Configuration of time mode for IAB-CU management for IAB inter-node measurements

Abstract

A method, system, network node and apparatus are disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, a donor integrated access backhaul IAB node (16) is provided, which is configured with a distributed unit DU for communicating with a wireless device (22) and a central unit CU for communicating with at least a first child IAB node (16). The donor IAB node (16) includes a processing circuit (36) configured to indicate a determined first synchronization signaling block SSB transmission configuration STC for at least the first child IAB node (16) to at least the first child IAB node (16), wherein the first STC is associated with an inter-node measurement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and in particular, to network node (ie, donor IAB node) management of time pattern configuration for at least one child network node (ie, child IAB node). Background Art

[0002] Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) is part of the New Radio (NR) Central Unit (CU)-Distributed Unit (DU) (NR CU-DU) split to provide flexible and dense deployment of NR (also known as 5th Generation (5G)) cells without proportionally densifying the transport network. Figure 1 is a diagram of an example of an IAB deployment in which multiple IAB nodes are wirelessly connected. An IAB donor node provides a wireless interface to a core network and provides wireless backhaul functionality to an IAB node. An IAB node may be a radio access network (RAN) node that supports wireless access to wireless devices and wireless backhaul access services.

[0003] Each IAB node and the IAB donor node may create one or more cells to which wireless devices and other IAB nodes may connect.

[0004] Typically, in NR, the transmission of SS / PBCH blocks (SSBs) from a cell site is used by the wireless device to:

[0005] - initially finding a cell to connect to; and

[0006] - Discover and measure neighboring cells.

[0007] The SSB period can take different values. Within one period, SSBs can be sent in bursts. The maximum number of SSBs (L) in one burst (limited to half a frame) is determined by the subcarrier spacing. For the frequency range from 6 GHz to 52.6 GHz, L can be as large as 64.

[0008] SSB can be transmitted on four consecutive OFDM symbols and consists of three parts, namely:

[0009] - A primary synchronization signal (PSS) from which the wireless device can synchronize in time and frequency to the cell sending the SSB;

[0010] - A Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), from which the wireless device can ultimately derive the Physical Cell Identity (PCI) of the cell that sent the SSB; and

[0011] - Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), which includes very limited system information that a wireless device may need before it can connect to a cell. Part of this information may be included in the Master Information Block (MIB).

[0012] With the introduction of IAB in NR 3GPP Release 16, it is expected that IAB nodes may also use SSBs sent from an IAB donor node or other IAB nodes to find cells to access and for neighbor node / cell discovery and measurements.

[0013] Based on the IAB system information, the backhaul link discovery and measurement process is performed in two phases:

[0014] - Phase 1: Initial IAB node discovery, which follows 3GPP standards, such as 3GPP Release 15 initial access procedure;

[0015] - Phase 2: IAB inter-node discovery and measurement;

[0016] In Phase 2, two solutions for SSB-based IAB inter-node measurements are identified, which may take into account the half-duplex constraint and multi-hop topology of IAB nodes in the design.

[0017] However, since existing systems lack the flexibility to dynamically update / manage SSB measurements and configurations in an IAB network, various problems associated with backhaul link discovery and measurement procedures using SSB measurements and configurations still exist. Summary of the invention

[0018] Some embodiments advantageously provide methods, IAB nodes, systems, and apparatus network node (ie, donor IAB node) management for time mode configuration of at least one child network node (ie, child IAB node).

[0019] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a donor integrated access backhaul IAB node is provided, which is configured with a distributed unit DU for communicating with a wireless device and a central unit CU for communicating with at least a first child IAB node. The donor IAB node includes a processing circuit configured to indicate a determined first synchronization signaling block SSB transmission configuration STC for at least the first child IAB node to at least the first child IAB node, wherein the first STC is associated with an inter-node measurement.

[0020] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC is determined by the CU of the donor IAB node. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the processing circuit is further configured to: receive an indication of a second STC that has been preconfigured from an operation management and operation OAM unit, the second STC being different from the first STC; and reconfigure the first sub-IAB node from the second STC to the first STC by causing the second STC to be covered by the first STC. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the processing circuit is further configured to: determine multiple STCs for multiple sub-IAB nodes, the multiple STCs are associated with inter-node measurements and include the first STC, and the multiple sub-IAB nodes include the first sub-IAB node; and indicate multiple STCs to multiple sub-IAB nodes.

[0021] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the determination of the first STC for performing inter-node measurements on the first sub-IAB node is based at least on STC time mode information for multiple DUs and mobile terminals MT associated with multiple sub-IAB nodes and managed by the donor IAB node and synchronization signaling block SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC time mode information. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC indicates whether one or more SSBs can be muted by the first sub-IAB node. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the indication of the first STC to the first sub-IAB node is provided in the system information via the F1 interface between the CU of the donor IAB node and the DU of the first sub-IAB node.

[0022] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the processing circuit is configured to: determine at least a subset of multiple STCs for a first sub-IAB node, the at least subset of the multiple STCs including a first STC; and indicate at least a subset of multiple STCs to the first sub-IAB node to participate in inter-node measurement using at least one STC in the subset of multiple STCs. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the processing circuit is further configured to: receive an indication of at least one STC in the subset of multiple STCs selected by the sub-IAB node to participate in inter-node measurement. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the processing circuit is further configured to: determine that a predefined IAB event occurs; and trigger the determination of the first STC for the first sub-IAB node based at least on the occurrence of the predefined IAB event.

[0023] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the predefined IAB event is an IAB network topology change associated with adding an IAB node and removing one of a sub-IAB node from the IAB network topology; and the processing circuit is further configured to: reconfigure the STC associated with at least one remaining sub-IAB node in the IAB network topology in response to the IAB network topology change. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC indicates at least one of the following: at least one time domain mode for performing at least one SSB transmission associated with inter-node measurement; and at least one time domain mode for performing at least one SSB measurement associated with inter-node measurement. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC is determined and managed by the CU of the donor IAB node.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a first sub-integrated access backhaul IAB node is provided, which is configured with a distributed unit DU for communicating with a wireless device and a mobile terminal MT for communicating with a donor IAB node. The first sub-IAB node includes: a processing circuit, which is configured to: receive an indication of a first synchronization signaling block SSB transmission configuration STC associated with inter-node measurement from the donor IAB node; and perform operations associated with inter-node measurement using the first STC.

[0025] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC is transmitted from a central unit CU of a donor IAB node that determines the first STC. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC is different from the STC allocated to the first sub-IAB node by an operation management OAM unit. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC for the first sub-IAB node is based on at least STC time mode information and synchronization signaling block SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC time mode information for multiple DUs and mobile terminals MT associated with multiple sub-IAB nodes managed by the donor IAB node, the multiple sub-IAB nodes including the first sub-IAB node.

[0026] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC indicates whether one or more SSBs can be muted by the first child IAB node. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the indication of at least the first STC to the first child IAB node is received in the system information via the F1 interface between the central unit CU of the donor IAB node and the DU of the first child IAB node. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the at least first STC corresponds to at least a subset of multiple STCs including the first STC; and the processing circuit is further configured to select the first STC from at least a subset of the multiple STCs.

