 100 (e . g . , where an intermediate UE acts as the reader) , specific to the deployment scenario 200 ( e . g . , where a base station acts as the reader) , specific to the deployment scenario 600 ( e . g . , where the wireless device 112 communicates directly over the air with the gNB 120A and there is no intermediate node ) , or may be generic and apply to both deployment scenario 100 , deployment scenario 200, and deployment scenario 600.

[0056] According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a variety of approaches may be considered to enable duty-cycle pattern that controls the Ambient IOT device' s paging command monitoring for the inventory procedure . The following parameters may be introduced to control the paging monitoring operation of A-IoT devices : Paging Monitoring window, which is the duration from the beginning of a paging discontinuous monitoring (P-DM) cycle, and Periodicity, which is the duration of each P-DM cycle . In the "paging monitoring window" of each P-PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102Ref . No . P68926WO1DM cycle, an A-IOT device may monitor for reception of a paging command during the paging monitoring window in a P-DM cycle where the paging command is used to trigger an inventory procedure . If no paging command is received during the "monitoring window" of a P-DM cycle, the A-IOT device may harvest energy from RF during the remaining duration of a P-DM cycle (termed as "Sleep time" of a P-DM Cycle ) .

[0057] Fig . 8 shows an example paging discontinuous monitoring (P-DM) cycle for an inventory procedure for ambient IOT devices according to various example embodiments . In the P- DM Cycle based inventory procedure 800 for an A-IOT device, the top line shows the power consumption . The A-IOT device will be on periodically (On periods 810 ) and in between the "on" periods 810 , the A-IOT device will be in sleep time 820. The bottom line of Fig . 8 shows the energy in storage for the AOT device . The monitoring window will match the "on" period, and if no paging command is received during the monitoring window 830 of the P-DM cycle 840, the A-IOT device may harvest energy by converting the RF signals received from a network into electrical energy in a RF energy harvesting period 850 during the remaining duration of a P-DM cycle ( i . e . , the sleep time ) .

[0058] The above parameters have to be indicated to the A-IOT device . According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, one or more P-DM patterns may be configured and broadcast to A- IOTS devices for paging command monitoring . In one embodiment, a new synchronization (SYNC) signal may be specified, which consists of at least two parts . The P-DM patterns and / or other paging monitoring parameters may be included in the SYNC signal . The first part of the SYNC signal is a timing synchronization signal . In one embodiment, this may be an 'M' -bit predefined on-PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 off key (00K) sequence, where the UE is configured to detect the rising / f ailing edges of the OOK sequence to adjust and align with a clock of the transmitter . The second part of the SYNC signal may be payload information . The payload information may include the information of SYNC signal transmission, including <periodicity, SYNC signal monitoring window> . The periodicity in the payload information is a transmission periodicity of the SYNC signal and the SYNC monitoring window is a monitoring window of the SYNC signal . The payload information may also include information for the paging monitoring duty cycle . The transmission periodicity of the SYNC signal may be the same as the corresponding P-DM cycle pattern . Alternatively, the periodicity of the P-DM cycle may be explicitly indicated in the payload. The paging monitoring window is explicitly indicated in the payload information . More specifically, the SYNC signal is transmitted before the start of the corresponding monitoring window of each P-DM cycle . A-IOT device may omit the paging monitoring in the monitoring window if no SYNC signal is detected within a predefined SYNC monitoring window associated with the paging monitoring window .

[0059] Fig . 9 shows an example SYNC signal to enable dutycycle based paging monitoring for an inventory procedure for ambient I0T devices according to various example embodiments . In Fig . 9, the SYCN signal is used for timing synchronization and has a same periodicity as that of a P-DM cycle .

