WO2024243756A1

WO2024243756A1 - Communication with multiple types of tag devices in a wireless network

Info

Publication number: WO2024243756A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/096698
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zhikun WU; Yuchul Kim; Wei Yang; Ahmed Elshafie; Peter Gaal; Wanshi Chen; Le LIU; Juan Montojo; Chengjin Zhang
Original assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
Priority date: 2023-05-27
Filing date: 2023-05-27
Publication date: 2024-12-05

Abstract

Different types of tag devices (e. g., passive tag devices, semi-passive tag devices, and/or active tag devices) may be present in a wireless communication network. The described aspects enable the reader device (e.g., a user equipment (UE)) to support concurrent communications with different types of tag devices. For example, a reader device receives configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and multiple frequency resource pools, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools. The reader device receives at least a first signal transmission from a first tag device of a first type based on a first frequency resource pool and a second signal transmission from a second tag device of a second type based on a second frequency resource pool.

Description

COMMUNICATION WITH MULTIPLE TYPES OF TAG DEVICES IN A WIRELESS NETWORK

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly, to communication with multiple types of tag devices in a wireless network.

Introduction

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasts. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of such multiple-access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate on a municipal, national, regional, and even global level. An example telecommunication standard is 5G New Radio (NR) . 5G NR is part of a continuous mobile broadband evolution promulgated by Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., with Internet of Things (IoT) ) , and other requirements. 5G NR includes services associated with enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) , massive machine type communications (mMTC) , and ultra reliable low latency communications (URLLC) . Some aspects of 5G NR may be based on the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. There exists a need for further improvements in 5G NR technology. These improvements may also be applicable to other multi-access technologies and the telecommunication standards that employ these technologies.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

A reader device (e.g., a user equipment (UE) ) may communicate with a tag device, such as an ambient Internet of Things (IoT) device (also referred to as an A-IoT device) , in a wireless communication network (e.g., a 5G NR network) . For example, the reader device may serve as an RF source and may transmit an RF source signal, such as a continuous wave (CW) . The tag device may transmit a backscatter signal including data bits in response to the RF source signal. The reader device may decode the backscatter signal to obtain the data bits.

In some scenarios, different types of tag devices may be present in the wireless communication network. In one nonlimiting example, such different types of tag devices may include passive tag devices, semi-passive tag devices, and active tag devices. The different types of tag devices may use different time and/or frequency resources of the wireless communication network when communicating with a reader device, which may make it difficult for the reader device to communicate concurrently with different types of tag devices. The aspects described herein enable the reader device to support concurrent communications with different types of tag devices.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a reader device, such as a UE. The apparatus receives configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and multiple frequency resource pools, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools. The apparatus receives at least a first signal transmission from a first tag device of a first type based on a first frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools and a second signal transmission from a second tag device of a second type based on a second frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools.

In some aspects, the first frequency resource pool includes a first frequency range extending from a first frequency to a second frequency, and the second frequency resource pool includes a second frequency range extending from a third frequency to a fourth frequency.

In some aspects, the third frequency is higher than the second frequency.

In some aspects, at least one of the multiple frequency resource pools includes at least a first subchannel and a second subchannel. In some aspects, a first size of the first subchannel is different from a second size of the second subchannel, and wherein at least one of the first size of the first subchannel or the second size of the second subchannel is based on a data transmission rate of one of the multiple types of tag devices.

In some aspects, the first frequency resource pool includes at least a first subchannel and a second subchannel, wherein the first signal transmission is received in the first subchannel, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive a third signal transmission from the first tag device in the second subchannel.

In some aspects, the first signal transmission is received in the first subchannel during a first slot and the third signal transmission is received in the second subchannel during a second slot.

In some aspects, a guard band is situated at a first end and a second end of at least one of the multiple frequency resource pools.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a reader device, such as a UE. The apparatus receives configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices, at least one frequency resource pool, and multiple frequency resource subpools, each of the at least one frequency resource pool including at least one frequency resource subpool, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools. The apparatus receives at least a first signal transmission from a first tag device of a first type based on a first frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools and a second signal transmission from a second tag device of a second type based on a second frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools.

In some aspects, the at least one frequency resource pool includes a first frequency range, wherein the first frequency resource subpool includes a second frequency range, and wherein the second frequency resource subpool includes a third frequency range, wherein the second frequency range and the third frequency range overlap the first frequency range, and wherein the second frequency range is non-overlapping with the third frequency range.

In some aspects, the multiple frequency resource subpools are separated by threshold frequency values in the at least one frequency resource pool, and the threshold frequency values are based on frequency shift capabilities of the multiple types of tag devices.

In some aspects, the at least one frequency resource pool includes a first frequency range, wherein the first frequency resource subpool includes a second frequency range, and wherein the second frequency resource subpool includes a third frequency range, wherein the second frequency range and the third frequency range overlap the first frequency range, and wherein the second frequency range overlaps the third frequency range.

In some aspects, the multiple frequency resource subpools have different upper frequency boundaries based on different threshold frequency values, wherein each of the different threshold frequency values are based on frequency shift capabilities of the multiple types of tag devices.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a reader device, such as a UE. The apparatus receives first configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and an indication of a plurality of time resources allocated for communication with one or more of the multiple types of tag devices. The apparatus transmits second configuration information indicating at least a first operation structure for the plurality of time resources and a first type of tag device and indicating a second operation structure for the plurality of time resources and a second type of tag device.

In some aspects, a time resource of the plurality of time resources included in the first operation structure and the second operation structure is configured for a first operation in the first operation structure and for a second operation in the second operation structure.

In some aspects, the first type of tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device, wherein the second operation is associated with a backward link communication when the first operation is associated with a mute operation or when the apparatus provides energy to the passive tag device or the semi-passive tag device.

In some aspects, the first type of tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device, wherein the second operation is associated with a mute operation when the first operation is associated with a backward link communication or a forward link communication.

In some aspects, the first type of tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device, wherein the first operation is associated with a mute operation when the apparatus does not provide energy to the passive tag device or the semi-passive tag device.

In some aspects, the first type of tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device, wherein the first operation is associated with an energy harvesting operation if the plurality of time resources are not contiguous or if the apparatus was temporarily unable to provide energy to the passive tag device or the semi-passive tag device.

In some aspects, the first operation and the second operation reduce an interference between the first type of tag device and the second type of tag device.

In some aspects, the first type of tag device or the second type of tag device is one of a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, or an active tag device.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a tag device, such as a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, or an active tag device. The tag device receives configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and multiple frequency resource pools, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools. The tag device transmits a signal transmission based on a frequency resource pool associated with a type of the tag device.

In some aspects, the frequency resource pool includes a frequency range extending from a first frequency to a second frequency.

In some aspects, the frequency resource pool includes at least a first subchannel and a second subchannel. In some aspects, a first size of the first subchannel is different from a second size of the second subchannel, and wherein at least one of the first size of the first subchannel or the second size of the second subchannel is based on a data transmission rate of one of the multiple types of tag devices.

In some aspects, the frequency resource pool includes at least a first subchannel and a second subchannel, wherein the signal transmission is transmitted in the first subchannel, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: transmit a second signal transmission in the second subchannel.

In some aspects, the signal transmission is transmitted in the first subchannel during a first slot and the second signal transmission is transmitted in the second subchannel during a second slot.

In some aspects, a guard band is situated at a first end and a second end of the frequency resource pool.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a tag device, such as a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, or an active tag device. The tag device receives configuration information indicating multiple types of tag devices, at least one frequency resource pool, and multiple frequency resource subpools, each of the at least one frequency resource pool including at least one frequency resource subpool, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools. The tag device transmits a signal transmission based on a frequency resource subpool associated with a type of the tag device.

In some aspects, the at least one frequency resource pool includes the frequency resource subpool and a second frequency resource subpool, wherein the at least one frequency resource pool includes a first frequency range, wherein the frequency resource subpool includes a second frequency range, and wherein the second frequency resource subpool includes a third frequency range, wherein the second frequency range and the third frequency range overlap the first frequency range, and wherein the second frequency range is non-overlapping with the third frequency range.

In some aspects, the multiple frequency resource subpools are separated by threshold frequency values in the at least one frequency resource pool, and wherein the threshold frequency values are based on frequency shift capabilities of the multiple types of tag devices.

In some aspects, the at least one frequency resource pool includes the frequency resource subpool and a second frequency resource subpool, wherein the at least one frequency resource pool includes a first frequency range, wherein the first frequency resource subpool includes a second frequency range, and wherein the second frequency resource subpool includes a third frequency range, wherein the second frequency range and the third frequency range overlap the first frequency range, and wherein the second frequency range overlaps the third frequency range.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a tag device, such as a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, or an active tag device. The tag device receives configuration information indicating one or more types of tag devices and one or more operation structures for a plurality of time resources, wherein each of the one or more types of tag devices are associated with a different operation structure of the one or more operation structures. The tag device transmits a signal transmission in a time resource of the plurality of time resources based on an operation structure of the one or more operation structures, wherein the operation structure is associated with a type of the tag device.

In some aspects, the one or more operation structures includes at least the operation structure and a second operation structure associated with a second type of tag device, wherein a time resource of the plurality of time resources is configured for a first operation in the operation structure and for a second operation in the second operation structure.

In some aspects, the type of the tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device, wherein the second operation is associated with a backward link communication when the first operation is associated with a mute operation or when a reader device provides energy to the passive tag device or the semi-passive tag device.

In some aspects, the type of tag device is one of a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, or an active tag device.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of various aspects may be employed, and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communications system and an access network.

FIGs. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are diagrams illustrating examples of a first 5G/NR frame, DL channels within a 5G/NR subframe, a second 5G/NR frame, and UL channels within a 5G/NR subframe, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a base station and user equipment (UE) in an access network.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram illustrating an example disaggregated base station architecture according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 includes a tag device in communication with a reader device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating examples of a signal from the reader device and a signal from the tag device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a tag device in communication with a network node.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a tag device, a relay device, and a network node.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a tag device in communication with a reader device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a tag device in communication with a reader device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an RF source, a tag device, and a reader device.

FIG. 12 includes different types of tag devices.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating examples of frequency shifted signal transmissions in the backward link from different tag devices.

FIG. 14 includes a diagram illustrating an example of frequency division multiplexing (FDM) in the backward link.

FIG. 15 is a signal flow diagram illustrating communications between a reader device and multiple tag devices of different types in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating multiple frequency resource pools associated with different types of tag devices.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating multiple frequency resource subpools associated with different types of tag devices.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating multiple overlapping frequency resource subpools associated with different types of tag devices.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating multiple frequency resource pools associated with different types of tag devices.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example time division duplexing (TDD) pattern for a set of time resources (e.g., a set of time slots) and an indication of time resources (e.g., tag device time resources) for communication with one or more types of tag devices.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example operation structure for a set of time resources allocated for communication with one or more tag devices.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating example operation structures for a set of time resources allocated for communication with one or more tag devices.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating example operation structures for a set of time resources allocated for communication with one or more tag devices.

FIG. 24 illustrates examples of time domain resource for a tag device in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 28 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flow between different means/components in an example apparatus.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus employing a processing system.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 33 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flow between different means/components in an example apparatus.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus employing a processing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements” ) . These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element, or any combination of elements may be implemented as a “processing system” that includes one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs) , central processing units (CPUs) , application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs) , reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on a chip (SoC) , baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) , programmable logic devices (PLDs) , state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system may execute software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

Accordingly, in one or more example embodiments, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or encoded as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computer storage media. Storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise a random-access memory (RAM) , a read-only memory (ROM) , an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) , optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of the aforementioned types of computer-readable media, or any other medium that can be used to store computer executable code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communications system and an access network 100. The wireless communications system (also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN) ) includes base stations 102, UEs 104, an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 160, and another core network 190 (e.g., a 5G Core (5GC) ) . The base stations 102 may include macrocells (high power cellular base station) and/or small cells (low power cellular base station) . The macrocells include base stations. The small cells include femtocells, picocells, and microcells.

The base stations 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) ) may interface with the EPC 160 through backhaul links 132 (e.g., S1 interface) . The base stations 102 configured for 5G NR (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN) ) may interface with core network 190 through backhaul links 184. In addition to other functions, the base stations 102 may perform one or more of the following functions: transfer of user data, radio channel ciphering and deciphering, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity) , inter-cell interference coordination, connection setup and release, load balancing, distribution for non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) , subscriber and equipment trace, RAN information management (RIM) , paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations 102 may communicate directly or indirectly (e.g., through the EPC 160 or core network 190) with each other over backhaul links 134 (e.g., X2 interface) . The backhaul links 134 may be wired or wireless.

The base stations 102 may wirelessly communicate with the UEs 104. Each of the base stations 102 may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area 110. There may be overlapping geographic coverage areas 110. For example, the small cell 102' may have a coverage area 110' that overlaps the coverage area 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell and macrocells may be known as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include Home Evolved Node Bs (eNBs) (HeNBs) , which may provide service to a restricted group known as a closed subscriber group (CSG) . The communication links 120 between the base stations 102 and the UEs 104 may include uplink (UL) (also referred to as reverse link) transmissions from a UE 104 to a base station 102 and/or downlink (DL) (also referred to as forward link) transmissions from a base station 102 to a UE 104. The communication links 120 may use multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and/or transmit diversity. The communication links may be through one or more carriers. The base stations 102 /UEs 104 may use spectrum up to Y MHz (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100, 400, etc. MHz) bandwidth per carrier allocated in a carrier aggregation of up to a total of Yx MHz (x component carriers) used for transmission in each direction. The carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. Allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL than for UL) . The component carriers may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. A primary component carrier may be referred to as a primary cell (PCell) and a secondary component carrier may be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell) .

Certain UEs 104 may communicate with each other using device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. The D2D communication link 158 may use the DL/UL WWAN spectrum. The D2D communication link 158 may use one or more sidelink channels, such as a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH) , a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH) , a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) , and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) . D2D communication may be through a variety of wireless D2D communications systems, such as for example, FlashLinQ, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

The UE 104 may operate as a reader device to communicate with different types of tag devices, such as a first tag device 105 of a first type (e.g., a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device) and a second tag device 107 of a second type (e.g., an active tag device) . Each of the first and second types of tag devices may include a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, or an active tag device. The UE 104 may communicate with the first tag device 105 via a first communication link 109 (e.g., which may include a forward link and a backward link) and may communicate with the second tag device 107 via a second communication link 111 (e.g., which may include a forward link and a backward link) .

The wireless communications system may further include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 in communication with Wi-Fi stations (STAs) 152 via communication links 154 in a 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum. When communicating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the STAs 152 /AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) prior to communicating in order to determine whether the channel is available.

The small cell 102' may operate in a licensed and/or an unlicensed frequency spectrum. When operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the small cell 102' may employ NR and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum as used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. The small cell 102', employing NR in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, may boost coverage to and/or increase capacity of the access network.

A base station 102, whether a small cell 102' or a large cell (e.g., macro base station) , may include an eNB, gNodeB (gNB) , or another type of base station. Some base stations, such as gNB 180 may operate in a traditional sub 6 GHz spectrum, in millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies, and/or near mmW frequencies in communication with the UE 104. When the gNB 180 operates in mmW or near mmW frequencies, the gNB 180 may be referred to as an mmW base station. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is part of the RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters. Radio waves in the band may be referred to as a millimeter wave. Near mmW may extend down to a frequency of 3 GHz with a wavelength of 100 millimeters. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, also referred to as centimeter wave. Communications using the mmW /near mmW radio frequency band (e.g., 3 GHz –300 GHz) has extremely high path loss and a short range. The mmW base station 180 may utilize beamforming 182 with the UE 104 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range.

The base station 180 may transmit a beamformed signal to the UE 104 in one or more transmit directions 182'. The UE 104 may receive the beamformed signal from the base station 180 in one or more receive directions 182” . The UE 104 may also transmit a beamformed signal to the base station 180 in one or more transmit directions. The base station 180 may receive the beamformed signal from the UE 104 in one or more receive directions. The base station 180 /UE 104 may perform beam training to determine the best receive and transmit directions for each of the base station 180 /UE 104. The transmit and receive directions for the base station 180 may or may not be the same. The transmit and receive directions for the UE 104 may or may not be the same.