[0027] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the processing circuit is further configured to send an indication that the first STC has been selected. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC indicates at least one of: at least one time domain mode for performing at least one SSB transmission associated with inter-node measurement; and at least one time domain mode for performing at least one SSB measurement associated with inter-node measurement. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the operation associated with inter-node measurement using the first STC corresponds to the SSB transmission associated with the inter-node measurement.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented by a donor integrated access backhaul IAB node is provided, the donor integrated access backhaul node being configured with a distributed unit DU for communicating with a wireless device and being configured with a central unit CU for communicating with at least a first child IAB node, indicating to at least the first child IAB node a determined first synchronization signaling block SSB transmission configuration STC for at least the first child IAB node, wherein the first STC is associated with an inter-node measurement.

[0029] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC is determined by the CU of the donor IAB node. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, an indication of a preconfigured second STC is received from an operation management OAM unit, wherein the second STC is different from the first STC, and the first sub-IAB node is reconfigured from the second STC to the first STC by having the second STC covered by the first STC. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, multiple STCs for multiple sub-IAB nodes are determined, the multiple STCs are associated with inter-node measurements and include the first STC, and the multiple sub-IAB nodes include the first sub-IAB node; and the multiple STCs are indicated to the multiple sub-IAB nodes. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the determination of the first STC for the first sub-IAB node to perform inter-node measurements is based at least on STC time mode information for multiple DUs and mobile terminals MT associated with the multiple sub-IAB nodes and managed by the donor IAB node and synchronization signaling block SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC time mode information.

[0030] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC indicates whether one or more SSBs can be muted by the first sub-IAB node. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the indication of the first STC to the first sub-IAB node is provided in the system information through the F1 interface between the CU of the donor IAB node and the DU of the first sub-IAB node. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, at least a subset of multiple STCs for the first sub-IAB node is determined, and at least a subset of the multiple STCs includes the first STC; and at least a subset of the multiple STCs is indicated to the first sub-IAB node to participate in inter-node measurement using at least one STC in the subset of the multiple STCs.

[0031] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, an indication of one STC in at least a subset of a plurality of STCs selected by a child IAB node to participate in inter-node measurements is received. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the occurrence of a predefined IAB event is determined, wherein the determination of a first STC for a first child IAB node is triggered based at least on the occurrence of the predefined IAB event. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the predefined IAB event is an IAB network topology change associated with adding an IAB node and removing one of the child IAB nodes from the IAB network topology; and the STC associated with at least one remaining child IAB node in the IAB network topology is configured in response to the IAB network topology change. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC indicates at least one of the following: at least one time domain mode for performing at least one SSB transmission associated with inter-node measurements, and at least one time domain mode for performing at least one SSB measurement associated with inter-node measurements. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC is determined and managed by the CU of the donor IAB node.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented by a first sub-integrated access backhaul IAB node is provided, the first sub-integrated access backhaul IAB node being configured with a distributed unit DU for communicating with a wireless device and being configured with a mobile terminal MT for communicating with a donor IAB node. An indication of a first synchronization signaling block SSB transmission configuration STC associated with inter-node measurement is received from the donor IAB node, and an operation associated with the inter-node measurement is performed using the first STC.

[0033] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC is transmitted from a central unit CU of a donor IAB node that determines the first STC. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC is different from the STC allocated to the first sub-IAB node by an operation management OAM unit. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC for the first sub-IAB node is based at least on STC time mode information for multiple DUs and mobile terminals MT associated with multiple sub-IAB nodes managed by the donor IAB node and synchronization signaling block SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC time mode information, wherein the multiple sub-IAB nodes include the first sub-IAB node.

[0034] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC indicates whether one or more SSBs can be muted by the first child IAB node. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the indication of at least the first STC to the first child IAB node is received in the system information through the F1 interface between the central unit CU of the donor IAB node and the DU of the first child IAB node. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, at least the first STC corresponds to at least a subset of multiple STCs including the first STC, and the first STC is selected from at least a subset of the multiple STCs.

[0035] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, an indication that the first STC has been selected is sent. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first STC indicates at least one of: at least one time domain mode for performing at least one SSB transmission associated with inter-node measurement; and at least one time domain mode for performing at least one SSB measurement associated with inter-node measurement. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, operations associated with inter-node measurement using the first STC correspond to SSB transmissions associated with inter-node measurement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and the attendant advantages and features thereof will be more readily appreciated by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0037] Figure 1 This is the IAB network diagram;

[0038] Figure 2 is a diagram of an IAB architecture, for example, in SA mode;

[0039] Figure 3 is a diagram of an architecture 1a of SA mode with NGC, for example;

[0040] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary network architecture according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 5 According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 4 Block diagrams of the various entities;

[0042] Figure 6 is a flow chart of an example process in a network node, such as a donor IAB node, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 7 is a flow chart of another example process in a network node, such as a donor IAB node, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 8 is a flow chart of another example process in a network node, such as a child IAB node, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0045] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of another example process in a network node, such as a child IAB node, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0046] Fig.10 is a diagram of an example of a time pattern configuration for eight IAB nodes according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0047] Fig.11 is a diagram of another example of a time pattern configuration for eight IAB nodes according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0048] Fig.12 is a diagram of SSB time mode management functionality located at an IAB-CU according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Some discussion from 3GPP is provided below. The discussion from 3GPP Technical Report (TR) 38.874 is as follows:

[0050] SSB-based solutions (Solutions 1-A and 1-B):

[0051] -Solution 1-A) Reuse the same set of SSBs used to access wireless devices:

[0052] - In this case, the SSB for the inter-IAB cell search of phase 2 is on the currently defined synchronization grid for the SA frequency layer, while for the NSA frequency layer, the SSB is sent within the synchronization signaling block SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC configured for access wireless devices. As used herein, SMTC also refers to the synchronization signal (SS) / physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block measurement timing configuration.

[0053] - Solution 1-B) Use SSB that is orthogonal (TDM and / or FDM) to the SSB used to access the wireless device:

[0054] - In this case, the SSBs that may be muted for inter-IAB cell search and measurements in Phase 2 are not on the currently defined synchronization grid for the SA frequency layer, while for the NSA frequency layer, the SSBs are sent outside the SMTC configured for accessing wireless devices.

[0055] When performing inter-IAB cell search in Phase 2, the IAB node may not mute its SSB transmissions for wireless device cell search and measurements:

[0056] - For SA, this indicates that SSBs sent on the currently defined synchronization raster follow the currently defined period for initial access;

[0057] - In case of solution 1-B, this indicates that SSB may be muted because the Inter-IAB Phase 2 cell search is at least TDM, where SSB is used for wireless device cell search and measurements.

[0058] ---------------End of discussion of TR 38.874---------------

[0059] The current 3GPP Release 15 specification already supports Solution 1-A using on-grid SSB. As discussed in 3GPP TR38.874, additional flexibility in SSB configuration can be introduced to non-grid SSB used in Solution 1-B, for example to allocate additional time domain locations on the channel raster for SSB transmission. One option is to support transmission of non-grid SSB in any half-frame and multiple half-frames.

[0060] Integrated access backhaul architecture

[0061] The IAB system architecture that can apply CU-DU splitting is also discussed in the 3GPP study project. Figure 2 is a diagram of an IAB reference graph in standalone mode, which includes one IAB donor and multiple IAB nodes.

[0062] In 3GPP, for example in 3GPP TS 38.874 v16.0.0, different architectures for supporting user plane services on IAB nodes have been described, namely architecture groups 1 and 2. Among these architectures, option 1a may be recommended and implemented in Figure 3 Depicted in Figure 3 is a diagram of architecture 1a (SA mode with NGC).

