Power Savings with Smart Repeaters

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support power saving of wireless repeaters. In general, the described techniques provide power saving of wireless devices (e.g., wireless repeaters, wireless relay devices, etc.) in the absence of attached (e.g., connected) user equipment (UE). For example, a wireless repeater may operate in a power saving mode and monitor control information from a base station according to a slow state (e.g., according to a relatively long monitoring periodicity). Upon detecting a possible UE attachment to a base station (e.g., upon detecting a random access channel (RACH) message), the wireless repeater may switch to monitoring control information from a base station according to a fast state (e.g., according to a relatively short, or more frequent monitoring periodicity).

Description

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. patent application No. 16 / 944,123, entitled “POWER SAVING OF SMARTREPEATERS,” filed by LI et al. on July 30, 2020, and U.S. provisional patent application No. 62 / 881,933, entitled “POWER SAVING OF SMART REPEATERS,” filed by LI et al. on August 1, 2019, each of which is assigned to the assignee of this application.

[0003] introduction

[0004] The following relates to wireless communications, and more particularly to managing repeaters.

[0005] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcasting, etc. These systems may be able to support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems (such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, advanced LTE (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems), and fifth generation (5G) systems that may be referred to as new radio (NR) systems. These systems may use various technologies, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include several base stations or network access nodes, each of which simultaneously supports the communication of multiple communication devices, which may be referred to as user equipment (UE).

[0006] Overview

[0007] A method of wireless communication at a wireless device is described. The method may include monitoring a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity for in-band control information from a base station. The method may also include receiving a random access channel message from a UE. Additionally, the method may include monitoring the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the received random access channel message for in-band control information from the base station.

[0008] An apparatus for wireless communication at a wireless device is described. The apparatus may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor and the memory may be configured to monitor a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to search for in-band control information from a base station. The processor and the memory may also be configured to receive a random access channel message from a UE. Additionally, the processor and the memory may be configured to monitor the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the received random access channel message to search for in-band control information from a base station.

[0009] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a wireless device is described. The apparatus may include means for monitoring a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity for in-band control information from a base station. The apparatus may also include means for receiving a random access channel message from a UE. Additionally, the apparatus may include means for monitoring the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the received random access channel message for in-band control information from the base station.

[0010] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a wireless device is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to monitor a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to find in-band control information from a base station. The code may also include instructions executable by the processor to receive a random access channel message from a UE. Additionally, the code may include instructions executable by the processor to monitor the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the received random access channel message to find in-band control information from the base station.

[0011] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving a random access channel message may include operations, features, devices, or instructions for the following actions: using a receive energy simulation block of the wireless device to measure an energy level during one or more configured time slots; and determining that the measured energy level satisfies a threshold, wherein the downlink control channel may be monitored according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the determination. Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, devices, or instructions for the following actions: receiving signaling indicating the threshold from a base station. Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, devices, or instructions for the following actions: amplifying a waveform corresponding to a received random access channel; and forwarding the amplified waveform to a base station, wherein the amplification and forwarding may be based on the determination.

[0012] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving a random access channel message may include operations, features, means, or instructions for the following actions: using a digital block of the wireless device to process the received random access channel message. Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for the following actions: forwarding the processed random access channel message to a base station, wherein the downlink control channel may be monitored according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the forwarding.

[0013] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, devices or instructions for the following actions: setting a monitoring periodic conversion timer based on a received random access channel message. Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, devices or instructions for the following actions: receiving a control command from a base station before the expiration of the monitoring periodic conversion timer, wherein the downlink control channel may be monitored according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the received control command. Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, devices or instructions for the following actions: switching from monitoring a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to monitoring a downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on a received control command, wherein the downlink control channel may be monitored according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the conversion.

[0014] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for the following actions: switching from monitoring a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to monitoring a downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on a received random access channel message; switching from monitoring a downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity to monitoring a downlink control channel according to a third monitoring periodicity based on a received control command; and monitoring the downlink control channel according to a third monitoring periodicity based on switching from monitoring a downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity to monitoring a downlink control channel according to a third monitoring periodicity. In some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the control command includes a physical downlink control channel message.

[0015] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, apparatus or instructions for the following actions: switching from monitoring a downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity to monitoring a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity based on expiration of a monitoring periodicity conversion timer.

[0016] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, apparatus or instructions for the following actions: receiving a control command from a base station; switching from monitoring a downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity based on the received control command; and monitoring the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity based on the switching.

[0017] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, apparatus, or instructions for transmitting an indication of a monitoring state of the wireless device to a base station, wherein the monitoring state may be based on whether the wireless device monitors the downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity or a second monitoring periodicity.

[0018] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, devices, or instructions for the following actions: receiving in-band control information from a base station based on monitoring a downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity, wherein the in-band control information indicates a receiving beam direction for a radio frequency analog signal, a receiving time interval for the radio frequency analog signal, a transmitting beam direction for the radio frequency analog signal, a transmitting time interval for the radio frequency analog signal, or some combination thereof. Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, devices, or instructions for the following actions: performing an amplification operation on the radio frequency analog signal based on the in-band control information; and transmitting the amplified radio frequency analog signal to the base station.

[0019] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second monitoring periodicity may be associated with a shorter monitoring interval than the first monitoring periodicity. In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the wireless device includes a wireless repeater.

[0020] A method of wireless communication at a base station is described. The method may include transmitting in-band control information to a wireless device using a downlink control channel according to a first periodicity. The method may also include receiving an indication of a random access channel message from the wireless device. Additionally, the method may include transmitting in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a second periodicity based on the received indication.

[0021] An apparatus for wireless communication at a base station is described. The apparatus may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor and the memory may be configured to transmit in-band control information to a wireless device using a downlink control channel according to a first periodicity. The processor and the memory may also be configured to receive an indication of a random access channel message from the wireless device. Additionally, the processor and the memory may be configured to transmit in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a second periodicity based on the received indication.

[0022] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a base station is described. The apparatus may include means for transmitting in-band control information to a wireless device using a downlink control channel according to a first periodicity. The apparatus may also include means for receiving an indication of a random access channel message from the wireless device. Additionally, the apparatus may include means for transmitting in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a second periodicity based on the received indication.

[0023] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a base station is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to transmit in-band control information to a wireless device using a downlink control channel according to a first periodicity. The code may also include instructions executable by the processor to receive an indication of a random access channel message from the wireless device. Additionally, the code may include instructions executable by the processor to transmit in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a second periodicity based on the received indication.

[0024] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for the following actions: transmitting a control command to the wireless device based on an indication of the received random access channel message, wherein the in-band control information may be transmitted according to a second periodicity based on the transmitted control command. In some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the control command includes a physical downlink control channel message.

[0025] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for the following actions: transmitting a control command to the wireless device; and transmitting in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a first periodicity based on the control command. Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for the following actions: determining a handover of the UE, wherein the control command may be transmitted to the wireless device based on the handover.

[0026] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, apparatuses, or instructions for the following actions: receiving an indication of a monitoring state of the wireless device, wherein the monitoring state may be based on whether the wireless device monitors the downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity or a second monitoring periodicity; and sending a control command to the wireless device based on the received indication of the monitoring state of the wireless device.

[0027] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving an indication of a random access channel message from the wireless device may include operations, features, means, or instructions for performing the following actions: receiving a forwarded amplified waveform corresponding to the random access channel message from the wireless device. In some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices), and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving an indication of a random access channel message from the wireless device may include operations, features, means, or instructions for performing the following actions: receiving a forwarded processed waveform corresponding to the random access channel message from the wireless device.

[0028] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses (devices) and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, apparatuses or instructions for the following actions: receiving an amplified RF analog signal from the wireless device based on the in-band control information, wherein the in-band control information indicates a receiving beam direction for the RF analog signal, a receiving time interval for the RF analog signal, a transmitting beam direction for the RF analog signal, a transmitting time interval for the RF analog signal, or some combination thereof.

[0029] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second monitoring periodicity may be associated with a shorter monitoring interval than the first monitoring periodicity. In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the wireless device includes a wireless repeater. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 An example of a system for wireless communication supporting power conservation of smart repeaters in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0032] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system supporting power conservation of smart repeaters in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0033] Figure 3 An example of a process flow that supports power conservation for a smart repeater in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0034] Figure 4 and 5 A block diagram of a device supporting power conservation of a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0035] Figure 6 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting power conservation for a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0036] Figure 7 A diagram of a system including a device that supports power conservation of a smart repeater in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0037] Figure 8 and 9 A block diagram of a device supporting power conservation of a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0038] Fig.10 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting power conservation for a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0039] Fig.11 A diagram of a system including a device that supports power conservation of a smart repeater in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0040] Figures 12 to 16 A flow chart illustrating a method of supporting power conservation for a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0041] Detailed Description

[0042] In some wireless communication systems, a base station may communicate with a UE via a wireless link. For example, in a wireless telecommunication system, a base station and a UE may operate in a millimeter wave (mmW) frequency range (e.g., 28 gigahertz (GHz), 40 GHz, 60 GHz, etc.). That is, the electromagnetic spectrum is usually subdivided into various classes, bands, channels, etc. based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency ranges designated FR1 (410 MHz–7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz–52.6 GHz). The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are usually referred to as mid-band frequencies. Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is usually (interchangeably) referred to as a “sub-6 GHz” band in various documents and articles. Similar naming issues sometimes arise with respect to FR2, although unlike the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz–300 GHz) identified as a “millimeter wave” or band by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), FR2 is usually (interchangeably) referred to as a “millimeter wave” band in various documents and articles. In view of the above aspects, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if used in this article, the term "sub-6 GHz" and the like can broadly represent frequencies that can be less than 6 GHz, can be within FR1, or can include mid-band frequencies. In addition, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if used in this article, the term "millimeter wave" and the like can broadly represent frequencies that can include mid-band frequencies, can be within FR2, or can be within the EHF band.

[0043] Wireless communication at these frequencies may be associated with increased signal attenuation (e.g., path loss), which may be affected by various factors, such as temperature, air pressure, diffraction, obstruction, etc. As a result, signal processing techniques (such as beamforming) may be used to coherently combine energy and overcome path loss at these frequencies. However, transmission of signals (such as beamformed signals) between a base station and a UE may be impossible or may be interfered with due to physical obstacles or radio frequency (RF) jammers. In these situations, relay devices (e.g., wireless repeaters, smart repeaters, mmW repeaters, wireless relay devices, etc.) may be used to repeat and / or relay transmissions from a base station to a UE and vice versa, thereby achieving efficient communication in the presence of physical obstacles, RF jammers, etc. In some examples, a relay device (such as a smart repeater) may be capable of advanced operating features, as described herein.

[0044] A wireless repeater may relay, extend, or redirect a signal received from a base station to a UE, relay, extend, or redirect a wireless signal received from a UE to a base station, or relay, extend, or redirect a wireless signal between other wireless devices. For example, a repeater may receive a signal from a base station and retransmit the signal to a UE, or receive a signal from a UE and retransmit the signal to a base station. In some examples, a wireless repeater may amplify and forward (e.g., amplify and transmit) a signal transmitted between wireless devices. In situations where transmission from a base station to a UE (and vice versa) is blocked due to physical obstacles or is associated with path loss affected by various factors (e.g., such as distance between a base station and a UE, temperature, air pressure, diffraction, obstruction, etc.), a wireless repeater may receive a signal transmitted between wireless devices, amplify the received signal, and forward (e.g., transmit) the amplified signal to facilitate efficient communication between wireless devices.

[0045] Additionally, in some cases, various phase rotations may be applied to signals transmitted between wireless devices, where, for example, a base station may transmit a signal with a phase rotation (e.g., pre-rotation) on a first carrier frequency. In a case where transmission from a base station to a UE (and vice versa) is blocked due to an RF jammer, the RF jammer may damage certain frequencies, and those frequencies (such as frequencies used for transmissions of the base station) may therefore be unreliable for transmission. Thus, a wireless repeater may be used to transmit (or retransmit) the signal after amplifying the signal, performing a frequency conversion (e.g., heterodyne) from a first carrier frequency to a second carrier frequency, etc. For example, the second carrier frequency may be different from the frequency used to transmit the signal to the repeater, and may not be affected by interference from the RF jammer.

[0046] The wireless repeater may be configured to perform relay operations (e.g., wireless repeater operations, such as signal amplification, signal phase rotation, signal forwarding, etc.) to reduce or minimize path loss or interference in various environments. In some cases, the repeater may be configured via base station control signaling. For example, the base station may control the parameters forwarded by the wireless repeater, such as amplification, direction, frequency gain, frequency conversion, etc. Thus, the wireless repeater may monitor a control channel (e.g., a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH)) to find control information from the base station in order to configure and perform relay (e.g., amplification and forwarding) duties. However, in some cases, diligent monitoring of control information (e.g., monitoring each time slot of the control channel) may be associated with high power consumption at the wireless repeater. In addition, in a case where the UE is not attached to a wireless repeater or base station, such monitoring of control information may be inefficient because it is unlikely to configure relay duties or may be less frequently configured relay duties in such a case.

