Method for transmitting segmented data units from a wireless device, preferably an ambient Internet of Things, A-IoT, device to a radio node

Abstract

A method for transmitting segmented data units from a wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), preferably an ambient Internet of Things, A-IoT, device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c) of a communication network (10) to a radio node (16, 18) of the communication network (10), comprising: - Providing, by the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), preferably the A-IoT device, a data packet to be transmitted to the radio node (16, 18); - Dividing, by the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), preferably the A-IoT device, the provided data packet into segmented data units according to a data segmentation policy; and - Transmitting, by the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), preferably the A- IoT device, the segmented data units to the radio node (16, 18).

Description

[0001] R. 418042

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Specification

[0004] Title

[0005] Method for transmitting segmented data units from a wireless device, preferably an ambient Internet of Things, A-loT, device to a radio node

[0006] The invention concerns a method for transmitting segmented data units from a wireless device, preferably an ambient Internet of Things, A-loT, device of a communication network to a radio node of the communication network, and a corresponding method for performing a reassembly of segmented data units transmitted from a wireless device, preferably an A-loT device of a communication network to a radio node of the communication network. Further, the invention concerns a wireless device, preferably an A-loT device, a node of a communication network, a computer program, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a data carrier signal.

[0007] Background

[0008] The state of the art in A-loT devices, as currently studied by 3GPP, encompasses low-complexity, low-energy demanding wireless devices designed for various use cases, such as inventory management, localization, and sensor data exchange within indoor and outdoor environments. These wireless devices are categorized into three main groups, each with different power consumption and transmission characteristics.

[0009] Type 1 devices have a peak power consumption of approximately 1 pW, comprise an energy storage, and have an initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) of up to 10xppm. They do not have amplification in the device for either downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) transmission, and their UL transmission is based on backscattering an externally provided carrier wave. There may also be a type similar to Type 1 , but without an energy storage.

[0010] Type 2a and Type 2b devices have peak power consumption of a few hundred pW, comprise an energy storage, and have an initial SFO of up to 10xppm. BothR. 418042

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[0012] types have amplification for DL and / or UL transmission, with Type 2a devices generating UL transmissions by backscattering externally provided carrier waves and Type 2b devices generating UL transmission independently with active radio frequency components.

[0013] The A-loT device may be configured to directly and bidirectionally communicate with a user equipment or a base station. The A-loT device may also be configured to indirectly and bidirectionally communicate with a base station via at least one intermediate node, such as a user equipment (UE), a reader, or a relay.

[0014] The A-loT device may also be configured for receiving DL transmissions directly from a base station, and for sending UL transmissions to the base station via at least one assisting node. The A-loT device may alternatively be configured for receiving DL transmissions from the base stations via at least one assisting node, and for sending UL transmissions directly to the base station.

[0015] Disclosure of the invention

[0016] According to a first aspect, there is provided a method for transmitting segmented data units from a wireless device, preferably an ambient Internet of Things, A-loT, device of a communication network to a radio node of the communication network.

[0017] The method according to the first aspect comprises:

[0018] Providing, by the wireless device, preferably the A-loT device, a data packet to be transmitted to the radio node;

[0019] Dividing, by the wireless device, preferably the A-loT device, the provided data packet into segmented data units according to a data segmentation policy; and

[0020] Transmitting, by the wireless device, preferably the A-loT device, the segmented data units to the radio node.

[0021] Preferably, the segmented data units are transmitted in a predetermined order, preferably sequentially.R. 418042

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[0023] The method according to the first aspect can be understood as a method for wireless communications, specifically of operating the wireless device of the communication network, particularly performed by the wireless device.

[0024] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for performing a reassembly of segmented data units transmitted from a wireless device, preferably an ambient Internet of Things, A-loT, device of a communication network to a radio node of the communication network.

[0025] The method according to the second aspect comprises:

[0026] Receiving, by the radio node, segmented data units from the wireless device, preferably the A-loT device; and

[0027] Performing a reassembly of the received segmented data units into a data packet.

[0028] Preferably, the segmented data units are received in a predetermined order, preferably sequentially. Here, multiple segmented data units may be received, by the radio node, for each wireless device of a set of wireless devices, e.g., a group of A-loT devices. Accordingly, the reassembly is performed independently for data packets of different wireless devices.

