Signaling details of device-to-reader signals

Abstract

Systems and methods for signaling details of device-to-reader (D2R) signals are discussed herein. For example, a reader generates reader-to-device (R2D) control information, wherein the R2D control information comprises one or more bits configuring a preamble, one of one or more midambles, or a postamble according to the R2D control information for a Physical Device-to-Reader Channel (PDRCH) transmission from a device. The reader transmits, to the device, the R2D control information. The reader receives, from the device, the PDRCH transmission comprising the preamble, the one or more midambles, or the postamble applied by the device according to the R2D control information.

Description

SIGNALING DETAILS OF DEVICE-TO-READER SIGNALSTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This application relates generally to wireless communication systems, including systems implementing device-to-reader (D2R) signaling.BACKGROUND

[0002] Wireless mobile communication technology uses various standards and protocols to transmit data between a base station and a wireless communication device. Wireless communication system standards and protocols can include, for example. 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) (e.g., 4G), 3GPP New Radio (NR) (e.g., 5G), and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) (commonly known to industry groups as Wi-Fi®).

[0003] As contemplated by the 3GPP, different wireless communication systems' standards and protocols can use various radio access networks (RANs) for communicating between a base station of the RAN (which may also sometimes be referred to generally as a RAN node, a network node, or simply a node) and a wireless communication device known as a user equipment (UE). 3GPP RANs can include, for example, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) RAN (GERAN), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), and / or Next-Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN).

[0004] Each RAN may use one or more radio access technologies (RATs) to perform communication between the base station and the UE. For example, the GERAN implements GSM and / or EDGE RAT, the UTRAN implements Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) RAT or other 3GPP RAT, the E-UTRAN implements LTE RAT (sometimes simply referred to as LTE), and NG-RAN implements NR RAT (sometimes referred to herein as 5G RAT, 5G NR RAT, or simply NR). In certain deployments, the E-UTRAN may also implement NR RAT. In certain deployments, NG-RAN may also implement LTE RAT.

[0005] A base station used by a RAN may correspond to that RAN. One example of an E-UTRAN base station is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-14902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO1UTRAN) Node B (also commonly denoted as evolved Node B, enhanced Node B, eNodeB, or eNB). One example of an NG-RAN base station is a next generation Node B (also sometimes referred to as a g Node B or gNB).

[0006] A RAN provides its communication services with external entities through its connection to a core network (CN). For example, E-UTRAN may utilize an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) while NG-RAN may utilize a 5G Core Network (5GC).BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of determining a number of midambles when a postamble not present, according to embodiments herein.

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of determining a number of midambles when a postamble is present, according to embodiments herein.

[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of using a single fixed sequence that is commonly applied for the preamble, the midamble, and the postamble, according to embodiments herein.

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of using separate unique sequences for each of the preamble, midamble, and the postamble, according to embodiments herein.

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a long sequence which is split into three parts for the preamble, the midamble, and the postamble respectively, according to embodiments herein.

[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a method performed by a reader, according to embodiments herein.

[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates a method performed by a device, according to embodiments herein.

[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates an example architecture of a wireless communication system, according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0016] FIG. 9 illustrates a system for performing signaling between a wireless device and a network device, according to embodiments disclosed herein.24902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO1DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Various embodiments are described with regard to a UE. However, reference to a UE is merely provided for illustrative purposes. The example embodiments may be utilized with any electronic component that may establish a connection to a network and is configured with the hardware, software, and / or firmware to exchange information and data with the network. Therefore, the UE as described herein is used to represent any appropriate electronic component.

[0018] In some wireless communication systems, various ambient internet of things (loT) device types may be studied and further considered. A first device, (Device 1) may include around one microwatt (pW) peak power consumption, has energy storage, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10X parts per million (ppm), and neither downlink (DL) nor uplink (UL) amplification in the first device. The first device’s UL transmission is backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally. A second device (Device 2a) may include less than or equal to a few hundred pW peak power consumption, has energy storage, an initial SFO up to 10X ppm, and both DL and / or UL amplification in the second device. The second device's UL transmission is backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally. A third device (Device 2b) may include less than or equal to a few hundred pW peak power consumption, has energy storage, an initial SFO up to 10X ppm, and both DL and / or UL amplification in the third device. The third device’s UL transmission is generated internally by the device. Further detail on devices may be provided in, for example, 3GPP technical report (TR) 38.769.

