WO2025123718A1

WO2025123718A1 - Aiot random access

Info

Publication number: WO2025123718A1
Application number: PCT/CN2024/110484
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jing HAN; Jie Hu; Lihua Yang; Luning Liu; Haiming Wang
Original assignee: Lenovo Beijing Ltd
Current assignee: Lenovo Beijing Ltd
Priority date: 2024-08-07
Filing date: 2024-08-07
Publication date: 2025-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-07

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to ambient internet of things (AIoT) random access. In an aspect, a first device transmits, to a second device, a message 1 (Msg1) of an ambient internet of things (AIoT) random access procedure in a first frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources. The first device receives, from the second device, a message 2 (Msg2) of the AIoT random access procedure, wherein the Msg 2 is associated with the first frequency resource.

Description

AIOT RANDOM ACCESS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and more specifically to devices, processors for wireless communication and methods for ambient internet of things (AIoT) random access.

BACKGROUND

A wireless communications system may include one or multiple network communication devices, such as base stations (BSs) , which may be otherwise known as an eNodeB (eNB) , a next-generation NodeB (gNB) , or other suitable terminology. Each network communication devices, such as a base station may support wireless communications for one or multiple user communication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE) , or other suitable terminology. The wireless communications system may support wireless communications with one or multiple user communication devices by utilizing resources of the wireless communication system (e.g., time resources (e.g., symbols, slots, subframes, frames, or the like) or frequency resources (e.g., subcarriers, carriers) . Additionally, the wireless communications system may support wireless communications across various radio access technologies including third generation (3G) radio access technology, fourth generation (4G) radio access technology, fifth generation (5G) radio access technology, among other suitable radio access technologies beyond 5G (e.g., sixth generation (6G) ) .

Internet of things (IoT) has attracted much attention in the wireless communication world. More ‘things’ are expected to be interconnected for improving productivity efficiency and increasing comforts of life. Most of the current wireless IoT devices are powered by battery that need to be replaced or recharged manually. The automation and digitalization of various industries open numbers of markets requiring enhanced IoT technologies of supporting battery-less devices with no energy storage capability or devices with energy storage that do not need to be replaced or recharged manually. Technologies are under development to capture use cases, traffic scenarios, device constraints of ambient power-enabled IoT devices and identify potential service requirements as well as potential key performance indicators. Enhancements for AIoT networks, especially, enhancements on AIoT random access, are still needed.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to methods, apparatuses, and systems that support AIoT random access. With the apparatuses and methods, the procedure and signalings of FDM-based AIoT random access are designed.

In a first aspect of the solution, a first device transmits, to a second device, a message 1 (Msg1) of an ambient internet of things (AIoT) random access procedure in a first frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources. The first device receives, from the second device, a message 2 (Msg2) of the AIoT random access procedure, wherein the Msg 2 is associated with the first frequency resource.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the Msg1 is transmitted in a first Msg1 resource in the first frequency resource. A start point of the receiving of the Msg2 is based on one of the following: a first time offset after an end time of a Msg1 transmission resource for the plurality of frequency resources, wherein the first Msg1 resource is located in the Msg1 transmission resource; a first time window after an end time of a Msg1 transmission resource for the plurality of frequency resources, wherein the first Msg1 resource is located in the Msg1 transmission resource; a second time offset after an end time of the first Msg1 resource; or an indication in a reader-to-device (R2D) message received after transmitting the Msg1.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the first time offset is predefined.

Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: receiving, from the second device, a first indication of one of the following: the first time offset; the first time window; a start time and an end time of the first time window; a start time and a time duration of the first time window; or the second time offset.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the first indication is carried in one of the following: an AIoT paging message; or an access trigger message.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the end time of the Msg1 transmission resource is associated with one of the following: the end time of the first Msg1 resource; or the first Msg1 resource and a ratio between the first frequency resource and a lowest frequency resource among the plurality of frequency resources

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the plurality of frequency resources may include a plurality of Msg1 resources. The Msg2 may include at least one confirmation indication corresponding to Msg1 transmission in at least one Msg1 resource among the plurality of Msg1 resources.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the Msg2 is received in a first R2D resource associated with the first frequency resource.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the first frequency resource may include one or more Msg1 resources. The Msg2 may include at least one confirmation indication corresponding to Msg1 transmission in at least one Msg1 resource among the one or more Msg1 resources.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the Msg1 is transmitted in a first Msg1 resource in the first frequency resource, the Msg2 may include a first confirmation indication corresponding to Msg1 transmission in the first Msg1 resource. Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: transmitting, to the second device, a message 3 (Msg3) of the AIoT random access procedure in a first Msg3 resource in a second frequency resource among a second plurality of frequency resources. The first Msg3 resource is determined based on a Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources, and one of the following: an order of the first confirmation indication in the at least one confirmation indication, or an index of the first Msg3 resource, wherein the index is associated with the first confirmation indication.

Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: transmitting, to the second device, a Msg3 of the AIoT random access procedure in a Msg3 resource in a second frequency resource among a second plurality of frequency resources; and receiving, from the second device, a message 4 (Msg4) of the AIoT random access procedure.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, a start point of the receiving of the Msg4 is based on one of the following: a third time offset after an end time of a Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources, wherein the first Msg3 resource is located in the Msg3 transmission resource; a second time window after an end time of a Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources, wherein the first Msg3 resource is located in the Msg3 transmission resource; a fourth time offset after an end time of the first Msg3 resource; or an indication in a R2D message received after transmitting the Msg3.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, an indication of a total time-frequency resource of the Msg3 transmission resource is comprised in one of the following: the Msg2, an AIoT paging message, or an access trigger message. The Msg3 transmission resource has a same frequency division multiplexing scheme as a Msg1 transmission resource for the plurality of frequency resources.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the third time offset is predefined.

Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: receiving, from the second device, a second indication of one of the following: the third time offset; the second time window; a start time and an end time of the second time window; a start time and a time duration of the second time window; or the fourth time offset.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the second indication is carried in one of the following: an AIoT paging message; or an access trigger message.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the end time of the Msg3 transmission resource is associated with one of the following: the end time of the first Msg3 resource; or the first Msg3 resource and a ratio between the second frequency resource and a lowest frequency resource among the plurality of frequency resources.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the second plurality of frequency resources may include a plurality of Msg3 resources. The Msg4 may include one of the following: an indication of an acknowledgement or a negative acknowledgement for Msg3 transmission in each Msg3 resource among the plurality of Msg3 resources; or an indication of a negative acknowledgement for Msg3 transmission in at least one Msg3 resource among the plurality of Msg3 resources and an indication of the at least one Msg3 resource.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the Msg4 is received in a second R2D resource associated with the second frequency resource.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the second frequency resource may include one or more Msg3 resources. The Msg4 may include one of the following: an indication of an acknowledgement or a negative acknowledgement for Msg3 transmission in each Msg3 resource among the one or more Msg3 resources; or an indication of a negative acknowledgement for Msg3 transmission in at least one Msg3 resource among the one or more Msg3 resources and an indication of the at least one Msg3 resource.

In a second aspect of the solution, a second device receives, from a first device, a message 1 (Msg1) of an ambient internet of things (AIoT) random access procedure in a first frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources. The second device transmits, to the first device, a message 2 (Msg2) of the AIoT random access procedure, wherein the Msg 2 is associated with the first frequency resource.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the Msg1 is received in a Msg1 resource in the first frequency resource. A start point of the transmitting of the Msg2 is based on one of the following: a first time offset after an end time of a Msg1 transmission resource for the plurality of frequency resources, wherein the first Msg1 resource is located in the Msg1 transmission resource; a first time window after an end time of a Msg1 transmission resource for the plurality of frequency resources, wherein the first Msg1 resource is located in the Msg1 transmission resource; a second time offset after an end time of the first Msg1 resource; or an indication in a R2D message transmitted after receiving the Msg1.

Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: transmitting, to the first device, a first indication of one of the following: the first time offset; the first time window; a start time and an end time of the first time window; a start time and a time duration of the first time window; or the second time offset.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the plurality of frequency resources may include a plurality of Msg1 resources, the Msg2 may include at least one confirmation indication corresponding to Msg1 transmission in at least one Msg1 resource among the plurality of Msg1 resources.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the Msg2 is transmitted in a first R2D resource associated with the first frequency resource.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the first frequency resource may include one or more Msg1 resources, the Msg2 may include at least one confirmation indication corresponding to Msg1 transmission in at least one Msg1 resource among the one or more Msg1 resources.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the Msg1 is received in a first Msg1 resource in the first frequency resource, the Msg2 may include a first confirmation indication corresponding to the first Msg1 resource.

Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: receiving, from the first device, a message 3 (Msg3) of the AIoT random access procedure in a first Msg3 resource in a second frequency resource among a second plurality of frequency resources. The first Msg3 resource is determined based on: a Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources, and one of the following: an order of the first confirmation indication in the at least one confirmation indication, or an index of the first Msg3 resource, wherein the index is associated with the first confirmation indication.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the plurality of frequency resources is a first plurality of frequency resources. Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: receiving, from the first device, a Msg3 of the AIoT random access procedure in a Msg3 resource in a second frequency resource among a second plurality of frequency resources; and transmitting, to the first device, a message 4 (Msg4) of the AIoT random access procedure.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, a start point of the transmitting of the Msg4 is based on one of the following: a third time offset after an end time of a Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources, wherein the first Msg3 resource is located in the Msg3 transmission resource; a second time window after an end time of a Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources, wherein the first Msg3 resource is located in the Msg3 transmission resource; a fourth time offset after an end time of the first Msg3 resource; or an indication in a reader-to-device (R2D) message transmitted after receiving the Msg3.

Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include: transmitting, to the first device, a second indication of one of the following: the third time offset; the second time window; a start time and an end time of the second time window; a start time and a time duration of the second time window; or the fourth time offset.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the second plurality of frequency resources may include a plurality of Msg3 resources, and the Msg4 may include one of the following: an indication of an acknowledgement or a negative acknowledgement for Msg3 transmission in each Msg3 resource among the plurality of Msg3 resources; or an indication of a negative acknowledgement for Msg3 transmission in at least one Msg3 resource among the plurality of Msg3 resources and an indication of the at least one Msg3 resource.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the Msg4 is transmitted in a second R2D resource associated with the second frequency resource.

In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the second frequency resource may include one or more Msg3 resources, and the Msg4 may include one of the following: an indication of an acknowledgement or a negative acknowledgement for Msg3 transmission in each Msg3 resource among the one or more Msg3 resources; or an indication of a negative acknowledgement for Msg3 transmission in at least one Msg3 resource among the one or more Msg3 resources and an indication of the at least one Msg3 resource.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a wireless communications system that supports AIoT random access in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example of Topology 1 for AIoT networks in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1C illustrates an example of Topology 2 for AIoT networks in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1D illustrates an example of Topology 3 with downlink assistance for AIoT networks in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1E illustrates an example of Topology 3 with uplink assistance for AIoT networks in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1F illustrates an example of Topology 4 for AIoT networks in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1G illustrates an example of an overall access stratum procedure in AIoT networks in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1H illustrates an example of an overall AIoT random access procedure in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 1I through 1K illustrate example of three frequency division multiplexing (FDM) cases for AIoT random access in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example process that supports AIoT random access in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a general procedure for FDM-based AIoT random access in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A through 4C illustrate examples of the Msg1 resources for different FDM cases in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively.

FIG. 4D illustrates an example of Msg2 reception in time domain in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A through 5C illustrate examples of mapping between Msg1 resources and confirmations in Msg2 for different FDM cases in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively.

FIGS. 6A through 6C illustrate examples of determination of Msg3 resources in a Msg3 occasion for different FDM cases in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively.

FIGS. 7A through 7C illustrate examples of Msg3 resources mapping for different FDM cases in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively.

FIGS. 8A through 8B illustrate examples of Msg4 reception for FDM case 1 in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a device that supports AIoT random access in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a processor that supports AIoT random access in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 11 through 12 illustrate flowcharts of methods that support AIoT random access in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure described herein may be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

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

References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment, ” “an example embodiment, ” “an embodiment, ” “some embodiments, ” and the like indicate that the embodiment (s) described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment (s) . Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

It shall be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” or the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element could also be termed as a second element, and similarly, a second element could also be termed as a first element, without departing from the scope of embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

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

As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as 5G new radio (NR) , LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) , Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) , High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) , Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) , and so on. Further, the communications between a UE and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including but not limited to, the first generation (1G) , the second generation (2G) , 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G) , the 4G, 4.5G, the 5G communication protocols, and/or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will also be future type communication technologies and systems in which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned systems.

As used herein, the term “network device” generally refers to a node in a communication network via which a UE can access the communication network and receive services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP) , for example, a node B (NodeB or NB) , a radio access network (RAN) node, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB) , a NR NB (also referred to as a gNB) , a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) , a radio header (RH) , an infrastructure device for a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, a transmission and reception point (TRP) , a reception point (RP) , a remote radio head (RRH) , a relay, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node such as a femto a base station (BS) , a pico BS, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. The network device may further refer to a network function (NF) in the core network, for example, a service management function (SMF) , an access and mobility management function (AMF) , a policy control function (PCF) , a user plane function (UPF) or devices with same function in future network architectures, and so forth.

As used herein, the term “user equipment (UE) ” generally refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communications. By way of example rather than a limitation, a UE may also be referred to as a communication device, a terminal device, an end user device, a subscriber station (SS) , an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) , a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS) , or an access terminal (AT) . The UE may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a tablet, a wearable UE, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , a portable computer, a desktop computer, an image capture UE such as a digital camera, a gaming UE, a music storage and playback appliance, a vehicle-mounted wireless UE, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE) , laptop-mounted equipment (LME) , a USB dongle, a smart device, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE) , an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD) , a vehicle, a drone, a medical device (for example, a remote surgery device) , an industrial device (for example, a robot and/or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and/or an automated processing chain contexts) , a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and/or industrial wireless networks, and the like. In the following description, the terms: “UE, ” “communication device, ” “terminal, ” and “UE, ” may be used interchangeably.

As used herein, the term “AIoT device” refers to a device without batteries or with limited energy storage capabilities. For the AIoT device, energy is provided by harvesting radio waves, light, motion, heat, or any other suitable source. The AIoT device can also be called a zero-power terminal, a near-zero power terminal, a passive IoT device, an ambient backscatter communication (AmBC) device, a tag, etc. Compared with low-power and wide-coverage services, such as narrow band (NB) IoT, and enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) , AIoT has lower complexity and lower power consumption, and is suitable for more application scenarios.

Principles and implementations of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the figures.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a wireless communications system (or referred to as a communication network) 100 that supports AIoT random access in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system 100 may include one or more network entities 102 (also referred to as network equipment) , one or more UEs 104, a core network 106, and a packet data network 108. The wireless communications system 100 may support various radio access technologies. In some implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a 4G network, such as an LTE network or an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network. In some other implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a 5G network, such as an NR network. In other implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a combination of a 4G network and a 5G network, or other suitable radio access technology including Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi) , IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) , IEEE 802.20. The wireless communications system 100 may support radio access technologies beyond 5G. Additionally, the wireless communications system 100 may support technologies, such as time division multiple access (TDMA) , frequency division multiple access (FDMA) , or code division multiple access (CDMA) , etc.

The one or more network entities 102 may be dispersed throughout a geographic region to form the wireless communications system 100. One or more of the network entities 102 described herein may be or include or may be referred to as a network node, a base station, a network element, a radio access network (RAN) , a base transceiver station, an access point, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB) , a next-generation NodeB (gNB) , or other suitable terminology. A network entity 102 and a UE 104 may communicate via a communication link 110, which may be a wireless or wired connection. For example, a network entity 102 and a UE 104 may perform wireless communication (e.g., receive signaling, transmit signaling) over a Uu interface.

A network entity 102 may provide a geographic coverage area 112 for which the network entity 102 may support services (e.g., voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. ) for one or more UEs 104 within the geographic coverage area 112. For example, a network entity 102 and a UE 104 may support wireless communication of signals related to services (e.g., voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. ) according to one or multiple radio access technologies. In some implementations, a network entity 102 may be moveable, for example, a satellite associated with a non-terrestrial network. In some implementations, different geographic coverage areas 112 associated with the same or different radio access technologies may overlap, but the different geographic coverage areas 112 may be associated with different network entities 102. Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

The one or more UEs 104 may be dispersed throughout a geographic region of the wireless communications system 100. A UE 104 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a remote unit, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology. In some implementations, the UE 104 may be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE 104 may be referred to as an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device, an Internet-of-Everything (IoE) device, or machine-type communication (MTC) device, among other examples. In some implementations, a UE 104 may be stationary in the wireless communications system 100. In some other implementations, a UE 104 may be mobile in the wireless communications system 100.

The one or more UEs 104 may be devices in different forms or having different capabilities. Some examples of UEs 104 are illustrated in FIG. 1A. A UE 104 may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as the network entities 102, other UEs 104, or network equipment (e.g., the core network 106, the packet data network 108, a relay device, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, or another network equipment) , as shown in FIG. 1A. Additionally, or alternatively, a UE 104 may support communication with other network entities 102 or UEs 104, which may act as relays in the wireless communications system 100.

A UE 104 may also be able to support wireless communication directly with other UEs 104 over a communication link 114. For example, a UE 104 may support wireless communication directly with another UE 104 over a device-to-device (D2D) communication link. In some implementations, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) deployments, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) deployments, or cellular-V2X deployments, the communication link 114 may be referred to as a sidelink. For example, a UE 104 may support wireless communication directly with another UE 104 over a PC5 interface.

