Control link for low-power and simplified transceiver

An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising:

• one or more memories;
• and
• one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and configured to cause the network entity to:
• establish a first link with a first device via a first random-access procedure, the first link comprising a control link to control a state of the first device;
• output, to the first device via the first link, a message that indicates a configuration for a reflective surface;
• output signaling to the first device to maintain the first link with the first device;
• and
• perform a second random-access procedure to re-establish the first link with the first device after the first link with the first device is lost.

A method for wireless communication at a first device, comprising:

• establishing a first link with a network entity via a first random-access procedure, the first link comprising a control link to control a state of the first device, wherein a control signal to control the state of the first device is embedded in one or more random-access messages of the random-access procedure, the control signal associated with the control link;
• detecting that the first link with the network entity is lost based at least in part on a timer or a counter expiring or based at least in part on failing to receive signaling from the network entity;
• and
• re-establishing the first link with the network entity based at least in part on the detecting that the first link with the network entity is lost, the first link re-established based on a second random-access procedure.

A method for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising:

• establishing a first link with a first device via a first random-access procedure, the first link comprising a control link to control a state of the first device;
• outputting, to the first device via the first link, a message indicating a configuration for a reflective surface;
• outputting signaling to the first device to maintain the first link with the first device;
• and
• performing a second random-access procedure to re-establish the first link with the first device after the first link with the first device is lost.