CN116569497A

CN116569497A - Techniques for using multiple connectivity repeaters in wireless communications

Info

Publication number: CN116569497A
Application number: CN202180080202.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: N·阿贝迪尼; J·罗; 骆涛; A·萨姆帕斯; J·李
Original assignee: Qualcomm Inc
Current assignee: Qualcomm Inc
Priority date: 2020-12-04
Filing date: 2021-11-30
Publication date: 2023-08-08

Abstract

Aspects described herein relate to establishing a control connection with at least a first node and a second node to receive control information for providing a repeater function between two or more wireless nodes. Control information may be communicated over the control connection from one or more of at least the first node or the second node. The repeater may provide repeater functionality between the two or more wireless nodes based on the control information. Other aspects relate to establishing a control connection with a first node to receive control information for providing a repeater function for one or more upstream nodes, receiving the control information over the control connection, determining a conflict in receiving the control information or a conflict within the control information with respect to two or more upstream nodes, and providing the repeater function for the one or more upstream nodes based on the control information and the conflict.

Description

Techniques for using multiple connectivity repeaters in wireless communications

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This patent application claims priority from provisional patent application No.63/121,849, filed on month 12, 4 of 2020 and entitled "Techniques for Using Multi-Connected Repeaters in Wireless Communications (technique for using a multi-connectivity repeater in wireless COMMUNICATIONS)", provisional patent application No.63/121,836, filed on month 12, 4 of 2020 and entitled "Techniques for Conflict avoidance or Resolution for Multi-Connected Repeaters in Wireless Communications (technique for collision avoidance or resolution of a multi-connectivity repeater in wireless COMMUNICATIONS)", and U.S. patent application No.17/537,006, filed on month 11, 29 of 2021 and entitled "TECHNIQUES FOR USING MULTI-CONNECTED REPEATERS IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS for using a multi-connectivity repeater in wireless COMMUNICATIONS", which are assigned to the assignee hereof and are expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

Background

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communication systems and, more particularly, to wireless communication between upstream and downstream nodes using a repeater.

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple-access systems include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) systems, frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) systems, and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) systems, as well as single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems.

These multiple access techniques have been adopted in various telecommunications standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate at the urban, national, regional, and even global levels. For example, fifth generation (5G) wireless communication technologies, which may be referred to as 5G new radio (5G NR), are designed to expand and support diverse usage scenarios and applications relative to current mobile network architectures. In an aspect, a 5G communication technique may include: an enhanced mobile broadband for people-centric use cases for accessing multimedia content, services, and data; ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) with certain specifications regarding latency and reliability; and large-scale machine type communications, which may allow for a very large number of connected devices and transmission of relatively small amounts of non-delay sensitive information.

In wireless communication techniques, such as 5G NR, a node may beamform antenna resources to transmit and receive beams in certain spatial directions, thereby improving the audibility of signals. In addition, repeaters may be used between nodes to receive and forward communications between them to further improve the audibility of signals and to improve the quality of communications between the nodes. There are various types of repeaters that can be used for wireless communications (e.g., in 5G NR), including repeaters with amplification and forwarding functionality. For example, a repeater may include an outbound link with an upstream node (such as a gNB) over which the repeater may receive control information for operating the repeater function and may also communicate with the gNB over the outbound link to perform the repeater function (e.g., to receive downlink communications, forward uplink communications, etc.). Further, the repeater may include an access link with a downstream node, such as a User Equipment (UE), over which the repeater may communicate with the UE to perform repeater functions (e.g., to receive uplink communications, forward downlink communications, etc.).

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

According to an example, there is provided a method for wireless communication at a repeater, the method comprising: establishing a control connection with at least a first node and a second node to receive control information for providing a repeater function between two or more wireless nodes; receiving control information from one or more of at least a first node or a second node over a control connection; and providing a repeater function between the two or more wireless nodes based on the control information.

In another example, a method for wireless communication at an upstream node is provided, the method comprising: establishing a control connection with the repeater to provide the repeater with control information for providing repeater functionality between two or more wireless nodes, wherein the control connection with the repeater includes at least a first node and a second node; and transmitting control information for providing a repeater function to the repeater.

In another example, an apparatus for wireless communication is provided that includes a transceiver, a memory configured to store instructions, a mobile termination unit, a repeater unit, and one or more processors communicatively coupled with the memory and the transceiver. The one or more processors are configured to: establishing a control connection with at least a first node and a second node via a mobile termination unit to receive control information for providing a repeater function between two or more wireless nodes; receiving control information from one or more of at least a first node or a second node over a control connection; and providing a repeater function between the two or more wireless nodes via the repeater unit and based on the control information.

In another example, an apparatus for wireless communication is provided that includes a transceiver, a memory configured to store instructions, and one or more processors communicatively coupled with the memory and the transceiver. The one or more processors are configured to: establishing a control connection with the repeater to provide the repeater with control information for providing repeater functionality between two or more wireless nodes, wherein the control connection with the repeater includes at least a first node and a second node; and transmitting control information for providing a repeater function to the repeater.

In another example, an apparatus for wireless communication is provided, comprising: means for establishing a control connection with at least a first node and a second node to receive control information for providing a repeater function between two or more wireless nodes; means for receiving control information from one or more of at least a first node or a second node over a control connection; and means for providing a repeater function between the two or more wireless nodes based on the control information.

In another example, an apparatus for wireless communication is provided, comprising: means for establishing a control connection with the repeater to provide the repeater with control information for providing repeater functionality between two or more wireless nodes, wherein the control connection with the repeater comprises at least a first node and a second node; and means for transmitting control information for providing a repeater function to the repeater.

In another example, a computer-readable medium comprising code executable by one or more processors for wireless communication at a repeater is provided. The code includes code for: establishing a control connection with at least a first node and a second node to receive control information for providing a repeater function between two or more wireless nodes; receiving control information from one or more of at least a first node or a second node over a control connection; and providing a repeater function between the two or more wireless nodes based on the control information.

In another example, a computer-readable medium comprising code executable by one or more processors for wireless communication at an upstream node is provided. The code includes code for: establishing a control connection with the repeater to provide the repeater with control information for providing repeater functionality between two or more wireless nodes, wherein the control connection with the repeater includes at least a first node and a second node; and transmitting control information for providing a repeater function to the repeater.

According to an example, there is provided a method for wireless communication at a repeater, the method comprising: the method includes establishing a control connection with at least a first node to receive control information for providing a repeater function for one or more upstream nodes, receiving the control information over the control connection, determining a conflict in receiving the control information or a conflict within the control information with respect to two or more upstream nodes, and providing the repeater function for the one or more upstream nodes based on the control information and based on the conflict.

In another example, a method for wireless communication at an upstream node is provided, the method comprising: the method includes establishing a control connection with a repeater or one or more other nodes having a control connection with the repeater to provide control information for providing a repeater function to one or more upstream nodes, determining control information for the repeater based on information of the one or more other nodes, and transmitting the control information for providing the repeater function to at least one of the repeater or the one or more other nodes.

In another example, an apparatus for wireless communication is provided that includes a transceiver, a memory configured to store instructions, a mobile termination unit, a repeater unit, and one or more processors communicatively coupled with the memory and the transceiver. The one or more processors are configured to: the method includes establishing a control connection with at least a first node to receive control information for providing a repeater function for one or more upstream nodes, receiving the control information over the control connection, determining a conflict in receiving the control information or a conflict within the control information with respect to two or more upstream nodes, and providing the repeater function for the one or more upstream nodes based on the control information and based on the conflict.

In another example, an apparatus for wireless communication is provided that includes a transceiver, a memory configured to store instructions, and one or more processors communicatively coupled with the memory and the transceiver. The one or more processors are configured to: the method includes establishing a control connection with a repeater or one or more other nodes having a control connection with the repeater to provide control information for providing a repeater function to one or more upstream nodes, determining control information for the repeater based on information of the one or more other nodes, and transmitting the control information for providing the repeater function to at least one of the repeater or the one or more other nodes.

In another example, an apparatus for wireless communication is provided, comprising: the method comprises establishing a control connection with at least a first node to receive control information for providing a repeater function for one or more upstream nodes, receiving the control information over the control connection, determining a conflict in receiving the control information or a conflict with respect to two or more upstream nodes within the control information, and providing the repeater function for the one or more upstream nodes based on the control information and based on the conflict.

In another example, an apparatus for wireless communication is provided, comprising: the apparatus includes means for establishing a control connection with a repeater or one or more other nodes having a control connection with the repeater to provide control information for providing a repeater function to one or more upstream nodes, means for determining control information for the repeater based on information of the one or more other nodes, and means for transmitting the control information for providing the repeater function to at least one of the repeater or the one or more other nodes.

In another example, a computer-readable medium comprising code executable by one or more processors for wireless communication at a repeater is provided. The code includes code for: the method includes establishing a control connection with at least a first node to receive control information for providing a repeater function for one or more upstream nodes, receiving the control information over the control connection, determining a conflict in receiving the control information or a conflict within the control information with respect to two or more upstream nodes, and providing the repeater function for the one or more upstream nodes based on the control information and based on the conflict.

In another example, a computer-readable medium comprising code executable by one or more processors for wireless communication at an upstream node is provided. The code includes code for: the method includes establishing a control connection with a repeater or one or more other nodes having a control connection with the repeater to provide control information for providing a repeater function to one or more upstream nodes, determining control information for the repeater based on information of the one or more other nodes, and transmitting the control information for providing the repeater function to at least one of the repeater or the one or more other nodes.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of various aspects may be employed and the present description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.

Brief Description of Drawings

The disclosed aspects will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the disclosed aspects, wherein like designations denote like elements, and in which:

fig. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system that provides a repeater for facilitating communication between a base station and user equipment in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;

fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a repeater device in a wireless communication system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating example components and communication links of a repeater device according to aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 illustrates an example of a wireless communication network for communicating between an upstream node and a User Equipment (UE) or other downstream node using a repeater, in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;

Fig. 6 illustrates an example of a wireless communication network for communicating between a first TRP of a cell of a gNB and a UE (or other downstream node) using a relay and also between a second TRP of the same cell of the gNB and the UE (or other downstream node) using the relay, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure;

fig. 7 illustrates an example of a wireless communication network for communicating between a first cell and a UE (or other downstream node) using a relay and also between a second cell and the UE (or other downstream node) using the relay, in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;

fig. 8 illustrates an example of a wireless communication network for communicating between a first Distributed Unit (DU) and a UE (or other downstream node) using a repeater and also between a second DU and the UE (or other downstream node) using the repeater, in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;

fig. 9 illustrates an example of a wireless communication network for communicating between a first Centralized Unit (CU) and a UE (or other downstream node) using a relay and also between a second CU and the UE (or other downstream node) using the relay, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

Fig. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a repeater in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an upstream node in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 12 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method for providing repeater functionality based on control information received from a plurality of nodes, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 13 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method for configuring a repeater to provide repeater functionality in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 14 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method for providing repeater functionality for two or more upstream nodes, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 15 illustrates a flowchart of an example of a method for configuring a repeater to provide repeater functionality for two or more upstream nodes, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 16 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method for resolving conflicts in control information or other information providing repeater functionality in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 17 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method for avoiding conflicts in configuring a repeater to provide repeater functionality in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; and

Fig. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system including a base station and a UE in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

Detailed Description

Various aspects are now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details.

The described features generally relate to enabling a repeater to communicate with multiple upstream nodes, whether for control information or to provide repeater functionality. For example, the repeater may be configured to: to one or more upstream nodes to receive control information for operating the repeater, to one or more upstream nodes to receive downlink communications for forwarding to one or more downstream nodes and/or for forwarding uplink communications from the one or more downstream nodes to the one or more upstream nodes, and so forth. Further, the repeater may be configured accordingly to: resolving conflicts in control information received from one or more upstream nodes, resolving conflicts in communication direction configurations or beamforming configurations received from one or more upstream nodes, and the like. In other examples, the upstream nodes may coordinate with each other to avoid providing collision control information, communication direction configuration, beamforming configuration, etc. to the relay.

In some wireless communication technologies, such as fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR), an amplify-and-forward repeater may be used, which may operate in full duplex mode with some control from an upstream node. For example, the upstream nodes may include one or more of a gNB, an upstream Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, which may include a Centralized Unit (CU) or a Distributed Unit (DU), or the like. The IAB node may be, for example, a node having AN access node (AN-F) function (AN-F) or DU, and a UE function (UE-F) or Mobile Termination (MT). For example, AN-F/DU may facilitate transmitting downlink communications to or receiving uplink communications from one or more downstream nodes (e.g., one or more other IAB nodes, user Equipment (UE), relay, etc.). Further, for example, the UE-F/MT may facilitate transmission of uplink communications to or reception of downlink communications from one or more upstream nodes (e.g., one or more other IAB nodes, relays, base stations, etc.). A CU may be a gNB, an IAB donor node, or other node that may communicate with multiple downstream DUs, which may also be a gNB, an IAB node, etc., to facilitate communication with User Equipment (UE) connected to the DUs. Given a set containing one or more gnbs, IAB nodes, CUs, DUs, etc., one or more repeaters may be used to receive and forward communications with one or more UEs, other repeaters, or other IAB nodes to improve wireless network coverage.

In an example, an amplify-and-forward repeater may efficiently use available resources by operating in full duplex (which may potentially increase system capacity) as compared to a decode-and-forward repeater. Further, for example, when operating in full duplex, an amplifying repeater may experience or exhibit less repeater latency (e.g., no additional latency for further Intermediate Frequency (IF)/baseband frequency (BB) processing, and no additional latency due to half duplex operation) than a decoding repeater or the like. However, the amplify-and-forward repeater may also amplify unwanted signals (e.g., noise and interference) at the same time as the wanted signal, which may result in a reduction in the overall effective signal-to-interference and noise ratio (SINR).

In an example, an amplify-and-forward repeater (which may also be referred to as a layer 1 (L1) millimeter wave (MMW) repeater) may perform at least one or more of the following operations: receiving analog signals on its Receiving (RX) antenna (e.g., based on some configured RX beamforming), amplifying the power of the received analog signals, transmitting the amplified signals from its Transmitting (TX) antenna (e.g., based on some configured TX beamforming), and/or communicating some control information with an upstream node (e.g., serving base station or gNB, CU, DU, IAB node, etc.) and/or one or more other upstream nodes via a control connection with the upstream node or server. The relay may use this control information to configure certain aspects of the relay functionality, such as the direction of communication in the time period (e.g., uplink, downlink, etc. per symbol or slot), the beam to be used in communication during the time period, and so on.

Aspects described herein relate to enabling a repeater to communicate with multiple upstream nodes, whether for control connections or to provide repeater functionality. This may allow to extend the use of the repeater to multiple upstream nodes, to multiple cells, potentially to multiple network operators, etc. Further, aspects are described herein as generally associated with an amplify-and-forward type repeater, although aspects may be similarly used by other types of repeaters to provide the functionality described herein.

The features described will be presented in more detail below with reference to fig. 1-18.

As used in this application, the terms "component," "module," "system," and the like are intended to include a computer-related entity, such as but not limited to hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and the computing device can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate by way of local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets such as data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systems by way of the signal.

The techniques described herein may be used for various wireless communication systems such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" may be used interchangeably in general. A CDMA system may implement a radio technology such as CDMA2000, universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), and the like. CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards. IS-2000 release 0 and a are commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1X, etc. IS-856 (TIA-856) IS commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, high Rate Packet Data (HRPD), or the like. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. TDMA systems may implement radio technologies such as global system for mobile communications (GSM). OFDMA systems may implement, for example, ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20、Flash-OFDM ^TM And equal radio technologies. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-advanced (LTE-A) are new UMTS releases that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-a and GSM are described in the literature from an organization named "third generation partnership project" (3 GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in the literature from an organization named "third generation partnership project 2" (3 GPP 2). The techniques described herein may be used for both the above-mentioned systems and radio technologies and other systems and radio technologies including cellular (e.g., LTE) communications over a shared radio spectrum band. However, the following description describes an LTE/LTE-a system for purposes of example, and LTE terminology is used in much of the description below, but these techniques may also be applied outside of LTE/LTE-a applications (e.g., to fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR) networks or other next generation communication systems).

The following description provides examples and does not limit the scope, applicability, or examples set forth in the claims. Changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements discussed without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Various examples may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to some examples may be combined in other examples.

The various aspects or features will be presented in terms of systems that may include a number of devices, components, modules, and the like. It is to be understood and appreciated that the various systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc. and/or may not include all of the devices, components, modules etc. discussed in connection with the figures. Combinations of these approaches may also be used.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and an access network 100. A wireless communication system, also referred to as a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN), may include a base station 102, a UE 104, an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 160, and/or a 5G core (5 GC) 190. Base station 102 may include macro cells (high power cell base stations) and/or small cells (low power cell base stations). The macrocell may include a base station. Small cells may include femtocells, picocells, and microcells.

A base station 102 configured for 4G LTE, which may be collectively referred to as an evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN), may interface with the EPC 160 through a backhaul link 132 (e.g., using an S1 interface). A base station 102 configured for 5G NR, which may be collectively referred to as a next generation RAN (NG-RAN), may interface with a 5gc 190 over a backhaul link 184. Among other functions, the base station 102 may perform one or more of the following functions: user data delivery, radio channel ciphering and ciphering, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setup and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio Access Network (RAN) sharing, multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracking, RAN Information Management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of alert messages. The base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through EPC 160 or 5gc 190) over the backhaul link 134 (e.g., using an X2 interface). The backhaul link 134 may be wired or wireless.

The base station 102 may communicate wirelessly with one or more UEs 104. Each base station 102 may provide communication coverage for a respective corresponding geographic coverage area 110. There may be overlapping geographic coverage areas 110. For example, the small cell 102 'may have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage area 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network comprising both small cells and macro cells may be referred to as a heterogeneous network. The heterogeneous network may also include a home evolved node B (eNB) (HeNB) that may provide services to a restricted group, which may be referred to as a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG). The communication link 120 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may include Uplink (UL) (also known as reverse link) transmissions from the UE 104 to the base station 102 and/or Downlink (DL) (also known as forward link) transmissions from the base station 102 to the UE 104. Communication link 120 may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna techniques including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and/or transmit diversity. These communication links may be through one or more carriers. For each carrier allocated in a carrier aggregation up to yxmhz total (e.g., for x component carriers) for transmission in the DL and/or UL directions, the base station 102/UE 104 may use a spectrum up to Y MHz (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100, 400MHz, etc.) bandwidth. These carriers may or may not be contiguous with each other. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to DL than UL). The component carriers may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier may be referred to as a primary cell (PCell) and the secondary component carrier may be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell).

In another example, certain UEs 104 may communicate with each other using a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. The D2D communication link 158 may use the DL/UL WWAN spectrum. The D2D communication link 158 may use one or more side link channels such as a physical side link broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical side link discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical side link shared channel (PSSCH), and a physical side link control channel (PSCCH). D2D communication may be through a variety of wireless D2D communication systems such as, for example, flashLinQ, wiMedia, bluetooth, zigBee, wi-Fi based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

The wireless communication system may further include a Wi-Fi Access Point (AP) 150 in communication with a Wi-Fi Station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in a 5GHz unlicensed spectrum. When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, the STA 152/AP 150 may perform a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) prior to communication to determine whether the channel is available.