[0019] In some wireless communication systems, various details related to different device-to-reader (D2R) signals were agreed upon. Various options relating to D2R ambles(s) were specified and may be further considered. A first option includes implementing a D2R preamble only. A second option includes implementing a D2R preamble and a first number of midamble(s) (e.g., X midamble(s), where X is greater than or equal to one). A third option includes implementing a D2R preamble and a postamble. A fourth option includes implementing a D2R preamble and a second number of midamble(s) (e.g., Y midamble(s), where Y is greater than or equal to one) and a postamble. However, it may be unclear whether and how to implement one or more of the preamble, the midamble, and / or the postamble. Further, it may be unclear what purpose the preamble, the midamble, and the postamble serve. As a result, it may be beneficial to specify purpose(s) of the preamble, midamble and postamble and to specify34902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO1whether multiple options (discussed above) may be used when implementing the preamble, the midamble, and the postamble.

[0020] Embodiments herein introduce details related to the D2R preamble, the D2R midamble, and the D2R postamble such as signaling details, design criteria, and presence criteria. For example, embodiments herein may reduce overhead by specifying whether and how midambles and a postamble are implemented in combination with the preamble.

[0021] In various embodiments, a preamble for reader-to-device (R2D) transmissions is supported (e.g., by default) and the presence of a midamble and / or a postamble may be explicitly signaled to the device in, for example, R2D control information. The preamble may be used to explicitly or implicitly provide signaling by the reader to the device about midamble and / or postamble presence for D2R signaling.

[0022] In some cases, a one bit value R2D control information message may be provided to the device. If present, when the one bit value is zero (e.g., equals “0”) only a midamble is present in D2R transmissions (e.g., no postamble is present). When the one bit value is one (e g., equals ”1 ") both a midamble and a postamble are present in D2R transmissions. A postamble without a midamble is not expected to be supported by the device and the absence of the R2D control information may imply that only a preamble is present in D2R transmissions.

[0023] In some other cases, a two bit R2D control information message may be provided to the device. When the two bit value is “00” only a midamble is present (e.g., no postamble is present) in D2R transmissions. When the two bit value is “01” only a postamble is present (e.g., no midamble is present) in D2R transmissions. When the two bit value is “10” both a midamble and a postamble are present. When the two bit value is “11” multiple midamble(s) and a postamble are present in D2R transmissions. The absence of the two bit R2D control information may imply that only a preamble is present in D2R transmissions.

[0024] In various embodiments, if the presence of multiple midamble(s) is indicated to the device, the total number of midambles may be determined in different ways. In various cases, the number of midambles for D2R transmissions may be determined through explicit signaling of R2D control information to the device. In such cases, the R2D control information includes a bitfield indicating a total number of midamble(s) (e.g., X midamble(s)) in D2R transmissions.44902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO1

[0025] In various cases, the number of midambles may be determined by the device implicitly, where the number of midamble(s) is determined based on presence of a postamble and / or the duration of the physical device-to-reader channel (PDRCH) transmissions. For example, in some embodiments, if a postamble is not present, then after every first duration of the PDRCH transmission (e.g., x duration), a midamble maybe added, where the first duration of the PDRCH transmission (e.g.. x duration) can be configured or fixed for the device.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of determining a number of midambles when a postamble not present 100, according to embodiments herein. When a postamble is not present 100, after a preamble 102, a first midamble 104 may be added after a first duration 110 of the PDRCH transmission 108. Additionally, after another first duration 110 of the PDRCH transmission 108, a second midamble 106 is added.

[0027] In some embodiments, if a postamble is present in the PDRCH transmissions, then after every first duration of PDRCH (e.g., x duration), a midamble may be added and the gap between the start of the postamble and the end of the last midamble should not be less than a second duration (e.g., y duration), where the second duration may be configured or fixed for the device.

