Method and apparatus for configuration for a-IOT device to reader

Abstract

An apparatus, method, and computer program product are provided for detecting at least one parent preamble sequence from a carrier wave (CW) signal. The at least one parent preamble sequence is based on a set of one or more parameters. The apparatus, method, and computer program product further provide for generating a child preamble sequence based on an identifier (ID) of an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) device and the set of one or more parameters. In another embodiment, an apparatus, method, and computer program product are provided for detecting a child preamble sequence. The child preamble sequence is based on an identifier (ID) of an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) device and a set of one or more parameters. The apparatus, method, and computer program product further provide for performing one or more actions based on the child preamble sequence.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURATOIN FOR A-IOT DEVICE TO READERTECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0001] An example embodiment relates generally to techniques for ambient internet of thing (A-IoT) devices, and more particularly, to a design for preamble sequences.BACKGROUND

[0002] Some terminals, such as an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) device, may harvest energy for various operations, such as to transmit signaling. In some other cases, a terminal may operate in a passive mode (e.g., a tag, a device that lacks active transmission circuitry), in which the terminal may use backscattering to communicate (e.g., transmit data). In some cases, a terminal may operate in an active mode in which the terminal may use harvested energy and a circuit (e.g., an active circuit) to transmit signaling. Such terminals necessitate feasible solutions regarding which functions, procedures, and the like are needed to ensure required functionalities across such terminals and related devices. For example, device to reader (D2R) preambles serve to synchronize readers to A-IoT device transmissions, estimate the D2R channel response, support multiple access, and the like.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] An apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for communications associated with an improved design for preamble sequences.

[0004] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: detect at least one parent preamble sequence from a carrier wave (CW) signal. The at least one parent preamble sequence is based on a set of one or more parameters. The apparatus is also caused at least to generate a child preamble sequence based on an identifier (ID) of an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) device and the set of one or more parameters.

[0005] According to some embodiments, the at least one parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence and the set of one or more parameters includes at least a sequence root and a sequence length. The apparatus of some embodiments is also caused at least to detect aplurality of parent preamble sequences; and select the at least one parent preamble sequence from among the plurality of parent preamble sequences based on a power of the at least one parent preamble sequence. The at least one parent preamble sequence of some embodiments is selected to have a greatest power from among the plurality of parent preamble sequences. The at least one parent preamble sequence of some embodiments is provided by a CW signal transmitted by a CW node and the child preamble sequence is a device to reader (D2R) preamble sequence. The apparatus of some embodiments is also caused at least to receive one or more signals from a network (NW); and configure the apparatus for transmission based at least in part on the one or more signals from the NW.

[0006] The apparatus of some embodiments is also caused at least to cause the child preamble sequence to be transmitted to a reader. The apparatus of some embodiments is also caused at least to determine a transmit power; and cause the child preamble sequence to be transmitted to the reader based on the transmit power. In this embodiment, the transmit power is determined based on a power of the CW signal as measured by the apparatus or the transmit power is configured by the NW. The apparatus of some embodiments is also caused at least to identify a pattern of the at least one parent preamble sequence based on the sequence root and the sequence length. The sequence length of some embodiments is a prime number. The apparatus of some embodiments is also caused at least to generate the child preamble sequence based at least in part on one or more of one or more time related references, an internal counter that changes based on a number of transmissions by the apparatus in a past time period, or a maximum or minimum of the sequence length or the sequence root. The child preamble sequence of some embodiments is orthogonal to the at least one parent preamble sequence. In some embodiments, one or more of the child preamble sequence or the at least one parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence, Barker sequence, Golay sequence, or Gold sequence.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method including detecting at least one parent preamble sequence from a carrier wave (CW) signal. The at least one parent preamble sequence is based on a set of one or more parameters. The method also includes generating a child preamble sequence based on an identifier (ID) of an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) device and the set of one or more parameters.

[0008] According to some embodiments, the at least one parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence and the set of one or more parameters includes at least a sequence root anda sequence length. The method of some embodiments also includes detecting a plurality of parent preamble sequences; and selecting the at least one parent preamble sequence from among the plurality of parent preamble sequences based on a power of the at least one parent preamble sequence. The at least one parent preamble sequence of some embodiments is selected to have a greatest power from among the plurality of parent preamble sequences. The at least one parent preamble sequence of some embodiments is provided by a CW signal transmitted by a CW node and the child preamble sequence is a device to reader (D2R) preamble sequence. The method of some embodiments also includes receiving one or more signals from a network (NW); and configuring an apparatus for transmission based at least in part on the one or more signals from the NW.

[0009] The method of some embodiments also includes causing the child preamble sequence to be transmitted to a reader. The method of some embodiments also includes determining a transmit power; and causing the child preamble sequence to be transmitted to the reader based on the transmit power. In this embodiment, the transmit power is determined based on a power of the CW signal as measured by the apparatus or the transmit power is configured by the NW. The method of some embodiments also includes identifying a pattern of the at least one parent preamble sequence based on the sequence root and the sequence length. The sequence length of some embodiments is a prime number. The method of some embodiments also includes generating the child preamble sequence based at least in part on one or more of one or more time related references, an internal counter that changes based on a number of transmissions by the apparatus in a past time period, or a maximum or minimum of the sequence length or the sequence root. The child preamble sequence of some embodiments is orthogonal to the at least one parent preamble sequence. In some embodiments, one or more of the child preamble sequence or the at least one parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence, Barker sequence, Golay sequence, or Gold sequence.

[0010] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program product, including at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code portions stored therein with the computer-executable program code portions comprising program code instructions configured to detect at least one parent preamble sequence from a carrier wave (CW) signal. The at least one parent preamble sequence is based on a set of one or more parameters. The computer-executable program codeportions include program code instructions configured to generate a child preamble sequence based on an identifier (ID) of an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) device and the set of one or more parameters.

[0011] According to some embodiments, the at least one parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence and the set of one or more parameters includes at least a sequence root and a sequence length. According to some embodiments, the computer-executable program code portions include program code instructions configured to detect a plurality of parent preamble sequences; and select the at least one parent preamble sequence from among the plurality of parent preamble sequences based on a power of the at least one parent preamble sequence. The at least one parent preamble sequence of some embodiments is selected to have a greatest power from among the plurality of parent preamble sequences. The at least one parent preamble sequence of some embodiments is provided by a CW signal transmitted by a CW node and the child preamble sequence is a device to reader (D2R) preamble sequence. According to some embodiments, the computer-executable program code portions include program code instructions configured to receive one or more signals from a network (NW); and configure an apparatus for transmission based at least in part on the one or more signals from the NW.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the computer-executable program code portions include program code instructions configured to cause the child preamble sequence to be transmitted to a reader. According to some embodiments, the computer-executable program code portions include program code instructions configured to determine a transmit power; and cause the child preamble sequence to be transmitted to the reader based on the transmit power. In this embodiment, the transmit power is determined based on a power of the CW signal as measured by the apparatus or the transmit power is configured by the NW. According to some embodiments, the computer-executable program code portions include program code instructions configured to identify a pattern of the at least one parent preamble sequence based on the sequence root and the sequence length. The sequence length of some embodiments is a prime number. According to some embodiments, the computer-executable program code portions include program code instructions configured to generate the child preamble sequence based at least in part on one or more of one or more time related references, an internal counter that changes based on a number of transmissions by the apparatus in a past time period, or a maximum or minimum of the sequence length or the sequence root. The child preamblesequence of some embodiments is orthogonal to the at least one parent preamble sequence. In some embodiments, one or more of the child preamble sequence or the at least one parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence, Barker sequence, Golay sequence, or Gold sequence.

[0013] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus, including means for detecting at least one parent preamble sequence from a carrier wave (CW) signal. The at least one parent preamble sequence is based on a set of one or more parameters. The apparatus also includes means for generating a child preamble sequence based on an identifier (ID) of an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) device and the set of one or more parameters.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the at least one parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence and the set of one or more parameters includes at least a sequence root and a sequence length. The apparatus of some embodiments also includes means for detecting a plurality of parent preamble sequences; and selecting the at least one parent preamble sequence from among the plurality of parent preamble sequences based on a power of the at least one parent preamble sequence. The at least one parent preamble sequence of some embodiments is selected to have a greatest power from among the plurality of parent preamble sequences. The at least one parent preamble sequence of some embodiments is provided by a CW signal transmitted by a CW node and the child preamble sequence is a device to reader (D2R) preamble sequence. The apparatus of some embodiments also includes means for receiving one or more signals from a network (NW); and configuring the apparatus for transmission based at least in part on the one or more signals from the NW.