The EPC 160 may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a Serving Gateway 166, a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) Gateway 168, a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC) 170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. The MME 162 may be in communication with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is the control node that processes the signaling between the UEs 104 and the EPC 160. Generally, the MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet protocol (IP) packets are transferred through the Serving Gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation as well as other functions. The PDN Gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 are connected to the IP Services 176. The IP Services 176 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) , a PS Streaming Service, and/or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 may provide functions for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 170 may serve as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmission, may be used to authorize and initiate MBMS Bearer Services within a public land mobile network (PLMN) , and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMS Gateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS traffic to the base stations 102 belonging to a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area broadcasting a particular service, and may be responsible for session management (start/stop) and for collecting eMBMS related charging information.

The core network 190 may include a Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a Session Management Function (SMF) 194, and a User Plane Function (UPF) 195. The AMF 192 may be in communication with a Unified Data Management (UDM) 196. The AMF 192 is the control node that processes the signaling between the UEs 104 and the core network 190. Generally, the AMF 192 provides QoS flow and session management. All user Internet protocol (IP) packets are transferred through the UPF 195. The UPF 195 provides UE IP address allocation as well as other functions. The UPF 195 is connected to the IP Services 197. The IP Services 197 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) , a PS Streaming Service, and/or other IP services.

The base station may also be referred to as a gNB, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB) , an access point, a base transceiver station, a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic service set (BSS) , an extended service set (ESS) , a transmit reception point (TRP) , or some other suitable terminology. The base station 102 provides an access point to the EPC 160 or core network 190 for a UE 104. Examples of UEs 104 include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player (e.g., MP3 player) , a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, a healthcare device, an implant, a sensor/actuator, a display, or any other similar functioning device. Some of the UEs 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., parking meter, gas pump, toaster, vehicles, heart monitor, etc. ) . The UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in certain aspects, the UE 104 may be configured to receive configuration information indicating multiple types of tag devices (e.g., the first tag device 105 of the first type and the second tag device 107 of the second type) and multiple frequency resource pools and receive at least a first signal transmission from a first tag device of a first type based on a first frequency resource pool and a second signal transmission from a second tag device of a second type based on a second frequency resource pool (198) . Although the following description may be focused on 5G NR, the concepts described herein may be applicable to other similar areas, such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and other wireless technologies.

FIG. 2A is a diagram 200 illustrating an example of a first subframe within a 5G/NR operation structure. FIG. 2B is a diagram 230 illustrating an example of DL channels within a 5G/NR subframe. FIG. 2C is a diagram 250 illustrating an example of a second subframe within a 5G/NR operation structure. FIG. 2D is a diagram 280 illustrating an example of UL channels within a 5G/NR subframe. The 5G/NR operation structure may be FDD in which for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth) , subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated for either DL or UL, or may be TDD in which for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth) , subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated for both DL and UL. In the examples provided by FIGs. 2A, 2C, the 5G/NR operation structure is assumed to be TDD, with subframe 4 being configured with slot format 28 (with mostly DL) , where D is DL, U is UL, and X is flexible for use between DL/UL, and subframe 3 being configured with slot format 34 (with mostly UL) . While subframes 3, 4 are shown with slot formats 34, 28, respectively, any particular subframe may be configured with any of the various available slot formats 0-61. Slot formats 0, 1 are all DL, UL, respectively. Other slot formats 2-61 include a mix of DL, UL, and flexible symbols. UEs are configured with the slot format (dynamically through DL control information (DCI) , or semi-statically/statically through radio resource control (RRC) signaling) through a received slot format indicator (SFI) . Note that the description infra applies also to a 5G/NR operation structure that is TDD.

Other wireless communication technologies may have a different operation structure and/or different channels. A frame (10 ms) may be divided into 10 equally sized subframes (1 ms) . Each subframe may include one or more time slots. Subframes may also include mini-slots, which may include 7, 4, or 2 symbols. Each slot may include 7 or 14 symbols, depending on the slot configuration. For slot configuration 0, each slot may include 14 symbols, and for slot configuration 1, each slot may include 7 symbols. The symbols on DL may be cyclic prefix (CP) OFDM (CP-OFDM) symbols. The symbols on UL may be CP-OFDM symbols (for high throughput scenarios) or discrete Fourier transform (DFT) spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols (also referred to as single carrier frequency-division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbols) (for power limited scenarios; limited to a single stream transmission) . The number of slots within a subframe is based on the slot configuration and the numerology. For slot configuration 0, different numerologies μ 0 to 5 allow for 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 slots, respectively, per subframe. For slot configuration 1, different numerologies 0 to 2 allow for 2, 4, and 8 slots, respectively, per subframe. Accordingly, for slot configuration 0 and numerology μ, there are 14 symbols/slot and 2^μ slots/subframe. The subcarrier spacing and symbol length/duration are a function of the numerology. The subcarrier spacing may be equal to 2^μ*15 kKz, where μ is the numerology 0 to 5. As such, the numerology μ=0 has a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz and the numerology μ=5 has a subcarrier spacing of 480 kHz. The symbol length/duration is inversely related to the subcarrier spacing. FIGs. 2A-2D provide an example of slot configuration 0 with 14 symbols per slot and numerology μ=0 with 1 slot per subframe. The subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz and symbol duration is approximately 66.7 μs.

A resource grid may be used to represent the operation structure. Each time slot includes a resource block (RB) (also referred to as physical RBs (PRBs) ) that extends 12 consecutive subcarriers. The resource grid is divided into multiple resource elements (REs) . The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, some of the REs carry reference (pilot) signals (RS) for the UE. The RS may include demodulation RS (DM-RS) (indicated as R_x for one particular configuration, where 100x is the port number, but other DM-RS configurations are possible) and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The RS may also include beam measurement RS (BRS) , beam refinement RS (BRRS) , and phase tracking RS (PT-RS) .

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of various DL channels within a subframe of a frame. The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carries DCI within one or more control channel elements (CCEs) , each CCE including nine RE groups (REGs) , each REG including four consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol. A primary synchronization signal (PSS) may be within symbol 2 of particular subframes of a frame. The PSS is used by a UE 104 to determine subframe/symbol timing and a physical layer identity. A secondary synchronization signal (SSS) may be within symbol 4 of particular subframes of a frame. The SSS is used by a UE to determine a physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identity and the physical layer cell identity group number, the UE can determine a physical cell identifier (PCI) . Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the locations of the aforementioned DM-RS. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH) , which carries a master information block (MIB) , may be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form a synchronization signal (SS) /PBCH block. The MIB provides a number of RBs in the system bandwidth and a system frame number (SFN) . The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not transmitted through the PBCH such as system information blocks (SIBs) , and paging messages.

As illustrated in FIG. 2C, some of the REs carry DM-RS (indicated as R for one particular configuration, but other DM-RS configurations are possible) for channel estimation at the base station. The UE may transmit DM-RS for the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and DM-RS for the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) . The PUSCH DM-RS may be transmitted in the first one or two symbols of the PUSCH. The PUCCH DM-RS may be transmitted in different configurations depending on whether short or long PUCCHs are transmitted and depending on the particular PUCCH format used. Although not shown, the UE may transmit sounding reference signals (SRS) . The SRS may be used by a base station for channel quality estimation to enable frequency-dependent scheduling on the UL.

FIG. 2D illustrates an example of various UL channels within a subframe of a frame. The PUCCH may be located as indicated in one configuration. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI) , such as scheduling requests, a channel quality indicator (CQI) , a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) , a rank indicator (RI) , and HARQ ACK/NACK feedback. The PUSCH carries data, and may additionally be used to carry a buffer status report (BSR) , a power headroom report (PHR) , and/or UCI.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a base station 310 in communication with a UE 350 in an access network. In the DL, IP packets from the EPC 160 may be provided to a controller/processor 375. The controller/processor 375 implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality. Layer 3 includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer, and layer 2 includes a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a medium access control (MAC) layer. The controller/processor 375 provides RRC layer functionality associated with broadcasting of system information (e.g., MIB, SIBs) , RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release) , inter radio access technology (RAT) mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression /decompression, security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification) , and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with the transfer of upper layer packet data units (PDUs) , error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs) , re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs) , demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

The transmit (TX) processor 316 and the receive (RX) processor 370 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, which includes a physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channels, forward error correction (FEC) coding/decoding of the transport channels, interleaving, rate matching, mapping onto physical channels, modulation/demodulation of physical channels, and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor 316 handles mapping to signal constellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) , quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) , M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK) , M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM) ) . The coded and modulated symbols may then be split into parallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and/or frequency domain, and then combined together using an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially precoded to produce multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator 374 may be used to determine the coding and modulation scheme, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimate may be derived from a reference signal and/or channel condition feedback transmitted by the UE 350. Each spatial stream may then be provided to a different antenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318TX. Each transmitter 318TX may modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

At the UE 350, each receiver 354RX receives a signal through its respective antenna 352. Each receiver 354RX recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to the receive (RX) processor 356. The TX processor 368 and the RX processor 356 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 356 may perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the UE 350. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 350, they may be combined by the RX processor 356 into a single OFDM symbol stream. The RX processor 356 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time-domain to the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) . The frequency domain signal comprises a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier, and the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted by the base station 310. These soft decisions may be based on channel estimates computed by the channel estimator 358. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals that were originally transmitted by the base station 310 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to the controller/processor 359, which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality.

The controller/processor 359 can be associated with a memory 360 that stores program codes and data. The memory 360 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller/processor 359 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the EPC 160. The controller/processor 359 is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and/or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

Similar to the functionality described in connection with the DL transmission by the base station 310, the controller/processor 359 provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIBs) acquisition, RRC connections, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression /decompression, and security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification) ; RLC layer functionality associated with the transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

Channel estimates derived by a channel estimator 358 from a reference signal or feedback transmitted by the base station 310 may be used by the TX processor 368 to select the appropriate coding and modulation schemes, and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the TX processor 368 may be provided to different antenna 352 via separate transmitters 354TX. Each transmitter 354TX may modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

The UL transmission is processed at the base station 310 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the receiver function at the UE 350. Each receiver 318RX receives a signal through its respective antenna 320. Each receiver 318RX recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to a RX processor 370.

The controller/processor 375 can be associated with a memory 376 that stores program codes and data. The memory 376 may be referred to as a computer- readable medium. In the UL, the controller/processor 375 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 350. IP packets from the controller/processor 375 may be provided to the EPC 160. The controller/processor 375 is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and/or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

At least one of the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller/processor 359 may be configured to perform aspects in connection with 198 of FIG. 1.

Deployment of communication systems, such as 5G new radio (NR) systems, may be arranged in multiple manners with various components or constituent parts. In a 5G NR system, or network, a network node, a network entity, a mobility element of a network, a radio access network (RAN) node, a core network node, a network element, or a network equipment, such as a base station (BS) , or one or more units (or one or more components) performing base station functionality, may be implemented in an aggregated or disaggregated architecture. For example, a BS (such as a Node B (NB) , evolved NB (eNB) , NR BS, 5G NB, access point (AP) , a transmit receive point (TRP) , or a cell, etc. ) may be implemented as an aggregated base station (also known as a standalone BS or a monolithic BS) or a disaggregated base station.

An aggregated base station may be configured to utilize a radio protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single RAN node. A disaggregated base station may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed among two or more units (such as one or more central or centralized units (CUs) , one or more distributed units (DUs) , or one or more radio units (RUs) ) . In some aspects, a CU may be implemented within a RAN node, and one or more DUs may be co-located with the CU, or alternatively, may be geographically or virtually distributed throughout one or multiple other RAN nodes. The DUs may be implemented to communicate with one or more RUs. Each of the CU, DU and RU also can be implemented as virtual units, i.e., a virtual central unit (VCU) , a virtual distributed unit (VDU) , or a virtual radio unit (VRU) .

Base station-type operation or network design may consider aggregation characteristics of base station functionality. For example, disaggregated base stations may be utilized in an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open radio access network (O-RAN (such as the network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance) ) , or a virtualized radio access network (vRAN, also known as a cloud radio access network (C-RAN) ) . Disaggregation may include distributing functionality across two or more units at various physical locations, as well as distributing functionality for at least one unit virtually, which can enable flexibility in network design. The various units of the disaggregated base station, or disaggregated RAN architecture, can be configured for wired or wireless communication with at least one other unit.

Deployment of communication systems, such as 5G new radio (NR) systems, may be arranged in multiple manners with various components or constituent parts. In a 5G NR system, or network, a network node, a network entity, a mobility element of a network, a radio access network (RAN) node, a core network node, a network element, or a network equipment, such as a base station (BS) , or one or more units (or one or more components) performing base station functionality, may be implemented in an aggregated or disaggregated architecture. For example, a BS (such as a Node B (NB) , evolved NB (eNB) , NR BS, 5G NB (gNB) , access point (AP) , a transmit receive point (TRP) , or a cell, etc. ) may be implemented as an aggregated base station (also known as a standalone BS or a monolithic BS) or a disaggregated base station.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram illustrating an example disaggregated base station 400 architecture. The disaggregated base station 400 architecture may include one or more central units (CUs) 410 that can communicate directly with a core network 420 via a backhaul link, or indirectly with the core network 420 through one or more disaggregated base station units (such as a Near-Real Time (Near-RT) RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) 425 via an E2 link, or a Non-Real Time (Non-RT) RIC 415 associated with a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) Framework 405, or both) . A CU 410 may communicate with one or more distributed units (DUs) 430 via respective midhaul links, such as an F1 interface. The DUs 430 may communicate with one or more radio units (RUs) 440 via respective fronthaul links. The RUs 440 may communicate with respective UEs 450 via one or more radio frequency (RF) access links. In some implementations, the UE 450 may be simultaneously served by multiple RUs 440.

Each of the units, i.e., the CUs 410, the DUs 430, the RUs 440, as well as the Near-RT RICs 425, the Non-RT RICs 415 and the SMO Framework 405, may include one or more interfaces or be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or transmit signals, data, or information (collectively, signals) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each of the units, or an associated processor or controller providing instructions to the communication interfaces of the units, can be configured to communicate with one or more of the other units via the transmission medium. For example, the units can include a wired interface configured to receive or transmit signals over a wired transmission medium to one or more of the other units. Additionally, the units can include a wireless interface, which may include a receiver, a transmitter or transceiver (such as a radio frequency (RF) transceiver) , configured to receive or transmit signals, or both, over a wireless transmission medium to one or more of the other units.

In some aspects, the CU 410 may host one or more higher layer control functions. Such control functions can include radio resource control (RRC) , packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) , service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) , or the like. Each control function can be implemented with an interface configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by the CU 410. The CU 410 may be configured to handle user plane functionality (i.e., Central Unit –User Plane (CU-UP) ) , control plane functionality (i.e., Central Unit –Control Plane (CU-CP) ) , or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the CU 410 can be logically split into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. The CU-UP unit can communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP unit via an interface, such as the E1 interface when implemented in an O-RAN configuration. The CU 410 can be implemented to communicate with the DU 430, as necessary, for network control and signaling.

The DU 430 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions to control the operation of one or more RUs 440. In some aspects, the DU 430 may host one or more of a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and one or more high physical (PHY) layers (such as modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, or the like) depending, at least in part, on a functional split, such as those defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) . In some aspects, the DU 430 may further host one or more low PHY layers. Each layer (or module) can be implemented with an interface configured to communicate signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by the DU 430, or with the control functions hosted by the CU 410.

Lower-layer functionality can be implemented by one or more RUs 440. In some deployments, an RU 440, controlled by a DU 430, may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions, or low-PHY layer functions (such as performing fast Fourier transform (FFT) , inverse FFT (iFFT) , digital beamforming, physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, or the like) , or both, based at least in part on the functional split, such as a lower layer functional split. In such an architecture, the RU (s) 440 can be implemented to handle over the air (OTA) communication with one or more UEs 450. In some implementations, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control and user plane communication with the RU (s) 440 can be controlled by the corresponding DU 430. In some scenarios, this configuration can enable the DU (s) 430 and the CU 410 to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture, such as a vRAN architecture.