[0047] The described technology relates to improved methods, systems, devices and apparatuses (devices) for supporting power saving of smart repeaters. In general, the described technology provides power saving of wireless devices (e.g., wireless repeaters, wireless relay devices, smart repeaters, etc.) without attached (e.g., connected) UEs. For example, the wireless repeater may operate in a power saving mode and monitor in-band control information from a base station according to a slow state (e.g., according to a monitoring periodicity that is long relative to a monitoring periodicity associated with a fast state). For example, monitoring in-band control information may refer to monitoring control information in a frequency band or frequency channel that is the same as the frequency band or frequency channel in which the wireless repeater is configured to perform relay operations. Upon detecting a possible UE attachment to a base station (e.g., upon detecting a random access channel (RACH) message), the wireless repeater may be converted to monitoring in-band control information from a base station according to a fast state (e.g., according to a monitoring periodicity that is short or more frequent relative to a monitoring periodicity associated with a slow state) (e.g., control information in the same frequency band or frequency channel as a received or energy-detected RACH message).

[0048] The base station may further transmit a control command (e.g., a fast command to configure the wireless repeater to perform control channel monitoring more frequently, a slow command to configure the wireless repeater to perform control channel monitoring less frequently, etc.) via the control channel to modify the monitoring configuration of the wireless repeater. For example, upon detecting a possible UE attachment, the wireless repeater may transition to a tentative fast state, and may monitor control signals according to the tentative fast state to find a control command from the base station. If no control command is received from the base station (e.g., before the expiration of a monitoring periodicity transition timer maintained by the wireless repeater), the wireless repeater may transition back to a slow state (e.g., and monitor the control channel less frequently according to the slow state).

[0049] Various aspects of the present disclosure are initially described in the context of wireless communication systems. Example flow charts for implementing various aspects of the discussed techniques are subsequently described. Various aspects of the present disclosure are further illustrated by apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flow charts related to power conservation of smart repeaters and are described with reference to these diagrams.

[0050] Figure 1An example of a wireless communication system 100 that supports power saving of smart repeaters according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 includes a network device 105, a UE 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 can be an LTE network, an LTE-A network, an LTE-A Pro network, or an NR network. In some cases, the wireless communication system 100 can support enhanced broadband communications, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission-critical) communications, low latency communications, or communications with low-cost and low-complexity devices. The wireless communication system 100 can support signaling between the network device 105, the repeater 140, and the UE 115 for configuring and managing control channel monitoring of the repeater 140.

[0051] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC), which may include at least one mobility management entity (MME), at least one serving gateway (S-GW), and at least one packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW). The MME may manage non-access layer (e.g., control plane) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management of UE 115 served by network devices 105 associated with the EPC. User IP packets may be delivered through the S-GW, which itself may be connected to the P-GW. The P-GW may provide IP address allocation and other functions. The P-GW may be connected to network operator IP services. Operator IP services may include access to the Internet, an intranet, an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), or packet switched (PS) streaming services.

[0052] At least some of the network devices 105 (e.g., network device 105-a (which may be an example of a base station (e.g., eNB, network access device, gNB)) or network device 105-b (which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC)) may interface with the core network 130 via a backhaul link 132 (e.g., S1, S2) and may perform radio configuration and scheduling for communication with the UE 115. In various examples, the network devices 105-b may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through the core network 130) over a backhaul link 134 (e.g., X1, X2), which may be a wired or wireless communication link.

[0053] Each network device 105-b may also additionally or alternatively communicate with a plurality of UEs 115 through a plurality of other network devices 105-c, where the network device 105-c may be an example of a smart radio head (or through a plurality of smart radio heads). In alternative configurations, the various functions of each network device 105 may be distributed across various network devices 105 (e.g., radio heads and access network controllers) or merged into a single network device 105 (e.g., a base station).

[0054] The network device 105 may communicate wirelessly with the UE 115 via one or more base station antennas. The network device 105 described herein may include or may be referred to by those skilled in the art as a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a Node B, an eNB, a Next Generation Node B, or a Gigabit Node B (any of which may be referred to as a gNB), a Home Node B, a Home Evolved Node B, or some other suitable terminology. The wireless communication system 100 may include different types of network devices 105 (e.g., macro cell base stations or small cell base stations). The UE 115 described herein may be able to communicate with various types of network devices 105 and network equipment (including macro eNBs, small cell eNBs, gNBs, relay base stations, etc.). In some examples, the network device 105 may communicate wirelessly with one or more repeaters 140 (e.g., relay devices, wireless repeaters), which may support retransmission, amplification, frequency conversion, etc. of signaling to one or more other devices (such as UE 115). Similarly, relay 140 may be used to retransmit or forward signaling from UE 115 to network device 105 .

[0055] Each network device 105 may be associated with a particular geographic coverage area 110 in which it supports communications with various UEs 115. Each network device 105 may provide communications coverage for a respective geographic coverage area 110 via a communication link 125, and the communication link 125 between the network device 105 and the UE 115 may utilize one or more carriers. The communication link 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include an uplink transmission from the UE 115 to the network device 105, or a downlink transmission from the network device 105 to the UE 115. Downlink transmissions may also be referred to as forward link transmissions, and uplink transmissions may also be referred to as reverse link transmissions.

[0056] The geographic coverage area 110 of the network device 105 may be divided into sectors that constitute only a portion of the geographic coverage area 110, and each sector may be associated with a cellular cell. For example, each network device 105 may provide communication coverage for a macrocellular cell, a small cellular cell, a hotspot, or other types of cellular cells, or various combinations thereof. In some examples, the network device 105 may be mobile and therefore provide communication coverage for a mobile geographic coverage area 110. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, and overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by the same network device 105 or different network devices 105. The wireless communication system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous LTE / LTE-A / LTE-A Pro or NR network, in which different types of network devices 105 provide coverage for various geographic coverage areas 110.

[0057] The term "cell" refers to a logical communication entity used to communicate with network device 105 (e.g., on a carrier), and may be associated with an identifier to distinguish adjacent cells operating via the same or different carriers (e.g., physical cell identifier (PCID), virtual cell identifier (VCID)). In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types that may provide access to different types of devices (e.g., machine type communication (MTC), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or others). In some cases, the term "cell" may refer to a portion of a geographic coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) on which the logical entity operates.

[0058] Each UE 115 can be dispersed throughout the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 can be stationary or mobile. UE 115 can also be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device or some other suitable term, wherein "device" can also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal or a client. UE 115 can also be a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer or a personal computer. In some examples, UE 115 can also refer to a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or an MTC device, etc., which can be implemented in various items (such as electrical appliances, vehicles, meters, etc.). UE 115 can communicate with the core network 130 via a communication link 135.

[0059] Some UEs 115, such as MTC or IoT devices, may be low-cost or low-complexity devices and may provide automated communication between machines (e.g., via machine-to-machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC may refer to data communication technology that allows devices to communicate with each other or with network devices 105 without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC may include communication from devices that integrate sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay the information to a central server or application, which may utilize the information or present the information to a person interacting with the program or application. Some UEs 115 may be designed to collect information or implement automated behavior of machines. Examples of applications for MTC devices include: smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, health care monitoring, field survival monitoring, weather and geographic event monitoring, queue management and tracking, remote security sensing, physical access control, and transaction-based commercial charging. In some cases, the repeater 140 may be an MTC or IoT device that is controlled by the network device 105 or UE 115 via a low bandwidth (low frequency band) or NB-IoT connection, and performs relaying of received signals without demodulating or decoding the signals based on control information provided by the low frequency band or NB-IoT connection.

[0060] Some UEs 115 may be configured to employ a reduced power consumption mode of operation, such as half-duplex communication (e.g., a mode that supports unidirectional communication via transmission or reception but not simultaneous transmission and reception). In some examples, half-duplex communication may be performed with a reduced peak rate. Other power saving techniques for UE 115 include entering a power saving "deep sleep" mode when not engaged in active communications, or operating over a limited bandwidth (e.g., in accordance with narrowband communications). In some cases, UE 115 may be designed to support critical functions (e.g., mission critical functions), and the wireless communication system 100 may be configured to provide ultra-reliable communications for these functions.

[0061] In some cases, UE 115 may also be able to communicate directly with other UE 115 (e.g., using a peer-to-peer (P2P) or device-to-device (D2D) protocol). One or more of a group of UE 115 utilizing D2D communication may be within a geographic coverage area 110 of a network device 105. Other UE 115 in this group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of the network device 105, or otherwise unable to receive transmissions from the network device 105. In some cases, each group of UE 115 communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE 115 transmits to each other UE 115 in the group. In some cases, the network device 105 facilitates the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication is performed between UE 115 without involving the network device 105.

[0062] Each network device 105 can communicate with the core network 130 and with each other. For example, the network device 105 can interface with the core network 130 via a backhaul link 132 (e.g., via S1, N2, N3, or other interfaces). Each network device 105 can communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between each network device 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130) on a backhaul link 134 (e.g., via X2, Xn, or other interfaces).

[0063] At least some network devices (such as network device 105) may include subcomponents, such as access network entities, which may be examples of ANCs. Each access network entity may communicate with each UE 115 through a number of other access network transport entities, which may be referred to as radio heads, smart radio heads, or transmission / reception points (TRPs). In some configurations, the various functions of each access network entity or network device 105 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., radio heads and access network controllers) or merged into a single network device (e.g., network device 105).

[0064] The wireless communication system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands, typically in the range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. In general, the 300 MHz to 3 GHz region is referred to as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelengths range from about 1 decimeter to 1 meter long. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features. However, these waves may penetrate various structures sufficiently for macro cells to provide services to UEs 115 located indoors. Transmission of UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 km) compared to transmission using lower frequencies and longer waves in the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0065] The wireless communication system 100 may also operate in the Super High Frequency (SHF) region using a frequency band from 3 GHz to 30 GHz, also known as the centimeter band. The SHF region includes frequency bands that may be opportunistically used by devices that can tolerate interference from other users, such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band.

[0066] The wireless communication system 100 may also operate in the extremely high frequency (EHF) division of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz), which is also referred to as the millimeter band. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support mmW communications between the UE 115 and the network device 105, and the EHF antenna of the corresponding device may be even smaller and more closely spaced than the UHF antenna. In some cases, this may facilitate the use of antenna arrays within the UE 115. However, the propagation of EHF transmissions may be subject to even greater atmospheric attenuation and shorter range than SHF or UHF transmissions. The technology disclosed herein may be adopted across transmissions using one or more different frequency divisions, and the use of frequency bands specified across these frequency divisions may differ by country or regulatory agency.

[0067] In some cases, the wireless communication system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may adopt license assisted access (LAA), LTE unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology in an unlicensed band (such as a 5 GHz ISM band). When operating in an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, wireless devices (such as network devices 105 and UE 115) may adopt a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure to ensure that the frequency channel is clear before transmitting data. In some cases, operations in unlicensed bands may be based on CA configurations (e.g., LAA) in coordination with CCs operating in licensed bands. Operations in unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, peer-to-peer transmissions, or a combination of these. Duplexing in unlicensed spectrum may be based on frequency division duplexing (FDD), time division duplexing (TDD), or a combination of the two.

[0068] In some examples, the network device 105 or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may use a transmission scheme between a transmitting device (e.g., network device 105) and a receiving device (e.g., UE 115), wherein the transmitting device is equipped with multiple antennas and the receiving device is equipped with one or more antennas. MIMO communication may employ multipath signal propagation to increase spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers, which may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. For example, the transmitting device may transmit multiple signals via different antennas or different antenna combinations. Similarly, the receiving device may receive multiple signals via different antennas or different antenna combinations. Each of these multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry bits associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams. Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO technology includes single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), in which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device, and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), in which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.

[0069] Beamforming (which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception) is a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., a network device 105 or a UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam or a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining signals communicated via antenna elements of an antenna array so that signals propagating at a particular orientation relative to the antenna array experience constructive interference, while other signals experience destructive interference. Adjustments to signals communicated via antenna elements may include the transmitting device or the receiving device applying a particular amplitude and phase shift to the signal carried via each antenna element associated with the device. Adjustments associated with each antenna element may be defined by a set of beamforming weights associated with a particular orientation (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting device or the receiving device, or relative to some other orientation).

[0070] In one example, the network device 105 may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays to perform beamforming operations for directional communication with the UE 115. For example, some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted multiple times by the network device 105 in different directions, which may include a signal being transmitted according to different beamforming weight sets associated with different transmission directions. Transmissions in different beam directions may be used (e.g., by the network device 105 or a receiving device, such as the UE 115) to identify a beam direction used by the network device 105 for subsequent transmission and / or reception. Some signals (such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device) may be transmitted by the network device 105 in a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with a receiving device (such as the UE 115)). In some examples, the beam direction associated with transmissions along a single beam direction may be determined based at least in part on signals transmitted in different beam directions. For example, UE 115 may receive one or more signals transmitted by network device 105 in different directions, and UE 115 may report indications of the signals it received with the highest signal quality or other acceptable signal quality to network device 105. Although these techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted by network device 105 in one or more directions, UE 115 may use similar techniques for transmitting signals multiple times in different directions (e.g., for identifying a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by UE 115) or for transmitting signals in a single direction (e.g., for transmitting data to a recipient device).

[0071] A receiving device (e.g., UE 115, which may be an example of a mmW receiving device) may try multiple receive beams when receiving various signals (such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) from network device 105. For example, the receiving device may try multiple receive directions by receiving via different antenna subarrays, processing received signals according to different antenna subarrays, receiving according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, or processing received signals according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, any of which may be referred to as "listening" according to different receive beams or receive directions. In some examples, the receiving device may use a single receive beam to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). A single receive beam may be aligned in a beam direction determined based at least in part on listening according to different receive beam directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio, or other acceptable signal quality based at least in part on listening according to multiple beam directions).