A network entity 102 may support communications with the core network 106, or with another network entity 102, or both. For example, a network entity 102 may interface with the core network 106 through one or more backhaul links 116 (e.g., via an S1, N2, N2, or another network interface) . The network entities 102 may communicate with each other over the backhaul links 116 (e.g., via an X2, Xn, or another network interface) . In some implementations, the network entities 102 may communicate with each other directly (e.g., between the network entities 102) . In some other implementations, the network entities 102 may communicate with each other or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 106) . In some implementations, one or more network entities 102 may include subcomponents, such as an access network entity, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC) . An ANC may communicate with the one or more UEs 104 through one or more other access network transmission entities, which may be referred to as a radio heads, smart radio heads, or transmission-reception points (TRPs) .

In some implementations, a network entity 102 may be configured in a disaggregated architecture, which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack physically or logically distributed among two or more network entities 102, such as an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open RAN (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance) , or a virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a cloud RAN (C-RAN) ) . For example, a network entity 102 may include one or more of a central unit (CU) , a distributed unit (DU) , a radio unit (RU) , a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) (e.g., a Near-Real Time RIC (Near-RT RIC) , a Non-Real Time RIC (Non-RT RIC) ) , a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) system, or any combination thereof.

An RU may also be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, a remote radio head (RRH) , a remote radio unit (RRU) , or a transmission reception point (TRP) . One or more components of the network entities 102 in a disaggregated RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of the network entities 102 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations) . In some implementations, one or more network entities 102 of a disaggregated RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., a virtual CU (VCU) , a virtual DU (VDU) , a virtual RU (VRU) ) .

Split of functionality between a CU, a DU, and an RU may be flexible and may support different functionalities depending upon which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, radio frequency functions, and any combinations thereof) are performed at a CU, a DU, or an RU. For example, a functional split of a protocol stack may be employed between a CU and a DU such that the CU may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the DU may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. In some implementations, the CU may host upper protocol layer (e.g., a layer 3 (L3) , a layer 2 (L2) ) functionality and signaling (e.g., radio resource control (RRC) , service data adaption protocol (SDAP) , Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) ) . The CU may be connected to one or more DUs or RUs, and the one or more DUs or RUs may host lower protocol layers, such as a layer 1 (L1) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or an L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, MAC layer) functionality and signaling, and may each be at least partially controlled by the CU.

Additionally, or alternatively, a functional split of the protocol stack may be employed between a DU and an RU such that the DU may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the RU may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DU may support one or multiple different cells (e.g., via one or more RUs) . In some implementations, a functional split between a CU and a DU, or between a DU and an RU may be within a protocol layer (e.g., some functions for a protocol layer may be performed by one of a CU, a DU, or an RU, while other functions of the protocol layer are performed by a different one of the CU, the DU, or the RU) .

A CU may be functionally split further into CU control plane (CU-CP) and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. A CU may be connected to one or more DUs via a midhaul communication link (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u) , and a DU may be connected to one or more RUs via a fronthaul communication link (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface) . In some implementations, a midhaul communication link or a fronthaul communication link may be implemented in accordance with an interface (e.g., a channel) between layers of a protocol stack supported by respective network entities 102 that are in communication via such communication links.

The core network 106 may support user authentication, access authorization, tracking, connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 106 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) , or a 5G core (5GC) , which may include a control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME) , an access and mobility management functions (AMF) ) and a user plane entity that routes packets or interconnects to external networks (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW) , a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (P-GW) , or a user plane function (UPF) ) . In some implementations, the control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management (e.g., data bearers, signal bearers, etc. ) for the one or more UEs 104 served by the one or more network entities 102 associated with the core network 106.

The core network 106 may communicate with the packet data network 108 over one or more backhaul links 116 (e.g., via an S1, N2, N2, or another network interface) . The packet data network 108 may include an application server 118. In some implementations, one or more UEs 104 may communicate with the application server 118. A UE 104 may establish a session (e.g., a protocol data unit (PDU) session, or the like) with the core network 106 via a network entity 102. The core network 106 may route traffic (e.g., control information, data, and the like) between the UE 104 and the application server 118 using the established session (e.g., the established PDU session) . The PDU session may be an example of a logical connection between the UE 104 and the core network 106 (e.g., one or more network functions of the core network 106) .

In the wireless communications system 100, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may use resources of the wireless communications system 100 (e.g., time resources (e.g., symbols, slots, subframes, frames, or the like) or frequency resources (e.g., subcarriers, carriers) ) to perform various operations (e.g., wireless communications) . In some implementations, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support different resource structures. For example, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support different frame structures. In some implementations, such as in 4G, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support a single frame structure. In some other implementations, such as in 5G and among other suitable radio access technologies, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support various frame structures (i.e., multiple frame structures) . The network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support various frame structures based on one or more numerologies.

One or more numerologies may be supported in the wireless communications system 100, and a numerology may include a subcarrier spacing and a cyclic prefix. A first numerology (e.g., μ=0) may be associated with a first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. In some implementations, the first numerology (e.g., μ=0) associated with the first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) may utilize one slot per subframe. A second numerology (e.g., μ=1) may be associated with a second subcarrier spacing (e.g., 30 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. A third numerology (e.g., μ=2) may be associated with a third subcarrier spacing (e.g., 60 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix or an extended cyclic prefix. A fourth numerology (e.g., μ=3) may be associated with a fourth subcarrier spacing (e.g., 120 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. A fifth numerology (e.g., μ=4) may be associated with a fifth subcarrier spacing (e.g., 240 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix.

A time interval of a resource (e.g., a communication resource) may be organized according to frames (also referred to as radio frames) . Each frame may have a duration, for example, a 10 millisecond (ms) duration. In some implementations, each frame may include multiple subframes. For example, each frame may include 10 subframes, and each subframe may have a duration, for example, a 1 ms duration. In some implementations, each frame may have the same duration. In some implementations, each subframe of a frame may have the same duration.

Additionally or alternatively, a time interval of a resource (e.g., a communication resource) may be organized according to slots. For example, a subframe may include a number (e.g., quantity) of slots. The number of slots in each subframe may also depend on the one or more numerologies supported in the wireless communications system 100. For instance, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth numerologies (i.e., μ=0, μ=1, μ=2, μ=3, μ=4) associated with respective subcarrier spacings of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, and 240 kHz may utilize a single slot per subframe, two slots per subframe, four slots per subframe, eight slots per subframe, and 16 slots per subframe, respectively. Each slot may include a number (e.g., quantity) of symbols (e.g., OFDM symbols) . In some implementations, the number (e.g., quantity) of slots for a subframe may depend on a numerology. For a normal cyclic prefix, a slot may include 14 symbols. For an extended cyclic prefix (e.g., applicable for 60 kHz subcarrier spacing) , a slot may include 12 symbols. The relationship between the number of symbols per slot, the number of slots per subframe, and the number of slots per frame for a normal cyclic prefix and an extended cyclic prefix may depend on a numerology. It should be understood that reference to a first numerology (e.g., μ=0) associated with a first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) may be used interchangeably between subframes and slots.

In the wireless communications system 100, an electromagnetic (EM) spectrum may be split, based on frequency or wavelength, into various classes, frequency bands, frequency channels, etc. By way of example, the wireless communications system 100 may support one or multiple operating frequency bands, such as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz –7.125 GHz) , FR2 (24.25 GHz –52.6 GHz) , FR3 (7.125 GHz –24.25 GHz) , FR4 (52.6 GHz –114.25 GHz) , FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz –71 GHz) , and FR5 (114.25 GHz –300 GHz) . In some implementations, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may perform wireless communications over one or more of the operating frequency bands. In some implementations, FR1 may be used by the network entities 102 and the UEs 104, among other equipment or devices for cellular communications traffic (e.g., control information, data) . In some implementations, FR2 may be used by the network entities 102 and the UEs 104, among other equipment or devices for short-range, high data rate capabilities.

FR1 may be associated with one or multiple numerologies (e.g., at least three numerologies) . For example, FR1 may be associated with a first numerology (e.g., μ=0) , which includes 15 kHz subcarrier spacing; a second numerology (e.g., μ=1) , which includes 30 kHz subcarrier spacing; and a third numerology (e.g., μ=2) , which includes 60 kHz subcarrier spacing. FR2 may be associated with one or multiple numerologies (e.g., at least 2 numerologies) . For example, FR2 may be associated with a third numerology (e.g., μ=2) , which includes 60 kHz subcarrier spacing; and a fourth numerology (e.g., μ=3) , which includes 120 kHz subcarrier spacing.