The SMO Framework 405 may be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of non-virtualized and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO Framework 405 may be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements which may be managed via an operations and maintenance interface (such as an O1 interface) . For virtualized network elements, the SMO Framework 405 may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (such as an open cloud (O-Cloud) 490) to perform network element life cycle management (such as to instantiate virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface (such as an O2 interface) . Such virtualized network elements can include, but are not limited to, CUs 410, DUs 430, RUs 440 and Near-RT RICs 425. In some implementations, the SMO Framework 405 can communicate with a hardware aspect of a 4G RAN, such as an open eNB (O-eNB) 411, via an O1 interface. Additionally, in some implementations, the SMO Framework 405 can communicate directly with one or more RUs 440 via an O1 interface. The SMO Framework 405 also may include a Non-RT RIC 415 configured to support functionality of the SMO Framework 405.

The Non-RT RIC 415 may be configured to include a logical function that enables non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) workflows including model training and updates, or policy-based guidance of applications/features in the Near-RT RIC 425. The Non-RT RIC 415 may be coupled to or communicate with (such as via an A1 interface) the Near-RT RIC 425. The Near-RT RIC 425 may be configured to include a logical function that enables near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions over an interface (such as via an E2 interface) connecting one or more CUs 410, one or more DUs 430, or both, as well as an O-eNB, with the Near-RT RIC 425.

In some implementations, to generate AI/ML models to be deployed in the Near-RT RIC 425, the Non-RT RIC 415 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from external servers. Such information may be utilized by the Near-RT RIC 425 and may be received at the SMO Framework 405 or the Non-RT RIC 415 from non-network data sources or from network functions. In some examples, the Non-RT RIC 415 or the Near-RT RIC 425 may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the Non-RT RIC 415 may monitor long-term trends and patterns for performance and employ AI/ML models to perform corrective actions through the SMO Framework 405 (such as reconfiguration via O1) or via creation of RAN management policies (such as A1 policies) .

FIG. 5 includes a tag device 502 in communication with a reader device 510. The tag device 502 may include a substrate 504, an integrated circuit 506, and an antenna 508. The integrated circuit 506 may be configured to store and process information and modulate and demodulate radio frequency (RF) signals. In some examples, the tag device 502 may be a passive tag device, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. For example, the tag device 502 may not include a power source and may be energized by harvesting energy from an electromagnetic (EM) wave transmission (e.g., an RF source signal) from the reader device 510.

In some examples, the reader device 510 may be a UE with an antenna 512. The reader device 510 may transmit an RF source signal, such as a continuous wave (CW) 514, in a forward link (FL) 516 to communicate with the tag device 502. In some examples, the continuous wave 514 may be a carrier wave. The tag device 502 may receive the continuous wave 514 via the antenna 508 and may harvest the energy of the continuous wave 514 to power up its integrated circuit 506. The tag device 502 may transmit a signal by reflecting the continuous wave 514 as a backscatter signal 518 in the backward link 520.

In some examples, the integrated circuit 506 may modulate an impedance of the antenna 508 to communicate digital data via the backscatter signal 518. For example, the integrated circuit 506 may change a resistive and/or capacitive input impedance of the antenna 508 to change the amplitude or phase of the backscatter signal 518. This may enable the integrated circuit 506 to change the amplitude of the backscatter signal 518 between two amplitude values to indicate a ‘1’ or ‘0’a t a given instance.

FIG. 6 is a diagram 600 illustrating examples of a signal 602 from the reader device 510 and a signal 604 from the tag device 502. In FIG. 6, the portions 606, 610 of the signal 602 indicates transmission of a continuous wave and the portion 608 represents transmission of data (e.g., via modulation of the continuous wave) . The portions 612, 614 of the signal 604 indicate a reflection of the continuous wave from the tag device 502 and the portion 616 indicates transmission of data (e.g., via modulation of a backscatter signal) from the tag device 502.

FIG. 7 is a diagram 700 illustrating a tag device 702 in communication with a network node 704. In some examples, the tag device 702 may be an ambient Internet of Things (IoT) device (also referred to as an A-IoT device) and may include an antenna 706. In some examples, the network node 704 may be a base station. The network node 704 may operate as a reader device and an RF source. For example, the network node 704 may transmit a continuous wave in a downlink (DL) 708. The tag device 702 may harvest the energy of the continuous wave and may transmit a backscatter signal in the uplink (UL) 710 in response to the continuous wave.

FIG. 8 is a diagram 800 illustrating a tag device 802, a relay device 804, and a network node 806. In some examples, the tag device 802 may be an A-IoT device and may include an antenna 808. In some examples, the network node 806 may be a base station. In some examples, the relay device 804 may be a UE and may include an antenna 810. The UE may establish a Uu link 812 with the network node 806.

The relay device 804 may transmit a continuous wave in a forward link (FL) 814. The tag device 802 may transmit a backscatter signal in a backward link (BL) 816. In some examples, the network node 806 may transmit data to the tag device 802 via the relay device 804. For example, the network node 806 may transmit an information payload to the relay device 804. The relay device 804 may modulate a continuous wave to deliver the information payload to the tag device 802.

For example, the relay device 804 may transmit a continuous wave in the forward ink 814. The tag device 702 may harvest the energy of the continuous wave and may transmit a backscatter signal in the backward link 816 in response to the continuous wave. The relay device 804 may transmit data received from the tag device 802 to the network node 806 via the Uu link 812.

FIG. 9 is a diagram 900 illustrating an example of a tag device 902 in communication with a reader device 904. The reader device 904 is implemented as a monostatic reader device and uses a single antenna 912 for reception and transmission of RF signals. In a monostatic reader device, the same device serves as an RF source (e.g., transmits an RF source signal, such as a continuous wave) and receives a transmission (e.g., a backscatter signal) from a tag device (e.g., the tag device 902) .

In the example of FIG. 9, the reader device 904 includes a transmitter 908 and a receiver 910. The transmitter 908 and receiver 910 are both coupled to the antenna 912 through a switch 918. The switch 918 allows either the transmitter 908 or the receiver 910 to access the antenna 912 at a given time. For example, the switch 918 may allow the transmitter 908 to transmit an RF signal 914 via the antenna 912. For example, the RF signal 914 may be an RF source signal, such as an unmodulated continuous wave or a modulated signal (e.g., a modulated continuous wave) . The switch 918 may then allow the receiver 910 to receive via the antenna 912. The tag device 902 may transmit a backscatter signal 919 via an antenna 906 in response to the RF signal 914. The reader device 904 may receive the backscatter signal 919 along with a reflected signal 916 (e.g., reflected from the antenna 912) .

FIG. 10 is a diagram 1000 illustrating an example of a tag device 1002 in communication with a reader device 1004. The reader device 1004 is implemented as a monostatic reader device and uses two antennas, such a first antenna 1012 and a second antenna 1014, for transmission and reception of RF signals. As described herein, in a monostatic reader device, the same device serves as an RF source (e.g., transmits an RF source signal, such as a continuous wave) and receives a transmission (e.g., a backscatter signal) from a tag device (e.g., the tag device 1002) .

In the example of FIG. 10, the reader device 1004 includes a transmitter 1008 coupled to the first antenna 1012 and a receiver 1010 coupled to the second antenna 1014. For example, the transmitter 1008 may transmit an RF signal 1016 via the first antenna 1012. For example, the RF signal 1016 may be an RF source signal, such as an unmodulated continuous wave or a modulated signal (e.g., a modulated continuous wave) . The tag device 1002 may transmit a backscatter signal 1018 via an antenna 1006 in response to the RF signal 1016. The reader device 1004 may receive the backscatter signal 1018 along with a leakage signal 1020 (e.g., from the first antenna 1012) .

FIG. 11 is a diagram 1100 illustrating an RF source 1102, a tag device 1104, and a reader device 1106. For example, the RF source 1102 may be a network node (e.g., a base station) and the reader device 1106 may be a UE. In FIG. 11, the RF source 1102 and the reader device 1106 may operate in a bistatic configuration. This means that the RF source and the reader device are different devices.

For example, the RF source 1102 may transmit an RF signal via a forward link 1110. The RF signal may be an RF source signal, such as an unmodulated continuous wave or a modulated signal (e.g., a modulated continuous wave) . The tag device 1104 may receive the RF signal via an antenna 1108. The tag device 1104 may transmit a backscatter signal via a backward link 1112 in response to the RF signal from the RF source 1102. In some examples, the tag device 1104 may reflect or actively transmit modulated signals to the reader device 1106.

The term “reader device” as used herein refers to an integrator (e.g., an RFID integrator) configured to communicate with a tag device (e.g., a passive tag, a semi-passive tag, an active tag, etc. ) by at least receiving a signal transmission (e.g., a backscatter signal or a tag-generated signal transmission) from the tag device.

An RF source may be a device that transmits via a forward link. An RF source may transmit a continuous wave via the forward link (also referred to as a forward link continuous wave) to power up a tag device and to provide a carrier wave for the tag device. The term “forward link” (abbreviated herein as FL) as used herein refers to a communication channel from an RF source to a tag device. The term “forward link data” (abbreviated herein as FL data) refers to information transmitted via the forward link, which may include commands (e.g., ACK, NACK, etc. ) . In some examples, a reader device and RF source may be the same device (monostatic) . In these examples, such same device may be referred to as a reader device.

The term “backward link” (abbreviated herein as BL) refers to a communication channel from a tag device to a reader device. In some implementations, the backward link may serve as a backscatter link. A reader device may operate as a BL receiver. The term “backward link data” (abbreviated herein as BL data) refers to information transmitted via the backward link, which may include an ACK or NACK from a tag device or new data transmitted or backscattered from the tag device.

The aspects described herein include procedures and techniques that enable a reader device to support concurrent communications with different types of tag devices operating in accordance with a wireless communication standard (e.g., a 3GPP standard specification) . Different types of tag devices, such as an active tag device, semi-passive tag device, or a passive tag device, may have different features and/or abilities for wireless communication. Examples of different types of tag devices are discussed with reference to FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 includes different types of tag devices 1202, 1206, 1212. For example, a first type of tag device 1202 may be a passive tag device and may include an antenna 1204. It should be noted that the first type of tag device 1202 (e.g., passive tag device) may not include an energy source (e.g., a rechargeable battery) . The first type of tag device 1202 (e.g., passive tag device) may perform an energy harvesting operation to power up, but may not store the harvested energy in an energy source. The first type of tag device 1202 (e.g., passive tag device) may transmit an RF signal based on backscattering of an RF source signal. In some examples, the first type of tag device 1202 (e.g., passive tag device) may consume up to one microwatt (μW) to perform a signal transmission.

For example, a second type of tag device 1206 may be a semi-passive tag device and may include an antenna 1208 and an energy source 1210 (e.g., a rechargeable battery) . The second type of tag device 1206 (e.g., semi-passive tag device) may perform an energy harvesting operation and may store the harvested energy in the energy source 1210. The second type of tag device 1206 (e.g., semi-passive tag device) may transmit an RF signal based on backscattering of an RF source signal. In some examples, the second type of tag device 1202 (e.g., semi-passive tag device) may use up to 100 μW to perform a signal transmission.

For example, a third type of tag device 1212 may be an active tag device and may include an antenna 1214, an energy source 1216 (e.g., a rechargeable battery) and a transmission module 1218. The third type of tag device 1212 (e.g., active tag device) may transmit an RF signal by self-generating an RF signal transmission (also referred to as a tag-generated signal transmission) or by backscattering an RF source signal. Therefore, it should be noted that the third type of tag device 1212 (e.g., active tag device) may not be limited to backscattering techniques to transmit an RF signal. In some examples, the third type of tag device 1202 (e.g., active tag device) may use between 100 μW to one milliwatt (mW) to perform a signal transmission.

In some examples, a fourth type of tag device (not shown in FIG. 12) may be hybrid tag device. A hybrid tag device may perform both passive communications (e.g., transmission of an RF signal based on backscattering of an RF source signal) and active communications (e.g., self-generate an RF signal transmission) .

A tag device may shift a frequency of a signal transmission in the backward link (also referred to as a frequency shift or a frequency shift operation) relative to a frequency of an RF source signal received in the forward link. In some scenarios, tag devices may perform a frequency shift when reflecting an RF source signal to adjacent non-overlapping channels. This is described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 is a diagram 1300 illustrating examples of frequency shifted signal transmissions in the backward link from different tag devices. For example, a first tag device may receive an RF source signal 1302 with a frequency f_FL from an RF source in a forward link. In some nonlimiting examples, the RF source signal may be a Bluetooth signal or a Wi-Fi signal. The first tag device may receive the RF source signal 1302 and may transmit a backscatter signal 1304 with a frequency f_{BL_1}. The second tag device may receive the RF source signal 1302 and may transmit a backscatter signal 1306 with a frequency f_{BL_2}.

In one example, the first and second tag devices may have the ability to shift the frequency of the backscatter signal relative to the RF source signal 1302 by 20 MHz. Therefore, if the frequency f_FL is 2.44 GHz, the frequency f_{BL_1} may be 2.42 GHz and the frequency f_{BL_2} may be 2.46 GHz.

It should be noted that different types of tag devices may have different frequency shift capabilities. The frequency shift capability of a tag device refers to the range of frequencies within which a tag device may perform a signal transmission. For example, a tag device that can transmit within a frequency range of 100 kHz to 20 Mhz may be said to have a higher frequency shift capability than a tag device that can transmit within a frequency range of 100 kHz to 640 kHz. In some aspects, the frequency shift capability of a tag device may depend on the processing capability of a tag device, an amount of power available at the tag device, and/or other features that may affect (e.g., increase or decrease) a transmission frequency range of a tag device.

In one example, a first type of tag device (e.g., a passive tag device, such as a passive RFID tag) may have the ability to frequency shift a backscatter signal by a maximum of 640 kHz relative to the frequency of an RF source signal from an RF source. For example, the first type of tag device may consume approximately one microwatt (μW) to perform the maximum frequency shift.

In another example, a second type of tag device (e.g., a semi-passive tag device) may have the ability to shift a backscatter signal by a maximum of 10 MHz relative to the frequency of an RF source signal from an RF source. For example, the second type of tag device may implement a ring oscillator that consumes approximately 34 μW to perform the maximum frequency shift.

In yet another example, a third type of tag device (e.g., an active tag device) may have the ability to shift a backscatter signal by a maximum of 20 MHz relative to the frequency of an RF source signal from an RF source. For example, the third type of tag device may implement a ring oscillator that consumes approximately 78 μW to perform the maximum frequency shift. It should be noted that the frequency shift capability of passive and semi-passive tag devices may be significantly less than the frequency shift capability of an active tag device due at least to the energy harvesting and/or energy storage limitations of passive and semi-passive tag devices.

Multiple tag devices may support frequency division multiplexing (FDM) in the backward link. FIG. 14 includes a diagram 1400 illustrating an example of an FDM scheme in a backward link. For example, a first tag device may receive an RF source signal 1402_1 (e.g., a carrier wave) with a frequency f₁ from an RF source in the forward link. A first tag device may receive the RF source signal 1402_1 and may transmit a backscatter signal 1404 with a frequency f₂, a second tag device may receive the RF source signal 1402_1 and may transmit a backscatter signal 1406 with a frequency f₃, and a third tag device may receive the RF source signal 1402_1 and may transmit a backscatter signal 1408 with a frequency f₄. In one nonlimiting example, f₁ may be the frequency of a carrier wave and may be approximately 868 MHz, and the frequencies f₂, f₃, and f₄ may represent shifted frequencies relative to f₁. For example, f₂ may be 868.4 Mhz, f₃ may be 868.5 Mhz, and f₄ may be 868.6 Mhz. In some examples, the first, second, and third tag devices discussed with reference to FIG. 14 may be implemented as environmental sensors.

FIG. 15 is a signal flow diagram 1500 illustrating communications between a reader device and multiple tag devices of different types in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 15 includes a reader device 1502, a network node 1504, a first tag device 1506 (labeled as Tag device_1 in FIG. 15) of a first type, and a second tag device 1508 (labeled as Tag device_2 in FIG. 15) of a second type. In some examples, reader device 1502 may be a UE and the network node 1504 may be a base station.

In some aspects, the reader device 1502 may receive configuration information 1510 from the network node 1504. The configuration information 1510 may indicate frequency resources (e.g., one or more frequency resource pools, one or more frequency resource subpools, one or more frequency subchannels, etc. ) and/or time resources (e.g., one or more time slots of a radio frame) for tag devices. In some aspects, if the network node 1504 is serving as an RF source for the first and second tag devices 1506, 1508, the network node 1504 may provide configuration information indicating frequency resources and/or time resources to the first and second tag devices 1506, 1508.

