Reader Role Assignment in A-IoT Terminals for Reliable Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication reliability in Ambient Power-enabled Internet of Things (A-IoT) networks is low due to passive, semi-passive, and semi-active terminals relying on ultra-low power consumption and energy harvesting from their surroundings, leading to inefficient data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus to determine a target reader role for a terminal device, indicating the target reader role, thereby improving communication reliability by determining a target reader role, which is determined by a communication apparatus, and sending first information to the terminal device, and executing the target reader role, thereby improving communication reliability by indicating the target reader role, which is indicated by a communication apparatus, and executing the target reader role, which is indicated by a method, and executing the target reader role, which is indicated by a method, and executing the target reader role, which is solved by a method, and executing the target reader role, which is solved by a method, and executing the target reader role, which is solved by a method, and executing the technical solution, which is indicated by a method, and executing the technical solution, which is indicated by a method, and sending first information to the terminal device to execute the target reader role.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If passive, semi-passive, and semi-active terminals use ultra-low power consumption and energy harvesting, then power consumption is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an access network device as an intermediary that assigns target reader roles to terminal devices. This mediator coordinates communication between terminals and the network, ensuring reliable data transmission while allowing terminals to operate in low-power modes. The access network device manages the complexity of role assignment and communication protocols, shielding terminals from these complexities and enabling them to maintain ultra-low power consumption without sacrificing communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If terminal devices execute reader roles autonomously, then device complexity is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal device complexityVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The access network device serves as an intermediary that determines and assigns target reader roles to terminal devices based on communication requirements. This centralizes the complexity of role management in the network device rather than requiring complex autonomous decision-making at the terminal level. The terminal device simply executes the assigned role, reducing its complexity while the network device ensures communication reliability through intelligent role assignment and coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic role assignment where the access network device determines target reader roles based on current communication requirements and terminal capabilities. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize communication reliability in real-time while keeping terminal devices simple. The terminal device transitions between different reader roles (full reader, assisted reader, carrier-assisted reader) based on network decisions rather than autonomous complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4708952A1Communication method and related apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4708952A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4708952A1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(d)
  • EP4708952A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication method and a related apparatus are provided. The method includes: An access network device determines a target reader role of a terminal device. The access network device sends first information to the terminal device, where the first information indicates the terminal device to execute the target reader role. The method in this application improves communication reliability.