[0015] The apparatus of some embodiments also includes means for causing the child preamble sequence to be transmitted to a reader. The apparatus of some embodiments also includes means for determining a transmit power; and causing the child preamble sequence to be transmitted to the reader based on the transmit power. In this embodiment, the transmit power is determined based on a power of the CW signal as measured by the apparatus or the transmit power is configured by the NW. The apparatus of some embodiments also includes means for identifying a pattern of the at least one parent preamble sequence based on the sequence root and the sequence length. The sequence length of some embodiments is a prime number. The apparatus of some embodiments also includes means for generating the child preamble sequencebased at least in part on one or more of one or more time related references, an internal counter that changes based on a number of transmissions by the apparatus in a past time period, or a maximum or minimum of the sequence length or the sequence root. The child preamble sequence of some embodiments is orthogonal to the at least one parent preamble sequence. In some embodiments, one or more of the child preamble sequence or the at least one parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence, Barker sequence, Golay sequence, or Gold sequence.

[0016] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus including at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: detect a child preamble sequence. The child preamble sequence is based on an identifier (ID) of an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) device and a set of one or more parameters. The apparatus is also caused at least to perform one or more actions based on the child preamble sequence.

[0017] The child preamble sequence of some embodiments is a device to reader (D2R) preamble sequence. The child preamble sequence of some embodiments is based on a parent preamble sequence transmitted by a carrier wave (CW) node. In this embodiment, the parent preamble sequence is based on the set of one or more parameters. In this embodiment, the apparatus is also caused at least to receive, from a network (NW), one or more possible configurations of the CW node based on the set of one or more parameters. In some embodiments, the parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence and the set of one or more parameters includes at least a sequence root and a sequence length. The sequence length of some embodiments is a prime number. In some embodiments, the child preamble sequence is transmitted based on a transmit power of the A-IoT device.

[0018] The apparatus of some embodiments is also caused at least to determine the sequence root by cross-correlating the child preamble sequence with a locally regenerated sequence. The apparatus of some embodiments is also caused at least to detect the child preamble sequence by envelope detection. The apparatus of some embodiments is also caused at least to distinguish between a plurality of child preamble sequences based on correlation properties of the plurality of child preamble sequences. According to some embodiments, the child preamble sequence is generated based at least in part on one or more of one or more time related references, an internal counter that changes based on a number of transmissions by the A-IoT device in a past timeperiod, or a maximum or minimum of the sequence length or the sequence root. The child preamble sequence of some embodiments is orthogonal to the parent preamble sequence. According to some embodiments, one or more of the child preamble sequence or the parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence, Barker sequence, Golay sequence, or Gold sequence.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method including: detecting a child preamble sequence. The child preamble sequence is based on an identifier (ID) of an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) device and a set of one or more parameters. The method also includes performing one or more actions based on the child preamble sequence.

[0020] The child preamble sequence of some embodiments is a device to reader (D2R) preamble sequence. The child preamble sequence of some embodiments is based on a parent preamble sequence transmitted by a carrier wave (CW) node. In this embodiment, the parent preamble sequence is based on the set of one or more parameters. In this embodiment, the method also includes receiving, from a network (NW), one or more possible configurations of the CW node based on the set of one or more parameters. In some embodiments, the parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence and the set of one or more parameters includes at least a sequence root and a sequence length. The sequence length of some embodiments is a prime number. In some embodiments, the child preamble sequence is transmitted based on a transmit power of the A-IoT device.

[0021] The method of some embodiments also includes determining the sequence root by cross-correlating the child preamble sequence with a locally regenerated sequence. The method of some embodiments also includes detecting the child preamble sequence by envelope detection. The method of some embodiments also includes distinguishing between a plurality of child preamble sequences based on correlation properties of the plurality of child preamble sequences. According to some embodiments, the child preamble sequence is generated based at least in part on one or more of one or more time related references, an internal counter that changes based on a number of transmissions by the A-IoT device in a past time period, or a maximum or minimum of the sequence length or the sequence root. The child preamble sequence of some embodiments is orthogonal to the parent preamble sequence. According tosome embodiments, one or more of the child preamble sequence or the parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence, Barker sequence, Golay sequence, or Gold sequence.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program product, including at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code portions stored therein with the computer-executable program code portions comprising program code instructions configured to detect a child preamble sequence. The child preamble sequence is based on an identifier (ID) of an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) device and a set of one or more parameters. The computer-executable program code portions include program code instructions configured to perform one or more actions based on the child preamble sequence.

[0023] The child preamble sequence of some embodiments is a device to reader (D2R) preamble sequence. The child preamble sequence of some embodiments is based on a parent preamble sequence transmitted by a carrier wave (CW) node. In this embodiment, the parent preamble sequence is based on the set of one or more parameters. In this embodiment the computer-executable program code portions include program code instructions configured to receive, from a network (NW), one or more possible configurations of the CW node based on the set of one or more parameters. In some embodiments, the parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff- Chu sequence and the set of one or more parameters includes at least a sequence root and a sequence length. The sequence length of some embodiments is a prime number. In some embodiments, the child preamble sequence is transmitted based on a transmit power of the A-IoT device.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the computer-executable program code portions include program code instructions configured to determine the sequence root by cross-correlating the child preamble sequence with a locally regenerated sequence. According to some embodiments, the computer-executable program code portions include program code instructions configured to detect the child preamble sequence by envelope detection. According to some embodiments, the computer-executable program code portions include program code instructions configured to distinguish between a plurality of child preamble sequences based on correlation properties of the plurality of child preamble sequences. According to some embodiments, the child preamble sequence is generated based at least in part on one or more of one or more time related references, an internal counter that changes based on a number of transmissions by the A-loT device in a past time period, or a maximum or minimum of the sequence length or the sequence root. The child preamble sequence of some embodiments is orthogonal to the parent preamble sequence. According to some embodiments, one or more of the child preamble sequence or the parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence, Barker sequence, Golay sequence, or Gold sequence.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus, including means for detecting a child preamble sequence. The child preamble sequence is based on an identifier (ID) of an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) device and a set of one or more parameters. The apparatus also includes means for performing one or more actions based on the child preamble sequence.

[0026] The child preamble sequence of some embodiments is a device to reader (D2R) preamble sequence. The child preamble sequence of some embodiments is based on a parent preamble sequence transmitted by a carrier wave (CW) node. In this embodiment, the parent preamble sequence is based on the set of one or more parameters. In this embodiment, the apparatus also includes means for receiving, from a network (NW), one or more possible configurations of the CW node based on the set of one or more parameters. In some embodiments, the parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence and the set of one or more parameters includes at least a sequence root and a sequence length. The sequence length of some embodiments is a prime number. In some embodiments, the child preamble sequence is transmitted based on a transmit power of the A-IoT device.

[0027] The apparatus of some embodiments also includes means for determining the sequence root by cross-correlating the child preamble sequence with a locally regenerated sequence. The apparatus of some embodiments also includes means for detecting the child preamble sequence by envelope detection. The apparatus of some embodiments also includes means for distinguishing between a plurality of child preamble sequences based on correlation properties of the plurality of child preamble sequences. According to some embodiments, the child preamble sequence is generated based at least in part on one or more of one or more time related references, an internal counter that changes based on a number of transmissions by the A- loT device in a past time period, or a maximum or minimum of the sequence length or the sequence root. The child preamble sequence of some embodiments is orthogonal to the parent preamble sequence. According to some embodiments, one or more of the child preamblesequence or the parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence, Barker sequence, Golay sequence, or Gold sequence.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Having thus described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will hereinafter be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0029] Figure 1 a diagram of an example communication system;

[0030] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus that may be specifically configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 3 an example where the cross-correlation of preambles by different A-IOT devices is very low in accordance with at least an example embodiment;

[0032] Figure 4 is a process flow illustrating operations performed in accordance with at least an example embodiment;

[0033] Figure 5 illustrates some operations performed in order to provide for communications associated with an improved design for preamble sequences in accordance with at least an example embodiment; and

[0034] Figure 6 illustrates some operations performed in order to provide for communications associated with an improved design for preamble sequences in accordance with at least another example embodiment.DETAIEED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein; rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Eike reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and / or stored in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, use of any suchterms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and / or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and / or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and / or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and / or firmware. As another example, the term ‘circuitry’ as used herein also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device (such as a core network apparatus), field programmable gate array, and / or other computing device.

[0037] As illustrated in the example of Figure 1, a communications system may include one or more ambient loT (A-IoT) devices, such as an A-IoT device 19, which may communicate with one or more UEs (e.g., a UE 10, a UE 11) and / or an access node 12 (e.g., a base station). For example, the A-IoT device 19 may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more topologies. Additionally, the A-IoT device 19 may be configured to operate in accordance with monostatic and / or bistatic communications. For example, the A-IoT device 19 may operate in accordance with a first topology and a second topology that support both monostatic and bistatic communications. As used herein, monostatic communication refers to a scenario in which a node configured to transmits signals to a device (e.g., the transmitting node) is the same as a node configured to receive signals from the device (e.g., the receiving node). Additionally, as used herein, bistatic communication refers to a scenario in which the node configured to transmit signals to the device (e.g., the transmitting node) is different from the node configured to receive signals from the device (e.g., the receiving node).