The reader device 1502 may generate configuration information for the different types of tag devices based on the configuration information 1510 from the network node 1504. The reader device 1502 may provide the configuration information to the different types of tag devices. For example, the reader device 1502 may transmit first configuration information 1512 to the first tag device 1506 of the first type (e.g., a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device) and second configuration information 1514 to the second tag device 1508 of the second type (e.g., an active tag device) . In some implementations, any of the configuration information 1510, 1512, 1514 may be communicated using layer 1, layer 2, or layer 3 signaling.

In some examples, the first configuration information 1512 may include a first operation structure for the first tag device 1506 of the first type and the second configuration information 1512 may include a second operation structure for the second tag device 1508 of the second type. Examples of different operation structures for tag devices of different types are described in detail herein with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22.

In some aspects, the reader device 1502 may serve as an RF source and may transmit an RF source signal 1516 to the first and second tag devices 1506, 1508. For example, the RF source signal 1516 may be a modulated or unmodulated continuous wave. The first tag device 1506 may transmit a first signal (Signal_1) 1520 in response to the RF source signal 1516. For example, the first signal 1520 may be a backscatter signal in a backward link. The second tag device 1508 may transmit a second signal (Signal_2) 1522. In some examples, the second signal 1522 may be a backscatter signal in response to the RF source signal 1516 or a self-generated signal in a backward link.

In some examples, the second tag device 1508 may transmit the second signal 1522 concurrently with the transmission of the first signal 1520 from the first tag device 1506. In one example, the first tag device 1506 and the second tag device 1508 may transmit the first signal 1520 and the second signal 1522 in a given time resource 1518 (e.g., a same tag device time slot) . In the aspects described, different frequency resources may be allocated to different types of tag devices. Such allocation of different frequency resources may enable concurrent communication between a reader device and multiple types of tag devices as described herein with reference to FIGS. 16-19.

In some examples, the first tag device 1506 may transmit the first signal 1520 in a first subchannel and a subsequent signal (Signal_3) 1524 in a second subchannel. In some examples, the second tag device 1508 may transmit the second signal 1522 in a third subchannel and a subsequent signal (Signal_4) 1526 in a fourth subchannel. Although the subsequent signals 1524, 1526 are shown as transmitted in the same time resource 1518, it should be understood that one or both of the subsequent signals 1524, 1526 may be transmitted in a different time resource (e.g., a different tag device time slot) .

FIG. 16 is a diagram 1600 illustrating multiple frequency resource pools associated with different types of tag devices. FIG. 16 includes a first frequency resource pool (FRP_1) 1602, a second frequency resource pool (FRP_2) 1604, and a third frequency resource pool (FRP_3) 1606 in the frequency domain. The first frequency resource pool 1602 may include a frequency range extending from f_{1_1} to f_{1_2}, the second frequency resource pool 1604 may include a frequency range extending from f_{2_1} to f_{2_2}, and the third frequency resource pool 1606 may include a frequency range extending from f_{3_1} to f_{3_2}. Although three frequency resource pools are shown in FIG. 16, it should be understood that a greater or lesser number of frequency resource pools may be implemented in other examples.

In some aspects, each of multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource pool. In some examples, a first type of tag device may be associated with the first frequency resource pool 1602, a second type of tag device may be associated with the second frequency resource pool 1604, and a third type of tag device may be associated with the third frequency resource pool 1606. For example, the first type of tag device may be a passive tag device, the second type of tag device may be a semi-passive tag device, and the third type of tag device may be an active tag device.

In some examples, a type of tag device may be associated with a certain frequency resource pool based on the frequency shift capabilities of the type of tag device. For example, the frequency shift capabilities of a tag device may depend on an amount of power the tag device may generate from an RF source signal received from an RF source, the energy storage capability of the tag device, and other suitable capabilities.

In some nonlimiting examples, passive tag devices having a maximum frequency shift capability 1622 for a backward link communication (e.g., a backscatter signal transmission) of 640 kHz may be assigned to the first frequency resource pool 1602. In the examples described herein, the maximum frequency shift capability of a tag device may be relative to the frequency f_FL of an RF source signal 1608 (e.g., in the forward link) from an RF source. Accordingly, in this example, the first frequency resource pool 1602 may have a frequency range of 100 kHz to 640 kHz (e.g., f_{1_1} = 100 kHz and f_{1_2} = 640 kHz) . For example, a first passive tag device may perform a first backscatter signal transmission 1610 in the first frequency resource pool 1602 and a second passive tag device may perform a second backscatter signal transmission 1612 in the first frequency resource pool 1602.

In some nonlimiting examples, semi-passive tag devices having a maximum frequency shift capability 1624 for a backward link communication (e.g., a backscatter signal transmission) of 10 MHz may be assigned to the second frequency resource pool 1604. The maximum frequency shift capability 1624 may be relative to the frequency f_FL of the RF source signal transmission 1608 from an RF source. Accordingly, in this example, the second frequency resource pool 1604 may have a frequency range of 1 MHz to 10 MHz (e.g., f_{2_1} = 1 MHz and f_{2_2} = 10 MHz) . For example, a first semi-passive tag device may perform a first backscatter signal transmission 1614 in the second frequency resource pool 1604 and a second semi-passive tag device may perform a second backscatter signal transmission 1616 in the second frequency resource pool 1604.

In some nonlimiting examples, active tag devices having a maximum frequency shift capability 1626 for a backward link communication (e.g., a backscatter signal transmission or a self-generated signal transmission) of 20 MHz may be assigned to the third frequency resource pool 1606. The maximum frequency shift capability 1626 may be relative to the frequency f_FL of the RF source signal transmission 1608 from an RF source. Accordingly, in this example, the third frequency resource pool 1606 may have a frequency range of 11 MHz to 20 MHz (e.g., f_{3_1} = 11 MHz and f_{3_2} = 20 MHz) . For example, a first active tag device may perform a first backscatter signal transmission 1618 in the third frequency resource pool 1606 and a second active tag device may perform a second backscatter signal transmission 1620 in the third frequency resource pool 1606.

In some implementations, a guard band may be situated at one or both ends of each of the frequency resource pools described herein to prevent or reduce signal interference. For example, with reference to FIG. 16, a first guard band 1628 may be situated at a first end (e.g., frequency f_{1_1}) of the first frequency resource pool 1602 and a second guard band 1630 may be situated at a second end (e.g., frequency f_{1_2}) of the first frequency resource pool 1602. A third guard band 1632 may be situated at a first end (e.g., frequency f_{2_1}) of the second frequency resource pool 1604 and a fourth guard band 1634 may be situated at a second end (e.g., frequency f_{2_2}) of the second frequency resource pool 1604. A fifth guard band 1636 may be situated at a first end (e.g., frequency f_{3_1}) of the third frequency resource pool 1606 and a sixth guard band 1638 may be situated at a second end (e.g., frequency f_{3_2}) of the third frequency resource pool 1606. The guard bands 1628, 1630, 1632, 1634, 1636, 1638 may have the same bandwidth or different bandwidths.

The multiple frequency resource pools may enable a reader device to communicate concurrently with different types of tag devices based on a frequency division multiplexing (FDM) scheme. This may allow tag devices of different types to concurrently transmit signal transmissions to a reader device while reducing and/or avoiding signal interference.

FIG. 17 is a diagram 1700 illustrating multiple frequency resource subpools associated with different types of tag devices. FIG. 17 includes a frequency resource pool 1702 (also referred to as an integrated frequency resource pool) , a first frequency resource subpool 1704, a second frequency resource subpool 1706, and a third frequency resource subpool 1708 in the frequency domain. The frequency resource pool 1702 may include a frequency range extending from f_{1_1} to f_{3_2}, the first frequency resource subpool 1704 may include a frequency range extending from f_{1_1} to f_{1_2}, the second frequency resource subpool 1706 may include a frequency range extending from f_{2_1} to f_{2_2}, and the third frequency resource subpool 1708 may include a frequency range extending from f_{3_1} to f_{3_2}. Although three frequency resource subpools are shown in FIG. 17, it should be understood that a greater or lesser number of frequency resource subpools may be implemented in other examples.

In some aspects, each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource subpool (e.g., frequency resource subpool 1704, 1706, 1708) . In some examples, the first type of tag device may be associated with the first frequency resource subpool 1704, the second type of tag device may be associated with the second frequency resource subpool 1706, and the third type of tag device may be associated with the third frequency resource subpool 1708. For example, the first type of tag device may be a passive tag device, the second type of tag device may be a semi-passive tag device, and the third type of tag device may be an active tag device.

In some examples, a type of tag device may be associated with a certain frequency resource subpool based on the frequency shift capabilities of the type of tag device. For example, the frequency shift capabilities of a tag device may depend on an amount of power the tag device may generate from an RF source signal received from an RF source, the energy storage capability of the tag device, and other suitable capabilities.

In some nonlimiting examples, passive tag devices having a maximum frequency shift capability 1724 for a backward link communication (e.g., a backscatter signal transmission) of 640 kHz may be assigned to the first frequency resource subpool 1704. In the examples described herein, the maximum frequency shift capability of a tag device may be relative to the frequency f_FL of an RF source signal transmission 1710 (e.g., in the forward link) from an RF source. Accordingly, in this example, the first frequency resource subpool 1704 may have a frequency range of 100 kHz to 640 kHz (e.g., f_{1_1} = 100 kHz and f_{1_2} = 640 kHz) . For example, a first passive tag device may perform a first backscatter signal transmission 1712 in the first frequency resource subpool 1704 and a second passive tag device may perform a second backscatter signal transmission 1714 in the first frequency resource subpool 1704.

In some nonlimiting examples, semi-passive tag devices having a maximum frequency shift capability 1726 for a backward link communication (e.g., a backscatter signal transmission) of 10 MHz may be assigned to the second frequency resource subpool 1706. The maximum frequency shift capability 1726 may be relative to the frequency f_FL of the RF source signal transmission 1710 from an RF source. Accordingly, in this example, the second frequency resource subpool 1706 may have a frequency range of 1 MHz to 10 MHz (e.g., f_{2_1} = 1 MHz and f_{2_2} = 10 MHz) . For example, a first semi-passive tag device may perform a first backscatter signal transmission 1716 in the second frequency resource subpool 1706 and a second semi-passive tag device may perform a second backscatter signal transmission 1718 in the second frequency resource subpool 1706.

In some nonlimiting examples, active tag devices having a maximum frequency shift capability 1728 for a backward link communication (e.g., a backscatter signal transmission) of 20 MHz may be assigned to the third frequency resource subpool 1708. The maximum frequency shift capability 1728 may be relative to the frequency f_FL of the RF source signal transmission 1710 from an RF source. Accordingly, in this example, the third frequency resource subpool 1708 may have a frequency range of 11 MHz to 20 MHz (e.g., f_{3_1} = 11 MHz and f_{3_2} = 20 MHz) . For example, a first active tag device may perform a first backscatter signal transmission 1720 in the third frequency resource subpool 1708 and a second active tag device may perform a second backscatter signal transmission 1722 in the third frequency resource subpool 1708.

In some aspects, the frequency resource subpools 1704, 1706, 1708 may be defined based on threshold frequency values. For example, the first frequency resource subpool 1704 may be a frequency range between a first threshold frequency f_{T_1} and a second threshold frequency f_{T_2}. The second frequency resource subpool 1706 may be a frequency range between the second threshold frequency f_{T_2} and a third threshold frequency f_{T_3}. The third frequency resource subpool 1708 may be a frequency range between the third threshold frequency f_{T_3} and a fourth threshold frequency f_{T_4}.

The multiple frequency resource subpools may enable a reader device to communicate concurrently with different types of tag devices based on a frequency division multiplexing (FDM) scheme. This may allow tag devices of different types to concurrently transmit signal transmissions to a reader device while reducing and/or avoiding signal interference.

FIG. 18 is a diagram 1800 illustrating multiple overlapping frequency resource subpools associated with different types of tag devices. FIG. 18 includes a frequency resource pool 1802, a first frequency resource subpool 1804, a second frequency resource subpool 1806, and a third frequency resource subpool 1808 in the frequency domain. The frequency resource pool 1802 may include a frequency range extending from f₁ to f₇, the first frequency resource subpool 1804 may include a frequency range extending from f_{1_1} to f₂, the second frequency resource subpool 1806 may include a frequency range extending from f₁ to f₄, and the third frequency resource subpool 1808 may include a frequency range extending from f₁ to f₆. Although three frequency resource subpools are shown in FIG. 18, it should be understood that a greater or lesser number of frequency resource subpools may be implemented in other examples.

In some aspects, each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource subpool (e.g., frequency resource subpool 1804, 1806, 1808) . In some examples, a first type of tag device may be associated with the first frequency resource subpool 1804, a second type of tag device may be associated with the second frequency resource subpool 1806, and a third type of tag device may be associated with the third frequency resource subpool 1808. For example, the first type of tag device may be a passive tag device, the second type of tag device may be a semi-passive tag device, and the third type of tag device may be an active tag device.

In some examples, a type of tag device may be associated with a certain frequency resource subpool based on the frequency shift capabilities of the type of tag device. For example, the frequency shift capabilities of a tag device may depend on an amount of power the tag device may generate from an RF signal received from an RF source, the energy storage capability of the tag device, and other suitable capabilities.

In some nonlimiting examples, passive tag devices having a maximum frequency shift capability 1824 for a backward link communication (e.g., a backscatter signal transmission) of 640 kHz may be assigned to the first frequency resource subpool 1804. In the examples described herein, the maximum frequency shift capability of a tag device may be relative to the frequency f_FL of an RF source signal transmission 1810 (e.g., in the forward link) from an RF source. Accordingly, in this example, the first frequency resource subpool 1804 may have a frequency range of 100 kHz to 640 kHz (e.g., f₁ = 100 kHz and f₂ = 640 kHz) . For example, a first passive tag device may perform a first backscatter signal transmission 1812 in the first frequency resource subpool 1804 and a second passive tag device may perform a second backscatter signal transmission 1814 in the first frequency resource subpool 1804.

In some nonlimiting examples, semi-passive tag devices having a maximum frequency shift capability 1826 for a backward link communication (e.g., a backscatter signal transmission) of 10 MHz may be assigned to the second frequency resource subpool 1806. The maximum frequency shift capability 1826 may be relative to the frequency f_FL of the RF source signal transmission 1810 from an RF source. Accordingly, in this example, the second frequency resource subpool 1806 may have a frequency range of 100 kHz to 10 MHz (e.g., f₁ = 100 kHz and f₄ =10 MHz) . For example, a first semi-passive tag device may perform a first backscatter signal transmission 1816 in the second frequency resource subpool 1806 and a second semi-passive tag device may perform a second backscatter signal transmission 1818 in the second frequency resource subpool 1806.

In some nonlimiting examples, active tag devices having a maximum frequency shift capability 1828 for a backward link communication (e.g., a backscatter signal transmission or a self-generated signal transmission) of 20 MHz may be assigned to the third frequency resource subpool 1808. The maximum frequency shift capability 1828 may be relative to the frequency f_FL of the RF source signal transmission 1810 from an RF source. Accordingly, in this example, the third frequency resource subpool 1808 may have a frequency range of 100 kHz to 20 MHz (e.g., f₁ = 100 kHz and f₆ = 20 MHz) . For example, a first active tag device may perform a first backscatter signal transmission 1820 in the third frequency resource subpool 1808 and a second active tag device may perform a second backscatter signal transmission 1822 in the third frequency resource subpool 1808.

In some aspects, the frequency resource subpools 1804, 1806, 1808 may be defined based on threshold frequency values. For example, the first frequency resource subpool 1804 may be a frequency range between a first threshold frequency f_{T_1} and a second threshold frequency f_{T_2}. The second frequency resource subpool 1806 may be a frequency range between the first threshold frequency f_{T_1} and a third threshold frequency f_{T_3}. The third frequency resource subpool 1808 may be a frequency range between the first threshold frequency f_{T_1} and a fourth threshold frequency f_{T_4}.