AIoT devices are characterized according to their energy storage capacity, and capability of generating RF signals for their transmissions. An AIoT device has either no energy storage at all, or has limited energy storage. Multiple connectivity topologies for AIoT networks and devices are defined for the purposes of the study. In all these topologies, the AIoT device may be provided with a carrier wave from other node (s) either inside or outside the topology. The links in each topology may be bidirectional or unidirectional. Reference is made to FIGS. 1B through 1F to give example illustrations of these topologies. In the example illustrations, BS, UE, assisting node, or intermediate node could be implemented as multiple BSs, multiple UEs, multiple assisting nodes, or multiple intermediate nodes, respectively. The mixture of indoor and outdoor placement of such nodes is regarded as a network implementation choice. Account would need to be taken of potential impact on device or node complexity. In the connectivity topologies, this does not imply the existence of multi-hop assisting or intermediate nodes.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example of Topology 1. As shown in FIG. 1B, in Topology 1, an AIoT device 121 communicates with a base station 122 directly and bi-directionally. The communication between the base station 122 and the AIoT device 121 includes AIoT data and/or signalling. This topology includes a possibility that a transmission from the base station 122 to the AIoT device 121 is different from a transmission from the AIoT device 121 to the base station 122.

FIG. 1C illustrates an example of Topology 2. As shown in FIG. 1C, in Topology 2, an AIoT device 131 communicates bidirectionally with an intermediate node 133 between the AIoT device 131 and a base station 132. In this topology, the intermediate node 133 may be a relay node, an IAB node, a UE, a repeater, etc., which is capable of AIoT. The intermediate node 133 transfers AIoT data and/or signalling between the base station 132 and the AIoT device 131.

FIG. 1D illustrates an example of Topology 3 with downlink assistance. FIG. 1E illustrates an example of Topology 3 with uplink assistance. As shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E, in Topology 3, an AIoT device 141 communicates with a base station 142 directly in one communication direction and communicates with an assisting node 143 between the AIoT device 141 and the base station 142 in another communication direction. In the Topology 3 with downlink assistance in FIG. 1D, the AIoT device 141 transmits data/signalling to the base station 142, and receives data/signalling from the assisting node 143. In the Topology 3 with uplink assistance in FIG. 1E, the AIoT device 141 receives data/signalling from the base station 142 and transmits data/signalling to the assisting node 143. In the Topology 3, the assisting node 143 can be a relay, IAB, UE, repeater, etc. which is capable of ambient IoT.

FIG. 1F illustrates an example of Topology 4. As shown in FIG. 1F, in Topology 4, an AIoT device 151 communicates with a UE 153 directly and bi-directionally. The communication between the UE 153 and the AIoT device 151 includes AIoT data and/or signalling.

The basic procedure for an AIoT device to enable data transmission includes, for example, paging, random access, data transmission, etc. FIG. 1G illustrates an example of an overall access stratum procedure 160 in AIoT networks in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The example procedure 160 of FIG. 1G is depicted and will be described from perspectives of an AIoT device 161 and a reader 163. The example procedure 160 applies to the topologies shown in FIGS. 1B through 1F and other possible topologies. It should be understood that the procedure 160 is merely for illustration, and not for limitation. The procedure 160 may further include additional blocks not shown and/or omit some shown blocks, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

As shown in FIG. 1G, in step A, based on the service request, the reader sends the AIoT paging message indicating device (s) that need to respond. As used herein, the term “AIoT paging message” may be used interchangeably with the term “ (initial) trigger message” . In step B, the triggered AIoT device (s) perform the device ID transmission via the AIoT random access procedure or without using the AIoT random access procedure. In step C, the data transmission between the AIoT device (s) and the reader may be performed, including possible R2D data transmission (e.g. for sending the command) and possible D2R data transmission (e.g. the corresponding response to the command) .

The AIoT random access procedure is used for the Ambient IoT device (s) to access the network for data transmission. The AIoT random access may be triggered by the reader, including triggering the access for a single AIoT device, group of AIoT devices, or all AIoT devices under the coverage of the reader. The AIoT random access procedure may be implemented in various manners, e.g., “4-step” or also called “3-step” contention based random access (CBRA) , “2-step” CBRA, contention free random access (CFRA) , etc.

FIG. 1H illustrates an example of an overall AIoT random access procedure 170 in AIoT networks in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The example procedure 170 of FIG. 1H is depicted and will be described from perspectives of an AIoT device 171 and a reader 173. The example procedure 170 may be regarded as a specific example of the step B in the procedure 160 in FIG. 1G. The example procedure 170 applies to the topologies shown in FIGS. 1B through 1F and other possible topologies. It should be understood that the procedure 170 is merely for illustration, and not for limitation. The procedure 170 may further include additional blocks not shown and/or omit some shown blocks, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

As shown in FIG. 1H, in step 1, when the AIoT random access is triggered by the reader and the AIoT device is selected to respond, the AIoT device determines the random access type and access occasion/resource. If the random access is contention-free access, the AIoT device selects the indicated D2R occasion/resource, skips the contention resolution in Step 2 and performs the Step 3 for data transmission. If the random access is contention-based random access, the AIoT device performs access occasion/resource determination/selection and performs the Step 2 for contention resolution.

In step 2, there are two options for the AIoT device to perform the contention resolution of contention-based random access. In the first option, when the AIoT device identifies the start of its own access occasion, the AIoT device sends one random ID (i.e., an AIoT Msg1 without data) generated by the AIoT device to the reader. The reader responds with the successfully received random ID in AIoT Msg2. If the AIoT device receives the AIoT Msg2 including a random ID, which is the same as the previously transmitted one in AIoT Msg1, it considers the contention resolution as successful. The AIoT Msg2 is used for contention resolution, since it is assumed that the size of random ID in AIoT Msg1 should be sufficient for contention resolution purpose. The AIoT devices, which select the same access occasion/resource, sending the same value of the random ID in AIoT Msg1 will be sufficiently low probability case, with the sufficient value range of random ID.

In the second option, when the AIoT device identifies the start of its own access occasion, the AIoT device sends the AIoT Msg1 including the upper layer data, which can be the device ID and/or any other upper layer data. In other words, the AIoT device sends and AIoT Msg1 with data to the reader. The reader may respond with the successfully received information in AIoT Msg2. If the AIoT device receives the AIoT Msg2 including successfully received information, which is the echo to the previously transmitted one in AIoT Msg1, the AIoT device considers the contention resolution as successful.

In step 3, after the AIoT device considers the contention resolution as successful if the contention-based random access is used, or if the contention-free access is used, the AIoT device may perform the upper layer data transmission with the reader, which can be the device ID and/or any other upper layer data, if any. In Step 3, it is understood that the subsequent R2D transmission after the D2R transmission does not need to be always sent.

The baseline solution for some AIoT random access procedures is time-division multiplexing (TDM) , i.e., the reader handles the random access from AIoT device one by one in time domain i.e. one access occasion can only access one AIoT device. Recently, FDM based random access is under discussion, which means multiple AIoT devices can perform random access simultaneously in one access occasion.

FIGS. 1I through 1K illustrate example of three FDM cases for AIoT random access in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. It should be understood that other FDM cases for AIoT random access are also possible.

In FDM Case 1 shown in FIG. 1I, in the same access occasion, there are multiple frequency resources for access. In each frequency resource, the time slot for transmission has a same length.

In FDM Case 2 shown in FIG. 1J, in the same access occasion, there are multiple frequency resources for access. In each frequency resource, the time slot for transmission has a different length.

In FDM Case 3 shown in FIG. 1K, in the same access occasion, there are multiple frequency resources for access. In each frequency resource, the time slot for transmission has a different length. Additionally, in each frequency resource, there are one or multiple time slots for access.

In some implementations, the access trigger message may be common for all frequencies of a specific access occasion. Based on such assumption, studies on the FDM based random access procedure and resource allocation for each step of the random access (e.g., Msg1～Msg4 for 4-step CBRA, and Msg1～Msg2 for 2-step CBRA) are needed. It should be noted that although embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the CBRA procedure, some embodiments of the present disclosure may also apply to other AIoT random access procedures.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for AIoT random access. In one aspect of the solution of the present disclosure, a first device (for example, an AIoT device) transmits a Msg1 of an AIoT random access procedure to a second device (for example, a UE reader) in a first frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources. The first device receives a Msg2 of the AIoT random access procedure from the second device. The Msg 2 is associated with the first frequency resource. The procedure and signalings of FDM-based AIoT random access are designed. In this way, it is possible to improve the flexibility and efficiency of the AIoT random access, and thus improve the AIoT system performance efficiently.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example process 200 in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1B through 1F. The process 200 may involve a first device 201 and a second device 202. The first device 201 may be implemented as an AIoT device as shown in FIGS. 1B through 1F. The second device 202 may be implemented as a reader as shown in FIGS. 1B through 1F. The example process 200 applies to the topologies shown in FIGS. 1B through 1F and other possible topologies. It is to be understood that the steps and the order of the steps in FIG. 2 are merely for illustration, and not for limitation. It is to be understood that the process 200 may further include additional blocks not shown and/or omit some shown blocks, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first device 201 transmits (211) , to the second device 202, a Msg1 212 of an AIoT random access procedure in a first frequency resource among a first plurality of frequency resources. The second device 202 receives (213) the Msg1 212 in the first frequency resource and transmits (214) , to the first device 201, a Msg2 215 of the AIoT random access procedure. The first device 201 receives (216) the Msg2 215 from the second device 202. The Msg2 215 is associated with the first frequency resource. In other words, multiple frequency resources may be configured for Msg1 transmission in AIoT random access. An AIoT device may transmit the Msg1 in one of the configured frequency resources and receive a Msg2 associated with the frequency resource used for Msg1 transmission.