[0038] In some examples of the first topology, the A-IoT device 19 may directly communicate with the access node 12 (e.g., a base station). That is, the A-IoT device 19 maydirectly and bidirectionally communicate with a base station in accordance with the first topology. Communication between the access node and the A-IoT device 19 may include A-IoT data and / or signaling. For example, the A-IoT device 19 may receive a signal (e.g., a carrier wave signal) from the access node and may use the signal to communicate information (e.g., data) to the access node through backscattering communication. In some example, the A-IoT device 19 may internally generate a signal and use it to communicate information (e.g., data) to the access node. In some examples, the A-IoT device 19 may be deployed with the first topology in an indoor-to-indoor scenario, for example, with an indoor microcell base station.

[0039] In some examples of the second topology, the A-IoT device 19 may communicate with the access node 12 (e.g., a base station) via one or more intermediate nodes. An intermediate node may also be referred to herein as an assisting node. In some examples of monostatic communication, the A-IoT device 19 may communicate bidirectionally with an intermediate node (e.g., the UE 10), and the intermediate node may communicate (e.g., directly, and bidirectionally) with the access node 12. In some examples, the intermediate node may be physically located in between the A-IoT device 19 and the access node 12, thereby extending the range over which the access node 12 may communicate with the A-IoT device 19 (relative to communications in accordance with the first topology). In some such examples, in accordance with the monostatic mode, the intermediate node may transfer (e.g., relay, forward) A-IoT data and / or signaling between the access node 12 and the A-IoT device 19. In some examples of bistatic communication, a transmitter of signaling to the A-IoT device 19 may be different from a receiver of signaling from the A-IoT device. For example, the A-IoT device 19 may communicate unidirectionally with a first device (e.g., one of the UE 10 or the UE 11) and a second device (e.g., another of the UE 10 or the UE 11). In some examples, the access node 12 may use two intermediate nodes to communicate with the A-IoT device 19. For example, the A- loT device 19 may receive signaling from the UE 10 and may transmit communications to the UE 11. In such examples, the UE 10 and the UE 11 may communicate (e.g., directly, and bidirectionally) with the access node 12. In some examples, the A-IoT device 19 may be deployed with the second topology in an indoor-to-outdoor scenario with an indoor UE as an intermediate node (e.g., under network control) and an outdoor macrocell base station.

[0040] As used herein, a carrier wave (CW) node or carrier wave transmission (CWT) node refers to any network (NW) node configured to transmit a carrier wave signal to an A-IoTdevice. In some embodiments, a CW node may be used to power an A-IoT device (e.g., via a CW). Additionally, as used herein, a reader refers to a any NW node (e.g., gNB, UE, etc.) configured to communicate with an A-IoT device. For example, a reader may include a device configured to transmit signaling to the A-IoT device (e.g., a transmitting node) and / or a device configured to receive signaling from an A-IoT device (e.g., a receiving node). That is, in some instances, a reader may transmit signaling to an A-IoT device and / or receive signaling from an A-IoT device. Accordingly, as used herein, a device-to-reader (D2R) signal, and the like, refers to a signal communicated from an A-IoT device to a reader. Additionally, as used herein, a reader-to-device (R2D) signal, and the like, refers to a signal communicated from a reader to an A-IoT device. As used herein, a carrier wave-to-device (CW2D) signal, refers to a carrier wave signal transmitted from a carrier wave node to an A-IoT device for the purposes of backscattering. In the example of Figure 1, the UE 10 and the access node 12 may be examples of carrier wave nodes and the UE 10, the UE 11, and the access node 12 may be examples of readers.

[0041] A-IoT devices may be deployed, for example, in various vertical industries including, but not limited to logistics, manufacturing industries, transportation industries, and energy industries. As such, deploying A-IoT devices (e.g., passive devices) in both public and private networks may provide one or more benefits to the communications system (e.g., a 5G ecosystem). In some embodiments, A-IoT devices may be relatively low (e.g., ultra- low) complexity devices and / or devices with a relatively small terminal size or form factor (e.g., a thickness on the order of mm). Additionally, or alternatively, A-IoT devices may be associated with relatively low maintenance (e.g., may be maintenance-free), and may have a relatively long lifecycle. An A-IoT device may include a battery-less terminal or a terminal with constrained (e.g., limited) energy storage capability. In some examples, A-IoT devices may be used for medical instrument inventory management, automobile manufacturing, and / or to find remote (e.g., lost) items.

[0042] Some A-IoT devices may be associated with a relatively low peak power consumption (e.g., about 1 pW peak power consumption), may have constrained energy storage, may be configured with an initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10X ppm, and may lack downlink and uplink power amplification capabilities in the device. Accordingly, in some examples, the transmissions by such A-IoT devices may be backscattered on a carrier wave thatcan be provided externally by the reader or another node. In some other examples, the A-IoT devices may have the capability to generate their transmissions internally.

[0043] Some other A-IoT devices may be associated with a higher peak power consumption (e.g., less than or equal to a few hundred pW peak power consumption), may have energy storage, may be configured with an initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10X ppm, and may include reception and / or transmission amplification capabilities in the device. In some instances, an A-IoT device may include a reflection amplifier, which can amplify reflected backscattered signals. In some such instances, the A-IoT device may amplify signals (e.g., at least one of an R2D, a CW2D signal, or a D2R signal) by either the reflection amplifier or a low- noise amplifier (LNA). In some examples, the A-IoT device may include one or more types of reflection amplifiers, such as a uni-directional / one-way reflection amplifier (e.g., for D2R signals) and / or a bi-directional / two-way reflection amplifier (for both R2D and D2R signals). Additionally, or alternatively, the A-IoT device may include one or more baseband (BB) amplifiers, which may amplify BB signals to improve signal strength. In some instances, the A- loT device may include a power amplifier, which amplifies transmitted signals. In some instances, the A-IoT device may be capable of achieving a backscatter amplifier gain of about 10-25 decibels (dB), for example, for D2R signals. In some such instances, a backscattered amplification gain achieved by the A-IoT device (e.g., one-wave amplification gain) may be based on stability, operating frequency, bandwidth, and one or more power consumption characteristics.

[0044] The A-IoT device 19 may use an A-IoT access procedure to establish a connection with the network (e.g., the access node 12, the CN 15). In some non-limiting examples, the A- loT device 19 may use an ALOHA process (e.g., a slotted-ALOHA process) for A-IoT random access. In some examples, the A-IoT 19 may be triggered (e.g., via a reader) to perform an A-IoT access procedure. For example, a reader may be configured to support access triggering for a single A-IoT device or multiple A-IoT devices (e.g., multiple devices within a group of A-IoT devices, all A-IoT devices associated with the reader). In some examples, the reader may provide the one or multiple A-IoT devices with information that the A-IoT device(s) may use to respond to the random access trigger (e.g., a trigger message). In some examples, the A-IoT device 19 may support contention-based access procedures and / or contention-free access procedures.

[0045] In some cases, the network (e.g., the access node 12, the CN 15) may lack a power control mechanism for A-IoT devices. For example, the network may lack a power control mechanism for A-IoT access procedures and, as such, may lack a mechanism for managing the utilization of power amplification capabilities of A-IoT devices in an energy-aware manner. For example, some mobile devices (e.g., traditional UEs) may include a power-ramping capability, which may be used during an access procedure to increase a likelihood of the devices successfully establishing a connection with the network. However, unlike such devices, A-IoT devices (e.g., the A-IoT device 19) may lack a power-ramping or power- adaptation capability. For example, the A-IoT device 19 may include one or more power amplification capabilities but may lack a power-ramping capability (e.g., may only include a power amplification capability). In such an example, the network may lack a mechanism for controlling (e.g., setting) a transmission power at the A-IoT device 19. For example, the network may lack a mechanism for setting an initial transmit power to be used at the A-IoT device 19 for an A-IoT access procedure.

[0046] Various aspects of the present disclosure provide one or more mechanisms for the network to control a transmission power at one or more A-IoT devices. For example, the system of Figure 1 may be configured to support one or more power control mechanisms for the A-IoT device 19. In some examples, the system of Figure 1 may support a power control mechanism for an A-IoT access procedure, which may enable the network to set an initial transmission power at one or more A-IoT devices, thereby improving the access power control performance for the A- loT devices. For example, one or more power control mechanisms for the A-IoT access procedure, as described herein, may reduce a likelihood of a reader failing to receive backscattered / transmitted D2R signals due to underutilized power amplification, constrained energy storage, and constrained transmission power capabilities of the A-IoT device 19. Additionally, the one or more power control mechanisms for the A-IoT access procedure, as described herein, may reduce (e.g., minimize) unnecessary use of device power amplification and stored energy for transmission.