The small cell 102' may operate in licensed and/or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in unlicensed spectrum, the small cell 102' may employ NR and use the same 5GHz unlicensed spectrum as that used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. Small cells 102' employing NR in the unlicensed spectrum may push up access network coverage and/or increase access network capacity.

Whether small cell 102' or a large cell (e.g., macro base station), base station 102 may include an eNB, g B node (gNB), or other type of base station. Some base stations, such as the gNB 180, may operate in the legacy sub-6 GHz spectrum, millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies, and/or near mmW frequencies to communicate with the UE 104. When the gNB 180 operates in mmW or near mmW frequencies, the gNB 180 may be referred to as a mmW base station. Extremely High Frequency (EHF) is a part of the RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a wavelength in the range of 30GHz to 300GHz and between 1 mm and 10 mm. The radio waves in this band may be referred to as millimeter waves. The near mmW can be extended down to a 3GHz frequency with a wavelength of 100 mm. The ultra-high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3GHz and 30GHz, which is also known as a centimeter wave. Communications using mmW/near mmW radio frequency bands have extremely high path loss and short range. The mmW base station 180 may utilize beamforming 182 with the UE 104 to compensate for extremely high path loss and short range.

EPC 160 may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a serving gateway 166, a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) gateway 168, a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) 170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway 172.MME 162 may be in communication with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is a control node that handles signaling between the UE 104 and the EPC 160. Generally, MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are communicated through the serving gateway 166, which serving gateway 166 itself is connected to the PDN gateway 172. The PDN gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation as well as other functions. The PDN gateway 172 and BM-SC 170 are connected to an IP service 176.The IP Services 176may include The Internet,an intranet,an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a packet-switched (PS) Streaming Service, and/or other IP Services BM-SC 170 may provide functionality for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 170 may be used as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmissions, may be used to authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services within a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMS gateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS traffic to base stations 102 belonging to a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area broadcasting a particular service and may be responsible for session management (start/stop) and for collecting eMBMS related charging information.

The 5gc 190 may include an access and mobility management function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a Session Management Function (SMF) 194, and a User Plane Function (UPF) 195. The AMF 192 may be in communication with a Unified Data Management (UDM) 196. The AMF 192 may be a control node that handles signaling between the UE 104 and the 5gc 190. In general, AMF 192 may provide QoS flows and session management. User Internet Protocol (IP) packets (e.g., from one or more UEs 104) may be communicated via the UPF 195. The UPF 195 may provide UE IP address assignment for one or more UEs, as well as other functions. The UPF 195 is connected to an IP service 197. The IP services 197 may include the internet, intranets, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), PS streaming services, and/or other IP services.

A base station may also be called a gNB, a node B, an evolved node B (eNB), an access point, a base transceiver station, a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a Basic Service Set (BSS), an Extended Service Set (ESS), a transmission-reception point (TRP), or some other suitable terminology. Base station 102 provides an access point for UE 104 to EPC 160 or 5gc 190. Examples of UEs 104 include a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player (e.g., MP3 player), a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, an electricity meter, an air pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, a healthcare device, an implant, a sensor/actuator, a display, or any other similar functional device. Some UEs 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., parking timers, oil pumps, ovens, vehicles, heart monitors, etc.). IoT UEs may include Machine Type Communication (MTC)/enhanced MTC (eMTC), also known as Category (CAT) -M, CAT M1) UEs, NB-IoT (also known as CAT NB 1) UEs, and other types of UEs. In this disclosure, eMTC and NB-IoT may refer to future technologies that may evolve from or may be based on these technologies. For example, eMTC may include FeMTC (further eMTC), eFeMTC (further enhanced eMTC), eMTC (large scale MTC), etc., while NB-IoT may include eNB-IoT (enhanced NB-IoT), feNB-IoT (further enhanced NB-IoT), etc. The UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, mobile station, subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, or some other suitable terminology.

In an example, the base station 102 may communicate with the UE 104 via one or more repeaters, as further described with reference to fig. 2. The repeaters may include one or more of a class a repeater, a class B repeater, or a class C repeater, which may be controlled to varying degrees by the base station 102 or other network components, as described.

Referring to fig. 2, an example of another wireless communication access network 200 using a repeater is depicted in accordance with various aspects described herein. The wireless communication access network 200 may include one or more upstream nodes 202, which may include a gNB or other base station, IAB node, CU, DU, etc., that may communicate with one or more UEs 104 and/or repeaters 204. The relay may be located between the one or more upstream nodes 202 (and/or one or more intermediate upstream relays) and the UE 104 (and/or one or more intermediate downstream relays). The upstream node may also be referred to herein as a control node because it may control the repeater 204 to provide repeater functionality, as described herein. In an example, the repeater 204 may be an amplify-and-forward type repeater that allows some control by the one or more upstream nodes 202 (e.g., for beamforming, uplink/downlink communication direction indication, etc.), and may provide amplifying-and-forward functionality for communications to/from the UE 104. Further, in an example, the repeater 204 may operate in half duplex or full duplex.

In an example, the repeater 204 can optionally include components for amplifying and forwarding transmissions and for transmitting control data to and/or receiving control data from other nodes, such as one or more upstream nodes 202. For example, the repeater 204 may include a controller 220 that may control one or more phased arrays 222, 224 (e.g., antenna arrays) or a variable gain function 226 for amplifying the received signal. For example, the repeater 204 may receive signals from the upstream node 202, the UE 104, or another upstream or downstream node (e.g., another repeater) via the phased array 222. Repeater 204 may amplify the received signals via variable gain 226 and may transmit these signals to UE 104, upstream node 202, or another downstream or upstream node (e.g., another repeater) via the same phased array 222 or another phased array 224. In an example, repeater 204 may communicate in full duplex by receiving signals via phased array 222 and transmitting signals via phased array 224 concurrently. Further, control interface 228 can communicate control information to one or more upstream nodes 202 and/or UEs 104 (e.g., via modem 240 and/or communication component 242, as further described herein) and/or can receive control information from the one or more upstream nodes 202 and/or UEs 104.

In particular examples, communication component 242 of repeater 204 can communicate with a plurality of upstream nodes 202 over a control connection and/or communicate with a plurality of upstream nodes 202 to provide repeater functionality for the plurality of upstream nodes 202, as described herein. In an example, the set of one or more upstream nodes 202 that provide control connections may be the same as or different from the set of one or more upstream nodes 202 for which the repeater 204 is configured to provide repeater functionality. The scheduling component 246 (e.g., via the modem 244) can configure one or more repeaters 204 with control information to provide repeater functionality (e.g., for having the scheduling component 246 or other upstream node 202), or the one or more repeaters 204 can be configured with resources to communicate thereon to provide repeater functionality, as further described herein.

Additionally, for example, the upstream node 202, the repeater 204, and/or the UE 104 may each be capable of beamforming antenna resources to transmit beams and/or receive beams to each other. Beamforming antenna resources may include selectively applying power to antenna resources to achieve spatial directionality of the antenna resources, which may be used to transmit or receive signals. In this regard, beamforming may optimize communication between the nodes. In an example, the nodes may provide feedback to each other as to which of the multiple possible beams should be used or desired to be used. For example, a node may perform a beam management procedure (e.g., beam training) in which multiple beams may be transmitted by one node (e.g., upstream node 202) and measured by other nodes (e.g., relay 204 and/or UE 104) to determine which beam is optimal. The other nodes may indicate the desired beam to the one node and the one node may transmit and/or receive based on the beam. These other nodes may receive and/or transmit based on the reciprocal beam.

In one example, in Downlink (DL) operation, repeater 204 may receive an analog signal from upstream node 202 (e.g., an intervening (high-end) repeater, upstream IAB node, gNB, CU, DU, etc.) using an RX beam, then amplify the signal and forward it on a TX beam to the UE or another downstream node (e.g., a low-end repeater, downstream IAB node, gNB, CU, DU, etc.). For example, in Uplink (UL) operation, repeater 204 may receive an analog signal on the RX beam from UE 104 or a downstream repeater (e.g., an intervening (low-end) repeater), and then amplify and forward the signal on the TX beam to upstream node 202 or another upstream repeater (e.g., a high-end repeater).

In some wireless communication networks, the functionality of a base station and/or other components of the network may be distributed across multiple entities. Fig. 3 illustrates an example of a wireless communication network 300 that may be utilized in some aspects of the present disclosure. In this example, a network entity, such as a Base Station (BS) 102, is coupled to a remote network 304, such as a main backhaul network or a mobile core network. In wireless communication network 300, wireless spectrum may be used for a Forward (FH) link 306 between base station 102 (or other upstream node) and relay 204, and for an access link 310 between relay 204 and UE 104 (or other downstream node). FH link 306 and access link 310 may each be performed over the Uu radio interface or some other suitable wireless communication interface. In some examples, the wireless spectrum may utilize mmW frequencies and/or sub-6 GHz carrier frequencies.

The wireless communication network 300 may include other base stations, UEs, or repeaters (not shown). In the example of fig. 3, base station 102 may be referred to as a donor node because base station 102 provides a communication link to remote network 304. The donor node may include, for example, a wire (e.g., fiber, coaxial cable, ethernet, copper wire), microwave, or another suitable link to the remote network 304.

Base station 102 may be an enhanced gNB that includes functionality for controlling wireless communication network 300. In some examples (e.g., as shown in fig. 3), base station 102 may include a Central Unit (CU) 314 and one or more Distributed Units (DUs) 316.CU 314 is configured to operate as a centralized network node (or central entity) within wireless communication network 300. For example, CU 314 may include Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer functionality and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer functionality to control/configure other nodes (e.g., relays and UEs) within network 300. In some aspects, RRC signaling may be used for various functions including, as one example, setting up and releasing user data bearers. In some examples, RRC signaling messages may be transmitted on signaling bearers (e.g., signaling Radio Bearers (SRBs) 1 and SRB 2).

The DU 316 may be configured to operate as a scheduling entity to schedule a scheduled entity (e.g., a repeater or UE) of the base station 102. For example, the DU 316 may operate as a scheduling entity to schedule the relay 204 and the UE 104. In some examples, DU 316 may include Radio Link Control (RLC), medium Access Control (MAC), and Physical (PHY) layer functionality to enable operation as a scheduling entity.

The F1 interface provides a mechanism to interconnect CUs 314 (e.g., PDCP layer and higher layer) and DUs 316 (e.g., RLC layer and lower layer). In some aspects, the F1 interface may provide control plane and user plane functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC messaging, etc.). F1AP is an application protocol for F1, which in some examples defines a signaling procedure for F1. The F1 interface supports F1-C on the control plane and F1-U on the user plane.

To facilitate wireless communication between the base station 102 and UEs (e.g., UE 104) served by the base station 102, the repeater 204 may be configured to operate as a scheduled entity. The repeater 204 may include a Mobile Termination (MT) unit 318 to implement scheduled entity functionality. For example, MT unit 318 may include UE functionality connected to base station 102 and scheduled by base station 102. The repeater 204 also includes a Relay Unit (RU) 320 that relays signals between the base station 102 and the UE 104. RU may also be referred to as a relay unit, a remote unit, etc.

Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a wireless communication network 400 including an upstream node 202, a repeater 204, and a UE 104. As described herein, the upstream node 202 may correspond to a gNB or other base station, its CU or DU, an IAB node, or the like. Further, the UE 104 may be the UE 104 or other downstream node immediately downstream of the repeater 204. Millimeter wave communications have higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths than other types of radio waves used for communications (e.g., sub-6 GHz communications). Thus, millimeter wave communication may have a shorter propagation distance and may be more easily blocked by obstacles than other types of radio waves. For example, wireless communications using sub-6 GHz radio waves may be capable of penetrating a wall of a building or structure to provide coverage from a base station communicating using sub-6 GHz radio waves to an area on the opposite side of the wall. However, millimeter waves may not penetrate the same wall (e.g., depending on the thickness of the wall, the material from which the wall is constructed, etc.). Thus, the repeater device can be used to increase the coverage area of the base station, extend coverage to UEs that have no line of sight to the base station (e.g., due to obstructions), and so on.

For example, obstructions between the UE and the base station or other upstream nodes may block or otherwise reduce the quality of the link between the base station and the UE. However, the repeater device may be placed such that there are no or fewer obstructions between the repeater device and the UE and between the repeater device and the base station. Thus, the communication between the base station and the UE via the repeater device may have a higher quality than the direct communication between the base station and the UE directly.

In some examples, the repeater device may perform directional communication by using beamforming to communicate with the base station via a first beam pair (e.g., an outbound beam pair) and to communicate with the UE via a second beam pair (e.g., an inbound beam pair). The term "beam pair" may refer to a transmit (Tx) beam used by a first device for transmission and a receive (Rx) beam used by a second device for receiving information transmitted by the first device via the Tx beam.

Referring to fig. 4, the repeater 204 includes an MT unit 318 and an RU 320.MT unit 318 communicates with upstream node 202 via FH link 416. In some examples, FH link 416 may implement a Uu interface of reduced functionality that may be modified to support repeater device functionality. FH link 416 may provide a control path 412 between MT unit 318 and upstream node 202 (e.g., a DU in base station 102, not shown). In some examples, control path 412 carries UL and DL signals to configure repeater 204. Control path 412 may be implemented using relatively small in-band bandwidth portions (BWP) allocated for UL and/or DL transmissions between upstream node 202 and UE 104. In some examples, FH link 416 may operate in the FR2 frequency range, as defined by 5G NR.

RU 320 provides relay functionality (e.g., relay, receive, amplify, and transmit) to enable signals from upstream node 202 to reach UE 104 and/or to enable signals from UE 104 to reach upstream node 202. In some examples, RU 320 may be an analog pass-through device (e.g., without store and forward capabilities). In other examples, RU 320 may include store and forward functionality. Signals to and from upstream node 202 are carried on the data paths of FH link 416 and access link 418. The access link 418 provides a data path carrying analog UL and DL signals to and from the UE 104. In some examples, access link 418 may operate at the FR2 frequency range.

RU 320 and access link 418 may be controlled by upstream node 202 (e.g., by DUs in base station 102, not shown). For example, upstream node 202 may schedule UL transmissions and DL transmissions (e.g., by transmitting control information to UE 104) on access link 418. Further, upstream node 202 may control the operation of the RU through MT unit 318. For example, upstream node 202 may configure MT unit 318 via the control path described above to cause MT unit 318 to configure RU 320. To this end, MT unit 318 may generate control signaling carried by signal path 414 for controlling the operation of RU 320.

Fig. 5 illustrates an example of a wireless communication network 500 for communicating between an upstream node 202 and a UE 104 (or other downstream node) using a repeater 204. Upstream node 202 may include a gNB, a cell, a TRP, and the like. In another example, upstream node 202 may include multiple cells of a given gNB. For example, where the repeater 204 is connected to a single gNB, cell, or TRP, the MT unit of the repeater 204 may be single-connected to the gNB, cell, or TRP (e.g., the MT unit of the repeater 204 may reside on one cell, without Carrier Aggregation (CA) or Dual Connectivity (DC), etc.). In this example, relay 204 may receive control information and/or configuration from upstream node 202 in Downlink Control Information (DCI), medium Access Control (MAC) -Control Element (CE), radio Resource Control (RRC), or other signaling, which may include receiving control messages from a single source/single beam. Further, in this example, the repeater 204 may be configured with a single search space (e.g., in control information from the upstream node 202) for searching for control information, and/or may be configured with a single Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) to receive repeater configuration commands from the upstream node 202 and/or other upstream nodes. Further, in this example, repeater 204 may use one serving beam on its FH, one Time Domain Duplex (TDD) mode for providing repeater functionality to/from upstream node 202, one beam mode on the access link to UE 104, and so on. For example, as described herein, TDD mode may relate to a mode for a communication direction (e.g., uplink (UL), downlink (DL), flexible (F) direction) over multiple time periods or a mode (also referred to as beam mode alone) for beamforming information over the multiple time periods. The plurality of time periods may include a plurality of symbols, such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, a plurality of slots, wherein each slot includes a plurality of symbols in time, and so on. In this configuration, no collision in the control information received from a single gNB, cell or TRP may be expected.

However, in another example, the upstream node 202 may include multiple co-located cells of a given gNB, which may be cells at the same gNB or corresponding TRPs operating on different frequency bands (e.g., frequency 1 (F1) and frequency 2 (F2) for the two co-located cells). In one such example, the MT unit of the repeater 204 may be single-connected to one cell of the gNB (e.g., the MT unit of the repeater 204 may reside on one cell, without CA or DC, etc.). In this example, the relay 204 may receive control information and/or configuration from the cell in DCI, MAC-CE, RRC, etc., which may include receiving control messages from a single source/single beam. Further, in this example, the repeater 204 may be configured with a single search space (e.g., in control information from the cell) for searching for control information, and/or may be configured with a single RNTI to receive repeater configuration commands from the cell and/or other such cell or other upstream nodes for communication therewith. Further, in this example, repeater 204 may use one service beam on its FH.

In this example, the repeater 204 may receive one TDD mode for providing repeater functionality to/from multiple cells of the upstream node 202. The TDD mode may be an aligned TDD common or dedicated configuration (e.g., TDD-TL-DL-ConfigCommon (TDD-TL-DL-configuration common) or TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated (TDD-UL-DL-configuration dedicated), as defined in 5G NR). In this example, the TDD mode may be a mode specifically created for the repeater 204, which is a combination of two cell modes. The mode of the two cells may be indicated in the form of TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated or a new separate TDD mode (for managing repeated operations). In another example, the repeater 204 may receive multiple TDD modes, which may include a TDD mode for each co-located cell (e.g., per cell identifier, universal index, which may be associated with one of the cells, etc.). Similarly, in this example, the repeater 204 may receive one beam pattern for use on an access link to the UE 104 and/or a forward link toward one or more upstream nodes, or may receive multiple beam patterns including a beam pattern for each co-located cell (e.g., per cell identifier, a common index, which may be associated with one of the cells, etc.).

Additionally, in this example, multiplexing may be configured for providing repeater functionality for the plurality of co-located cells. For example, the repeater 204 may be configured to use Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) for simultaneous and/or transparent communication multiplexing for each of the plurality of co-located cells. In this example, the repeater 204 may provide repeater functionality for each cell on a different frequency band. In another example, the repeater 204 may be configured to provide multiplexing of repeater function communications for the plurality of co-located cells using Time Division Multiplexing (TDM). In this example, the repeater 204 may use TDM in a transparent manner based on the implementation of the repeater 204 to select one of the cells for which the repeater function is to be performed in each time period (e.g., in each symbol or slot). As described, for a given cell, the repeater function may include one or more of receiving a downlink signal from the cell and forwarding the downlink signal to the UE 104, or receiving an uplink signal from the UE 104 and forwarding the uplink signal to the cell. In another example, the repeater 204 may be configured to use TDM as a dynamic index in the control information such that the control information (e.g., received in DCI) from that cell may indicate the cell for which repeater functionality, communication direction, beamforming information, etc., is to be performed, and the repeater 204 may perform repeater functionality for that cell accordingly. In yet another example, the repeater 204 may be configured to use TDM as indicated in a semi-statically provided TDM pattern (e.g., in RRC signaling), where the TDM pattern may indicate the cell for which repeater functions, communication directions, beamforming information, etc., are to be performed. In this configuration, no collision may be expected in the control information received from the co-located cells of the upstream node.