[0029] The method according to the second aspect can be understood as a method for wireless communications, specifically of operating the radio node of the communication network, particularly performed by the radio node.

[0030] According to a third aspect, there is provided a wireless device, preferably an A-loT device, of a communication network. The wireless device is adapted to execute the method according to the first aspect, or its embodiments.

[0031] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a radio node of a communication network. The radio node is adapted to execute the method according to the second aspect, or its embodiments.

[0032] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising machine-readable instructions to cause

[0033] the wireless device as defined by the third aspect to execute the method according to the first aspect, and / or its embodiments, and / orR. 418042

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[0035] the radio node as defined by the fourth aspect to execute the method according to the second aspect, and / or its embodiments.

[0036] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon the computer program as defined by the fifth aspect.

[0037] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a data carrier signal carrying the computer program as defined by the fifth aspect, and / or its embodiments.

[0038] The communication network may comprise a wireless network and a core network. The communication network may be configured as a cellular network, preferably according to 3GPP specifications, e.g., according to 3GPP release 18 or beyond. The communication network comprises at least one radio node and at least one wireless device, preferably at least one A-loT device. The radio node may be a base station or a user equipment, specifically configured as a reader for ambient loT devices, or a relay or an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node.

[0039] The wireless device may be configured as a low-energy or low-power device. The wireless device may have a peak power consumption of less than 1 mW, preferably less than 500 pW, specifically less than 100 pW, according to an embodiment, less than 10 pW, e.g., approximately 1 pW.

[0040] The wireless device is preferably configured for energy harvesting, thus exploiting ambient energy sources, e.g., radio waves, thermal radiation, mechanical vibrations etc. as power supply. The wireless device may or may not comprise an energy storage, e.g., a battery.

[0041] Specifically, the wireless device is different from a Reduced Capability (Redcap) device, a narrow band loT (NB-loT) device, a device for enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC), e.g., due to its lower hardware complexity and / or lower costs, and / or smaller form factors. Additionally, a communication between the wireless device and the radio node may not be controlled by a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer. Particularly, a Hybrid Automated Repeat Request (HARQ)R. 418042

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[0043] procedure may not be deployed or deployable for the communication between the wireless device and the radio node.

[0044] The wireless device may be arranged on or part of

[0045] an environmental sensor, e.g., deployed in smart buildings, industrial facilities, and urban infrastructure to enable environmental monitoring and control,

[0046] a smart home device to enable remote monitoring and control of home environments for energy efficiency, security, and convenience, a wearable health and / or fitness tracker to enable personal health and fitness tracking, as well as remote patient monitoring in healthcare applications,

[0047] an asset tracking device to enable monitoring the location and status of assets, vehicles, and inventory in logistics, transportation, and supply chain management applications,

[0048] an industrial loT sensor and / or actuator to enable monitoring and controlling machinery, equipment, and processes,

[0049] a smart agriculture device to enable optimizing resource usage and improving crop yields,

[0050] a smart city infrastructure unit to enable smart street lighting, traffic monitoring, waste management, public safety, and environmental monitoring.

[0051] The provided data packet is preferably a Medium Access Control Protocol Data Unit (MAC PDU). A maximum transmission unit (MTU), preferably specified in octets, may indicate the maximum size of a data unit or data packet transmittable from the wireless device to the radio node. The resulting segmented data units may also be MAC PDUs, but with a smaller size than the original MAC PDU, preferably less than or equal to the MTU.

[0052] This proposed solution enables efficient transmission of large data packets from A-loT devices by segmenting them into smaller units for reliable transfer and reassembly at the receiver. This approach reduces complexity and power consumption on the resource-constrained A-loT device by offloading reassembly and re-transmission management to the reader.R. 418042

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[0054] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the method further comprises:

[0055] Receiving, by the wireless device, an indication of a positive acknowledgement or negative acknowledgement for at least one of the transmitted data units from the radio node; and

[0056] Upon reception of an indication of a negative acknowledgement, retransmitting the respective at least one segmented data unit to the radio node.

[0057] Similarly, according to an embodiment of the second aspect, the method further comprises:

[0058] Transmitting, by the radio node, an indication of a positive acknowledgement or negative acknowledgement for at least one of the segmented data units to the wireless device; and

[0059] Based on a transmission of a negative acknowledgement, receiving, by the radio node, a re-transmission of the respective at least one segmented data unit from the wireless device.