[0072] In some cases, the antennas of network device 105 or UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays that may support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. In some cases, antennas or antenna arrays associated with network device 105 may be located at different geographic locations. Network device 105 may have an antenna array with several rows and columns of antenna ports that network device 105 may use to support beamforming for communications with UE 115. Likewise, UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations.

[0073] In some cases, the wireless communication system 100 can be a packet-based network operated according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, the communication of the bearer or packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer can be based on IP. In some cases, the radio link control (RLC) layer can perform packet segmentation and reorganization to communicate on the logical channel. The media access control (MAC) layer can perform priority handling and multiplex the logical channel into the transport channel. The MAC layer can also use hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) to provide retransmission of the MAC layer, thereby improving link efficiency. In the control plane, the RRC protocol layer can provide the establishment, configuration and maintenance of the RRC connection of the radio bearer supporting user plane data between the UE 115 and the network device 105 or the core network 130. In the physical (PHY) layer, the transport channel can be mapped to the physical channel.

[0074] In some cases, UE 115 and network device 105 may support retransmission of data to increase the likelihood that the data is successfully received. HARQ feedback is a technique that increases the likelihood of correctly receiving data on communication link 125. HARQ may include a combination of error detection (e.g., using cyclic redundancy check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., automatic repeat request (ARQ)). HARQ can improve the throughput of the MAC layer in poor radio conditions (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio conditions). In some cases, a wireless device may support simultaneous slot HARQ feedback, where the device may provide HARQ feedback in a specific time slot for data received in a previous symbol in the time slot. In other cases, the device may provide HARQ feedback in a subsequent time slot or according to some other time interval.

[0075] The time interval in LTE or NR can be represented by a basic time unit (which may refer to a sampling period T for example). s =1 / 30,720,000 seconds). The time intervals of the communication resources may be organized according to radio frames each having a duration of 10 milliseconds (ms), where the frame period may be expressed as T f =307,200Ts . A radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) ranging from 0 to 1023. Each frame may include 10 subframes numbered from 0 to 9, and each subframe may have a duration of 1 ms. A subframe may be further divided into 2 slots, each slot having a duration of 0.5 ms, and each slot may contain 6 or 7 modulation symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of a cyclic prefix prepended to each symbol period). Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may contain 2048 sampling periods. In some cases, a subframe may be the minimum scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In other cases, the minimum scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 may be shorter than a subframe or may be dynamically selected (e.g., in a burst of a shortened TTI (sTTI) or in a selected component carrier using sTTI).

[0076] In some wireless communication systems, a time slot may be further divided into mini-slots containing multiple one or more symbols. In some instances, a symbol of a mini-slot or a mini-slot may be a minimum scheduling unit. For example, each symbol may vary in duration depending on the subcarrier spacing or operating frequency band. Further, some wireless communication systems may implement time slot aggregation, wherein multiple time slots or mini-slots are aggregated together and used for communication between UE 115 and network device 105.

[0077] The term "carrier" refers to a set of radio frequency spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting communications on the communication link 125. For example, a carrier of the communication link 125 may include a portion of a radio frequency spectrum band that operates according to a physical layer channel for a given radio access technology. Each physical layer channel may carry user data, control information, or other signaling. A carrier may be associated with a predefined frequency channel (e.g., an E-UTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (EARFCN)) and may be located according to a channel grid for discovery by a UE 115. A carrier may be downlink or uplink (e.g., in FDD mode), or may be configured to carry downlink communications and uplink communications (e.g., in TDD mode). In some examples, a signal waveform transmitted on a carrier may include multiple subcarriers (e.g., using a multi-carrier modulation (MCM) technique such as OFDM or DFT-s-OFDM).

[0078] The organization structure of the carrier may be different for different radio access technologies (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR, etc.). For example, communications on a carrier may be organized according to TTIs or time slots, each of which may include user data and control information or signaling to support decoding of the user data. A carrier may also include dedicated acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals or system information, etc.) and control signaling to coordinate carrier operations. In some examples (e.g., in a carrier aggregation configuration), a carrier may also have acquisition signaling or control signaling to coordinate the operations of other carriers.

[0079] Physical channels may be multiplexed on a carrier according to various techniques. Physical control channels and physical data channels may be multiplexed on a downlink carrier, for example, using a time division multiplexing (TDM) technique, a frequency division multiplexing (FDM) technique, or a hybrid TDM-FDM technique. In some examples, control information transmitted in a physical control channel may be distributed in a cascaded manner between different control regions (e.g., between a common control region or a common search space and one or more UE-specific control regions or UE-specific search spaces).

[0080] A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of the radio frequency spectrum, and in some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as the "system bandwidth" of the carrier or wireless communication system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of several predetermined bandwidths of a carrier for a particular radio access technology (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 MHz). In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured to operate on part or all of the carrier bandwidth. In other examples, some UEs 115 may be configured to operate using a narrowband protocol type associated with a predefined portion or range (e.g., a set of subcarriers or RBs) within a carrier (e.g., an "in-band" deployment of a narrowband protocol type).

[0081] In a system using MCM technology, a resource element may include a symbol period (e.g., the duration of a modulation symbol) and a subcarrier, where the symbol period and the subcarrier spacing are inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme). Thus, the more resource elements received by UE 115 and the higher the order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate of UE 115 can be. In a MIMO system, wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of radio frequency spectrum resources, time resources, and space resources (e.g., space layers), and the use of multiple space layers may further increase the data rate of communication with UE 115.

[0082] A device of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., a network device 105 or a UE 115) may have a hardware configuration that supports communication on a particular carrier bandwidth, or may be configurable to support communication on one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include a network device 105 and / or a UE 115 that may support simultaneous communication via carriers associated with more than one different carrier bandwidths.

[0083] The wireless communication system 100 may support communication with a UE 115 on multiple cells or carriers, a feature that may be referred to as carrier aggregation (CA) or multi-carrier operation. The UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink CCs and one or more uplink CCs according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used with both FDD and TDD component carriers.

[0084] In some cases, the wireless communication system 100 may utilize an enhanced component carrier (eCC). An eCC may be characterized by one or more features including a wider carrier or frequency channel bandwidth, a shorter symbol duration, a shorter TTI duration, or a modified control channel configuration. In some cases, an eCC may be associated with a carrier aggregation configuration or a dual connectivity configuration (e.g., when multiple serving cells have suboptimal or non-ideal backhaul links). An eCC may also be configured for use in an unlicensed spectrum or a shared spectrum (e.g., where more than one operator is allowed to use the spectrum). An eCC characterized by a wide carrier bandwidth may include one or more segments that may be utilized by a UE 115 that is not capable of monitoring the entire carrier bandwidth or is otherwise configured to use a limited carrier bandwidth (e.g., to save power).

[0085] In some cases, an eCC may utilize a different symbol duration than other CCs, which may include using a reduced symbol duration compared to the symbol duration of other CCs. A shorter symbol duration may be associated with an increased spacing between adjacent subcarriers. A device utilizing an eCC (such as a UE 115 or a network device 105) may transmit a wideband signal (e.g., based on a frequency channel or carrier bandwidth of 20, 40, 60, 80 MHz, etc.) with a reduced symbol duration (e.g., 16.67 microseconds). A TTI in an eCC may include one or more symbol periods. In some cases, the TTI duration (i.e., the number of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable.

[0086] Wireless communication systems (such as NR systems) can utilize any combination of licensed, shared, and unlicensed spectrum bands, etc. The flexibility of eCC symbol duration and subcarrier spacing can allow eCC to be used across multiple spectrums. In some examples, NR shared spectrum can improve spectrum utilization and spectrum efficiency, especially through dynamic vertical (e.g., across frequency domain) and horizontal (e.g., across time domain) sharing of resources.

[0087] A UE 115 attempting to access a wireless network may perform an initial cell search by detecting a primary synchronization signal (PSS) from the network device 105. The PSS may enable synchronization of time slot timing and may indicate a physical layer identity value. The UE 115 may then receive a secondary synchronization signal (SSS). The SSS may enable radio frame synchronization and may provide a cell identity value that may be combined with a physical layer identity value to identify the cell. The SSS may also enable detection of duplex mode and cyclic prefix length. Some systems (such as TDD systems) may transmit SSS but not PSS. Both PSS and SSS may be located in the center 62 and 72 subcarriers of a carrier, respectively. In some cases, the network device 105 may use multiple beams to transmit synchronization signals (e.g., PSS, SSS, etc.) through a cellular coverage area in a beam sweeping manner. In some cases, PSS, SSS, and / or broadcast information (e.g., physical broadcast channel (PBCH)) may be transmitted within a synchronization signal block (SSB) on a corresponding directional beam, wherein one or more SSBs may be included within a synchronization signal burst.

[0088] The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more repeaters 140 (e.g., wireless repeaters 140). The wireless repeater 140 may include functionality for relaying, extending, and redirecting wireless signals transmitted within the wireless communication system. In some cases, the wireless repeater 140 may be used in a line of sight (LOS) or non-line of sight (NLOS) scenario. In a LOS scenario, directional (e.g., beamformed) transmissions (such as mmW transmissions) may be limited by path loss through the air. In a NLOS scenario (such as in an urban area or indoors), mmW transmissions may be limited by signal blocking or signal interfering physical objects. In either scenario, the wireless repeater 140 may be used to receive a signal from a network device 105 (e.g., a base station) and transmit the signal to a UE 115, or to receive a signal from a UE 115 and transmit the signal to a network device 105. The wireless repeater 140 may use beamforming, filtering, gain control, and phase correction techniques to improve signal quality and avoid RF interference to the transmitted signal. Wireless repeater 140 may apply a phase rotation adjustment to the signal to correct for phase rotation errors caused by the frequency conversion of repeater 140 .

[0089] In some cases, the wireless repeater 140 may include a receiving antenna array and a transmitting antenna array. In some cases, the wireless repeater 140 may include digital filtering, and the wireless repeater 140 may include a signal processing chain connected (e.g., coupled, linked, attached) between the receiving antenna array and the transmitting antenna array. The signal processing chain may be implemented as an RF integrated circuit (RFIC), which may include RF / microwave components (such as one or more phase shifters, low noise amplifiers (LNAs), power amplifiers (PAs), PA drivers, heterodyne mixers, carrier tracking circuits, gain controllers, power detectors, filters, or other circuit systems) and digital components combined therewith (which may include digital filters, processors, analog-to-digital (A / D) converters, digital-to-analog (D / A) converters, or one or more of other circuit systems). The phase shifter may be controlled by one or more beam controllers to perform beamforming to reduce signal interference. The heterodyne mixer may down-convert the frequency of the received signal to an intermediate frequency (IF) or baseband frequency that may be filtered by one or more filters, and the heterodyne mixer may up-convert the filtered signal back to a higher frequency. The signal processing chain may include a feedback path for monitoring the output of one or more PAs and adjusting the gain of one or more PA drivers to the PAs and the gain of one or more LNAs based on the output. Gain adjustment may be used to stabilize signal reception and transmission and improve signal quality between devices such as network device 105 and UE 115. Accordingly, signal quality (e.g., mmW signals) in LOS and NLOS scenarios may be improved through beamforming, filtering, and gain control.

[0090] As described, the wireless repeater 140 may include components in the analog / RF domain (e.g., antenna arrays and signal processing chain circuit systems) and one or more digital filters or both analog filters and digital filters. In addition, in some cases, the wireless repeater 140 may include a digital circuit system for receiving control information (e.g., for receiving remote configuration of gain, direction, and for local oscillator tracking via sub-6 or mmW signals). In some cases where the control information is not received via mmW signals, the control information may be received using a radio access technology different from the radio access technology used between the network device 105 and the UE 115. For example, one or more side channels may be used to provide control information and implemented as protocols such as Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, wireless LAN, and thus, the repeater 140 may include circuit systems and / or processors for the following actions: receiving and processing signals received via those protocols, and controlling beamforming at the RF components based on those signals received at the side channels.

[0091] In some aspects, the repeater 140 may refer to a mmW repeater 140, and may receive an analog mmW signal from the network device 105, may amplify the analog mmW signal, and may transmit the amplified mmW signal to one or more UEs 115. In some aspects, the mmW repeater 140 may be an analog mmW repeater, sometimes also referred to as a layer 1 mmW repeater. Additionally or alternatively, the repeater 140 may be a wireless transmission reception point (TRP) (acting as a distributed unit (e.g., a 5G access node)) that wirelessly communicates with the network device 105 (acting as a central unit (e.g., a 5G access node) or an access node controller). In some examples, the repeater 140 may receive, amplify, and transmit the analog mmW signal without performing analog-to-digital conversion on the analog mmW signal and / or without performing any digital signal processing on the mmW signal. In this way, latency may be reduced, and the cost of producing the repeater 140 may be reduced. Additional details about the repeater 140 are provided elsewhere herein.

[0092] One or more of the network devices 105 may include a communication manager 101 that may transmit in-band control information to a wireless device (e.g., to a relay 140) using a downlink control channel according to a first periodicity. The communication manager 101 may receive an indication of a RACH message from the wireless device and transmit the in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a second periodicity based on the received indication.

[0093] The relay 140 may include a communication manager 102 that may monitor a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to find in-band control information from a base station (e.g., network device 105). The communication manager 102 may receive a RACH message from a UE and monitor the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the received random access channel message to find in-band control information from the base station.

