CN120499804A

CN120499804A - Detecting and preventing oscillations

Info

Publication number: CN120499804A
Application number: CN202411992451.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: I·基米尼斯; 本尼·维加尔德; O-E·巴尔布; J·哈瑞贝克; M·塞西莉
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2024-02-15
Filing date: 2024-12-31
Publication date: 2025-08-15
Also published as: GB2638187A

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, method, and computer-readable storage medium for detecting and preventing oscillations. In the method, the first device sends an indication to the second device that causes the second device to send an activation signal to the third device. The activation signal includes a command to enable the reflective amplifier. The first device receives a first signal from the third device that is backscattered based on the activation signal. The reflective amplifier has been switched on at the third means. Further, if the first signal cannot be successfully decoded, the first device sends a request to the second device to reduce the power used to send the activation signal to the third device and/or to cause the third device to reduce the reflection gain of the reflection amplifier. In this way, the proposed method can advantageously improve signal quality and avoid interference.

Description

Detecting and preventing oscillations

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority and equity from uk application number 2402080.2 filed on month 15 of 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

Various example embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications and, in particular, relate to methods, apparatus, devices, and computer-readable storage media for detecting and preventing oscillations.

Background

Regarding internet of things (IoT) applications, narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT)/enhanced machine type communications (eMTC) and New Radio (NR) reduced capability (Red Cap) have been specified to meet the requirements of low cost and low power devices for wide area IoT communications. These IoT devices typically consume tens or hundreds of milliwatts of power during transceiving, which costs several dollars. However, to enable everything interconnection, ioT devices with ten or even hundreds of times lower cost and power consumption are desirable, especially for a large number of applications requiring batteryless devices.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a first apparatus is provided. The first apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to at least transmit an indication to the second apparatus that causes the second apparatus to transmit an activation signal to the third apparatus, the activation signal including a command to enable a reflective amplifier, receive a first signal from the third apparatus that is back-scattered based on the activation signal, wherein the reflective amplifier has been turned on at the third apparatus, and transmit a request to the second apparatus to perform at least one of reducing a power to transmit the activation signal to the third apparatus or causing the third apparatus to reduce a reflective gain of the reflective amplifier if it is determined that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a second apparatus is provided. The second apparatus includes at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to transmit an activation signal including a command to enable a reflective amplifier to a third apparatus in response to receiving an indication from the first apparatus to cause the second apparatus to transmit the activation signal to the third apparatus, and to transmit the activation signal to the third apparatus with the reduced power in response to receiving a request from the first apparatus to reduce power for transmitting the activation signal to the third apparatus, or to transmit another request to reduce the reflective gain to the third apparatus in response to receiving a request from the first apparatus to cause the third apparatus to reduce the reflective gain of the reflective amplifier.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, a third apparatus is provided. The third device includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the third device to at least receive an activation signal from the second device including a command to enable the reflective amplifier, and send a first signal to the first device that is back-scattered based on the activation signal, wherein the reflective amplifier has been turned on at the third device, wherein the reflective gain of the reflective amplifier operates at full gain or variable gain.

In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes transmitting, to the second device, an indication to cause the second device to transmit an activation signal to the third device, the activation signal including a command to enable the reflective amplifier, receiving, from the third device, a first signal that is back-scattered based on the activation signal, wherein the reflective amplifier has been turned on at the third device, and transmitting, to the second device, a request to perform at least one of reducing a power for transmitting the activation signal to the third device, or causing the third device to reduce a reflective gain of the reflective amplifier if it is determined that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded.

In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes transmitting an activation signal including a command to enable a reflective amplifier to a third device in response to receiving an indication from a first device to cause the second device to transmit the activation signal to the third device, and transmitting the activation signal to the third device with the reduced power in response to receiving a request from the first device to reduce the power for transmitting the activation signal to the third device, or transmitting another request to reduce the reflective gain to the third device in response to receiving a request from the first device to cause the third device to reduce the reflective gain of the reflective amplifier.

In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes receiving an activation signal from a second device that includes a command to enable a reflective amplifier, and transmitting a first signal to a first device that is back-scattered based on the activation signal, wherein the reflective amplifier has been turned on at a third device, wherein a reflective gain of the reflective amplifier operates at full gain or variable gain.

In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a first apparatus is provided. The first apparatus includes means for sending an indication to the second apparatus that the second apparatus is to send an activation signal to the third apparatus, the activation signal including a command to enable the reflective amplifier, means for receiving a first signal from the third apparatus that is back-scattered based on the activation signal, wherein the reflective amplifier has been turned on at the third apparatus, and means for sending a request to the second apparatus to at least one of reduce a power for sending the activation signal to the third apparatus or cause the third apparatus to reduce a reflective gain of the reflective amplifier if it is determined that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded.

In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a second apparatus is provided. The second apparatus includes means for transmitting an activation signal including a command to enable the reflective amplifier to the third apparatus in response to receiving an indication from the first apparatus to cause the second apparatus to transmit the activation signal to the third apparatus, and means for transmitting the activation signal to the third apparatus with the reduced power in response to receiving a request from the first apparatus to reduce the power for transmitting the activation signal to the third apparatus, or means for transmitting another request to reduce the reflective gain to the third apparatus in response to receiving a request from the first apparatus to cause the third apparatus to reduce the reflective gain of the reflective amplifier.

In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a third apparatus is provided. The third apparatus includes means for receiving an activation signal from the second apparatus including a command to enable the reflective amplifier, and means for transmitting a first signal to the first apparatus that is backscattered based on the activation signal, wherein the reflective amplifier has been turned on at a third device, wherein a reflective gain of the reflective amplifier operates at full gain or variable gain.

In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer readable medium is provided. The computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the fourth aspect.

In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, a computer readable medium is provided. The computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the fifth aspect.

In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the sixth aspect.

It should be understood that this summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the embodiments of the disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description.

Drawings

Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a first connection topology;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a second connection topology;

FIG. 4A shows a schematic diagram of downstream assistance of a third connection topology;

FIG. 4B illustrates a schematic diagram of upstream assistance of a third connection topology;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a fourth connection topology;

fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of periodic User Equipment (UE) power tuning for detecting and preventing oscillations;

fig. 7 illustrates a signaling diagram for detecting and preventing oscillations, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 8 illustrates a signaling diagram for oscillation detection at backscatter according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 9 illustrates a signaling diagram for a UE multiple scattering solution for oscillation detection at backscatter according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 10 illustrates a signaling diagram for a variable gain process according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 11 illustrates a schematic diagram of UE reader behavior in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 12 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 13 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of a method implemented at a third apparatus, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, and

Fig. 15 shows a simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure.

The same or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements.

Detailed Description

Principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these examples are for illustrative purposes only and to assist those skilled in the art in understanding and practicing the present disclosure, and are not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way. The embodiments described herein may be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

References in the present disclosure to "one embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element and they do not limit the order of the noun. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

As used herein, "at least one of the following" list of two or more elements > "and" < at least one of the list of two or more elements > "and similar expressions, wherein the list of two or more elements is connected by" and "or" means at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

As used herein, unless explicitly stated otherwise, performing a step "in response to a" does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after "a" occurs, and may include one or more intermediate steps.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "has," "including," "contains," and/or "containing," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, components, etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used in this disclosure, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) Hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in analog and/or digital circuitry only) and

(B) Combinations of hardware circuitry and software, e.g., (as applicable) (i) combinations of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) and software/firmware and (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s), software, and memory with software (including digital signal processor (s)) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions, and

(C) Hardware circuit(s) and/or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or a portion of microprocessor(s), that require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but software may not exist when operation is not required.

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this disclosure, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this disclosure, the term circuitry also encompasses hardware-only circuitry or a processor (or multiple processors) or an implementation of a hardware circuit or portion of a processor and its accompanying software and/or firmware. For example and if applicable to the particular claim elements, the term circuitry also covers baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits used in a mobile device or a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that conforms to any suitable communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-advanced (LTE-a), wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), high Speed Packet Access (HSPA), narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT), and the like. Furthermore, the communication between the terminal device and the network device in the communication network may be in accordance with any suitable generated communication protocol, including, but not limited to, first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G), sixth generation (6G) communication protocols, and/or any other protocols currently known or developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communications, there are, of course, future types of communication technologies and systems that can implement the present disclosure. And should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the above-described systems.