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of determining a number of midambles when a postamble is present 200, according to embodiments herein. When a postamble 208 is present 200, after a preamble 202, a first midamble 204 may be added after a first duration 212 of a PDRCH transmission 210. After another first duration 212, a second midamble 206 is added. In some embodiments, the gap between the start of the postamble 208 and the end of the second midamble 206 is not less than (e.g., is greater than) the second duration 214 (e.g., y duration). However, if the gap between the start of the postamble 208 and the end of the second midamble 206 is less than the second duration 214 (e.g., y duration), the second midamble 206 is not 216 added to the transmission (e.g., before the postamble 208). In some instances, the value of the first duration (e.g., x duration) and / or the second duration (e.g.. y duration) may be configured or fixed depending on the device type.

[0029] In various embodiments, a transmission sequence may be applied to the preamble, the midamble and / or the postamble according of PDRCH transmissions.

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of using a single fixed sequence 300 that may be commonly applied for the preamble 304, the midamble 306, and the postamble 308,54902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO1according to embodiments herein. In various cases, a single fixed sequence 300 may be specified and may be commonly applied for the preamble 304. the midamble 306 and the postamble 308. The single fixed sequence 300 is distinguishable from any R2D signal, allowing for simplified detection at the reader. Note that in the illustrated embodiment the midamble 306 is added after a duration 310 of the PDRCH transmission 302 after the preamble 304 and the postamble 308 is added after the duration 310 of the PDRCH transmission 302 after the midamble 306. In one alternative, a single fixed sequence 300 per device type may be specified and the same may be commonly applied for the preamble 304, the midamble 306, and the postamble 308 for that device. In another alternative, when multiple midamble(s) 306 are present, the single fixed sequence 300 is used (e.g., repeated) for each of the multiple midamble(s) 306.

[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of using separate unique sequences 400 for each of the preamble 404, midamble 406, and the postamble 408, according to embodiments herein. In some embodiments, three separate unique sequences 400 may be specified for each of the preamble 404, the midamble 406 and the postamble 408. Each of the separate unique sequences 400 may be distinguishable from each other and any R2D signal. Note that the midamble 406 may be added after a duration 410 of the PDRCH transmission 402 after the preamble 404 and the postamble 408 is added after the duration 410 of the PDRCH transmission 402 after the midamble 406. In one alternative, three fixed separate unique sequences 400 per device type may be specified (e.g., one corresponding to a preamble 404, one corresponding to a midamble 406, and one corresponding to a postamble 408). In another alternative, when multiple midamble(s) 406 are present, the unique sequence corresponding to the midamble 406 is repeated for the multiple midamble(s) 406.

[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a long sequence 512 which is split 514 into three parts for the preamble 504, the midamble 506, and the postamble 508 respectively, according to embodiments herein. In various cases, a long sequence 512 may be specified and split 514 into three parts, where the first part corresponds to the preamble 504, the second part corresponds to the midamble 506, and the third part corresponds to the postamble 508. Note that the midamble 506 is added after a duration 510 of the PDRCH transmission 502 after the preamble 504 and the postamble 508 is added after the duration 510 of the PDRCH transmission 502 after the midamble 506. In one alternative, when multiple midamble(s) 506 are present, the second part of the long64902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO1sequence 512 is repeated for the multiple midamble(s) 506. In another alternative, depending on the number of midamble(s) 506 present, the length of the long sequence 512 varies and multiple second parts of the long sequence 512 may correspond to the multiple midamble(s) 506 (if multiple midambles are used).

[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 performed by a reader, according to embodiments herein. The illustrated method 600 includes generating 602 R2D control information, wherein the R2D control information comprises one or more bits configuring a preamble, one of one or more midambles, or a postamble according to the R2D control information for a PDRCH transmission from a device. The method 600 further includes transmitting 604, to the device, the R2D control information. The method 600 further includes receiving 606, from the device, the PDRCH transmission comprising the preamble, the one or more midambles, or the postamble applied by the device according to the R2D control information.