[0060] The acknowledgement may either explicitly or implicitly identify the segmented data unit(s). The indication of a positive acknowledgement (ACK) may be transmitted upon successful reception of each data unit. The indication of an ACK may be accompanied by a resource information indicating an allocation of resources for the transmission of the subsequent data unit. The indication of a negative acknowledgement (NACK) may be accompanied by a resource information indicating an allocation of resources for the re-transmission. The indication of a NACK may be transmitted for each failed or missing data unit individually or jointly for all failed or missing data units of the data packet. These acknowledgments may be conveyed within a (subsequent) paging message or a dedicated signal / message from the radio node to the wireless device.

[0061] Specifically, if a segment is missing or corrupted, the radio node is adapted to send a NACK. This prompts the wireless device to re-transmit the specific segment, enabling the radio node to successfully reassemble the complete data packet. This mechanism enables efficient re-transmission of missing segments.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, a segmentation identifier indicating the division of the data packet, and optionally, a number of subsequent divided data packets, is contained in

[0063] each of the segmented data units, and / orR. 418042

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[0065] a random access message, specifically a random access preamble, transmitted, by the wireless device, to the radio node.

[0066] To this end, each of the segmented data units may contain a single-bit flag: A first value, e.g., “one”, indicates that the data packet has been segmented. A second value, e.g., “zero”, indicates that the data packet is transmitted as a whole, i.e., without segmentation.

[0067] Optionally, the segmented data units may also contain a further flag of one or multiple bits which indicate the number of subsequent data packets which are segmented into multiple data units. For example, a two bit flag may be included for specifying up to four subsequent data packets with segmentation. The segmentation identifier is preferably included in a header of the data packet (MAC PDU).

[0068] Additionally or alternatively, the random access message may contain a single or multiple bit flag for indicating the segmentation of the data packet, and, optionally, the number of subsequent data packets with segmentation.

[0069] This embodiment efficiently signals data packet segmentation status and, optionally, the number of subsequent segmented packets, either within each segmented data unit itself or within a random access message, simplifying receiver processing and resource allocation.

[0070] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the last transmitted data unit of the segmented data units contains a last segment identifier indicating its status as the last segment of the data packet. For example, each of the segmented data units may contain a flag which has the value “zero” for all data units except for the last transmitted data unit for which the flag has the value “one”. The segmentation identifier is preferably included in a header of the data packet (MAC PDU). This embodiment clearly the final segment of a fragmented data packet, enabling the receiver to efficiently initiate reassembly upon its arrival.

[0071] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the method further comprises:

[0072] Transmitting, by the wireless device, a completion indicator after the transmission of the segmented data units, wherein the completionR. 418042

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[0074] indicator indicates that the transmission of the segmented data units is completed.

[0075] In other words, the completion indicator is transmitted after the transmission of the segmented data units is completed. The completion indicator may be a data unit with a defined pattern of data values. For example, one, multiple, or all bits of the data units may have the same value. The advantage of this embodiment is that it signals the completion of segmented data transmission with a dedicated indicator after all segments are sent, reducing overhead compared to including a last segment identifier in each segment, especially beneficial for transmissions with many segments.

[0076] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, each of the segmented data units contains a segment index uniquely identifying the respective data unit of the data packet. The segment index max be a segment number identifying the data units at the wireless device, preferably on MAC layer. Including a unique segment index in each data unit allows the receiver to correctly order and reassemble the segments, even if they arrive out of order or experience varying delays.

[0077] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the data segmentation policy is configured to determine the segmented data units based on the provided data packet and a size for a maximum transmission unit (MTU), wherein the size for the maximum transmission unit is received, by the wireless device, from the radio node, or determined by the wireless device.

[0078] The size of the MTU may be fixed, e.g., to a size greater or equal to 12 octets and less or equal than 1.250 octets, preferably 125 octets, or dynamically adapted. The size of the MTU may depend on resources allocated for the transmission of the wireless device. For a scheduled transmission, the radio node may be adapted to indicate the size of MTU to the wireless device. The size of the MTU may also depend on at least one of a slot duration, a number of wireless devices, a use case associated with the data packet.