[0047] In accordance with at least one power control mechanism as described herein, a reader (e.g., the UE 10, the UE 11, the access node 12) may indicate, to the A-IoT device 19, a power amplification configuration (e.g., how much power to use for an A-IoT transmission). Additionally, or alternatively, the reader may modify the transmission power of a carrier wave signal to be used (by the A-IoT device 19) for the A-IoT transmission. In other words, the readermay modify the transmission power of the carrier wave signal and / or may control the transmission power of the A-IoT device 19 by indicating, to the A-IoT device 19, to use a particular power amplification / transmission. In some instances, the core network 15 (e.g., the A- loT upper layer / CN) may indicate, to the reader, to use a particular power amplification / transmission configuration for one or more A-IoT transmissions (e.g., one or more subsequent D2R or re-access transmissions) based on a power amplification / transmission capability of the A-IoT device 19, a proximity of the A-IoT device 19 from the reader, an estimated quantity of to-be-triggered A-IoT devices, one or more energy storage levels at the A- loT device 19, and / or a quantity of failed access transmissions. In other words, one or more power control mechanisms as described herein may enable the reader to modify the transmission power of carrier wave signals for the A-IoT device 19 and / or may enable the core network 15 (e.g., the A-IoT upper layer / CN) to request that the reader (or multiple readers) control the transmission power of the A-IoT device 19 by indicating, to the reader, to use a particular power amplification / transmission configuration for subsequent D2R or re-access transmissions based on the device’s power amplification / transmission capability, proximity from the reader, estimated number of to-be-triggered devices, energy storage levels, and / or the number of failed access transmissions.

[0048] In some instances, the reader may indicate, to the A-IoT device 19, a power control configuration (e.g., a set of power control parameters), for example, in addition to other control information (e.g., control information associated with a subsequent A-IoT transmission). In some such instances the A-IoT device 19 may indicate, to the reader, device information, such as a device type of the A-IoT device 19 (e.g., indicative of a specific power- amplification capability) and / or a power amplification level(s) capability of the A-IoT device 19. In response, the reader may indicate, to the A-IoT device 19, to update the power control configuration (e.g., modify a current power amplification setting at the A-IoT device 19) based on a request from the core network 15 (e.g., the CN / A-IoTF). In some instances, the A-IoT device 19 may transmit, to the reader, a random device identifier (ID) with a suggested power control configuration (e.g., a suggested power amplification level, a modification to the updated power control configuration) based on the updated power control configuration. In some such instances, the reader may transmit a response for the random ID to the A-IoT device 19, in which the response includes another updated power control configuration (e.g., based on the suggested power amplificationlevel). In some examples, one or more power control mechanisms as described herein may provide for improved utilization of power amplification capabilities and stored energy at A-IoT devices, as well as improved A-IoT access performance and system capacity by efficient power control.

[0049] The communication system of Figure 1 is also able to communicate with other networks, such as a public switched telephone network or the Internet 16, or utilize services provided by them. The communication system may be an example of a 5G network or one or more other types of networks (e.g., subsequent generations of networks), such as 5G- Advanced and 6G networks. The communications system may support the usage of cloud services, for example at least part of core network operations may be carried out as a cloud service (this is depicted in Figure 1 by “cloud” 18). The communication system may comprise a central control entity, or the like, providing facilities for networks of different operators to cooperate for example in spectrum sharing.

[0050] In some examples of the communications system, such as examples in which the communication system is a 5G network, the communication system may utilize satellite communication to enhance or complement the coverage of 5G service, for example by providing backhauling. While various aspects of the present disclosure are described in the context of 5G, it is to be understood that such aspects may also be applicable to other systems, such as subsequent generations of communications networks (e.g., 5G-Advanced and 6G). Some possible use cases for satellite communication include providing service continuity for machine- to-machine (M2M) or loT devices or for passengers on board vehicles, or ensuring service availability for critical communications, and future railway / maritime / aeronautical communications. Satellite communication may utilize geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite systems, but also low earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, in particular mega-constellations (systems in which hundreds of (nano)satellites are deployed). Each satellite in the megaconstellation may cover several satellite-enabled network entities that create on-ground cells. The on-ground cells may be created through an on-ground relay node or by a gNB located on- ground or in a satellite.

[0051] The depicted communication system of Figure 1 is an example of a part of a radio access system in which the communication system of Figure 1 may be deployed and in practice, the system may comprise a plurality of NodeBs, the user devices may have access to a pluralityof radio cells and the system may also comprise other apparatuses, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements, etc. At least one of the NodeBs may be a Home nodeB. Additionally, in a geographical area of a radio communication system a plurality of different kinds of radio cells as well as a plurality of radio cells may be provided. Radio cells may be macro cells (or umbrella cells) which are large cells, usually having a diameter of up to tens of kilometers, or smaller cells such as micro-, femto- or picocells. The NodeBs of Figure 1 may provide any kind of these cells. A cellular radio system may be implemented as a multilayer network including several kinds of cells. Typically, in multilayer networks, one access node provides one kind of a cell or cells, and thus a plurality of NodeBs may be used to provide such a network structure.

[0052] As shown in Figure 1, for example, a communications system may include a plurality of devices configured to communicate via respective channels. In this regard, the UE may include a transmitter configured to communicate with a receiver, for example, of a base station. Conversely, the base station may include a receiver and a transmitter for communicating with a receiver, for example, of the UE. By way of example, the communication system may be deployed within a radio access architecture based on long term evolution advanced (LTE Advanced, LTE-A), new radio (NR, 5G), 5G Advance, or 6G, among other subsequent generations. However, the system may be deployed in other applications including within other communication networks, such as a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) radio access network (UTRAN or E-UTRAN), wireless local area network (WLAN or WiFi), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Bluetooth®, personal communications services (PCS), ZigBee®, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), systems using ultra- wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) and Internet Protocol multimedia subsystems (IMS) or any combination thereof. In this regard, Figure 1 depicts an example of a simplified system architecture showing some elements and functional entities (e.g., logical units), whose implementation may differ from what is shown. The connections shown in Figure 1 are logical connections and corresponding physical connections may be different. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the system may comprise other functions and structures than those shown in Figure 1. In the radio access architecture of Figure 1, the UE 10 may be configured to be in wireless connection on one or more communication channels in a cell with the network node 12 (such as a NodeB) providingthe cell. The UE 10 and the network node 12 may communicate via an access link (e.g., a Uu link). As such, the network node 12 may also be referred to herein as an access node. The physical link from a user device (e.g., the UE 10) to a NodeB (e.g., the network node 12) is referred to as an uplink or reverse link and the physical link from the NodeB to the user device is referred to as a downlink or forward link. It should be appreciated that the NodeB s or their functionalities may be implemented by using any entity, such as a node, host, server, or access point (AP), etc. suitable for such a usage.

[0053] A communications system, such as the communication system of Figure 1, may include more than one NodeB in which case the NodeB s may also be configured to communicate with one another over links, wired or wireless, designed for various purposes. For example, such links may be used for signaling purposes. The NodeB is a computing device configured to control the radio resources of the communication system to which the NodeB may be coupled. The NodeB may also be referred to as a base station, an access point or any other type of interfacing device including a relay station capable of operating in a wired or wireless environment. The NodeB includes or is coupled to transceivers. From the transceivers of the NodeB, a connection is provided to an antenna unit that establishes bi-directional radio links to user devices. As such, the transceivers of the NodeB and the transceivers of the user devices may include transmitters and receivers configured to communicate via a channel with the trainable parameters of the transmitters and receivers able to be reconfigured in accordance with an example embodiment. The antenna unit may comprise a plurality of antennas or antenna elements. The NodeB is further connected to core network 15 (CN or next generation core NGC). Depending on the system, the counterpart on the CN side can be a serving gateway (S- GW, routing and forwarding user data packets), packet data network gateway (P-GW), for providing connectivity of user devices (UEs) to external packet data networks, or mobile management entity (MME), etc. The user device (also referred to as a UE, user terminal, terminal device, etc.) illustrates one type of an apparatus to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, and thus any feature described herein with a user device may be implemented with a corresponding apparatus, such as a relay node. An example of such a relay node is a layer 3 relay (self-backhauling relay) towards the base station.

[0054] The core network 15 may include an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF). In some instances, the core network 15 may use the AMF to manage access and mobilityfor various devices and / or communicate with other network functions such as the User Plane Function (UPF), Session Management Function (SMF), and Authentication Server Function (AUSF). Additionally, or alternatively, the core network 15 may include an application function (AF), which the core network 15 may use, for example, to control one or more applications, such as via a user plane.

[0055] A user device may refer to a portable computing device that includes wireless mobile communication devices operating with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM), including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: a mobile station (mobile phone), smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handset, device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), laptop and / or touch screen computer, tablet, game console, notebook, and multimedia device. It should be appreciated that a user device may also be a nearly exclusive uplink device (e.g., an uplink-only device), of which an example is a camera or video camera loading images or video clips to a network. A user device may also be a device having the capability to operate in an loT network which is a scenario in which objects are provided with the ability to transfer data over a network without human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. In other words, the UE 10 may be an example of an loT device configured to operate in one or more loT networks. The user device (or in some embodiments a layer 3 relay node) is configured to perform one or more UE functionalities. The user device may also be referred to as a subscriber unit, mobile station, remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal or UE, among other names of apparatuses configured to support user device operations.