[0034] «ATTORNEY TO ADD DETAILS MAPPING TO DEPENDENT CLAIMS AFTER INVENTOR REVIEW»

[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 performed by a device, according to embodiments herein. The illustrated method 700 includes receiving 702, from a reader, R2D control information, wherein the R2D control information comprises one or more bits configuring a preamble, one of one or more midambles, or a postamble according to the R2D control information for a PDRCH transmission from the device. The method 700 further includes applying 704 the preamble, the one or more midambles, or the postamble to the PDRCH transmission. The method 700 further includes sending 706, to the reader, the PDRCH transmission.

[0036] «ATTORNEY TO ADD DETAILS MAPPING TO DEPENDENT CLAIMS AFTER INVENTOR REVIEW»

[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates an example architecture of a wireless communication system 800, according to embodiments disclosed herein. The following description is provided for an example wireless communication system 800 that operates in conjunction with the LTE system standards and / or 5G or NR system standards as provided by 3GPP technical specifications.

[0038] As shown by FIG. 8, the wireless communication system 800 includes UE 802 and UE 804 (although any number of UEs may be used). In this example, the UE 802 and the UE 804 are illustrated as smartphones (e.g., handheld touchscreen mobile74902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO1computing devices connectable to one or more cellular networks), but may also comprise any mobile or non-mobile computing device configured for wireless communication.

[0039] The UE 802 and UE 804 may be configured to communicatively couple with a RAN 806. In embodiments, the RAN 806 may be NG-RAN, E-UTRAN, etc. The UE 802 and UE 804 utilize connections (or channels) (shown as connection 808 and connection 810, respectively) with the RAN 806, each of which comprises a physical communications interface. The RAN 806 can include one or more base stations (such as base station 812 and base station 814) that enable the connection 808 and connection 810.

[0040] In this example, the connection 808 and connection 810 are air interfaces to enable such communicative coupling, and may be consistent with RAT(s) used by the RAN 806, such as, for example, an LTE and / or NR.

[0041] In some embodiments, the UE 802 and UE 804 may also directly exchange communication data via a sidelink interface 816. The UE 804 is shown to be configured to access an access point (shown as AP 818) via connection 820. By way of example, the connection 820 can comprise a local wireless connection, such as a connection consistent with any IEEE 802. 11 protocol, wherein the AP 818 may comprise a Wi-Fi® router. In this example, the AP 818 may be connected to another network (for example, the Internet) without going through a CN 824.

[0042] In embodiments, the UE 802 and UE 804 can be configured to communicate using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals with each other or with the base station 812 and / or the base station 814 over a multicarrier communication channel in accordance with various communication techniques, such as. but not limited to, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication technique (e.g., for downlink communications) or a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communication technique (e.g., for uplink and ProSe or sidelink communications), although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. The OFDM signals can comprise a plurality of orthogonal subcarriers.

[0043] In some embodiments, all or parts of the base station 812 or base station 814 may be implemented as one or more software entities running on server computers as part of a virtual network. In addition, or in other embodiments, the base station 812 or base station 814 may be configured to communicate with one another via interface 822.84902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO1In embodiments where the wireless communication system 800 is an LTE system (e.g., when the CN 824 is an EPC), the interface 822 may be an X2 interface. The X2 interface may be defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more eNBs and the like) that connect to an EPC, and / or between two eNBs connecting to the EPC. In embodiments where the wireless communication system 800 is an NR system (e.g., when CN 824 is a 5GC), the interface 822 may be an Xn interface. The Xn interface is defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more gNBs and the like) that connect to 5GC, between a base station 812 (e g., a gNB) connecting to 5GC and an eNB, and / or between two eNBs connecting to 5GC (e.g., CN 824).

[0044] The RAN 806 is shown to be communicatively coupled to the CN 824. The CN 824 may comprise one or more network elements 826, which are configured to offer various data and telecommunications services to customers / subscribers (e.g., users of UE 802 and UE 804) who are connected to the CN 824 via the RAN 806. The components of the CN 824 may be implemented in one physical device or separate physical devices including components to read and execute instructions from a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium).