[0094] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system 200 that supports power saving of smart repeaters according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In some examples, the wireless communication system 200 can implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. For example, the wireless communication system 200 can include a base station 105-a and a UE 115-a, which can be as described with reference to Figure 1 Examples of network devices 105 and UEs 115 are described. Base station 105-a may communicate with one or more UEs 115. In some cases, communications may be relayed by one or more repeaters 205 (e.g., wireless repeaters) (such as repeater 205-a, which may be referenced to Figure 1 140) from base station 105-a to UE 115 (and vice versa). Figure 2In the example of , the repeater 205-a may monitor the downlink control channel 210 for control information 215 sent by the base station 105-a. In addition, the repeater 205-a may monitor the configured time slots (e.g., RACH time slots) for RACH messages 220 that may be sent by one or more UEs 115 (e.g., UE 115-a), and the repeater 205-a may transmit the forwarded RACH message 225 to the base station 105-a.

[0095] As discussed herein, repeater 205 can relay signals between base station 105 and UE 115 to avoid or reduce blocking or interference. For example, in some cases, there may be an object blocking the signal and cannot be transmitted from base station 105-a to UE 115-a (and vice versa). The object can be a physical object, or in some cases it can be a frequency jammer (such as an RF jammer). The physical object that can block the transmitted signal may include hills, mountains, buildings, walls, other infrastructure, etc. RF jammers can work by aiming, interfering, blocking or disrupting certain frequencies on which transmissions are sent. As an example, an RF jammer may include another wireless device (e.g., other base stations 105, UE 115, etc.), other types of transmissions or signals (e.g., radar, satellites, etc.), etc. RF jammers may include RF jammers that affect transmissions by adjacent channel selectivity (ACS) interference, in-band blocking (IBB), and out-of-band (OOB) interference.

[0096] exist Figure 2 In some examples, the repeater 205-a may relay, extend, or redirect a wireless signal received from the base station 105-a to the UE 115-a, relay, extend, or redirect a wireless signal received from the UE 115-a to the base station 105-a, or relay, extend, or redirect a wireless signal between various other wireless devices. For example, the repeater 205-a may receive a signal from the base station 105-a and retransmit the signal to the UE 115-a, or receive a signal from the UE 115-a and retransmit the signal to the base station 105-a. In some examples, the repeater 205-a may amplify and forward (e.g., amplify and transmit) a signal transmitted between the base station 105-a and the UE 115-a. In situations where transmission from the base station 105-a to the UE 115-a (and vice versa) is blocked due to physical obstacles or is associated with path losses affected by various factors (e.g., such as distance between the base station and the UE, temperature, air pressure, diffraction, obstructions, etc.), the repeater 205-a can receive signals transmitted between the base station 105-a and the UE 115-a, amplify the received signals, and forward the amplified signals to facilitate efficient communication between the base station 105-a and the UE 115-a.

[0097] For example, to support communications between the base station 105-a and the UE 115-a, the repeater 205-a may amplify and forward SSBs (e.g., to relay system information to the UE 115), as well as amplify and forward RACH messages (e.g., to facilitate a UE 115 random access procedure). In this manner, the repeater 205-a may facilitate the UE 115-a to attach (e.g., connect) to the base station 105-a (e.g., via relaying of system information and random access messages). In addition, the repeater 205-a may relay communications between the base station 105-a and the UE 115-a after the UE 115-a attaches (e.g., communications on a connection established between the base station 105-a and the UE 115-a).

[0098] As discussed herein, the repeater 205-a may be configured to perform relay operations (e.g., wireless repeater operations such as signal amplification, signal phase rotation, signal forwarding, etc.) to reduce or minimize path loss or interference for various communications in various environments. In some cases, the repeater may be configured via base station 105-a control signaling. For example, base station 105-a may control the parameters (such as amplification, direction, frequency gain, frequency conversion, etc.) forwarded by the repeater 205-a for various communications (e.g., synchronization signaling, random access signaling, connected mode signaling, etc.) between base station 105-a and UE 115-a. Thus, the repeater 205-a may monitor a control channel 210 (e.g., PDCCH) to find control information 215 from the base station 105-a in order to perform (e.g., configure) relay duties (e.g., amplification and forwarding operations).

[0099] However, in some cases, diligent monitoring of control information (e.g., monitoring each time slot of a control channel) may be associated with high power consumption at a wireless repeater. In addition, in situations where a UE is not attached to a wireless repeater or base station, such monitoring of control information may be inefficient because relay duties may be less likely to be configured or may be configured less frequently in such situations. For example, a repeater 205-a may not know whether any UE 115 (e.g., such as UE 115-a) is attached to the repeater (e.g., attached to a base station 105-a via the repeater 205-a). Thus, in order not to miss control information for relay duties (e.g., control information for configuring amplification and forwarding duties), the repeater 205-a may monitor the control channel 210 relatively frequently (e.g., each time slot), which may result in significant power consumption of the repeater 205-a.

[0100] Thus, one or more aspects of the techniques described herein may provide for power saving of the relay 205 in the absence of an attached (e.g., connected) UE 115. For example, the relay 205-a may operate in a power saving mode (e.g., a slow state) and monitor control information 215 from the base station 105-a according to a relatively long monitoring periodicity. Upon detecting a possible UE attachment to the base station 105-a (e.g., upon detecting a RACH message 220 from the UE 115-a), the relay 205 may switch to monitoring the control information 215 from the base station 105-a according to a fast state (e.g., according to a relatively short, or more frequent, monitoring periodicity). The relay 205 may thereby monitor the control information 215 more efficiently in the presence or absence of an attached UE 115-a. In some examples, one or more integrated circuits (e.g., a transceiver, a processor, etc.) of the relay 205 may implement the power saving techniques discussed herein to reduce the overall power consumption of the relay 205.

[0101] When no UE 115 is attached to the repeater 205-a, the repeater 205-a may monitor the control channel 210 less frequently (e.g., the repeater 205 may operate in a slow state) for control information 215. Repeater 205-a operation in a slow state may refer to the repeater monitoring the control channel 210 according to a monitoring periodicity associated with a relatively long interval, the repeater powering down a control interface (e.g., RF circuitry for monitoring the control channel 210) for a relatively long duration between control channel 210 monitoring, etc. In such a slow state, the repeater 205-a may monitor for signals (e.g., RACH messages 220) in one or more preconfigured time slots (e.g., RACH time slots) to determine whether a UE 115 is attached to the repeater (e.g., or whether the UE 115 is attempting to attach to the repeater).

[0102] That is, the repeater 205-a may monitor the RACH message 220 in one or more RACH time slots to determine whether the UE 115-a is attached to the repeater 205-a (e.g., or the base station 105-a), or whether the UE 115-a is attempting to attach to the repeater 205-a (e.g., or the base station 105-a). If the repeater 205-a is confident that the RACH message 220 has been detected, the repeater 205-a may monitor the control channel 210 more frequently (e.g., based on a tentative fast state). Repeater 205-a operation in the experimental fast state may refer to the repeater monitoring the control channel 210 according to a monitoring periodicity associated with a relatively short interval (e.g., in each time slot of the control channel 210), the repeater powering up a control interface (e.g., RF circuitry for monitoring the control channel 210), the repeater powering down a control interface (e.g., RF circuitry for monitoring the control channel 210) for a relatively short duration between control channel 210 monitoring, etc. As discussed herein, the repeater 205-a may operate in the experimental fast state (upon detection of the RACH message 220) until additional control information 215 is received, until a monitoring periodicity transition timer expires (e.g., before additional control information 215 is received), etc. Alternatively, if the repeater 205-a is not confident that a RACH message 220 has been detected in one or more preconfigured time slots, the repeater 205-a may return to operating in a slow state or low power state until the next preconfigured time slot (e.g., until the next preconfigured RACH time slot).

[0103] The repeater 205 may identify an attached UE (e.g., or a UE attempting to attach) according to various techniques. For example, the repeater 205 may include various hardware combinations (e.g., based on manufacturing cost considerations, repeater functionality considerations, etc.), and may employ one or more techniques to identify the UE 115. For example, the repeater 205 may include an analog block 230, a digital block 235, or both. In general, the analog block 230 may refer to various components or circuit systems for performing analog processing, as described in more detail herein. Similarly, the digital block 235 may refer to various components or circuit systems for performing digital processing, as described in more detail herein.

[0104] In some examples, the repeater 205-a may include an analog block 230 and may therefore only amplify and forward signals (e.g., RACH message 220) received in a RACH time slot to the base station 105-a (e.g., and RACH detection may be performed at the base station 105-a). Additionally or alternatively, the repeater 205-a may include a digital block 235 and may therefore process signals (e.g., RACH message 220) received in a RACH time slot and subsequently forward the signals to the base station 105-a (e.g., and RACH detection may be performed at the repeater 205-a and at the base station 105-a). Thus, the repeater 205-a may identify an attached UE (e.g., or a UE attempting to attach) via received energy measurement or level detection (e.g., of signals (such as RACH message 220) during one or more preconfigured time slots (such as RACH time slots), via processing and detection of RACH signals, and the like.

[0105] The repeater 205-a may thus be equipped with an analog block 230 and / or a digital block 235 for performing received energy measurements or level detection. The repeater 205-a may identify an attached UE (e.g., or a UE attempting to attach) when one or more measured energy levels meet a threshold (e.g., when one or more measured energy levels are above a threshold). For example, the repeater 205-a may measure one or more energy levels during one or more preconfigured time slots, and may identify an attached UE (or a UE attempting to attach) when one or more measured energy levels are above a threshold. In the case where the repeater 205-a includes a digital block 235, the repeater 205-a may process signals received in one or more preconfigured time slots (e.g., the repeater 205-a may process RACH messages 220 received in one or more RACH time slots) to identify an attached UE (or a UE attempting to attach). If any RACH messages are detected, the repeater 205 - a may notify the base station 105 - a (eg, the repeater 205 - a may transmit a forwarded RACH message 225 to the base station 105 - a ).

[0106] Upon identifying an attached UE 115-a (or a UE 115-a attempting to attach), the repeater 205-a may transition to a tentative fast state (e.g., and monitor the control channel 210 more frequently for control information 215). The UE 115-a may maintain the tentative fast state until additional control information 215 is received (e.g., information configuring a control interface of the UE 115-a), until a monitoring periodicity transition timer expires, and the like. For example, the repeater 205-a may set a timer (e.g., a monitoring periodicity transition timer) to receive a fast command (e.g., a control command to configure a short control channel monitoring interval, a control command to configure a frequent control channel monitoring periodicity, and the like) from the base station 105-a upon identifying the UE 115-a. If no command is received before the timer expires, the repeater 205-a may transition back to the slow state (e.g., otherwise, the repeater 205-a may transition to the fast state). As such, the base station 105 - a may transmit a fast command to the repeater 205 - a (eg, in the control information 215 via the control channel 210 ) upon receipt of the forwarded RACH message 225 from the repeater 205 - a .

[0107] As discussed, in some cases, the fast command can be implicit so that after the repeater 205-a notifies the base station 105-a of the UE 115-a (e.g., after the repeater 205-a transmits the forwarded RACH message 225), the repeater 205-a can move to the tentative fast state. If the PDCCH (e.g., control information 215) is not received before the timer expires, the repeater 205-a can transition back to the slow state. If a PDCCH is received to activate the repeater configuration, the repeater 205-a can transition to the fast state. In some cases, if no UE is attached to the repeater 205-a, the base station 105-a can transmit a slow command (e.g., via control information 215) to cause the repeater 205-a to move to the slow rate. For example, the base station 105-a may determine or identify a handover of the UE 115-a to another base station, and may transmit a slow command to the repeater 205-a upon identifying that the UE 115-a is detaching from the repeater 205-a. In addition, the base station 105-a may determine or identify a handover of the UE 115-a to the base station 105-a itself, and may transmit a fast command to the repeater 205-a upon identifying that the UE 115-a is attaching to the base station 105-a. In some cases, the repeater 205-a may periodically report its status (e.g., a monitoring status of the repeater 205-a, a control interface configuration of the repeater 205-a, etc.) to the base station 105-a.

[0108] As an example, the repeater 205-a may initially operate in the slow state. When the repeater 205-a detects a RACH (e.g., a RACH message 220), the repeater 205-a may set its state to a tentative fast state (e.g., the repeater 205-a may operate in a tentative fast state). If a fast command (e.g., control information 215 indicating a control command) is not received before the monitoring periodic transition timer expires, the repeater 205-a may reset its state to a slow state. If a fast command is received before the monitoring periodic transition timer expires, the repeater 205-a may set its state to a fast state. If a RACH is detected while the repeater is operating in the fast state, the repeater 205-a may not set the monitoring periodic transition timer because its state is already fast. If a slow command is received, the repeater 205-a may set its state to a slow state (e.g., and monitor the control channel 210 less frequently until a new control command is received).

[0109] In general, the base station 105-a may send control commands (e.g., control information 215) to the repeater 205-a via the control channel 210. The frequency with which the repeater 205-a monitors the control information 215 may affect the power consumption of the repeater 205-a. In addition, in a situation where a UE is not attached to the repeater 205-a, control commands for configuring the operation of the repeater 205-a may be absent or infrequent. Thus, the repeater 205-a may monitor the control channel 210 less frequently in the absence of an attached UE. The techniques described herein may be used to configure a control interface of the repeater pair (e.g., for monitoring the control information 215 from the base station 105-a) based on detection (e.g., identification) of the presence of the UE 115-a to achieve power savings at the repeater 205-a.