As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a Base Station (BS) or an Access Point (AP), e.g., a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNode B or eNB), an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a Radio Head (RH), a Remote Radio Head (RRH), a repeater, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node such as a femto, pico, non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-terrestrial network device such as a satellite network device, a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite, and a Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, etc., depending on the terminology and technology applied. In some example embodiments, a Radio Access Network (RAN) split architecture includes a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. The IAB node includes a mobile terminal (IAB-MT) portion that behaves like a UE to a parent node, while the DU portion of the IAB node behaves like a base station to a next-hop IAB node.

The term "terminal device" refers to any end device capable of wireless communication. By way of example, and not limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user Equipment (UE), subscriber Station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile Station (MS), or Access Terminal (AT). The terminal devices may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smart phones, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablet computers, wearable terminal devices, personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop Embedded Equipment (LEEs), laptop equipment (LMEs), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless Consumer Premise Equipment (CPE), internet of things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearable devices, head Mounted Displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., tele-surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and/or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and/or automated processing chain environment), consumer electronics devices, devices operating on commercial and/or industrial wireless networks, and the like. The terminal device may also correspond to a Mobile Terminal (MT) part of an IAB node (e.g., a relay node). In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

As used herein, the terms "resource," "transmission resource," "resource block," "physical resource block" (PRB), "uplink resource," or "downlink resource" may refer to any resource used to perform communications, for example, communications between a terminal device and a network device, such as resources in the time domain, resources in the frequency domain, resources in the spatial domain, resources in the code domain, or any other combination of time, frequency, spatial, and/or code domain resources that enable communications, and the like. Hereinafter, unless explicitly stated, resources in the frequency domain and the time domain will be used as examples of transmission resources for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Notably, example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example communication environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. In the communication environment 100, there are a plurality of communication apparatuses, such as a first device 110, a second device 120, a third device 130, and a fourth device 140. Any two of these four devices may communicate with each other.

As mentioned briefly above, the number of IoT connections has grown rapidly in recent years and is predicted to be billions in the near future. As more and more "things" are expected to interconnect to increase production efficiency and increase comfort of life, there is a need to further reduce the size, cost, and power consumption of IoT devices. In particular, due to the huge consumption of materials and manpower, periodic replacement of batteries for all IoT devices is impractical. The use of energy harvested from the environment to drive self-sustaining communications for IoT devices has become a trend, particularly in applications with a large number of devices (e.g., identity (ID) tags and sensors).

The most critical issue in the target use case of existing third generation partnership project (3 GPP) technology is in view of the limited device size and the capability of cooperation between energy harvesting. Cellular devices typically consume tens or even hundreds of milliwatts of power for transceiver processing. Taking the NB-IoT module as an example, the standard current consumption for the receive process is about 60mA, the supply voltage is higher than 3.1V, and the transmit process is about 70mA with a transmit power of 0 dBm. Furthermore, given the small size of practical devices of a few square centimeters, the output power provided by a typical energy harvester is mostly below 1 milliwatt. Because the available power is much less than the consumed power, it is impractical in most cases to directly power the cellular device through energy harvesting.

One possible solution is to integrate energy harvesting with rechargeable batteries or supercapacitors. However, there are still some problems to be solved. First, in practical situations, both rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors may suffer from reduced life. It is difficult to provide a constant charging current or voltage through energy harvesting, and long continuous charging is required because the output power from the energy harvester is very small. Both non-constant charging current and long-term continuous charging are detrimental to battery life. For supercapacitors, their lifetime will be significantly reduced in high temperature environments (e.g., less than 3 years at 50 degrees celsius). Second, the device size will increase significantly. Since small-sized coin cells can only supply a few tens of milliamps of current, a much larger sized battery (e.g., an AA battery) is typically used to power the cellular device, which can be even larger in size than the module itself. To store energy for an appropriate duration of operation (e.g., one second), the required capacitance of the supercapacitor is at a level of hundred millifarads. The size of such supercapacitors may be larger than NB-IoT modules. Third, both rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors may be more expensive than the module itself. Even if purchased in large quantities, the cost of a suitable battery or supercapacitor can reach one or several dollars, which almost doubles the cost of the device.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is the most well known technology to support battery-less tags (devices). The power consumption of commercial passive RFID tags can be as low as 1 microwatt. Key technologies to achieve such low power consumption are envelope detection for downlink data reception, and backscatter communication for uplink data transmission. RFID is designed for short range communications, and typically has an effective range of less than 10 meters. Since the air interface of RFID has remained almost unchanged since 2005, an overly simplistic transmission scheme becomes a barrier to improving its link budget and support capabilities of the scalable network.

To the very low power consumption of backscatter communications, many non-3 GPP technologies have begun to put into research such as Wi-Fi, bluetooth, ultra Wideband (UWB), and long range radio (LORA). Various studies have shown that a few microwatts or tens of microwatts power consumption for passive tags may be supported based on or with small modifications to the air interface described above. An important part of the research is to target long-range communications. Where a LoRa tag implemented with commercial off-the-shelf components can transmit its sensing data to a receiver 381 meters away. Currently, most research is directed to independent detailed techniques for various optimization objectives. It is difficult to see a comprehensive system design that fully meets the requirements of the target use case. However, standardization of these technologies is flexible and fast, as industry typically follows some de facto standards. This means that once a proprietary standard has been shown to be competitive in certain applications, many products on the market will even follow the proprietary standard.

A passive radio is a device that uses energy from a wireless signal transmitted over a particular carrier and/or bandwidth and charges a simple circuit that, once activated, will transmit/reflect a signal that encodes at least the ID of the passive radio. Typical system architecture of passive radio includes:

1) An activator-a device that sends an activation signal that targets wake-up of the passive radio.

2) Passive radio-utilizing energy over a range of frequencies and listening for an activation signal. Upon detection of such a signal, the passive radio transmits/reflects a signal specific to the radio ID.

3) Reader-devices that listen and detect passive radio signals. The reader may be used with or without an activator.

In existing designs related to environmental IoT, three device types have been identified:

1) Device a, no energy storage, no independent signal generation/amplification, i.e. backscatter transmission.

2) Device B has energy storage and no independent signal generation, i.e. backscatter transmission. The use of stored energy may include amplification of reflected signals.

3) Device C has energy storage and independent signal generation, i.e., active RF components for transmission.

The design target for the power consumption of the device a is 1 μw or less, or 10 μw or less. The design objective for the power consumption of device B is to be larger than device a and smaller than device C. Further, the design target for the power consumption of the device C is 1mW or less, or 10mW or less.

The device complexity design goal of device a is comparable to UHF RFID. The device complexity design target of the device B is equal to or greater than the device a and equal to or less than the device C. Furthermore, the device complexity design goal of device C is orders of magnitude lower than NB-IoT.

Furthermore, tables 1 and 2 below describe the functions to be solved during environmental IoT studies.

TABLE 1-Functions to be resolved for design goals

TABLE 2-function to be solved for the requirement

Several connection topologies for the ambient IoT networks and devices are defined for research purposes and will be described in detail below. In all these topologies, an ambient IoT (AIoT) device may be provided with a segment of carriers from other node(s) inside or outside the topology. Links in each topology may be bi-directional or uni-directional. A Base Station (BS), a UE, an auxiliary node, or an intermediate node may be a plurality of BSs or UEs, respectively. A mix of indoor and outdoor placement of such nodes is considered to be a network-implemented option.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram 200 of a first connection topology, which may be denoted "BS < - > AIoT device". In topology 1 as shown in fig. 2, the ambient IoT devices communicate directly and bi-directionally with the base station. The communication between the base station and the ambient IoT device includes ambient IoT data and/or signaling. The topology includes the possibility that the BS transmitting to the ambient IoT device is different from the BS received from the ambient IoT device.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram 300 of a second connection topology, which may be denoted as "BS < - > intermediate node < - > AIoT device". In topology 2 as shown in fig. 3, the ambient IoT devices communicate bi-directionally with intermediate nodes between the devices and the base station. In this topology, the intermediate nodes may be relay, integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) nodes, UEs, repeaters, etc. that are capable of implementing the ambient IoT. The intermediate node communicates information between the BS and the ambient IoT device.

