Adaptive configuration of multistatic tag backscatter

An illuminator for a passive tag, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory including computer program code;
• wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the illuminator to:
• transmit an activation signal to the passive tag at a primary frequency and a first transmission power based on a request received from a network device;
• monitor, from the passive tag, a response to the activation signal at frequencies of harmonics of the activation signal;
• select one of the harmonics with a highest received level;
• determine a received level of the selected harmonic, the received level being associated with a transmission power of the activation signal;
• determine a distance between the illuminator and the passive tag;
• transmit, to the network device, information about a harmonic frequency of the selected harmonic, the received level of the selected harmonic and the distance;
• receive, from the network device, configuration for position estimation of the passive tag;
• and
• transmit, based on the configuration, the activation signal to the passive tag at the primary frequency and with a transmission power ensuring maximum harmonic generation at the passive tag for position estimation of the passive tag.

A reader for a passive tag, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory including computer program code;
• wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the reader to:
• receive, from a network device, configuration for position estimation of the passive tag;
• receive, at a harmonic frequency, a harmonic of an activation signal back-scattered from the passive tag, the configuration indicating the harmonic frequency;
• and
• transmit, to the network device, measurement results of the harmonic for position estimation of the passive tag.