In some embodiments, the Msg1 212 may be transmitted in a first Msg1 resource in the first frequency resource. The first Msg1 resource may be located in a Msg1 transmission resource for the first plurality of frequency resources. In the FDM case 1, in one access occasion, there may be one Msg1 resource for Msg1 transmission in each frequency resource, and the time slots for Msg1 transmission in Msg1 resources in different frequency resources have the same length. In the FDM case 2, in one access occasion, there may be one Msg1 resource for Msg1 transmission in each frequency resource, and the time slots for Msg1 transmission in Msg1 resources in different frequency resources have different lengths. In the FDM case 3, in one access occasion, there may be one or multiple Msg1 resources for Msg1 transmission in each frequency resource, the time slots for Msg1 transmission in different Msg1 resources in the same frequency resource have the same length while the time slots for Msg1 transmission in Msg1 resources in different frequency resources have different lengths.

In some embodiments, a configuration of a total time-frequency resource of the Msg1 transmission resource for the first plurality of frequency resources may be included in an AIoT paging message. Alternatively, a configuration of a total time-frequency resource of the Msg1 transmission resource for the first plurality of frequency resources may be included in an access trigger message. The first device 201 may determine multiple Msg1 resources for Msg1 transmission in the first plurality of frequency resources based on the configuration of the total time-frequency resource of the Msg1 transmission resource and the FDM scheme for the AIoT random access procedure.

In some embodiments, the process 200 may be implemented as a 2-step FDM-based random access procedure. Alternatively, the process 200 may be implemented as a 4-step FDM-based random access procedure. The first device 201 may transmit a Msg3 of the AIoT random access procedure to the second device 202 in a Msg3 resource in a second frequency resource among a second plurality of frequency resources, and receive a Msg4 of the AIoT random access procedure from the second device 202. In other words, multiple frequency resources may be configured for Msg3 transmission in 4-step FDM- based AIoT random access. An AIoT device may transmit the Msg3 in one of the configured frequency resources.

In one embodiment, an A-IoT device may determine to perform a contention based random access to respond to an AIoT paging message or an access trigger message. There may be multiple frequency resources configured for AIoT random access. These frequency resources may be configured e.g., in the AIoT paging message or the access trigger message. Within the whole random access procedure, Msg1 occasion may be the longest time duration that an A-IoT device transmits a Msg1 on different frequency resources configured for random access. Similarly, Msg3 occasion may be the longest time duration that an A-IoT device transmits a Msg3 on different frequency resources. The frequency resources for Msg3 may be indicated by the reader. Msg1 transmission in Msg1 occasion and Msg3 transmission in Msg3 occasion are based on FDM and have the same FDM scheme. Msg2 (and optionally Msg4 for 4-step CBRA) is received on a specific R2D frequency which contains confirmation or response for multiple A-IoT devices. The Msg2 may correspond to at least one Msg1 resource. The Msg4 may correspond to at least one Msg3 resource.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a general procedure for FDM-based AIoT random access in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. In the procedure in FIG. 3, Msg1 transmission, Msg2 transmission, Msg3 transmission and Msg4 transmission are shown and the example apply for a 4-step FDM-based AIoT random access procedure. It should be noted that Msg3 transmission and Msg4 transmission may be omitted and the example apply for a 2-step FDM-based AIoT random access procedure. As shown in FIG. 3, one access occasion, which is triggered by the AIoT paging message or the access trigger message, contains Msg1 occasion (for 2-step CBRA) or contains Msg1 occasion and Msg3 occasion (for 4-step CBRA) . FIG. 3 only shows the total time-frequency resource of the Msg1 transmission resource and the total time-frequency resource of the Msg3 transmission resource. Multiple Msg1 resources and multiple Msg3 resources may be determined based on the FDM scheme (e.g., FDM case 1, FDM case 2 or FDM case 3) .

FIGS. 4A through 4C illustrate examples of the Msg1 resources for different FDM cases in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 4A through 4C, Msg1 occasion is the longest time duration that an A-IoT device transmits a Msg1 on different frequency resources configured for random access. The end time point of the Msg1 occasion corresponds to the end time of the Msg1 transmission resource for the first plurality of frequency resources and may be referred to as “Msg1 occasion complete time” or other terminologies. In some implementations, the end time of the Msg1 transmission resource may be the end time of each Msg1 resource, e.g., in FDM case 1 as shown FIG. 4A. Alternatively, the end time of the Msg1 transmission resource may be associated with the first Msg1 resource and a ratio between the first frequency resource and a lowest frequency resource among the first plurality of frequency resources, e.g., in FDM case 2 as shown in FIG. 4B or FDM case 3 as shown in FIG. 4C. For example, if the Msg1 time duration is 20ms on 160kHz frequency resource, and the lowest frequency resource for Msg1 occasion is 40kHz, then the longest time duration is 20ms*160kHz/40kHz=80ms. Thus, the time duration of Msg1 occasion is 80ms.

Turning back to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, a start point of the receiving of the Msg2 215 may be determined based on a first time offset after an end time of the Msg1 transmission resource for the first plurality of frequency resources. In some examples, the first time offset may be predefined. Alternatively, the first device 201 may receive an indication of the first time offset from the second device 202. The indication of the first time offset may be carried in the AIoT paging message or the access trigger message.

Alternatively, a start point of the receiving of the Msg2 215 may be determined based on a first time window after an end time of the Msg1 transmission resource for the first plurality of frequency resources. In other words, a time window for the start point of Msg2 transmission may be configured with respect to the Msg1 occasion complete time. In some examples, the first device 201 may receive an indication of the first time window from the second device 202. The indication of the first time window may be carried in the AIoT paging message or the access trigger message. Alternatively, the first device 201 may receive an indication of a start time and an end time of the first time window from the second device 202. The indication of the start time and the end time of the first time window may be carried in the AIoT paging message or the access trigger message. Alternatively, the first device 201 may receive an indication of a start time and a time duration of the first time window from the second device 202. The indication of the start time and the time duration of the first time window may be carried in the AIoT paging message or the access trigger message.

FIG. 4D illustrates an example of Msg2 reception in time domain in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The A-IoT device selects a specific time-frequency resource for Msg1 transmission in the Msg1 occasion. The A-IoT device determines the completion time T_{Msg1_complete} of the Msg1 occasion and receives the Msg2 after T_{Msg1_complete}. In one option, the A-IoT device receives the Msg2 at a time offset after T_{Msg1_complete}. In another option, the A-IoT device receive the Msg2 in a time window after T_{Msg1_complete}. The time offset or the time window may be indicated by the reader, e.g., in A-IoT paging message or access trigger message. The time window may also be indicated as “start time” + “end time” , or “starting point” + “time duration” .

Turning back to FIG. 2, in another embodiment, a start point of the receiving of the Msg2 215 may be determined based on a second time offset after an end time of the first Msg1 resource. In other words, the start point of the corresponding Msg2 may be individually configured for each Msg1 resource. The end time of a Msg1 resource is the end time of the Msg1 transmission in the Msg1 resource and may be referred to as “Msg1 transmission complete time” or other terminologies. In some examples, the first device 201 may receive an indication of the second time offset from the second device 202. The indication of the second time offset may be carried in the AIoT paging message or the access trigger message. In other words, the start time to receive Msg2 may be based on a per-frequency time-offset indication which is indicated, e.g., in A-IoT paging message or access trigger message. Without determining the Msg1 occasion complete time, the A-IoT device may start to receive Msg2 after a time offset from the Msg1 transmission complete time of the AIoT device.

Alternatively, a start point of the receiving of the Msg2 215 may be determined based on an indication in a R2D message received after transmitting the Msg1 212. In other words, the start time to receive Msg2 may be indicated in a separate R2D message after Msg1 transmission and before msg2 reception.

In some embodiments, the first plurality of frequency resources may include a plurality of Msg1 resources. The Msg2 215 may include at least one confirmation indication corresponding to Msg1 transmission in at least one Msg1 resource among the plurality of Msg1 resources. The Msg1 212 may be transmitted in a first Msg1 resource among the plurality of Msg1 resources. If the second device 202 receives the Msg1 212 in the first Msg1 resource, the second device 202 may include, in the Msg2 215, a first confirmation indication corresponding to Msg1 transmission in the first Msg1 resource. In other words, for Msg2 reception frequency, all A-IoT devices receive Msg2 in the same R2D frequency. One Msg2 message may contain multiple confirmations which are responses to different Msg1 transmissions on different Msg1 resources. In some implementations, Msg2 may only contain confirmations for Msg1 resource on which there has Msg1 transmission. Msg1 resource index may be included in the confirmation in the Msg2 and an A-IoT device that transmits Msg1 on a specific Msg1 resource will determine whether the confirmations include its corresponding Msg1 resource index as Msg2 response for itself.