Fig. 4A shows a schematic diagram 400 of downlink assistance for a third connection topology, and fig. 4B shows a schematic diagram 410 of uplink assistance for the third connection topology. The third connection topology may be denoted as "BS < - > auxiliary node < - > AIoT device < - > BS device". In topology 3 as shown in fig. 4A and 4B, the ambient IoT device sends data/signaling to the base station and receives data/signaling from the auxiliary node, or the ambient IoT device receives data/signaling from the base station and sends data/signaling to the auxiliary node. In this topology, the auxiliary nodes may be environment IoT enabled relays, IABs, UEs, repeaters, etc.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram 500 of a fourth connection topology, which may be denoted "UE < - > AIoT device". In topology 4 as shown in fig. 5, the ambient IoT devices communicate bi-directionally with the UE. The communication between the UE and the ambient IoT device includes ambient IoT data and/or signaling.

It is desirable to study coordinated air interface designs with minimized differences (if necessary) for environmental IoT to enable the following devices:

1) 1 μW peak power consumption, energy storage in the device, initial Sampling Frequency Offset (SFO) of up to 10 ^X ppm, neither DL nor UL is amplified. UL transmissions by the device are back-scattered on an externally provided carrier.

2) Peak power consumption ¹ of several hundred mu W, with energy storage in the device, initial Sampling Frequency Offset (SFO) of up to 10 ^X ppm, amplified DL and/or UL. UL transmissions for a device may be generated internally by the device or backscattered on an externally provided carrier. The design goal of the coverage is to have a maximum distance of 10m-50m in the case of the device indoors. For topology 1 and topology 2 (the UE acts as an intermediate node under NW control), there is no Radio Resource Control (RRC) state, no mobility (i.e. at least no cell selection/class reselection function), no hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), no automatic repeat request (ARQ).

It should be understood that "+≤hundreds of μW" means that the plurality of WGs are not responsible for setting a particular value, and that the WGs should be made to discuss to determine whether the presented design with corresponding power consumption meets the "+≤hundreds of μW" requirement.

The deployment scenario has the following characteristics:

1) The deployment scenario 1 with topology 1 comprises a base station and coexistence characteristics, namely microcells and co-sites;

2) Under network control, deployment scenario 2 with topology 2 and UE as intermediate nodes, base station and coexistence features, macro cell, co-site, and location of intermediate nodes is indoor.

Furthermore, it is desirable that frequency range 1 (FR 1) in Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) licensed spectrum, spectrum deployment within band to NR, spectrum deployment in guard band to LTE/NR, spectrum deployment in independent band(s), triggering of device termination of traffic type DO (DO-DTT), DT, focus on rUC1 (indoor inventory) and rUC4 (indoor command). Furthermore, the study will evaluate whether the coordinated air interface design can address the DO-A (device-initiated autonomous) use case, identifying only which portion(s) of the coordinated air interface design are insufficient for the DO-A use case.

Transmissions from ambient IoT devices, including backscatter when in use, may occur in at least the Uplink (UL) spectrum.

Device type a and device type B rely on backscatter communications, the modulation of which is typically achieved by switching the antenna between two passive loads (load modulation). This is a low power communication scheme but can result in a low SNR at the reader because in most practical cases the passive load attenuates the incoming signal before it is reflected, resulting in reflection losses (equivalent to a lower modulation factor).

Device type B may achieve reflection gain by further improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with a low power reflection amplifier. The reflective amplifier is a single-port sub-bias oscillator that operates at low current (microampere to milliamp current consumption) and exhibits negative resistance at its single port. The negative resistance translates into a reflection gain, i.e., amplifies and reflects the incident signal.

One practical problem with reflective amplifiers is stability. When there is a high power incident RF signal, the reflective amplifier may begin to oscillate, which may cause undesirable interference, thereby compromising AIoT device data at the reader.

The present disclosure provides methods for detecting such oscillations from AIoT type B devices with reflective amplifiers, and controlling their reflective gain to dampen the oscillations.

Fig. 6 depicts a proposed method for detecting and suppressing oscillations from a reflective gain AIoT device. According to the proposed method, the Session Control Unit (SCU) will configure the luminaires and readers. The luminaire may be a UE or any active node in the network. The reader may be a gNB or any active node in the network. The UE queries the ambient IoT device (AIoT) for its device capabilities, e.g., reflection gain capabilities. AIoT devices with reflective gain capability may be turned on or off by the illuminator. The gNB may estimate its signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) from the luminaire, including oscillations from AIoT devices. The gNB uses SINR and "bad" signal detection to adjust UE illumination power and turn on/off AIoT device reflection gain to optimize the SINR and "bad" signal detection received by the gNB. This process is outlined in fig. 6, fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram 600 of periodic UE power tuning to detect and prevent oscillations.

The proposed method may improve the signal quality and performance of the communication between the illuminator and the reader by reducing or eliminating oscillations from the reflection gain AIoT device. Furthermore, the proposed method can optimize the energy consumption of the UE and AIoT devices by adjusting the power levels of the UE and AIoT devices according to the channel conditions and SINR requirements. Furthermore, the proposed method may enhance the scalability and flexibility of the network by allowing any active node to act as a luminaire or reader for AIoT devices.

The proposed method consists of two solutions, 1) on/off reflection gain at the ambient IoT device and the related signaling framework, and 2) variable gain at the ambient IoT and the related signaling framework. Details of both schemes are provided below.

According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, the solution includes at least one of signaling to request reflection capability from AIoT devices, signaling to control reflection gain (enable/disable), signaling to control luminaire power to avoid oscillations, or to determine whether a reflection amplifier enters unstable operation by detecting oscillations in the gNB.

By means of the above feature(s), the proposed method can advantageously avoid interference, for example by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) required for backscatter reception (e.g. by requesting refl_gain) and by controlling unstable oscillations (by requesting PASSIVE). Furthermore, the proposed method may also save AIoT device energy and thus reduce power in the luminaire device if no reflection gain is needed (e.g. by requesting a PASSIVE).

Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 7 illustrates a signaling diagram 700 for detecting and preventing oscillations, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, the signaling diagram 700 will be discussed with reference to fig. 1, for example, by using the first device 110, the second device 120, and the third device 130. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may include a receiving device associated with an environmental internet of things (IoT). By way of example and not limitation, the first apparatus 110 may include a gNB or any other suitable network device. Alternatively, the first apparatus 110 may comprise a user device or any other suitable terminal device. In this case, the proposed solution may relate to a fourth device. By way of example and not limitation, the fourth apparatus may comprise a gNB and the first apparatus 110 comprises a user equipment.

Further, the second apparatus 120 may include a transmitting device associated with the environmental IoT, such as a further user device or the like. In addition, the third apparatus 130 may include an ambient IoT (AIoT) device. In some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 and the third apparatus 130 may be included in one physical entity. Alternatively, the second device 120 and the third device 130 may also be implemented as different physical entities communicatively coupled to each other. It should be understood that the foregoing description is only for the purpose of description. The first device 110, the second device 120, the third device 130, and/or the fourth device 140 may also be implemented in any other suitable manner. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

In signaling diagram 700, the first device 110 sends (710) an indication to the second device 120 that causes the second device 120 to send an activation signal to the third device 130. The activation signal includes a command to enable the reflective amplifier. By way of example and not limitation, the indication may be used to initiate a session of ambient internet of things (IoT) communication with the third apparatus 130. Thus, the first device 110 initiates AIoT the communication session via the second device 120.

The second device 120 receives (715) an indication from the first device 110 and sends (720) an activation signal to the third device 130 comprising a command to enable the reflective amplifier. In some example embodiments, the second device 120 may transmit the activation signal using the maximum power of the second device 120.

The third device 130 receives (725) an activation signal from the second device 120. The third means 130 may switch on the reflective amplifier in response to receiving the activation signal. In addition, the third device 130 transmits (730) a first signal to the first device 110 that is backscattered based on the activation signal. In some example embodiments, the reflection gain of the reflection amplifier may operate at full gain. Alternatively, the reflection gain of the reflection amplifier may be operated with a variable gain. This will be described in detail below.