In another example, where the upstream node 202 may include multiple co-located cells of a given gNB, which may operate on different frequency bands (e.g., frequency 1 (F1) and frequency 2 (F2) for two cells co-located), the MT unit of the repeater 204 may be single connected to one cell of the gNB or reside on multiple cells of the gNB in the CA. In this example, the repeater 204 may receive control information and/or configuration from multiple co-located cells in the DCI, which may include receiving control messages from the multiple cells based on a single or multiple beams. In one example, the primary cell may transmit control information and CA may be supported by another cell to obtain improved FH performance and/or beam measurements. Further, in this example, repeater 204 may use one service beam on its FH.

In this example, the repeater 204 may receive multiple TDD modes for providing repeater functionality to/from multiple cells of the upstream node 202. The TDD mode may be indicated as a TDD common or dedicated configuration (e.g., TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon or TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated, as defined in 5G NR) and may be conflicting or non-conflicting. In an example, the TDD mode may be created specifically for the repeater 204, which is a combination of two cell modes. The mode of the two cells may be indicated in the form of TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated or a new separate TDD mode (for managing repeated operations). Similarly, in this example, the repeater 204 may receive one beam pattern for use on the access link to the UE 104, or may receive multiple beam patterns including a beam pattern for each co-located cell (e.g., per cell identifier, a generic index, which may be associated with one of the cells, etc.).

Additionally, in this example, multiplexing may be configured for providing repeater functionality for the plurality of co-located cells. For example, the repeater 204 may be configured to use FDM for simultaneous and/or transparent multiplexing for each of the plurality of co-located cells. In this example, the repeater 204 may provide repeater functionality for each cell on a different frequency band. In another example, the repeater 204 may be configured to provide multiplexing of repeater function communications for the plurality of co-located cells using TDM. In this example, the repeater 204 may use TDM in a transparent manner based on the implementation of the repeater 204 to select one of the cells on which to perform the repeater function per time period (e.g., in each symbol or slot). In another example, the repeater 204 may be configured to use TDM as a dynamic index in the control information, such that the control information from that cell (e.g., received in DCI) may indicate the cell for which the repeater function, communication direction, beamforming information, etc., is to be performed, and the repeater 204 may perform the repeater function on that cell accordingly. In yet another example, the repeater 204 may be configured to use TDM as indicated in a semi-statically provided TDM pattern (e.g., in RRC signaling), where the TDM pattern may indicate the cells on which repeater functions, communication directions, beamforming information, etc., are to be performed.

Further, in this example, no collision in the control information received from the co-located cells of the upstream node may be expected. In one example, the cells may communicate to avoid providing conflicting information. In another example, control information received from different cells or scheduling information received from different cells may include collision information. In this example, the repeater 204 can determine one or more rules for resolving the conflict and can use the control information or determine a schedule (e.g., TDD mode for communication direction or beamforming) accordingly based on the conflict resolution. For example, the relay 204 may prioritize information received from one cell (e.g., a primary cell), cancel collision information, send feedback indicating a collision and/or resolution to one or more co-located cells, and so forth.

Fig. 6 illustrates an example of a wireless communication network 600 for communicating between a first TRP 602 of a cell of a gNB and a UE 104 (or other downstream node) using a relay 204 and also between a second TRP 604 of the same cell of the gNB and the UE 104 (or other downstream node) using the relay 204. In this example, the MT unit of the repeater 204 may be single-connected to the cell of the gNB via TRP 602 and/or TRP 604 (e.g., the MT unit of the repeater 204 may reside on the one cell, without CA or DC, etc.). In this example, the relay 204 may receive control information and/or configuration in DCI, MAC-CE, RRC, etc. from one TRP (e.g., TRP 602 or TRP 604) of the cell, which may include receiving control messages from a single source/single beam. In another example, the relay 204 may receive control information and/or configuration in DCI, MAC-CE, RRC, etc. from multiple TRPs (e.g., TRP 602 and TRP 604) of the cell, which may include receiving control messages from multiple sources/multiple beams. Further, in this example, repeater 204 may use multiple service beams (beams for each TRP 602 and 604) on its FH.

In this example, repeater 204 may receive one TDD mode for providing repeater functionality to/from multiple TRPs of upstream node 202. The TDD mode may be an aligned TDD common or dedicated configuration (e.g., TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon or TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated, as defined in 5G NR). In this example, the TDD mode may be a mode specifically created for the repeater 204, which is a combination of two TRP modes. The two TRP modes may be indicated in the form of TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated or a new separate TDD mode (for managing duplicate operations). In another example, the repeater 204 may receive multiple TDD modes, which may include a TDD mode for each TRP (e.g., per TRP identifier or index, FH beam index associated with the TRP, generic index, which may be associated with one of the TRPs, etc.). Similarly, in this example, the repeater 204 may receive one beam pattern for use on the access link to the UE 104, or may receive multiple beam patterns including a beam pattern for each TRP (e.g., per TRP identifier or index, FH beam index associated with the TRP, generic index, which may be associated with one of the TRPs, etc.).

Additionally, in this example, multiplexing may be configured for providing repeater functionality for the plurality of TRPs. For example, the repeater 204 may be configured to provide repeater functionality using Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) in half duplex or full duplex using different physical or virtual antenna arrays or associated antenna elements. In another example, the repeater 204 can be configured to provide multiplexing of repeater function communications for the plurality of TRPs using TDM. In this example, the repeater 204 can use TDM between the two TRPs and use the associated beam based on a semi-static or dynamic configuration of the time periods in order to select one of the TRPs to perform the repeater function in each time period (e.g., in each symbol or slot), as described. For example, this may be used to provide load balancing among the TRPs to find a desired beam pair link for communication between the repeater 204 and the TRPs, and so on.

Further, in this example, collisions may not be expected in the control information received from the TRP. In an example, the gNB may avoid providing conflicting information for TRPs. In another example, control information received from different TRPs or scheduling information received from different TRPs may include collision information. In this example, the repeater 204 can determine one or more rules for resolving the conflict and can use the control information or determine a schedule (e.g., TDD mode for communication direction or beamforming) accordingly based on the conflict resolution. For example, the repeater 204 may prioritize information received from one TRP, cancel collision information, send feedback indicating a collision and/or resolution to the gNB via one or more TRPs, and so forth.

Fig. 7 illustrates an example of a wireless communication network 700 for communicating between a first cell 702 and a UE 104 (or other downstream node) using a relay 204 and also between a second cell 704 and the UE 104 (or other downstream node) using the relay 204. Thus, the cells in this example are non-collocated and each cell may have one or more associated TRPs in communication with the repeater 204. In one example, the MT unit of the repeater 204 may be single-connected to the cell 702 or 704 (e.g., the MT unit of the repeater 204 may be camping on the one cell, without CA or DC, etc.). In this example, the repeater 204 may receive control information and/or configuration from the cell 702 or 704 in DCI, RRC, MAC-CE or the like, which may include receiving control messages from a single source/single beam. Further, in this example, repeater 204 can use a single serving beam on its FH (e.g., the beam for a given cell 702 or 704) at least for this control information. In another example, repeater 204 may perform repeater functions using multiple beams on its FH (e.g., beams for each given cell 702 and 704).

In this example, the repeater 204 may receive one TDD mode for providing repeater functionality to/from multiple non-collocated cells 702 and 704, in another example, the repeater 204 may receive multiple TDD modes, which may include a TDD mode for each cell 702 and 704 (e.g., a per-cell identifier or universal index, which may be associated with one of the cells, etc.). Similarly, in this example, the repeater 204 may receive one beam pattern for use on the access link to the UE 104, or may receive multiple beam patterns including a beam pattern for each cell (e.g., a per cell identifier or a generic index, which may be associated with one of the cells, etc.).

Additionally, in this example, multiplexing may be configured for providing relay functionality for the plurality of cells. For example, the repeater 204 may be configured to provide repeater functionality using SDM in half duplex or full duplex using different physical or virtual antenna arrays or associated antenna elements. In another example, the repeater 204 may be configured to provide multiplexing of repeater function communications for the plurality of cells using TDM. In this example, the repeater 204 may use TDM between the two cells and use the associated beam based on a semi-static or dynamic configuration of time periods in order to select one of the cells to perform the repeater function in each time period (e.g., in each symbol or slot), as described. In another example, TDM may be transparent or opaque to the cell, as described above. Further, in this example, no collision in the control information received from the cell may be expected.

In another example, the MT unit of the repeater 204 may be single-connected to the cell 702 or 704, and the MT unit of the repeater 204 may be camping on multiple cells in the CA (e.g., on the cells 702 and 704). In this example, the relay 204 may receive control information and/or configuration in DCI, MAC-CE, RRC, etc. from the two cells 702 and 704, which may include receiving multiple control messages using multiple beams. Further, in this example, repeater 204 may use multiple service beams (e.g., beams for each cell 702 and 704) on its FH.

In this example, the repeater 204 may receive multiple TDD modes for providing repeater functionality to/from multiple cells 702 and 704. The TDD mode may be indicated as a TDD common or dedicated configuration (e.g., TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon or TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated, as defined in 5G NR) and may be conflicting or non-conflicting. In another example, TDD mode may be specifically created for repeater 204. In yet another example, the repeater 204 may receive a single TDD mode, which may be a combination of two cell modes, which may be aligned as further described herein. Similarly, in this example, the repeater 204 may receive one beam pattern for use on the access link to the UE 104, or may receive multiple beam patterns including a beam pattern for each cell (e.g., per cell identifier, a generic index, which may be associated with one of the cells, etc.).

Additionally, in this example, multiplexing may be configured for providing repeater functionality for the plurality of cells 702 and 704. For example, the repeater 204 may be configured to provide repeater functionality using SDM in half duplex or full duplex using different physical or virtual antenna arrays or associated antenna elements. In another example, the repeater 204 may be configured to provide multiplexing of repeater function communications for the plurality of cells using TDM. In this example, the repeater 204 may use TDM between the two cells and use the associated beam based on a semi-static or dynamic configuration of time periods in order to select one of the cells to perform the repeater function in each time period (e.g., in each symbol or slot), as described.

Further, in this example, collisions may not be expected in the control information received from the cells. In an example, the cells may avoid providing collision information. In another example, control information received from different cells or scheduling information received from different cells may include collision information. In this example, the repeater 204 can determine one or more rules for resolving the conflict and can use the control information or determine a schedule (e.g., TDD mode for communication direction or beamforming) accordingly based on the conflict resolution. For example, the relay 204 may prioritize information received from one cell, cancel collision information, send feedback to one or more cells indicating a collision and/or resolution, and so forth.

Fig. 8 illustrates an example of a wireless communication network 804 for communicating between a first DU 800 and a UE 104 (or other downstream node) using a repeater 204 and also between a second DU 802 and the UE 104 (or other downstream node) using the repeater 204. In this example, DUs may each provide cells in communication with repeater 204, which in this example are non-collocated. In one example, the MT unit of the repeater 204 may be single-connected to either the DU 802 or 804 (e.g., the MT unit of the repeater 204 may be camping on the one cell, without CA or DC, etc.). In this example, the relay 204 may receive control information and/or configuration in DCI, MAC-CE, RRC, etc. from the DU 802 or 804 (e.g., corresponding cell or TRP), which may include receiving control messages from a single source/single beam. In another example, the repeater 204 may include multiple MTs (multi-MTs), where two or more MTs may be connected to two or more DUs 802 and 804. In this example, relay 204 may receive control information and/or configuration from multiple DUs 802 and 804 (or corresponding cells or TRPs) via the multiple MTs in DCI, MAC-CE, RRC, etc., which may include receiving multiple control messages using multiple beams. Further, in this example, repeater 204 can use a single service beam on its FH (e.g., with one DU 802 or 804). In another example, repeater 204 may use multiple service beams on its FH (e.g., one of each MT in communication with DU 802 or 804).

In this example, repeater 204 may receive multiple TDD modes for providing repeater functionality to/from multiple DUs 802 and 804. The TDD mode may be indicated as a TDD common or dedicated configuration (e.g., TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon or TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated, as defined in 5G NR) and may be conflicting or non-conflicting. The TDD mode may be a per-cell identifier of the DU, a generic index, which may be associated with one of the DUs, etc.). In another example, TDD mode may be specifically created for repeater 204. In yet another example, the repeater 204 may receive a single TDD mode, which may be a combination of two DU modes, which may be aligned as further described herein. The two DU modes may be indicated in the form of TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated or a new separate TDD mode (for managing duplicate operations). Similarly, in this example, the repeater 204 may receive one beam pattern for use on the access link to the UE 104, or may receive multiple beam patterns including a beam pattern for each DU (e.g., per cell identifier, a generic index, which may be associated with one of the DUs, etc.).

Additionally, in this example, multiplexing may be configured for providing repeater functionality for the plurality of DUs. For example, the repeater 204 may be configured to provide repeater functionality using SDM in half duplex or full duplex using different physical or virtual antenna arrays or associated antenna elements. In another example, the repeater 204 may be configured to provide multiplexing of repeater function communications for the plurality of DUs using TDM. In this example, repeater 204 may use TDM between the two DUs and use the associated beam based on a semi-static or dynamic configuration of the time periods in order to select one of the DUs to perform the repeater function in each time period (e.g., in each symbol or slot), as described.

Further, in this example, collisions may not be expected in the control information received from the DU. In an example, DUs (or corresponding CUs or gnbs) may communicate with each other to avoid providing collision information. In another example, control information received from a different DU or scheduling information received from a different DU may include collision information. In this example, the repeater 204 can determine one or more rules for resolving the conflict and can use the control information or determine a schedule (e.g., TDD mode for communication direction or beamforming) accordingly based on the conflict resolution. For example, repeater 204 may prioritize information received from a DU, cancel collision information, send feedback to one or more DUs indicating a collision and/or resolution, and so forth.

Fig. 9 illustrates an example of a wireless communication network 900 for communicating between a first CU 902 and a UE 104 (or other downstream node) using a relay 204 and also between a second CU 904 and the UE 104 (or other downstream node) using the relay 204. In this example, CUs may each provide a cell, or may provide a DU of its providing cells, etc., which in this example are non-co-located, which communicate with relay 204. In an example, where a CU corresponds to a gNB operating for the same mobile network operator, the functionality of repeater 204 is similar to that described above in fig. 8, and CUs 902 and 904 may communicate to coordinate control information, scheduling information, and the like to avoid collisions.

In an example, where the plurality of CUs 902 and 904 correspond to gnbs operating for different mobile network operators, which may be referred to as Radio Access Network (RAN) sharing, the repeater 204 may establish control connections with both CUs 902 and 904 for providing corresponding control information for repeater functions.

In this example, multiplexing may be configured for providing repeater functionality for the plurality of CUs. For example, the repeater 204 may be configured to provide repeater functionality using SDM in half duplex or full duplex using different physical or virtual antenna arrays or associated antenna elements. In another example, the repeater 204 may be configured to provide multiplexing of repeater function communications for the multiple CUs using TDM. In another example, the repeater 204 may be configured to provide multiplexing of repeater function communications for multiple CUs using the same or different datagrams.

In an example, the repeater 204 may be connected to one CU (or CU cell) for receiving control information. In this example, some coarse/semi-static agreements can be made between mobile network operators on how to use a repeater (in the form of TDD), such as how to divide TDM resources, spatial resources, or how to set up a common access link beam for the repeater, etc. For example, the repeater may be unknown to the second CU. In this example, the repeater may be configured to provide measurements for the cell, such as Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements, which may be reported to its serving CUs (e.g., to determine beamforming information, which CUs to connect to, etc.).

In another example, the repeater 204 may be connected to multiple CUs 902 and 904 for receiving control information (e.g., via multiple MT units). In this example, the repeater 204 may not receive dynamic control from one of the CUs 902 or 904, both CUs 902 and 904, or both (in which case the repeater is configured with a semi-static configuration and thus may not need to support dynamic (re) configuration). In this example, repeater 204 may determine one or more rules for resolving conflicts in the configurations with CUs 902 and 904, and may use the control information or determine scheduling (e.g., TDD mode for communication direction or beamforming) based on the conflict resolution accordingly. For example, the repeater 204 may prioritize information received from one CU, cancel collision information, send feedback to the one or more CUs indicating a collision and/or resolution, and so forth.

Turning now to fig. 10-17, aspects are depicted with reference to one or more components and one or more methods that may perform the actions or operations described herein, where aspects in dashed lines may be optional. Although the operations described below in fig. 12-17 are presented in a particular order and/or as performed by example components, it should be appreciated that the order of such actions and the components performing the actions may vary depending on implementation. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the acts, functions, and/or components described below may be performed by a specially programmed processor, a processor executing specially programmed software or computer readable media, or by any other combination of hardware and/or software components capable of performing the described acts or functions.

With reference to fig. 10, one example of an implementation of repeater 204 can include various components, some of which have been described above and further described herein, including components such as one or more processors 1012 and memory 1016 in communication via one or more buses 1044, and a transceiver 1002, which can operate in conjunction with modem 240 and/or communication component 242 to report parameters to a base station to facilitate scheduling UEs or other downstream nodes and facilitating communication between the base station and UEs or other downstream nodes. For example, the communication component 242 may optionally include: MT unit 318 for communicating control information with one or more upstream nodes, RU unit 320 for providing repeater functionality between one or more upstream nodes and one or more downstream nodes, and/or for resolving potential conflicts in received control information or other information for operating repeater 204, such as scheduling information, communication direction, beamforming, etc.

In an aspect, the one or more processors 1012 may include the modem 240 and/or may be part of the modem 240 using one or more modem processors. Thus, various functions associated with the communication component 242 can be included in the modem 240 and/or the processor 1012, and in one aspect can be performed by a single processor, while in other aspects different ones of these functions can be performed by a combination of two or more different processors. In addition, the repeater 204 may include other components for communication described with reference to fig. 2 (e.g., the controller 220, the phased arrays 222, 224, the variable gain function 226, etc., which may be part of the RF front end 1088, the control interface 228, which may communicate via the communication component 242 to report and/or receive certain information to and/or from an upstream node, etc., as further described herein). For example, in an aspect, the one or more processors 1012 may include any one or any combination of the following: a modem processor, or a baseband processor, or a digital signal processor, or a transmit processor, or a receiver processor, or a transceiver processor associated with transceiver 1002. In other aspects, some of the features of the one or more processors 1012 and/or modem 240 associated with the communication component 242 may be performed by the transceiver 1002.

Further, the memory 1016 may be configured to store data used herein and/or a local version of the application 1075, or the communication component 242 and/or one or more subcomponents thereof executed by the at least one processor 1012. Memory 1016 may include any type of computer-readable medium usable by a computer or at least one processor 1012, such as Random Access Memory (RAM), read Only Memory (ROM), tape, magnetic disk, optical disk, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and any combination thereof. In an aspect, for example, when the repeater 204 is operating the at least one processor 1012 to execute the communication component 242 and/or one or more sub-components thereof, the memory 1016 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more computer-executable codes defining and/or data associated with the communication component 242 and/or one or more sub-components thereof.