[0045] In embodiments, the CN 824 may be an EPC, and the RAN 806 may be connected with the CN 824 via an SI interface 828. In embodiments, the SI interface 828 may be split into two parts, an SI user plane (Sl-U) interface, which carries traffic data between the base station 812 or base station 814 and a serving gateway (S-GW), and the SI -MME interface, which is a signaling interface between the base station 812 or base station 814 and mobility management entities (MMEs).

[0046] In embodiments, the CN 824 may be a 5GC, and the RAN 806 may be connected with the CN 824 via an NG interface 828. In embodiments, the NG interface 828 may be split into two parts, an NG user plane (NG-U) interface, which carries traffic data between the base station 812 or base station 814 and a user plane function (UPF), and the SI control plane (NG-C) interface, which is a signaling interface between the base station 812 or base station 814 and access and mobility management functions (AMFs).

[0047] Generally, an application server 830 may be an element offering applications that use internet protocol (IP) bearer resources with the CN 824 (e.g., packet switched data services). The application server 830 can also be configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., VoIP sessions, group communication sessions, etc.) for94902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO1the UE 802 and UE 804 via the CN 824. The application server 830 may communicate with the CN 824 through an IP communications interface 832.

[0048] FIG. 9 illustrates a system 900 for performing signaling 934 between a wireless device 902 and a network device 918, according to embodiments disclosed herein. The system 900 may be a portion of a wireless communications system as herein described. The wireless device 902 may be, for example, a UE of a wireless communication system. The network device 918 may be, for example, a base station (e.g., an eNB or a gNB) of a wireless communication system.

[0049] The wireless device 902 may include one or more processor(s) 904. The processor(s) 904 may execute instructions such that various operations of the wireless device 902 are performed, as described herein. The processor(s) 904 may include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a controller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0050] The wireless device 902 may include a memory 906. The memory 906 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 908 (which may include, for example, the instructions being executed by the processor(s) 904). The instructions 908 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory 906 may also store data used by, and results computed by, the processor(s) 904.

[0051] The wireless device 902 may include one or more transceiver(s) 910 that may include radio frequency (RF) transmitter circuitry and / or receiver circuitry that use the antenna(s) 912 of the wireless device 902 to facilitate signaling (e.g., the signaling 934) to and / or from the wireless device 902 with other devices (e.g., the network device 918) according to corresponding RATs.

[0052] The wireless device 902 may include one or more antenna(s) 912 (e.g., one, two, four, or more). For embodiments with multiple antenna(s) 912, the wireless device 902 may leverage the spatial diversity of such multiple antenna(s) 912 to send and / or receive multiple different data streams on the same time and frequency resources. This behavior may be referred to as, for example, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) behavior (referring to the multiple antennas used at each of a transmitting device and a receiving device that enable this aspect). MIMO transmissions by the wireless device 902 may be104902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO1accomplished according to precoding (or digital beamforming) that is applied at the wireless device 902 that multiplexes the data streams across the antenna(s) 912 according to known or assumed channel characteristics such that each data stream is received with an appropriate signal strength relative to other streams and at a desired location in the spatial domain (e.g., the location of a receiver associated with that data stream). Certain embodiments may use single user MIMO (SU-MIMO) methods (where the data streams are all directed to a single receiver) and / or multi user MIMO (MU- MIMO) methods (where individual data streams may be directed to individual (different) receivers in different locations in the spatial domain).

[0053] In certain embodiments having multiple antennas, the wireless device 902 may implement analog beamforming techniques, whereby phases of the signals sent by the antenna(s) 912 are relatively adjusted such that the (joint) transmission of the antenna(s) 912 can be directed (this is sometimes referred to as beam steering).