[0110] Examples of components of the repeater 205 and operations of the repeater 205 are described in Figures 8 to 11 In addition, the circuit system of the repeater 205 can be described in more detail in the example of Figures 8 to 11205. The analog block 230 may include or refer to analog or RF circuitry, may include various components used within a signal processing chain at the repeater 205, and the like. For example, the analog block 230 may include or refer to analog or RF circuitry, phase shifters, mixers, received signal strength indicator (RSSI) components, LNAs, filters, PAs, A / D converters and / or D / A converters, or combinations thereof. In some cases, the analog block 230 may support the analog processing described herein. For example, the analog block 230 (e.g., LNA) may receive a signal (e.g., a RACH message 220), amplify the signal, and forward the signal (e.g., transmit a forwarded RACH message 225) to the base station 105-a. In addition, the analog block 230 may measure the energy of the signal (e.g., RACH message 220) during one or more preconfigured time slots (e.g., one or more RACH time slots) to identify the UE 115-a (e.g., to detect UE 115-a attachment). Upon identifying UE 115 - a attachment, relay 205 may monitor control channel 210 more frequently for additional or new control information 215 .

[0111] The digital block 235 may include or refer to a digital circuit system, may include various components used within a signal processing chain at the repeater 205, and the like. For example, the digital block 235 may include an A / D converter and may convert a filtered signal into a digital filtered signal, which may be provided to a digital processing and control circuit system. The digital processing and control circuit system may perform digital processing (such as digital filtering, demodulation and decoding, channel estimation, carrier tracking, or a combination thereof) on the received filtered digital signal to output a processed digital signal. In some cases, the digital block 235 may support the digital processing described herein. For example, the digital block 235 may process a signal (e.g., a RACH message 220) during one or more preconfigured time slots (e.g., one or more RACH time slots) to identify the UE 115-a (e.g., to detect that the UE 115-a is attached). The digital block 235 may process the signal to identify the RACH and detect the UE 115-a. In some cases, the relay 205 may forward the processed RACH message 220 (eg, in a forwarded RACH message 225) to the base station 105-a.

[0112] Figure 3 An example of a process flow 300 for supporting power conservation of a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In some examples, the process flow 300 can implement one or more aspects of the wireless communication system 100 and / or the wireless communication system 200. The process flow 300 includes: a base station 105-b, which can be a reference Figure 1 and 2Examples of base stations and network devices described; repeater 205-b, which may be reference Figure 1 and 2 An example of a repeater (eg, a wireless repeater) as described; and a UE 115-b, which may be a reference Figure 1 and 2 An example of a UE is described. The process flow 300 includes functions and communications implemented by a base station 105-b, a repeater 205-b, and a UE 115-b in the context of repeater management (eg, for power conservation at the repeater).

[0113] In the following description of process flow 300, operations between base station 105-b, repeater 205-b, and UE 115-b may be communicated in an order different from that shown, or the operations may be performed in a different order or at a different time. Certain operations may also be excluded from process flow 300, or other operations may be added to process flow 300. It should be understood that although base station 105-b, repeater 205-b, and UE 115-b are shown as performing several operations of process flow 300, any wireless device may perform the operations shown.

[0114] At 305, the repeater 205-b may monitor a downlink control channel (e.g., a PDCCH) according to a first monitoring periodicity to look for in-band control information from the base station 105-b. In-band control information may refer to control information (e.g., a control command) in the same frequency band or the same frequency channel as the monitored RACH frequency band / frequency channel. For example, monitoring in-band control information may refer to monitoring control information in the same frequency band or frequency channel as the RACH message received or energy detected. The monitoring periodicity may refer to a control interface configuration of the repeater 205. For example, the monitoring periodicity may refer to the frequency at which the repeater monitors a control channel, the frequency at which the repeater monitors control information, the frequency at which the repeater powers a control interface, the frequency at which the repeater powers a circuit system for receiving control information, an interval associated with the repeater monitoring a control channel, an interval associated with the repeater powering a circuit system for receiving control information, and the like.

[0115] In some examples, the first monitoring periodicity associated with the downlink control monitoring at 305 may refer to a slow state monitoring periodicity, a low power monitoring periodicity, and the like. For example, the repeater 205-b may operate in a slow state (e.g., a low power state) in the absence of any detected UE, and may monitor a downlink control channel (e.g., PDCCH) according to the first monitoring periodicity to find in-band control information from the base station 105-b, which may result in power savings at the repeater 205-b. In some cases, at 310, the repeater 205-b may receive control information (e.g., in-band control information) based on monitoring the control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity. In some cases, the control information may include a control command. For example, the control information at 310 may be communicated to configure a control interface of the repeater 205-b, to configure amplification and forwarding operations to be performed by the repeater 205-b, to configure the repeater 205-b's monitoring of the RACH, and the like. In some cases, the control information at 310 may configure the repeater 205-b with RACH monitoring opportunities or RACH time slots and the repeater's handling of detected RACHs (e.g., thresholds for repeater 205-b energy measurements during preconfigured time slots, amplification and forwarding operations for detected RACHs, etc.). In some examples, one or more thresholds for repeater 205-b energy measurements may be received by the repeater 205-b via control signaling (e.g., downlink control information (DCI), radio resource control (RRC) signaling, MAC control element (MAC-CE), etc.). In some cases, the base station 105-b may dynamically adjust one or more thresholds. For example, the base station 105-b may transmit a first threshold for repeater 205-b energy measurements at a first time, and transmit a second threshold for repeater 205-b energy measurements that is different from the first threshold at a second time after the first time based on one or more characteristics associated with the attached UE 115-a. In some cases, one or more characteristics associated with the attached UE 115-a may be a connection mode of the attached UE 115-a (e.g., RRC idle mode or RRC connected mode) or a communication service type or quality of service (QoS) of traffic between the attached UE 115-a and the base station 105-b (e.g., ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) data traffic or eMBB data traffic). In some cases, one or more characteristics associated with the attached UE 115-a correspond to characteristics that are known to the base station 105-b and are transparent or unknown to the repeater 205-b (e.g., characteristics associated with communication between the attached UE 115-a and the base station 105-b).

[0116] At 315, the repeater 205-b may receive a RACH message from the UE 115-b. As discussed herein, receiving a RACH message may refer to measuring an energy level during one or more configured time slots (e.g., during a configured RACH time slot) using a receive energy simulation block of the repeater 205-b. In some cases, receiving a RACH message may refer to determining that a measured energy level is above a threshold (e.g., where the threshold may be preconfigured by the wireless communication system, may be indicated in the control information at 310, etc.). In some cases, receiving a RACH message may refer to processing the RACH message using a digital block of the repeater 205-b. In such cases, the repeater 205-b may decode signaling received during a preconfigured time slot (e.g., a RACH time slot) to determine that the signal is a RACH message and detect the UE 115-b.

[0117] At 320, the repeater 205-b may identify the attached UE 115-b. As discussed herein, identifying the attached UE may refer to detecting the presence of the UE, identifying a base station that is attempting to attach to the base station 105-b, etc. For example, in some cases, the repeater 205-b may identify the attached UE 115-b based on determining that a measured energy level of the signal received at 315 is above a threshold. Additionally or alternatively, the repeater 205-b may identify the attached UE 115-b based on processing the signal received at 315 and identifying a RACH message from the UE 115-b.

[0118] At 325, based on the identification of the attached UE 115-b, the repeater 205-b may modify the control monitoring configuration. That is, the repeater 205-b may monitor the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the RACH message received at 315 to look for in-band control information from the base station 105-b. In some examples, the second monitoring periodicity may be associated with a shorter monitoring interval than the first monitoring periodicity. For example, the repeater 205-b may be converted to a tentative fast state upon receiving a RACH message from the UE (e.g., and may monitor control information more frequently according to the second monitoring periodicity). Although explained as separate operations, the operations explained at 315 and 320 may be implemented as a single operation (e.g., the repeater may not have to explicitly identify the attached UE 115-b, and may modify the control monitoring configuration based on receiving the RACH message).

[0119] In some cases, at 330, the repeater 205-b may set a monitoring periodic transition timer based on the RACH message received at 315. For example, the repeater 205-b may set a timer to limit the amount of time the repeater 205-b remains in the tentative fast state (e.g., because the repeater 205-b consumes additional power in the tentative fast state compared to the slow state) in situations in which no additional control information is received from the base station 105-b (e.g., indicating that the repeater should remain in the fast state, transition back to the slow state, transition to some intermediate or new state, etc.).

[0120] At 335, the repeater 205-b may perform amplification and forwarding duties. For example, the repeater 205-b may perform an amplification operation (e.g., analog amplification) on a radio frequency analog signal (e.g., a RACH message received at 315) based on the in-band control information received at 310 or based on a prior configuration of the repeater 205-b. The repeater 205-b may then transmit the amplified radio frequency analog signal to the base station 105-b. For example, the repeater may amplify the RACH message received at 315 and may forward the amplified RACH message to the base station 105-b at 340. In some cases (e.g., where the repeater 205-b includes a digital block or where the repeater 205-b has digital processing capabilities), the repeater 205-b may process the received RACH message and forward the processed RACH to the base station 105-b at 340.

[0121] At 345, repeater 205-b may monitor the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity for in-band control information from base station 105-b (e.g., based on the received RACH message, the modified control monitoring configuration, the tentative fast state, etc.). In some cases, no additional control information may be received (e.g., before the monitoring periodicity transition timer expires), and repeater 205-b may transition back to the slow state (e.g., to monitor the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity).

[0122] In other cases, additional control information may be received at 350 (e.g., before the monitoring periodicity transition timer expires). For example, at 350 the repeater 205-b may receive a control command (e.g., a fast command), and the repeater 205-b may remain in the fast state (e.g., transition from a tentative fast state to the fast state). In some cases, the repeater 205-b may switch from monitoring a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to monitoring a downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the received control command (e.g., where the downlink control channel is monitored according to the second monitoring periodicity based on the transition). In other cases, at 350 the repeater 205-b may receive a control command (e.g., a slow command), and the repeater 205-b may transition to the slow state (e.g., switching from monitoring a downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity to monitoring a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity based on the received control command).

[0123] In-band control information (e.g., which may be received at 310, at 350, or not received at all) may indicate a receive beam direction for an RF analog signal, a receive time interval for an RF analog signal, a transmit beam direction for an RF analog signal, a transmit time interval for an RF analog signal, or some combination thereof. In some examples, repeater 205-b may transmit an indication of a monitoring state of repeater 205-b to base station 105-b. For example, repeater 205-b may periodically indicate its monitoring state (e.g., information indicating the periodicity of control channel monitoring of repeater 205-b) to base station 105-b. Base station 105-b may thus send a control command to configure repeater 205-b's monitoring of a control channel based on the indicated monitoring state, based on forwarded RACH signaling from the repeater, based on UE attachment, etc. For example, in some cases, base station 105-b may determine or identify a handover of UE 115-b (e.g., a handover of UE 115-b to base station 105-b or a handover of UE 115-b from base station 105-b to another base station) and may send a control command to repeater 205-b based on the determined handover (e.g., to configure repeater 205-b to monitor control information more frequently or less frequently based on UE 115-b attachment).

[0124] Figure 4 A block diagram 400 of a device 405 supporting power saving of a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 405 may be an example of aspects of a base station 105 or a network device 105 as described herein. The device 405 may include a receiver 410, a communication manager 415, and a transmitter 420. The device 405 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0125] Receiver 410 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to power saving of smart repeaters, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of device 405. Receiver 410 may be a reference Figure 7 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 720. The receiver 410 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0126] The receiver 410 may be an example of an apparatus for performing various aspects of power conservation of a smart repeater as described herein. The receiver 410 or its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a receiver or transceiver circuit system). The circuit system may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in the present disclosure.

[0127] In some examples or implementations, the receiver 410 or its subcomponents may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., such as receiver or transceiver management software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the receiver 410 or its subcomponents may be performed by a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device.

[0128] The communication manager 415 may transmit in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a first periodicity, transmit in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a second periodicity based on the received indication, and receive an indication of a random access channel message from the wireless device. The communication manager 415 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 710 described herein.

[0129] The communication manager 415 may be an example of a device for performing various aspects of power conservation of a smart repeater as described herein. The communication manager 415 or its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communication management circuit system). The circuit system may include a processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in the present disclosure.

[0130] In some examples or implementations, the communication manager 415 or its subcomponents may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., such as communication management software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communication manager 415 or its subcomponents may be performed by a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device.

[0131] The communication manager 415 or its subcomponents may be physically located at various locations, including being distributed such that portions of functionality are implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 415 or its subcomponents may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 415 or its subcomponents may be combined with one or more other hardware components (including, but not limited to, input / output (I / O) components, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof).

[0132] In some examples, communications manager 415 provides or supports means for performing various operations (eg, receiving, determining, processing, executing, sending, and transmitting) using or otherwise cooperating with receiver 410, transmitter 420, or both.

[0133] Transmitter 420 may transmit signals generated by other components of device 405. In some examples, transmitter 420 may be co-located with receiver 410 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 420 may be a reference Figure 7 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 720. The transmitter 420 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0134] The transmitter 420 may be an example of an apparatus for performing various aspects of power conservation of a smart repeater as described herein. The transmitter 420 or its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a transmitter or transceiver circuit system). The circuit system may include a DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in the present disclosure.