The first device 110 receives (735) the first signal from the third device 130 and determines if the first signal can be successfully decoded. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may determine a signal quality metric and a signal strength metric based on the first signal. By way of example and not limitation, the signal quality metric may include a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), a signal to noise ratio (SNR), and the like. The signal strength metric may include a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) or the like.

Additionally, the first apparatus 110 may determine a first differential metric between the signal quality metric and a previous signal quality metric, and a second differential metric between the signal strength metric and a previous signal strength metric. The first apparatus 110 may determine whether the first signal can be successfully decoded based at least on the first differential metric and the second differential metric. In an example embodiment, if the first differential metric is determined to be greater than a first threshold and the second differential metric is less than a second threshold, the first apparatus 110 may determine that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded.

In another example embodiment, the first apparatus 110 may determine whether the third apparatus 130 is in a static state based on at least one mobility condition. If it is determined that the third device 130 is in a static state, the first device 110 may compare the first differential metric to a first threshold value and may compare the second differential metric to a second threshold value. If the first differential metric is determined to be greater than the first threshold and the second differential metric is determined to be less than the second threshold, the first apparatus 110 may determine that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded.

For example, whether the first signal can be successfully decoded may be determined based on RSSI and SINR. For example, if the first device 110 detects a high RSSI but a low SINR, which may then result in low quality decoding, it may be determined that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded, which may be due to unstable oscillations.

By means of the above described detection procedure, the proposed method can conveniently more efficiently and accurately determine whether the first signal can be successfully decoded. For example, the detection process described above may be used to detect unwanted oscillations. It should be understood that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purpose of illustration only. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

If it is determined that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded, the first device 110 sends (740) a request to the second device 120 to at least one of reduce the power used to send the activation signal to the third device 130 or cause the third device 130 to reduce the reflection gain of the reflection amplifier.

If the second device 120 receives (745) a request from the first device 110 to reduce the power for transmitting the activation signal to the third device 130, the second device 120 may transmit (750) the activation signal to the third device 130 with the reduced power. Accordingly, the third device 130 may receive (755) an activation signal having a reduced power. For example, the reduced power may be lower than the maximum power of the second device 120. Thus, undesired oscillations can be effectively avoided.

Alternatively, if the second device 120 receives (745) a request from the first device 110 to cause the third device 130 to decrease the reflection gain of the reflection amplifier, the second device 120 may send (760) another request to the third device 130 to decrease the reflection gain. After receiving (765) a request from the second device 120 to reduce the reflection gain of the reflection amplifier, the third device 130 may transmit the first signal with the reduced reflection gain. Thus, undesired oscillations can be effectively avoided.

In some example additional embodiments, the first device 110 may send a request for capability information of the third device 130 related to the internet of things (IoT) of the environment to the second device 120 to cause the second device 120 to request the capability information from the third device 130.

Additionally or alternatively, if the first device 110 receives a trigger for an indication from the fourth device 140, an indication for the second device 120 to send an activation signal to the third device 130 may be sent to the second device 120. For example, the fourth device 140 may send a request for capability information of the third device 130 related to the internet of things (IoT) of the environment to the second device 120 to cause the second device 120 to request the capability information from the third device 130.

Accordingly, the second device 120 may receive a request for capability information related to the internet of things (IoT) of the environment for the third device 130 from the first device 110 or the fourth device 140 and send the request for the capability information to the third device 130. Upon receiving a request from the second device 120 for capability information of the third device 130 related to the internet of things (IoT) of the environment, the third device 130 may send the capability information to the first device 110 or the fourth device 140.

Accordingly, the first device 110 may receive the second signal backscattered from the third device 130. The second signal may indicate capability information of the third device 130. Alternatively, the fourth device 140 may receive the second signal backscattered from the third device 130. By way of example and not limitation, the capability information of the third apparatus 130 may include a gain stage.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may determine the distortion magnitude to reduce based on the capability information of the third apparatus 130. Further, the first device 110 may send a request to the second device 120 including an amplitude to cause the third device 130 to reduce the reflection gain of the reflection amplifier. In this case, the request (745) received at the second apparatus 120 may include the distortion magnitude to be reduced determined based on the capability information of the third apparatus 130, and the further request (760) sent to the third apparatus 130 may include the distortion magnitude to be reduced. Accordingly, the third means 130 may determine a reduced reflection gain based on the distortion magnitude to be reduced.

Additionally or alternatively, if it is determined that the first signal can be successfully decoded, the first apparatus 110 may send an indication to the second apparatus 120 to configure internet of things (IoT) communications using passive communications. The second device 120 may receive the indication and send a signal to the third device 130 to disable the reflective amplifier. After receiving a signal from the second device 120 to disable the reflective amplifier, the third device 130 may turn off the reflective amplifier. Thus, the proposed solution enables lower power consumption and thus more energy saving.

In view of the above, the proposed method can effectively increase the signal quality required for backscatter reception and avoid interference by controlling unstable oscillations. Furthermore, if no reflection gain is required, the proposed method may also save energy of the third device and thus reduce power consumption at the second device.

The solution presented in fig. 7 will be described in more detail below with reference to fig. 8-10. First, the scheme of on/off reflection gain at the ambient IoT device and the associated signaling framework will be described in more detail below with reference to fig. 8 and 9. Fig. 8 illustrates a signaling diagram 800 for oscillation detection at backscatter according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

In fig. 8, the gNB 801 may be an example implementation of the first apparatus 110 in fig. 1, the UE 802 may be an example implementation of the second apparatus 120 in fig. 1, and the AIoT device 803 may be an example implementation of the third apparatus 130 in fig. 1.

At the beginning, the SCU configures the gNB 801 as AIoT reader and the UE as AIoT luminaire, which may also be referred to as AIoT activator or UE luminaire hereinafter. At 810, the gNB 801 requests AIoT device capabilities via the UE luminaire. At 815, the UE 802 queries AIoT capabilities via the instructed lighting session to provide device capabilities. At 820, AIoT device 803 back scatters its device capabilities in a default configuration (reflective gain on/off). For example, AIoT device 803 reports capabilities, such as refl_gain and/or passive_back.

At 825, the gNB 801 initiates AIoT a communication session via the UE 802 (i.e., the luminaire, which is sometimes referred to as an "activator"). At 830, the UE 802 (illuminator) sends an activation signal at maximum power P _tx that includes the AIoT command to enable the backscatter reflective amplifier. At 835, AIoT device 803 turns on the backscatter reflective amplifier. In this case, the power is too high and the amplifier becomes unstable (oscillates). At 840, AIoT device 803 backscatters the signal using the total reflection gain. At 845, the gNB 801 receives the backscattered signal and detects a high Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), but a low SINR, which then results in poor quality decoding.

At 850, the gNB 801 requests the UE 802 (luminaire) to reduce power. At 855, the UE 802 transmits an activation signal including a AIoT command at a reduced power P _tx to enable the backscatter reflective amplifier. At 860, AIoT device 803 backscatters the signal using the total reflection gain. At 865, the gNB 801 can decode the data, avoiding oscillation, since the reflected back-scattered signal is not compressed (i.e., self-interference is minimized, which results in high SINR and high RSSI). At 870, the gNB 801 configures AIoT communications via the UE 802 (luminaire) with passive communications (e.g., without using a backscatter reflective amplifier). At 875, AIoT equipment turns off the backscatter reflective amplifier. At 880, the gNB 801 requests the UE 802 to cease illumination.

In some alternative embodiments, the gNB 801 may step up or down the power of the UE 802 (luminaire) based on the received signal. Additionally or alternatively, the gNB 801 may be replaced with an additional UE as a reading entity. Furthermore, the operations(s) of the gNB 801 and the UE 802 may be combined into a single entity with full duplex operation or with sufficiently isolated dual antennas. Additionally, AIoT device 803 may enable multiple levels of backscatter reflective amplifier gain.