FIGS. 5A through 5C illustrate examples of mapping between Msg1 resources and confirmations in Msg2 for different FDM cases in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively. In the example in FIG. 5A, the second device receives Msg1 transmissions in Msg1 resource 1 and Msg1 resource 2 and thus transmits a Msg2 containing Msg1 transmission confirmation information for these Msg1 resources in a sequential order. For example, the confirmation information for Msg1 in Msg1 resource 1 may include the resource index of Msg1 resource 1; and the confirmation information for Msg1 in Msg1 resource 2 may include the resource index of Msg1 resource 2. No Msg1 is transmitted in Msg1 resource 1 and thus Msg2 does not contain the resource index of Msg1 resource 3.

In the example in FIG. 5B, the second device receives Msg1 transmissions in Msg1 resource 1 and thus transmits a Msg2 containing confirmation information for the Msg1 transmissions in Msg1 resource 1. In the example in FIG. 5C, among the Msg1 resources 1～7, the second device receives Msg1 transmissions in Msg1 resources 2, 5, 6 and 7 and thus transmits a Msg2 containing Msg1 transmission confirmation information for these Msg1 resources in a sequential order.

Turning back to FIG. 2, in some alternative embodiments, the Msg2 215 may be received in a first R2D resource associated with the first frequency resource. The first frequency resource may include one or more Msg1 resources. The Msg2 215 may include at least one confirmation indication corresponding to Msg1 transmission in at least one Msg1 resource among the one or more Msg1 resources. The Msg1 212 may be transmitted in a first Msg1 resource among the one or more Msg1 resources. If the second device 202 receives the Msg1 212 in the first Msg1 resource, the second device 202 may include, in the Msg2 215, a first confirmation indication corresponding to Msg1 transmission in the first Msg1 resource. In other words, for Msg2 reception frequency, an A-IoT device receives Msg2 in the associated R2D frequency which has a mapping relationship with Msg1 transmission frequency of the AIoT device.

Taking the Msg1 transmission in FIG. 5C as an example, among the Msg1 resources 1～4 in the first frequency resource, the second device receives Msg1 transmissions in Msg1 resource 2 and thus transmits a first Msg2 containing confirmation information for the Msg1 transmissions (e.g., an index of Msg1 resource 2) in a frequency resource mapped to the first frequency resource. Among the Msg1 resources 5 and 6 in the second frequency resource, the second device receives Msg1 transmissions in Msg1 resources 5 and 6 and thus transmits a second Msg2 containing confirmation information for these Msg1 transmissions (e.g., indexes of Msg1 resources 5 and 6) in a frequency resource mapped to the second frequency resource. The second device receives Msg1 transmissions in Msg1 resource 7 in the third frequency resource and thus transmits a third Msg2 containing confirmation information for the Msg1 transmissions (e.g., an index of Msg1 resource 7) in a frequency resource mapped to the third frequency resource.

Turning back to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the first device 201 may transmit, to the second device 202, a Msg3 of the AIoT random access procedure in a first Msg3 resource in a second frequency resource among a second plurality of frequency resources. In some embodiments, the first Msg3 resource may be determined based on a Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources, and an order of the first confirmation indication in the at least one confirmation indication in Msg2.

In some embodiments, an indication of a total time-frequency resource of the Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources may be included in the Msg2 215. Alternatively, an indication of a total time-frequency resource of the Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources may be included in an AIoT paging message. Alternatively, an indication of a total time-frequency resource of the Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources may be included in an access trigger message. The Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources may have a same frequency division multiplexing scheme as a Msg1 transmission resource for the first plurality of frequency resources. The first device 201 may determine multiple Msg3 resources for Msg3 transmission in the second plurality of frequency resources based on the configuration of the total time-frequency resource of the Msg3 transmission resource and the FDM scheme for the AIoT random access procedure.

For example, if the A-IoT device is performing a 4-step CBRA, and the Msg2 has confirmed Msg1 transmission of the A-IoT device, the A-IoT device may determine a Msg3 resource for Msg3 transmission. Firstly, the total time-frequency domain resource for Msg3 transmission in multiple frequencies may be indicated by the reader in Msg2. For example, Msg2 may indicate the time duration, start time, frequency resources etc. of the Msg3 occasion. FIGS. 6A through 6C illustrate examples of determination of Msg3 resources in a Msg3 occasion for different FDM cases in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 6A through 6C, Msg3 occasion is the longest time duration that an A-IoT device transmits a Msg3 on different frequency resources. The Msg3 occasion may have the same FDM structure with the Msg1 occasion. The time-frequency resource of the Msg3 occasion may be different with that of the Msg1 occasion.

The A-IoT device may determine the Msg3 resource for the Msg3 transmission in the Msg3 occasion. The A-IoT device may determine multiple Msg3 resources in the Msg3 occasion based on the total Msg3 transmission resource (e.g., indicated by the Msg2) , the FDM case. The Msg3 resource for the Msg3 transmission may be determined from the multiple Msg3 resources by the A-IoT device based on the order of the confirmation in Msg2. For example, if Msg2 for specific A-IoT device is in the second confirmation field in Msg2, the A-IoT device will use the second time-frequency resource among the multiple Msg3 resources in the Msg3 occasion for Msg3 transmission. FIGS. 7A through 7C illustrate examples of Msg3 resources mapping for different FDM cases in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively. In the example in FIG. 7A, if the AIoT device receives Msg2 containing the corresponding confirmation information after transmitting Msg1 in Msg1 resource 2 and the corresponding confirmation information is in the second confirmation field, the AIoT device transmits Msg3 in the Msg3 resource 2. In the example in FIG. 7B, if the AIoT device receives Msg2 containing the corresponding confirmation information after transmitting Msg1 in Msg1 resource 3 and the corresponding confirmation information is in the second confirmation field, the AIoT device transmits Msg3 in the Msg3 resource 2. In the example in FIG. 7B, if the AIoT device receives Msg2 containing the corresponding confirmation information after transmitting Msg1 in Msg1 resource 6 and the corresponding confirmation information is in the fourth confirmation field, the AIoT device transmits Msg3 in the Msg3 resource 4.

Alternatively, the first Msg3 resource for transmitting the Msg3 may be determined based on a Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources, and an index of the first Msg3 resource. The index of the first Msg3 resource may be associated with the first confirmation indication in the at least one confirmation indication in Msg2. In other words, the Msg3 resource for transmitting the Msg3 may be indicated in Msg2. Each confirmation field in Msg2 may further contain a Msg3 resource index, so that corresponding AIoT device may transmit Msg3 in the indicated Msg3 resource.

In some implementations, the end time of the Msg3 transmission resource may be the end time of each Msg3 resource, e.g., in FDM case 1 as shown FIGS. 6A and 7B. Alternatively, the end time of the Msg3 transmission resource may be associated with the first Msg3 resource and a ratio between the second frequency resource and a lowest frequency resource among the second plurality of frequency resources, e.g., in FDM case 2 as shown in FIGS. 6B and 7B or FDM case 3 as shown in FIGS. 6C and 7C.

Turning back to FIG. 2, In some embodiments, a start point of the receiving of the Msg4 may be determined based on a third time offset after an end time of the Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources. The first Msg3 resource for transmitting the Msg3 may be located in the Msg3 transmission resource. In some examples, the third time offset may be predefined. Alternatively, the first device 201 may receive an indication of the third time offset from the second device 202. The indication of the third time offset may be carried in the AIoT paging message or the access trigger message. In other words, after transmitting a Msg3, the A-IoT device will try to receive Msg4 if any. The A-IoT device may determine the completion time of Msg3 occasion, and receives Msg4 with a time offset after completion time of Msg3 occasion.

Alternatively, a start point of the receiving of the Msg4 may be determined based on a second time window after an end time of the Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources. In some examples, the first device 201 may receive an indication of the second time window from the second device 202. The indication of the second time window may be carried in the AIoT paging message or the access trigger message. Alternatively, the first device 201 may receive an indication of a start time and an end time of the second time window from the second device 202. The indication of the start time and the end time of the second time window may be carried in the AIoT paging message or the access trigger message. Alternatively, the first device 201 may receive an indication of a start time and a time duration of the second time window from the second device 202. The indication of the start time and the time duration of the second time window may be carried in the AIoT paging message or the access trigger message. In other words, The A-IoT device may determine the completion time of Msg3 occasion, and receives Msg4 in a time window after completion time of Msg3 occasion.

Alternatively, a start point of the receiving of the Msg4 may be determined based on a fourth time offset after an end time of the first Msg3 resource. In some examples, the first device 201 may receive an indication of the fourth time offset from the second device 202. The indication of the fourth time offset may be carried in the AIoT paging message or the access trigger message. Alternatively, a start point of the receiving of the Msg4 may be determined based on an indication in a R2D message received after transmitting the Msg3.