FIG. 19 is a diagram 1900 illustrating multiple frequency resource pools associated with different types of tag devices. FIG. 19 includes a first frequency resource pool (FRP_1) 1910, a second frequency resource pool (FRP_2) 1920, and a third frequency resource pool (FRP_3) 1930 in the frequency domain. The first frequency resource pool 1910 may include a frequency range extending from f_{1_1} to f_{1_2}, the second frequency resource pool 1920 may include a frequency range extending from f_{2_1} to f_{2_2}, and the third frequency resource pool 1930 may include a frequency range extending from f_{3_1} to f_{3_2}. Although three frequency resource pools are shown in FIG. 19, it should be understood that a greater or lesser number of frequency resource pools may be implemented in other examples.

In some aspects, each of multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource pool (e.g., the frequency resource pool 1910, 1920, 1930) . In some examples, a first type of tag device may be associated with the first frequency resource pool 1910, a second type of tag device may be associated with the second frequency resource pool 1920, and a third type of tag device may be associated with the third frequency resource pool 1930. For example, the first type of tag device may be a passive tag device, the second type of tag device may be a semi-passive tag device, and the third type of tag device may be an active tag device.

In some nonlimiting examples, passive tag devices having a maximum frequency shift capability 1954 for a backward link communication (e.g., a backscatter signal transmission) of 640 kHz may be assigned to the first frequency resource pool 1910. In the examples described herein, the maximum frequency shift capability of a tag device may be relative to the frequency f_FL of an RF source signal transmission 1940 (e.g., in the forward link) from an RF source. Accordingly, in this example, the first frequency resource pool 1910 may have a frequency range of 100 kHz to 640 kHz (e.g., f_{1_1} = 100 kHz and f_{1_2} = 640 kHz) .

As shown in FIG. 19, the first frequency resource pool 1910 may be divided into multiple subchannels, such as a first subchannel (Sub_Ch1) 1912 and a second subchannel (Sub_Ch2) 1914. For example, a first passive tag device assigned to the first frequency resource pool 1910 may perform a first backscatter signal transmission 1942 in the first subchannel 1912 of the first frequency resource pool 1910 and a second passive tag device assigned to the first frequency resource pool 1910 may perform a second backscatter signal transmission 1944 in the second subchannel 1914 of the first frequency resource pool 1910.

In some nonlimiting examples, semi-passive tag devices having a maximum frequency shift capability 1956 for a backward link communication (e.g., a backscatter signal transmission) of 10 MHz may be assigned to the second frequency resource pool 1920. The maximum frequency shift capability 1956 may be relative to the frequency f_FL of the RF source signal transmission 1940 from an RF source. Accordingly, in this example, the second frequency resource pool 1920 may have a frequency range of 1 MHz to 10 MHz (e.g., f_{2_1} = 1 MHz and f_{2_2} = 10 MHz) .

As shown in FIG. 19, the second frequency resource pool 1920 may be divided into multiple subchannels, such as a first subchannel (Sub_Ch1) 1922 and a second subchannel (Sub_Ch2) 1924. For example, a first semi-passive tag device assigned to the second frequency resource pool 1920 may perform a first backscatter signal transmission 1946 in the first subchannel 1922 of the second frequency resource pool 1920 and a second semi-passive tag device assigned to the second frequency resource pool 1920 may perform a second backscatter signal transmission 1948 in the second subchannel 1924 of the second frequency resource pool 1920.

In some nonlimiting examples, active tag devices having a maximum frequency shift capability 1958 for a backward link communication (e.g., a backscatter signal transmission) of 20 MHz may be assigned to the third frequency resource pool 1930. The maximum frequency shift capability 1958 may be relative to the frequency f_FL of the RF source signal transmission 1940 from an RF source. Accordingly, in this example, the third frequency resource pool 1930 may have a frequency range of 11 MHz to 20 MHz (e.g., f_{3_1} = 11 MHz and f_{3_2} = 20 MHz) .

As shown in FIG. 19, the third frequency resource pool 1930 may be divided into multiple subchannels, such as a first subchannel (Sub_Ch1) 1932 and a second subchannel (Sub_Ch2) 1934. For example, a first active tag device assigned to the third frequency resource pool 1930 may perform a first backscatter signal transmission 1950 in the first subchannel 1932 of the third frequency resource pool 1930 and a second active tag device assigned to the third frequency resource pool 1930 may perform a second backscatter signal transmission 1952 in the second subchannel 1934 of the third frequency resource pool 1930.

In some aspects, subchannels in different frequency resource pools may have different subchannel sizes. For example, the first subchannel 1932 of the third frequency resource pool 1930 may be larger (e.g., may include a larger frequency range) than the first subchannel 1922 of the second frequency resource pool 1920. The subchannel size in a given frequency resource pool (or subpool) may be based on the data transmission rate of a tag device of a certain type. For example, a maximum data transmission rate of an active tag device may be higher than a maximum data transmission rate of a passive tag device. Accordingly, the size of a subchannel in a resource pool associated with an active tag device may be larger than the size of a subchannel in a resource pool associated with a passive tag device.

In one non-limiting example, if an active tag device has a maximum data transmission rate of 1.0 MHz, then the first subchannel 1932 assigned to the active tag device may be 2.16 MHz. In this example, the active tag device using the first subchannel 1932 may be provided with 6 RBs with a sub-carrier spacing of 30 kHz. In another non-limiting example, if a semi-passive tag device has a maximum data transmission rate of 0.5 MHz, then the first subchannel 1922 assigned to the semi-passive tag device may be 1.08 MHz. In this example, the semi-passive tag device using the first subchannel 1922 may be provided with 3 RBs with a sub-carrier spacing of 30 kHz. In another non-limiting example, if a passive tag device has a maximum data transmission rate of 0.5 MHz, then the first subchannel 1912 assigned to the semi-passive tag device may be 1.08 MHz. In this example, the passive tag device using the first subchannel 1912 may be provided with 3 RBs with a sub-carrier spacing of 30 kHz.

In some examples, a tag device assigned to a frequency resource pool may use the subchannels of that frequency resource pool to perform frequency hopping in the backward link. For example, a passive tag device assigned to the first frequency resource pool 1910 may use the first subchannel 1912 to transmit a first backscatter signal in a first time slot and may use the second subchannel 1914 to transmit a second backscatter signal in a second time slot.

It should be noted that the multiple frequency resource pools (e.g., the frequency resource pools 1910, 1920, 1930) may enable a reader device to communicate concurrently with different types of tag devices based on a frequency division multiplexing (FDM) scheme. This may allow tag devices of different types to concurrently transmit signal transmissions to a reader device while reducing and/or avoiding signal interference.

FIG. 20 is a diagram 2000 illustrating an example time division duplexing (TDD) pattern 2030 for a set of time resources (e.g., a set of time slots) and an indication of time resources (e.g., tag device time resources) for communication with one or more types of tag devices. FIG. 20 shows a first radio frame 2010 and a second radio frame 2020. The first and second radio frames 2010, 2020 may each include a set of time slots (also referred to as a set of slots) . For example, the first radio frame 2010 includes a first slot 2012, a second slot 2014, a third slot 2016, and so on up to a tenth slot 2018. The second radio frame 2020 includes a first slot 2022, a second slot 2024, a third slot 2026, and so on up to a tenth slot 2028.

The slots of a radio frame may be configured with a TDD pattern, where the TDD pattern designates slots as downlink slots (e.g., slots in which downlink communications are to occur) or uplink slots (e.g., slots in which uplink communications are to occur) . For example, the TDD pattern 2030 in FIG. 20 indicates that the first and second slots 2012, 2014 of the first radio frame 2010 are designated as downlink slots and the remaining slots in the first radio frame 2010 are designated as uplink slots. The TDD pattern 2030 in FIG. 20 further indicates that the first and second slots 2022, 2024 of the second radio frame 2020 are designated as downlink slots and the remaining slots in the second radio frame 2020 are designated as uplink slots.

One or more slots of a radio frame may be designated as tag device time slots (also herein referred to as tag device slots) and may serve as tag device time resources 2050. In some examples, a reader device (e.g., a UE) and a tag device may use a tag device slot to communicate with one another. For example, a reader device may communicate with a tag device by transmitting an RF source signal (e.g., a modulated or unmodulated continuous wave) in the forward link and/or by receiving a signal transmission from a tag device in the backward link.

In some examples, tag device slots may be indicated to a UE based on a tag device frame bitmap. For example, the tag device frame bitmap may include a sequence of bits that corresponds to a sequence of slots, where a value of a bit indicates whether a slot corresponding to that bit is designated as a tag device slot. For example, a ‘1’ in the tag device frame bitmap 2040 indicates that a corresponding slot is a tag device slot (e.g., the slot may be used to communicate with a tag device) and a ‘0’ in the tag device frame bitmap 2040 indicates that a corresponding slot is not a tag device slot (e.g., the slot may not be used to communicate with a tag device) .

For example, with reference to FIG. 20, the tag device frame bitmap 2040 may include a sequence of bits where a ‘1’ in the tag device frame bitmap 2040 indicates that a corresponding slot is a tag device slot and a ‘0’ in the tag device frame bitmap 2040 indicates that a corresponding slot is not a tag device slot. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 20, the first slot 2012, the third slot 2016, and the tenth slot 2018 in the first radio frame 2010 may be designated as tag device slots (e.g., tag device slots 2052, 2054, 2058) and the second slot 2014 may not be designated as a tag device slot (e.g., indicated with a gap 2070 in FIG. 20) . The first slot 2022, the third slot 2026, and the tenth slot 2028 in the second radio frame 2020 may be designated as tag device slots (e.g., tag device slots 2060, 2062, 2066) , and the second slot 2024 may not be designated as a tag device slot (e.g., indicated with a gap 2072 in FIG. 20) .

FIG. 21 is a diagram 2100 illustrating an example operation structure for a set of time resources allocated for communication with one or more tag devices. In some examples, the set of time resources (also referred to as tag device time resources) may include one or more tag device slots as described herein.

FIG. 21 shows a radio frame 2101 including a set of time slots. For example, the radio frame 2101 includes a first slot 2102, a second slot 2104, a third slot 2106, and so on up to a tenth slot 2120. The slots of the radio frame 2101 may be configured with a TDD pattern. In the example of FIG. 21, a TDD pattern may designate the first slot 2102, the second slot 2104, the sixth slot 2112, and the seventh slot 2114 as downlink slots and may designate the third slot 2106, the fourth slot 2108, the fifth slot 2110, the eighth slot 2116, the ninth slot 2118, and the tenth slot 2120 as uplink slots.

One or more slots of the radio frame 2101 may be designated as tag device time slots (also referred to as tag device slots) and may serve as tag device time resources 2130. In some examples, a reader device (e.g., a UE) and a tag device may use a tag device slot to communicate with one another. In some examples, one or more of the slots of the radio frame 2101 may be configured as tag device slots (e.g., tag device slots 2132, 2136, 2138, 2140, 2142, 2146, 2148, and 2150) based on a tag device frame bitmap 2125 as described herein.

The tag device frame bitmap 2125 includes a sequence of bits where a ‘1’ in the tag device frame bitmap 2125 indicates that a corresponding slot is a tag device slot and a ‘0’ in the tag device frame bitmap 2125 indicates that a corresponding slot is not a tag device slot. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 21, the first slot 2102, the third slot 2106, the fourth slot 2108, the fifth slot 2110, the sixth slot 2112, the eighth slot 2116, the ninth slot 2118, and the tenth slot 2120 in the radio frame 2101 may be designated as tag device slots (e.g., tag device slots 2132, 2136, 2138, 2140, 2142, 2146, 2148, 2150) , whereas the second slot 2104 and the seventh slot 2114 may not be designated as tag device slots (e.g., indicated with gaps 2151, 2153 in FIG. 21) .

In some examples, an operation structure associated with a certain type of tag device may configure one or more tag device time slots for an operation associated with that type of tag device. In other words, the operation structure may indicate one or more operations that may or may not be performed by that type of tag device in a given tag device time slot. For example, the operation structure 2160 for a tag device may configure the tag device slots 2132, 2138, 2140, 2142, 2146, 2148, and 2150 for backward link transmissions (e.g., shown respectively as tag device BL slots 2162, 2168, 2170, 2172, 2176, 2178, 2180 in FIG. 21) . For example, the operation structure 2160 for a tag device shown in FIG. 21 may configure the tag device slot 2136 for forward link transmissions (e.g., shown as tag device FL slot 2166 in FIG. 21) .

In some examples, a reader device (e.g., a UE) may transmit an RF source signal in tag device slots that are designated as uplink slots. For example, since the third, fourth, fifth, eighth, ninth, and tenth slots 2106, 2108, 2110, 2116, 2118, 2120 are designated as uplink slots, the reader device may transmit an RF source signal 2182 in the tag device slots 2136, 2138, 2140 and an RF source signal 2184 in the tag device slots 2146, 2148, 2150. In some scenarios, the reader device may serve as an RF source and may transmit RF source signals 2182, 2184. In some examples, the RF source signals 2182, 2184 may be continuous waves. It should be noted that the reader device does not transmit RF source signals in slots designated as downlink slots, such as the first slot 2102, the second slot 2104, the sixth slot 2112, and the seventh slot 2114.

In a tag device FL slot (e.g., the tag device FL slot 2166) , a reader device may transmit a modulated continuous wave that carries data to a tag device. For example, a portion 2183 of the RF source signal 2182 in the tag device FL slot 2166 may be a modulated continuous wave that carries data intended for a tag device.

In a tag device BL slot (e.g., the tag device BL slots 2168, 2170, 2172) , a tag device may transmit a signal transmission (e.g., a backscatter signal transmission) in the backward link and the reader device may be configured to listen for the signal transmission from the tag device. If a tag device BL slot is designated as a downlink slot, the reader device may not transmit an RF source signal (e.g., a continuous wave) and may be configured to listen for a signal transmission from the tag device. If a tag device BL slot is designated as an uplink slot, the reader device may transmit an RF source signal (e.g., a continuous wave) and may simultaneously listen for a signal transmission from the tag device.

FIG. 22 is a diagram 2200 illustrating example operation structures for a set of time resources allocated for communication with one or more tag devices. In some examples, the set of time resources (also referred to as tag device time resources) may include one or more tag device slots as described herein.

FIG. 22 shows a radio frame 2201 including a set of time slots. For example, the radio frame 2201 includes a first slot 2202, a second slot 2204, a third slot 2206, and so on up to a tenth slot 2220. The slots of the radio frame 2201 may be configured with a TDD pattern. In the example of FIG. 22, a TDD pattern may designate the first slot 2202, the second slot 2204, the sixth slot 2212, and the seventh slot 2214 as downlink slots and may designate the third slot 2206, the fourth slot 2208, the fifth slot 2210, the eighth slot 2216, the ninth slot 2218, and the tenth slot 2220 as uplink slots.

One or more slots of the radio frame 2201 may be designated as tag device time slots (also referred to as tag device slots) and may serve as tag device time resources 2222. In some examples, a reader device (e.g., a UE) and a tag device may use a tag device slot to communicate with one another. In some examples, one or more of the slots of the radio frame 2201 may be configured as tag device slots (e.g., tag device slots 2224, 2226, 2228, 2230, 2232, 2234, 2236, 2238) based on a tag device frame bitmap as previously described herein.

In the example of FIG. 22, the first slot 2202, the third slot 2206, the fourth slot 2208, the fifth slot 2210, the sixth slot 2212, the eighth slot 2216, the ninth slot 2218, and the tenth slot 2220 in the radio frame 2201 are designated as tag device slots, such as the tag device slots 2224, 2226, 2228, 2230, 2232, 2234, 2236, 2238 in the tag device time resources 2222 indicated in FIG. 22. The second slot 2204 and the seventh slot 2214 may not be designated as tag device slots (e.g., indicated with gaps 2251, 2253 in FIG. 22) .

FIG. 22 illustrates multiple operation structures for the tag device time resources 2222, where each of the operation structures is associated with a different type of tag device. For example, FIG. 22 includes a first operation structure 2240 for a passive tag device, a second operation structure 2260 for a semi-passive tag device, and a third operation structure 2280 for an active tag device.

In some examples, a reader device may configure the tag device time resources 2222 for a passive tag device based on the first operation structure 2240. For example, the first operation structure 2240 configures the tag device slots 2224, 2232 (e.g., the first slot 2202 and the sixth slot 2212) for a mute operation 2242, 2250, configures the tag device slot 2226 (e.g., the third slot 2206) for a power operation 2244, configures the tag device slots 2228, 2236 (e.g., the fourth slot 2208 and the ninth slot 2218) for a tag device forward link operation 2246, 2254, and configures the tag device slots 2230, 2238 (e.g., the fifth slot 2210 and the tenth slot 2220) for a tag device backward link operation 2248, 2256.