Fig. 9 illustrates a signaling diagram 900 for a UE multiple scattering scheme for oscillation detection at backscattering, according to some example embodiments of the disclosure. In fig. 9, UE1 901 may be an example implementation of first apparatus 110 in fig. 1, UE2 902 may be an example implementation of second apparatus 120 in fig. 1, AIoT device 903 may be an example implementation of third apparatus 130 in fig. 1, and gNB 904 may be an example implementation of fourth apparatus 140 in fig. 1.

At the beginning, the CU configures UE1 901 and gNB 904 as AIoT readers and UE2 as AIoT luminaire, which may also be referred to as AIoT activator or UE luminaire hereinafter. At 910, the gNB 904 requests AIoT device 903 capabilities via the UE luminaire. At 915, UE2 902 queries AIoT capabilities via the instructed lighting session to provide device capabilities. At 920, AIoT device 903 back-scatters its device capabilities via UE2 902 and UE1 901 in a default configuration (reflection gain on/off). For example, AIoT devices 903 report capabilities, such as refl_gain and/or passive_back.

At 925, the gNB 904 initiates AIoT a communication session via the UE illuminator (i.e., UE 2) and the UE reader (i.e., UE 1). At 930, UE2 902 (i.e., the illuminator) transmits an activation signal including a AIoT command at maximum power P _tx to enable the backscatter reflective amplifier. At 935, the AIoT device 903 turns on the backscatter reflective amplifier. In this case, the power is too high and the amplifier becomes unstable (oscillates). At 940, AIoT device 903 backscatters the signal using total reflection gain. At 945, UE1 901 receives the backscatter signal and detects a high RSSI but a low SINR, which then results in poor quality decoding.

At 950, UE1 901 requests UE2, i.e., a luminaire, to reduce power. At 955, the UE illuminator transmits an activation signal comprising a AIoT command at a reduced power P _tx to enable the backscatter reflective amplifier. At 960, AIoT device 903 backscatters the signal using total reflection gain. At 965, since the reflected back-scattered signal is not compressed (i.e., self-interference is minimized, which results in high SINR and high RSSI), UE1 901 may decode the data and thus avoid oscillation. Further, UE1 901 may provide data to the gNB 904 or SCU. This is not shown in fig. 9.

At 970, UE1 901 configures AIoT communications with passive communications (e.g., without using a backscatter reflective amplifier). Upon receiving the configuration, AIoT device 903 turns off the backscatter reflective amplifier at 975. At 980, the gNB 904 requests the UE2902 to stop lighting via the UE1 901.

Another solution for variable gain at the ambient IoT and related signaling framework will be described in detail below. In this case, AIoT device 903 may be an ambient IoT device with variable gain that has a varying bias voltage to the reflective amplifier.

Fig. 10 illustrates a signaling diagram 1000 for a variable gain process according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. In fig. 10, UE1 1001 may be an example implementation of first apparatus 110 in fig. 1, UE2 1002 may be an example implementation of second apparatus 120 in fig. 1, AIoT device 1003 may be an example implementation of third apparatus 130 in fig. 1, and gNB 1004 may be an example implementation of fourth apparatus 140 in fig. 1.

At the beginning, the SCU configures UE1 1001 and the gNB as AIoT readers and UE2 1002 as AIoT luminaire, which may also be referred to as AIoT activator or UE luminaire hereinafter. At 1010, gNB1 004 requests AIoT device capabilities via the UE luminaire. At 1015, UE2 1002 queries AIoT capabilities via the instructed lighting session to provide device capabilities including a gain stage. At 1020, AIoT device 1003 back-scatters its device capabilities via UE2 1002 and UE1 1001 in a default configuration (reflection gain on/off). For example, AIoT devices 1003 report capabilities such as refl_gain and/or passive_back.

At 1025, the gNB initiates AIoT a communication session via the UE illuminator (i.e., UE2 1002) and the UE reader (i.e., UE1 1001). At 1030, UE2 1002 (luminaire or AIoT luminaire) sends an activation signal including a AIoT command at maximum power P _tx to enable the backscatter reflective amplifier. At 1035, AIoT device 1003 turns on the backscatter reflective amplifier to a maximum value. In this case, the power is too high and the amplifier becomes unstable (oscillates). At 1040, AIoT device 1003 uses the total reflection gain to backscatter signal. At 1045, UE1 1001 receives the backscatter signal and detects a high RSSI, but a low SINR, which then results in poor quality decoding. At 1050, UE1 1001 (i.e., AIoT reader) estimates and transmits the magnitude of the distortion signal to be reduced based on the device capability class to be within the operating region of AIoT device 1003. At 1055, UE2 1002 (i.e., AIoT luminaire or activator) requests AIoT device 1003 to reduce its reflection gain based on the estimated power setting. In addition, AIoT luminaires send an activation signal at maximum power P _tx that includes a AIoT command to enable the backscatter reflective amplifier as estimated at 1050. At 1060, AIoT device 1003 back-scatters the signal with reduced reflection gain.

At 1065, because the reflected back-scattered signal is not compressed (i.e., self-interference is minimized, which results in high SINR and high RSSI), UE1 1001 may decode the data, thereby avoiding oscillation. Further, UE1 1001 may provide data to the gNB or SCU. This is not shown in fig. 10.

At 1070, UE1 1001 configures AIoT communications with passive communications (e.g., without using a backscatter reflective amplifier). At 1075, AIoT device 1003 turns off the backscatter reflective amplifier. At 1080, gNB 1004 requests, via UE1 1001, UE2 1002 to cease illumination.

The detection process according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below. The detection process may be implemented at 845 in fig. 8, 945 in fig. 9, and/or 1045 in fig. 10.

As described above, the device may be configured as an activator and reader for AIoT sessions. The device may be a terminal device, such as UE1 901 or UE1 1001. Alternatively, the device may be a network device, such as the gNB 801 or the like. This may require a new implementation in the device to support the new operation. For ease of discussion, the following example embodiments will be discussed with reference to a terminal device (e.g., UE). However, the proposed solution may also be applied to any other suitable device, such as a network device or other suitable device. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

In case the UE is configured as a reader. The UE needs to detect the saturated signal from AIoT devices. Furthermore, the UE needs to estimate the appropriate illumination signal attenuation based on the signal saturation estimate.

The nonlinear PA response of AIOT devices introduces self-interference, which determines that the UE reader observes a received signal "x (n)" at time instance "n" consisting of a useful signal portion and self-interference and noise portion:

x(n)=s(n)+w(n)+x^SI(n) (1)

Where s (n) is the actual signal of interest, w (n) is the additive noise, and x ^SI (n) is the received self-interfering signal, which depends on the PA nonlinear response:

Where f _p,k is the effective model coefficients (including PA and propagation channel response), χ _p is the basis function, for example, for parallel HAMMERSTEIN PA response, χ _p(x(n))＝|x(n)|^p-1 x (n).

To detect nonlinear effects, the UE may assume that the received signal 1101 samples obey equation (1) and thus calculate 1102SINR and calculate 1103RSSI, e.g., calculate and record SINR and RSSI of x (n). To detect this change, the UE may track the RSSI and SINR values over time.

Specifically, when a nonlinear state begins to occur, the power of x ^SI (n) is expected to be increased, and the resulting SINR is therefore reduced (compared to the previous linear mechanism), but the RSSI is expected to be either increased or maintained at a similar level. This combined behavior of RSSI and SINR indicates a non-linear region of incoming AIOT transmissions as shown in fig. 11, fig. 11 shows a schematic diagram 1100 of UE reader behavior according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In another case, the UE is configured as an activator. The UE needs to activate AIoT the device with reduced power. The procedure may be a fixed Tx power. In one example, the UE may follow an open loop type of power control with scanning from low power to high power. Alternatively, the UE may follow an open loop type of power control with scanning from high power to low power.

The UE may evaluate 1104 the differential SINR and the differential RSSI. If the UE determines that the differential SINR in 1105 is greater than a threshold (e.g., delta 1) and the differential RSSI is less than another threshold (e.g., delta 2), then AIoT non-linear TX may be detected at 1106.

In some example embodiments, the UE may evaluate mobility conditions in view of one or more of 1107. For example, it may be determined at 1108 whether the UE is in a static state based on at least one mobility condition. If so, the UE may continue with the evaluation 1104.

By means of the above-described detection process, it becomes possible to detect oscillations more efficiently and accurately.