[0060] In the arrangement 900 of Fig . 9, a SYNC signal 910 is periodically transmitted before the start of the corresponding paging monitoring window 950 of each P-DM cycle . The SYNC signal 910 comprises two parts - a timing synchronization signalPCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1920 in the preamble of the SYNC signal 910, and a payload 930 . During the paging monitoring window 950 , a paging command 940 may be received . The P-DM duty cycle 960 may run from the beginning of the paging monitoring window 950 to a SYNC signal monitoring window 970 , where the device monitors for a next SYNC signal before the start of a new P-DM cycle . The remainder of each P-DM cycle after the paging monitoring window 950 may be a sleep time 980 , where RD energy harvesting may take place during a remaining duration of the P-DM cycle .

[0061] In another embodiment, the configuration of a P-DM cycle pattern is provided by means of the payload of the paging command that triggers the inventory procedure . Once the inventory procedure is initiated by a gNB or reader / intermediate nodes , the paging command is transmitted in a periodic manner . The preamble seguence in the paging command serves as a timing synchronization signal for the paging command monitoring of the next cycle . The paging command indicates the paging cycle parameters , including the <periodicity, paging monitoring window> . Once the inventory procedure is initiated by the gNB or reader / intermediate nodes, the SYNC signal stops transmission .

[0062] Fig . 10 shows example transmissions of SYNC signals and paging commands in a duty-cycle-based paging monitoring inventory procedure for ambient IOT devices according to various example embodiments . Referring to Fig . 10, as previously mentioned, a SYNC signal 1010 may be transmitted before the start of the corresponding monitoring window of each P-DM cycle ( i . e . , after a sleep time 1020 of the previous P-DM cycle ) . However, in this embodiment, once a new P-DM cycle begins and the inventory procedure 1000 is initiated, a paging command 1030 is transmitted periodically, and the preamble within the pagingPCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 command serves the purpose of timing synchronization . Therefore, the SYNC signal itself is not transmitted for this P-DM cycle 1040 . It should be noted that the A-IoT device is expected to calibrate the local clock using the SYNC signal or preamble in paging command or line coding in data to meet the accuracy requirement . During sleep time for RF energy harvesting, the UE is expected to run a clock to determine the wakeup time 1050 for the next P-DM duty cycle .

[0063] The a-IOT device needs to identify and use the resources disclosed herein . According to certain aspects of the disclosure, a variety of approaches may be considered for "Inventory" procedures when an A-IoT paging command is received during the paging monitoring window of a P-DM cycle . In addition, an A-IoT paging command may be transmitted in the paging monitoring window of a P-DM duty cycle to initiate an inventory round ( s ) within the duty cycle .

[0064] In one embodiment, a P-DM duty cycle is equally divided into ' N' slots , where the length of a slot may be hard- encoded in a specification or otherwise pre-configured. After receiving the paging command, the UE may select one slot from ' N' slots in the paging duty cycle to perform the following random access (RACH) procedure .

[0065] In some designs, two contention-based RACH (CBRA) procedures may be supported for A-IOT inventory procedures, including a Type-A RACH procedure and a Type-B RACH procedure . The CBRA type for a given P-DM cycle may be explicitly indicated in the corresponding paging command, e . g . , using 1-bit IE . The Type-A CBRA procedure may be indicated by value ' 0 ' of the 1-bit IE . In the Type-A CBRA procedure, an A-IoT device transmits aPCT / US25 / 3960029 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No. 30134 / 98102Ref. No. P68926WO1 contention resolution ID (termed as Msg-1) that is random 'K- bits' information generated by A-IoT device (Step 1) . The A-IOT device may then attempt to detect a response signal that echoes the contention resolution ID (Msg-1) (Step 2) . If the UE detects the response signal, it may then transmit the device-ID information (Msg-2) to the reader (e.g., Protocol Control / Extended Protocol Control (PC / XPC) , Electronic Product Code (EPC) and Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) ) (Step 3) . Otherwise, the UE may enter the sleep time period for RE energy harvesting during a remaining duration of the P-DM cycle and may perform random access again in the next round (i.e., the next P- DM cycle) .