[0135] In some examples or implementations, the transmitter 420 or its subcomponents may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., such as transmitter or transceiver management software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the transmitter 420 or its subcomponents may be performed by a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device.

[0136] Figure 5A block diagram 500 of a device 505 supporting power saving of a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 505 may be an example of aspects of the device 405, base station 105, or network device 105 as described herein. The device 505 may include a receiver 510, a communication manager 515, and a transmitter 530. The device 505 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0137] Receiver 510 may receive information or provide a means for receiving information, such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to power conservation of smart repeaters, etc.). The information may be communicated to other components of device 505. Receiver 510 may be a reference Figure 7 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 720. The receiver 510 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0138] The communication manager 515 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 415 as described herein. The communication manager 515 may include a control manager 520 and a RACH manager 525. The communication manager 515 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 710 as described herein.

[0139] The control manager 520 may transmit in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a first periodicity and transmit in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a second periodicity based on the received indication, or provide means for transmitting in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a first periodicity and transmitting in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a second periodicity based on the received indication. The RACH manager 525 may receive an indication of a random access channel message from the wireless device or provide means for receiving an indication of a random access channel message from the wireless device.

[0140] The transmitter 530 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device 505 or provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 505. In some examples, the transmitter 530 may be co-located with the receiver 510 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 530 may be a reference Figure 7 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 720. The transmitter 530 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0141] Figure 6A block diagram 600 of a communication manager 605 supporting power conservation for a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The communication manager 605 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 415, the communication manager 515, or the communication manager 710 described herein. The communication manager 605 may include a control manager 610, a RACH manager 615, a UE handover manager 620, a relay state manager 625, and a relay forwarding manager 630. Each of these modules may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0142] The control manager 610 may transmit in-band control information to the wireless device using a downlink control channel according to a first periodicity or provide means for transmitting in-band control information to the wireless device using a downlink control channel according to a first periodicity. In some examples, the control manager 610 may transmit in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a second periodicity based on the received indication or provide means for transmitting in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a second periodicity based on the received indication. In some examples, the control manager 610 may transmit a control command to the wireless device based on an indication of a received random access channel message or provide means for transmitting a control command to the wireless device based on an indication of a received random access channel message, wherein the in-band control information is transmitted according to a second periodicity based on the transmitted control command. In some examples, the control manager 610 may transmit a control command to the wireless device or provide means for transmitting a control command to the wireless device.

[0143] In some examples, the control manager 610 may transmit in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a first periodicity based on the control command or provide means for transmitting in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a first periodicity based on the control command. In some examples, the control manager 610 may send a control command to the wireless device based on a received indication of a monitoring state of the wireless device or provide means for sending a control command to the wireless device based on a received indication of a monitoring state of the wireless device. In some cases, the control command comprises a physical downlink control channel message. In some cases, the second monitoring periodicity is associated with a shorter monitoring interval than the first monitoring periodicity. In some cases, the wireless device comprises a wireless repeater.

[0144] The RACH manager 615 may receive an indication of a random access channel message from the wireless device or provide means for receiving an indication of a random access channel message from the wireless device. The UE handover manager 620 may determine a handover of the UE or provide means for determining a handover of the UE, wherein the control command is transmitted to the wireless device based on the handover. The relay state manager 625 may receive an indication of a monitoring state of the wireless device or provide means for receiving an indication of a monitoring state of the wireless device, wherein the monitoring state is based on whether the wireless device monitors a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity or a second monitoring periodicity.

[0145] The repeater forwarding manager 630 may receive a forwarded amplified waveform corresponding to a random access channel message from a wireless device or provide a device for receiving a forwarded amplified waveform corresponding to a random access channel message from a wireless device. In some examples, the repeater forwarding manager 630 may receive a forwarded processed waveform corresponding to a stacked access channel message from a wireless device or provide a device for the wireless device to receive a forwarded processed waveform corresponding to a stacked access channel message. In some examples, the repeater forwarding manager 630 may receive an amplified RF analog signal from a wireless device based on in-band control information or provide a device for receiving an amplified RF analog signal from a wireless device based on in-band control information, wherein the in-band control information indicates a receive beam direction for a RF analog channel, a receive time interval for a RF analog signal, a transmit beam direction for a RF analog signal, a transmit time interval for a RF analog signal, or some combination thereof.

[0146] Figure 7 A diagram of a system 700 including a device 705 that supports power saving of a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 705 may be an example of a device 405, a device 505, or a base station 105 as described herein or include components of the above devices. The device 705 may include components for two-way voice and data communications, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a communication manager 710, a network communication manager 715, a transceiver 720, an antenna 725, a memory 730, a processor 740, and an inter-station communication manager 745. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 750).

[0147] The communication manager 710 may transmit in-band control information to a wireless device using a downlink control channel according to a first periodicity, transmit in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a second periodicity based on a received indication, and receive an indication of a random access channel message from the wireless device, or provide an apparatus for transmitting in-band control information to a wireless device using a downlink control channel according to a first periodicity, transmitting in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a second periodicity based on a received indication, and receiving an indication of a random access channel message from the wireless device.

[0148] The network communications manager 715 may manage communications with the core network (e.g., via one or more wired backhaul links). For example, the network communications manager 715 may manage or provide a means for managing the delivery of data communications for client devices such as one or more UEs 115.

[0149] The transceiver 720 may communicate bidirectionally or provide a means for communicating bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links, as described above. For example, the transceiver 720 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 720 may also include a modem to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to an antenna for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from an antenna.

[0150] In some cases, a wireless device may include a single antenna 725. However, in some cases, the device may have more than one antenna 725, which may be capable of transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions concurrently.

[0151] The memory 730 may include RAM, ROM, or a combination thereof. The memory 730 may store computer readable code or software 735 including instructions that, when executed by a processor (e.g., processor 740), cause the device to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 730 may include, among other things, a BIOS that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0152] The processor 740 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 740 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some cases, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 740. The processor 740 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 730) to cause the device 705 to perform various functions (e.g., various functions or tasks that support power saving of an intelligent repeater).

[0153] The inter-site communication manager 745 may manage communications with other base stations 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with UE 115 in cooperation with other base stations 105. For example, the inter-site communication manager 745 may coordinate scheduling of transmissions to UE 115 for various interference mitigation techniques such as beamforming or joint transmission. In some examples, the inter-site communication manager 745 may provide an X2 interface within an LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communications between base stations 105.

[0154] The software 735 may include instructions for implementing various aspects of the present disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communications. The software 735 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a system memory or other type of memory. In some cases, the software 735 may not be directly executed by the processor 740, but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein.

[0155] Figure 8 A block diagram 800 of a device 805 supporting power conservation of a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 805 may be an example of aspects of a repeater (e.g., a wireless repeater) as described herein. The device 805 may include a receiver 810, a communication manager 815, and a transmitter 820. The device 805 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0156] The receiver 810 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to power saving of smart repeaters, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of the device 805. The receiver 810 may be a reference Fig.11 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 1120. The receiver 810 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0157] The receiver 810 may be an example of an apparatus for performing various aspects of management and power conservation of a smart repeater as described herein. The receiver 810 or its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a receiver or transceiver circuitry). The circuitry may include a processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in the present disclosure.

[0158] In some examples or implementations, the receiver 810 or its subcomponents may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., such as receiver or transceiver management software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the receiver 810 or its subcomponents may be performed by a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device.

[0159] The communication manager 815 may monitor the downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to find in-band control information from the base station, monitor the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the received random access channel message to find in-band control information from the base station, and receive the random access channel message from the UE. The communication manager 815 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 1110 described herein.

[0160] The communication manager 815 or its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware, in code (e.g., software or firmware) executed by a processor, or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communication manager 815 or its subcomponents may be performed by a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof.

[0161] The communication manager 815 may be an example of a device for performing various aspects of management and power conservation of a smart repeater as described herein. The communication manager 815 or its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communication management circuit system). The circuit system may include a processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in the present disclosure.

[0162] In some examples or implementations, the communication manager 815 or its subcomponents may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as communication management software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communication manager 815 or its subcomponents may be performed by a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device.

[0163] The communication manager 815 or its subcomponents may be physically located at various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functionality are implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 815 or its subcomponents may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 815 or its subcomponents may be combined with one or more other hardware components (including, but not limited to, I / O components, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof).

[0164] In some examples, communications manager 815 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, monitor, measure, determine, amplify, forward, process, set, convert, execute, send, and transmit) using or otherwise cooperating with receiver 810, transmitter 820, or both.

[0165] The transmitter 820 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device 805. In some examples, the transmitter 820 may be co-located with the receiver 810 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 820 may be a reference Fig.11 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 1120. The transmitter 820 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0166] The transmitter 820 may be an example of an apparatus for performing various aspects of management and power conservation of a smart repeater as described herein. The transmitter 820 or its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a transmitter or transceiver circuit system). The circuit system may include a DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in the present disclosure.

[0167] In some examples or implementations, the transmitter 820 or its subcomponents may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as transmitter or transceiver management software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the transmitter 820 or its subcomponents may be performed by a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device.

[0168] Fig. 9 A block diagram 900 of a device 905 supporting power saving of a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 905 may be an example of aspects of the device 805 or a repeater as described herein. The device 905 may include a receiver 910, a communication manager 915, and a transmitter 930. The device 905 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0169] The receiver 910 may receive information or provide a means for receiving information, such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to power saving of smart repeaters, etc.). The information may be communicated to other components of the device 905. The receiver 910 may be a reference Fig.11 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 1120. The receiver 910 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0170] The communication manager 915 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 815 as described herein. The communication manager 915 may include a control manager 920 and a RACH manager 925. The communication manager 915 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 1110 as described herein.

[0171] The control manager 920 may monitor the downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to find in-band control information from the base station, and monitor the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the received random access channel message to find in-band control information from the base station, or provide a device for monitoring the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity to find in-band control information from the base station, and monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity based on the received random access channel message to find in-band control information from the base station. The RACH manager 925 may receive a random access channel message from the UE or provide a device for receiving a random access channel message from the UE.

[0172] The transmitter 930 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device 905 or provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 905. In some examples, the transmitter 930 may be co-located with the receiver 910 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 930 may be a reference Fig.11 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 1120. The transmitter 930 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0173] Fig.10A block diagram 1000 of a communication manager 1005 supporting power conservation of a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The communication manager 1005 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 815, the communication manager 915, or the communication manager 1110 described herein. The communication manager 1005 may include a control manager 1010, a RACH manager 1015, an analog block manager 1020, a forwarding manager 1025, and a digital block manager 1030. Each of these modules may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0174] The control manager 1010 may monitor the downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to find in-band control information from the base station or provide a device for monitoring the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity to find in-band control information from the base station. In some examples, the control manager 1010 may monitor the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the received random access channel message to find in-band control information from the base station or provide a device for monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity based on the received random access channel message to find in-band control information from the base station. In some examples, the control manager 1010 may set a monitoring periodicity conversion timer based on the received random access channel message or provide a device for setting a monitoring periodicity conversion timer based on the received random access channel message. In some examples, the control manager 1010 may receive a control command from the base station before the monitoring periodicity conversion timer expires or provide a device for receiving a control command from the base station before the monitoring periodicity conversion timer expires, wherein the downlink control channel is monitored according to the second monitoring periodicity based on the received control command.

[0175] In some examples, the control manager 1010 may switch from monitoring the downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on a received control command or provide a device for switching from monitoring the downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on a received control command, wherein the downlink control channel is monitored according to the second monitoring periodicity based on the switching. In some examples, the control manager 1010 may switch from monitoring the downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on a received random access channel message or provide a device for switching from monitoring the downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on a received random access channel message.

[0176] In some examples, the control manager 1010 may switch from monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to the third monitoring periodicity based on the received control command or provide a device for switching from monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to the third monitoring periodicity based on the received control command. In some examples, the control manager 1010 may monitor the downlink control channel according to the third monitoring periodicity based on switching from monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to the third monitoring periodicity or provide a device for monitoring the downlink control channel according to the third monitoring periodicity based on switching from monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to the third monitoring periodicity. In some examples, the control manager 1010 may switch from monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity based on the expiration of the monitoring periodicity switching timer or provide a device for switching from monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity based on the expiration of the monitoring periodicity switching timer.

[0177] In some examples, the control manager 1010 may receive a control command from a base station or provide a device for receiving a control command from a base station. In some examples, the control manager 1010 may switch from monitoring a downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity to monitoring a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity based on the received control command or provide a device for switching from monitoring a downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity to monitoring a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity based on the received control command. In some examples, the control manager 1010 may monitor the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity based on the conversion or provide a device for monitoring the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity based on the conversion. In some examples, the control manager 1010 may transmit an indication of a monitoring state of the wireless device to the base station or provide a device for transmitting an indication of a monitoring state of the wireless device to the base station, wherein the monitoring state is based on whether the wireless device monitors the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity or the second monitoring periodicity.

[0178] In some examples, the control manager 1010 may receive in-band control information from a base station based on monitoring a downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity or provide a device for receiving in-band control information from a base station based on monitoring a downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity, wherein the in-band control information indicates a receiving beam direction for a radio frequency analog signal, a receiving time interval for the radio frequency analog signal, a transmitting beam direction for the radio frequency analog signal, a transmitting time interval for the radio frequency analog signal, or some combination thereof. In some cases, the control command includes a physical downlink control channel message. In some cases, the second monitoring periodicity is associated with a shorter monitoring interval than the first monitoring periodicity. In some cases, the wireless device includes a wireless repeater.