Fig. 12 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 1200 implemented at a first apparatus according to some example embodiments of the disclosure. For discussion purposes, the method 1200 will be described from the perspective of the first device 110 in fig. 1.

At block 1210, the first device 110 sends an indication to the second device that causes the second device to send an activation signal to the third device. The activation signal includes a command to enable the reflective amplifier.

At block 1220, the first device 110 receives a first signal from a third device that is backscattered based on the activation signal. The reflective amplifier has been switched on at the third means.

At block 1230, if it is determined that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded, the first device 110 sends a request to the second device to at least one of reduce the power used to send the activation signal to the third device or cause the third device to reduce the reflection gain of the reflection amplifier.

In some example embodiments, the indication is to initiate a session of an ambient internet of things (IoT) communication with the third device.

In some example embodiments, the method 1200 further includes transmitting a request for capability information of the third device related to an environmental internet of things (IoT) to the second device to cause the second device to request the capability information from the third device, and receiving a second signal back-scattered from the third device, the second signal indicating the capability information of the third device.

In some example embodiments, the indication is sent to the second apparatus in response to receiving a trigger of the indication from the fourth apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the fourth apparatus sends a request for capability information of the third apparatus related to an internet of things (IoT) environment to the second apparatus, such that the second apparatus requests the capability information from the third apparatus, and the fourth apparatus receives a second signal back-scattered from the third apparatus, the second signal indicating the capability information of the third apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the capability information of the third apparatus includes a gain stage.

In some example embodiments, the method 1200 further includes, if it is determined that the first signal can be successfully decoded, sending an indication to the second device to configure internet of things (IoT) communications using the passive communication.

In some example embodiments, the method 1200 further includes determining a distortion magnitude to reduce based on the capability information of the third apparatus and sending a request to the second apparatus including the magnitude to cause the third apparatus to reduce the reflection gain of the reflection amplifier.

In some example embodiments, the method 1200 further includes determining a signal quality metric and a signal strength metric based on the first signal, determining a first differential metric between the signal quality metric and a previous signal quality metric, determining a second differential metric between the signal strength metric and a previous signal strength metric, and determining whether the first signal can be successfully decoded based on at least the first differential metric and the second differential metric.

In some example embodiments, the method 1200 further includes determining that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded if the first differential metric is determined to be greater than a first threshold and the second differential metric is determined to be less than a second threshold.

In some example embodiments, the method 1200 further includes determining whether the third apparatus is in a static state based on at least one mobility condition, and if the third apparatus is determined to be in a static state, comparing the first differential metric to a first threshold and the second differential metric to a second threshold, and if the first differential metric is determined to be greater than the first threshold and the second differential metric is less than the second threshold, determining that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded.

In some example embodiments, the signal quality metric comprises a signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) and the signal strength metric comprises a Reference Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus includes a receiving device associated with an environmental internet of things (IoT), the second apparatus includes a transmitting device associated with an environmental IoT, and the third apparatus includes an environmental IoT device.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus and the third apparatus are included in a physical entity.

Fig. 13 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 1300 implemented at a second device, according to some example embodiments of the disclosure. For discussion purposes, the method 1300 will be described from the perspective of the second device 120 in fig. 1.

At block 1310, in response to receiving an indication from the first device to cause the second device to send an activation signal to the third device, the second device 120 sends an activation signal to the third device that includes a command to enable the reflective amplifier.

At block 1320, in response to receiving a request from the first device to reduce the power for transmitting the activation signal to the third device, the second device 120 transmits the activation signal to the third device with the reduced power. Alternatively, in response to receiving a request from the first device to cause the third device to decrease the reflection gain of the reflection amplifier, the second device 120 sends another request to the third device to decrease the reflection gain.

In some example embodiments, the method 1300 further includes transmitting an activation signal at a maximum power of the second device in response to receiving the indication.

In some example embodiments, the reduced power is lower than a maximum power of the second device.

In some example embodiments, the request includes a distortion magnitude to be reduced determined based on capability information of the third device, and the other request includes a distortion magnitude to be reduced.

In some example embodiments, the method 1300 further includes receiving an indication from the first device to utilize passive communication configuration environment internet of things (IoT) communications and transmitting a signal to disable the reflective amplifier to the third device.

In some example embodiments, the method 1300 further includes receiving a request for capability information related to the internet of things (IoT) of the environment for a third device from the first device or the fourth device, and sending the request for the capability information to the third device.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus and the third apparatus are included in one physical entity.

Fig. 14 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 1400 implemented at a third apparatus according to some example embodiments of the disclosure. For discussion purposes, the method 1400 will be described from the perspective of the third device 130 in fig. 1.

At block 1410, the third device 130 receives an activation signal from the second device that includes a command to enable the reflective amplifier.

At block 1420, the third device 130 transmits a first signal to the first device that is backscattered based on the activation signal. The reflective amplifier has been switched on at the third means and the reflective gain of the reflective amplifier is operated with full gain or variable gain.

In some example embodiments, the method 1400 further includes turning on the reflective amplifier in response to receiving the activation signal.

In some example embodiments, the activation signal is transmitted at a maximum power or a reduced power of the second device.

In some example embodiments, the method 1400 further includes transmitting the first signal at a reduced reflection gain in response to receiving a request from the second device to reduce the reflection gain of the reflection amplifier.

In some example embodiments, the method 1400 further includes determining a reduced reflection gain based on the magnitude of distortion to be reduced.

In some example embodiments, the method 1400 further includes turning off the reflective amplifier in response to receiving a signal from the second device to disable the reflective amplifier.

In some example embodiments, the method 1400 further includes receiving a request from the second device for capability information related to the internet of things (IoT) of the environment for the third device and transmitting the capability information to the first device or the fourth device.

In some example embodiments, a first apparatus (e.g., first apparatus 110 of fig. 1) capable of performing any of the methods 1200 may include means for performing the respective operations of the methods 1200. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in circuitry or software modules. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus 110 in fig. 1.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus includes means for sending, to the second apparatus, an indication to cause the second apparatus to send an activation signal to the third apparatus, the activation signal including a command to enable the reflective amplifier, means for receiving, from the third apparatus, a first signal that is back-scattered based on the activation signal, wherein the reflective amplifier has been turned on at the third apparatus, and means for sending, to the second apparatus, a request to perform at least one of reducing a power for sending the activation signal to the third apparatus or causing the third apparatus to reduce a reflection gain of the reflective amplifier if it is determined that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further includes means for sending a request for capability information related to an environmental internet of things (IoT) for a third apparatus to the second apparatus to cause the second apparatus to request the capability information from the third apparatus, and means for receiving a second signal back-scattered from the third apparatus, the second signal indicating the capability information of the third apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further includes means for sending an indication to the second apparatus for internet of things (IoT) communication using the passive communication configuration environment if the first signal is determined to be capable of being successfully decoded.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further includes means for determining a distortion magnitude to be reduced based on the capability information of the third apparatus, and means for sending a request to the second apparatus including the magnitude to cause the third apparatus to reduce the reflection gain of the reflection amplifier.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further includes means for determining a signal quality metric and a signal strength metric based on the first signal, means for determining a first differential metric between the signal quality metric and a previous signal quality metric, means for determining a second differential metric between the signal strength metric and the previous signal strength metric, and means for determining whether the first signal can be successfully decoded based on at least the first differential metric and the second differential metric.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for determining that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded if the first differential metric is determined to be greater than a first threshold and the second differential metric is determined to be less than a second threshold.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for determining whether the third apparatus is in a static state based on at least one mobility condition, and means for comparing the first differential metric to a first threshold and the second differential metric to a second threshold if the third apparatus is determined to be in a static state, and means for determining that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded if the first differential metric is determined to be greater than the first threshold and the second differential metric is determined to be less than the second threshold.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 1200 or the first apparatus 110. In some example embodiments, a component includes at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause execution of a first apparatus.