[0063] Architecture 1a utilizes a CU / DU split architecture. In this architecture 1a, each IAB node has a mobile terminal (MT) and a DU. In the IAB node, the MT function is a logical unit that terminates the backhaul radio interface to the IAB parent node. Via the MT, the IAB node is connected to an upstream IAB node or an IAB donor. Via the DU, the IAB node establishes an RLC channel to the MT of the wireless device and the downstream IAB node. For the MT, the RLC channel may refer to a modified RLC*. The IAB node may be connected to more than one upstream IAB node or IAB donor DU. The IAB node may contain multiple DUs, but each DU portion of the IAB node has an F1-C connection with only one IAB donor CU-CP.

[0064] The donor node also owns / includes DUs to support MTs of wireless devices and downstream IAB nodes. The IAB donor owns / includes DUs for all IAB nodes and CUs for its own DUs. It is assumed that the DUs on the IAB node are served by only one IAB donor. The IAB donor node can be changed by topology adaptation. Each DU of the IAB node uses a possibly modified version of F1 (referred to as F1*) to connect to the CU in the IAB donor. F1*-U runs on the RLC channel over the wireless backhaul between the MT on the serving IAB node and the DU on the donor. An adaptation layer is added that stores routing information and implements forwarding. It replaces the IP functionality of the standard F1 stack. F1*-U can carry a GTP-U header for end-to-end association between the CU and the DU. In a further enhancement, the information carried in the GTP-U header can be included in the adaptation layer. In addition, optimizations to the RLC can be considered, such as applying ARQ only on end-to-end connections rather than hop-by-hop.

[0065] Figure 3 Two examples of such F1*-U protocol stacks are shown on the right side of FIG. Figure 3 In the , the enhancement of RLC is called RLC*. The MT of each IAB node further maintains a NAS connection with the NGC, for example, for authentication of the IAB node. It can further maintain a PDU session via the NGC, for example, to provide the IAB node with a connection to the Operation Management (OAM) function.

[0066] For NSA operation with EPC, the MT uses EN-DC to dually connect to the network. The MT of the IAB node maintains a PDN connection with the EPC, for example, providing the IAB node with a connection to the OAM.

[0067] The details of F1*, Adaptation Layer and RLC* are under investigation in 3GPP.

[0068] ---------------Discussion from 3GPPTS 38.470---------------The scheduling of system broadcast information is done in the gNB-DU (i.e. IAB node-DU). The gNB-DU may be responsible for sending system information according to the available scheduling parameters.

[0069] The gNB-DU may be responsible for the coding of the NR-MIB. In the case where SIB1 and other SI messages may need to be broadcast, the gNB-DU may be responsible for the coding of SIB1, while the gNB-CU is responsible for the coding of other SI messages.

[0070] ---------------End of discussion from TS 38.470---------------In parallel with the SSB transmission of the DU, the wireless device and the MT of the IAB node are configured to search and measure SSB at specific time instances and / or specific time periods (SSB / PBCH measurement time configuration). The DU and MT configurations can be jointly configured to enable inter-node SSB measurements while not violating the IAB half-duplex constraint.

[0071] The following objectives of the IAB work item were considered:

[0072] - The configurable values ​​of parameters in the STC for IAB node discovery and measurements (e.g. SSB transmission configuration) are provided as follows:

[0073] -SSB center frequency:

[0074] -SSB subcarrier spacing:

[0075] -SSB transmission cycle:

[0076] - SSB transmission timing offset in half frame

[0077] - SSB index to be sent (SSB to be sent in half frame)

[0078] - Additional parameters for further study (FFS) in addition to the above parameters

[0079] For IAB node discovery and measurement, the maximum number of STCs that can be used for IAB node DU configuration per cell is 4 at one frequency location.

[0080] Several challenges have been identified in existing systems and / or in the above 3GPP discussions regarding inter-node measurements in IAB networks. First, due to half-duplex constraints, network nodes such as IAB nodes may not be able to send and measure SSBs simultaneously. In order to achieve inter-node measurements given half-duplex constraints, orthogonal time domain transmission and reception modes between different network nodes (i.e., IAB nodes) may be implemented. Network nodes in the network may require different time domain SSB transmission modes that provide time orthogonal opportunities for SSB measurements. Secondly, in the CU-DU split architecture, the scheduling of system broadcast information (MIB and SIB1) is performed by the IAB (e.g., gNB) node-DU, which means that the IAB node CU does not directly configure SSB transmission. In some systems, SSB transmission parameters are (pre)configured by the Operation Management and Administration (OAM) function. Modification / update of the STC is also performed by OAM. OAM-based reconfiguration is usually performed manually by the operator, and interaction with OAM usually results in temporary interruption of the operating network. In the case of IAB, pure OAM-based STC reconfiguration may not be practical, especially when topology adaptation occurs frequently and the failure of the parent link will have a large impact on the child nodes. Therefore, it is advantageous for the reselection and restoration of the parent backhaul to occur quickly.

[0081] In addition, in some systems, each IAB node can be configured with up to 4 STCs and SMTCs, where the SMTC is used to measure signaling from other IAB nodes, and the STC enables other IAB nodes to measure the signaling from other IAB nodes. Since an IAB node cannot send and receive / measure at the same time, coordination of the STC and SMTC is required to achieve inter-IAB node measurement.

[0082] The description in the present disclosure advantageously provides an efficient method for providing a time domain mode to a network node (i.e., an IAB node). As used herein, a time domain mode (also referred to as a time mode, a time domain communication mode, etc.) may include / correspond to an STC mode (SBB transmission configuration mode) and / or an SMTC mode (SSB measurement timing configuration measurement mode). Although in some systems, the transmission mode is configured by OAM and the measurement mode is configured by the IAB node-CU, one or more embodiments described herein advantageously configure the IAB node-CU to jointly manage both the STC mode and the SMTC mode, for example, to allow the IAB node-CU to manage IAB node discovery and measurement.

[0083] According to one or more embodiments, the IAB node-CU of the IAB node (such as the donor IAB node) manages the time domain mode, which releases the burden of OAM and reduces the signaling exchange between OAM and the IAB node-CU. If the interaction with OAM is reduced, the impact on the operating network may also be limited. The IAB node-CU understands its sub-network nodes (such as sub-IAB nodes) and their time domain SSB modes. In one or more embodiments, the IAB node-CU may be responsible for exchanging system information with other IAB nodes-CU. Based on network conditions, the IAB node-CU can effectively coordinate the time domain mode between sub-network nodes. Such functional enhancements simplify the coordination of SSB transmission and measurement between multiple network nodes in the network. The scheme described herein can also be used to assist the IAB node-DU in making coordinated mute decisions and establishing appropriate measurement plans. Wise and fair mute decisions may be important for ensuring that mutual node-to-node measurements between a group of network nodes work, especially when more network nodes need to be co-scheduled to improve the efficiency of node-to-node measurements.

[0084] Before describing the exemplary embodiments in detail, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in a combination of device components and processing steps related to network node (i.e., IAB node, such as a donor IAB node) management for time mode configuration of at least one child network node (i.e., child IAB node). Therefore, in the accompanying drawings, components have been represented by conventional symbols where appropriate, and only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments are shown to avoid obscuring the disclosure by details that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. The same numbers refer to the same elements throughout the description.

[0085] As used herein, relational terms such as "first" and "second", "top" and "bottom", etc. may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the concepts described herein. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprising", "including", "comprising", and / or "including", when used herein, specify the presence of the features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0086] In the embodiments described herein, connection terms "in communication with" and the like may be used to indicate electrical or data communication, which may be achieved, for example, by physical contact, induction, electromagnetic radiation, radio signals, infrared signals, or optical signals. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that multiple components may interoperate and modifications and variations are possible to achieve electrical and data communication.