[0054] The wireless device 902 may include one or more interface(s) 914. The interface(s) 914 may be used to provide input to or output from the wireless device 902. For example, a wireless device 902 that is a UE may include interface(s) 914 such as microphones, speakers, a touchscreen, buttons, and the like in order to allow for input and / or output to the UE by a user of the UE. Other interfaces of such a UE may be made up of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., other than the transceiver(s) 910 / antenna(s) 912 already described) that allow for communication between the UE and other devices and may operate according to known protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, and the like).

[0055] The wireless device 902 may include a D2R signaling module 916. The D2R signaling module 916 may be implemented via hardware, software, or combinations thereof. For example, the D2R signaling module 916 may be implemented as a processor, circuit, and / or instructions 908 stored in the memory 906 and executed by the processor(s) 904. In some examples, the D2R signaling module 916 may be integrated within the processor(s) 904 and / or the transceiver(s) 910. For example, the D2R signaling module 916 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or a general processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within the processor(s) 904 or the transceiver(s) 910.

[0056] The D2R signaling module 916 may be used for various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, aspects of FIG. 1 through FIG. 8. In some cases, the D2R114902-2452-1335,1 P70217WO1signaling module 916 is configured to cause the wireless device 902 to generate R2D control information, wherein the R2D control information comprises one or more bits configuring a preamble, one of one or more midambles, or a postamble according to the R2D control information for a PDRCH transmission from a device. The D2R signaling module 916 is further configured to cause the wireless device 902 to transmit, to the device, the R2D control information. The D2R signaling module 916 is further configured to cause the wireless device 902 to receive, from the device, the PDRCH transmission comprising the preamble, the one or more midambles, or the postamble applied by the device according to the R2D control information. In some cases, the D2R signaling module 916 is configured to cause the wireless device 902 to receive, from a reader. R2D control information, wherein the R2D control information comprises one or more bits configuring a preamble, one of one or more midambles, or a postamble according to the R2D control information for a PDRCH transmission from the device. The D2R signaling module 916 is further configured to cause the wireless device 902 to apply the preamble, the one or more midambles, or the postamble to the PDRCH transmission. The D2R signaling module 916 is further configured to cause the wireless device 902 to send, to the reader, the PDRCH transmission.

[0057] The network device 918 may include one or more processor(s) 920. The processor(s) 920 may execute instructions such that various operations of the network device 918 are performed, as described herein. The processor(s) 920 may include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, a CPU, a DSP, an ASIC, a controller, an FPGA device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0058] The network device 918 may include a memory 922. The memory 922 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 924 (which may include, for example, the instructions being executed by the processor(s) 920). The instructions 924 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory7922 may also store data used by, and results computed by, the processor(s) 920.

[0059] The network device 918 may include one or more transceiver(s) 926 that may include RF transmitter circuitry and / or receiver circuitry that use the antenna(s) 928 of the network device 918 to facilitate signaling (e.g., the signaling 934) to and / or from the network device 918 with other devices (e.g., the wireless device 902) according to corresponding RATs.124902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO1

[0060] The network device 918 may include one or more antenna(s) 928 (e.g., one, two, four, or more). In embodiments having multiple antenna(s) 928, the network device 918 may perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beam steering, etc., as has been described.

[0061] The network device 918 may include one or more interface(s) 930. The interface(s) 930 may be used to provide input to or output from the network device 918. For example, a network device 918 that is a base station may include interface(s) 930 made up of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., other than the transceiver(s) 926 / antenna(s) 928 already described) that enables the base station to communicate with other equipment in a core network, and / or that enables the base station to communicate with external networks, computers, databases, and the like for purposes of operations, administration, and maintenance of the base station or other equipment operably connected thereto.

[0062] The network device 918 may include a D2R signaling module 932. The D2R signaling module 932 may be implemented via hardware, software, or combinations thereof. For example, the D2R signaling module 932 may be implemented as a processor, circuit, and / or instructions 924 stored in the memory 922 and executed by the processor(s) 920. In some examples, the D2R signaling module 932 may be integrated within the processor(s) 920 and / or the transceiver(s) 926. For example, the D2R signaling module 932 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g.. executed by a DSP or a general processor) and hardware components (e.g.. logic gates and circuitry) within the processor(s) 920 or the transceiver(s) 926.