In some example embodiments, a second apparatus (e.g., second apparatus 120 in fig. 1) capable of performing any of the methods 1300 may include means for performing the respective operations of the method 1300. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in circuitry or software modules. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second apparatus 120 in fig. 1.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus includes means for transmitting an activation signal including a command to enable the reflective amplifier to the third apparatus in response to receiving an indication from the first apparatus to cause the second apparatus to transmit the activation signal to the third apparatus, and means for transmitting the activation signal to the third apparatus with the reduced power in response to receiving a request from the first apparatus to reduce the power for transmitting the activation signal to the third apparatus, or means for transmitting another request to reduce the reflective gain to the third apparatus in response to receiving a request from the first apparatus to cause the third apparatus to reduce the reflective gain of the reflective amplifier.

In some example embodiments, the indication is to initiate a session of an internet of things (IoT) communication with an environment of the third apparatus, and the second apparatus further comprises means for transmitting an activation signal at a maximum power of the second apparatus in response to receiving the indication.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further includes means for receiving an indication from the first apparatus to utilize passive communication configuration environment, internet of things (IoT), communication, and means for sending a signal to disable the reflective amplifier to the third apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further includes means for receiving a request for capability information related to an environmental internet of things (IoT) for a third apparatus from the first apparatus or the fourth apparatus, and means for sending the request for the capability information to the third apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 1300 or the second apparatus 120. In some example embodiments, the component includes at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause execution of the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, a third apparatus (e.g., third apparatus 130 in fig. 1) capable of performing any of the methods 1400 may include means for performing the respective operations of the methods 1400. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in circuitry or software modules. The third means may be implemented as or comprised in the third means 130 in fig. 1.

In some example embodiments, the third apparatus includes means for receiving an activation signal from the second apparatus including a command to enable the reflective amplifier, and means for transmitting a first signal to the first apparatus that is backscattered based on the activation signal, wherein the reflective amplifier has been turned on at the third apparatus, wherein a reflection gain of the reflective amplifier operates at full gain or variable gain.

In some example embodiments, the third apparatus further comprises means for turning on the reflective amplifier in response to receiving the activation signal.

In some example embodiments, the third apparatus further comprises means for transmitting the first signal at the reduced reflection gain in response to receiving a request from the second apparatus to reduce the reflection gain of the reflection amplifier.

In some example embodiments, the request includes a distortion magnitude to be reduced determined based on capability information of a third apparatus, the third apparatus further comprising means for determining a reduced reflection gain based on the distortion magnitude to be reduced.

In some example embodiments, the third apparatus further comprises means for turning off the reflective amplifier in response to receiving a signal from the second apparatus to disable the reflective amplifier.

In some example embodiments, the third apparatus further includes means for receiving a request from the second apparatus for capability information of the third apparatus related to an environmental internet of things (IoT), and means for sending the capability information to the first apparatus or the fourth apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the third apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 1400 or the third apparatus 130. In some example embodiments, the component includes at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause execution of the third apparatus.

Fig. 15 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1500 suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus 1500 may be provided for implementing a communication device, such as the first device 110, the second device 120, the third device 130, and/or the fourth device 140 as shown in fig. 1. As shown, the device 1500 includes one or more processors 1510, one or more memories 1520 coupled to the processors 1510, and one or more communication modules 1540 coupled to the processors 1510.

The communication module 1540 is for bidirectional communication. The communication module 1540 has one or more communication interfaces for communicating with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interface may represent any interface necessary to communicate with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 1540 may include at least one antenna.

By way of non-limiting example, the processor 1510 may be of any type suitable to the local technology network and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital Signal Processors (DSPs), and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture. The apparatus 1500 may have multiple processors, such as application specific integrated circuit chips, that are temporally slaved to a clock that is synchronized to the master processor.

Memory 1520 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, read Only Memory (ROM) 1524, electrically Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disks, compact Disks (CD), digital Video Disks (DVD), and other magnetic and/or optical storage. Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random Access Memory (RAM) 1522 and other volatile memory that does not remain in power-off duration.

The computer program 1530 includes computer-executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 1510. The instructions of program 1530 may include instructions for performing the operations/acts of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program 1530 may be stored in a memory, such as a ROM 1524. The processor 1510 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading the program 1530 into the RAM 1522.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by a method of the program 1530 such that the device 1500 may perform any of the processes of the present disclosure as discussed with reference to fig. 2-14. Example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented in hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

In some example embodiments, the program 1530 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium, which may be included in the device 1500 (such as in the memory 1520) or other storage device accessible by the device 1500. The device 1500 may load the program 1530 from the computer readable medium into the RAM 1522 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may include any type of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. As used herein, the term "non-transitory" is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not signals), and not of the durability of data storage (e.g., RAM versus ROM).

In general, the various embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, and other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. While various aspects of the embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer program product comprises computer executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor to perform any of the methods described above. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within local or distributed devices. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage media.

Program code for carrying out the methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. Program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus such that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, causes the functions/operations specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on the machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

In the context of this disclosure, computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable an apparatus, device or processor to perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer readable media, and the like.

The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of a computer-readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Moreover, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these details should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, but as descriptions of features that may be designated for particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment unless explicitly stated otherwise. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination unless explicitly stated.

Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Furthermore, implementations of the present disclosure may be described with reference to the following clauses, the features of which may be combined in any reasonable manner.

Clause 1. A first device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to at least transmit an indication to a second device that causes the second device to transmit an activation signal to a third device, the activation signal comprising a command to enable a reflective amplifier, receive a first signal from the third device that is back-scattered based on the activation signal, wherein the reflective amplifier has been turned on at the third device, and transmit a request to the second device to perform at least one of reducing a power for transmitting the activation signal to the third device or causing the third device to reduce a reflective gain of the reflective amplifier if it is determined that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded.

Clause 2. The first device of clause 1, wherein the indication is to initiate a session of an ambient internet of things (IoT) communication with the third device.

Clause 3, the first device of clause 1, wherein the first device is caused to send a request for capability information related to an ambient internet of things, ioT, for the third device to the second device, to cause the second device to request the capability information from the third device, and to receive a second signal back-scattered from the third device, the second signal indicating the capability information of the third device.

Clause 4. The first device of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the indication is sent to the second device in response to receiving a trigger for the indication from the fourth device.

Clause 5, the first device of clause 4, wherein the fourth device sends a request to the second device for capability information related to the internet of things (IoT) of the environment for the third device to cause the second device to request the capability information from the third device, and the fourth device receives a second signal back-scattered from the third device, the second signal indicating the capability information of the third device.

Clause 6 the first device of clause 3 or clause 5, wherein the capability information of the third device comprises a gain stage.

Clause 7, the first device of clause 1, wherein the first device is caused to send an indication to the second device to utilize passive communication configuration environment internet of things (IoT) communication if it is determined that the first signal can be successfully decoded.

Clause 8, the first device of clause 1, wherein the first device is caused to determine a distortion magnitude to be reduced based on the capability information of the third device, and send the request including the magnitude to the second device to cause the third device to reduce a reflection gain of the reflection amplifier.

Clause 9 the first apparatus of clause 1, wherein the first apparatus is caused to determine a signal quality metric and a signal strength metric based on the first signal, determine a first differential metric between the signal quality metric and a previous signal quality metric, determine a second differential metric between the signal strength metric and a previous signal strength metric, and determine whether the first signal can be successfully decoded based at least on the first differential metric and the second differential metric.

Clause 10, the first device of clause 9, wherein the first device is caused to determine that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded if the first differential metric is determined to be greater than a first threshold and the second differential metric is determined to be less than a second threshold.

Clause 11, the first device of clause 9, wherein the first device is caused to determine whether the third device is in a static state based on at least one mobility condition, compare the first differential metric to a first threshold value and the second differential metric to a second threshold value if the third device is determined to be in the static state, and determine that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded if the first differential metric is determined to be greater than the first threshold value and the second differential metric is determined to be less than the second threshold value.

Clause 12 the first device of any of clauses 9-11, wherein the signal quality metric comprises a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR), and the signal strength metric comprises a Reference Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).

Clause 13, the first apparatus of any of clauses 1-12, wherein the first apparatus comprises a receiving device associated with an environmental internet of things (IoT), the second apparatus comprises a transmitting device associated with an environmental IoT, and the third apparatus comprises an environmental IoT device.

Clause 14 the first device of any of clauses 1-13, wherein the second device and the third device are included in one physical entity.