[0087] In some embodiments described herein, the terms "coupled," "connected," and the like may be used herein to indicate a connection, but not necessarily a direct connection, and may include wired and / or wireless connections.

[0088] The term "network node" used herein may be any type of network node included in a radio network, and the network node may further include any of the following: a base station (BS), a radio base station, a base transceiver station (BTS), a base station controller (BSC), a radio network controller (RNC), a gNodeB (gNB), an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB), a NodeB, a multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node (e.g., an MSR BS), a multi-cell / multicast coordination entity (MCE), an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node (e.g., a donor IAB node or a child IAB node), a relay node, a donor node controlling a relay, a radio access point (AP), a transmission point, a transmission node, a remote radio unit (RRU) a remote radio head (RRH), a core network node (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), a self-organizing network (SON) node, a coordination node, a positioning node, an MDT node, etc.), an external node (e.g., a third-party node, a node outside the current network), a node in a distributed antenna system (DAS), a spectrum access system (SAS) node, an element management system (EMS), etc. The network node may also include test equipment.The term "radio node" as used herein may also be used to denote a wireless device (WD), such as a wireless device (WD) or a radio network node.

[0089] As used herein, the terms network node and / or node are interchangeable with IAB node.

[0090] In some embodiments, the non-limiting terms wireless device (WD) or user equipment (UE) are used interchangeably. The WD herein can be any type of wireless device capable of communicating with a network node or another WD via a radio signal, such as a wireless device (WD). The WD can also be a radio communication device, a target device, a device-to-device (D2D) WD, a machine type WD, or a WD capable of machine-to-machine communication (M2M), a low-cost and / or low-complexity WD, a sensor equipped with a WD, a tablet computer, a mobile terminal, a smart phone, a laptop embedded device (LEE), a laptop mounted device (LME), a USB dongle, a customer premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, or a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IOT) device, etc.

[0091] In addition, in some embodiments, the general term "radio network node" is used. It can be any type of radio network node, which can include any of the following: base station, radio base station, base transceiver station, base station controller, network controller, RNC, evolved Node B (eNB), Node B, gNB, multi-cell / multicast coordination entity (MCE), IAB node, relay node, access point, radio access point, remote radio unit (RRU) remote radio head (RRH).

[0092] As used herein, inter-node measurements correspond to IAB inter-node measurements, which are measurements between multiple IAB nodes. In non-IAB networks, measurements are typically made between wireless devices and network nodes or on access links. In IAB networks, measurements are made between IAB nodes or backhaul links. For example, IAB inter-node measurements may be associated with STC, SMTC, synchronization, and / or other signaling on a backhaul link between IAB nodes that may be measured by an IAB node.

[0093] Note that although terminology from one particular wireless system may be used in the present disclosure, such as, for example, 3GPP LTE and / or New Radio (NR), this should not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned systems. Other wireless systems, including but not limited to Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), may also benefit from utilizing the concepts covered within the present disclosure.

[0094] An indication may generally indicate explicitly and / or implicitly the information it represents and / or indicates. An implicit indication may, for example, be based on a location and / or resource used for transmission. An explicit indication may, for example, be based on a parameter set having one or more parameters, and / or one or more indexes, and / or one or more bit patterns representing information.

[0095] The transmission in the downlink may involve transmission from the network or network node to the terminal, and / or from the donor IAB node toward the child IAB node. The transmission in the uplink may involve transmission from the terminal to the network or network node, and / or from the child IAB node toward the donor IAB node. The transmission in the sidelink may involve (direct) transmission from one terminal to another terminal. Uplink, downlink and sidelink (e.g., sidelink transmission and reception) may be considered as communication directions. In some variants, uplink and downlink may also be used to describe wireless communications between network nodes, such as for example, wireless backhaul and / or relay communication and / or (wireless) network communication between base stations or similar network nodes, particularly terminated at such communications. It may be considered that backhaul and / or relay communication and / or network communication are implemented as sidelink or uplink communication or in a form similar thereto.

[0096] Further note that the functions described herein as being performed by a wireless device or network node may be distributed across multiple wireless devices and / or network nodes. In other words, it is contemplated that the functions of the network nodes and wireless devices described herein are not limited to the performance of a single physical device and may in fact be distributed across several physical devices.

[0097] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that the terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined as such herein.

[0098] Embodiments provide for donor IAB node management of time mode configuration for at least one child IAB node. Referring now to the drawings, wherein like elements are denoted by like reference numerals, Figure 4, a schematic diagram of a communication system 10 according to an embodiment is shown, for example, a 3GPP type cellular network that can support standards such as LTE and / or NR (5G), which includes, for example, an access network 12 of radio access and a core network 14. The access network 12 includes a plurality of network nodes 16a, 16b, 16c (collectively referred to as network nodes 16), such as NB, eNB, gNB or other types of wireless access points, each of which defines a corresponding coverage area 18a, 18b, 18c (collectively referred to as coverage area 18). In one example, the network node 16c is a donor IAB node, and the network nodes 16a and 16b are each child IAB nodes. Each network node 16a, 16b, 16c can be connected to the core network 14 via a wired or wireless connection 20. A first wireless device (WD) 22a located in the coverage area 18a is configured to be wirelessly connected to the corresponding network node 16c or to be paged by the corresponding network node 16c. A second WD 22b in the coverage area 18b can be wirelessly connected to the corresponding network node 16a. Although multiple WDs 22a, 22b (collectively referred to as wireless devices 22) are shown in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to situations where a single WD is in the coverage area or a single WD is connecting to a corresponding network node 16a. Note that although only two WDs 22 and three network nodes 16 are shown for convenience, the communication system may include more WDs 22 and network nodes 16.

[0099] Furthermore, it is contemplated that the WD 22 may be in simultaneous communication with and / or configured to communicate with, respectively, more than one network node 16 and more than one type of network node 16. For example, the WD 22 may have dual connectivity with a network node 16 supporting LTE and the same or different network nodes 16 supporting NR. As an example, the WD 22 may communicate with an eNB for LTE / E-UTRAN and a gNB for NR / NG-RAN.

[0100] The communication system 10 itself may be connected to an OAM 24, which may be embodied in hardware and / or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, or as a processing resource in a server farm in the core network 14, as is known in the art. The OAM 24 may include hardware components similar to those described herein with reference to the network node 16.

[0101] The network node 16 is configured to include a management unit 26, which is configured to perform one or more network node 16 functions as described herein, such as regarding time domain mode configuration management, which time domain mode configuration management may include STC mode (SBB transmission configuration mode) management and / or SMTC mode (SSB measurement timing configuration measurement mode) management. The network node 16 is configured to include an SSB unit 28, which is configured to perform one or more network node 16 functions as described herein, such as regarding time domain mode configuration management, which time domain mode configuration management may include STC mode (SBB transmission configuration mode) management and / or SMTC mode (SSB measurement timing configuration measurement mode) management.

[0102] Now refer to Figure 5 Example implementations of the WD 22, network nodes 16, and OAM 24 discussed in the preceding paragraphs are described according to an embodiment. General configuration of OAM in the core network 14 (such as via software and / or hardware) is known in the art and will not be described further.