[0056] Various techniques described herein may also be applied to a cyber-physical system (CPS) (a system of collaborating computational elements controlling physical entities). CPS may enable the implementation and exploitation of increased amounts of interconnected loT devices (sensors, actuators, processors, microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber physical systems, in which the physical system in question has inherent mobility, are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robotics and electronics transported by humans or animals.

[0057] Although the apparatuses have been depicted as single entities, different units, processors and / or memory units (not all shown in Figure 1) may be implemented. Further, the number of reception and / or transmission antennas of the user devices may naturally vary according to a current implementation. In some examples, the communication system mayenable the use of multiple input - multiple output (MIMO) antennas, and may include many more base stations or nodes than other types of communication systems (e.g., so-called small cell concept systems, such as may be associated with LTE), including macro sites operating in cooperation with smaller stations and employing a variety of radio technologies depending on service needs, use cases and / or spectrum available. In some examples, the communication system may include a 5G network. 5G mobile communications supports a wide range of use cases and related applications including video streaming, augmented reality, different ways of data sharing and various forms of machine type applications, including vehicular safety, different sensors, and real-time control. 5G may include multiple radio interfaces, namely below 6GHz, cmWave and mmWave, and also being integratable with existing legacy radio access technologies, such as the LTE. Integration with the LTE may be implemented, at least in the early phase, as a system, where macro coverage is provided by the LTE and 5G radio interface access comes from small cells by aggregation to the LTE. In other words, 5G may support both inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter- RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as below 6GHz - cmWave, below 6GHz - cmWave - mmWave). One of the concepts considered to be used in 5G networks is network slicing in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual sub-networks (network instances) may be created within the same infrastructure to run services that have different requirements on latency, reliability, throughput, and mobility.

[0058] Some network architectures, such as in LTE networks, may be fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network. The low latency applications and services in 5G require bringing the content close to the radio which leads to local break out and multi-access edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analytics and knowledge generation to occur at the source of the data. This approach requires leveraging resources that may not be continuously connected to a network such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service hosting. It also has the ability to store and process content in close proximity to cellular subscribers for faster response time. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data acquisition, mobile signature analysis, cooperative distributed peer-to-peer ad hoc networking and processing also classifiable as local cloud / fog computing and grid / mesh computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, cloudlet, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomicself-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, Internet of Things (massive connectivity and / or latency critical), and critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analytics, time-critical control, and healthcare applications).

[0059] The communication system is also able to communicate with other networks, such as a public switched telephone network or the Internet 16, or utilize services provided by them. The communication network may also be able to support the usage of cloud services, for example at least part of core network operations may be carried out as a cloud service (this is depicted in Figure 1 by “cloud” 18). The communication system may also comprise a central control entity, or the like, providing facilities for networks of different operators to cooperate for example in spectrum sharing.

[0060] Edge cloud may be brought into radio access network (RAN) by utilizing network function virtualization (NVF) and software defined networking (SDN). Using edge cloud may mean access node operations are carried out, at least partly, in a server, host or node operationally coupled to a remote radio head or base station comprising radio parts. It is also possible that node operations will be distributed among a plurality of servers, nodes, or hosts. Application of cloudRAN architecture enables RAN real time functions to be carried out at the RAN side (in a distributed unit, DU 12) and non-real time functions being carried out in a centralized manner (in a centralized unit, CU 14).

[0061] It should also be understood that the distribution of functions between core network operations and base station operations may differ based on implementation or even be nonexistent. Some other technology advancements that may be used are Big Data and all-IP, which may change the way networks are being constructed and managed. 5G (or new radio, NR) and 6G networks may support multiple hierarchies, where MEC servers can be placed between the core and the base station or nodeB (gNB). It should be appreciated that MEC can be applied in other types of networks as well.

[0062] For fulfilling the need for improving the deployment and performance of communication systems, the concept of “plug-and-play” NodeBs has been introduced. Typically, a network which is able to use “plug-and-play” Node Bs, includes, in addition to Home NodeBs (HnodeBs), a home node B gateway, or HNB-GW (not shown in Figure 1). AHNB Gateway (HNB-GW), which is typically installed within an operator’s network may aggregate traffic from a large number of HNBs back to a core network.

[0063] One or more operations related to A-IoT communications as described herein may be implemented at one or more apparatuses. One example of an apparatus, apparatus 20, is depicted in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the apparatus includes, is associated with, or is in communication with processing circuity 22, a memory 24 and a communication interface 26.The processing circuitry may be in communication with the memory device via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus. The memory device may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory device may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing device like the processing circuitry). The memory device may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the memory device could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processing circuitry. Additionally, or alternatively, the memory device could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processing circuitry. The apparatus 20 may, in some embodiments, be embodied in various computing devices as described above. However, in some embodiments, the apparatus may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the apparatus may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and / or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and / or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present disclosure on a single chip or as a single “system on a chip.” As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

[0064] The processing circuitry 22 (also referenced as a processor) may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processing circuitry may be embodied as one or more of various hardware processing means such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other circuitry including integrated circuits such as, for example,an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. As such, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry may include one or more processing cores configured to perform independently. A multi-core processing circuitry may enable multiprocessing within a single physical package. Additionally, or alternatively, the processing circuitry may include one or more processors configured in tandem via the bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining and / or multithreading. In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 22 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device 24 or otherwise accessible to the processing circuitry. Alternatively, or additionally, the processing circuitry may be configured to execute hard coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processing circuitry may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processing circuitry is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processing circuitry may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processing circuitry is embodied as an executor of instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed. However, in some cases, the processing circuitry may be a processor of a specific device (e.g., an image or video processing system) configured to employ an embodiment of the present disclosure by further configuration of the processing circuitry by instructions for performing the algorithms and / or operations described herein. The processing circuitry may include, among other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and logic gates configured to support operation of the processing circuitry.

[0065] The communication interface 26 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and / or transmit data, including media content in the form of video or image files, one or more audio tracks or the like. In this regard, the communication interface may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and / or software for enabling communications with a wireless communication network. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication interface may include the circuitry for interacting with theantenna(s) to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). In some environments, the communication interface may alternatively or also support wired communication. As such, for example, the communication interface may include a communication modem and / or other hardware / software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB) or other mechanisms. The apparatus 20 may be (or be included in) one or more types of devices, such as a network node (e.g., core network / A-IoT AMF / AF-like function (CN / AIoTF)), an access node (e.g., a base station), a UE, and / or an A-IoT device. For example, the access node 12, the UE 10, the UE 11, the A-IoT device 19, and / or the CN 15 may be (or may include) the apparatus 20. For example, the access node 12, the UE 10, the UE 11, the A-IoT device 19, and / or the CN 15 may include one or more components (e.g., the processing circuity 22, the memory 24, the communication interface 26) configured to support one or more power control mechanisms as described herein.

[0066] The definitions provided in TR 38.848 are taken into the scope of the present disclosure, and the following are the exclusive general scope:

[0067] (A) The overall objective shall be to study a harmonized air interface design with minimized differences (where necessary) for Ambient-IoT to enable the following devices: (i) ~1 pW peak power consumption, has energy storage, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10 ppm, neither DL nor UL amplification in the device. The device’s UL transmission is backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally, (ii) < a few hundred ,tz W peak power consumption1, has energy storage, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to ICf ppm, both DL and / or UL amplification in the device. The device’s UL transmission may be generated internally by the device, or be backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally. X is to be decided in WGs. Coverage design target: Maximum distance of 10-50 m with device indoors as per TR 38.848: “...a range that WGs can sub-select within” . For Topologies 1 & 2 (UE as intermediate node under NW control) per TR 38.848, with no RRC states, no mobility (e.g., at least no cell selection / re- selection -like function), no HARQ, no ARQ. NOTE 1: It is to be understood that “< a few hundred zW” means WGs are not tasked with setting a particular value, and that it will be for WG discussions to determine if a presented design with corresponding power consumption satisfies the “< a few hundred zW” requirement.

[0068] (B) Deployment Scenarios with the following characteristics, referenced to the tables in Clause 4.2.2 of TR 38.848: Deployment scenario 1 with Topology 1; Basestation and coexistence characteristics: Micro-cell, co-site. Deployment scenario 2 with Topology 2 and UE as intermediate node, under network control; Basestation and coexistence characteristics: Macrocell, co-site; The location of intermediate node is indoor.

[0069] (C) FR1 licensed spectrum in FDD.

[0070] (D) Spectrum deployment in-band to NR, in guard-band to ETE / NR, in standalone band(s).