[0179] The RACH manager 1015 may receive a random access channel message from the UE or provide a device for receiving a random access channel message from the UE. The analog block manager 1020 may use the receive energy simulation block of the wireless device to measure the energy level during one or more configured time slots or provide a device for measuring the energy level during one or more configured time slots using the receive energy simulation block of the wireless device. In some examples, the analog block manager 1020 may determine that the measured energy level is above a threshold or provide a device for determining that the measured energy level is above a threshold, wherein the downlink control channel is monitored according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the determination. In some examples, the analog block manager 1020 may amplify a waveform corresponding to a received random access channel or provide a device for amplifying a waveform corresponding to a received random access channel. In some examples, the analog block manager 1020 may perform an amplification operation on a radio frequency analog signal based on in-band control information or provide a device for performing an amplification operation on a radio frequency analog signal based on in-band control information.

[0180] The forwarding manager 1025 may forward the amplified waveform to a base station or provide a means for forwarding the amplified waveform to a base station, wherein the amplification and forwarding are based on the determination. In some examples, the forwarding manager 1025 may forward the processed random access channel message to the base station or provide a means for forwarding the processed random access channel message to the base station, wherein the downlink control channel is monitored according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the forwarding. In some examples, the forwarding manager 1025 may transmit the amplified radio frequency analog signal to the base station or provide a means for transmitting the amplified radio frequency analog signal to the base station. The digital block manager 1030 may use the digital block of the wireless device to process the received random access channel message or provide a means for processing the received random access channel message using the digital block of the wireless device.

[0181] Fig.11A diagram of a system 1100 including a device 1105 that supports power saving of a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1105 may be an example of a device 805, a device 905, or a device as described herein or a component including the above devices. The device 1105 may include components for two-way voice and data communications, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a communication manager 1110, an I / O controller 1115, a transceiver 1120, an antenna 1125, a memory 1130, and a processor 1140. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1145).

[0182] The communication manager 1110 may monitor a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to search for in-band control information from a base station or provide a device for monitoring the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity to search for in-band control information from a base station, monitor the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on a received random access channel message to search for in-band control information from a base station or provide a device for monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity based on a received random access channel message to search for in-band control information from a base station, and receive a random access channel message from a UE or provide a device for receiving a random access channel message from a UE.

[0183] I / O controller 1115 can manage input and output signals for device 1105. I / O controller 1115 can also manage peripheral devices that are not integrated into device 1105. In some cases, I / O controller 1115 can represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 1115 can utilize an operating system, such as Or another known operating system. In other cases, I / O controller 1115 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or similar device. In some cases, I / O controller 1115 may be implemented as part of a processor. In some cases, a user may interact with device 1105 via I / O controller 1115 or via hardware components controlled by I / O controller 1115.

[0184] The transceiver 1120 may communicate bidirectionally or provide a means for communicating bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links, as described above. For example, the transceiver 1120 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1120 may also include a modem to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to an antenna for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from an antenna.

[0185] In some cases, a wireless device may include a single antenna 1125. However, in some cases, the device may have more than one antenna 1125, which may be capable of transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions concurrently.

[0186] The memory 1130 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 1130 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code or software 1135 including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the various functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 1130 may include, among other things, a BIOS that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0187] The processor 1140 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 1140 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 1140. The processor 1140 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 1130) to cause the device 1105 to perform various functions (e.g., various functions or tasks that support power saving of an intelligent repeater).

[0188] The software 1135 may include instructions for implementing various aspects of the present disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communications. The software 1135 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a system memory or other type of memory. In some cases, the software 1135 may not be directly executed by the processor 1140, but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein.

[0189] Fig.12 A flow chart illustrating a method 1200 for supporting power saving of a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1200 may be implemented by a device or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1200 may be implemented by a device or components thereof as described herein. Figures 8 to 11 In some examples, a device may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, a device may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the functions described below.

[0190] At 1205, the device may monitor a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to find in-band control information from a base station. The operations of 1205 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1205 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 8 to 11 The control manager described is executed.

[0191] At 1210, the device may receive a random access channel message from a UE. The operations of 1210 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1210 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 8 to 11 The RACH manager described herein is performed.

[0192] At 1215, the device may monitor the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the received random access channel message to find in-band control information from the base station. The operations of 1215 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1215 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 8 to 11 The control manager described is executed.

[0193] Fig.13 A flow chart illustrating a method 1300 for supporting power saving of a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1300 may be implemented by a device or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1300 may be implemented by a device or components thereof as described herein. Figures 8 to 11 In some examples, a device may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, a device may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the functions described below.

[0194] At 1305, the device may monitor a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to look for in-band control information from a base station. The operations of 1305 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1305 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 8 to 11 The control manager described is executed.

[0195] At 1310, the device may measure energy levels during one or more configured time slots using a receive energy simulation block of the wireless device. The operations of 1310 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1310 may be performed as described with reference to Figures 8 to 11 The simulation block manager described is executed.

[0196] At 1315, the device may determine that the measured energy level is above a threshold. In some cases, measuring the energy level during one or more configured time slots and determining that the measured energy level is above a threshold may be referred to as receiving a signal (e.g., a random access channel message) during one or more configured time slots. In some cases, the device may receive signaling from a base station indicating the threshold. The operations of 1315 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1315 may be performed as described with reference to Figures 8 to 11 The simulation block manager described is executed.

[0197] At 1320, the device may amplify a waveform corresponding to a received random access channel. The operations of 1320 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1320 may be performed as described with reference to Figures 8 to 11 The simulation block manager described is executed.

[0198] At 1325, the device may forward the amplified waveform to a base station, wherein the amplification and forwarding are based on determining that the measured energy level is above a threshold. The operations of 1325 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1325 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 8 to 11 The forwarding manager described is executed.

[0199] At 1330, the device may monitor the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity for in-band control information from the base station based on determining that the measured energy level is above the threshold. The operations of 1330 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1330 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 8 to 11 The control manager described is executed.

[0200] Fig.14 A flow chart illustrating a method 1400 for supporting power saving of a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1400 may be implemented by a device or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1400 may be implemented by a device or components thereof as described herein. Figures 8 to 11 In some examples, a device may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, a device may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the functions described below.

[0201] At 1405, the device may monitor a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to look for in-band control information from a base station. The operations of 1405 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1405 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 8 to 11 The control manager described is executed.

[0202] At 1410, the device may measure energy levels during one or more configured time slots using a receive energy simulation block of the wireless device. The operations of 1410 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1410 may be performed as described with reference to Figures 8 to 11 The simulation block manager described is executed.

[0203] At 1415, the device may determine that the measured energy level is above a threshold, wherein the downlink control channel is monitored according to a second monitoring periodicity based on the determination. In some cases, measuring the energy level during one or more configured time slots and determining that the measured energy level is above the threshold may be referred to as receiving a signal (e.g., a random access channel message) during one or more configured time slots. The operations of 1415 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1415 may be performed as described with reference to Figures 8 to 11 The simulation block manager described is executed.

[0204] At 1420, the device may set a monitoring periodic transition timer based on determining that the measured energy level is above a threshold (e.g., based on a received random access channel message). The operations of 1420 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1420 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 8 to 11 The control manager described is executed.

[0205] At 1425, the device may receive a control command from the base station before the monitoring periodic switching timer expires. The operations of 1425 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1425 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 8 to 11 The control manager described is executed.

[0206] At 1430, the device may monitor the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity based on the received control command (e.g., the control command may indicate the second monitoring periodicity) to find in-band control information from the base station. The operations of 1430 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1430 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 8 to 11 The control manager described is executed.

[0207] Fig.15 A flow chart illustrating a method 1500 for supporting power saving of a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1500 may be implemented by a base station 105 or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1500 may be implemented by a base station 105 or components thereof as described herein. Figures 4 to 7In some examples, the base station may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the functions described below.

[0208] At 1505, the base station may transmit in-band control information to the wireless device using a downlink control channel according to a first periodicity. The operations of 1505 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1505 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 4 to 7 The control manager described is executed.

[0209] At 1510, the base station may receive an indication of a random access channel message from the wireless device. The operations of 1510 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1510 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 4 to 7 The RACH manager described herein is performed.

[0210] At 1515, the base station may transmit in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a second periodicity based on the received indication. The operations of 1515 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1515 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 4 to 7 The control manager described is executed.

[0211] Fig.16 A flow chart illustrating a method 1600 for supporting power saving of a smart repeater according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1600 may be implemented by a base station 105 or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1600 may be implemented by a base station 105 or components thereof as described herein. Figures 4 to 7 In some examples, the base station may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the functions described below.

[0212] At 1605, the base station may transmit in-band control information to the wireless device using a downlink control channel according to a first periodicity. The operations of 1605 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1605 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 4 to 7 The control manager described is executed.

[0213] At 1610, the base station may receive an indication of a random access channel message from the wireless device. The operations of 1610 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1610 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 4 to 7 The RACH manager described herein is performed.

[0214] At 1615, the base station may transmit a control command to the wireless device based on the indication of the received random access channel message. The operations of 1615 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1615 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 4 to 7 The control manager described is executed.

[0215] At 1620, the base station may transmit in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a second periodicity based on the transmitted control command. The operations of 1620 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1620 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 4 to 7 The control manager described is executed.

[0216] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and that the various operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more methods may be combined.

[0217] The following provides an overview of various examples of the present disclosure:

[0218] Example 1: A method for wireless communication at a wireless device, comprising: monitoring a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to search for in-band control information from a base station; receiving a random access channel message from a UE; and monitoring the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the received random access channel message to search for in-band control information from the base station.

[0219] Example 2: As in the method of Example 1, the receiving includes: using a receive energy simulation block of the wireless device to measure an energy level during one or more configured time slots; and determining that the measured energy level satisfies a threshold, wherein the downlink control channel is monitored according to a second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the determination.

[0220] Example 3: The method as in any one of Examples 1 or 2 further includes: receiving signaling indicating the threshold from a base station.

[0221] Example 4: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 3, further comprising: amplifying a waveform corresponding to a received random access channel; and forwarding the amplified waveform to a base station, wherein the amplifying and forwarding are based at least in part on the determination.

[0222] Example 5: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 4, the receiving comprising: processing a received random access channel message using a digital block of the wireless device.

[0223] Example 6: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 5, further comprising: forwarding the processed random access channel message to the base station, wherein the downlink control channel is monitored according to a second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the forwarding.

[0224] Example 7: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 6, further comprising: setting a monitoring periodicity transition timer based at least in part on a received random access channel message.

[0225] Example 8: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 7 further includes: receiving a control command from the base station before the monitoring periodicity transition timer expires, wherein the downlink control channel is monitored according to the second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the received control command.

[0226] Example 9: A method as in any one of Examples 1 to 8, further comprising: switching from monitoring a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on a received control command, wherein the downlink control channel is monitored according to the second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the switching.

[0227] Example 10: A method as in any one of Examples 1 to 9, further comprising: switching from monitoring the downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on a received random access channel message; switching from monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to a third monitoring periodicity based at least in part on a received control command; and monitoring the downlink control channel according to a third monitoring periodicity based at least in part on switching from monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to the third monitoring periodicity.

[0228] Example 11: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the control command comprises a physical downlink control channel message.

[0229] Example 12: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 11, further comprising: switching from monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity based at least in part on expiration of a monitoring periodicity switching timer.

[0230] Example 13: A method as in any one of Examples 1 to 12, further comprising: receiving a control command from a base station; converting from monitoring a downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the received control command; and monitoring the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the conversion.

[0231] Example 14: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 13 further comprises: transmitting an indication of a monitoring state of the wireless device to a base station, wherein the monitoring state is at least partially based on whether the wireless device monitors a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity or a second monitoring periodicity.

[0232] Example 15: A method as in any one of Examples 1 to 14, further comprising: receiving in-band control information from a base station based at least in part on monitoring a downlink control channel according to a second monitoring periodicity, wherein the in-band control information indicates a receive beam direction for the RF analog signal, a receive time interval for the RF analog signal, a transmit beam direction for the RF analog signal, a transmit time interval for the RF analog signal, or some combination thereof.

[0233] Example 16: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 15 further includes: performing an amplification operation on the RF analog signal based at least in part on the in-band control information; and transmitting the amplified RF analog signal to a base station based at least in part on the performed amplification operation.

[0234] Example 17: The method of any of Examples 1 to 16, wherein the second monitoring periodicity is associated with a shorter monitoring interval than the first monitoring periodicity.

[0235] Example 18: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 17, wherein the wireless device comprises a wireless repeater.

[0236] Example 19: A method for wireless communications at a base station, comprising: transmitting in-band control information to a wireless device using a downlink control channel according to a first periodicity; receiving an indication of a random access channel message from the wireless device; and transmitting in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a second periodicity based at least in part on the received indication.

[0237] Example 20: The method of Example 19 further comprises: transmitting a control command to the wireless device based at least in part on an indication of the received random access channel message, wherein the in-band control information is transmitted according to a second periodicity based at least in part on the transmitted control command.

[0238] Example 21: A method as in Example 19 or 20, wherein the control command comprises a physical downlink control channel message.