[0066] In the Type-B CBRA procedure, which may be indicated by value of the 1-bit, an A-IoT device transmits a contention resolution ID and device-ID information to the reader (e.g., PC / XPC, EPC and CRC) (Step 1) . The network may echo the 'contention resolution ID' in response to reception of 'a contention resolution ID and device-ID information' (Step 2) . If no response signal is detected by the A-IOT device, the UE may enter the sleep time period for RF energy harvesting and may perform random access again in the next round (i.e., the next P- DM cycle) .

[0067] Fig. 11 shows an example of a duty-cycle based paging monitoring for an example inventory procedure for ICT devices according to various example embodiments. In the example inventory procedure 1100, a P-DM duty cycle 1110 is equally divided into 'N' time slots 1125-1 to 1125-n and may be known by A-IoT devices based on the P-DM cycle configuration received from a SYNC signal 1130 or a paging command 1120. In one embodiment, the P-DM duty cycle 1110 is equally divided into tenPCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 time slots . In the example of Fig . 11 , two A-IOT devices may receive the paging command 420. The A-IOT device #1 may randomly select Time slot #1 for the RACE procedure and may provide the device-ID information as described above using Step 1 through Step 3 ( 1132-1 , 1134 , 1136-1 ) , and as shown in Fig . 11 . After the device ID information 1136-1 is sent, the IOT device #1 may enter a sleep period 1140-1 for the rest of the P-DM cycle, where the IOT device #1 may perform RF energy harvesting during a remaining duration of the P-DM cycle .

[0068] The A-IoT device #2 may randomly select time slot #2 to perform a CBRA RACK procedure, including step 1 1132-2 as described above . The device-ID is provided in Step-3 ( 1136-3 ) as described above, and as seen in Fig . 11 . Although Fig . 11 shows the IOT device #2 selecting slot #2 , this is an example only, and it could select any slot from slot #2 to the last slot #n . For any slot that is not selected by the IOT device #2 , the IOT device #2 may be in a sleep time 1140-2a or sleep time 1140— 2b, during which the IOT device #1 may perform RF energy harvesting during a remaining duration of the P-DM cycle . Note that, if collision happens between other devices and A-IoT device #1 and / or A-IOT device #2 , then A-IoT device #1 or A-IOT device #2 needs to wait until the next P-DM duty cycle to reperform the CBRA procedure for the inventory procedure .

[0069] In the above embodiment, the IOT device may have to frequently wake up to get a signal from the reader . In another embodiment of contention-based RACH procedure for inventory operation, each P-DM cycle is divided into three parts , excluding the monitoring window duration . The first part is a Contention Period (CP) , which may be divided into ' S' timePCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 slots . Each A-IoT device may randomly select one slot from the ' S' time slots and transmit a contention resolution ID ( termed as Msg-1 ) that is random 'K-bits ' information generated by the A-IoT device .

[0070] The second part is a Contention Acknowledge Period (CAP) . A new Medium Access Control (MAC) control element (CE ) may be specified to acknowledge one or multiple A-IOT devices contention resolution IDs that are successfully received by the reader in the CP duration of the P-DM cycle, where each A-IOT slot used in Part 1 may be associated with a sub-field.

[0071] Fig . 12 shows an example Medium Access Control (MAC) control element (CE) designed to acknowledge reception in a contention period for multiple A-IOT devices according to various example embodiments . As seen in Fig . 12 , the new MAC-CE 1200 may have a variable size and may consist of the following additional fields : Acknowledgment command ID 1210 ; a Ci field 1220 ; and one or more CAP sub-fields 1230-1 to 1230-x . The Acknowledgement command ID is a unique ID to identify the specific acknowledgment command MAC-CE . The Ci field indicates the presence of the CAP sub-field for the time slot of the corresponding Part 1 , with a value ' 1 ' indicating that the CAP sub-field is present and a value ' O' indicating that the CAP sub-field is not present for time slot l<i<S , where S is the number of time slot in the part 1 CP duration . The CAP sub-field is configured to indicate the contention resolution ID received by the reader in a corresponding time slot with field set to 1 . In a first option, all of the 'K-bits ' contention resolution ID is included in the corresponding CAP sub-field . In a second option, a subset of the 'K-bits ' contention resolution ID ( e . g . ,PCT / US25 / 3960029 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No. 30134 / 98102Ref. No. P68926WO1'L' bits, where L < K) is included in each acknowledge sub-field to tradeoff between signal overhead and reliability.