In some embodiments, the second plurality of frequency resources may include a plurality of Msg3 resources. In other words, Msg4 may contain multiple responses for multiple Msg3 transmissions in multiple Msg3 transmission frequencies. In some examples, the Msg4 may include an indication of an acknowledgement or a negative acknowledgement for Msg3 transmission in each Msg3 resource among the plurality of Msg3 resources. In other words, A/N is indicated for each Msg3 transmission in all Msg3 resources in the Msg3 occasion. The order of A/N for Msg3 transmission may correspond to the Msg3 transmission resource index. Alternatively, the Msg4 may include an indication of a negative acknowledgement for Msg3 transmission in at least one Msg3 resource among the plurality of Msg3 resources and an indication of the at least one Msg3 resource. In other words, only NACK (N) is indicated and the corresponding Msg3 resource index may be included in the Msg4. FIGS. 8A through 8B illustrate examples of Msg4 reception for FDM case 1 in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively. In the example in FIG. 8A, the Msg4 may include corresponding ACK/NACK for Msg3 transmission in Msg3 resource 1 and Msg3 resource 2 in a sequential order. In the example in FIG. 8B, the Msg4 may include only NACK for Msg3 transmission in Msg3 resource 2 and the index of Msg3 resource 2.

In some alternative embodiments, the Msg4 may be received in a second R2D resource associated with the second frequency resource. In other words, the AIoT device may receive Msg4 in the associated R2D frequency which has a mapping relationship with the Msg3 transmission frequency on which the Msg3 was transmitted. The second frequency resource may include one or more Msg3 resources. The Msg4 may include an indication of an acknowledgement or a negative acknowledgement for Msg3 transmission in each Msg3 resource among the one or more Msg3 resources. Alternatively, the Msg4 may include an indication of a negative acknowledgement for Msg3 transmission in at least one Msg3 resource among the one or more Msg3 resources and an indication of the at least one Msg3 resource.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a device 900 that supports AIoT random access in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 900 may be an example of the first device 201, the second device 202 or the third device 203 as described herein. The device 900 may support wireless communication with one or more devices in the AIoT system. The device 900 may include components for bi-directional communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a processor 902, a memory 904, a transceiver 906, and, optionally, an I/O controller 908. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses) .

The processor 902, the memory 904, the transceiver 906, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of the present disclosure as described herein. For example, the processor 902, the memory 904, the transceiver 906, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the operations described herein.

In some implementations, the processor 902, the memory 904, the transceiver 906, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry) . The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP) , an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some implementations, the processor 902 and the memory 904 coupled with the processor 902 may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., executing, by the processor 902, instructions stored in the memory 904) .

For example, the processor 902 may support wireless communication at the device 900 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 902 may be configured to operable to support a means for transmitting, to a second device, a message 1 (Msg1) of an ambient internet of things (AIoT) random access procedure in a first frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources; and a means for receiving, from the second device, a message 2 (Msg2) of the AIoT random access procedure, wherein the Msg 2 is associated with the first frequency resource.

In another example, the processor 902 may support wireless communication at the device 900 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 902 may be configured to operable to support a means for receiving, from a first device, a message 1 (Msg1) of an ambient internet of things (AIoT) random access procedure in a first frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources; and a means for transmitting, to the first device, a message 2 (Msg2) of the AIoT random access procedure, wherein the Msg 2 is associated with the first frequency resource.

The processor 902 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof) . In some implementations, the processor 902 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other implementations, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor 902. The processor 902 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 904) to cause the device 900 to perform various functions of the present disclosure.

The memory 904 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM) . The memory 904 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 902 cause the device 900 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some implementations, the code may not be directly executable by the processor 902 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some implementations, the memory 904 may include, among other things, a basic I/O system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

The I/O controller 908 may manage input and output signals for the device 900. The I/O controller 908 may also manage peripherals not integrated into the device M02. In some implementations, the I/O controller 908 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral. In some implementations, the I/O controller 908 may utilize an operating system such as or another known operating system. In some implementations, the I/O controller 908 may be implemented as part of a processor, such as the processor 902. In some implementations, a user may interact with the device 900 via the I/O controller 908 or via hardware components controlled by the I/O controller 908.

In some implementations, the device 900 may include a single antenna 910. However, in some other implementations, the device 900 may have more than one antenna 910 (i.e., multiple antennas) , including multiple antenna panels or antenna arrays, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 906 may communicate bi-directionally, via the one or more antennas 910, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 906 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 906 may also include a modem to modulate the packets, to provide the modulated packets to one or more antennas 910 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one or more antennas 910. The transceiver 906 may include one or more transmit chains, one or more receive chains, or a combination thereof.

A transmit chain may be configured to generate and transmit signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) . The transmit chain may include at least one modulator for modulating data onto a carrier signal, preparing the signal for transmission over a wireless medium. The at least one modulator may be configured to support one or more techniques such as amplitude modulation (AM) , frequency modulation (FM) , or digital modulation schemes like phase-shift keying (PSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) . The transmit chain may also include at least one power amplifier configured to amplify the modulated signal to an appropriate power level suitable for transmission over the wireless medium. The transmit chain may also include one or more antennas 910 for transmitting the amplified signal into the air or wireless medium.

A receive chain may be configured to receive signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) over a wireless medium. For example, the receive chain may include one or more antennas 910 for receive the signal over the air or wireless medium. The receive chain may include at least one amplifier (e.g., a low-noise amplifier (LNA) ) configured to amplify the received signal. The receive chain may include at least one demodulator configured to demodulate the receive signal and obtain the transmitted data by reversing the modulation technique applied during transmission of the signal. The receive chain may include at least one decoder for decoding the processing the demodulated signal to receive the transmitted data.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a processor 1000 that supports AIoT random access in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The processor 1000 may be an example of a processor configured to perform various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor 1000 may include a controller 1002 configured to perform various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor 1000 may optionally include at least one memory 1004, such as L1/L2/L3 cache. Additionally, or alternatively, the processor 1000 may optionally include one or more arithmetic-logic units (ALUs) 1006. One or more of these components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses) .

The processor 1000 may be a processor chipset and include a protocol stack (e.g., a software stack) executed by the processor chipset to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, retrieving, transmitting, outputting, forwarding, storing, determining, identifying, accessing, writing, reading) in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor chipset may include one or more cores, one or more caches (e.g., memory local to or included in the processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1000) or other memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) , read-only memory (ROM) , dynamic RAM (DRAM) , synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) , static RAM (SRAM) , ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) , magnetic RAM (MRAM) , resistive RAM (RRAM) , flash memory, phase change memory (PCM) , and others) .

The controller 1002 may be configured to manage and coordinate various operations (e.g., signaling, receiving, obtaining, retrieving, transmitting, outputting, forwarding, storing, determining, identifying, accessing, writing, reading) of the processor 1000 to cause the processor 1000 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. For example, the controller 1002 may operate as a control unit of the processor 1000, generating control signals that manage the operation of various components of the processor 1000. These control signals include enabling or disabling functional units, selecting data paths, initiating memory access, and coordinating timing of operations.

The controller 1002 may be configured to fetch (e.g., obtain, retrieve, receive) instructions from the memory 1004 and determine subsequent instruction (s) to be executed to cause the processor 1000 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The controller 1002 may be configured to track memory address of instructions associated with the memory 1004. The controller 1002 may be configured to decode instructions to determine the operation to be performed and the operands involved. For example, the controller 1002 may be configured to interpret the instruction and determine control signals to be output to other components of the processor 1000 to cause the processor 1000 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 1002 may be configured to manage flow of data within the processor 1000. The controller 1002 may be configured to control transfer of data between registers, arithmetic logic units (ALUs) , and other functional units of the processor 1000.

The memory 1004 may include one or more caches (e.g., memory local to or included in the processor 1000 or other memory, such RAM, ROM, DRAM, SDRAM, SRAM, MRAM, flash memory, etc. In some implementations, the memory 1004 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., local to the processor 1000) . In some other implementations, the memory 1004 may reside external to the processor chipset (e.g., remote to the processor 1000) .

The memory 1004 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 1000, cause the processor 1000 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. The controller 1002 and/or the processor 1000 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 1004 to cause the processor 1000 to perform various functions. For example, the processor 1000 and/or the controller 1002 may be coupled with or to the memory 1004, and the processor 1000, the controller 1002, and the memory 1004 may be configured to perform various functions described herein. In some examples, the processor 1000 may include multiple processors and the memory 1004 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories, which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions herein.

The one or more ALUs 1006 may be configured to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, the one or more ALUs 1006 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1000) . In some other implementations, the one or more ALUs 1006 may reside external to the processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1000) . One or more ALUs 1006 may perform one or more computations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on data. For example, one or more ALUs 1006 may receive input operands and an operation code, which determines an operation to be executed. One or more ALUs 1006 be configured with a variety of logical and arithmetic circuits, including adders, subtractors, shifters, and logic gates, to process and manipulate the data according to the operation. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more ALUs 1006 may support logical operations such as AND, OR, exclusive-OR (XOR) , not-OR (NOR) , and not-AND (NAND) , enabling the one or more ALUs 1006 to handle conditional operations, comparisons, and bitwise operations.

