Reconfigurable intelligent surface assisted communication

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:
• perform communication with a network device exclusively via a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) based on an absence of a direct communication link between the apparatus and the network device, using at least one of a first channel or a second channel wherein the apparatus is a low-power Internet of Things (IoT) device configured to operate with energy below 100 micro-watts and subject to intermittent connectivity, wherein the first channel is a UE assistance channel (UEAC) dedicated to communication between the apparatus and the RIS and is used for transmission to the RIS, and the second channel is used for reception from the RIS;
• detect a blockage of signals from the network device based on a failure to receive a response within a predetermined blockage threshold time;
• transmit, via the first channel to the RIS, a blockage indication comprising a preamble, a message A (msgA), and an identifier of the apparatus;
• receive, from the RIS via the second channel, an acknowledgment indicating that the apparatus is connected to the RIS;
• transmit, to the RIS via the first channel, a reference signal having a duration determined based on received signal strength from the RIS, and
• receive, from the RIS via the second channel, a phase reconfiguration completion message indicating that the RIS has adjusted phase shifts of its elements to establish a reflected communication path between the apparatus and the network device, wherein the RIS includes a plurality of passive reflecting elements and a subset of active elements allocated specifically for the UE assistance channel, and wherein the apparatus thereafter performs uplink data transmission to the network device through the RIS using the reflected communication path.