The transceiver 1002 may include at least one receiver 1006 and at least one transmitter 1008. The receiver 1006 can include hardware for receiving data, firmware, and/or software code executable by a processor, the code including instructions and being stored in a memory (e.g., a computer readable medium). The receiver 1006 may be, for example, a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver. In an aspect, the receiver 1006 may receive signals transmitted by an upstream node, a downstream node, or the like. Additionally, the receiver 1006 may process such received signals and may also obtain measurements of the signals, such as, but not limited to, ec/Io, SNR, reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), and the like. The transmitter 1008 may include hardware, firmware, and/or software code executable by a processor for transmitting data, including instructions, and stored in a memory (e.g., a computer-readable medium). Suitable examples of transmitter 1008 may include, but are not limited to, an RF transmitter.

Further, in an aspect, the repeater 204 may include an RF front end 1088 that may be communicatively operable with one or more antennas 1065 and transceivers 1002 for receiving and transmitting radio transmissions, such as wireless communications transmitted by at least one base station 102 or wireless transmissions transmitted by UEs or other downstream nodes. The RF front-end 1088 may be connected to one or more antennas 1065 and may include one or more Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs) 1090, one or more switches 1092, one or more Power Amplifiers (PAs) 1098, and one or more filters 1096 for transmitting and receiving RF signals.

In an aspect, LNA 1090 may amplify the received signal to a desired output level. In an aspect, each LNA 1090 may have a specified minimum and maximum gain value. In an aspect, the RF front-end 1088 may use one or more switches 1092 to select a particular LNA 1090 and its designated gain value based on a desired gain value for a particular application.

Further, for example, one or more PAs 1098 may be used by the RF front end 1088 to amplify signals to obtain RF output at a desired output power level. In an aspect, each PA 1098 may have specified minimum and maximum gain values. In an aspect, the RF front-end 1088 may use one or more switches 1092 to select a particular PA 1098 and its designated gain value based on a desired gain value for a particular application.

In addition, for example, one or more filters 1096 may be used by the RF front end 1088 to filter the received signal to obtain the input RF signal. Similarly, in an aspect, for example, a respective filter 1096 may be used to filter the output from a respective PA 1098 to produce an output signal for transmission. In an aspect, each filter 1096 may be connected to a particular LNA 1090 and/or PA 1098. In an aspect, the RF front-end 1088 may use one or more switches 1092 to select a transmit or receive path using a designated filter 1096, LNA 1090, and/or PA 1098 based on a configuration as designated by the transceiver 1002 and/or processor 1012.

As such, the transceiver 1002 may be configured to transmit and receive wireless signals through one or more antennas 1065 via the RF front end 1088. In an aspect, transceiver 1002 may be tuned to operate at a particular frequency such that relay 204 may communicate with, for example, one or more upstream nodes (e.g., base station 102, upstream IAB node, CU, DU, other relay, etc.) or one or more cells associated with one or more upstream nodes, one or more downstream nodes (e.g., UE 104, downstream IAB node, other relay, etc.), and so forth. In an aspect, for example, modem 240 may configure transceiver 1002 to operate at a specified frequency and power level based on the configuration of repeater 204 and the communication protocol used by modem 240.

In an aspect, modem 240 may be a multi-band-multi-mode modem that may process digital data and communicate with transceiver 1002 to enable the use of transceiver 1002 to transmit and receive digital data. In an aspect, modem 240 may be multi-band and configured to support multiple frequency bands for a particular communication protocol. In an aspect, modem 240 may be multi-mode and configured to support multiple operating networks and communication protocols. In an aspect, modem 240 may control one or more components of repeater 204 (e.g., RF front end 1088, transceiver 1002) to enable transmission and/or reception of signals from a network or UE, upstream node, or downstream node based on a specified modem configuration. In an aspect, the modem configuration may be based on the mode of the modem and the frequency band used. In another aspect, the modem configuration may be based on configuration information associated with the repeater 204, as provided by the network during cell selection and/or cell reselection or initial access.

In an aspect, the processor(s) 1012 may correspond to one or more of the processors described in connection with the repeater 204 in fig. 18. Similarly, memory 1016 may correspond to the memory described in connection with repeater 204 in fig. 18.

Referring to fig. 11, one example of an implementation of upstream node 202, which may include a gNB or other base station, IAB node, CU, DU, etc., and which may include various components, some of which have been described above, but also components such as one or more processors 1112 and memory 1116 and transceiver 1102 in communication via one or more buses 1144, which may operate in conjunction with modem 244 to provide backhaul access to the core network. Further, one or more processors 1112 and memory 1116 and transceiver 1102, etc. can optionally operate with scheduling component 246 to schedule a repeater or other downstream node for communication. In an example, the scheduling component 246 can optionally include: a repeater configuration component 1142 for configuring a repeater to provide repeater functionality for the upstream node 202 or for one or more other upstream nodes; and/or a collision avoidance component 1146 for generating a configuration of the repeater that avoids a collision with another configuration generated by another upstream node for the repeater, or that avoids a collision in scheduling information, communication direction, beamforming, etc. of the repeater that is used to provide repeater functionality for multiple upstream nodes.

The transceiver 1102, receiver 1106, transmitter 1108, one or more processors 1112, memory 1116, applications 1175, bus 1144, RF front-end 1188, LNA 1190, switch 1192, filter 1196, PA 1198, and one or more antennas 1165 may be the same as or similar to corresponding components of repeater 204 as described above, but configured or otherwise programmed for base station 102 operation rather than repeater operation.

In an aspect, the processor(s) 1112 may correspond to one or more of the processors described in connection with the base station in fig. 18, as described. Similarly, memory 1116 may correspond to the memory described in connection with the base station in fig. 18, as described.

Fig. 12 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method 1200 for providing repeater functionality based on control information received from a plurality of nodes. In an example, repeater 204 can perform one or more functions described in method 1200 using one or more components described in fig. 2 and 10.

In method 1200, at block 1202, a control connection may be established with at least a first node and a second node to receive control information for providing a repeater function between two or more wireless nodes. In an aspect, MT unit 318 (e.g., in conjunction with communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) may establish a control connection with at least a first node and a second node to receive control information for providing repeater functionality between the two or more wireless nodes. In one example, the node providing the control information may be the same as the node for which the repeater 204 provides the repeater functionality. Thus, in this example, the two or more wireless nodes may include at least a first node and a second node, and one or more downstream nodes. In another example, the node providing the control information may include at least a portion of the node for which the repeater 204 provides the repeater functionality, or may be entirely different from the node for which the repeater 204 provides the repeater functionality.

In an example, the MT unit 318 may establish a connection with at least a first node and a second node, which are upstream nodes, to receive control information for controlling a repeater function. In the various configurations described above, at least the first node and the second node may comprise different cells of a single gNB or other base station, different TRPs of a single gNB or other base station, different cells of different gnbs or other base stations, different DUs of the same or different CUs, different CUs associated with the same or different mobile network operators, and so on. In some examples, MT unit 318 may reside on a plurality of nodes and may receive control information from one or more of the plurality of nodes. Such examples may include where at least the first node and the second node include multiple co-located cells, multiple TRPs of the same cell, multiple non-co-located cells, and so on. In some examples, MT unit 318 may reside on or be connected to (e.g., in CA, DC, or use multiple MT units) and may receive control information from the multiple nodes. Such examples may include where at least the first node and the second node comprise a plurality of co-located cells, a plurality of non-co-located cells, a plurality of DUs, a plurality of CUs, and so on. In some examples, receiving control information from multiple nodes may result in collisions in the control information, as further described herein. In some examples, the repeater 204 may resolve such conflicts.

In a specific example, the MT unit 318 of the repeater 204 may be connected to multiple nodes or TX/RX points. In a first scenario, without DC/CA, MT unit 318 may have only a single serving cell (without DC, without CA), may be connected to multiple TRPs of the serving cell (via multiple serving beams), or may forward signals associated with other cells. In a second scenario, with CA but without DC (e.g., with a primary cell group (MCG)), MT unit 318 may reside on multiple cells (one primary cell and one or more secondary cells). In a third scenario, with DC, the MT unit 318 may be configured with both MCG and Secondary Cell Group (SCG). In a fourth scenario, the repeater 204 may have multiple MT units 318, where each MT unit may be individually connected to one or more cells/TRPs. In this case, for example, the presence of multiple co-located MT units at the repeater 204 may be indicated to the network. In another example, the configuration of the plurality of MTs may be shared in this regard.

In method 1200, control information may be received over a control connection from one or more of at least a first or second node at block 1204. In an aspect, MT unit 318 (e.g., in conjunction with communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) may receive control information over a control connection from one or more of at least the first or second nodes. Thus, in some examples, although the repeater 204 may be connected with multiple nodes for control connection, the repeater 204 may or may not receive control information from all of the nodes. For example, the relay 204 may receive control information only from the primary cell, where it is connected to multiple cells (e.g., in a CA). However, in other examples, the repeater 204 may receive control information from multiple cells (e.g., in a DC or multi-MT). In an example, the control information may include scheduling information indicating resources for operating the repeater 204, communication directions for one or more time periods (e.g., uplink, downlink, flexible link, etc. of one or more symbols, slots, etc.), beamforming information indicating beams for one or more symbols, slots, etc., transmit/receive beam pairs, etc.

In an example, receiving control information for the repeater configuration may include receiving control information from at least the first node or the second node as DCI (e.g., using a new DCI format), MAC-CE, and/or RRC message. In one example, as described above, the repeater 204 may be configured to receive the repeater's configuration from only one cell (or one TRP, e.g., the primary cell). In another example, the repeater 204 may be configured to receive a configuration of the repeater from multiple cells (or multiple TRPs). In yet another example, the relay 204 may receive different configurations from different cells (TRPs) -e.g., receive relay-specific RRC configurations from a primary cell while being configured to monitor dynamic control (e.g., DCI) over (or from) multiple cells.

In method 1200, at block 1206, a repeater function may be provided between the two or more wireless nodes based on the control information. In an aspect, RU unit 320 (e.g., in conjunction with communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) can provide repeater functionality between the two or more wireless nodes based on control information. For example, RU unit 320 may provide repeater functionality between the two or more wireless nodes, including at least one of: (1) Receiving downlink signals from an upstream node, optionally amplifying the downlink signals, and forwarding the downlink signals to a downstream node; or (2) receive uplink signals from downstream nodes, optionally amplify the uplink signals, and forward the uplink signals to upstream nodes. As described, the two or more wireless nodes may include a first node and a second node with which the repeater 204 establishes a control connection or may include different nodes.

In an example, providing the repeater functionality may include RU unit 320 determining a beam to use in a given time period (e.g., as a beam or beam pair to use, which may be indicated via a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status or a corresponding index) based on beamforming information indicated in the control information, and using the beam to transmit or receive communications during the time period. In another example, providing the repeater functionality may include RU unit 320 determining a direction of communication (e.g., for TDM) over the period of time, which may also be based on control information, or related received scheduling information received from a node for which the repeater functionality is provided.

In providing repeater functionality for multiple upstream nodes, optionally at block 1208, downlink transmissions received from at least a first wireless node and a second wireless node may be multiplexed over the FH link and forwarded to a third wireless node. In an aspect, RU unit 320 (e.g., in conjunction with communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) can multiplex downlink transmissions received from at least a first wireless node and a second wireless node (e.g., as an upstream node) and can forward those downlink transmissions to a third wireless node (e.g., as a downstream node). Similarly, optionally at block 1210, uplink transmissions received from the third wireless node may be multiplexed over the FH link to be forwarded as the first uplink transmission to the first wireless node and as the second uplink transmission to the second wireless node. In an aspect, RU unit 320 (e.g., in conjunction with communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) can multiplex uplink transmissions received from a third wireless node over an FH link for forwarding to the first wireless node as a first uplink transmission and to the second wireless node as a second uplink transmission. For example, the multiplexing may include TDM, FDM, SDM (in half-duplex or full-duplex), etc., as described above.

For example, for multiplexing communications of multiple cells/TRPs, RU unit 320 may use FDM (which may be based on a single beam). In this example, if the repeater 204 can use the same FH beam to reach both cells/TRPs (e.g., if the two cells/TRPs are co-located, or the repeater uses a wide beam), the repeater 204 can forward the communication of the two cells/TRPs being FDM simultaneously (e.g., in different frequency bands or channels). In another example, the repeater 204 may forward wideband (FDM) signals for one or more UEs. For the downlink, for example, the repeater 204 may provide single-input single-output or single-input multiple-output (split and amplified). For the uplink, for example, the repeater 204 may provide single-input single-output or multiple-input single-output (combined and forwarded).

In another example, for multiplexing communications of multiple cells/TRPs, RU unit 320 may use SDM half duplex, where repeater 204 may be able to create multiple simultaneous FH beams (e.g., multiple available antenna arrays) to forward communications between multiple cells/TRPs and one or more UEs. While communication may still be subject to half duplex constraints: (DL, DL) or (UL, UL). In another example, for multiplexing communications of multiple cells/TRPs, RU unit 320 may use SDM full duplex, where repeater 204 may be capable of forwarding multiple simultaneous communications in different directions (UL, DL). SDM full duplex capability may depend on (1) the repeater's capability, or (2) whether satisfactory full duplex performance can be achieved (depending on beam, TX power, required link budget, etc.). In yet another example, for multiplexing communications of multiple cells/TRPs, RU unit 320 may use TDM, where repeater 204 may switch between multiple cells/TRPs in time (e.g., based on a direction of communication, such as a symbol or slot, over a period of time, as described herein).

In some examples, the repeater 204 may transmit a capability indication for performing one or more of the above functions. For example, in method 1200, optionally at block 1212, a capability to support at least one of CA, DC, or multi-MT functions may be indicated on the control connection. In an aspect, MT unit 318 (e.g., in conjunction with communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) may indicate on the control connection the capability to support at least one of CA, DC, or multi-MT functions. For example, the MT unit 318 may indicate the capability in RRC signaling or other procedures in communication with at least the first node or the second node. The nodes may use this information to determine how to provide control information to the relay 204 (e.g., via only one cell, via multiple cells, etc.).

In another example, in method 1200, optionally at block 1214, capabilities of one or more multiplexing types for supporting repeater functionality based on attributes of the two or more wireless nodes may be indicated. In an aspect, MT unit 318 (e.g., in conjunction with communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) may indicate the ability to support one or more multiplexing types of repeater functions based on the attributes of the two or more wireless nodes. For example, the MT unit 318 may indicate the capability in RRC signaling or other procedures in communication with at least the first node or the second node. The nodes may use this information to determine scheduling information, communication directions, beamforming information, etc. to provide to the repeater 204 to provide repeater functionality for multiple nodes. In an example, the capability may indicate that at least one of the advanced multiplexing (SDM-half duplex or SDM-full duplex) is supported; or whether the repeater 204 can support FDM/SDM/full duplex or the repeater can support TDM only for a given cell/TRP/beam/measured RX power/target TX power/UE set. In this regard, in an example, the attribute indicated to the two or more nodes may correspond to at least one of an identity of a cell associated with the two or more wireless nodes, an identity of a TRP, an identity of a beam, an identity of a user, a receive power threshold, or a transmit power threshold for which the repeater is capable of supporting one or more multiplexing types. In any case, at least the first node or the second node may determine the operating mode and associated configuration of the selected relay 204 and may indicate to the relay 204 in control information, as described.

In addition, the control information may configure RRM measurements to be performed to determine multiplexing capability. In this regard, for example, in method 1200, optionally at block 1216, measurements of signals associated with the two or more wireless nodes may be performed or indications of the measurements may be communicated. In an aspect, MT unit 318 (e.g., in conjunction with communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) can perform measurements on signals associated with the two or more wireless nodes based on the control information, or communicate indications of the measurements. For example, MT unit 318 may perform RRM measurements on the received signals and may report these measurements to at least the first node or the second node over the control connection. In this regard, at least the first node or the second node may determine the control information, such as multiplexing capability of the repeater 204, beam peering for communicating with the plurality of wireless nodes, based on the RRM measurements.

Fig. 13 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method 1300 for configuring a repeater to provide repeater functionality. In an example, upstream node 202 may perform one or more functions described in method 1300 using one or more components described in fig. 2 and 11.

In method 1300, at block 1302, a control connection may be established with a repeater to provide control information to the repeater to provide repeater functionality between the two or more wireless nodes. In an aspect, the repeater configuration component 1142 (e.g., in conjunction with the scheduling component 246, the processor(s) 1112, the memory 1116, the transceiver 1102, etc.) can establish a control connection with the repeater to provide control information to the repeater to provide repeater functionality between two or more wireless nodes. As described, for example, the upstream node 202 may be one of a plurality of upstream nodes to which the MT unit 318 of the repeater 204 is connected for control connection (e.g., whether as a primary cell, a secondary cell on which the MT unit 318 resides, etc.).

In method 1300, optionally at block 1304, control information may be generated for the repeater to provide repeater functionality. In an aspect, the repeater configuration component 1142 (e.g., in conjunction with the scheduling component 246, the processor(s) 1112, the memory 1116, the transceiver 1102, etc.) can generate control information for the repeater to provide repeater functionality. For example, the repeater configuration component 1142 may generate control information to indicate the type of multiplexing to use and the corresponding configuration information, beamforming information for the beams to use in a particular time period (e.g., symbol, slot, etc.), the direction of communication within the time period (e.g., for TDM or for half/full duplex SDM), which frequencies to use in FDM, which antenna elements to use in SDM for which wireless node, and so forth. In one example, generating control information may include determining control information based on parameters received for two or more wireless nodes for which a repeater function is to be provided, one or more other nodes with which the repeater establishes a control connection, as further described herein.

In method 1300, at block 1306, control information may be transmitted to a repeater to provide repeater functionality. In an aspect, the repeater configuration component 1142 (e.g., in conjunction with the scheduling component 246, the processor(s) 1112, the memory 1116, the transceiver 1102, etc.) can communicate control information to the repeater to provide repeater functionality. For example, the repeater configuration component 1142 may transmit control information to the repeater 204 over a control connection. In an example, another node may also transmit control information (e.g., in CA, DC, multi-MT, etc.) to the relay 204 over the control connection.

In method 1300, optionally at block 1308, an indication of a capability to support at least one of CA, DC, or multi-MT functions may be received over a control connection. In an aspect, the repeater configuration component 1142 (e.g., in conjunction with the scheduling component 246, the processor(s) 1112, the memory 1116, the transceiver 1102, etc.) can receive an indication of the capability for supporting at least one of CA, DC, or multi-MT functions over a control connection. In this example, the repeater configuration component 1142 can determine to generate and/or transmit control information for the repeater 204 based on the indicated capabilities. For example, the relay configuration component 1142 may determine for which wireless nodes to transmit control information based on the indication. In an example, the relay configuration component 1142 may transmit control information regarding all of the two or more wireless nodes without receiving the capability indication or without indicating CA, DC, or multi-MT. However, in the case of CA, DC, or multi-MT support, the relay configuration component 1142 may generate and transmit control information as part of multiple control information transmissions from other nodes, cells, etc.