[0103] The communication system 10 further includes a network node 16 provided in the communication system 10 and including hardware 30 that enables it to communicate with the WD 22 and other network nodes 16. The hardware 30 may include a communication interface 32 for establishing and maintaining a wired or wireless connection to an interface with different communication devices of the communication system 10, and a radio interface 34 for establishing and maintaining at least a wireless connection with a WD 22 located in a coverage area 18 served by the network node 16 and / or a wireless connection with other network nodes 16 such as in an IAB network. The radio interface 34 may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and / or one or more RF transceivers. The communication interface 32 may be configured to facilitate connection with one or more entities in the system 10.

[0104] In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware 30 of the network node 16 further includes a processing circuit 36. The processing circuit 36 ​​may include a processor 38 and a memory 40. In particular, in addition to or in place of a processor (such as a central processing unit) and a memory, the processing circuit 36 ​​may include an integrated circuit for processing and / or control, for example, one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or an FPGA (field programmable gate array) and / or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 38 may be configured to access (e.g., write and / or read) the memory 40, which may include any kind of volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as a cache and / or buffer memory and / or a RAM (random access memory) and / or a ROM (read-only memory) and / or an optical memory and / or an EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory).

[0105] Thus, the network node 16 further has software 42, which is stored internally, for example, in the memory 40, or in an external memory (e.g., a database, a storage array, a network storage device, etc.) accessible by the network node 16 via an external connection. The software 42 can be executed by the processing circuit 36. The processing circuit 36 ​​can be configured to control any method and / or process described herein, and / or cause such method and / or process to be performed by the network node 16. The processor 38 corresponds to one or more processors 38 for performing the network node 16 functions described herein. The memory 40 is configured to store data, programming software code, and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 42 may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 38 and / or the processing circuit 36, cause the processor 38 and / or the processing circuit 36 ​​to perform the process described herein with respect to the network node 16. For example, the processing circuitry 36 of the network node 16 may optionally include a management unit 26 configured to perform one or more network node 16 functions as described herein, such as management with respect to time domain modes (e.g., STC and / or SMTC mode management) and / or by a donor IAB node 16 (such as if the network node 16 is a donor IAB node 16). In one or more embodiments, the donor IAB node 16 includes an IAB node 16-CU and an IAB node 16-DU (not shown) whose functions are described herein. The processing circuitry 36 may also optionally include an SSB unit 28 configured to perform one or more network node 16 functions as described herein, such as management with respect to time domain mode configuration, which may include STC mode (SBB transmission configuration mode) management and / or SMTC mode (SSB measurement timing configuration measurement mode) management, such as if the network node 16 is a child IAB node 16. In one or more embodiments, the child IAB nodes 16 include IAB nodes 16-DU and IAB nodes 16-MT (not shown) whose functions are described herein. Thus, although the network nodes 16 are generally referred to as network nodes 16, one network node 16 is a donor IAB node 16 and the other network nodes 16 are child IAB nodes 16.

[0106] The communication system 10 further includes the already mentioned WD 22. The WD 22 may have hardware 44, which may include a radio interface 46 configured to establish and maintain a wireless connection 64 with a network node 16 serving the coverage area 18 in which the WD 22 is currently located. The radio interface 46 may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and / or one or more RF transceivers.

[0107] The hardware 44 of the WD 22 further includes a processing circuit 48. The processing circuit 48 may include a processor 50 and a memory 52. ​​In particular, in addition to or in place of a processor (such as a central processing unit) and a memory, the processing circuit 48 may include an integrated circuit for processing and / or control, for example, one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or an FPGA (field programmable gate array) and / or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 50 may be configured to access (e.g., write and / or read) the memory 52, which may include any kind of volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as a cache and / or buffer memory and / or a RAM (random access memory) and / or a ROM (read-only memory) and / or an optical memory and / or an EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory).

[0108] Thus, WD 22 may further include software 54, which is stored, for example, in memory 52 at WD 22, or in an external memory (e.g., a database, a storage array, a network storage device, etc.) accessible by WD 22. Software 54 may be executed by processing circuit 48. Software 54 may include client application 56. Client application 56 may be operable to provide services to human or non-human users via WD 22. Client application 56 may interact with a user to generate user data that it provides.

[0109] Processing circuit 48 can be configured to control any method and / or process described herein and / or cause such method and / or process to be performed, for example, by WD 22. Processor 50 corresponds to one or more processors 50 for performing the WD 22 functions described herein. WD 22 includes memory 52, which is configured to store data, programming software code, and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, software 54 and / or client application 56 may include instructions that, when executed by processor 50 and / or processing circuit 48, cause processor 50 and / or processing circuit 48 to perform the processing described herein with respect to WD 22.

[0110] In some embodiments, the internal workings of network node 16 and WD 22 may be as follows: Figure 5 shown, and independently, the surrounding network topology can be Figure 4 topology.

[0111] The wireless connection between WD 22 and network node 16 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. More specifically, the teachings of some of these embodiments can improve data rates, latency, and / or power consumption, and thereby provide benefits such as reduced user waiting time, relaxed file size restrictions, better responsiveness, extended battery life, etc.

[0112] In some embodiments, a measurement process may be provided to monitor data rate, latency, and other factors that are improved by one or more embodiments.

[0113] In some embodiments, the cellular network further comprises a network node 16 having a radio interface. In some embodiments, the network node 16 is configured to, and / or the processing circuit 68 of the network node 16 is configured to perform the functions and / or methods described herein for preparing / initiating / maintaining / supporting / ending transmissions to the WD 22 and / or preparing / terminating / maintaining / supporting / ending receiving transmissions from the WD 22.

[0114] Although Figure 4 and Figure 5 Various "units" such as management unit 26 and SSB unit 28 are shown within respective processors, but it is contemplated that these units may be implemented such that a portion of the unit is stored in a corresponding memory within the processing circuitry. In other words, the unit may be implemented in hardware or in a combination of hardware and software within the processing circuitry.

[0115] Figure 6 1 is a flowchart of an exemplary process in a network node 16 (e.g., a donor IAB node 16) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. One or more blocks and / or functions performed by the network node 16 may be performed by one or more elements of the network node 16 (such as by a management unit 26 in a processing circuit 36, a processor 38, a radio interface 34, etc.). In one or more embodiments, as described herein, the network node 16 is configured, such as via one or more of the processing circuit 36, the processor 38, the management unit 26, the communication interface 32, and the radio interface 34: manage (block S100) multiple time domain communication modes for multiple child network nodes 16 (child IAB nodes 16).

[0116] According to one or more embodiments, each of the time domain communication modes is associated with an SSB for one or more SSB transmissions and SSB measurements. According to one or more embodiments, the donor network node 16 is a donor IAB node and the plurality of child network nodes 16 are a plurality of child IAB nodes. According to one or more embodiments, each time domain communication mode corresponds to at least one SSB transmission configuration STC parameter.

[0117] Figure 71 is a flowchart of an exemplary process in a network node 16 (e.g., a donor IAB node 16) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. One or more blocks and / or functions performed by the network node 16 may be performed by one or more elements of the donor IAB node 16 (such as by a management unit 26 in a processing circuit 36, a processor 38, a radio interface 34, etc.). In one or more embodiments, the donor IAB network node 16 is configured with a distributed unit DU for communicating with the wireless device 22, and is configured with a central unit CU for communicating with at least a first child IAB node 16. In one or more embodiments, as described herein, the donor IAB node 16 is configured, such as via one or more of the processing circuit 36, the processor 38, the management unit 26, the communication interface 32, and the radio interface 34, to indicate (S102) to at least the first child IAB node (16) a determined first synchronization signaling block SSB transmission configuration STC for at least the first child IAB node (16), wherein the first STC is associated with an inter-node measurement.