Clause 15, a second apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to transmit an activation signal to a third apparatus in response to receiving an indication from a first apparatus to cause the second apparatus to transmit the activation signal including a command to enable a reflective amplifier to the third apparatus, and to transmit the activation signal to the third apparatus with reduced power in response to receiving a request from the first apparatus to reduce power for transmitting the activation signal to the third apparatus, or to transmit another request from the first apparatus to reduce reflective gain of the reflective amplifier in response to receiving a request from the third apparatus to reduce the reflective gain.

Clause 16, the second device of clause 15, wherein the indication is to initiate a session of an internet of things (IoT) communication with the environment of the third device, and the second device is caused to transmit the activation signal with maximum power of the second device in response to receiving the indication.

Clause 17, the second device of clause 15, wherein the reduced power is lower than a maximum power of the second device.

Clause 18 the second device of clause 15, wherein the request comprises a distortion magnitude to be reduced determined based on capability information of the third device, and the further request comprises the distortion magnitude to be reduced.

Clause 19, the second device of clause 15, wherein the second device is caused to receive an indication from the first device to utilize passive communication configuration environment internet of things (IoT) communication, and to send a signal to the third device to disable the reflective amplifier.

Clause 20 the second device of any of clauses 15-19, wherein the second device is caused to receive a request for capability information related to the internet of things (IoT) of environment from the first device or a fourth device for the third device, and send the request for the capability information to the third device.

Clause 21 the second apparatus of any of clauses 15-20, wherein the first apparatus comprises a receiving device associated with an environmental internet of things (IoT), the second apparatus comprises a transmitting device associated with an environmental IoT, and the third apparatus comprises an environmental IoT device.

Clause 22 the second device of any of clauses 15-21, wherein the second device and the third device are included in one physical entity.

Clause 23, a third device comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the third device to at least receive an activation signal from a second device comprising a command to enable a reflective amplifier, and send a first signal to a first device that is back-scattered based on the activation signal, wherein the reflective amplifier has been turned on at the third device, wherein a reflective gain of the reflective amplifier operates at full gain or variable gain.

Clause 24, the third device of clause 23, wherein the third device is caused to turn on the reflective amplifier in response to receiving the activation signal.

Clause 25, the third device of clause 23, wherein the activation signal is transmitted with a maximum power or a reduced power of the second device.

Clause 26, the third device of clause 23, wherein the third device is caused to transmit the first signal at a reduced reflection gain in response to receiving a request from the second device to reduce the reflection gain of the reflection amplifier.

Clause 27, the third device of clause 26, wherein the request comprises a distortion magnitude to be reduced determined based on capability information of the third device, and the third device is caused to determine the reduced reflection gain based on the distortion magnitude to be reduced.

Clause 28, the third device of clause 26, wherein the first device is caused to turn off the reflective amplifier in response to receiving a signal from the second device to disable the reflective amplifier.

Clause 29, the third device of any of clauses 23-28, wherein the second device is caused to receive a request from the second device for capability information related to the internet of things (IoT) of environment for the third device, and to send the capability information to the first device or a fourth device.

Clause 30, the third apparatus of any of clauses 23-29, wherein the first apparatus comprises a receiving device associated with an environmental internet of things (IoT), the second apparatus comprises a transmitting device associated with an environmental IoT, and the third apparatus comprises an environmental IoT device.

Clause 31, the third device of any of clauses 23-30, wherein the second device and the third device are included in one physical entity.

The method of clause 32, comprising transmitting, to a second device, an indication to cause the second device to transmit an activation signal to a third device, the activation signal comprising a command to enable a reflective amplifier, receiving, from the third device, a first signal that is back-scattered based on the activation signal, wherein the reflective amplifier has been turned on at the third device, and transmitting, to the second device, a request to perform at least one of reducing a power used to transmit the activation signal to the third device or causing the third device to reduce a reflective gain of the reflective amplifier if it is determined that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded.

Clause 33, a method comprising, in response to receiving an indication from a first device to cause a second device to transmit an activation signal to a third device, transmitting the activation signal to the third device including a command to enable a reflective amplifier, and in response to receiving a request from the first device to reduce power for transmitting the activation signal to the third device, transmitting the activation signal to the third device with reduced power or in response to receiving a request from the first device to cause the third device to reduce a reflective gain of the reflective amplifier, transmitting another request to the third device to reduce the reflective gain.

Clause 34, a method comprising receiving an activation signal from a second device comprising a command to enable a reflective amplifier, and transmitting a first signal to a first device that is back-scattered based on the activation signal, wherein the reflective amplifier has been turned on at a third device, wherein a reflective gain of the reflective amplifier operates at full gain or variable gain.

Clause 35, a first apparatus comprising means for sending an indication to a second apparatus that causes the second apparatus to send an activation signal to a third apparatus, the activation signal comprising a command to enable a reflective amplifier, means for receiving a first signal from the third apparatus that is backscattered based on the activation signal, wherein the reflective amplifier has been turned on at the third apparatus, and means for sending a request to the second apparatus to perform at least one of reducing a power for sending the activation signal to the third apparatus or causing the third apparatus to reduce a reflective gain of the reflective amplifier if it is determined that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded.

The second apparatus of clause 36, comprising means for transmitting an activation signal comprising a command to enable a reflective amplifier to a third apparatus in response to receiving an indication from a first apparatus to cause the second apparatus to transmit the activation signal to the third apparatus, and means for transmitting the activation signal to the third apparatus with reduced power in response to receiving a request from the first apparatus to reduce power for transmitting the activation signal to the third apparatus, or means for transmitting another request to reduce the reflective gain to the third apparatus in response to receiving a request from the first apparatus to cause the third apparatus to reduce the reflective gain of the reflective amplifier.

Clause 37, a third device comprising means for receiving an activation signal from a second device comprising a command to enable a reflective amplifier, and means for transmitting a first signal to a first device that is back-scattered based on the activation signal, wherein the reflective amplifier has been turned on at the third device, wherein a reflective gain of the reflective amplifier operates at full gain or variable gain.

Clause 38 a computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to any of clauses 32-34.

Claims

1. A first apparatus for communication, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to at least:

sending an instruction to the second device to cause the second device to send an activation signal to the third device, the activation signal including a command to enable the reflection amplifier;

receiving a first signal backscattered based on the activation signal from the third device, wherein the reflection amplifier has been turned on at the third device; and

If it is determined that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded, sending a request to the second device to perform at least one of the following:

reducing the power used to send the activation signal to the third device, or

The third device is caused to reduce the reflection gain of the reflection amplifier.

2 . The first device of claim 1 , wherein the indication is used to initiate an ambient Internet of Things (IoT) communication session with the third device.

3. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is configured to:

sending a request for capability information related to the environmental Internet of Things (IoT) of the third device to the second device, so that the second device requests the capability information from the third device; and

A second signal backscattered from the third device is received, the second signal indicating the capability information of the third device.

4 . The first device of claim 1 , wherein the indication is sent to the second device in response to a trigger of receiving the indication from a fourth device.

5. The first device according to claim 4, wherein the fourth device sends a request for capability information related to an ambient Internet of Things (IoT) of the third device to the second device, so that the second device requests the capability information from the third device, and

The fourth device receives a second signal backscattered from the third device, the second signal indicating the capability information of the third device.

The first device of claim 3 , wherein the capability information of the third device comprises a gain level.

7. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to:

If it is determined that the first signal can be successfully decoded, an indication for configuring an ambient Internet of Things (IoT) communication using passive communication is sent to the second device.

8. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to:

determining a distortion magnitude to be reduced based on the capability information of the third device; and

The request including the amplitude is sent to the second device to cause the third device to reduce the reflection gain of the reflection amplifier.

9. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to:

determining a signal quality metric and a signal strength metric based on the first signal;

determining a first differential metric between the signal quality metric and a previous signal quality metric;

determining a second difference metric between the signal strength metric and a previous signal strength metric; and

Based on at least the first differential metric and the second differential metric, it is determined whether the first signal can be successfully decoded.

10. The first device according to claim 9, wherein the first device is caused to:

If it is determined that the first differential metric is greater than a first threshold and the second differential metric is less than a second threshold, it is determined that the first signal cannot be successfully decoded.