In method 1300, optionally at block 1310, an indication of capabilities of one or more multiplexing types supporting repeater functionality based on attributes of the two or more wireless nodes may be received. In an aspect, the repeater configuration component 1142 (e.g., in conjunction with the scheduling component 246, the processor(s) 1112, the memory 1116, the transceiver 1102, etc.) can receive an indication of the ability to support one or more multiplexing types of repeater functions based on the attributes of the two or more wireless nodes. For example, as described, the repeater configuration component 1142 can receive an indication of whether advanced multiplexing is supported (e.g., SDM half duplex/full duplex), an indication of the type of multiplexing supported for a given cell/TRP/beam/measured RX power/target TX power/UE set, and so forth. In any case, the repeater configuration component 1142 may determine that the control information configures one or more parameters of the repeater function based on the capability, which may include configuration beamforming information, communication direction, scheduling information, and the like.

In method 1300, optionally at block 1312, a measurement of signals associated with the two or more wireless nodes may be received from a repeater. In an aspect, the repeater configuration component 1142 (e.g., in conjunction with the scheduling component 246, the processor(s) 1112, the memory 1116, the transceiver 1102, etc.) can receive measurements of signals associated with the two or more wireless nodes from the repeater. For example, the upstream node 202 may configure the repeater 204 (e.g., via control information or a separate configuration) to perform RRM measurements. For example, the measurements may include RRM measurements, and the repeater configuration component 1142 may use the RRM measurements (e.g., along with the indicated capabilities) to determine a multiplexing type or related configuration parameters to generate control information for the repeater 204. In another example, the repeater configuration component 1142 can use RRM measurements to determine beamforming information that the repeater 204 uses to provide repeater functionality. For example, the beamforming information may indicate a receive beam for receiving downlink communications from an upstream node, a transmit beam for forwarding downlink communications to a downstream node, a receive beam for receiving uplink communications from a downstream node, a transmit beam for forwarding uplink communications to an upstream node, and so on.

Fig. 14 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method 1400 for providing repeater functionality for two or more upstream nodes. In an example, repeater 204 can perform one or more functions described in method 1400 using one or more components described in fig. 2 and 10.

In method 1400, at block 1402, a control connection may be established with at least a first node to receive control information for providing repeater functionality for two or more upstream nodes. In an aspect, MT unit 318 (e.g., in conjunction with communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) may establish a control connection with at least a first node to receive control information for providing relay functionality for the two or more upstream nodes. In one example, the node(s) providing control information may be the same as or different from the upstream node for which repeater 204 provides repeater functionality. In an example, the MT unit 318 may establish a connection with at least a first node that is an upstream node (or multiple upstream nodes) to receive control information for controlling repeater functions, as described above.

In method 1400, at block 1404, control information may be received over a control connection from at least a first node for providing repeater functionality for the two or more upstream nodes. In an aspect, MT unit 318 (e.g., in conjunction with communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) may receive control information over a control connection from at least a first node for providing repeater functionality for the two or more upstream nodes. In an example, the control information may include one or more TDD modes for providing repeater functionality for two or more upstream nodes in TDD (or in other multiplexing schemes, such as half/full duplex SDM). Further, as described, for example, the repeater 204 may be connected with one or more nodes for controlling the connection and may receive control information from the one or more nodes. The control information may include information for one or more of the two or more upstream nodes. Thus, in one example, the control information may include separate control information for each upstream node or control information generated for a combination of multiple upstream nodes.

In an example, each cell or TRP may have its own TDD configuration for communication direction or beamforming information per symbol or slot, etc. In one example, MT unit 318 may receive control information in a single TDD mode form through one or more cells in which it resides (e.g., there may be a single UL/DL/F state for any given symbol/slot). In an example, RU 320 may use a single TDD mode to determine repeater functionality. In this example, a single TDD mode may be determined (e.g., by any of the serving cell, DU, CU, network) based on the TDD modes of the plurality of cells or TRPs. In another example, a single TDD mode may be determined additionally based on decisions regarding scheduling of the relay 204, UEs served by the relay, and associated cells/TRPs, etc. In an example, a single TDD mode may be indicated as TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated (in which case the fact that this mode is for multiple upstream nodes may be transparent to the repeater 204 based on using legacy messages). In another example, a single TDD mode may be indicated as a new TDD-UL-DL-configuration message, or MAC-CE, that may be sent as an RRC message. The repeater 204 may or may not be aware that it is forwarding communications for multiple cells/TRPs. In a particular example, where TDD mode for cell 1/TRP1 of N slots/symbols= [ D U F U ] (e.g., n=7) and TDD mode for cell 2/TRP2 of N slots/symbols= [ D U F U F ], a single TDD mode indicated to the repeater= [ D U F D U ], so that flexible slots/symbols for one TDD mode may employ UL or DL depending on the direction of the same slot/symbol index of another TDD mode. In another example, if the scheduling of the repeater is such that in slot/symbol n, communications are assumed to be forwarded for cell/TRP i, the TDD mode of slot/symbol n may be determined based on the TDD mode of cell/TRP i for that slot/symbol.

In another example, the MT unit 318 may receive control information in the form of a plurality of TDD modes, where each TDD mode may correspond to one of a plurality of cell/TRPs. For example, the repeater 204 may provide multiple TDD modes by one or more cells in which it resides. In an example, RU unit 320 may use multiple TDD modes to determine repeater functionality. In one example, each of the plurality of TDD modes (any of serving cell(s), DU, CU, network) may be determined based on a TDD mode of one or a subset of the plurality of cells or TRPs. In one example, each of the plurality of TDD modes may be indicated as TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated (in which case the fact that the mode is for multiple upstream nodes may be transparent to the repeater 204 based on using legacy messages). In another example, each of the plurality of TDD modes may be indicated as using a new TDD-UL-DL-configuration message, or MAC-CE, which may be sent as an RRC message. In this example, each mode may be appropriately indexed, where an index may refer to a cell identifier, a TRP identifier, a beam identifier (e.g., TCI status), or a generic index number, so that RU unit 320 may determine the TDD mode-related upstream node. In an example, the TDD mode may include a cell-specific or dedicated TDD configuration received in association with the established control connection.

In one example, MT unit 318 may receive control information (which may be dynamically provided or updated control information) that indicates an index (or indices) referencing an associated TDD mode. For example, MT unit 318 may also receive control information indicating one or more index values corresponding to each upstream node. The index value may then be used to refer to TDD mode for the upstream node. Thus, for example, MT unit 318 may determine a TDD mode (or associated communication direction or beamforming) for each of the one or more symbols or time slots based on the received one or more index values, the first TDD mode, and the second TDD mode. In an example, the control information may indicate one or more index values received dynamically or semi-statically, wherein the one or more index values are associated with a periodic pattern or schedule of the relay, a downstream node served by the relay, or the two upstream nodes.

For example, the control information may configure the repeater 204 to forward the communication of the cell/TRP i for the next slot/symbol by an index indicating the cell id/TRP id or associated TDD mode. By doing so, in this example, the control information may not need to include the associated TDD information. In another example, the MT unit 38 may receive the other half of the static scheduling pattern, where the pattern indicates (for each time resource—e.g., slot/symbol) which TDD pattern to use to determine the forwarding direction. For example, RU unit 320 may be determined to forward communications for cell 1 and cell 2 on even and odd timeslots, respectively. In this example, the pattern of [ cell id 1, cell id 2] would indicate how to determine the DL/UL status of each resource by referencing the TDD pattern of the associated cells 1 and 2. Whether the TDD mode is determined based on a single received TDD mode or based on multiple received TDD modes, RU unit 320 may provide repeater functionality to the multiple upstream nodes, as described.

In method 1400, at block 1406, a repeater function may be provided between at least a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes and at least one downstream node, and between at least a second upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes and the at least one downstream node or at least another downstream node. In an aspect, RU unit 320 (e.g., in conjunction with communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) can provide repeater functionality between at least a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes and at least one downstream node, and between at least a second upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes and the at least one downstream node or at least another downstream node. For example, RU unit 320 may provide repeater functionality between the two or more wireless nodes, including at least one of: (1) Receiving a downlink signal from an upstream node, optionally amplifying the downlink signal, and forwarding the downlink signal to a downstream node; or (2) receive an uplink signal from a downstream node, optionally amplify the uplink signal, and forward the uplink signal to an upstream node.

In an example, in method 1400, optionally at block 1408, a communication direction or beamforming for one or more symbols or slots may be determined based on the control information. In an aspect, MT unit 318 (e.g., in conjunction with communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) can determine a communication direction or beamforming for one or more symbols or slots based on the control information. Thus, for example, RU unit 320 may determine a beam to use within a given time period (e.g., as a beam or beam pair to use, which may be indicated via a TCI state or corresponding index) based on the beamforming information and TDD mode indicated in the control information, and provide a repeater function may use the beam to transmit or receive communications during the time period. For example, RU unit 320 may determine beamforming information based on a single TDD mode (which may indicate a beam, beam pair, or set of beams to be used in each time period) or based on multiple TDD modes, as described above. In another example, RU unit 320 may determine a direction of communication (e.g., for TDM or other multiplexing type) during the time period, which may also be based on control information and TDD mode, or related received scheduling information, from a node for which the repeater functionality is provided. For example, RU unit 320 may determine a communication direction based on a single TDD mode (which may indicate UL/DL/F for each time period), or based on multiple TDD modes, as described above.

Fig. 15 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method 1500 for configuring a repeater to provide repeater functionality for two or more upstream nodes. In an example, upstream node 202 may perform one or more functions described in method 1500 using one or more components described in fig. 2 and 11.

In method 1500, at block 1502, a control connection may be established with a repeater to provide control information to the repeater for providing repeater functionality between at least a first upstream node and at least one downstream node of two or more upstream nodes, and between at least a second upstream node and the at least one downstream node or at least another downstream node of the two or more upstream nodes. In an aspect, the relay configuration component 1142 (e.g., in conjunction with the scheduling component 246, the processor(s) 1112, the memory 1116, the transceiver 1102, etc.) can establish a control connection with the relay to provide control information to the relay for providing relay functionality between at least a first upstream node and at least one downstream node of the two or more upstream nodes, and between at least a second upstream node and the at least one downstream node or at least another downstream node of the two or more upstream nodes. As described, for example, the upstream node 202 may be one of a plurality of upstream nodes to which the MT unit 318 of the repeater 204 is connected for control connection (e.g., whether as a primary cell, a secondary cell on which the MT unit 318 resides, etc.).

In method 1500, optionally at block 1504, control information may be generated to indicate one or more TDD modes based on a plurality of TDD modes associated with the two or more upstream nodes. In an aspect, the repeater configuration component 1142 (e.g., in conjunction with the scheduling component 246, the processor(s) 1112, the memory 1116, the transceiver 1102, etc.) can generate control information to indicate one or more TDD modes based on a plurality of TDD modes associated with the two or more upstream nodes. For example, the repeater configuration component 1142 may generate control information to be in the form of a single TDD mode that accounts for multiple TDD modes for the two or more upstream nodes. As described, in an example, the repeater configuration component 1142 can generate a single TDD mode to align with the multiple TDD modes (e.g., change a flexible symbol or slot indicated by one mode to UL or DL based on another mode). In another example, the repeater configuration component 1142 may determine a TDD mode for each upstream node. Further, as described, the TDD mode may involve beamforming information for each time period (e.g., symbol, slot, etc.), communication direction for each time period, and so forth.

In method 1500, optionally at block 1506, for a plurality of TDD modes, a first TDD mode may be associated with an index of a first upstream node and a second TDD mode may be associated with a second upstream node in the control information. In an aspect, the repeater configuration component 1142 (e.g., in conjunction with the scheduling component 246, the processor(s) 1112, the memory 1116, the transceiver 1102, etc.) can associate the first TDD mode with an index of a first upstream node and the second TDD mode with an index of a second upstream node in the control information. For example, as described, the repeater configuration component 1142 can configure a repeater using indexes corresponding to the two or more upstream nodes, and can then associate TDD mode information (e.g., whether for beamforming or communication direction) with the indexes to indicate to which upstream node the TDD mode is associated.

In method 1500, at block 1508, the control information may be transmitted to a repeater to provide repeater functionality for the two or more upstream nodes. In an aspect, the repeater configuration component 1142 (e.g., in conjunction with the scheduling component 246, the processor(s) 1112, the memory 1116, the transceiver 1102, etc.) can transmit control information to the repeater to provide repeater functionality for the two or more upstream nodes. For example, the repeater configuration component 1142 may transmit control information to the repeater 204 over a control connection. In an example, another node may also transmit control information (e.g., in CA, DC, multi-MT, etc.) to the relay 204 over the control connection.

Fig. 16 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method 1600 for resolving conflicts in control information or other information providing repeater functionality. In an example, repeater 204 can use one or more components described in fig. 2 and 10 to perform one or more functions described in method 1600.

In method 1600, at block 1602, a control connection may be established with at least a first node to receive control information for providing repeater functionality for one or more upstream nodes. In an aspect, MT unit 318 (e.g., in conjunction with communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) may establish a control connection with at least a first node to receive control information for providing repeater functionality to the one or more wireless nodes. In one example, the node(s) providing control information may be the same as or different from the upstream node(s) for which repeater 204 provides repeater functionality. In an example, the MT unit 318 may establish a connection with at least a first node that is an upstream node (or multiple upstream nodes) to receive control information for controlling repeater functions, as described above.

In method 1600, at block 1604, control information may be received over a control connection. In an aspect, MT unit 318 (e.g., in conjunction with communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) may receive control information over a control connection. In an example, the control information may include one or more TDD modes for providing repeater functionality or other control information for the one or more upstream nodes in TDD (or in other multiplexing schemes, such as half/full duplex SDM). Further, as described, for example, the repeater 204 may be connected with one or more nodes for controlling the connection and may receive control information from the one or more nodes. The control information may include information for one or more upstream nodes. Thus, in one example, the control information may include separate control information for each of the plurality of upstream nodes.

In an example, the repeater 204 may receive a number of potentially conflicting control information or related commands or parameters (e.g., from different nodes with which to establish control connections or otherwise). For example, the repeater 204 may be configured to monitor repeater control information over multiple search spaces (e.g., associated with different TRPs). In another example, the relay 204 may be configured to monitor relay control information (e.g., in a DC/CA, or multi-MT) across multiple cells. In yet another example, the repeater 204 may receive multiple configurations (via MAC-CE or RRC) from the same or multiple cells that may be colliding.

In method 1600, at block 1606, a conflict may be determined in the received control information or within the control information regarding two or more upstream nodes. In an aspect, the conflict resolution component 1048 (e.g., in conjunction with the communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) can determine a conflict in or within the received control information regarding two or more upstream nodes. For example, the conflict resolution component 1048 can determine that the conflict is a potential conflict based on receiving a plurality of control information or detect an actual conflict based on analyzing the content of the control information (e.g., different communication directions or beams indicated for the same time period).

In method 1600, at block 1608, a repeater function may be provided for the one or more upstream nodes based on the control information and based on the conflict. In an aspect, RU unit 320 (e.g., in conjunction with communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) can provide repeater functionality for the one or more upstream nodes based on the control information and based on the conflict. For example, RU unit 320 may provide repeater functionality between the one or more upstream nodes and one or more downstream nodes, including at least one of: (1) Receiving a downlink signal from an upstream node, optionally amplifying the downlink signal, and forwarding the downlink signal to a downstream node; or (2) receive an uplink signal from a downstream node, optionally amplify the uplink signal, and forward the uplink signal to an upstream node. Further, providing the repeater function may include determining a communication direction, beamforming information, etc. for communication between the one or more upstream nodes and the one or more downstream nodes, which may be determined based on the received control information and the collision.

For example, in providing repeater functionality at block 1608, optionally at block 1610, control information for one of the two or more upstream nodes may be prioritized. In an aspect, the conflict resolution component 1048 (e.g., in conjunction with the communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) can prioritize control information of one of the two or more upstream nodes. In another example, where repeater functionality is provided at block 1608, optionally at block 1612, the control information for one of the two or more upstream nodes may be cancelled. In an aspect, the conflict resolution component 1048 (e.g., in conjunction with the communication component 242, processor(s) 1012, memory 1016, transceiver 1002, etc.) can cancel control information of one of the two or more upstream nodes. For example, the conflict resolution component 1048 may prioritize or cancel actual control information received for one of the two or more upstream nodes (or based on a determination that control information was received from a given node), which may be based on a determination of a conflict in receiving control information. In another example, the collision resolution component 1048 may prioritize or cancel communication direction, beamforming information, etc. for one of the two or more upstream nodes based on determining a collision between control information indicated by particular symbols or slots for the first and second upstream nodes. In yet another example, the conflict resolution component 1048 can cancel control information, communication direction, beamforming information, etc., for two (or all) upstream nodes based on determining the conflict.

In an example, prioritization rules may be defined for use by conflict resolution component 1048. In one example, the prioritization rules may relate to a primary cell versus a secondary cell. In this example, the command received from the primary cell (or a configuration associated therewith) may override the command received from the secondary cell. In another example, the prioritization rules may relate to whether to prioritize MCG over SCG or SCG over MCG. In an example, if the repeater is configured for DC, the configuration associated with or received from the MCG cell may have a higher priority. In an example, the prioritization rules may involve a later control override, where a more recently indicated configuration may override a previous configuration (e.g., based on comparing a time associated with receiving a first configuration with a time associated with receiving a second configuration to determine which night). Priority may also be defined as beam-related, physical channel-related (in the case where the repeater knows the type of signal to be forwarded), direction-related (e.g., DL with higher priority than UL, which may further depend on time (e.g., symbol/implementation index), etc.). In other examples, new prioritization values/indices may be defined and communicated for various commands/configurations. Prioritization may be left to the repeater to achieve. Furthermore, as described, the repeater 204 may cancel the conflicting schedule.

In method 1600, optionally at block 1614, an indication of the conflict or control information may be transmitted to at least the first node or one or more of the two or more upstream nodes. In an aspect, the conflict resolution component 1048 (e.g., in conjunction with the communication component 242, the processor(s) 1012, the memory 1016, the transceiver 1002, etc.) can transmit an indication of a conflict or control information to at least the first node or one or more of the two or more upstream nodes. This may cause at least a first node (e.g., a node providing control information) or the two or more upstream nodes (e.g., nodes for which relay functionality is provided) to generate and/or instruct different configuration or control information to the relay 204 to resolve the conflict. In this regard, for example, the repeater 204 may send feedback to one or more other (serving) nodes, which may include an indication that a conflict exists, or other conflicting configurations are shared, or new configurations are suggested. In one example, this may be done a priori in advance (and avoid collisions). One or more upstream nodes may update or transmit control information to the repeater 204 accordingly, and the repeater 204 may provide repeater functionality based on the updated or indicated control information.

Fig. 17 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method 1700 for avoiding configuring a repeater to provide a conflict in repeater functionality. In an example, upstream node 202 may perform one or more functions described in method 1700 using one or more components described in fig. 2 and 11.