[0071] (E) Traffic types DO-DTT, DT, with focus on rUCl (indoor inventory) and rUC4(indoor command). From RAN#104, the study will assess whether the harmonized air interface design (per bullet ‘A’ above) can address the DO-A (Device-originated autonomous) use case, only to identify which part(s) of the harmonized air interface design (per bullet ‘A’ above) is / are not sufficient for the DO-A use case.

[0072] Transmission from Ambient loT device (including backscattering when used) can occur at least in UL spectrum.

[0073] The following objectives are set within the General Scope:

[0074] (1) Evaluation assumptions. Conclude at least the following aspects of design targets left to WGs in Clause 5 (RAN design targets) of TR 38.848 [RANI]: Clause 5.3: Applicable maximum distance target values(s); Clause 5.6: Refine the definition of latency suitable for use in RAN WGs; Clause 5.8: 2D distribution of devices. Define necessary further evaluation assumptions of deployment scenarios for coverage and coexistence evaluations [RANI, RAN4]. Identify basic blocks / components of possible Ambient loT device architectures, taking into account state of the art implementations of low-power low-complexity devices which meet the RAN design target for power consumption and complexity. [RANI]. Define link budget calculation for coverage, including whether / how to model carrier wave from node(s) inside or outside the connectivity topology. NOTE: Assessment performance of the design targets is within the study of feasibility and necessity of proposals in the following objectives, e.g. by inspection of reference implementations in the field, simulations, analytically. NOTE: strive to minimize evaluation cases in RANI.

[0075] (2) Study necessary and feasible solutions for Ambient loT as prescribed in theGeneral Scope, including decisions on which functions, procedures, etc. are needed and notneeded, and ensuring at least the required functionalities in Section 6.2 of TR 38.848. Study of positioning in Rel-19 is RAN3-led, limited to functionalities which would have no, or minimal, specification impact (note: this does not imply any decision relating to WI creation). Study the feasibility and required functionalities for proximity determination (coordination with SA3 is required for privacy aspects).

[0076] RANI -led: For the Ambient loT DL and UL: Frame structure, synchronization and timing, random access; Numerologies, bandwidths, and multiple access; Waveforms and modulations; Channel coding; Downlink channel / signal aspects; Uplink channel / signal aspects; Scheduling and timing relationships; Study necessary characteristics of carrier-wave waveform for a carrier wave provided externally to the Ambient loT device, including for interference handling at Ambient loT UL receiver, and at NR basestation. For Topology 2, no difference in physical layer design from Topology 1.

[0077] RAN2-led: Study and decide which functions are needed for an Ambient loT compact protocol stack and lightweight signalling procedure to enable DO-DTT and DT data transmission, and study those functions. For example: Paging; Random access; Data transmission, including necessary radio resource control aspects, respecting the limitation in the General Scope; Interactions with upper layers. For functionalities not listed above, they are studied only if found essential.

[0078] RAN3-led: Identify necessary impacts on signaling and procedures for CN-RAN interface, to enable: Paging; Device context management; Data transport. Identify RAN architecture aspects, including whether support for split architecture is necessary. Identify potential solutions for locating an Ambient loT device with no specification impact, e.g. reusing existing user location report, or minimal specification impact to convey location information to core network.

[0079] RAN4-led: Coexistence study of Ambient loT and NR / LTE. RF requirements study for Ambient loT: Ambient loT BS transmission and reception; Ambient loT Device, as per the General Scope, transmission and reception; Intermediate node (UE), as per the General Scope, transmission and reception.

[0080] As used herein, a device type 1 may refer to a device with the following characteristics: ~1 pW peak power consumption, has energy storage, initial sampling frequencyoffset (SFO) up to lO^ppm, neither DL nor UL amplification in the device. The device’s UL transmission may be backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally.

[0081] As used herein, a device type 2a may refer to a device with the following characteristics: < a few hundred pW peak power consumption, has energy storage, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10^ ppm, both DL and / or UL amplification in the device. The device’s UL transmission may be backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally.

[0082] As used herein, a device type 2b may refer to a device with the following characteristics: < a few hundred pW peak power consumption, has energy storage, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10^ ppm, both DL and / or UL amplification in the device. The device’s UL transmission may be generated internally by the device.

[0083] ‘A D2R preamble preceding a PDRCH transmission will be received by the reader which can perform correlation-based sequence detection. Therefore, unlike the R2D preamble, it is possible to base the design of a D2R preamble on sequences requiring correlation. We briefly review some of the candidate binary sequences proposed for D2R preamble design.

[0084] Barker sequences: Barker sequences are binary sequences known for length L 6 {2,3,4,5,7,11,13}. The number of Barker sequences corresponding to each L (excluding sequence reversal and negation) are as follows: {2, 1,2, 1,1, 1,1 }. Barker sequences have desirable autocorrelation properties as all the sidelobes (corresponding to non-zero shifts) in the aperiodic autocorrelation are restricted to < 1 / L of the main lobe (e.g., autocorrelation peak corresponding to zero shift) for a Barker sequence of length L.

[0085] Golay sequences: Golay sequences are binary sequences which can be constructed for a length L=2“ 10p26Yfor non-negative integers a,P,y. For L<100, Golay sequences exist for the following lengths: L G {2,4,8,10,16,20,26,32,40,52,64,80}. A complementary Golay sequence pair (A,B) consists of two complementary Golay sequences each of length L. There exist multiple complementary Golay sequence pairs for a given sequence length. For example, when L<100, the number of complementary Golay sequence pairs corresponding to each L are as follows: {8,32,192,128,1536,1088,64,15360,9728,512,184320,102912}. A complementary Golay sequence pair (A,B) possesses ideal aperiodic autocorrelation property: the sum of autocorrelations of sequence A and sequence B is zero for all non-zero shifts (e.g. sidelobes in the sum of autocorrelations are zero). This is suitable for channel estimation and is used in 802. Had and 802.15.3c preambles.

[0086] Gold sequences: Gold sequences are binary sequences with bounded small crosscorrelations within a set. For example, a set of gold sequence may include 2n + 1 sequences and have a period of 2n - 1. Gold sequences may be generated by combining (e.g., EXOR-ing) two m-sequences of the same length.

[0087] To select an appropriate sequence, there are several design criteria that need to be considered such as the sequence length, the number of sequences in the sequence set, and the design targets (e.g. accuracy, range etc.) for preamble detection, timing and frequency error estimation, and channel estimation.

[0088] The D2R preamble serves multiple purposes, including but not limited to: (1) uniquely identifying the A-IOT device, (2) synchronizing the reader to the A-IOT device transmission (e.g., determining time and frequency offsets), (3) estimating the D2R channel response, the latter operation being necessary in order to decode the A-IOT data, (4) supporting multiple access, e.g., to enable concurrent D2R transmissions which are ultimately distinguishable at the reader side. That means that two A-IOT devices should select D2R preambles that are with high probability orthogonal to each other. At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing an improved preamble design that enables the reader to accomplish the purposes listed above.

[0089] Various embodiments of the present disclosure describe an improved D2R preamble design that supports multiple access in addition to exhibiting good correlation properties that enable the reader to synchronize to the A-IOT device. Key technical improvements of at least some embodiments described herein include, but are not limited to, the following:

[0090] (i) The A-IOT D2R preamble is not static, but changes with respect to the strongestCW node reception at the A-IOT device. In other words, the A-IOT device borrows the strongest CW signal configuration and uses said configuration to generate an adaptive D2R preamble. At least one additional advantage of this scheme is that the adaptive D2R preamble also indicates to the reader that the A-IOT device is in the proximity of the selected CW node.

[0091] (ii) The D2R preamble is not A-IOT device specific, but it is specific to the pair (A- IOT device, CW node). In this way, the probability of two A-IOT devices selecting the same preamble is reduced compared to the case in which the preamble is static.

[0092] (iii) The CW node transmission includes a “parent” preamble which may be used by the A-IOT devices to generate a “child” preamble. Thus, two child preambles will differ with respect to both the ID of the parent CW node, but also with the ID of the child A-IOT device.

[0093] (iv) The child preambles are orthogonal and also orthogonal to the parent preamble which provides technical improvements to the direct path CW signal interference at the D2R reader.

[0094] In some embodiments, the parent- to-child preamble generation described herein relies on standardizing:

[0095] (i) The configuration by the NW of the rules for determining the parent preamble(e.g., sent by the CW node) and the child preamble (e.g., sent by the A-IOT device).

[0096] (ii) The generation of a parent preamble by the CW node.

[0097] (iii) The generation of a child preamble for the D2R transmission by the A-IOT device according to predefined rules of borrowing parent features (e.g. CW node ID, root, length, etc.) and combining them with child features (e.g. A-IOT ID).

[0098] (iv) The detection of the parent and child preambles which requires the reader to link the parent with one or more children.