[0118] According to one or more embodiments, the first STC is determined by the CU of the donor IAB node 16. According to one or more embodiments, the processing circuit 36 ​​is further configured to: receive an indication of a second STC that has been preconfigured from the operation management and administration OAM unit, the second STC being different from the first STC; and reconfigure the first child IAB node 16 from the second STC to the first STC by causing the second STC to be covered by the first STC. According to one or more embodiments, the processing circuit 36 ​​is further configured to: determine a plurality of STCs for a plurality of child IAB nodes 16, the plurality of STCs being associated with inter-node measurements and including the first STC, and the plurality of child IAB nodes 16 including the first child IAB node 16; and indicate the plurality of STCs to the plurality of child IAB nodes 16.

[0119] According to one or more embodiments, determination of a first STC for performing inter-node measurement by the first sub IAB node 16 is based on at least STC time mode information and synchronization signaling block SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC time mode information for a plurality of DUs and mobile terminals MT associated with the plurality of sub IAB nodes 16 and managed by the donor IAB node 16. According to one or more embodiments, the first STC indicates whether one or more SSBs can be muted by the first sub IAB node 16.

[0120] According to one or more embodiments, the indication of the first STC to the first child IAB node 16 is provided in the system information through the F1 interface between the CU of the donor IAB node 16 and the DU of the first child IAB node 16. According to one or more embodiments, the processing circuit 36 ​​is configured to: determine at least a subset of multiple STCs for the first child IAB node 16, wherein at least a subset of the multiple STCs includes the first STC; and indicate at least a subset of the multiple STCs to the first child IAB node 16 to participate in the inter-node measurement using at least one STC in the subset of the multiple STCs. According to one or more embodiments, the processing circuit 36 ​​is further configured to receive an indication of at least one STC in the subset of multiple STCs selected by the child IAB node 16 for participating in the inter-node measurement.

[0121] According to one or more embodiments, the processing circuit 36 ​​is further configured to: determine that a predefined IAB event occurs; and trigger determination of a first STC for the first child IAB node 16 based at least on the occurrence of the predefined IAB event. According to one or more embodiments, the predefined IAB event is an IAB network topology change associated with adding an IAB node 16 and removing one of the child IAB nodes 16 from the IAB network topology; and the processing circuit 36 ​​is further configured to reconfigure the STC associated with at least one remaining child IAB node 16 in the IAB network topology in response to the IAB network topology change. According to one or more embodiments, the first STC indicates at least one of: at least one time domain mode for performing at least one SSB transmission associated with inter-node measurements; and at least one time domain mode for performing at least one SSB measurement associated with inter-node measurements. According to one or more embodiments, the first STC is determined and managed by the CU of the donor IAB node 16 (donor IAB node 16-CU). Although the STC management is described in terms of Figure 7 , but box S102 and Figure 7 The description of also applies to SMTC, so that the donor IAB node 16 can be configured to manage one or more of STC and SMTC for the child IAB node 16 via the CU.

[0122] Figure 81 is a flowchart of another exemplary process in a network node 16 (e.g., a sub-IAB node 16) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. One or more blocks and / or functions performed by the sub-IAB node 16 may be performed by one or more elements of the network node 16 (such as by the SSB unit 28 in the processing circuit 68, the processor 70, the radio interface 62, etc.). In one or more embodiments, as described herein, the network node 16 is configured such as via one or more of the processing circuit 36, the processor 38, the SSB unit 28, the communication interface 32, and the radio interface 34 to: receive (box S104) a configuration of a time domain communication mode associated with an SSB for one or more SSB transmissions and SSB measurements. In one or more embodiments, as described herein, the sub-IAB node 16 is configured such as via one or more of the processing circuit 36, the processor 38, the SSB unit 28, the communication interface 32, and the radio interface 34 to: perform (box S106) at least one SSB-based function based at least in part on the configuration.

[0123] According to one or more embodiments, the donor network node 16 is a donor IAB node 16 and the plurality of child network nodes 16 are a plurality of child IAB nodes 16. According to one or more embodiments, the received time domain communication pattern corresponds to at least one STC parameter.

[0124] Fig. 9 1 is a flowchart of another exemplary process in a network node 16 (e.g., a sub-IAB node 16 such as a first sub-IAB node 16) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. One or more blocks and / or functions performed by the sub-IAB node 16 may be performed by one or more elements of the network node 16 (such as by the SSB unit 28 in the processing circuit 68, the processor 70, the radio interface 62, etc.). In one or more embodiments, as described herein, the network node 16 is configured such as via one or more of the processing circuit 36, the processor 38, the SSB unit 28, the communication interface 32, and the radio interface 34 to: receive (S108) an indication of a first synchronization signaling block SSB transmission configuration STC associated with inter-node measurement from the donor IAB node 16. In one or more embodiments, as described herein, the network node 16 is configured such as via one or more of the processing circuit 36, the processor 38, the SSB unit 28, the communication interface 32, and the radio interface 34 to: perform (S110) operations associated with inter-node measurement using the first STC.

[0125] According to one or more embodiments, the first STC is transmitted from the central unit CU of the donor IAB node 16 that determines the first STC. According to one or more embodiments, the first STC is different from the STC allocated to the first sub IAB node 16 by the operation management OAM unit. According to one or more embodiments, the first STC of the first sub IAB node 16 is based on at least STC time mode information and synchronization signaling block SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC time mode information for multiple DUs and mobile terminals MT associated with multiple sub IAB nodes 16 managed by the donor IAB node 16, wherein the multiple sub IAB nodes include the first sub IAB node 16.

[0126] According to one or more embodiments, the first STC indicates whether one or more SSBs can be muted by the first child IAB node 16. According to one or more embodiments, the indication of at least the first STC to the first child IAB node 16 is received in the system information through the F1 interface between the central unit CU of the donor IAB node 16 and the DU of the first child IAB node 16. According to one or more embodiments, the at least first STC corresponds to at least a subset of a plurality of STCs including the first STC; and the processing circuit 36 ​​is further configured to select the first STC from at least a subset of the plurality of STCs.

[0127] According to one or more embodiments, the processing circuit 36 ​​is further configured to send an indication that the first STC has been selected. According to one or more embodiments, the first STC indicates at least one of: at least one time domain mode for performing at least one SSB transmission associated with inter-node measurements; and at least one time domain mode for performing at least one SSB measurement associated with inter-node measurements. According to one or more embodiments, the operation associated with the inter-node measurement using the first STC corresponds to the SSB transmission associated with the inter-node measurement. Although the description of STC management is Fig. 9 , but boxes S108-S110 and Fig. 9 The description of applies equally to the SMTC, such that the child IAB node 16 may be configured to receive an indication of the SMTC because the donor IAB node 16 via the CU may be configured to manage one or more of the STC and the SMTC for the child IAB node 16.

[0128] Having described the general processing flow of the arrangement of the present disclosure and provided examples of hardware and software arrangements for implementing the processes and functions of the present disclosure, the following sections provide details and examples of arrangements for time mode configuration of at least one child network node 16 (i.e., child IAB node 16) and / or management of STC by a network node 16 (i.e., donor IAB node 16). For example, an IAB node 16-CU may be configured to configure and manage STCs and / or SMTCs implemented by one or more child IAB nodes 16.

[0129] Embodiments provide for management of a time mode configuration (eg, STC and / or SMTC time mode configuration) of at least one child network node 16 (ie, child IAB node 16) by a network node 16 (ie, donor IAB node 16).