[0079] This embodiment allows the segmentation policy to adapt to either a devicedetermined or network-provided MTU size, thereby optimizing resource utilization and transmission efficiency.R. 418042

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[0081] According to an embodiment of the first aspect,

[0082] an indication of a predetermined maximum number of segmented data units per data packet is received, by the wireless device, from the radio node, or

[0083] a maximum number of segmented data units per data packet is determined, by the wireless device,

[0084] the predetermined or determined maximum number is based on at least one of: a use case, a service, or an application the data packet is associated with, a zone the wireless device is located in.

[0085] The maximum number may be fixed or variable. A fixed number of bits could define the maximum number of segments for different use cases and / or applications the data packet is associated with. Alternatively, a variable maximum number can be defined per use case (e.g., inventory, command, sensor data), per wireless device (specified during configuration or resource allocation), or per zone based on a location of the wireless device and resource allocation. The predetermined or determined maximum number of segmented data units aids in efficient resource allocation and management.

[0086] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the method further comprises:

[0087] Performing, by the wireless device, a compression of the provided data packet based on a size of the data packet and the maximum number of segmented data units per data packet.

[0088] The compression of the provided data packet may also include a reduction of a temporal and / or spatial resolution of data contained in the data packet. This embodiment enhances transmission efficiency by enabling the wireless device to dynamically compress the data packet, ensuring it remains within the maximum allowed number of segmented units.

[0089] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the method further comprises:

[0090] Receiving, by the wireless device, an indication from the radio node that the data packet to be transmitted shall be segmented, wherein the division of the provided data packet is performed upon reception of the indication.

[0091] In analogy, according to an embodiment of the second aspect, the method further comprises:R. 418042

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[0093] Transmitting, by the radio node, an indication to the wireless device that the data packet to be transmitted shall be segmented.

[0094] The indication may identify specific data packets for segmentation or specify a use case, application, or service for which all associated data packets should be segmented. This indication may be provided within a paging message, a random access message, a grant of radio resources, or a dedicated signaling from the radio node to the wireless device. Offloading the segmentation decision from the resource-constrained A-loT device conserves processing power and energy, which is particularly beneficial for devices with limited computing resources and / or energy storage.

[0095] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the method further comprises:

[0096] Determining, by the wireless device, whether the data packet to be transmitted shall be segmented, wherein the division of the provided data packet is performed based on a result of the determining.

[0097] The determination may be based on radio resources allocated to the wireless device, an energy and / or buffer status of the wireless, a use case, an application, or a service associated with the data packet. The wireless device may also consider the target data rate and coverage, energy consumption, and device availability. This embodiment allows the wireless device to autonomously decide whether to segment a data packet, providing flexibility and adaptability to varying data size and network conditions.

[0098] According to an embodiment of the second aspect, the method further comprises:

[0099] Determining, by the radio node, whether a transmission of the data units is completed, based on

[0100] o a reception of a completion indicator, and / or

[0101] o a reception of a last segment identifier indicating a status of the data unit as the last segment of the data packet, and / or o a comparison of a size of the received data units with an expected size of the data packet.

[0102] The completion indicator be a data unit with a defined pattern of data values. For example, one, multiple, or all bits of the data units may have the same value.R. 418042

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[0104] The last segment identifier indicates the status of the respective data unit status as the last segment of the data packet For example, each of the segmented data units may contain a flag which has the value “zero” for all data units except for the last transmitted data unit for which the flag has the value “one”. The segmentation identifier is preferably included in a header of the data packet (MAC PDU).

[0105] In other words, a data unit or segment with a standard pattern (e.g., all zeros or all ones) or a single-bit field may indicate completion of the data packet’s transmission.

[0106] For comparing the size of the received data units with the expected size of the data packet, a cumulative payload of the received segmented data units may be traced by the radio node. Specifically, if a size of payload data contained in the received data units reaches the expected size of the packet, the transmission is determined to be completed. The expected size may be previously indicated to the wireless device (e.g., in a paging message) or fixed for the associated use case, application, or service associated with the wireless device and / or the data packet.

[0107] This embodiment provides multiple, redundant mechanisms for determining the completion of a segmented data transmission, increasing the robustness and reliability of the reassembly process at the radio node.

[0108] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a (wireless) communication network comprising at least one wireless device, preferably at least one A-loT device, according to the third aspect, or its embodiments, and at least a radio node according to the fourth aspect, or its embodiments.