In the aspects described herein, a tag device may perform a mute operation by not performing any radio communications (e.g., neither transmitting nor receiving RF signals) . In some implementations, a tag device may perform a mute operation by disabling (e.g., turning off) its transceiver, amplifier, and/or other appropriate hardware for signal transmission.

In the aspects described herein, a tag device may perform a power operation by harvesting energy (e.g., from an RF source signal) . In some examples, a tag device may not perform any decoding operations (e.g., the tag device may not process data received via a modulated continuous wave) and may not transmit any RF signals during a power operation.

In the aspects described herein, a tag device may perform a forward link operation by receiving data in a forward link and decoding the data. In some examples, a tag device may receive the data via a modulated continuous wave.

In the aspects described herein, a tag device may perform a backward link operation by performing a signal transmission in a backward link. In some examples, the signal transmission may be a backscatter signal (e.g., in scenarios where the tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device) or a tag- generated signal transmission (e.g., in scenarios where the tag device is an active tag device) .

In some examples, a reader device (e.g., a UE) may transmit an RF source signal in tag device slots that are designated as uplink slots. For example, since the third, fourth, fifth, eighth, ninth, and tenth slots 2106, 2108, 2110, 2116, 2118, 2120 are designated as uplink slots, the reader device may transmit an RF source signal 2297 in the tag device slots 2226, 2228, 2230 and an RF source signal 2298 in the tag device slots 2234, 2236, 2238. In some scenarios, the reader device may serve as an RF source and may transmit RF source signals 2297, 2298. In some examples, the RF source signals 2297, 2298 may be continuous waves. It should be noted that the reader device does not transmit RF source signals in slots designated as downlink slots, such as the first slot 2202, the second slot 2204, the sixth slot 2212, and the seventh slot 2214.

Since a reader device may not transmit an RF source signal (e.g., a continuous wave) in a downlink slot (e.g., the second slot 2204) , a passive tag device may not have sufficient energy in a tag device slot (e.g., the third slot 2206) that is subsequent to the downlink slot to receive and/or process a signal transmission in the forward link. Therefore, in the first operation structure 2240, the power operation 2244 (e.g., in the third slot 2206) may enable a passive tag device to harvest sufficient energy to power up and receive and/or process a signal transmission via the forward link in the subsequent tag device slot 2228 (e.g., the fourth slot 2208) .

In some examples, the reader device may configure the tag device time resources 2222 for a semi-passive tag device based on the second operation structure 2260. For example, the second operation structure 2260 configures the tag device slots 2224, 2232 (e.g., the first slot 2202 and the sixth slot 2212) for a mute operation 2262, 2270, configures the tag device slots 2226, 2228, 2234, 2236 (e.g., the third slot 2206, the fourth slot 2208, the eighth slot 2216 and the ninth slot 2218) for a tag device forward link operation 2264, 2266, 2272, 2274, and configures the tag device slots 2230, 2238 (e.g., the fifth slot 2210 and the tenth slot 2220) for a tag device backward link operation 2268, 2276.

In some examples, the reader device may configure the tag device time resources 2222 for an active tag device based on the third operation structure 2280. For example, the third operation structure 2280 configures the tag device slots 2230, 2238 (e.g., the fifth slot 2210 and the tenth slot 2220) for a mute operation 2288, 2296, configures the tag device slots 2226, 2228, 2234, 2236 (e.g., the third slot 2206, the fourth slot 2208, the eighth slot 2216, and the ninth slot 2218) for a tag device forward link operation 2284, 2286, 2292, 2294 and configures the tag device slots 2224, 2232, (e.g., the first slot 2202 and the sixth slot 2212) for a tag device backward link operation 2282, 2290.

The different operation structures (e.g., the operation structures 2240, 2260, 2280) may enable the reader device to communicate with multiple types of tag devices in certain tag device slots. In one example, since the tag device slot 2228 (e.g., the fourth slot 2208) is configured for a tag device forward link operation in each of the operation structures 2240, 2260, 2280, the reader device may transmit data (e.g., via a modulated continuous wave) concurrently to a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, an active tag device or any combination thereof.

In another example, since the tag device slot 2230 (e.g., the fifth slot 2210) is configured for a tag device backward link operation in the first and second operation structures 2240, 2260, the reader device may receive signal transmissions concurrently from a passive tag device and a semi-passive tag device. In some aspects, the reader device may receive the signal transmissions concurrently based on an FDM scheme as described herein.

In some scenarios, the reader device serving as an RF source may not transmit an RF source signal (e.g., a continuous wave) in a tag device slot (e.g., tag device slot 2232) that is designated as a downlink slot (e.g., the sixth slot 2212) . In these scenarios, the first and second operation structures 2240, 2260 for passive and semi-passive tag devices may configure such tag device slot (e.g., tag device slot 2232) for a mute operation (e.g., mute operation 2250, 2270) . Since an active tag device may self-generate a signal transmission (e.g., transmit a signal transmission without an RF source signal from an RF source) , the third operation structure 2280 for the active tag device may configure the tag device slot 2232 for a tag device backward link operation (e.g., tag device BL operation 2290) .

It should be noted that the first, second, and third operation structures 2240, 2260, 2280 enable time division multiplexing (TDM) between active tag devices and passive/semi-passive tag devices in a wireless communication network (e.g., a 5G NR network) . For example, the first and second operation structures 2240, 2260 enable tag device backward link operations 2248, 2268 in the tag device slot 2230 while the third operation structure 2280 configures the tag device slot 2230 for a mute operation. Continuing with this example, the first and second operation structures 2240, 2260 configure the subsequent tag device slot 2232 for a mute operation while the third operation structure 2280 configures the tag device slot 2232 for a backward link operation 2290. Therefore, a passive and/or semi-passive tag device may be allowed to transmit a signal in the backward link in one tag device slot (e.g., tag device slot 2230) and an active tag device may be allowed to transmit a signal in the backward link in another tag device slot (e.g., tag device slot 2232) .

In some examples, the first, second, and third operation structures 2240, 2260, 2280 may allow a passive device, a semi-passive device, and an active device to transmit concurrently in the same tag device slot. This is described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 23.

FIG. 23 is a diagram 2300 illustrating example operation structures for a set of time resources allocated for communication with one or more tag devices. In some examples, the set of time resources (also referred to as tag device time resources) may include one or more tag device time slots (also referred to as tag device slots) as described herein.

FIG. 23 shows the radio frame 2201 and the first and second operation structures 2240, 2260 previously described with reference to FIG. 23. FIG. 23 further shows a fourth operation structure 2380 for an active tag device. In the fourth operation structure 2380, the tag device slot 2230 is configured for a tag device backward link operation 2388. Since the tag device slot 2230 (e.g., the fifth slot 2210) is configured for a tag device backward link operation in each of the operation structures 2240, 2260, 2380, the reader device may receive a signal transmission (e.g., a backscatter signal and/or a self-generated signal transmission) concurrently from a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, an active tag device or any combination thereof.

FIG. 24 illustrates examples of time domain resource for a tag device in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 24 includes a slot 2400, which may have the same duration as any of the slots (e.g., slots 2202 to 2220 of the radio frame 2201) previously discussed with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23. As shown in FIG. 24, a tag device slot as described herein may have a different duration from the slot 2400. For example, a tag device slot, such as the tag device slot 2402, 2404, 2406, 2408, may have a shorter duration than the slot 2400.

In some examples, an operation structure may configure different portions of a tag device slot (e.g., the tag device slot 2402) for different operations. In one nonlimiting example, the tag device slot 2404 may be configured for a tag device forward link operation in a first portion 2410 of the tag device slot 2402 and may be configured for a tag device backward link operation in a second portion 2412 of the tag device slot 2402.

Therefore, although the slots of the radio frame 2201 (e.g., the slots 2202 through 2220) are shown to have the same duration as the tag device slots (e.g., the tag device slots 2224, 2226, 2228, 2230, 2232, 2234, 2236, 2238) in FIG. 22, a tag device slot may have a different duration relative to a slot of the radio frame 2201 in other examples. In some examples, the slots of the radio frame 2201 (e.g., the slots 2202 through 2220) may be replaced with symbols or other suitable time resource units.

The aspects described herein provide different operation structures for different types of tag devices in a wireless communication network (e.g., a 5G NR network) . In these aspects, one of the different operation structures may be applied by a tag device based on the type of that tag device (e.g., a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, an active tag device, etc. ) . The different operation structures enable tag devices of different types to communicate over a channel (e.g., a frequency resource) based on a time domain multiplexing (TDM) scheme.

In some examples, when a network node (e.g., a base station) provides a UE (e.g., a UE serving as an RF source for one or more tag devices) with configuration information that designates one or more time slots of a radio frame as tag device time slots, the UE may determine different operation structures for those tag device time slots. For example, and as described in detail herein, the UE may configure different operation structures for different types of tag devices. In some examples, if a network node (e.g., a base station) serves as an RF source for one or more types of tag devices, the network node may provide the multiple types of tag devices with operation structures that are different from those provided by a reader device (e.g., a UE) .

In some examples, when a reader device is a UE and serves as an RF source for an active tag device, an operation structure for the active tag may allow the active tag device to transmit in a time slot (e.g., a tag device slot) designated as a downlink slot and may not allow the active tag device to transmit in a time slot (e.g., a tag device slot) designated as an uplink slot. In other examples, when a reader device is a network node (e.g., a base station) and serves as an RF source for an active tag device, an operation structure for the active tag device may allow the active tag device to transmit in a time slot (e.g., a tag device slot) designated as a downlink slot and may not allow the active tag device to transmit in a time slot (e.g., a tag device slot) designated as an uplink slot.

In some examples, one of the different operation structures may be for a passive tag device. The operation structure for the passive tag device may include a power operation for a tag device time slot to enable the passive tag device to harvest sufficient energy to power up and receive and/or process a signal transmission. Such power operation may ensure that a passive tag device is able to communicate in scenarios where tag device time slots are not contiguous or where an RF source signal, such as a continuous wave, is temporarily interrupted due to a DL/UL slot switch.

In some examples, one of the different operation structures for passive tag devices and/or semi-passive tag devices may include a mute operation for a tag device time slot. Such mute operation may be included in scenarios where no RF source signal (e.g., a continuous wave from an RF source) is available. In some implementations, if a tag device of a certain type has received an operation structure (e.g., from a UE or network node) associated with that certain type, the tag device may be required to perform the operation (s) indicated in the operation structure for each tag device time slot.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart 2500 of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a reader device (e.g., the UE 104; the reader device 1502, the apparatus 2802/2802'; the processing system 2914, which may include the memory 360 and which may be the entire UE 104 or a component of the UE 104, such as the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and/or the controller/processor 359) .

At 2502, the reader device receives configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and multiple frequency resource pools, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools. In some examples, the configuration information may be the configuration information 1510 received at the reader device 1502 as described herein with reference to FIG. 15. In some examples, the multiple types of tag devices may include a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, an active tag device, and/or a hybrid tag device. In some examples, the multiple frequency resource pools may include the frequency resource pools 1602, 1604, 1606 described herein with reference to FIG. 16.

In some examples, the first frequency resource pool (e.g., the first frequency resource pool (FRP_1) 1602) includes a first frequency range extending from a first frequency (e.g., f_{1_1} in FIG. 16) to a second frequency (e.g., f_{1_2} in FIG. 16) , and wherein the second frequency resource pool (e.g., the second frequency resource pool (FRP_2) 1604) includes a second frequency range extending from a third frequency (e.g., f_{2_1} in FIG. 16) to a fourth frequency (e.g., f_{2_2} in FIG. 16) . The third frequency is higher than the second frequency.

In some examples, the multiple frequency resource pools may include the frequency resource pools 1910, 1920, 1930 described herein with reference to FIG. 19. In these examples, at least one of the multiple frequency resource pools includes at least a first subchannel and a second subchannel. For example, the first frequency resource pool 1910 may be divided into multiple subchannels, such as a first subchannel (Sub_Ch1) 1912 and a second subchannel (Sub_Ch2) 1914.

In some examples, a first size of the first subchannel is different from a second size of the second subchannel, and at least one of the first size of the first subchannel or the second size of the second subchannel is based on a data transmission rate of one of the multiple types of tag devices. As described herein, the subchannel size in a given frequency resource pool (or subpool) may be based on the data transmission rate of a tag device of a certain type. For example, a maximum data transmission rate of an active tag device may be higher than a maximum data transmission rate of a passive tag device. Accordingly, the size of a subchannel in a resource pool associated with an active tag device may be larger than the size of a subchannel in a resource pool associated with a passive tag device.

At 2504, the reader device receives at least a first signal transmission from a first tag device of a first type based on a first frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools and a second signal transmission from a second tag device of a second type based on a second frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools.

In some examples, the reader device 1502 may receive the first signal (Signal_1) 1520 from the first tag device 1506 and the second signal (Signal_2) 1522 from the second tag device 1508. In some examples, the reader device 1502 may receive a backscatter signal transmission 1610 transmitted from a passive tag device in the first frequency resource pool 1602 and may receive a backscatter signal transmission 1614 transmitted from a semi-passive tag device in the second frequency resource pool 1604.

At 2506, the reader device receives a third signal transmission from the first tag device in the second subchannel. In some examples, the first frequency resource pool (e.g., the first frequency resource pool 1910 in FIG. 19) includes at least a first subchannel (e.g., the first subchannel (Sub_Ch1) 1912) and a second subchannel (e.g., the second subchannel (Sub_Ch2) 1914) . For example, a passive tag device assigned to the first frequency resource pool 1910 may use the first subchannel 1912 to transmit a first backscatter signal in a first time slot and may use the second subchannel 1914 to transmit a second backscatter signal in a second time slot. In some examples, with reference to FIG. 15, the reader device 1502 may receive the above-mentioned third signal transmission (e.g., the subsequent signal 1524) from the first tag device 1506.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart 2600 of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a reader device (e.g., the UE 104; the reader device 1502, the apparatus 2802/2802'; the processing system 2914, which may include the memory 360 and which may be the entire UE 104 or a component of the UE 104, such as the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and/or the controller/processor 359) .

At 2602, the reader device receives configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices, at least one frequency resource pool, and multiple frequency resource subpools, each of the at least one frequency resource pool including at least one frequency resource subpool, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools.

In some examples, the configuration information may be the configuration information 1510 received at the reader device 1502 as described herein with reference to FIG. 15. In some examples, the multiple types of tag devices may include a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, an active tag device, and/or a hybrid tag device. In some examples, the at least one frequency resource pool may be the frequency resource pool 1702 described with reference to FIG. 17. In some examples, the multiple frequency resource subpools may include the first frequency resource subpool 1704, the second frequency resource subpool 1706, and the third frequency resource subpool 1708 described with reference to FIG. 17.

In some aspects, the at least one frequency resource pool includes a first frequency range (e.g., f_{1_1} to f_{3_2} in FIG. 17) , wherein the first frequency resource subpool includes a second frequency range (e.g., f_{1_1} to f_{1_2} in FIG. 17) , and wherein the second frequency resource subpool includes a third frequency range (e.g., f_{2_1} to f_{2_2} in FIG. 17) , wherein the second frequency range and the third frequency range overlap the first frequency range, and wherein the second frequency range is non-overlapping with the third frequency range. In some aspects, the multiple frequency resource subpools are separated by threshold frequency values (e.g., f_{T_1}, f_{T_2}, f_{T_3}, f_{T_4} in FIG. 17) in the at least one frequency resource pool, and wherein the threshold frequency values are based on frequency shift capabilities of the multiple types of tag devices.

In some examples, the at least one frequency resource pool the includes a first frequency range, wherein the first frequency resource subpool includes a second frequency range, and wherein the second frequency resource subpool includes a third frequency range, wherein the second frequency range and the third frequency range overlap the first frequency range, and wherein the second frequency range overlaps the third frequency range. In some examples, the at least one frequency resource pool may be the frequency resource pool 1802 described with reference to FIG. 18. In some examples, the multiple frequency resource subpools may include the first frequency resource subpool 1804, the second frequency resource subpool 1806, and the third frequency resource subpool 1808 described with reference to FIG. 18.