[0072] The third part of the P-DM cycle is a device ID report period. In the third part of the P-DM cycle, if the UE detects the acknowledge signal in Part 2, the UE may transmit the device-ID information (Msg-2) to the reader (e.g., PC / XPC, EPC and CRC) (1240) in the corresponding time slot based on the ordinal position among all the fields set to 1.

[0073] Fig. 13 shows an example contention-based random access (CBRA) procedure for inventory operation for A-IOT devices where each P-DM cycle is divided into three parts. In the example inventory procedure 1300, a P-DM duty cycle is equally divided into 'N' time slots 1125-1 to 1125-n and may be known by A-IoT devices based on the P-DM cycle configuration received from a SYNC signal 1130 or a paging command 1120. The three parts of the P-DM cycle are Part 1 (contention part, CP) , Part 2 (Contention Acknowledge period, CAP) and Part 3 (Device ID report period) . Specifically, both Part 1 1340 and Part 3 1350 are further divided into 'S' time slots 1340-1 to 1340-n and 1350-1 to 1350-n. In one embodiment, the number of S time slots may be ten time slots.

[0074] In one embodiment, two devices, A-IoT device #1 and A- IOT device #2 may attempt to involve the inventory procedure. After obtaining the timing information based on the P-DM duty cycle (indicated by SYNC signal 1130 or paging command 1120) , A- loT device #1 and A-IOT device #2 may select the time slot #1 (1340-1) and '#i' (1340-i) for contention resolution ID transmission, respectively. The A-IOT device #1 may randomly select Time slot #1 (1340-1) for the RACK procedure and mayPCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 provide the device-ID information as described above using Step 1 through Step 3 ( 1332-1 , 1334 , 1336-1 ) . After the device ID information 1336-1 is sent, the IOT device #1 may enter a sleep period 1340-1 for the rest of the P-DM cycle, where the IOT device #1 may perform RF energy harvesting during a remaining duration of the P-DM cycle . The A-IoT device #2 may randomly select time slot #2 to perform a CBRA RACK procedure, including step 1 1332-2 as described above . The device-ID is provided in Step-3 ( 1336-3 ) as described above . For any slot that is not selected by the IOT device #2 , the IOT device #2 may be in a sleep time 1340-2a or sleep time 1340-2b, during which the IOT device #1 may perform RF energy harvesting during a remaining duration of the P-DM cycle .

[0075] Unlike the embodiment shown in Fig . 11 , a single Acknowledgement MAC-CE is transmitted to provide the reception status of contention resolution IDs in Part 1 for one or more A- IOT devices . Assuming successful reception and acknowledgement of the transmissions , A-IOT device #1 and A-IOT device #2 may proceed to transmit the device ID information in slot #1 and #2 in the Part 3 (device ID report period) , respectively.Examples

[0076] In a first example, a method, comprising processing, based on signaling from a network, paging monitoring parameters comprising a paging monitoring window for a paging discontinuous (P-DM cycle ) and a periodicity for the P-DM cycle, monitoring for reception of a paging command during the paging monitoring window in the P-DM cycle, wherein the paging command is used to trigger an inventory procedure and, if no paging command is received during the monitoring window, harvesting energy byPCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 converting radio frequency (RF) signals received from a network into electrical energy during a remaining duration of the P-DM cycle .