[0130] The SSB transmission and measurement configuration for inter-node measurements may be determined in a centralized manner. In this document, a network function is referred to as a central unit, which provides configuration for SSB transmission and measurement. The network function may be located at a network node 16 (i.e., IAB node 16) in the RAN (e.g., an IAB-CU), or as a separate function residing in the core network 14 (e.g., an operations management (OAM) 24 function).

[0131] The IAB node 16-DU may configure zero, one or more STCs (SSB transmission configurations) to send Type-1B Node Measurement (NM) SSBs, and may provide at least the following information in each STC:

[0132] -SSB center frequency;

[0133] -SSB subcarrier spacing;

[0134] -SSB transmission period;

[0135] - SSB transmission timing offset within a half-frame; and

[0136] - the index of the SSB to be sent,

[0137] Among them, the timing offset of SSB transmission is a new IAB-specific STC parameter in 3GPP Release 16. In 3GPP Release 15, SSBs to the wireless device 22 can be sent simultaneously, and therefore the timing offset between SSBs from different nodes has not been considered before. In the case of IAB, DU and MT configurations of STC (SSB transmission configuration) and MeasObj (measurement object) / SMTC (i.e., SSB measurement timing configuration and / or SS / PBCH block measurement time configuration) can be provided in a coordinated manner to enable inter-node SSB measurements while helping to avoid violating half-duplex constraints. Potential conflicts between STC and SMTC time positions can be handled. According to discussions at RAN1, when a conflict occurs, it is an IAB internal decision to prioritize SSB transmission or measurement based on different performance requirements and other conditions.

[0138] A typical situation might be:

[0139] - The network function does not have information about which SSB transmissions each IAB node 16 can mute

[0140] - Each IAB node 16 has no information about whether there may be any SSBs transmitted during a certain SMTC window (due to silence). The node also has no information about how many and which other IAB nodes 16 it can measure in different SMTC windows.

[0141] Given these uncertainties, it may be difficult for the IAB node 16 to perform appropriate muting decisions, especially if conflicts between SSB transmissions and measurements occur at multiple time locations. Therefore, the STC time pattern may be generated in a coordinated manner during the network planning phase. It may also be beneficial to update the STC time pattern based on network topology adaptation.

[0142] Fig.10 and Fig.11 1 is a diagram of two examples of time pattern configurations between a set of network nodes 16 (i.e., IAB nodes 16). SSBs with one type of shading represent 3GPP Release-15 SSBs, which are targeted at initial access by wireless devices 22. These SSBs can be sent simultaneously by all network nodes 16 with a period of 20 ms. SSBs with another type of shading represent NM-SSBs, which are targeted at other IAB nodes 16 for inter-node discovery / measurement with a period of 40 ms. In the first example ( Fig.10 ), all IAB nodes 16 send NM-SSB simultaneously (in a similar manner to the initial access SSB), while each IAB node 16 is provided with a separate SSB measurement time configuration.

[0143] In the second example ( Fig.11), all IAB nodes 16 have the same SMTC configuration, but separate or individual transmission time modes. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The two examples in allow inter-network node 16 to measure, but have different advantages / disadvantages. For example, the first solution (i.e., Fig.10 ) may suffer from a potentially increased interference level because all other nodes transmit SSB in the same time slot. Fig.11 ) may only allow measurements to be made on one network node 16 at a time. Improving the robustness and flexibility of SSB transmissions and measurements may mean increasing the complexity of the time pattern.

[0144] Example 1

[0145] In one or more embodiments, the STC time mode may be preconfigured by the OAM 24, but managed (e.g., assigned) by the IAB node 16-CU (i.e., the CU in the donor IAB node 16), such as via, for example, one or more of the processing circuit 36, the processor 38, the management unit 26, the communication interface 32, and the radio interface 34. By this approach, the OAM 24 and the IAB node 16-CU (also referred to as the IAB-CU 16) may share responsibility for time mode configuration. The donor IAB node 16-DU is configured to configure and communicate with the donor IAB node 16-DU, and the donor IAB node 16-DU is configured to configure and communicate with the wireless device 22 and the child IAB node 16-MT. Each child IAB node 16 may be configured with an MT and a DU, wherein the MT may generally be responsible for upstream communications with a parent IAB node 16 (i.e., an upstream IAB node 16, a donor IAB node 16), and the DU may generally be responsible for downstream communications with the child IAB node 16 and wireless devices. The OAM 24 may allocate a set of time patterns that may be allocated by each IAB node 16-CU of each IAB node 16. The IAB node 16-CU may be responsible for coordinating the time patterns to its child IAB nodes 16, such as the IAB node 16-DU of the child IAB node 16, such as via one or more of, for example, the processing circuit 36, the processor 38, the management unit 26, the communication interface 32, and the radio interface 34. For example, the IAB node 16-CU may reconfigure the child IAB node 16 by having the current STC assigned to the child IAB node 16 be overwritten by another STC, wherein the overwriting may occur at the child IAB node 16 and / or at the IAB node 16-CU (i.e., in the SSB time pattern table).

[0146] In one or more embodiments, the IAB node 16-CU of the donor IAB node 16 manages (i.e., allocates, removes, etc.) time (i.e., time domain) modes (e.g., STC modes) for one or more child IAB nodes 16, even though in some embodiments, the OAM may initially configure one or more time modes such as for one or more child IAB nodes 16. In one or more embodiments, the OAM may determine how to use the configured time modes, such as Fig.10 or Fig.11 method, but the IAB node 16-CU may be the one that decides which child IAB node 16 uses which time mode.

[0147] Fig.12 is a diagram of an example implementation of an SSB Time Pattern Management Function (SSB TPMF) associated with an IAB node 16-CU, due at least in part to one or more of the following:

[0148] - The IAB Node 16-CU of the IAB Node 16 has information about its child IAB Nodes 16 and their time patterns.

[0149] The IAB node 16 -CU of the IAB node 16 , such as via one or more of the processing circuitry 36 , the processor 38 , the management unit 26 , the communication interface 32 , and the radio interface 34 , maintains a neighbor relation table (NRT) and NRT management functions.

[0150] The IAB Node 16 -CU of the IAB Node 16 , such as via one or more of the processing circuitry 36 , the processor 38 , the management unit 26 , the communication interface 32 , and the radio interface 34 , configures the IAB Node 16 -DU resources.

[0151] The IAB node 16 -CU of the IAB node 16 , such as via one or more of the processing circuitry 36 , the processor 38 , the management unit 26 , the SSB unit 28 , the communication interface 32 , and the radio interface 34 , configures an SSB measurement request (MeasObj).

[0152] The SSB TPMF can receive or accept input from one or more of the following:

[0153] - OAM 24, regarding the time mode set and other SSB parameters indicated by OAM.

[0154] - Other IAB nodes 16 - CU, regarding the time pattern applied to the IAB nodes 16 under its control (ie, child IAB nodes 16).

[0155] - Inside information may include, for example:

[0156] - Network topology.

[0157] -IAB node 16-DU / MT capability.

[0158] -IAB node 16-DU / MT resource configuration.

[0159] The output of the TPMF may be, for example, an SSB time pattern table (SSB TPT) containing STC time patterns and SMTC time patterns for all IAB nodes 16-DU and IAB nodes 16-MT managed by the IAB node 16-CU of the donor IAB node 16. The IAB node 16-CU may be configured to use the information in the SSB TPT, i.e., the SBB TPT, to perform management functions described herein, such as regarding time pattern management (e.g., STC time pattern management and / or SMTC time pattern management).

