The study has described eight rUCs in RAN, being indoor/outdoor for each of inventory, sensors, positioning, and command. These rUCs encompass the UCs or traffic scenarios from TR 22.840 [2] as shown in Table 4.1.1-1. Four general connectivity topologies were studied in Clause 4.2.1: BS ↔ Ambient IoT device, BS ↔ intermediate node ↔ Ambient IoT device, BS ↔ assisting node ↔ Ambient IoT device ↔ BS, and UE ↔ Ambient IoT device. Three devices were studied: Device A, B, and C, differentiated according to inclusion of backscattering transmission or independent signal generation, and inclusion or not of energy storage. Together with other characteristics, the topologies and devices were used to study deployment scenarios for Ambient IoT, shown in Clause 4.2.2, differentiated according to whether the device and basestation/UE-based reader are respectively indoors or outdoors. A set of RAN design targets were developed, complementary to, and/or derived from, the requirements reported in TR 22.840 [2], in Clause 5. Further details of these targets are assumed to be provided by WG-level expertise. A non-exclusive list of functionalities needed in Ambient IoT from the RAN perspective was formulated on the basis of supporting the RAN design targets, and for supporting other requirements. The study has not investigated in detail the implication of CN-related functionalities. Finally, a preliminary feasibility assessment was conducted on the basis of the set of design targets in Clause 5. This was by a mixture of reference to external sources, characteristics of, or hardware used by, other technologies, and companies' own analyses.

It is concluded in preliminary feasibility analysis at TSG-RAN level that Ambient IoT is feasible and beneficial, and further WG-level study is recommended prior to normative work. For the initial WG-level study of Ambient IoT

• RAN is recommended to down-select further starting from:
  • Deployment scenario 1 with Topology 1
  • Deployment scenario 2 with Topology 1
  • Deployment scenario 2 with Topology 2
  • Deployment scenario 4 with Topology 1
  • Deployment scenario 4 with Topology 3
• FR1 licensed spectrum is recommended
  • Note: selection or prioritization between FDD and FDD/TDD is to be decided
• RAN is recommended to down-select to one or more of:
  • Spectrum in-band to NR, in guard-band to LTE/NR, and in standalone band(s)

It is recommended to direct the RAN WGs to use the design targets reported in Clause 5. The RAN WGs are expected to refine the design targets according to their technical expertise, as needed.