[0077] In a second example, the method of the first example, wherein the paging monitoring window comprises a duration from a beginning of the P-DM cycle and the periodicity is a duration of each P-DM cycle .

[0078] In a third example, the method of the first example, wherein the paging monitoring parameters comprise one or more P- DM cycle patterns that are configured and broadcast by the network for paging command monitoring .

[0079] In a fourth example, the method of the first example, wherein the paging monitoring parameters are include a synchronization ( SYNC) signal comprising a timing synchronization signal and payload information .

[0080] In a fifth example, the method of the fourth example, wherein the timing synchronization signal is an 'M' -bit predefined on-off key (OOK) sequence, further comprising detecting rising and / or falling edges of the OOK sequence to adj ust and align with a clock of a transmitter .

[0081] In a sixth example, the method of the fourth example, wherein the payload information comprises information of SYNC signal transmission, including a transmission periodicity of the SYNC signal and a monitoring window of the SYNC signal .PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1

[0082] In a seventh example, the method of the sixth example, wherein the periodicity of the SYNC signal is same as the periodicity of a corresponding P-DM cycle pattern and wherein the paging monitoring window is explicitly indicated in the payload information .

[0083] In an eighth example, the method of the sixth example, wherein the periodicity of the P-DM cycle pattern is explicitly indicated in the payload information .

[0084] In a ninth example, the method of the fourth example, wherein the SYNC signal is transmitted before a start of a corresponding paging monitoring window of each P-DM cycle .

[0085] In a tenth example, the method of the fourth example, further comprising omitting paging monitoring in the paging monitoring window if no SYNC signal is detected within a predefined SYNC monitoring window associated with the paging monitoring window .

[0086] In an eleventh example, the method of the third example, wherein a configuration of the one or more P-DM cycle patterns is provided by means of a payload of a paging command that triggers an inventory procedure .

[0087] In a twelfth example, the method of the eleventh example, wherein the paging command is transmitted in a periodic manner .

[0088] In a thirteenth example, the method of the eleventh example, wherein a preamble sequence in the paging commandPCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102Ref . No . P68926WO1 serves as a timing synchronization signal for paging command monitoring for a next P-DM cycle .

[0089] In a fourteenth example, the method of the eleventh example, wherein the paging command is configured to indicate the periodicity and paging monitoring window for the P-DM cycle .

[0090] In a fifteenth example, the method of the eleventh example, further comprising maintaining a clock during the remaining duration of the P-DM cycle to determine a wakeup time for a next P-DM cycle .

[0091] In a sixteenth example, the method of the first example, wherein the P-DM cycle is equally divided into n slots , and wherein if a paging command is received during the paging monitoring window, the method further comprising selecting one of the n slots to perform a random access (RACH) procedure .

[0092] In a seventeenth example, the method of the sixteenth example, wherein the RACH procedure may be a Type-A RACH procedure or a Type B RACH procedure, wherein a type of RACH procedure is explicitly indicated in the paging command .

[0093] In an eighteenth example, the method of the seventeenth example, wherein, when the RACH procedure is a Type A RACH procedure, the method further comprising generating, for transmission to a reader, a contention resolution identification ( ID) , attempting to detect a response signal from the reader that echoes the contention resolution ID, when a response signal is detected, generating, for transmission to the reader, device identification ( ID) information and when a response signal isPCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102Ref . No . P68926WO1 not detected, entering a sleep time and perform RF energy harvesting during a remaining duration of the P-DM cycle .

[0094] In a nineteenth example, the method of the seventeenth example, wherein, when the RACH procedure is a Type B RACH procedure, the method further comprises generating, for transmission to a reader, a contention resolution identification ( ID) and a device identification ( ID) information, when no response signal is received from the reader in response to the contention resolution ID and device ID information, entering a sleep time and perform RF energy harvesting during a remaining duration of the P-DM cycle .

[0095] In a twentieth example, the method of the first example, wherein the P-DM cycle is divided into a contention period (CP) , a contention acknowledgment period (CAP) , and a device identification ( ID) report period .