[0099] The following describes an example embodiment of how a D2R preamble (e.g., child preamble) may be generated based on the CW preamble (e.g., the parent preamble), assuming the usage of Zadoff-Chu sequences. Note that in other embodiments, other sequences may also be used and therefore the following should be construed as an implementation example.

[0100] In some embodiments, to generate D2R preamble sequences using the CW preamble, the following approach may be applied:

[0101] The NW may configure the CW node and A-IOT devices for transmission. This may include at least the configuration of the CW preamble parameters (e.g. root and length of the preamble sequences). In some examples, to optimize the detection procedure at the reader, the NW may inform the reader of one or more possible CW node configurations based on N, the sequence length and u, the sequence root.

[0102] In some embodiments, the CW node may transmit a signal: xu(n) =( . mm(n+ N mod 2))\ , • , , , , . ,—j - — - - - I, where N is the sequence length and u is the sequence root.

[0103] In some embodiments, the A-IOT device detects the CWT signal and identifies the pattern fully determined by the length N and root u. Note that for simplicity, it is assumed that Nis a prime number. In some embodiments, if the A-IOT device detects multiple CWT signals, it may select the one with the highest power.

[0104] In some embodiments, the A-IOT prepares its preamble by generating another sequence using its own ID v and the CWT root u and length N, to generate a new root (u+(v modN)). The A-IOT preamble is then:

[0105] Accordingly, in some embodiments, different A-IOT devices which hear different CWT may generate different sequences, with different lengths and roots, decreasing thus the probability of preamble collision at the reader. By borrowing the length N of the loudest CW signal, the A-IOT also implicitly indicates to the reader that is in the proximity to the selected CW node.

[0106] In some embodiments, the A-IOT transmits the D2R signal with above preamble. In some examples, the transmit power for the D2R signal may be configured in relation to the CW node power (e.g., as measured by the A-IOT device), or may be configured entirely by the NW (e.g., at least for device type 2b).

[0107] In some embodiments, the reader knows the CW signal root u, for example, either because it has been informed about it, or because it has detected it (e.g. via envelope detection methods that rely on cross-correlating the received signal with a locally regenerated sequence).

[0108] In some embodiments, the reader proceeds to detect the A-IOT preamble by envelope detection. For example, the reader can distinguish between multiple A-IOT preambles due to their correlation properties. Figure 3 illustrates an example where the cross -correlation of preambles by different A-IOT devices is very low. As shown, the correlation of different A-IOT preambles generated by borrowing either the same CW configuration (A-IOT 1 and 2) or different CW configuration (A-IOT 3).

[0109] In various embodiments, to include further randomization, especially in situations of high density of A-IoT devices, in addition to the ID A-IoT device and CW characteristics of the strongest CW, one or more of the following can be included in the sequence generation: Any time related reference such as the SFN; An internal counter that changes based on the number of A-IoT device transmissions in the past period; The max / min N and / or u received from the M strongest CWs; or the like.

[0110] Figure 4 is a process flow illustrating operations performed, such as within the communication system of Figure 1, for A-IoT communications in accordance with at least one example embodiment.

[0111] In some embodiments, the NW 41 may transmit one or more signals to one or more of the A-IoT devices 42-44 and the reader 47. For example, at operation 41 A, the NW 41 transmits the candidate CW configurations to the A-IoT devices 42-44 and the reader 47. In some examples, one or more signals received from the NW 41 may be used for configuring a device for transmission. For example, one or more of the A-IoT devices 42-44, the CW nodes 45-46, and the reader 47 may be configured for transmission based at least in part on one or more signals received from the NW 41.

[0112] At operation 45A, the CW node 45 transmits a CW signal with a preamble sequence. Similarly, at operation 46A, the CW node 46 transmits another CW signal with another preamble sequence. In some examples, a preamble sequence associated with a CW signal may be a parent preamble sequence. In some examples, a preamble sequence may be based on one or more parameters. For example, the CW signal transmitted by the CW node 45 may include a parent preamble sequence that is a Zadoff-Chu sequence based on parameters including a sequence root ul and a sequence length Nl. In some examples, the sequence length Nl may be a prime number. In other examples, preamble sequences may be other sequences such as a Barker sequence, a Golay sequence, a Gold sequence, or the like.

[0113] At operation 42A, the A-IoT device 42 detects the CW signal from the CW node 45 as the strongest. For example, the A-IoT device 42 may detect a plurality of CW signals / parent preamble sequences (e.g., from CW node 45 and CW node 46) and select a CW signal / parent preamble sequence based on the power of the CW signal / parent preamble sequence. For instance, the A-IoT device 42 detects the parent preamble sequence transmitted by the CW node 45 as having the highest power and as such, uses the parent preamble sequence transmitted by the CW node 45. In some examples, the A-IoT device 42 may identify the pattern of the parent preamble sequence fully determined by the parameters of the parent preamble sequence (e.g., the sequence root ul and the sequence length Nl).

[0114] Additionally, in some examples, the A-IoT device 42 generates its own preamble sequence, which may be referred to as a child preamble sequence, based on the parent preamble sequence transmitted by the CW node 45 (e.g., the parameters of the parent preamble sequence).For example, the A-IoT device 42 generates its child preamble sequence using the sequence root ul, an ID of the A-IoT device 42, and the sequence length Nl.

[0115] In some examples, a child preamble sequence may be a D2R preamble sequence. For example, at operation 42B, the A-IoT device 42 transmits a D2R signal with its child preamble sequence to the reader 47. In some examples, the A-IoT device 42 may transmit the child preamble sequence using a transmit power based on the power of the CW signal. In other examples, the A-IoT device 42 may transmit the child preamble sequence based on a configuration from the NW 41. In some examples, the child preamble sequence and the parent preamble sequence may be orthogonal. In some examples, the child preamble sequence may be further based at least in part on one or more time related references, an internal counter that changes based on a number of transmissions by the A-IoT device in a past time period, or a maximum or minimum of the sequence length or the sequence root.

[0116] Similarly, at operation 43 A, the A-IoT device 43 detects the CW signal from the CW node 45 as the strongest and identifies the sequence root ul and the sequence length Nl. The A- loT device 43 then uses the sequence root ul and the sequence length Nl from the CW signal of the CW node 45 to generate its own child preamble sequence based on the sequence root ul, an ID of the A-IoT device 43, and the sequence length Nl. At operation 43B, the A-IoT device 43 transmits a D2R signal with the child preamble sequence to the reader 47.

[0117] Similarly, at operation 44A, the A-IoT device 44 detects the CW signal from the CW node 46 as the strongest and identifies the sequence root u2 and the sequence length N2. The A- loT device 44 then uses the sequence root u2 and the sequence length N2 from the CW signal of the CW node 46 to generate its own child preamble sequence based on the sequence root u2, an ID of the A-IoT device 44, and the sequence length N2. At operation 44B, the A-IoT device 44 transmits a D2R signal with the child preamble sequence to the reader 47.

[0118] At operation 47 A, the reader 47 detects the child preamble sequences transmitted by the A-IoT devices 42-44. In some examples, the reader 47 may determine the sequence root of a child preamble sequence by cross-correlating the child preamble sequence with a locally generated sequence. In some examples, the reader 47 may detect a child preamble sequence via envelope detection. In some examples, the reader 47 may distinguish between the child preamble sequences of the A-IoT devices 42-44 based on one or more correlation properties of the child preamble sequences.

[0119] Referring now to Figure 5, some operations performed in order to provide for communications associated with an improved design for preamble sequences, in one example embodiment, are depicted. As shown in Figure 5, the apparatus 20 is configured to detect parent preamble sequences and generate child preamble sequences. In some examples, parent preamble sequences may be detected from CW signals and may be based on one or more parameters. In some examples, the apparatus 20 may generate a child preamble sequence based on an ID of the apparatus and the one or more parameters.

[0120] As shown at block 50, the apparatus 20 includes means (e.g., the processor 22, the communication interface 26, or the like), for detecting at least one parent preamble sequence from a carrier wave (CW) signal. The at least one parent preamble sequence may be based on a set of one or more parameters. For example, the at least one parent preamble sequence may be a Zadoff-Chu sequence and the set of one or more parameters may include at least a sequence root and a sequence length.

[0121] As shown at block 52, the apparatus 20 includes means (e.g., the processor 22, the communication interface 26, or the like), for generating a child preamble sequence based on an identifier (ID) of an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) device and the set of one or more parameters.

[0122] Referring now to Figure 6, some operations performed in order to provide for communications associated with an improved design for preamble sequences, in one example embodiment, are depicted. As shown in Figure 6, the apparatus 20 is configured to detect child preamble sequences and perform one or more actions based on the child preamble sequences. For example, the child preamble sequences may be transmitted by an A-IoT device.

[0123] As shown at block 60, the apparatus 20 includes means (e.g., the processor 22, the communication interface 26, or the like), for detecting a child preamble sequence. The child preamble sequence may be, for example, based on an ID of an A-IoT device and a set of one or more parameters. For example, the child preamble sequence may be based on a parent preamble sequence transmitted by a carrier wave CW node and be based on a set of one or more parameters. In some examples, the parent preamble sequence may be a Zadoff-Chu sequence and the set of one or more parameters may include at least a sequence root and a sequence length.