For example, the processor 1000 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 1000 may be configured to or operable to support a means for transmitting, to a second device, a message 1 (Msg1) of an ambient internet of things (AIoT) random access procedure in a first frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources; and a means for receiving, from the second device, a message 2 (Msg2) of the AIoT random access procedure, wherein the Msg 2 is associated with the first frequency resource.

In another example, the processor 1000 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 1000 may be configured to or operable to support a means for receiving, from a first device, a message 1 (Msg1) of an ambient internet of things (AIoT) random access procedure in a first frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources; and a means for transmitting, to the first device, a message 2 (Msg2) of the AIoT random access procedure, wherein the Msg 2 is associated with the first frequency resource.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1100 that supports AIoT random access in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1100 may be implemented by a device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1100 may be performed by a first device 201 as described herein. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

At 1105, the method may include transmitting, to a second device, a message 1 (Msg1) of an ambient internet of things (AIoT) random access procedure in a first frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources. The operations of 1105 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1105 may be performed by a first device 201 as described with reference to FIG. 2.

At 1110, the method may include receiving, from the second device, a message 2 (Msg2) of the AIoT random access procedure, wherein the Msg 2 is associated with the first frequency resource. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1110 may be performed by a first device 201 as described with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1200 that supports AIoT random access in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1200 may be implemented by a device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1200 may be performed by a second device 202 as described herein. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

At 1205, the method may include receiving, from a first device, a message 1 (Msg1) of an ambient internet of things (AIoT) random access procedure in a first frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources. The operations of 1205 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1205 may be performed by a second device 202 as described with reference to FIG. 2.

At 1210, the method may include transmitting, to the first device, a message 2 (Msg2) of the AIoT random access procedure, wherein the Msg 2 is associated with the first frequency resource. The operations of 1210 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1210 may be performed by a second device 202 as described with reference to FIG. 2.

It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible. Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

The various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.

Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) , flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor.

As used herein, including in the claims, an article “a” before an element is unrestricted and understood to refer to “at least one” of those elements or “one or more” of those elements. The terms “a, ” “at least one, ” “one or more, ” and “at least one of one or more” may be interchangeable. As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or “one or more of” or “one or both of” ) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C) . Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on. Further, as used herein, including in the claims, a “set” may include one or more elements.

The description herein is provided to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

A first device, comprising:

at least one memory; and

at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the first device to:

transmit, to a second device, a message 1 (Msg1) of an ambient internet of things (AIoT) random access procedure in a first frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources; and

receive, from the second device, a message 2 (Msg2) of the AIoT random access procedure, wherein the Msg 2 is associated with the first frequency resource.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the Msg1 is transmitted in a first Msg1 resource in the first frequency resource, wherein a start point of the receiving of the Msg2 is based on one of the following:

a first time offset after an end time of a Msg1 transmission resource for the plurality of frequency resources, wherein the first Msg1 resource is located in the Msg1 transmission resource;

a first time window after an end time of a Msg1 transmission resource for the plurality of frequency resources, wherein the first Msg1 resource is located in the Msg1 transmission resource;

a second time offset after an end time of the first Msg1 resource; or

an indication in a reader-to-device (R2D) message received after transmitting the Msg1.
The first device of claim 2, wherein the first time offset is predefined; or

wherein the processor is further configured to cause the first device to:

receive, from the second device, a first indication of one of the following:

the first time offset;

the first time window;

a start time and an end time of the first time window;

a start time and a time duration of the first time window; or

the second time offset.
The first device of claim 3, wherein the first indication is carried in one of the following:

an AIoT paging message; or

an access trigger message.
The first device of claim 2, wherein the end time of the Msg1 transmission resource is associated with one of the following:

the end time of the first Msg1 resource; or

the first Msg1 resource and a ratio between the first frequency resource and a lowest frequency resource among the plurality of frequency resources.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of frequency resources comprise a plurality of Msg1 resources, the Msg2 comprises at least one confirmation indication corresponding to Msg1 transmission in at least one Msg1 resource among the plurality of Msg1 resources.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the Msg2 is received in a first R2D resource associated with the first frequency resource.
The first device of claim 7, wherein the first frequency resource comprises one or more Msg1 resources, the Msg2 comprises at least one confirmation indication corresponding to Msg1 transmission in at least one Msg1 resource among the one or more Msg1 resources.
The first device of claim 6 or 8, wherein the Msg1 is transmitted in a first Msg1 resource in the first frequency resource, the Msg2 comprises a first confirmation indication corresponding to Msg1 transmission in the first Msg1 resource, and the processor is further configured to cause the first device to:

transmit, to the second device, a message 3 (Msg3) of the AIoT random access procedure in a first Msg3 resource in a second frequency resource among a second plurality of frequency resources, wherein the first Msg3 resource is determined based on:

a Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources, and

one of the following:

an order of the first confirmation indication in the at least one confirmation indication, or

an index of the first Msg3 resource, wherein the index is associated with the first confirmation indication.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the first device to:

transmit, to the second device, a Msg3 of the AIoT random access procedure in a Msg3 resource in a second frequency resource among a second plurality of frequency resources; and

receive, from the second device, a message 4 (Msg4) of the AIoT random access procedure.
The first device of claim 10, wherein a start point of the receiving of the Msg4 is based on one of the following:

a third time offset after an end time of a Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources, wherein the first Msg3 resource is located in the Msg3 transmission resource;

a second time window after an end time of a Msg3 transmission resource for the second plurality of frequency resources, wherein the first Msg3 resource is located in the Msg3 transmission resource;

a fourth time offset after an end time of the first Msg3 resource; or

an indication in a R2D message received after transmitting the Msg3.
The first device of claim 9 or 11, wherein an indication of a total time-frequency resource of the Msg3 transmission resource is comprised in one of the following: the Msg2, an AIoT paging message, or an access trigger message; and

wherein the Msg3 transmission resource has a same frequency division multiplexing scheme as a Msg1 transmission resource for the plurality of frequency resources.
The first device of claim 10, wherein the second plurality of frequency resources comprise a plurality of Msg3 resources, and the Msg4 comprises one of the following:

an indication of an acknowledgement or a negative acknowledgement for Msg3 transmission in each Msg3 resource among the plurality of Msg3 resources; or

an indication of a negative acknowledgement for Msg3 transmission in at least one Msg3 resource among the plurality of Msg3 resources and an indication of the at least one Msg3 resource.
A second device, comprising:

at least one memory; and

at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the second device to:

receive, from a first device, a message 1 (Msg1) of an ambient internet of things (AIoT) random access procedure in a first frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources; and

transmit, to the first device, a message 2 (Msg2) of the AIoT random access procedure, wherein the Msg 2 is associated with the first frequency resource.
The second device of claim 14, wherein the Msg1 is received in a Msg1 resource in the first frequency resource, wherein a start point of the transmitting of the Msg2 is based on one of the following:

a first time offset after an end time of a Msg1 transmission resource for the plurality of frequency resources, wherein the first Msg1 resource is located in the Msg1 transmission resource;

a first time window after an end time of a Msg1 transmission resource for the plurality of frequency resources, wherein the first Msg1 resource is located in the Msg1 transmission resource;

a second time offset after an end time of the first Msg1 resource; or

an indication in a R2D message transmitted after receiving the Msg1.
The second device of claim 15, wherein the first time offset is predefined; or

wherein the processor is further configured to cause the second device to:

transmit, to the first device, a first indication of one of the following:

the first time offset;

the first time window;

a start time and an end time of the first time window;

a start time and a time duration of the first time window; or

the second time offset.
The second device of claim 16, wherein the first indication is carried in one of the following:

an AIoT paging message; or

an access trigger message.
The second device of claim 15, wherein the end time of the Msg1 transmission resource is associated with one of the following:

the end time of the first Msg1 resource; or

the first Msg1 resource and a ratio between the first frequency resource and a lowest frequency resource among the plurality of frequency resources.
A processor for wireless communication, comprising:

at least one memory; and

a controller coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the controller to:

transmit, to a second device, a message 1 (Msg1) of an ambient internet of things (AIoT) random access procedure in a first frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources; and

receive, from the second device, a message 2 (Msg2) of the AIoT random access procedure, wherein the Msg 2 is associated with the first frequency resource.
A processor for wireless communication, comprising:

at least one memory; and

a controller coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the controller to:

receive, from a first device, a message 1 (Msg1) of an ambient internet of things (AIoT) random access procedure in a first frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources; and

transmit, to the first device, a message 2 (Msg2) of the AIoT random access procedure, wherein the Msg 2 is associated with the first frequency resource.