[0096] In a twenty first example, the method of the twentieth example, wherein the contention period is divided into S time slots , the method further comprising randomly selecting one slot from the ' S ' time slots and cause transceiver circuitry to transmit a contention resolution identification ( ID) in the selected slot to a reader .

[0097] In a twenty second example, the method of the twenty first example, wherein a Medium Access Control (MAC) control element (CE ) is configured to acknowledge one or more contention resolution IDs that are successfully received by the reader in the CP, where each slot used in the contention period is associated with a sub-field of the MAC CE .PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102Ref . No . P68926WO1

[0098] In a twenty third example, the method of the twenty second example, wherein the MAC-CE has a variable size and comprises an acknowledgement command identification ( ID) field including a unique ID to identify the MAC-CE, a Ci field, the Ci field configured to indicate a presence of a CAP sub-field for a time slot i of a corresponding CP and a CAP sub-field configured to indicate the contention resolution ID received by the reader in a corresponding time slot when the Ci field indicates the presence of a CAP sub-field .

[0099] In a twenty fourth example, the method of the twenty third example, wherein all bits of the contention resolution ID are included in the corresponding CAP sub-field.

[0100] In a twenty fifth example, the method of the twenty third example, wherein a subset of the bits of the contention resolution ID is included in the corresponding CAP sub-field .

[0101] In a twenty sixth example, the method of the twenty third example, wherein if the MAC-CE indicates one or more contention resolution IDs are successfully received by the reader in the CP, the processing circuitry is configured to cause transceiver circuitry to transmit device identification ( ID) information to the reader in a corresponding time slot based on an ordinal position among all the Ci fields set to 1 .

[0102] In a twenty seventh example, a processor configured to perform any of the methods of the first through twenty sixth examples .PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1

[0103] In a twenty eighth example, an ambient Internet of Things ( loT ) device configured to perform any of the methods of the first through twenty sixth examples .

[0104] In a twenty ninth example, a system comprising a reader, a first ambient Internet of Things ( I0T) device and a second ambient I0T device, wherein each of the first I0T device and the second I0T device comprise processing circuitry configured to process parameters that are used for monitoring a paging command that triggers am inventory procedure, the parameters comprising a paging monitoring window for a paging discontinuous ( P-DM cycle) and a periodicity for the P-DM cycle, monitor for reception of a paging command during the paging monitoring window in the P-DM cycle and when no paging command is received during the monitoring window, harvest energy by converting radio freguency (RF) signals received from a network into electrical energy during a remaining duration of the P-DM cycle .

[0105] In a thirtieth example, the system of the twenty ninth example, wherein the P-DM cycle is equally divided into n slots , and wherein if a paging command is received during the paging monitoring window, the processing circuitry of at least one of the first I0T device and the second I0T device is configured to select one of the n slots to perform a random access (RACK) procedure .

[0106] In a thirty first example, the system of the thirtieth example, wherein the RACK procedure may be a Type-A RACK procedure or a Type B RACK procedure, wherein a type of RACK procedure is explicitly indicated in the paging command .PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102Ref . No . P68926WO1

[0107] In a thirty second example, the system of the thirtieth example, wherein the P-DM cycle is equally divided into n time slots and the n time slots are known based on P-DM cycle configuration information received from the paging command or a synchronization ( SYNC) signal comprising a timing synchronization signal and payload information .

[0108] In a thirty third example, the system of the thirty second example, wherein when the first IOT device and the second IOT device receive the paging command, the processing circuitry of the first device is configured to randomly select a first time slot for a first RACK procedure and the processing circuitry of the second device is configured to randomly select a second time slot for a second RACK procedure .