In method 1700, at block 1702, a control connection may be established with a repeater or one or more other nodes having a control connection with the repeater to provide control information to the repeater for providing repeater functionality to one or more upstream nodes. In an aspect, the repeater configuration component 1142 (e.g., in conjunction with the scheduling component 246, the processor(s) 1112, the memory 1116, the transceiver 1102, etc.) can establish a control connection with the repeater or one or more other nodes having control connections with the repeater to provide control information to the repeater for providing repeater functionality to one or more upstream nodes. As described, for example, the upstream node 202 may be one of a plurality of upstream nodes to which the MT unit 318 of the repeater 204 is connected for control connection (e.g., whether as a primary cell, a secondary cell on which the MT unit 318 resides, etc.).

In method 1700, optionally at block 1704, control information for the repeater may be determined based on information for the one or more other nodes. In an aspect, the repeater configuration component 1142 (e.g., in conjunction with the scheduling component 246, the processor(s) 1112, the memory 1116, the transceiver 1102, etc.) can determine or generate control information for the repeater based on information for the one or more other nodes. In an example, the repeater configuration component 1142 can communicate with the one or more other nodes to receive information related to the one or more other nodes. For example, upstream node 202 and the one or more other nodes may be non-collocated cells, DUs, separate CUs, etc., and may communicate with each other over one or more backhaul links. For example, the nodes may exchange information about configuring the repeater 204 (e.g., which communication direction or beamforming information is to be used for a given time period, which node has priority in which time period, etc.), and the repeater configuration component 1142 may use the information or negotiation to generate control information for the repeater 204. Coordinating the repeater configuration in this regard may avoid collisions of control information sent to the repeater 204.

In an example, in method 1700, optionally at block 1706, information of the one or more other nodes may be received from a centralized unit or directly from the one or more other nodes. In an aspect, relay configuration component 1142 (e.g., in conjunction with scheduling component 246, processor(s) 1112, memory 1116, transceiver 1102, etc.) can receive information of the one or more other nodes (e.g., over a backhaul link) from the CU or directly from the one or more other nodes.

For example, in the case where there is a single scheduler that configures the repeater functions of the repeater 204 and transmits corresponding control information or repeater configuration commands, there may be no collision. However, multiple schedulers may be involved, which may potentially lead to conflicts described herein. Accordingly, for example, a CU may coordinate relay configuration information. For example, where two upstream nodes (e.g., cells) are associated with different DUs (of the same CU) and are configured to use the same repeater 204, the CUs may coordinate, e.g., via exchanging information (expected configuration, schedule, TDD mode, beam mode, power configuration, etc.) between the DUs. For example, the CU may determine and indicate to the DU the configuration (e.g., deciding TDD mode, how to multiplex the repeater (e.g., TDM, FDM, SDM, full duplex mode), power configuration of the repeater, beam coordination, which UEs are being served via the repeater, etc.). One or more DUs may then provide the configuration or related control information to the repeater 204 accordingly.

In another example, CUs may coordinate on an Xn backhaul interface between the CUs. In this example, two upstream nodes (e.g., cells) may be associated with different DUs/CUs and may be configured to use the same repeater 204. In this example, the two CUs may coordinate on the Xn interface-e.g., via exchanging information (as described above), requesting/suggesting a configuration, etc. One CU may be responsible for determining the configuration, as described above. In another example, in the case where two mobile network operators share relay 204, there may be a semi-static protocol/coordination between the two operators-e.g., to determine a common TDD mode, multiplexing mode, beam coordination, power coordination, etc. In this example, one or more DUs may accordingly provide the configuration or related control information to the repeater 204. In either case, collisions may be avoided in this regard. In method 1700, at block 1708, the control information may be transmitted to a repeater or the one or more other nodes for providing repeater functionality. In an aspect, the repeater configuration component 1142 (e.g., in conjunction with the scheduling component 246, the processor(s) 1112, the memory 1116, the transceiver 1102, etc.) can transmit the control information to the repeater or the one or more other nodes for providing repeater functionality. For example, the repeater configuration component 1142 may transmit control information to the repeater 204 over a control connection using one or more of the plurality of upstream nodes. In an example, another node may also transmit control information (e.g., in CA, DC, multi-MT, etc.) to the relay 204 over the control connection.

Fig. 18 is a block diagram of a MIMO communication system 1800 including a base station 102 and a repeater 204 (or MT units, UEs or other downstream nodes thereof). MIMO communication system 1800 may illustrate aspects of wireless communication access network 100 described with reference to fig. 1. Base station 102 may be an example of aspects of base station 102 described with reference to fig. 1. Base station 102 may be equipped with antennas 1834 and 1835 and repeater 204 may be equipped with antennas 1852 and 1853. In MIMO communication system 1800, base station 102 may be capable of transmitting data on multiple communication links simultaneously. Each communication link may be referred to as a "layer," and a "rank" of the communication link may indicate the number of layers used for communication. For example, in a 2x2 MIMO communication system in which base station 102 transmits two "layers," the rank of the communication link between base station 102 and repeater 204 is 2.

At the base station 102, a transmit (Tx) processor 1820 may receive data from a data source. The transmit processor 1820 may process the data. The transmit processor 1820 may also generate control symbols or reference symbols. Transmit MIMO processor 1830 may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on the data symbols, control symbols, or reference symbols, if applicable, and may provide output symbol streams to transmit modulators/demodulators 1832 and 1833. Each modulator/demodulator 1832-1833 may process a respective output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain a stream of output samples. Each modulator/demodulator 1832-1833 may further process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and upconvert) the output sample stream to obtain a DL signal. In one example, DL signals from modulators/demodulators 1832 and 1833 may be transmitted via antennas 1834 and 1835, respectively.

The repeater 204 may be an example of aspects of the repeater 204 described with reference to fig. 1-3, etc. At the repeater 204, repeater antennas 1852 and 1853 may receive DL signals from the base station 102 and may provide the received signals to modulators/demodulators 1854 and 1855, respectively. Each modulator/demodulator 1854-1855 may condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) a respective received signal to obtain input samples. Each modulator/demodulator 1854-1855 may further process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain received symbols. MIMO detector 1856 may obtain received symbols from modulators/demodulators 1854 and 1855, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and provide detected symbols. A receive (Rx) processor 1858 may process (e.g., demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data to a repeater 204 to a data output, and provide decoded control information to a processor 1880 or a memory 1882.

The processor 1880 may in some cases execute stored instructions to instantiate the communication component 242 (see, e.g., fig. 2 and 10) for providing repeater functionality.

On the Uplink (UL), at the repeater 204, a transmit processor 1864 may receive and process data from a data source. The transmit processor 1864 may also generate reference symbols for a reference signal. The symbols from transmit processor 1864 may be precoded by transmit MIMO processor 1866, if applicable, further processed by modulators/demodulators 1854 and 1855 (e.g., for SC-FDMA, etc.), and transmitted to base station 102 according to the communication parameters received from base station 102. At base station 102, UL signals from repeater 204 may be received by antennas 1834 and 1835, processed by modulators/demodulators 1832 and 1833, detected by a MIMO detector 1836 if applicable, and further processed by a receive processor 1838. The receive processor 1838 may provide decoded data to a data output and either the processor 1840 or the memory 1842.

The processor 1840 may in some cases execute the stored instructions to instantiate the scheduling component 246 (see, e.g., fig. 2 and 11) for configuring the repeater to provide repeater functionality.

The components of repeater 204 may be implemented individually or in whole with one or more ASICs adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Each of the mentioned modules may be means for performing one or more functions related to the operation of the MIMO communication system 1800. Similarly, the components of base station 102 may be implemented individually or in whole using one or more ASICs adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Each of the mentioned components may be means for performing one or more functions related to the operation of the MIMO communication system 1800.

The following aspects are merely illustrative and aspects thereof may be combined with aspects of other embodiments or teachings described herein without limitation.

Aspect 1 is a method for wireless communication at a repeater, comprising: establishing a control connection with at least a first node and a second node to receive control information for providing a repeater function between two or more wireless nodes; receiving the control information from one or more of at least a first node or a second node over the control connection; and providing a repeater function between the two or more wireless nodes based on the control information.

In aspect 2, the method of aspect 1 comprises: wherein at least the first node and the second node are different TRPs in the serving cell.

In aspect 3, the method of any one of aspects 1 or 2 comprises: wherein at least the first node forwards signals from the second node.

In aspect 4, the method of aspect 1 comprises: wherein at least the first node and the second node are different cells in the primary cell group.

In aspect 5, the method of aspect 1 comprises: wherein the first node is a cell in a primary cell group and the second node is a cell in a secondary cell group.

In aspect 6, the method of any one of aspects 1 to 5 comprises: wherein establishing the control connection comprises: a first mobile termination unit using a repeater establishes a first control connection with a first node and a second mobile termination unit using a repeater establishes a second control connection with a second node.

In aspect 7, the method of any one of aspects 1 to 6 comprises: wherein the control information includes a repeater configuration for controlling a repeater function.

In aspect 8, the method of aspect 7 comprises: wherein receiving control information includes receiving a DCI format, MAC-CE, or RRC message indicating a relay configuration.

In aspect 9, the method of any one of aspects 7 or 8 comprises: wherein receiving control information includes receiving a repeater configuration from only the first node over the control connection.

In aspect 10, the method of any one of aspects 7 or 8 comprises: wherein receiving control information includes receiving a repeater configuration from at least a first node and a second node over a control connection.

In aspect 11, the method of any one of aspects 7, 8, or 10 comprises: wherein receiving control information includes receiving a first repeater configuration from a first node over a control connection and receiving a second repeater configuration from a second node over the control connection.

In aspect 12, the method of any one of aspects 1 to 11 comprises: wherein providing the repeater functionality comprises at least one of: multiplexing downlink transmissions received from at least a first wireless node and a second wireless node of the two or more wireless nodes on a forward link and forwarding the downlink transmissions to at least a third wireless node of the two or more wireless nodes, or multiplexing uplink transmissions received from at least a third wireless node on a forward link to be forwarded as a first uplink transmission to at least the first wireless node and as a second uplink transmission to the second wireless node.

In aspect 13, the method of aspect 12 comprises: wherein multiplexing the downlink transmission or multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises frequency multiplexing based on a single beam.

In aspect 14, the method of aspect 12 comprises: wherein multiplexing the downlink transmission or multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises forming different beams using different antenna elements to multiplex in space.

In aspect 15, the method of any one of aspects 12 or 14 comprises: wherein multiplexing the downlink transmission and multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises: the method includes multiplexing downlink transmissions using a first antenna element to form a first beam, and multiplexing at least one of the first uplink transmission and a second uplink transmission using a second antenna element to form a second beam for concurrent transmission.

In aspect 16, the method of aspect 12 comprises: wherein multiplexing the downlink transmission or multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises time multiplexing based on one or more beams.

In aspect 17, the method of any one of aspects 1 to 16 further comprises: a capability is indicated to the wireless network for supporting at least one of carrier aggregation, dual connectivity, or multiple mobile termination units over the control connection, wherein establishing the control connection is based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 18, the method of any one of aspects 1 to 17 further comprises: the wireless network is indicated with a capability to support space division multiplexing of the repeater functionality, wherein providing the repeater functionality is based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 19, the method of any one of aspects 1 to 18 further comprises: a capability is indicated to the wireless network for supporting one or more multiplexing types of the repeater function based on the attributes of the two or more wireless nodes, wherein providing the repeater function is based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 20, the method of aspect 19 comprises: wherein the attribute of the two or more nodes corresponds to at least one of an identity of a cell associated with the two or more wireless nodes, an identity of a TRP, an identity of a beam, an identity of a user, a receive power threshold, or a transmit power threshold for which the repeater is capable of supporting one or more multiplexing types.

Aspect 21 is a method for wireless communication at an upstream node, comprising: establishing a control connection with the repeater to provide the repeater with control information for providing repeater functionality between two or more wireless nodes, wherein the control connection with the repeater includes at least a first node and a second node; and transmitting control information for providing a repeater function to the repeater.

In aspect 22, the method of aspect 21 comprises: wherein at least the first node and the second node are a plurality of TRPs of the upstream node.

In aspect 23, the method of aspect 21 comprises: wherein at least the first node and the second node are cells in a primary cell group, and wherein transmitting control information comprises transmitting control information to the relay using carrier aggregation.

In aspect 24, the method of aspect 21 comprises: wherein at least a first node is a cell in a primary cell group and a second node is a cell in a secondary cell group, and wherein dual connectivity is transmitted.

In aspect 25, the method of any one of aspects 21 to 24 comprises: wherein the control information includes a repeater configuration for controlling a repeater function.

In aspect 26, the method of aspect 25 comprises: wherein transmitting the control information includes transmitting a DCI format, a MAC-CE, or an RRC message indicating the repeater configuration.

In aspect 27, the method of any one of aspects 21 to 26 further comprises: an indication of a capability to support at least one of carrier aggregation, dual connectivity, or multiple mobile termination units over a control connection is received from a relay, wherein establishing the control connection is based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 28, the method of any one of aspects 21 to 27 further comprises: an indication of a capability to support space division multiplexing of repeater functionality is received from a repeater and control information is generated based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 29, the method of any one of aspects 21 to 28 further comprises: an indication of a capability of one or more multiplexing types supporting a repeater function based on attributes of the two or more wireless nodes is received from the repeater, and control information is generated based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 30, the method of aspect 29 comprises: wherein the attribute of the two or more nodes corresponds to at least one of an identity of a cell associated with the two or more wireless nodes, an identity of a TRP, an identity of a beam, an identity of a user, a receive power threshold, or a transmit power threshold for which the repeater is capable of supporting one or more multiplexing types.

In aspect 31, the method of any one of aspects 29 or 30 further comprises: an indication of these attributes is transmitted to the repeater to determine one or more multiplexing types.

In aspect 32, the method of any one of aspects 21 to 31 further comprises: the repeater is configured to perform and report measurements on signals associated with the two or more wireless nodes.

Aspect 33 is an apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising a transceiver, a memory configured to store instructions, a mobile termination unit, a repeater unit, and one or more processors communicatively coupled with the memory and the transceiver. The one or more processors are configured to: establishing a control connection with at least a first node and a second node via a mobile termination unit to receive control information for providing a repeater function between two or more wireless nodes; receiving control information from one or more of at least a first node or a second node over a control connection; and providing a repeater function between the two or more wireless nodes via the repeater unit and based on the control information.

In aspect 34, the apparatus of aspect 33 comprises: wherein at least the first node and the second node are different TRPs of the serving cell.

In aspect 35, the apparatus of any one of aspects 33 or 34 comprises: wherein at least the first node forwards signals from the second node.

In aspect 36, the apparatus of aspect 33 comprises: wherein at least the first node and the second node are different cells in the primary cell group.

In aspect 37, the apparatus of aspect 33 comprises: wherein the first node is a cell in a primary cell group and the second node is a cell in a secondary cell group.

In aspect 38, the apparatus of any one of aspects 33 to 37 comprises: wherein the one or more processors are configured to establish the control connection at least in part by: a first mobile termination unit using the apparatus establishes a first control connection with a first node, and a second mobile termination unit using the apparatus establishes a second control connection with a second node.

In aspect 39, the apparatus of any one of aspects 33 to 38 comprises: wherein the control information includes a repeater configuration for controlling a repeater function.

In aspect 40, the apparatus of aspect 39 comprises: wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive the control information at least in part by receiving a DCI format, MAC-CE, or RRC message indicating a repeater configuration.

In aspect 41, the apparatus of any one of aspects 39 or 40 comprises: wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive the control information at least in part by receiving the repeater configuration only from the first node over the control connection.

In aspect 42, the apparatus of any one of aspects 39 or 40 comprises: wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive the control information at least in part by receiving a repeater configuration over the control connection from at least the first node and the second node.

In aspect 43, the apparatus of any one of aspects 39, 40, or 42, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: the control information is received at least in part by receiving a first repeater configuration from a first node over a control connection and a second repeater configuration from a second node over the control connection.

In aspect 44, the apparatus of any one of aspects 33 to 43 comprises wherein the one or more processors are configured to provide the repeater function at least in part by at least one of: multiplexing downlink transmissions received from at least a first wireless node and a second wireless node of the two or more wireless nodes on a forward link and forwarding the downlink transmissions to at least a third wireless node of the two or more wireless nodes, or multiplexing uplink transmissions received from at least a third wireless node on a forward link to be forwarded as a first uplink transmission to at least the first wireless node and as a second uplink transmission to the second wireless node.

In aspect 45, the apparatus of aspect 44 comprises: wherein multiplexing the downlink transmission or multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises frequency multiplexing based on a single beam.

In aspect 46, the apparatus of aspect 44 comprises: wherein multiplexing the downlink transmission or multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises forming different beams using different antenna elements to multiplex in space.

In aspect 47, the apparatus of any one of aspects 44 or 46 comprises: wherein multiplexing the downlink transmission and multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises: the method includes multiplexing downlink transmissions using a first antenna element to form a first beam, and multiplexing at least one of the first uplink transmission and a second uplink transmission using a second antenna element to form a second beam for concurrent transmission.

In aspect 48, the apparatus of aspect 44 comprises: wherein multiplexing the downlink transmission or multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises time multiplexing based on one or more beams.

In aspect 49, the apparatus of any one of aspects 33 to 48 comprises wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: the method includes indicating to the wireless network a capability to support at least one of carrier aggregation, dual connectivity, or multiple mobile termination units over a control connection, wherein the one or more processors are configured to establish the control connection based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 50, the apparatus of any one of aspects 33 to 49 comprises wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: the wireless network is indicated with a capability to support space division multiplexing of the repeater functionality, wherein the one or more processors are configured to provide the repeater functionality based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 51, the apparatus of any one of aspects 33 to 50 comprises wherein the one or more processors are configured to: one or more multiplexing type capabilities for supporting repeater functionality based on attributes of the two or more wireless nodes are indicated to the wireless network, wherein the one or more processors are configured to provide repeater functionality based at least in part on the capabilities.

In aspect 52, the apparatus of aspect 51 comprises: wherein the attribute of the two or more nodes corresponds to at least one of an identity of a cell associated with the two or more wireless nodes, an identity of a TRP, an identity of a beam, an identity of a user, a receive power threshold, or a transmit power threshold, the apparatus being capable of supporting one or more multiplexing types for the attribute.

Aspect 53 is an apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising a transceiver, a memory configured to store instructions, and one or more processors communicatively coupled with the memory and the transceiver. The one or more processors are configured to: establishing a control connection with the repeater to provide the repeater with control information for providing repeater functionality between two or more wireless nodes, wherein the control connection with the repeater includes at least a first node and a second node; and transmitting control information for providing a repeater function to the repeater.

In aspect 54, the apparatus of aspect 53 comprises: wherein at least the first node and the second node are a plurality of TRPs of the apparatus.

In aspect 55, the apparatus of aspect 53 comprises: wherein at least the first node and the second node are cells in a primary cell group, and wherein the one or more processors are configured to transmit control information at least in part by transmitting control information to the relay using carrier aggregation.