In some aspects, the multiple frequency resource subpools have different upper frequency boundaries (e.g., f_{1_2}, f_{2_2}, f_{3_2} in FIG. 17 or f₂, f₄, f₆ in FIG. 18) based on different threshold frequency values. In some implementations, each of the different upper frequency boundaries may be set to a frequency value that is less than or equal to a corresponding threshold frequency value (e.g., f_{T_2}, f_{T_3}, f_{T_4} in FIG. 17 or f_{T_2}, f_{T_3}, f_{T_4} in FIG. 18) . For example, each of the different threshold frequency values may be based on frequency shift capabilities (e.g., the maximum frequency shift capabilities 1724, 1726, 1728 in FIG. 17 or the maximum frequency shift capabilities 1824, 1826, 1828 in FIG. 18) of the multiple types of tag devices.

At 2604, the reader device receives at least a first signal transmission from a first tag device of a first type based on a first frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools and a second signal transmission from a second tag device of a second type based on a second frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools.

In some examples, with reference to FIG. 15, the reader device 1502 may receive the first signal (Signal_1) 1520 from the first tag device 1506 and the second signal (Signal_2) 1522 from the second tag device 1508. In some examples, a reader device may receive a backscatter signal transmission (e.g., the first backscatter signal transmission 1712) transmitted from a passive tag device in the first frequency resource subpool 1704 and may receive a second backscatter signal transmission (e.g., the first backscatter signal transmission 1716) transmitted from a semi-passive tag device in the second frequency resource subpool 1706.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart 2700 of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a reader device (e.g., the UE 104; the reader device 1502, the apparatus 2802/2802'; the processing system 2914, which may include the memory 360 and which may be the entire UE 104 or a component of the UE 104, such as the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and/or the controller/processor 359) .

At 2702, the reader device receives first configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and an indication of a plurality of time resources allocated for communication with one or more of the multiple types of tag devices.

In some examples, the configuration information may be the configuration information 1510 received at the reader device 1502 as described herein with reference to FIG. 15. In some examples, the indication of the plurality of time resources (e.g., the tag device time resources 2130) allocated for communication with one or more of the multiple types of tag devices may be a tag device frame bitmap (e.g., the tag device frame bitmap 2125) . In some examples, the multiple types of tag devices may include a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, an active tag device, and/or a hybrid tag device.

At 2704, the reader device transmits second configuration information indicating at least a first operation structure for the plurality of time resources and a first type of tag device and indicating a second operation structure for the plurality of time resources and a second type of tag device. For example, the first operation structure may be the first operation structure 2240 for a passive tag device and the second operation structure may be the second operation structure 2260 for a semi-passive tag device as described in FIG. 22.

In some aspects, a time resource of the plurality of time resources included in the first operation structure and the second operation structure is configured for a first operation (e.g., the power operation 2244) in the first operation structure (e.g., the first operation structure 2240) and for a second operation (e.g., the tag device forward link operation 2264) in the second operation structure (e.g., the second operation structure 2260) .

In some aspects, the first type of tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device. The second operation may be associated with a backward link communication (e.g., the tag device backward link operation 2290) when the first operation is associated with a mute operation (e.g., the mute operation 2250) or when the apparatus provides energy (e.g., an RF source signal) to the passive tag device or the semi-passive tag device.

In some aspects, the first type of tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device, wherein the second operation is associated with a mute operation (e.g., the mute operation 2288) when the first operation is associated with a backward link communication (e.g., the tag device backward link operation 2248) or a forward link communication.

In some aspects, the first type of tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device, wherein the first operation is associated with a mute operation (e.g., the mute operation 2250) when the apparatus does not provide energy (e.g., the RF source signal 2297) to the passive tag device or the semi-passive tag device.

In some aspects, the first type of tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device, wherein the first operation is associated with an energy harvesting operation (e.g., the power operation 2244) if the plurality of time resources are not contiguous (e.g., due to the gap 2251 in FIG. 22) or if the apparatus was temporarily unable to provide energy to the passive tag device or the semi-passive tag device.

In some aspects, the first operation and the second operation reduce an interference between the first type of tag device and the second type of tag device. In some aspects, the first type of tag device or the second type of tag device is one of a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, or an active tag device.

FIG. 28 is a conceptual data flow diagram 2800 illustrating the data flow between different means/components in an example apparatus 2802. The apparatus may be a reader device, such as a UE. The apparatus includes a reception component 2804 that receives wireless signals (e.g., RF signals) .

The apparatus includes a configuration information reception component 2806 that receives configuration information (e.g., configuration information 2814 via the reception component 2804 and a signal 2816) indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and multiple frequency resource pools, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools. The configuration information reception component 2806 further receives configuration information (e.g., configuration information 2814 via the reception component 2804 and a signal 2816) indicating at least multiple types of tag devices, at least one frequency resource pool, and multiple frequency resource subpools, each of the at least one frequency resource pool including at least one frequency resource subpool, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools. The configuration information reception component 2806 further receives first configuration information (e.g., configuration information 2814 via the reception component 2804 and a signal 2816) indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and an indication of a plurality of time resources allocated for communication with one or more of the multiple types of tag devices.

The apparatus further includes a configuration information transmission component 2808 that transmits second configuration information (e.g., configuration information 2824 via a signal 2820 and the transmission component 2812) indicating at least a first operation structure for the plurality of time resources and a first type of tag device and indicating a second operation structure for the plurality of time resources and a second type of tag device. The configuration information transmission component 2808 may receive the configuration information 2814 from the configuration information reception component 2806 via a signal 2818. The configuration information transmission component 2808 may provide configuration information to the signal reception component 2810 via a signal 2822 to enable reception of signal transmissions from tags of different types.

The apparatus further includes a signal reception component 2810 that receives at least a first signal transmission (e.g., signal_1 2828 via the reception component 2804 and a signal 2830) from a first tag device (e.g., tag device_1 2860) of a first type based on a first frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools and a second signal transmission (e.g., signal_2 2832 via the reception component 2804 and a signal 2830) from a second tag device (e.g., tag device_2 2870) of a second type based on a second frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools.

The signal reception component 2810 further receives a third signal transmission (e.g., signal_3 2836) from the first tag device (e.g., tag device_1 2860) in the second subchannel.

The signal reception component 2810 further receives at least a first signal transmission (e.g., signal_1 2828 via the reception component 2804 and a signal 2830) from a first tag device (e.g., tag device_1 2860) of a first type based on a first frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools and a second signal transmission (e.g., signal_2 2832 via the reception component 2804 and a signal 2830) from a second tag device (e.g., tag device_2 2870) of a second type based on a second frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools.

The apparatus further includes a transmission component 2812 that transmits wireless signals (e.g., RF signals) . In some implementations, the transmission component 2812 may transmit an RF source signal 2826, 2834 to the first and/or second tag devices.

The apparatus may include additional components that perform each of the blocks of the algorithm in the aforementioned flowcharts of FIGs. 25-27. As such, each block in the aforementioned flowcharts of FIGs. 25-27 may be performed by a component and the apparatus may include one or more of those components. The components may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to carry out the stated processes/algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the stated processes/algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

FIG. 29 is a diagram 2900 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 2802' employing a processing system 2914. The processing system 2914 may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the bus 2924. The bus 2924 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system 2914 and the overall design constraints. The bus 2924 links together various circuits including one or more processors and/or hardware components, represented by the processor 2904, the components 2804, 2806, 2808, 2810, 2812, and the computer-readable medium /memory 2906. The bus 2924 may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further.

The processing system 2914 may be coupled to a transceiver 2910. The transceiver 2910 is coupled to one or more antennas 2920. The transceiver 2910 provides a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver 2910 receives a signal from the one or more antennas 2920, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 2914, specifically the reception component 2804. In addition, the transceiver 2910 receives information from the processing system 2914, specifically the transmission component 2812, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas 2920. The processing system 2914 includes a processor 2904 coupled to a computer-readable medium /memory 2906. The processor 2904 is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium /memory 2906. The software, when executed by the processor 2904, causes the processing system 2914 to perform the various functions described supra for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium /memory 2906 may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor 2904 when executing software. The processing system 2914 further includes at least one of the components 2804, 2806, 2808, 2810, 2812. The components may be software components running in the processor 2904, resident/stored in the computer readable medium /memory 2906, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor 2904, or some combination thereof. The processing system 2914 may be a component of the UE 350 and may include the memory 360 and/or at least one of the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller/processor 359. Alternatively, the processing system 2914 may be the entire UE (e.g., see 350 of FIG. 3) .

In one configuration, the apparatus 2802/2802' for wireless communication includes means for receiving configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and multiple frequency resource pools, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools, means for receiving configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices, at least one frequency resource pool, and multiple frequency resource subpools, each of the at least one frequency resource pool including at least one frequency resource subpool, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools, means for receiving first configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and an indication of a plurality of time resources allocated for communication with one or more of the multiple types of tag devices, means for transmitting second configuration information indicating at least a first operation structure for the plurality of time resources and a first type of tag device and indicating a second operation structure for the plurality of time resources and a second type of tag device, means for receiving at least a first signal transmission from a first tag device of a first type based on a first frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools and a second signal transmission from a second tag device of a second type based on a second frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools, means for receiving a third signal transmission from the first tag device in the second subchannel, means for receiving at least a first signal transmission from a first tag device of a first type based on a first frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools and a second signal transmission from a second tag device of a second type based on a second frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools.

The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the apparatus 2802 and/or the processing system 2914 of the apparatus 2802' configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means. As described supra, the processing system 2914 may include the TX Processor 368, the RX Processor 356, and the controller/processor 359. As such, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX Processor 368, the RX Processor 356, and the controller/processor 359 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart 3000 of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a tag device (e.g., the tag device 105, 107, 1202, 1206, 1212, 1506, 1508; the apparatus 3302/3302'; the processing system 3414) .

At 3002, the tag device receives configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and multiple frequency resource pools, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools.

In some examples, the tag device may be the first tag device 1506 and the configuration information may be the configuration information 1512 from the reader device 1502 as described herein with reference to FIG. 15. In some examples, the multiple types of tag devices may include a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, an active tag device, and/or a hybrid tag device.

In some examples, the multiple frequency resource pools may include the frequency resource pools 1602, 1604, 1606 described herein with reference to FIG. 16. In some examples, the first frequency resource pool (e.g., the first frequency resource pool (FRP_1) 1602) includes a first frequency range extending from a first frequency (e.g., f_{1_1} in FIG. 16) to a second frequency (e.g., f_{1_2} in FIG. 16) .

In some examples, the multiple frequency resource pools may include the frequency resource pools 1910, 1920, 1930 described herein with reference to FIG. 19. In these examples, at least one of the multiple frequency resource pools includes at least a first subchannel and a second subchannel. For example, the first frequency resource pool 1910 may be divided into multiple subchannels, such as a first subchannel (Sub_Ch1) 1912 and a second subchannel (Sub_Ch2) 1914. In some examples, a first size of the first subchannel is different from a second size of the second subchannel, and wherein at least one of the first size of the first subchannel or the second size of the second subchannel is based on a data transmission rate of one of the multiple types of tag devices.

At 3004, the tag device transmits a signal transmission based on a frequency resource pool associated with a type of the tag device. In some examples, the first tag device 1506 may transmit a first signal (Signal_1) 1520 in response to the RF source signal 1516. For example, the first signal 1520 may be a backscatter signal in a backward link. In some examples, a first passive tag device may perform a first backscatter signal transmission 1610 in the first frequency resource pool 1602.

At 3006, the tag device transmits a second signal transmission in the second subchannel. For example, a passive tag device assigned to the first frequency resource pool 1910 may use the first subchannel 1912 to transmit a first backscatter signal in a first time slot and may use the second subchannel 1914 to transmit a second backscatter signal in a second time slot. In some examples, the second signal transmission in the second subchannel may be the subsequent signal 1524 from the first tag device 1506.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart 3100 of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a tag device (e.g., the tag device 105, 107, 1202, 1206, 1212, 1506, 1508; the apparatus 3302/3302'; the processing system 3414) .

At 3102, the tag device receives configuration information indicating multiple types of tag devices, at least one frequency resource pool, and multiple frequency resource subpools, each of the at least one frequency resource pool including at least one frequency resource subpool, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools.

In some examples, the at least one frequency resource pool may be the frequency resource pool 1702 described with reference to FIG. 17. In some examples, the multiple frequency resource subpools may include the first frequency resource subpool 1704, the second frequency resource subpool 1706, and the third frequency resource subpool 1708 described with reference to FIG. 17.

In some aspects, the at least one frequency resource pool includes a first frequency range (e.g., f_{1_1} to f_{3_2} in FIG. 17) , wherein the first frequency resource subpool includes a second frequency range (e.g., f_{1_1} to f_{1_2} in FIG. 17) , and wherein the second frequency resource subpool includes a third frequency range (e.g., f_{2_1} to f_{2_2} in FIG. 17) , wherein the second frequency range and the third frequency range overlap the first frequency range, and wherein the second frequency range is non-overlapping with the third frequency range. In some aspects, the multiple frequency resource subpools are separated by threshold frequency values (e.g., f_{T_1}, f_{T_2}, f_{T_3}, f_{T_4} in FIG. 17) in the at least one frequency resource pool, and the threshold frequency values are based on frequency shift capabilities of the multiple types of tag devices.

In some examples, the at least one frequency resource pool includes a first frequency range, the first frequency resource subpool includes a second frequency range, and the second frequency resource subpool includes a third frequency range. The second frequency range and the third frequency range overlap the first frequency range, and the second frequency range overlaps the third frequency range. In some examples, the at least one frequency resource pool may be the frequency resource pool 1802 described with reference to FIG. 18. In some examples, the multiple frequency resource subpools may include the first frequency resource subpool 1804, the second frequency resource subpool 1806, and the third frequency resource subpool 1808 described with reference to FIG. 18.

In some aspects, the multiple frequency resource subpools have different upper frequency boundaries (e.g., f_{1_2}, f_{2_2}, f_{3_2} in FIG. 17 or f₂, f₄, f₆ in FIG. 18) based on different threshold frequency values. For example, each of the different threshold frequency values are based on frequency shift capabilities (e.g., the maximum frequency shift capabilities 1724, 1726, 1728 in FIG. 17 or the maximum frequency shift capabilities 1824, 1826, 1828 in FIG. 18) of the multiple types of tag devices.

At 3104, the tag device transmits a signal transmission based on a frequency resource subpool associated with a type of the tag device. In some examples, with reference to FIG. 15, the first tag device 1506 may transmit the first signal (Signal_1) 1520. In some examples, the tag device may be a passive tag device associated with the first frequency resource subpool 1704 and may transmit a backscatter signal transmission (e.g., the first backscatter signal transmission 1712) in the first frequency resource subpool 1704.

At 3106, the tag device transmits a second signal transmission in the second subchannel.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart 3200 of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a tag device (e.g., the tag device 105, 107, 1202, 1206, 1212, 1506, 1508; the apparatus 3302/3302'; the processing system 3414) .

At 3202, the tag device receives configuration information indicating one or more types of tag devices and one or more operation structures for a plurality of time resources, wherein each of the one or more types of tag devices are associated with a different operation structure of the one or more operation structures.

In some examples, the configuration information may be the configuration information 1512 received from the reader device 1502 as described herein with reference to FIG. 15. In some examples, the multiple types of tag devices may include a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, an active tag device, and/or a hybrid tag device. For example, the configuration information may include the first operation structure 2240 for a passive tag device, the second operation structure 2260 for a semi-passive tag device, and the third operation structure 2280 for an active tag device as described in FIG. 22.

In some examples, the tag device may be a passive tag device and the one or more operation structures may include an operation structure (e.g., the first operation structure 2240) associated with the tag device (e.g., the passive tag device) . The one or more operation structures may further include a second operation structure (e.g., the second operation structure 2260) associated with a second type of tag device (e.g., the semi-passive tag device) . A time resource of the plurality of time resources is configured for a first operation in the operation structure and for a second operation in the second operation structure.

In some aspects, the type of the tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device. The second operation is associated with a backward link communication when the first operation is associated with a mute operation or when a reader device provides energy to the passive tag device or the semi-passive tag device.