[0109] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating the communication network. The method of operating the communication network comprises the steps of the method according to the first aspect, or its embodiments, and the steps of the method according to the second aspect, or its embodiments.R. 418042

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[0111] The non-transitory computer readable medium is preferably configured to store the computer program to be executed by a processor of the first LAN element and / or the second LAN element and / or the communication network. The non-transitory computer readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, and any other non-volatile storage device.

[0112] Description of the figures

[0113] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are depicted in the figures, which are not to be construed as limiting the claims, and are explained in greater detail below.

[0114] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a communication network according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0115] Fig. 2A,B,C schematically illustrate methods according to embodiments of the invention.

[0116] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a communication network 10 according to an aspect of the invention. The communication network 10 is configured as a cellular communication network 10, preferably according to 3GPP specifications, e.g., a 5G, or 6G communication network.

[0117] The communication network 10 comprises a core network 12 with at least one core network node 14. Further, the communication network 10 comprises a first radio node 16, e.g., a base station 16, a second radio node 18, e.g., a user equipment 18, and a group 20 of wireless devices 20a, 20b, 20c, configured as ambient Internet of Things, A-loT, devices 20a, 20b, 20c, specifically according to 3GPP specifications.

[0118] For enabling efficient transmission of large data packets from the A-loT devices 20a, 20b, 20c to the base station 16 and / or the user equipment 18, the respective A-loT device 20a, 20b, 20c is adapted to provide a data packet to be transmitted to respective radio node 16, 18 that is configured as a reader 16, 18 for the respective A-loT device 20a, 20b, 20c.R. 418042

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[0120] The A-loT device 20a, 20b, 20c is further adapted to divide the provided data packet into segmented data units according to a data segmentation policy. The data segmentation policy is configured to determine the segmented data units based on the provided data packet and a size for a maximum transmission unit, wherein the size for the maximum transmission unit is received, by the respective A-loT device 20a, 20b, 20c, from the radio node 16, 18, or determined by the respective A-loT device 20a, 20b, 20c.

[0121] The decision whether a data packet shall be segmented or not, may be made by the radio node 16, 18 and / or the core network node 14. Accordingly, the A-loT device 20a, 20b, 20c are triggered, by the radio node 16, 18, for dividing the data packet base on the decision, e.g., using a segmentation trigger signaling.

[0122] Alternatively, the decision may be made by the A-loT device 20a, 20b, 20c. Accordingly, the A-loT device 20a, 20b, 20c may be adapted to inform the radio node 16, 18 about the decision either explicitly, or implicitly, e.g., using a segmentation indication contained in the segmented data units.

[0123] Data packet segmentation is particularly important when the packet size of the MAC PDU exceeds the network’s Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU), which is determined by the radio node 16, 18 (for scheduled transmissions) or defined by the communication ecosystem (for random access), influenced by factors like slotted ALOHA, slot duration, number of devices, and use case. When exceeding the MTU, the AloT device 20a, 20b, 20c is adapted to fragment the packet for reliable delivery at the respective radio node 16, 18.

[0124] Moreover, the A-loT device 20a, 20b, 20c is adapted to transmit the segmented data units to the respective radio node 16, 18. The respective radio node 16, 18 is adapted to receive the segmented data units from the wireless device 20a, 20b, 20c.

[0125] The respective radio node 16, 18 may also be adapted to determine whether a transmission of the data units is completed. The determination is based on - a reception of a completion indicator,

[0126] - a reception of a last segment identifier indicating a status of the data unit as the last segment of the data packet,R. 418042

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[0128] - a comparison of a size of the received data units with an expected size of the data packet.

[0129] The completion indicator received from the transmitting A-loT device 20a, 20b, 20c may be a specialized data unit with a predefined pattern, such as all zeros or all ones, or a dedicated single-bit flag within a data unit.

[0130] The last segment identifier included within the final segmented data unit may be a single-bit flag, explicitly signaling that the current data unit is the last segment of the fragmented data packet.

[0131] The radio node 16, 18 may also be adapted to track the cumulative size of the received payload data across all segmented data units. When this cumulative size matches the expected size of the original data packet, the radio node 16, 18 is adapted to infer that the transmission is complete. The expected size may have been previously communicated to the respective A-loT device 20a, 20b, 20c by the radio node 16, 18 (e.g., within a paging message), or it may be a fixed value associated with a particular use case, application, or service.