In aspect 56, the apparatus of aspect 53 comprises: wherein at least a first node is a cell in a primary cell group and a second node is a cell in a secondary cell group, and wherein the one or more processors are configured to transmit control information using dual connectivity.

In aspect 57, the apparatus of any one of aspects 53-56 comprises: wherein the control information includes a repeater configuration for controlling a repeater function.

In aspect 58, the apparatus of aspect 57 comprises wherein the one or more processors are configured to: the control information is transmitted at least in part by transmitting a DCI format, MAC-CE, or RRC message indicating the repeater configuration.

In aspect 59, the apparatus of any one of aspects 53-58 comprises wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: an indication of a capability to support at least one of carrier aggregation, dual connectivity, or multiple mobile termination units over a control connection is received from a relay, wherein the one or more processors are configured to establish the control connection based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 60, the apparatus of any one of aspects 53 to 59 comprises wherein the one or more processors are configured to: an indication of a capability to support space division multiplexing of repeater functionality is received from a repeater and control information is generated based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 61, the apparatus of any one of aspects 53 to 60 comprises wherein the one or more processors are configured to: an indication of a capability of one or more multiplexing types supporting a repeater function based on attributes of the two or more wireless nodes is received from the repeater, and control information is generated based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 62, the apparatus of aspect 61 comprises: wherein the attribute of the two or more nodes corresponds to at least one of an identity of a cell associated with the two or more wireless nodes, an identity of a TRP, an identity of a beam, an identity of a user, a receive power threshold, or a transmit power threshold for which the repeater is capable of supporting one or more multiplexing types.

In aspect 63, the apparatus of any one of aspects 61 to 62 comprises wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: an indication of these attributes is transmitted to the repeater to determine one or more multiplexing types.

In aspect 64, the apparatus of any one of aspects 53 to 63 comprises wherein the one or more processors are configured to: the repeater is configured to perform and report measurements on signals associated with the two or more wireless nodes.

Aspect 65 is an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: means for establishing a control connection with at least a first node and a second node to receive control information for providing a repeater function between two or more wireless nodes; means for receiving control information from one or more of at least a first node or a second node over a control connection; and means for providing a repeater function between the two or more wireless nodes based on the control information.

In aspect 66, the apparatus of aspect 65 comprises: wherein at least the first node and the second node are different TRPs of the serving cell.

In aspect 67, the apparatus of any one of aspects 65 or 66 comprises: wherein at least the first node forwards signals from the second node.

In aspect 68, the apparatus of aspect 65 comprises: wherein at least the first node and the second node are different cells in the primary cell group.

In aspect 69, the apparatus of aspect 65 comprises: wherein the first node is a cell in a primary cell group and the second node is a cell in a secondary cell group.

In aspect 70, the apparatus of any one of aspects 65 to 69 comprises: wherein the means for establishing a control connection comprises means for establishing a first control connection with a first node using a first mobile termination unit of the arrangement and a second control connection with a second node using a second mobile termination unit of the arrangement.

In aspect 71, the apparatus of any one of aspects 65 to 70 comprises: wherein the control information includes a repeater configuration for controlling a repeater function.

In aspect 72, the apparatus of aspect 71 comprises: wherein the means for receiving control information comprises means for receiving a DCI format, MAC-CE, or RRC message indicating a relay configuration.

In aspect 73, the apparatus of any one of aspects 71 or 72 comprises: wherein the means for receiving control information comprises means for receiving a repeater configuration from only the first node over the control connection.

In aspect 74, the apparatus of any one of aspects 71 or 72 comprises: wherein the means for receiving control information comprises means for receiving a repeater configuration from at least a first node and a second node over a control connection.

In aspect 75, the apparatus of any one of aspects 71, 72, or 74 comprises: wherein the means for receiving control information comprises means for receiving a first repeater configuration from a first node over a control connection and a second repeater configuration from a second node over the control connection.

In aspect 76, the apparatus of any one of aspects 65 to 75 comprises: wherein the means for providing a repeater function comprises at least one of: means for multiplexing downlink transmissions received from at least a first wireless node and a second wireless node of the two or more wireless nodes on a forward link and forwarding the downlink transmissions to at least a third wireless node of the two or more wireless nodes, or means for multiplexing uplink transmissions received from at least a third wireless node on a forward link for forwarding as a first uplink transmission to at least the first wireless node and as a second uplink transmission to the second wireless node.

In aspect 77, the apparatus of aspect 76 comprises: wherein the means for multiplexing the downlink transmission or multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises means for frequency multiplexing based on a single beam.

In aspect 78, the apparatus of aspect 76 comprises: wherein the means for multiplexing the downlink transmission or multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises means for forming different beams using different antenna elements for multiplexing in space.

In aspect 79, the apparatus of any one of aspects 76 or 78 comprises: wherein the means for multiplexing the downlink transmission and multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises: the apparatus includes means for multiplexing downlink transmissions using a first antenna element to form a first beam and multiplexing at least one of the first uplink transmission and a second uplink transmission using a second antenna element to form a second beam for concurrent transmission.

In aspect 80, the apparatus of aspect 76 comprises: wherein the means for multiplexing the downlink transmission or multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises means for time multiplexing based on one or more beams.

In aspect 81, the apparatus of any of aspects 65 to 80 further comprises: means for indicating to the wireless network a capability for supporting at least one of carrier aggregation, dual connectivity, or multiple mobile termination units over a control connection, wherein establishing the control connection is based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 82, the apparatus of any one of aspects 65 to 81 further comprises: means for indicating to the wireless network a capability for supporting space division multiplexing of the repeater functionality, wherein providing the repeater functionality is based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 83, the apparatus of any one of aspects 65 to 82 further comprises: means for indicating to the wireless network a capability for supporting one or more multiplexing types of the repeater function based on attributes of the two or more wireless nodes, wherein the means for providing the repeater function is based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 84, the apparatus of aspect 83 comprises: wherein the attribute of the two or more nodes corresponds to at least one of an identity of a cell associated with the two or more wireless nodes, an identity of a TRP, an identity of a beam, an identity of a user, a receive power threshold, or a transmit power threshold, the apparatus being capable of supporting one or more multiplexing types for the attribute.

Aspect 85 is an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: means for establishing a control connection with the repeater to provide the repeater with control information for providing repeater functionality between two or more wireless nodes, wherein the control connection with the repeater comprises at least a first node and a second node; and means for transmitting control information for providing a repeater function to the repeater.

In aspect 86, the apparatus of aspect 85 comprises: wherein at least the first node and the second node are a plurality of TRPs of the apparatus.

In aspect 87, the apparatus of aspect 85 comprises: wherein at least the first node and the second node are cells in a primary cell group, and wherein the means for transmitting control information comprises means for transmitting control information to the relay using carrier aggregation.

In aspect 88, the apparatus of aspect 85 comprises: wherein at least a first node is a cell in a primary cell group and a second node is a cell in a secondary cell group, and wherein the means for controlling information is transmitted using dual connectivity.

In aspect 89, the apparatus of any of aspects 85 to 88 comprises: wherein the control information includes a repeater configuration for controlling a repeater function.

In aspect 90, the apparatus of aspect 89 comprises: wherein the means for transmitting control information comprises means for transmitting a DCI format, MAC-CE, or RRC message indicating a relay configuration.

In aspect 91, the apparatus of any one of aspects 85 to 90 further comprises: means for receiving an indication of a capability for supporting at least one of carrier aggregation, dual connectivity, or multiple mobile termination units over a control connection from a relay, wherein the means for establishing the control connection is based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 92, the apparatus of any one of aspects 85 to 91 further comprises: means for receiving an indication of a capability to support space division multiplexing of repeater functionality from a repeater, and means for generating control information based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 93, the apparatus of any one of aspects 85 to 92 further comprises: means for receiving an indication of capabilities of one or more multiplexing types supporting the repeater functionality based on attributes of the two or more wireless nodes from the repeater, and means for generating control information based at least in part on the capabilities.

In aspect 94, the apparatus of aspect 93 comprises: wherein the attribute of the two or more nodes corresponds to at least one of an identity of a cell associated with the two or more wireless nodes, an identity of a TRP, an identity of a beam, an identity of a user, a receive power threshold, or a transmit power threshold for which the repeater is capable of supporting one or more multiplexing types.

In aspect 95, the apparatus of any one of aspects 93 or 94 comprises: means for transmitting an indication of the attributes to the repeater to determine one or more multiplexing types.

In aspect 96, the apparatus of any one of aspects 85 to 95 further comprises: means for configuring the repeater to perform and report measurements of signals associated with the two or more wireless nodes.

Aspect 97 is a computer-readable medium comprising code executable by one or more processors to wirelessly communicate at a repeater. The code includes code for: establishing a control connection with at least a first node and a second node to receive control information for providing a repeater function between two or more wireless nodes; receiving control information from one or more of at least a first node or a second node over a control connection; and providing a repeater function between the two or more wireless nodes based on the control information.

In aspect 98, the computer readable medium in aspect 97 comprises different TRPs in which at least the first node and the second node are serving cells.

In aspect 99, the computer readable medium of any of aspects 97 or 98 comprises wherein at least the first node forwards the signal from the second node.

In aspect 100, the computer readable medium in aspect 97 comprises wherein at least the first node and the second node are different cells in the primary cell group.

In aspect 101, the computer readable medium in aspect 97 comprises wherein the first node is a cell in a primary cell group and the second node is a cell in a secondary cell group.

In aspect 102, the computer-readable medium of any one of aspects 97-101 comprises wherein the code for establishing a control connection comprises code for establishing a first control connection with a first node using a first mobile termination unit of the repeater and a second control connection with a second node using a second mobile termination unit of the repeater.

In aspect 103, the computer readable medium of any one of aspects 97 to 102 comprises wherein the control information comprises a repeater configuration for controlling a repeater function.

In aspect 104, the computer-readable medium in aspect 103 comprises wherein the code for receiving control information comprises code for receiving a DCI format, MAC-CE, or RRC message indicating a repeater configuration.

In aspect 105, the computer-readable medium of any one of aspects 103 or 104 comprises wherein the code for receiving control information comprises code for receiving a repeater configuration from only the first node over the control connection.

In aspect 106, the computer-readable medium of any of aspects 103 or 104 comprises wherein the code for receiving control information comprises code for receiving a repeater configuration from at least the first node and the second node over the control connection.

In aspect 107, the computer readable medium of any one of aspects 103, 104, or 106, wherein the code for receiving control information comprises code for receiving a first repeater configuration from a first node over a control connection and a second repeater configuration from a second node over the control connection.

In aspect 108, the computer-readable medium of any one of aspects 97-107 comprises wherein the code for providing the repeater function comprises at least one of: code for multiplexing downlink transmissions received from at least a first wireless node and a second wireless node of the two or more wireless nodes on a forward link and forwarding the downlink transmissions to at least a third wireless node of the two or more wireless nodes, or code for multiplexing uplink transmissions received from at least a third wireless node on a forward link for forwarding as a first uplink transmission to at least the first wireless node and as a second uplink transmission to the second wireless node.

In aspect 109, the computer-readable medium in aspect 108 comprises wherein the code for multiplexing the downlink transmission or multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises code for frequency multiplexing based on a single beam.

In aspect 110, the computer-readable medium in aspect 108 comprises wherein the code for multiplexing the downlink transmission or multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises code for forming different beams using different antenna elements to multiplex in space.

In aspect 111, the computer-readable medium of any of aspects 108 or 110 comprises wherein the code for multiplexing the downlink transmission and multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises: the apparatus includes means for multiplexing downlink transmissions using a first antenna element to form a first beam and means for multiplexing at least one of the first uplink transmission and a second uplink transmission using a second antenna element to form a second beam for concurrent transmission.

In aspect 112, the computer-readable medium in aspect 108 comprises wherein the code for multiplexing the downlink transmission or multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises code for time multiplexing based on one or more beams.

In aspect 113, the computer-readable medium of any of aspects 97-112 further comprises code for indicating to the wireless network a capability for supporting at least one of carrier aggregation, dual connectivity, or multiple mobile termination units over the control connection, wherein establishing the control connection is based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 114, the computer-readable medium of any of aspects 97-113 further comprises code for indicating to the wireless network a capability for supporting space division multiplexing of the repeater functionality, wherein providing the repeater functionality is based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 115, the computer-readable medium of any one of aspects 97-114 further comprises code for indicating to the wireless network a capability for supporting one or more multiplexing types of the repeater functionality based on the attributes of the two or more wireless nodes, wherein the code for providing the repeater functionality is based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 116, the computer-readable medium in aspect 115 comprises wherein the attribute of the two or more nodes corresponds to at least one of an identity of a cell associated with the two or more wireless nodes, an identity of a TRP, an identity of a beam, an identity of a user, a receive power threshold, or a transmit power threshold for which the repeater is capable of supporting one or more multiplexing types.

Aspect 117 is a computer-readable medium comprising code executable by one or more processors to wirelessly communicate at an upstream node. The code includes code for: establishing a control connection with the repeater to provide the repeater with control information for providing repeater functionality between two or more wireless nodes, wherein the control connection with the repeater includes at least a first node and a second node; and transmitting control information for providing a repeater function to the repeater.

In aspect 118, the computer readable medium in aspect 117 comprises a plurality of TRPs in which at least the first node and the second node are upstream nodes.

In aspect 119, the computer-readable medium in aspect 117 comprises wherein at least the first node and the second node are cells in a primary cell group, and wherein the code for transmitting the control information comprises code for transmitting the control information to the relay using carrier aggregation.

In aspect 120, the computer readable medium in aspect 117 comprises wherein at least a first node is a cell in a primary cell group and a second node is a cell in a secondary cell group, and wherein the code for controlling information is transmitted using dual connectivity.

In aspect 121, the computer readable medium of any one of aspects 117 to 120 includes wherein the control information includes a repeater configuration for controlling a repeater function.

In aspect 122, the computer-readable medium in aspect 121 comprises wherein the code for transmitting the control information comprises code for transmitting a DCI format, MAC-CE, or RRC message indicating the repeater configuration.

In aspect 123, the computer-readable medium of any of aspects 117-122 further comprises code for receiving an indication of a capability to support at least one of carrier aggregation, dual connectivity, or multiple mobile termination units over the control connection from the repeater, wherein the code for establishing the control connection is based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 124, the computer-readable medium of any of aspects 117-123 further comprises code for receiving, from the repeater, an indication of a capability to support space division multiplexing of repeater functionality, and code for generating control information based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 125, the computer-readable medium of any of aspects 117-124 further comprises code for receiving, from the repeater, an indication of a capability of one or more multiplexing types supporting the repeater function based on attributes of the two or more wireless nodes, and code for generating the control information based at least in part on the capability.

In aspect 126, the computer-readable medium in aspect 125 comprises wherein the attribute of the two or more nodes corresponds to at least one of an identity of a cell associated with the two or more wireless nodes, an identity of a TRP, an identity of a beam, an identity of a user, a receive power threshold, or a transmit power threshold for which the repeater is capable of supporting one or more multiplexing types.

In aspect 127, the computer-readable medium of any of aspects 125 or 126 further comprises code for transmitting an indication of the attributes to the repeater to determine one or more multiplexing types.

In aspect 128, the computer-readable medium of any one of aspects 117-127 further comprises code for configuring the repeater to perform and report measurements of signals associated with the two or more wireless nodes.

Aspect 129 is a method for wireless communication at a repeater, comprising: the method includes establishing a control connection with at least a first node to receive control information for providing a repeater function for one or more upstream nodes, receiving the control information over the control connection, determining a conflict in receiving the control information or a conflict within the control information with respect to two or more upstream nodes, and providing the repeater function for the one or more upstream nodes based on the control information and based on the conflict.

In aspect 130, the method of aspect 129 comprises: wherein the collision in receiving control information is based on receiving a first indication for monitoring control information from at least a first node in a first search space and a second indication for monitoring control information from at least a second node in a second search space.

In aspect 131, the method of any one of aspects 129 or 130 comprises: wherein the collision in receiving control information is based on receiving a first indication for monitoring control information from at least a first node being a first cell and a second indication for monitoring control information from at least a second node being a second cell.

In aspect 132, the method of any one of aspects 129 to 131 comprises: wherein the collision in the control information is based on receiving first control information from at least a first node and second control information from at least a second node.

In aspect 133, the method of any one of aspects 129 to 132 comprises: wherein providing the repeater function includes prioritizing control information from a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes based on determining that the first upstream node is associated with a primary cell.

In aspect 134, the method of any one of aspects 129 to 132 comprises: wherein providing the repeater function includes prioritizing control information from a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes based on determining that the first upstream node is associated with a primary cell group.

In aspect 135, the method of any one of aspects 129 to 134 comprises: wherein providing the repeater function includes prioritizing the most recently received control information.

In aspect 136, the method of any one of aspects 129 to 135 comprises: wherein providing the repeater function includes prioritizing the control information based on at least one of a beam, a channel, or a communication direction associated with the control information.

In aspect 137, the method of any one of aspects 129 to 136 comprises: wherein providing the repeater function includes prioritizing the control information based on a prioritization index associated with the control information.

In aspect 138, the method of any one of aspects 129 to 137 comprises: wherein providing the repeater function comprises: prioritizing control information or associated configurations for a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes over a period of time; and cancel control information or associated configuration for a second upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes for the period of time.

In aspect 139, the method of any one of aspects 129 to 132 comprises: wherein providing the repeater function includes canceling control information or associated configuration for a first upstream node and a second upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes for a period of time based on the conflict.

In aspect 140, the method of any of aspects 129 to 139 comprises: an indication of the conflict is transmitted to one or more of the two or more upstream nodes.

In aspect 141, the method of any one of aspects 129 to 140 comprises: an indication of the proposed control information is transmitted to one or more of the two or more upstream nodes, wherein receiving the control information is based on the proposed control information.

In aspect 142, the method of any one of aspects 129 to 141 comprises: an indication of control information for a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes is transmitted to a second upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes.

Aspect 143 is a method for wireless communication at an upstream node, comprising: the method includes establishing a control connection with a repeater or one or more other nodes having a control connection with the repeater to provide control information for providing a repeater function to one or more upstream nodes, determining control information for the repeater based on information of the one or more other nodes, and transmitting the control information for providing the repeater function to at least one of the repeater or the one or more other nodes.

In aspect 144, the method of aspect 143 comprises: wherein the upstream node is one of the one or more other nodes.

In aspect 145, the method of any one of aspects 143 or 144 comprises: information of the one or more other nodes is received from the centralized unit or directly from the one or more other nodes, wherein the information includes at least one of a repeater configuration, a communication schedule, a TDD mode, a beam mode, or a power configuration.

In aspect 146, the method of aspect 145 comprises: wherein the centralized unit serves at least one of the one or more upstream nodes as a serving cell for the repeater.

In aspect 147, the method of any of aspects 145 or 146 comprises: wherein the centralized unit receives information from another centralized unit serving at least one of the one or more other nodes.

In aspect 148, the method of any of aspects 143 to 147 comprises: wherein determining control information includes coordinating repeater configuration, communication scheduling, TDD mode, beam mode, or power configuration based on information of the one or more other nodes.