[0109] In a thirty fourth example, the system of the thirty third example, wherein, in the first time slot, the processing circuitry of the first IOT device is configured to generate, for transmission to a reader, a first contention resolution identification ( ID) , attempt to detect a first response signal from the reader that echoes the first contention resolution ID, when a first response signal is detected, generate, for transmission to the reader, first device identification ( ID) information and when a first response signal is not detected, enter a sleep time and perform RF energy harvesting and, in the second time slot, the processing circuitry of the second IOT device is configured to generate a second contention resolution identification ( ID) , attempt to detect a second response signal from the reader that echoes the second contention resolution ID, when a second response signal is detected, generate, forPCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 transmission to a reader, the second device identification ( ID) information and, when a second response signal is not detected, enter a sleep time and perform RF energy harvesting .

[0110] In a thirty fifth example, the system of the thirty fourth example, wherein if a collision happens between other devices and the first IOT device or the second I0T device, the processing circuitry of the first IOT device or the processing circuitry of the second IOT device A-IoT is configured to wait until a next P-DM cycle to re-perform the RACH procedure .

[0111] In a thirty sixth example, the system of the twenty ninth example, wherein the P-DM cycle is divided into a contention period (CP) , a contention acknowledgment period (CAP) , and a device identification ( ID) report period.

[0112] In a thirty seventh example, the system of the thirty sixth example, wherein the P-DM cycle is equally divided into n time slots and the n time slots are known based on P-DM cycle configuration information received from the paging command or a synchronization ( SYNC) signal comprising a timing synchronization signal and payload information, and wherein the CP and the CAP are further divided into ' S' time slots , the processing circuitry of the first device, upon receiving timing information from either the paging command or the SYNC signal , is configured to randomly select a first time slot for a first RACH procedure and the processing circuitry of the second device, upon receiving timing information from either the paging command or the SYNC signal , is configured to randomly select a second time slot for a second RACH procedure .PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1

[0113] In a thirty eighth example, the system of the thirty seventh example, wherein the processing circuitry of the first IOT device is configured to cause transceiver circuitry to transmit a first contention resolution identification ( ID) to the reader in the first time slot and the processing circuitry of the second IOT device is configured to cause transceiver circuitry to transmit a second contention resolution ID to the reader in the second time slot .

[0114] In a thirty ninth example, the system of the thirty eighth example, wherein a single Medium Access Control (MAC) control element (CE) is configured to acknowledge one or more contention resolution IDs that are successfully received by the reader in the CP, where each slot used in the contention period is associated with a sub-field of the MAC CE .

[0115] In a fortieth example, the system of the thirty ninth example, wherein the single MAC-CE has a variable size and comprises an acknowledgement command identification ( ID) field including a unigue ID to identify the MAC-CE, a Ci field, the Ci field configured to indicate a presence of a CAP sub-field for a time slot i of a corresponding CP and a CAP sub-field configured to indicate the contention resolution ID received by the reader in a corresponding time slot when the Ci field indicates the presence of a CAP sub-field .

[0116] In a forty first example, the system of the fortieth example, wherein if the single MAC-CE indicates one or more contention resolution IDs are successfully received by the reader in the CP, the processing circuitry of a respective one of the first IOT device and the second IOT device is configuredPCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 to cause transceiver circuitry to transmit corresponding respective device identification ( ID) information to the reader in a corresponding time slot based on an ordinal position among all the Ci fields set to 1 .

[0117] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above-described example embodiments may be implemented in any suitable software or hardware configuration or combination thereof . An example hardware platform for implementing the example embodiments may include, for example, an Intel x86 based platform with compatible operating system, a Windows OS , a Mac platform and MAC OS, a mobile device having an operating system such as iOS , Android, etc . The example embodiments of the above described method may be embodied as a program containing lines of code stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that, when compiled, may be executed on a processor or microprocessor .

[0118] Although this application described various embodiments each having different features in various combinations, those skilled in the art will understand that any of the features of one embodiment may be combined with the features of the other embodiments in any manner not specifically disclaimed or which is not functionally or logically inconsistent with the operation of the device or the stated functions of the disclosed embodiments .