[0239] Example 22: The method of any one of Examples 19 to 21, further comprising: transmitting a control command to the wireless device; and transmitting in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to a first periodicity based at least in part on the control command.

[0240] Example 23: The method of any one of Examples 19 to 22, further comprising: determining a handover of the UE, wherein the control command is transmitted to the wireless device based at least in part on the handover.

[0241] Example 24: A method as described in any one of Examples 19 to 23, further comprising: receiving an indication of a monitoring state of the wireless device, wherein the monitoring state is at least partially based on whether the wireless device monitors a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity or a second monitoring periodicity; and sending a control command to the wireless device based at least partially on the received indication of the monitoring state of the wireless device.

[0242] Example 25: The method of any of Examples 19 to 24, the receiving comprising: receiving a forwarded waveform corresponding to a random access channel message from the wireless device, wherein the forwarded waveform is at least one of an amplified waveform or a processed waveform.

[0243] Example 26: The method of any one of Examples 19 to 25 further includes: receiving an amplified RF analog signal from the wireless device based at least in part on the in-band control information, wherein the in-band control information indicates a receive beam direction for the RF analog signal, a receive time interval for the RF analog signal, a transmit beam direction for the RF analog signal, a transmit time interval for the RF analog signal, or some combination thereof.

[0244] Example 27: The method of any of Examples 19 to 26, wherein the second periodicity is associated with a shorter monitoring interval than the first periodicity.

[0245] Example 28: The method of any one of Examples 19 to 27, wherein the wireless device comprises a wireless repeater.

[0246] Example 29: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the processor and the memory configured to perform the method of any one of Examples 1 to 18.

[0247] Example 30: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the processor and the memory configured to perform the method of any one of Examples 19 to 28.

[0248] Example 31: An apparatus for wireless communication includes at least one means for performing the method of any of Examples 1 to 18.

[0249] Example 32: An apparatus for wireless communication includes at least one means for performing the method of any of Examples 19 to 28.

[0250] Example 33: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method of any of Examples 1 to 18.

[0251] Example 34: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method of any of Examples 19 to 28.

[0252] The technology described herein can be used for various wireless communication systems, such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA), and other systems. CDMA systems can implement radio technologies such as CDMA2000, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA). CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95 and IS-856 standards. IS-2000 versions are generally referred to as CDMA2000 1X, 1X, etc. IS-856 (TIA-856) is generally referred to as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), etc. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. TDMA systems can implement radio technologies such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).

[0253] OFDMA systems can implement radio technologies such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE802.20, Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). LTE, LTE-A, and LTE-A Pro are versions of UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR, and GSM are described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2). The techniques described herein can be used for the systems and radio technologies mentioned herein as well as for other systems and radio technologies. Although aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described for example purposes and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used in much of the description, the techniques described herein may also be applicable to applications other than LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR applications.

[0254] A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions to a network provider. A small cell may be associated with a lower power base station (compared to a macro cell), and the small cell may operate in the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed, etc.) frequency band as the macro cell. According to various examples, a small cell may include a pico cell, a femto cell, and a micro cell. A pico cell, for example, may cover a smaller geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions to a network provider. A femto cell may also cover a smaller geographic area (e.g., a residence) and may provide restricted access by UEs associated with the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs of users in the residence, etc.). An eNB for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro eNB. An eNB for a small cell may be referred to as a small cell eNB, a pico eNB, a femto eNB, or a home eNB. An eNB may support one or more (eg, two, three, four, etc.) cells and may also support communication using one or more component carriers.

[0255] The wireless communication systems described herein may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, each base station may have similar frame timing, and transmissions from different base stations may be roughly aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, each base station may have different frame timing, and transmissions from different base stations may not be aligned in time. The techniques described herein may be used for synchronous or asynchronous operation.

[0256] The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout this description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0257] The various illustrative blocks and modules described in conjunction with the disclosure herein may be implemented or executed with a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in an alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The 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).

[0258] The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted by a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Other examples and implementations fall within the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. Features that implement the functions may also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed so that parts of the functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0259] Computer-readable medium includes both non-transient computer storage medium and communication medium, and it includes any medium that facilitates computer program to transfer from one place to another.Non-transient storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by general or special-purpose computer.As an example and not limitation, non-transient computer-readable medium can include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, disk storage or other magnetic storage device, or can be used to carry or store instruction or data structure form of desired program code means and can be accessed by general or special-purpose computer or general or special-purpose processor any other non-transient medium.And, any connection is also properly referred to as computer-readable medium.For example, if software is transmitted from website, server or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) or wireless technology such as infrared, radio and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL or wireless technology such as infrared, radio and microwave are just included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc as used herein include CDs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0260] As used herein (including in the claims), "or" used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items with a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list, so that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Similarly, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be interpreted as referring to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "based at least in part on."

[0261] In the accompanying drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference number. In addition, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference number with a dash and a second reference number that distinguishes between similar components. If only the first reference number is used in the specification, the description may apply to any of the similar components having the same first reference number regardless of the second reference number, or other subsequent reference numbers.

[0262] The descriptions set forth herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings describe example configurations and do not represent all examples that may be implemented or that fall within the scope of the claims. The term "exemplary" as used herein means "used as an example, instance, or illustration" and does not mean "better than" or "better than other examples." This detailed description includes specific details to provide an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0263] The description herein is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the universal principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be granted the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication at a wireless device, comprising: monitoring, by the wireless device according to a first monitoring periodicity, a downlink control channel for in-band control information from a network entity; receiving, by the wireless device, a random access channel message from a user equipment (UE); processing, by the wireless device, the received random access channel message; transmitting, by the wireless device, the processed random access channel message to the network entity; switching, by the wireless device, from the first monitoring periodicity to a second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the processed random access channel message; as well as The downlink control channel is monitored by the wireless device for the in-band control information from the network entity according to the second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the processed random access channel message, the second monitoring periodicity being associated with a shorter monitoring interval than the first monitoring periodicity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving comprises: measuring energy levels during one or more configured time slots using a receive energy simulation block of the wireless device; as well as A determination is made that the measured energy level satisfies a threshold, wherein the downlink control channel is monitored according to the second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on determining that the measured energy level satisfies the threshold.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: Signaling indicating the threshold is received from the network entity.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: amplifying a waveform corresponding to a received random access channel message; as well as An amplified waveform is forwarded to the network entity, wherein the amplifying and forwarding is based at least in part on determining that the measured energy level satisfies the threshold.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing comprises: The received random access channel message is processed using at least one of an analog block or a digital block of the wireless device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The processed random access channel message is forwarded to the network entity, wherein the downlink control channel is monitored according to the second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the forwarding.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: A monitoring periodicity transition timer is set based at least in part on the processed random access channel message.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: A control command is received from the network entity before expiration of the monitoring periodicity switch timer, wherein the downlink control channel is monitored according to the second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the received control command.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: Switching from monitoring the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on a received control command, wherein the downlink control channel is monitored according to the second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the switching.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: switching from monitoring the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the processed random access channel message; switching from monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to a third monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the received control command; as well as Monitoring the downlink control channel according to the third monitoring periodicity based at least in part on switching from monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to the third monitoring periodicity.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the control command comprises a Physical Downlink Control Channel message.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising: Switching from monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity based at least in part on expiration of the monitoring periodicity switch timer.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a control command from the network entity; switching from monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity to monitoring the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the received control command; as well as The downlink control channel is monitored according to the first monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the switching.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising: An indication of a monitoring status of the wireless device is transmitted to the network entity, wherein the monitoring status is based at least in part on whether the wireless device monitors the downlink control channel according to the first monitoring periodicity or the second monitoring periodicity.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The in-band control information is received from the network entity based at least in part on monitoring the downlink control channel according to the second monitoring periodicity, wherein the in-band control information indicates a receive beam direction for the RF analog signal, a receive time interval for the RF analog signal, a transmit beam direction for the RF analog signal, a transmit time interval for the RF analog signal, or some combination thereof.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: performing an amplification operation on the radio frequency analog signal based at least in part on the in-band control information; as well as An amplified radio frequency analog signal is transmitted to the network entity based at least in part on the amplification operation performed.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless device comprises a wireless repeater.

18. A method for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising: sending in-band control information using a downlink control channel according to a first periodicity; receiving, at the network entity, an indication of a random access channel message from a wireless device, wherein the wireless device switches from the first periodicity to a second periodicity based at least in part on the random access channel message; as well as Subsequent in-band control information is sent to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to the second periodicity based at least in part on the random access channel message, the second periodicity being associated with a shorter monitoring interval than the first periodicity.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: A control command is sent to the wireless device based at least in part on the indication of the received random access channel message, wherein the subsequent in-band control information is sent according to the second periodicity based at least in part on the sent control command.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the control command comprises a Physical Downlink Control Channel message.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising: sending a control command to the wireless device; as well as The in-band control information is sent to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to the first periodicity based at least in part on the control command.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: A handover of a user equipment (UE) is determined, wherein the control command is sent to the wireless device based at least in part on the handover.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising: receiving an indication of a monitoring state of the wireless device, wherein the monitoring state is based at least in part on whether the wireless device monitors the downlink control channel according to the first periodicity or the second periodicity; as well as A control command is sent to the wireless device based at least in part on the received indication of the monitoring status of the wireless device.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the receiving comprises: A forwarded waveform corresponding to the random access channel message is received from the wireless device, wherein the forwarded waveform is at least one of an amplified waveform or a processed waveform.

25. The method of claim 18, further comprising: An amplified RF analog signal is received from the wireless device based at least in part on the in-band control information, wherein the in-band control information indicates a receive beam direction for the RF analog signal, a receive time interval for the RF analog signal, a transmit beam direction for the RF analog signal, a transmit time interval for the RF analog signal, or some combination thereof.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the wireless device comprises a wireless repeater.

27. An apparatus for wireless communication at a wireless device, comprising: means for monitoring, by the wireless device, a downlink control channel according to a first monitoring periodicity for in-band control information from a network entity; means for receiving, by the wireless device, a random access channel message from a user equipment (UE); means for processing, by the wireless device, the received random access channel message; means for transmitting, by the wireless device to the network entity, the processed random access channel message; Means for monitoring, by the wireless device, the downlink control channel for the in-band control information from the network entity according to a second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the processed random access channel message, the second monitoring periodicity being associated with a shorter monitoring interval than the first monitoring periodicity.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising: Device for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 2 to 17.

29. An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising: means for transmitting in-band control information using a downlink control channel according to a first periodicity; means for receiving, at the network entity, an indication of a random access channel message from a wireless device, wherein the wireless device switches from the first periodicity to a second periodicity based at least in part on the random access channel message; as well as Means for sending subsequent in-band control information to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to the second periodicity based at least in part on the random access channel message, the second periodicity being associated with a shorter monitoring interval than the first periodicity.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising: Apparatus for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 19 to 26.

31. An apparatus for wireless communication at a wireless device, comprising: one or more memories; as well as one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and configured to cause the wireless device to: monitoring a downlink control channel for in-band control information from a network entity according to a first monitoring periodicity; receiving a random access channel message from a user equipment (UE); Processing the received random access channel message; transmitting, by the wireless device, the processed random access channel message to the network entity; switching from the first monitoring periodicity to a second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the processed random access channel message; as well as The downlink control channel is monitored for the in-band control information from the network entity according to the second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the processed random access channel message, the second monitoring periodicity being associated with a shorter monitoring interval than the first monitoring periodicity.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein: The one or more processors are further configured to cause the wireless device to perform the method of any one of claims 2 to 17.

33. An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising: one or more memories; as well as one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and configured to cause the network entity to: sending in-band control information using a downlink control channel according to a first periodicity; receiving, at the network entity, an indication of a random access channel message from a wireless device, wherein the wireless device switches from the first periodicity to a second periodicity based at least in part on the random access channel message; as well as Subsequent in-band control information is sent to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to the second periodicity based at least in part on the random access channel message, the second periodicity being associated with a shorter monitoring interval than the first periodicity.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein: The one or more processors are further configured to cause the network entity to perform the method of any one of claims 19 to 26.

35. A non-transitory readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a wireless device, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to cause the wireless device to: monitoring a downlink control channel for in-band control information from a network entity according to a first monitoring periodicity; receiving a random access channel message from a user equipment (UE); Processing the received random access channel message; transmitting, by the wireless device, the processed random access channel message to the network entity; switching from the first monitoring periodicity to a second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the processed random access channel message; as well as The downlink control channel is monitored for the in-band control information from the network entity according to the second monitoring periodicity based at least in part on the processed random access channel message, the second monitoring periodicity being associated with a shorter monitoring interval than the first monitoring periodicity.

36. The non-transitory readable medium of claim 35, wherein: The instructions are further executable by the one or more processors to cause the wireless device to perform the method of any one of claims 2 to 17.

37. A non-transitory readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a network entity, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to cause the network entity to: sending in-band control information using a downlink control channel according to a first periodicity; receiving an indication of a random access channel message from a wireless device, wherein the wireless device switches from the first periodicity to a second periodicity based at least in part on the random access channel message; as well as Subsequent in-band control information is sent to the wireless device using the downlink control channel according to the second periodicity based at least in part on the random access channel message, the second periodicity being associated with a shorter monitoring interval than the first periodicity.

38. The non-transitory readable medium of claim 37, wherein: The instructions are further executable by the one or more processors to cause the network entity to perform the method of any one of claims 19 to 26.

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