Aspect 149 is an apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising a transceiver, a memory configured to store instructions, a mobile termination unit, a repeater unit, and one or more processors communicatively coupled with the memory and the transceiver. The one or more processors are configured to: the method includes establishing a control connection with at least a first node to receive control information for providing a repeater function for one or more upstream nodes, receiving the control information over the control connection, determining a conflict in receiving the control information or a conflict within the control information with respect to two or more upstream nodes, and providing the repeater function for the one or more upstream nodes based on the control information and based on the conflict.

In aspect 150, the apparatus of aspect 149 comprises: wherein the collision in receiving control information is based on receiving a first indication for monitoring control information from at least a first node in a first search space and a second indication for monitoring control information from at least a second node in a second search space.

In aspect 151, the apparatus of any one of aspects 149 or 150 comprises: wherein the collision in receiving control information is based on receiving a first indication for monitoring control information from at least a first node being a first cell and a second indication for monitoring control information from at least a second node being a second cell.

In aspect 152, the apparatus of any one of aspects 149 to 151 comprises: wherein the collision in the control information is based on receiving first control information from at least a first node and second control information from at least a second node.

In aspect 153, the apparatus of any one of aspects 149 through 152 comprises wherein the one or more processors are configured to: the repeater functionality is provided at least in part by prioritizing control information from a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes based on determining that the first upstream node is associated with a primary cell.

In aspect 154, the apparatus of any one of aspects 149 to 152 comprises wherein the one or more processors are configured to: the repeater functionality is provided at least in part by prioritizing control information from a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes based on determining that the first upstream node is associated with a primary cell group.

In aspect 155, the apparatus of any one of aspects 149 to 154 comprises wherein the one or more processors are configured to: the repeater functionality is provided at least in part by prioritizing the most recently received control information.

In aspect 156, the apparatus of any one of aspects 149 to 155 comprises wherein the one or more processors are configured to: the repeater functionality is provided at least in part by prioritizing control information based on at least one of a beam, a channel, or a communication direction associated with the control information.

In aspect 157, the apparatus of any of aspects 149 to 156 comprises wherein the one or more processors are configured to: the repeater functionality is provided at least in part by prioritizing control information based on a prioritization index associated with the control information.

In aspect 158, the apparatus of any one of aspects 149 to 157 comprises wherein the one or more processors are configured to: the repeater functionality is provided at least in part by prioritizing control information or associated configuration for a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes over a period of time, and canceling control information or associated configuration for a second upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes over the period of time.

In aspect 159, the apparatus of any one of aspects 149 to 152 comprises wherein the one or more processors are configured to: the repeater functionality is provided at least in part by canceling control information or associated configuration for a first upstream node and a second upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes for a period of time based on the conflict.

In aspect 160, the apparatus of any one of aspects 149 to 159 comprises wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: an indication of the conflict is transmitted to one or more of the two or more upstream nodes.

In aspect 161, the apparatus of any of aspects 149 to 160 comprises wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: an indication of the proposed control information is transmitted to one or more of the two or more upstream nodes, wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive the control information based on the proposed control information.

In aspect 162, the apparatus of any one of aspects 149 to 161 comprises wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: an indication of control information for a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes is transmitted to a second upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes.

Aspect 163 is an apparatus for wireless communication that includes a transceiver, a memory configured to store instructions, and one or more processors communicatively coupled with the memory and the transceiver. The one or more processors are configured to: the method includes establishing a control connection with a repeater or one or more other nodes having a control connection with the repeater to provide control information for providing a repeater function to one or more upstream nodes, determining control information for the repeater based on information of the one or more other nodes, and transmitting the control information for providing the repeater function to at least one of the repeater or the one or more other nodes.

In aspect 164, the apparatus of aspect 163 comprises: wherein the device is one of the one or more other nodes.

In aspect 165, the apparatus of any of aspects 163 or 164 comprises wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: information of the one or more other nodes is received from the centralized unit or directly from the one or more other nodes, wherein the information includes at least one of a repeater configuration, a communication schedule, a TDD mode, a beam mode, or a power configuration.

In aspect 166, the apparatus of aspect 165 comprises: wherein the centralized unit serves at least one of the one or more upstream nodes as a serving cell for the repeater.

In aspect 167, the apparatus of any of aspects 165 or 166 comprises: wherein the centralized unit receives information from another centralized unit serving at least one of the one or more other nodes.

In aspect 168, the apparatus of any one of aspects 163 to 167 comprises wherein the one or more processors are configured to: the control information is determined at least in part by coordinating a repeater configuration, a communication schedule, a TDD mode, a beam pattern, or a power configuration based on the information of the one or more other nodes.

Aspect 169 is an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: the method comprises establishing a control connection with at least a first node to receive control information for providing a repeater function for one or more upstream nodes, receiving the control information over the control connection, determining a conflict in receiving the control information or a conflict with respect to two or more upstream nodes within the control information, and providing the repeater function for the one or more upstream nodes based on the control information and based on the conflict.

In aspect 170, the apparatus of aspect 169 comprises: wherein the collision in receiving control information is based on receiving a first indication for monitoring control information from at least a first node in a first search space and a second indication for monitoring control information from at least a second node in a second search space.

In aspect 171, the apparatus of any one of aspects 169 or 170 comprises: wherein the collision in receiving control information is based on receiving a first indication for monitoring control information from at least a first node being a first cell and a second indication for monitoring control information from at least a second node being a second cell.

In aspect 172, the apparatus of any one of aspects 169-171 comprises: wherein the collision in the control information is based on receiving first control information from at least a first node and second control information from at least a second node.

In aspect 173, the apparatus of any one of aspects 169-172 comprises: wherein the means for providing the repeater functionality comprises means for prioritizing control information from a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes based on determining that the first upstream node is associated with a primary cell.

In aspect 174, the apparatus of any one of aspects 169-172 comprises: wherein the means for providing the repeater functionality comprises means for prioritizing control information from a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes based on determining that the first upstream node is associated with a primary cell group.

In aspect 175, the apparatus of any one of aspects 169-174 comprises: wherein the means for providing a repeater function comprises means for prioritizing most recently received control information.

In aspect 176, the apparatus of any one of aspects 169-175 comprises: wherein the means for providing a repeater function comprises means for prioritizing the control information based on at least one of a beam, a channel, or a communication direction associated with the control information.

In aspect 177, the apparatus of any one of aspects 169-176 comprises: wherein the means for providing a repeater function comprises means for prioritizing control information based on a prioritization index associated with the control information.

In aspect 178, the apparatus of any one of aspects 169-177 comprises: wherein the means for providing repeater functionality comprises means for prioritizing control information or associated configuration for a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes over a period of time, and canceling control information or associated configuration for a second upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes over the period of time.

In aspect 179, the apparatus of any one of aspects 169-172 comprises: wherein the means for providing the repeater functionality comprises means for cancelling control information or associated configuration for a first upstream node and a second upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes within a time period based on the collision.

In aspect 180, the apparatus of any one of aspects 169 to 179 comprises: means for transmitting an indication of the conflict to one or more of the two or more upstream nodes.

In aspect 181, the apparatus of any one of aspects 169 to 180 comprises: means for transmitting an indication of the proposed control information to one or more of the two or more upstream nodes, wherein the means for receiving the control information is based on the proposed control information.

In aspect 182, the apparatus of any one of aspects 169-181 comprises: means for transmitting an indication of control information for a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes to a second upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes.

Aspect 183 is an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: the apparatus includes means for establishing a control connection with a repeater or one or more other nodes having a control connection with the repeater to provide control information for providing a repeater function to one or more upstream nodes, means for determining control information for the repeater based on information of the one or more other nodes, and means for transmitting the control information for providing the repeater function to at least one of the repeater or the one or more other nodes.

In aspect 184, the apparatus of aspect 183 comprises: wherein the apparatus is one of the one or more other nodes.

In aspect 185, the apparatus of any one of aspects 183 or 184 comprises: means for receiving information of the one or more other nodes from the centralized unit or directly from the one or more other nodes, wherein the information includes at least one of a repeater configuration, a communication schedule, a TDD mode, a beam mode, or a power configuration.

In aspect 186, the apparatus of aspect 185 comprises: wherein the centralized unit serves at least one of the one or more upstream nodes as a serving cell for the repeater.

In aspect 187, the apparatus of any one of aspects 185 or 186 comprises: wherein the centralized unit receives information from another centralized unit serving at least one of the one or more other nodes.

In aspect 188, the apparatus of any one of aspects 183 to 187 comprises: wherein the means for determining control information comprises means for coordinating a repeater configuration, a communication schedule, a TDD mode, a beam pattern, or a power configuration based on the information of the one or more other nodes.

Aspect 189 is a computer-readable medium comprising code executable by one or more processors to wirelessly communicate at a repeater. The code includes code for: the method includes establishing a control connection with at least a first node to receive control information for providing a repeater function for one or more upstream nodes, receiving the control information over the control connection, determining a conflict in receiving the control information or a conflict within the control information with respect to two or more upstream nodes, and providing the repeater function for the one or more upstream nodes based on the control information and based on the conflict.

In aspect 190, the computer readable medium in aspect 189 includes wherein the conflict in receiving control information is based on receiving a first indication to monitor control information from at least a first node in a first search space and a second indication to monitor control information from at least a second node in a second search space.

In aspect 191, the computer-readable medium of any of aspects 189 or 190 comprises wherein the conflict in receiving control information is based on receiving a first indication to monitor control information from at least a first node that is a first cell and a second indication to monitor control information from at least a second node that is a second cell.

In aspect 192, the computer readable medium of any of aspects 189-191 includes wherein the conflict in control information is based on receiving first control information from at least a first node and second control information from at least a second node.

In aspect 193, the computer readable medium of any of aspects 189-192 comprises wherein the code for providing the repeater function comprises code for prioritizing control information from a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes based on determining that the first upstream node is associated with a primary cell.

In aspect 194, the computer-readable medium of any of aspects 189-192 comprises wherein code for providing repeater functionality comprises code for prioritizing control information from a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes based on determining that the first upstream node is associated with a primary cell group.

In aspect 195, the computer readable medium of any one of aspects 189-194 includes wherein the code for providing the repeater function includes code for prioritizing the most recently received control information.

In aspect 196, the computer-readable medium of any one of aspects 189-195 comprises wherein the code for providing the repeater functionality comprises code for prioritizing the control information based on at least one of a beam, a channel, or a communication direction associated with the control information.

In aspect 197, the computer-readable medium of any of aspects 189-196 includes wherein the code for providing the repeater function includes code for prioritizing the control information based on a prioritization index associated with the control information.

In aspect 198, the computer-readable medium of any one of aspects 189 through 197 comprises wherein the code for providing the repeater functionality comprises code for prioritizing control information or associated configuration for a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes over a period of time, and canceling control information or associated configuration for a second upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes over the period of time.

In aspect 199, the computer-readable medium of any of aspects 189-172 comprises wherein the code for providing the repeater functionality comprises code for canceling the control information or associated configuration for a first upstream node and a second upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes for a period of time based on the conflict.

In aspect 200, the computer-readable medium of any one of aspects 189 to 199 comprises code for transmitting an indication of the conflict to one or more of the two or more upstream nodes.

In aspect 201, the computer-readable medium of any one of aspects 189-200 includes code for transmitting an indication of the proposed control information to one or more of the two or more upstream nodes, wherein the code for receiving the control information is based on the proposed control information.

In aspect 202, the computer-readable medium of any one of aspects 189 to 201 comprises code for transmitting an indication of control information for a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes to a second upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes.

Aspect 203 is a computer-readable medium comprising code executable by one or more processors to wirelessly communicate at an upstream node. The code includes code for: the method includes establishing a control connection with a repeater or one or more other nodes having a control connection with the repeater to provide control information for providing a repeater function to one or more upstream nodes, determining control information for the repeater based on information of the one or more other nodes, and transmitting the control information for providing the repeater function to at least one of the repeater or the one or more other nodes.

In aspect 204, the computer-readable medium of aspect 203 comprises wherein the upstream node is one of the one or more other nodes.

In aspect 205, the computer-readable medium of any of aspects 203 or 204 comprises code for receiving information of the one or more other nodes from the centralized unit or directly from the one or more other nodes, wherein the information comprises at least one of a repeater configuration, a communication schedule, a TDD mode, a beam mode, or a power configuration.

In aspect 206, the computer-readable medium in aspect 205 comprises a serving cell in which the centralized unit serves at least one of the one or more upstream nodes as a relay.

In aspect 207, the computer readable medium of any of aspects 205 or 206 comprises wherein the centralized unit receives information from another centralized unit serving at least one of the one or more other nodes.

In aspect 208, the computer-readable medium of any of aspects 203-207 comprises wherein the code for determining the control information comprises code for coordinating a repeater configuration, a communication schedule, a TDD mode, a beam mode, or a power configuration based on the information of the one or more other nodes.

The above detailed description, set forth in connection with the appended drawings, describes examples and is not intended to represent the only examples that may be implemented or that fall within the scope of the claims. The term "example" when used in this description means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and not "better than" or "over other examples. The detailed description includes specific details to provide an understanding of the described technology. However, the techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

Information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, computer-executable code or instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, or any combination thereof.

The various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with specially programmed devices, such as, but not limited to, processors designed to perform the functions described herein, digital Signal Processors (DSPs), ASICs, field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinations thereof. The specially programmed processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A specially programmed processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software for execution by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope and spirit of the disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described above may be implemented using software executed by a specially programmed processor, hardware, firmware, hardwired or any combination thereof. Features that implement the functions may also be physically located in various positions including being distributed such that parts of the functions are implemented at different physical locations. Also, as used herein (including in the claims), the use of "or" in an item enumeration followed by "at least one of" indicates an disjunctive enumeration, such that, for example, an enumeration of "at least one of A, B or C" represents a or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., a and B and C).

Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer, or a general purpose or special purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk (disk) and disc (disc), as used herein, includes Compact Disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital Versatile Disc (DVD), floppy disk, and blu-ray disc where disks (disk) usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs (disc) reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

The previous description of the disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, although elements of the described aspects and/or embodiments may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. Additionally, all or a portion of any aspect and/or embodiment may be used with all or a portion of any other aspect and/or embodiment unless stated otherwise. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

a transceiver;

a memory configured to store instructions;

a mobile terminating unit;

a repeater unit; and

one or more processors communicatively coupled with the memory and the transceiver, wherein the one or more processors are configured to:

Establishing a control connection with at least a first node and a second node via the mobile termination unit to receive control information for providing a repeater function between two or more wireless nodes;

receiving the control information from one or more of at least the first node or the second node over the control connection; and

the repeater functionality is provided between the two or more wireless nodes via the repeater unit and based on the control information.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least the first node and the second node are different transmission/reception points (TRPs) in a serving cell.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least the first node forwards signals from the second node.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least the first node and the second node are different cells in a primary cell group.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first node is a cell in a primary cell group and the second node is a cell in a secondary cell group.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to establish the control connection at least in part by establishing a first control connection with the first node using a first mobile termination unit of the apparatus and a second control connection with the second node using a second mobile termination unit of the apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control information comprises a repeater configuration for controlling the repeater function.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive the control information at least in part by receiving a Downlink Control Information (DCI) format, a Medium Access Control (MAC) -Control Element (CE), or a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message indicating the repeater configuration.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive the control information at least in part by receiving the repeater configuration from at least one of the first node or the second node over the control connection.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to provide the repeater functionality at least in part by at least one of:

multiplexing downlink transmissions received from at least a first wireless node and a second wireless node of the two or more wireless nodes over a forward link and forwarding the downlink transmissions to at least a third wireless node of the two or more wireless nodes; or alternatively

The uplink transmissions received from at least the third wireless node are multiplexed on the outbound link to be forwarded as a first uplink transmission to at least the first wireless node and as a second uplink transmission to the second wireless node.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein multiplexing the downlink transmission or multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission comprises at least one of: forming spatial multiplexing of different beams using different antenna elements based on frequency multiplexing of a single beam, multiplexing the downlink transmissions using a first antenna element to form a first beam, and multiplexing at least one of the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission using a second antenna element to form a second beam for concurrent transmission; or multiplexing the first uplink transmission and the second uplink transmission includes time multiplexing based on one or more beams.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to indicate to a wireless network a capability to support at least one of carrier aggregation, dual connectivity, or multiple mobile termination units over the control connection, wherein the one or more processors are configured to establish the control connection based at least in part on the capability.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to indicate to a wireless network a capability to support space division multiplexing of the repeater function, wherein the one or more processors are configured to provide the repeater function based at least in part on the capability.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to indicate to a wireless network a capability to support one or more multiplexing types of the repeater function based on attributes of the two or more wireless nodes, wherein the one or more processors are configured to provide the repeater function based at least in part on the capability.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein an attribute of the two or more nodes corresponds to at least one of an identity of a cell associated with the two or more wireless nodes, an identity of a transmission/reception point (TRP), an identity of a beam, an identity of a user, a receive power threshold, or a transmit power threshold, the relay being capable of supporting one or more multiplexing types for the attribute.

16. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

A transceiver;

a memory configured to store instructions; and

establishing a control connection with at least a first node to receive control information for providing repeater functionality for one or more upstream nodes;

receiving the control information over the control connection;

determining a conflict in receiving the control information or a conflict within the control information regarding two or more upstream nodes; and

the repeater functionality is provided to the one or more upstream nodes based on the control information and based on the collision.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the collision in receiving the control information is based on receiving a first indication to monitor control information from at least the first node in a first search space and a second indication to monitor control information from at least a second node in a second search space.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the collision in receiving the control information is based on receiving a first indication to monitor control information from at least the first node as a first cell and a second indication to monitor control information from at least a second node as a second cell.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the collision in the control information is based on receiving first control information from at least the first node and second control information from at least a second node.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are configured to provide the repeater functionality at least in part by prioritizing control information from a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes based on determining that the first upstream node is associated with a primary cell.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are configured to provide the repeater functionality at least in part by prioritizing control information from a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes based on determining that the first upstream node is associated with a primary cell group.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are configured to provide the repeater function at least in part by prioritizing most recently received control information.

23. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are configured to provide the repeater functionality at least in part by prioritizing the control information based on at least one of a beam, a channel, or a communication direction associated with the control information.

24. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are configured to provide the repeater functionality at least in part by prioritizing the control information based on a prioritization index associated with the control information.

25. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are configured to provide the repeater functionality at least in part by prioritizing the control information or associated configuration for a first upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes over a period of time and canceling the control information or associated configuration for a second upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes over the period of time.

26. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are configured to provide the repeater functionality at least in part by canceling the control information or associated configuration for a first upstream node and a second upstream node of the two or more upstream nodes for a period of time based on the conflict.

27. A method for wireless communication at a repeater, comprising:

establishing a control connection with at least a first node and a second node to receive control information for providing a repeater function between two or more wireless nodes;

the repeater function is provided between the two or more wireless nodes based on the control information.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein at least the first node and the second node are different transmission/reception points (TRPs) in a serving cell.

29. A method for wireless communication at a repeater, comprising:

receiving the control information over the control connection;

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the collision in receiving the control information is based on receiving a first indication to monitor control information from at least the first node in a first search space and a second indication to monitor control information from at least a second node in a second search space.