[0119] It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining thePCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 privacy of users . In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users .

[0120] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present disclosure, without departing from the spirit or the scope of the disclosure . Thus , it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalent .

Claims

PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102Ref . No . P68926WO1What is claimed :1 . An apparatus comprising processing circuitry coupled to memory, the processing circuitry configured to : process, based on signaling from a network, paging monitoring parameters comprising a paging monitoring window for a paging discontinuous (P-DM cycle ) and a periodicity for the P- DM cycle; monitor for reception of a paging command during the paging monitoring window in the P-DM cycle, wherein the paging command is used to trigger an inventory procedure; and if no paging command is received during the monitoring window, harvest energy by converting radio frequency (RF) signals received from a network into electrical energy during a remaining duration of the P-DM cycle .2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the paging monitoring window comprises a duration from a beginning of the P-DM cycle and the periodicity is a duration of each P-DM cycle .

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the paging monitoring parameters comprise one or more P-DM cycle patterns that are configured and broadcast by the network for paging command monitoring .4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the paging monitoring parameters are include a synchronization ( SYNC) signal comprising a timing synchronization signal and payload information .

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the timing synchronization signal is an 'M' -bit predefined on-off key (00K)PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102Ref . No . P68926WO1 sequence, and wherein the processing circuitry is configured to detect rising and / or falling edges of the OOK sequence to adj ust and align with a clock of a transmitter .

6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the payload information comprises information of SYNC signal transmission, including a transmission periodicity of the SYNC signal and a monitoring window of the SYNC signal .7 . The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the periodicity of the SYNC signal is same as the periodicity of a corresponding P-DM cycle pattern and wherein the paging monitoring window is explicitly indicated in the payload information .8 . The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the periodicity of the P-DM cycle pattern is explicitly indicated in the payload information .

9. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the SYNC signal is transmitted before a start of a corresponding paging monitoring window of each P-DM cycle .

10. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to omit paging monitoring in the paging monitoring window if no SYNC signal is detected within a predefined SYNC monitoring window associated with the paging monitoring window .11 . The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a configuration of the one or more P-DM cycle patterns is provided by means of a payload of a paging command that triggers an inventory procedure .PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO112 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the paging command is transmitted in a periodic manner .

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein a preamble sequence in the paging command serves as a timing synchronization signal for paging command monitoring for a next P-DM cycle .14 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the paging command is configured to indicate the periodicity and paging monitoring window for the P-DM cycle .

15. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to maintain a clock during the remaining duration of the P-DM cycle to determine a wakeup time for a next P-DM cycle .

16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the P-DM cycle is equally divided into n slots , and wherein if a paging command is received during the paging monitoring window, the processing circuitry is configured to select one of the n slots to perform a random access (RACH) procedure .17 . The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the RACH procedure may be a Type-A RACH procedure or a Type B RACH procedure, wherein a type of RACH procedure is explicitly indicated in the paging command.18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein, when the RACH procedure is a Type A RACH procedure, the processing circuitry is configured to :PCT / US25 / 39600 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025)Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 98102 Ref . No . P68926WO1 generate, for transmission to a reader, a contention resolution identification ( ID) ; attempt to detect a response signal from the reader that echoes the contention resolution ID; when a response signal is detected, generate, for transmission to the reader, device identification ( ID) information; and when a response signal is not detected, enter a sleep time and perform RF energy harvesting during a remaining duration of the P-DM cycle .

19. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein, when the RACK procedure is a Type B RACK procedure, the processing circuitry is configured to : generate, for transmission to a reader, a contention resolution identification ( ID) and a device identification ( ID) information; when no response signal is received from the reader in response to the contention resolution ID and device ID information, enter a sleep time and perform RF energy harvesting during a remaining duration of the P-DM cycle .

20. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the P-DM cycle is divided into a contention period (CP) , a contention acknowledgment period (CAP) , and a device identification ( ID) report period .

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