[0132] Furthermore, the respective radio node 16, 18 is adapted to perform a reassembly of the received segmented data units into a data packet, preferably upon determining that the segmented data transmission is complete.

[0133] The segmented data units are preferably received in sequential order. The segmented data units may not be received in sequential order due to network conditions or retransmissions. Therefore, to reconstruct the original data packet correctly, each segmented data unit preferably includes a segment index, such as a segment number.

[0134] The radio node 16, 18 may be adapted to buffer the incoming data units until it determines that the transmission is complete. The radio node 16, 18 may be adapted to, optionally, use the segment indices to arrange the data units in the correct sequence, and to combine the payloads of the data units to reconstruct the original data packet.R. 418042

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[0136] For each segmented data unit transmitted by an A-loT device 20a, 20b, 20c, the corresponding radio node 16, 18 transmits either an acknowledgment (ACK) or a negative acknowledgment (NACK) message. These ACK / NACK messages are transmitted upon reception or attempted reception of the corresponding segmented data unit The ACK / NACK message may explicitly identify the segmented data unit to which it refers, for instance, by including the segment index. Alternatively, the identification can be implicit, relying on the sequential transmission order of data units and acknowledgments.

[0137] An ACK message may optionally include resource allocation information for the transmission of the subsequent segmented data unit. A NACK message may similarly contain resource information specifying the resources allocated for the retransmission of the failed or missing data unit. If multiple data units are missing or corrupted, NACKs can be transmitted either individually for each failed unit or jointly in a single message listing all failed units. These ACK / NACK messages may be conveyed as part of a paging message, a grant for radio resources, or through dedicated signaling or control messages.

[0138] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates methods according to embodiments of the invention.

[0139] Fig. 2A schematically illustrates a method 100 for transmitting segmented data units from a wireless device, preferably an ambient Internet of Things, A-loT, device of a communication network to a radio node of the communication network according to the first aspect of the invention. The communication system may be the wireless communication system 10 according to Fig. 1.

[0140] The method 100 comprises a step 110 of providing, by the wireless device, preferably the A-loT device, a data packet to be transmitted to the radio node.

[0141] The method 100 comprises a step 120 of dividing, by the wireless device, preferably the A-loT device, the provided data packet into segmented data units according to a data segmentation policy.

[0142] The method 100 comprises a step 130 of transmitting, by the wireless device, preferably the A-loT device, the segmented data units to the radio node.R. 418042

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[0144] Fig. 2B schematically illustrates a method 200 for performing a reassembly of segmented data units transmitted from a wireless device, preferably an ambient Internet of Things, A-loT, device of a communication network to a radio node of the communication network. The communication system may be the wireless communication system 10 according to Fig. 1

[0145] The method 200 comprises a step 210 of receiving, by the radio node, segmented data units from the wireless device, preferably the A-loT device.

[0146] The method 200 comprises a step 220 of performing a reassembly of the received segmented data units into a data packet.

[0147] Fig. 2C schematically illustrates a method 300 of operating a communication system according to a further aspect of the invention. Here, the communication system comprises at least one radio node, preferably a base station, and at least one A-loT device. The communication system may be the communication system 10 according to Fig. 1.

[0148] The method 300 of operating the communication system 10 comprises the methods 100, 200 according to the first and the second aspect.

[0149] The method 300 comprises a step 310 corresponding to step 110 of the method 100 of providing, by the wireless device, preferably the A-loT device, a data packet to be transmitted to the radio node.

[0150] The method 300 comprises a step 320 corresponding to step 120 of the method 100 of dividing, by the wireless device, preferably the A-loT device, the provided data packet into segmented data units according to a data segmentation policy.

[0151] The method 300 comprises a step 330 corresponding to step 130 of the method 100 of transmitting, by the wireless device, preferably the A-loT device, the segmented data units to the radio node.R. 418042

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[0153] The method 300 comprises a step 340 corresponding to step 210 of the method 200 of receiving, by the radio node, segmented data units from the wireless device, preferably the A-loT device.

[0154] The method 300 comprises a step 350 corresponding to step 220 of the method 200 of performing a reassembly of the received segmented data units into a data packet.

[0155] The method 300 may be performed by the communication system 10, specifically by the at least one radio node 16 and the at least one A-loT 20a, 20b, 20c.