At 3204, the tag device transmits a signal transmission in a time resource of the plurality of time resources based on an operation structure of the one or more operation structures, wherein the operation structure is associated with a type of the tag device. For example, the tag device may be a passive tag device and the operation structure may be the first operation structure 2240 for the passive tag device. The tag device may perform the tag device backward link operation 2248 during the tag device slot 2230.

FIG. 33 is a conceptual data flow diagram 3300 illustrating the data flow between different means/components in an example apparatus 3302. The apparatus may be a tag device. The apparatus includes a reception component 3304 that receives wireless signals (e.g., RF signals) . In some implementations, the reception component 3304 receives an RF source signal 3324 (e.g., a continuous wave) .

The apparatus further includes a configuration information reception component 3306 that receives configuration information (e.g., configuration information 3312 from a reader device 3350) indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and multiple frequency resource pools, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools.

The configuration information reception component 3306 further receives configuration information (e.g., configuration information 3312 from a reader device 3350) indicating multiple types of tag devices, at least one frequency resource pool, and multiple frequency resource subpools, each of the at least one frequency resource pool including at least one frequency resource subpool, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools.

The configuration information reception component 3306 further receives configuration information (e.g., configuration information 3312 from a reader device 3350) indicating one or more types of tag devices and one or more operation structures for a plurality of time resources, wherein each of the one or more types of tag devices are associated with a different operation structure of the one or more operation structures.

For example, the configuration information reception component 3306 may receive the configuration information 3312 via the reception component and a signal 3314. The configuration information reception component 3306 may provide the configuration information 3312 to the signal transmission component 3308 via a signal 3316.

The apparatus further includes a signal transmission component 3308 that transmits a signal transmission (e.g., signal_1 3320) based on a frequency resource pool associated with a type (e.g., a type of tag device) of the apparatus. For example, the signal transmission component 3308 may transmit the signal_1 3320 via a signal 3318 and the transmission component 3310.

The signal transmission component 3308 further transmits a second signal transmission (e.g., signal_2 3322) in the second subchannel. For example, the signal transmission component 3308 may transmit the signal_2 3322 via the signal 3318 and the transmission component 3310.

The signal transmission component 3308 further transmits a signal transmission (e.g., signal_1 3320) based on a frequency resource subpool associated with a type (e.g., a type of tag device) of the apparatus.

The signal transmission component 3308 further transmits a signal transmission (e.g., signal_1 3320) in a time resource of the plurality of time resources based on an operation structure of the one or more operation structures, wherein the operation structure is associated with a type (e.g., a type of tag device) of the apparatus.

The apparatus further includes a transmission component 3310 that transmits wireless signals (e.g., RF signals) .

The apparatus may include additional components that perform each of the blocks of the algorithm in the aforementioned flowcharts of FIGs. 30-32. As such, each block in the aforementioned flowcharts of FIGs. 30-32 may be performed by a component and the apparatus may include one or more of those components. The components may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to carry out the stated processes/algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the stated processes/algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

FIG. 34 is a diagram 3400 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 3302' employing a processing system 3414. The processing system 3414 may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the bus 3424. The bus 3424 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system 3414 and the overall design constraints. The bus 3424 links together various circuits including one or more processors and/or hardware components, represented by the processor 3404, the components 3304, 3306, 3308, 3310, and the computer-readable medium /memory 3406. The bus 3424 may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further.

The processing system 3414 may be coupled to a transceiver 3410. The transceiver 3410 is coupled to one or more antennas 3420. The transceiver 3410 provides a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver 3410 receives a signal from the one or more antennas 3420, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 3414, specifically the reception component 3304. In addition, the transceiver 3410 receives information from the processing system 3414, specifically the transmission component 3310, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas 3420. The processing system 3414 includes a processor 3404 coupled to a computer-readable medium /memory 3406. The processor 3404 is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium /memory 3406. The software, when executed by the processor 3404, causes the processing system 3414 to perform the various functions described supra for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium /memory 3406 may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor 3404 when executing software. The processing system 3414 further includes at least one of the components 3304, 3306, 3308, 3310. The components may be software components running in the processor 3404, resident/stored in the computer readable medium /memory 3406, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor 3404, or some combination thereof.

In one configuration, the apparatus 3302/3302' for wireless communication includes means for receiving configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and multiple frequency resource pools, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools, means for receiving configuration information indicating multiple types of tag devices, at least one frequency resource pool, and multiple frequency resource subpools, each of the at least one frequency resource pool including at least one frequency resource subpool, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools, means for receiving configuration information indicating one or more types of tag devices and one or more operation structures for a plurality of time resources, wherein each of the one or more types of tag devices are associated with a different operation structure of the one or more operation structures, means for transmitting a signal transmission based on a frequency resource pool associated with a type (e.g., a type of tag device) of the apparatus, means for transmitting a second signal transmission in the second subchannel, means for transmitting a signal transmission based on a frequency resource subpool associated with a type (e.g., a type of tag device) of the apparatus, means for transmitting a signal transmission in a time resource of the plurality of time resources based on an operation structure of the one or more operation structures, wherein the operation structure is associated with a type (e.g., a type of tag device) of the apparatus. The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the apparatus 3302 and/or the processing system 3414 of the apparatus 3302' configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

The following provides an overview of aspects of the present disclosure:

Aspect 1: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to: receive configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and multiple frequency resource pools, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools; and receive at least a first signal transmission from a first tag device of a first type based on a first frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools and a second signal transmission from a second tag device of a second type based on a second frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools.

Aspect 2: The apparatus of aspect 1, wherein the first frequency resource pool includes a first frequency range extending from a first frequency to a second frequency, and wherein the second frequency resource pool includes a second frequency range extending from a third frequency to a fourth frequency.

Aspect 3: The apparatus of aspect 1 or 2, wherein the third frequency is higher than the second frequency.

Aspect 4: The apparatus of any of aspects 1 through 3, wherein at least one of the multiple frequency resource pools includes at least a first subchannel and a second subchannel.

Aspect 5: The apparatus of any of aspects 1 through 4, wherein a first size of the first subchannel is different from a second size of the second subchannel, and wherein at least one of the first size of the first subchannel or the second size of the second subchannel is based on a data transmission rate of one of the multiple types of tag devices.

Aspect 6: The apparatus of any of aspects 1 through 5, wherein the first frequency resource pool includes at least a first subchannel and a second subchannel, wherein the first signal transmission is received in the first subchannel, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive a third signal transmission from the first tag device in the second subchannel.

Aspect 7: The apparatus of any of aspects 1 through 6, wherein the first signal transmission is received in the first subchannel during a first slot and the third signal transmission is received in the second subchannel during a second slot.

Aspect 8: The apparatus of any of aspects 1 through 7, wherein a guard band is situated at a first end and a second end of at least one of the multiple frequency resource pools.

Aspect 9: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to: receive configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices, at least one frequency resource pool, and multiple frequency resource subpools, each of the at least one frequency resource pool including at least one frequency resource subpool, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools; and receive at least a first signal transmission from a first tag device of a first type based on a first frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools and a second signal transmission from a second tag device of a second type based on a second frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools.

Aspect 10: The apparatus of aspect 9, wherein the at least one frequency resource pool includes a first frequency range, wherein the first frequency resource subpool includes a second frequency range, and wherein the second frequency resource subpool includes a third frequency range, wherein the second frequency range and the third frequency range overlap the first frequency range, and wherein the second frequency range is non-overlapping with the third frequency range.

Aspect 11: The apparatus of aspect 9 or 10, wherein the multiple frequency resource subpools are separated by threshold frequency values in the at least one frequency resource pool, and wherein the threshold frequency values are based on frequency shift capabilities of the multiple types of tag devices.

Aspect 12: The apparatus of any of aspects 9 through 11, wherein the at least one frequency resource pool includes a first frequency range, wherein the first frequency resource subpool includes a second frequency range, and wherein the second frequency resource subpool includes a third frequency range, wherein the second frequency range and the third frequency range overlap the first frequency range, and wherein the second frequency range overlaps the third frequency range.

Aspect 13: The apparatus of any of aspects 9 through 12, wherein the multiple frequency resource subpools have different upper frequency boundaries based on different threshold frequency values, wherein each of the different threshold frequency values are based on frequency shift capabilities of the multiple types of tag devices.

Aspect 14: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to: receive first configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and an indication of a plurality of time resources allocated for communication with one or more of the multiple types of tag devices; and transmit second configuration information indicating at least a first operation structure for the plurality of time resources and a first type of tag device and indicating a second operation structure for the plurality of time resources and a second type of tag device.

Aspect 15: The apparatus of aspect 14, wherein a time resource of the plurality of time resources included in the first operation structure and the second operation structure is configured for a first operation in the first operation structure and for a second operation in the second operation structure.

Aspect 16: The apparatus of aspect 14 or 15, wherein the first type of tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device, wherein the second operation is associated with a backward link communication when the first operation is associated with a mute operation or when the apparatus provides energy to the passive tag device or the semi-passive tag device.

Aspect 17: The apparatus of any of aspects 14 through 16, wherein the first type of tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device, wherein the second operation is associated with a mute operation when the first operation is associated with a backward link communication or a forward link communication.

Aspect 18: The apparatus of any of aspects 14 through 17, wherein the first type of tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device, wherein the first operation is associated with a mute operation when the apparatus does not provide energy to the passive tag device or the semi-passive tag device.

Aspect 19: The apparatus of any of aspects 14 through 18, wherein the first type of tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device, wherein the first operation is associated with an energy harvesting operation if the plurality of time resources are not contiguous or if the apparatus was temporarily unable to provide energy to the passive tag device or the semi-passive tag device.

Aspect 20: The apparatus of any of aspects 14 through 19, wherein the first operation and the second operation reduce an interference between the first type of tag device and the second type of tag device.

Aspect 21: The apparatus of any of aspects 14 through 20, wherein the first type of tag device or the second type of tag device is one of a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, or an active tag device.

Aspect 22: A tag device for wireless communication, comprising: a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to: receive configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and multiple frequency resource pools, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools; and transmit a signal transmission based on a frequency resource pool associated with a type of the tag device.

Aspect 23: The tag device of aspect 22, wherein the frequency resource pool includes a frequency range extending from a first frequency to a second frequency.

Aspect 24: The tag device of aspect 22 or 23, wherein the frequency resource pool includes at least a first subchannel and a second subchannel.

Aspect 25: The tag device of any of aspects 22 through 24, wherein a first size of the first subchannel is different from a second size of the second subchannel, and wherein at least one of the first size of the first subchannel or the second size of the second subchannel is based on a data transmission rate of one of the multiple types of tag devices.

Aspect 26: The tag device of any of aspects 22 through 25, wherein the frequency resource pool includes at least a first subchannel and a second subchannel, wherein the signal transmission is transmitted in the first subchannel, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: transmit a second signal transmission in the second subchannel.

Aspect 27: The tag device of any of aspects 22 through 26, wherein the signal transmission is transmitted in the first subchannel during a first slot and the second signal transmission is transmitted in the second subchannel during a second slot.

Aspect 28: The tag device of any of aspects 22 through 27, wherein a guard band is situated at a first end and a second end of the frequency resource pool.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes /flowcharts disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes /flowcharts may be rearranged. Further, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various blocks in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more. ” The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration. ” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C, ” “one or more of A, B, or C, ” “at least one of A, B, and C, ” “one or more of A, B, and C, ” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” include any combination of A, B, and/or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C, ” “one or more of A, B, or C, ” “at least one of A, B, and C, ” “one or more of A, B, and C, ” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, where any such combinations may contain one or more member or members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. The words “module, ” “mechanism, ” “element, ” “device, ” and the like may not be a substitute for the word “means. ” As such, no claim element is to be construed as a means plus function unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for. ”

Claims

An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:

receive configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and multiple frequency resource pools, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools; and

receive at least a first signal transmission from a first tag device of a first type based on a first frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools and a second signal transmission from a second tag device of a second type based on a second frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first frequency resource pool includes a first frequency range extending from a first frequency to a second frequency, and wherein the second frequency resource pool includes a second frequency range extending from a third frequency to a fourth frequency.
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the third frequency is higher than the second frequency.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the multiple frequency resource pools includes at least a first subchannel and a second subchannel.
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a first size of the first subchannel is different from a second size of the second subchannel, and wherein at least one of the first size of the first subchannel or the second size of the second subchannel is based on a data transmission rate of one of the multiple types of tag devices.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first frequency resource pool includes at least a first subchannel and a second subchannel, wherein the first signal transmission is received in the first subchannel, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive a third signal transmission from the first tag device in the second subchannel.
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first signal transmission is received in the first subchannel during a first slot and the third signal transmission is received in the second subchannel during a second slot.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a guard band is situated at a first end and a second end of at least one of the multiple frequency resource pools.
An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:

receive configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices, at least one frequency resource pool, and multiple frequency resource subpools, each of the at least one frequency resource pool including at least one frequency resource subpool, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools; and

receive at least a first signal transmission from a first tag device of a first type based on a first frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools and a second signal transmission from a second tag device of a second type based on a second frequency resource subpool of the multiple frequency resource subpools.
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one frequency resource pool includes a first frequency range, wherein the first frequency resource subpool includes a second frequency range, and wherein the second frequency resource subpool includes a third frequency range, wherein the second frequency range and the third frequency range overlap the first frequency range, and wherein the second frequency range is non-overlapping with the third frequency range.
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the multiple frequency resource subpools are separated by threshold frequency values in the at least one frequency resource pool, and wherein the threshold frequency values are based on frequency shift capabilities of the multiple types of tag devices.
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one frequency resource pool includes a first frequency range, wherein the first frequency resource subpool includes a second frequency range, and wherein the second frequency resource subpool includes a third frequency range, wherein the second frequency range and the third frequency range overlap the first frequency range, and wherein the second frequency range overlaps the third frequency range.
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the multiple frequency resource subpools have different upper frequency boundaries based on different threshold frequency values, wherein each of the different threshold frequency values are based on frequency shift capabilities of the multiple types of tag devices.
An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:

receive first configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and an indication of a plurality of time resources allocated for communication with one or more of the multiple types of tag devices; and

transmit second configuration information indicating at least a first operation structure for the plurality of time resources and a first type of tag device and indicating a second operation structure for the plurality of time resources and a second type of tag device.
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein a time resource of the plurality of time resources included in the first operation structure and the second operation structure is configured for a first operation in the first operation structure and for a second operation in the second operation structure.
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first type of tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device, wherein the second operation is associated with a backward link communication when the first operation is associated with a mute operation or when the apparatus provides energy to the passive tag device or the semi-passive tag device.
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first type of tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device, wherein the second operation is associated with a mute operation when the first operation is associated with a backward link communication or a forward link communication.
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first type of tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device, wherein the first operation is associated with a mute operation when the apparatus does not provide energy to the passive tag device or the semi-passive tag device.
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first type of tag device is a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device and the second type of tag device is an active tag device, wherein the first operation is associated with an energy harvesting operation if the plurality of time resources are not contiguous or if the apparatus was temporarily unable to provide energy to the passive tag device or the semi-passive tag device.
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first operation and the second operation reduce an interference between the first type of tag device and the second type of tag device.
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first type of tag device or the second type of tag device is one of a passive tag device, a semi-passive tag device, or an active tag device.
A tag device for wireless communication, comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:

receive configuration information indicating at least multiple types of tag devices and multiple frequency resource pools, wherein each of the multiple types of tag devices are associated with a different frequency resource pool of the multiple frequency resource pools; and

transmit a signal transmission based on a frequency resource pool associated with a type of the tag device.
The tag device of claim 22, wherein the frequency resource pool includes a frequency range extending from a first frequency to a second frequency.
The tag device of claim 22, wherein the frequency resource pool includes at least a first subchannel and a second subchannel.
The tag device of claim 24, wherein a first size of the first subchannel is different from a second size of the second subchannel, and wherein at least one of the first size of the first subchannel or the second size of the second subchannel is based on a data transmission rate of one of the multiple types of tag devices.
The tag device of claim 22, wherein the frequency resource pool includes at least a first subchannel and a second subchannel, wherein the signal transmission is transmitted in the first subchannel, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

transmit a second signal transmission in the second subchannel.
The tag device of claim 26, wherein the signal transmission is transmitted in the first subchannel during a first slot and the second signal transmission is transmitted in the second subchannel during a second slot.
The tag device of claim 22, wherein a guard band is situated at a first end and a second end of the frequency resource pool.