[0124] As shown at block 62, the apparatus 20 includes means (e.g., the processor 22, the communication interface 26, or the like), for performing one or more actions based on the childpreamble sequence. For example, the apparatus 20 may determine the sequence root by crosscorrelating the child preamble sequence with a locally regenerated sequence. In another example, the apparatus 20 may distinguish between a plurality of child preamble sequences based on correlation properties of the plurality of child preamble sequences.

[0125] Figures 5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating methods according to example embodiments. It will be understood that each block or signal and combination of blocks and signals may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and / or other communication devices associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by the memory 24 of an apparatus 20 employing an example embodiment and executed by at least one processor 22. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (for example, hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus implements the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer- readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer- implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks.

[0126] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware -based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0127] In an embodiment, at least some of the processes described herein may be carried out by an apparatus comprising means for carrying out at least some of the described processes. Means for performing method steps as disclosed herein may include software and / or hardware components of the apparatus 20. For example, the at least one processor 22, the memory 24, and the computer program code form means for carrying out the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof. As used herein the term “means” is to be construed in singular form, e.g., referring to a single element, or in plural form, e.g., referring to a combination of single elements. Therefore, terminology “means for [performing A, B, C]”, is to be interpreted to cover an apparatus in which there is only one means for performing A, B and C, or where there are separate means for performing A, B and C, or partially or fully overlapping means for performing A, B, C. Further, terminology “means for performing A, means for performing B, means for performing C” is to be interpreted to cover an apparatus in which there is only one means for performing A, B and C, or where there are separate means for performing A, B and C, or partially or fully overlapping means for performing A, B, C.

[0128] Even though the present disclosure has been described above with reference to an example according to the accompanying drawings, it is clear that the present disclosure is not restricted thereto but can be modified in several ways within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly and they are intended to illustrate, not to restrict, the embodiment. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. Further, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the described embodiments may, but are not required to, be combined with other embodiments in various ways.

Claims

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED:

1. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: detect at least one parent preamble sequence from a carrier wave (CW) signal, wherein the at least one parent preamble sequence is based on a set of one or more parameters; and generate a child preamble sequence based on an identifier (ID) of an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) device and the set of one or more parameters.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence and the set of one or more parameters comprises at least a sequence root and a sequence length.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: detect a plurality of parent preamble sequences; and select the at least one parent preamble sequence from among the plurality of parent preamble sequences based on a power of the at least one parent preamble sequence.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one parent preamble sequence is selected to have a greatest power from among the plurality of parent preamble sequences.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one parent preamble sequence is provided by a CW signal transmitted by a CW node and the child preamble sequence is a device to reader (D2R) preamble sequence.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: receive one or more signals from a network (NW); and configure the apparatus for transmission based at least in part on the one or more signals from the NW.- 37 -7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: cause the child preamble sequence to be transmitted to a reader.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: determine a transmit power, wherein the transmit power is determined based on a power of the CW signal as measured by the apparatus or the transmit power is configured by the NW; and cause the child preamble sequence to be transmitted to the reader based on the transmit power.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: identify a pattern of the at least one parent preamble sequence based on the sequence root and the sequence length.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the sequence length is a prime number.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: generate the child preamble sequence based at least in part on one or more of one or more time related references, an internal counter that changes based on a number of transmissions by the apparatus in a past time period, or a maximum or minimum of the sequence length or the sequence root.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the child preamble sequence is orthogonal to the at least one parent preamble sequence.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein one or more of the child preamble sequence or the at least one parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence, Barker sequence, Golay sequence, or Gold sequence.

14. A method comprising: detecting at least one parent preamble sequence from a carrier wave (CW) signal, wherein the at least one parent preamble sequence is based on a set of one or more parameters; and generating a child preamble sequence based on an identifier (ID) of an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) device and the set of one or more parameters.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the at least one parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence and the set of one or more parameters comprises at least a sequence root and a sequence length.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, further comprising: detecting a plurality of parent preamble sequences; and selecting the at least one parent preamble sequence from among the plurality of parent preamble sequences based on a power of the at least one parent preamble sequence.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the at least one parent preamble sequence is selected to have a greatest power from among the plurality of parent preamble sequences.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the at least one parent preamble sequence is provided by a CW signal transmitted by a CW node and the child preamble sequence is a device to reader (D2R) preamble sequence.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, further comprising: receiving one or more signals from a network (NW); and configuring an apparatus for transmission based at least in part on the one or more signals from the NW.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, further comprising: causing the child preamble sequence to be transmitted to a reader.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising: determining a transmit power, wherein the transmit power is determined based on a power of the CW signal as measured by the apparatus or the transmit power is configured by the NW; and causing the child preamble sequence to be transmitted to the reader based on the transmit power.

22. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 21, further comprising: identifying a pattern of the at least one parent preamble sequence based on the sequence root and the sequence length.

23. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein the sequence length is a prime number.

24. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 23, further comprising: generating the child preamble sequence based at least in part on one or more of one or more time related references, an internal counter that changes based on a number of transmissions by the apparatus in a past time period, or a maximum or minimum of the sequence length or the sequence root.

25. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 24, wherein the child preamble sequence is orthogonal to the at least one parent preamble sequence.

26. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 25, wherein one or more of the child preamble sequence or the at least one parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence, Barker sequence, Golay sequence, or Gold sequence.

27. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: detect a child preamble sequence, wherein the child preamble sequence is based on an identifier (ID) of an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) device and a set of one or more parameters; and perform one or more actions based on the child preamble sequence.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the child preamble sequence is a device to reader (D2R) preamble sequence.

29. The apparatus according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the child preamble sequence is based on a parent preamble sequence transmitted by a carrier wave (CW) node, wherein the parent preamble sequence is based on the set of one or more parameters, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a network (NW), one or more possible configurations of the CW node based on the set of one or more parameters.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff- Chu sequence and the set of one or more parameters comprises at least a sequence root and a sequence length.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the sequence length is a prime number.

32. The apparatus according to any one of claims 27 to 31, wherein the child preamble sequence is transmitted based on a transmit power of the A-IoT device.

33. The apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: determine the sequence root by cross-correlating the child preamble sequence with a locally regenerated sequence.

34. The apparatus according to any one of claims 27 to 33 wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: detect the child preamble sequence by envelope detection.

35. The apparatus according to any one of claims 27 to 34, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: distinguish between a plurality of child preamble sequences based on correlation properties of the plurality of child preamble sequences.

36. The apparatus according to any one of claims 27 to 35, wherein the child preamble sequence is generated based at least in part on one or more of one or more time related references, an internal counter that changes based on a number of transmissions by the A-IoT device in a past time period, or a maximum or minimum of the sequence length or the sequence root.

37. The apparatus according to any one of claims 29 to 36, wherein the child preamble sequence is orthogonal to the parent preamble sequence.

38. The apparatus according to any one of claims 29 to 37, wherein one or more of the child preamble sequence or the parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence, Barker sequence, Golay sequence, or Gold sequence.

39. A method comprising: detecting a child preamble sequence, wherein the child preamble sequence is based on an identifier (ID) of an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) device and a set of one or more parameters; and performing one or more actions based on the child preamble sequence.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein the child preamble sequence is a device to reader (D2R) preamble sequence.- 42 -41. The method according to claim 39 or 40, wherein the child preamble sequence is based on a parent preamble sequence transmitted by a carrier wave (CW) node, wherein the parent preamble sequence is based on the set of one or more parameters, and further comprising: receiving, from a network (NW), one or more possible configurations of the CW node based on the set of one or more parameters.

42. The method according to claim 41, wherein the parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff- Chu sequence and the set of one or more parameters comprises at least a sequence root and a sequence length.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the sequence length is a prime number.

44. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 43, wherein the child preamble sequence is transmitted based on a transmit power of the A-IoT device.

45. The method according to any one of claims 42 to 44, further comprising: determining the sequence root by cross -correlating the child preamble sequence with a locally regenerated sequence.

46. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 45 further comprising: detecting the child preamble sequence by envelope detection.

47. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 46, further comprising: distinguishing between a plurality of child preamble sequences based on correlation properties of the plurality of child preamble sequences.

48. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 47, wherein the child preamble sequence is generated based at least in part on one or more of one or more time related references, an internal counter that changes based on a number of transmissions by the A-IoT device in a past time period, or a maximum or minimum of the sequence length or the sequence root.

49. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 48, wherein the child preamble sequence is orthogonal to the parent preamble sequence.

50. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 49, wherein one or more of the child preamble sequence or the parent preamble sequence is a Zadoff-Chu sequence, Barker sequence, Golay sequence, or Gold sequence.- 44 -

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