Architecture Evolution for Ambient Power-Enabled IoT in 5G-A and Future Cellular Networks

Ambient power-enabled Internet of Things (Ambient IoT) in cellular networks represents a significant emerging trend in both academy and industry due to its near-zero power consumption through technologies such as energy harvesting and radio backscattering. This article provides an in-depth review of the recent standardization efforts by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to integrate AIoT into 5G-Advanced (5G-A) system, highlighting key architectural advancements, lightweight protocol stack designs, and enhanced network functionalities. The core contributions include an analysis of the drivers, challenges, and proposed technological tools in the areas of network architecture design, device management, and service provision. Future directions for research and standardization are also dis-cussed, including mobility enhancements, bi-static communication modes, and integration with emerging technologies such as sensing and In-X sub-networks. This comprehensive exploration underscores the transformative potential of AIo T opportunities in shaping the future of next-generation IoT ecosystems and cellular networks.