[0063] The D2R signaling module 932 may be used for various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, aspects of FIG. 1 through FIG. 5 and FIG. 8. For example, the D2R signaling module 932 is configured to perform any of the network-based methods discussed herein.

[0064] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means to perform one or more elements of any of the method 600 and the method 700. This apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as a wireless device 902 that is a UE, as described herein).

[0065] Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions to cause an electronic device, upon execution of the instructions by one or more processors of the electronic device, to134902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO1perform one or more elements of any of the method 600 and the method 700. This non- transitory computer-readable media may be, for example, a memory of a UE (such as a memory 906 of a wireless device 902 that is a UE, as described herein).

[0066] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logic, modules, or circuitry to perform one or more elements of any of the method 600 and the method 700. This apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as a wireless device 902 that is a UE, as described herein).

[0067] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of any of the method 600 and the method 700. This apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as a wireless device 902 that is a UE, as described herein).

[0068] Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or related to one or more elements of any of the method 600 and the method 700.

[0069] Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product comprising instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processor is to cause the processor to carry out one or more elements of the method 600 and the method 700. The processor may be a processor of a UE (such as a processor(s) 904 of a wireless device 902 that is a UE, as described herein). These instructions may be, for example, located in the processor and / or on a memory of the UE (such as a memory 906 of a wireless device 902 that is a UE, as described herein).

[0070] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means to perform one or more elements of any of the network-based methods discussed herein. This apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a base station (such as a network device 918 that is a base station, as described herein).

[0071] Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions to cause an electronic device, upon execution of the instructions by one or more processors of the electronic device, to perform one or more elements of any of the network-based methods discussed herein. This non-transitory computer- readable media may be, for example, a memory' of a base station (such as a memory' 922 of a network device 918 that is a base station, as described herein).144902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO1

[0072] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logic, modules, or circuitry to perform one or more elements of any of the network-based methods discussed herein. This apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a base station (such as a network device 918 that is a base station, as described herein).

[0073] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of any of the network-based methods discussed herein. This apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a base station (such as a network device 918 that is a base station, as described herein).

[0074] Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or related to one or more elements of any of the network-based methods discussed herein.

[0075] Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product comprising instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processing element is to cause the processing element to carry out one or more elements of any of the network-based methods discussed herein. The processor may be a processor of a base station (such as a processor(s) 920 of a network device 918 that is a base station, as described herein). These instructions may be, for example, located in the processor and / or on a memory of the base station (such as a memory 922 of a network device 918 that is a base station, as described herein).

[0076] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components set forth in one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes, and / or methods as set forth herein. For example, a baseband processor as described herein in connection with one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of the examples set forth herein. For another example, circuitry associated with a UE, base station, network element, etc. as described above in connection with one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of the examples set forth herein.

[0077] Any of the above described embodiments may be combined with any other embodiment (or combination of embodiments), unless explicitly stated otherwise. The foregoing description of one or more implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of embodiments to154902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO1the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various embodiments.

[0078] Embodiments and implementations of the systems and methods described herein may include various operations, which may be embodied in machine-executable instructions to be executed by a computer system. A computer system may include one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers (or other electronic devices). The computer system may include hardware components that include specific logic for performing the operations or may include a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware.

[0079] It should be recognized that the systems described herein include descriptions of specific embodiments. These embodiments can be combined into single systems, partially combined into other systems, split into multiple systems or divided or combined in other ways. In addition, it is contemplated that parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment. The parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. are merely described in one or more embodiments for clarity7, and it is recognized that the parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. can be combined with or substituted for parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of another embodiment unless specifically disclaimed herein.

[0080] It is w ell understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users.