Claims

R. 418042- 18 -Claims1. A method (100) for transmitting segmented data units from a wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), preferably an ambient Internet of Things, A-loT, device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c) of a communication network (10) to a radio node (16, 18) of the communication network (10), comprising:Providing (110), by the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), preferably the A-loT device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), a data packet to be transmitted to the radio node (16, 18);Dividing (120), by the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), preferably the A-loT device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), the provided data packet into segmented data units according to a data segmentation policy; and Transmitting (130), by the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), preferably the A-loT device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), the segmented data units to the radio node (16, 18).

2. The method (100) according to claim 1 , further comprising:Receiving, by the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), an indication of a positive acknowledgement or negative acknowledgement for at least one of the transmitted data units from the radio node (16, 18); andUpon reception of an indication of a negative acknowledgement, retransmitting the respective at least one segmented data unit to the radio node (16, 18).

3. The method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a segmentation identifier indicating the division of the data packet, and optionally, a number of subsequent divided data packets, is contained in each of the segmented data units, and / ora random access message, specifically a random access preamble, transmitted, by the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), to the radio node (16, 18).R. 418042- 19 -4. The method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the last transmitted data unit of the segmented data units contains a last segment identifier indicating its status as the last segment of the data packet.

5. The method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising:Transmitting, by the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), a completion indicator after the transmission of the segmented data units, wherein the completion indicator indicates that the transmission of the segmented data units is completed.

6. The method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the segmented data units contains a segment index uniquely identifying the respective data unit of the data packet.

7. The method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data segmentation policy is configured to determine the segmented data units based on the provided data packet and a size for a maximum transmission unit, wherein the size for the maximum transmission unit is received, by the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), from the radio node (16, 18), or determined by the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c).

8. The method (100) according to one of the preceding claims,wherein an indication of a predetermined maximum number of segmented data units per data packet is received, by the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), from the radio node (16, 18), orwherein a maximum number of segmented data units per data packet is determined, by the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c),wherein the predetermined or determined maximum number is based on at least one of: a use case, a service, or an application the data packet is associated with, a zone the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c) is located in.

9. The method (100) according to claim 8, further comprising:Performing, by the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), a compression of the provided data packet based on a size of the data packet and the maximum number of segmented data units per data packet.R. 418042- 20 -10. The method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising:Receiving, by the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), an indication from the radio node (16, 18) that the data packet to be transmitted shall be segmented, wherein the division of the provided data packet is performed upon reception of the indication.

11. The method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising:Determining, by the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), whether the data packet to be transmitted shall be segmented, wherein the division of the provided data packet is performed based on a result of the determining.

12. A method (200) for performing a reassembly of segmented data units transmitted from a wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), preferably an ambient Internet of Things, A-loT, device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c) of a communication network (10) to a radio node (16, 18) of the communication network (10), comprising:Receiving (210), by the radio node (16, 18), segmented data units from the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), preferably the A-loT device; and Performing (220) a reassembly of the received segmented data units into a data packet.

13. The method (200) according to claim 12, further comprising:Transmitting, by the radio node (16, 18), an indication of a positive acknowledgement or negative acknowledgement for at least one of the segmented data units to the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c); and Based on a transmission of a negative acknowledgement, receiving, by the radio node (16, 18), a re-transmission of the respective at least one segmented data unit from the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c).

14. The method (200) according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising:Determining, by the radio node (16, 18), whether a transmission of the data units is completed, based ono a reception of a completion indicator, and / orR. 418042- 21 -o a reception of a last segment identifier indicating a status of the data unit as the last segment of the data packet, and / or o a comparison of a size of the received data units with an expected size of the data packet.

15. The method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising:Transmitting, by the radio node (16, 18), an indication to the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c) that the data packet to be transmitted shall be segmented.

16. A wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), preferably an ambient Internet of Things, A-loT, device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c), of a communication network (10) adapted to execute the method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11.

17. A radio node (16, 18) of a communication network (10) adapted to execute the method (200) according to one of claims 12 to 15.

18. A computer program comprising machine-readable instructions to cause the wireless device (20; 20a, 20b, 20c) according to claim 16 to execute the method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11 , and / orthe radio node (16, 18) according to claim 17 to execute the method (200) according to one of claims 12 to 15.

19. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon the computer program according to claim 18.

20. A data carrier signal carrying the computer program of claim 19.

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