[0081] Although the foregoing has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles thereof. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing both the processes and apparatuses described herein. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered illustrative and not restrictive, and the description is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.164902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO1

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method performed by a reader comprising: generating reader-to-device (R2D) control information, wherein the R2D control information comprises one or more bits configuring a preamble, one of one or more midambles, or a postamble according to the R2D control information for a Physical Device-to-Reader Channel (PDRCH) transmission from a device; transmitting, to the device, the R2D control information; and receiving, from the device, the PDRCH transmission comprising the preamble, the one or more midambles, or the postamble applied by the device according to the R2D control information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the PDRCH transmission comprises the one or more midambles, and wherein the R2D control information comprises one bit indicating that the device should apply the one or more midambles.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the R2D control information comprises two bits, and wherein the tw o bits indicate whether the PDRCH transmission should comprise: the one or more midambles, the postamble, one midamble and the postamble, or two or more midambles and the postamble.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the PDRCH transmission comprises two or more midambles, and wherein the R2D control information indicates a total number of the two or more midambles that the device should apply.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the PDRCH transmission further comprises one or more transmission sequences applied to the preamble, the at least one of the one or more midambles, and the postamble.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the one or more transmission sequences comprises a first transmission sequence that is commonly applied for the preamble, the one or more midambles, and the postamble.174902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO17. The method of claim 6, wherein the first transmission sequence is applied for a first device type of a plurality of device types.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the one or more transmission sequences comprise a first transmission sequence applied for the preamble, a second transmission sequence applied for the one or more midambles, and a third transmission sequence applied for the postamble.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more transmission sequences are applied per device type.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the one or more transmission sequences comprises a first transmission sequence, wherein a first portion of the first transmission sequence is applied for the preamble, a second portion of the first transmission sequence is applied for the one or more midambles, and a third portion of the first transmission sequence is applied for the postamble.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the one or more transmission sequences comprises a first transmission sequence, wherein a first portion of the first transmission sequence is applied for the preamble, a second portion of the first transmission sequence is applied for a first midamble of the one or more midambles, a third portion of the first transmission sequence is applied for a second midamble of the one or more midambles, and a fourth portion of the first transmission sequence is applied for the postamble.

12. A method performed by a device comprising: receiving, from a reader, reader-to-device (R2D) control information, wherein the R2D control information comprises one or more bits configuring a preamble, one of one or more midambles, or a postamble according to the R2D control information for a Physical Device-to-Reader Channel (PDRCH) transmission from the device; applying the preamble, the one or more midambles, or the postamble to the PDRCH transmission; and sending, to the reader, the PDRCH transmission.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the PDRCH transmission comprises the one or more midambles, and wherein the R2D control information comprises one bit indicating that the device should apply the one or more midambles.184902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO114. The method of claim 12, wherein the R2D control information comprises two bits, and wherein the two bits indicate whether the PDRCH transmission should comprise: the one or more midambles, the postamble, one midamble and the postamble, or two or more midambles and the postamble.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the PDRCH transmission comprises two or more midambles, and wherein the R2D control information indicates a total number of the two or more midambles that the device should apply.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining a number of midambles based on a duration of the PDRCH transmission.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining a number of midambles based on a presence of the postamble.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the PDRCH transmission further comprises one or more transmission sequences applied to the preamble, the at least one of the one or more midambles, and the postamble.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more transmission sequences comprises a first transmission sequence that is commonly applied for the preamble, the one or more midambles, and the postamble.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first transmission sequence is applied for a first device type of a plurality of device types.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more transmission sequences comprise a first transmission sequence applied for the preamble, a second transmission sequence applied for the one or more midambles, and a third transmission sequence applied for the postamble.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the one or more transmission sequences are applied per device type.194902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO123. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more transmission sequences comprises a first transmission sequence, wherein a first portion of the first transmission sequence is applied for the preamble, a second portion of the first transmission sequence is applied for the one or more midambles, and a third portion of the first transmission sequence is applied for the postamble.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more transmission sequences comprises a first transmission sequence, wherein a first portion of the first transmission sequence is applied for the preamble, a second portion of the first transmission sequence is applied for a first midamble of the one or more midambles, a third portion of the first transmission sequence is applied for a second midamble of the one or more midambles, and a fourth portion of the first transmission sequence is applied for the postamble.204902-2452-1335 ,1 P70217WO1

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