[0160] To handle conflicts in timing between SSB transmissions and measurements, a muting attribute / indication may be included in the STC parameters to indicate whether the SSB transmissions defined by the STC may be muted:

[0161] -M0-STC: SSB transmission cannot be muted, that is, SSB can be sent.

[0162] - M1-STC: SSB transmissions may be muted, ie, the IAB node 16 need not send an SSB if it may have to measure an SSB that overlaps in time with an SSB configured for transmission.

[0163] Thus, in one or more embodiments, the IAB node 16 -CU of the donor IAB node 16 may coordinate transmission muting at one or more child IAB nodes 16 .

[0164] The SSB STC / SMTC time modes and M0 / M1 attributes can be jointly designed to provide a robust and flexible inter-node measurement strategy. Therefore, the SSB time mode management function can also be responsible for the configuration of the M0 / M1 attributes.

[0165] The generated time pattern and muting attributes can be used for neighbor cell / node detection / measurement and management, for example, by the NRT management function and the neighbor detection function. The STC pattern and muting attributes may also be new elements of the neighbor relation table, as they may also affect topology changes, parent node reselection and handover decisions.

[0166] Note that if the interaction between the donor IAB node 16-CU and the OAM is automated, the same scheme of the SSB TPMF can also be located in the OAM.

[0167] Example 2

[0168] In one or more embodiments, the IAB node 16-CU of the IAB node 16 may further assign a subset of the time modes to each IAB node 16-DU and provide the IAB node 16-DU with some flexibility in selecting the STC time mode, such as via one or more of the processing circuit 36, the processor 38, the management unit 26, the communication interface 32, and the radio interface 34. The IAB node 16-DU may inform the IAB node 16-CU of the selected time mode.

[0169] Example 3

[0170] The IAB node 16 -CU of the IAB node 16 may automatically or upon request inform the OAM of the time pattern of its child IAB nodes 16 , such as via one or more of the processing circuitry 36 , processor 38 , management unit 26 , communication interface 32 , and radio interface 34 , for example.

[0171] Example 4

[0172] In one embodiment, the time mode management function can manage both STC and SMTC time modes, as well as muting attributes.

[0173] In another embodiment, the TPMF may be responsible for reliably transmitting the time pattern to the OAM / IAB-DU / other IAB nodes 16-CU with the aid of encoding, retransmission, collision handling, etc.

[0174] Example 5

[0175] STC time mode coordination may be based on the IAB network topology, including neighbor node / cell relationships, multi-hop levels, propagation channels, neighbor IAB network relationships, and the like.

[0176] Example 6

[0177] In one embodiment, the STC time pattern may be an STC time pattern per IAB node 16 .

[0178] In another embodiment, the STC time pattern may be an STC time pattern per IAB node 16-DU.

[0179] In another embodiment, the STC time pattern may be an STC time pattern per cell of the IAB node 16-DU.

[0180] Example 7

[0181] In one embodiment, the STC time domain pattern may be reused based on location information, such as the distance between sites.

[0182] In another embodiment, the STC time domain mode may be reused for different IAB nodes 16-CU.

[0183] In another embodiment, the STC time domain pattern may be reused based on network topology information (such as hop level, odd / even node).

[0184] Example 8

[0185] In one embodiment, the IAB node 16-CU of the IAB node 16 may indicate the STC to the IAB node 16-DU using 3GPP Release 15 system information over the F1 interface, such as via one or more of the processing circuitry 36, the processor 38, the management unit 26, the SSB unit 28, the communication interface 32, and the radio interface 34.

[0186] In another embodiment, the IAB node 16-CU of the IAB node 16 may indicate the STC to the IAB node 16-DU using IAB specific system information over the F1 interface, such as via one or more of the processing circuitry 36, the processor 38, the management unit 26, the SSB unit 28, the communication interface 32, and the radio interface 34, for example.

[0187] In another embodiment, the IAB node 16 -CU of the IAB node 16 may indicate the STC to the IAB node 16 -DU using OAM signaling, such as via one or more of the processing circuitry 36 , the processor 38 , the management unit 26 , the SSB unit 28 , the communication interface 32 , and the radio interface 34 , for example.

[0188] Example 9

[0189] In one embodiment, the IAB node 16-CU of the network node 16 may exchange time pattern information with other IAB nodes 16-CU, such as via one or more of the processing circuit 36, the processor 38, the management unit 26, the SSB unit 28, the communication interface 32, and the radio interface 34, to coordinate topology adaptation / node measurement between different IAB nodes 16-CUs over the Xn interface.

[0190] Example 10

[0191] In one embodiment, the SSB time mode management function may be automated.

[0192] In another embodiment, the SSB time mode management function may be event triggered. For example, the triggering event (predefined IAB event) may be a change in the IAB network topology, such as by adding and / or removing an IAB node 16 (e.g., a child IAB node 16). In one or more embodiments, the IAB node 16-CU may be configured to adjust one or more time modes assigned to one or more child IAB nodes 16 based on the type of event.

[0193] Example 11

[0194] In an embodiment, the STC pattern (ie, the time pattern indicated by the STC) may be pre-configured before the IAB node 16-DU is deployed.

[0195] Example 12

[0196] In one embodiment, the reconfiguration / update of the STC time mode may be initiated by an OAM function, such as

[0197] -OAM->IAB node 16CU->IAB node 16DU

[0198] In another embodiment, the reconfiguration / update of the STC time mode may be initiated by the IAB node 16-CU, such as

[0199] -IAB Node 16-CU -> IAB Node 16-DU

[0200] In another embodiment, the reconfiguration / update of the STC time mode may be initiated by the IAB node 16-DU, such as

[0201] -IAB Node 16-DU -> IAB Node 16-CU -> IAB Node 16-DU

[0202] Example 13

[0203] If the interaction between the IAB node 16-CU and the OAM is automated, a similar solution for the SSB TPMF can also be located in the OAM.

[0204] One or more of the examples described above may be based, at least in part, on one or more of the other examples described above.

[0205] Additional Examples

[0206] Example A1. A donor network node 16 (i.e., donor IAB node 16) configured to communicate with a wireless device 22 (WD22), the network node 16 being configured to and / or including a radio interface 34 and / or a communication interface 32 and / or including a processing circuit 36, the processing circuit 36 ​​being configured to:

[0207] A plurality of time domain communication modes for a plurality of sub-network nodes 16 (ie, IAB sub-nodes 16) are managed.

[0208] Example A2. The donor network node 16 of Example A1, wherein each of the time-domain communication patterns is associated with an SSB for one or more SSB transmissions and SSB measurements.

[0209] Example A3. The donor network node 16 of Example A1, wherein the donor network node 16 is a donor IAB node 16 and the plurality of child network nodes 16 are a plurality of child IAB nodes 16.

[0210] Example A4. The donor network node 16 of Example A1, wherein each time domain communication pattern corresponds to at least one synchronization signaling block SSB transmission configuration STC parameter.

[0211] Example B1. A method implemented by a donor network node 16 configured to communicate with a wireless device 22 (WD 22), the method comprising:

[0212] Multiple time domain communication modes for multiple sub-network nodes 16 are managed.

[0213] Example B2. The method of Example B1, wherein each of the time domain communication patterns is associated with an SSB for one or more SSB transmissions and SSB measurements.

[0214] Example B3. The method of Example B1, wherein the donor network node 16 is a donor IAB node 16 and the plurality of child network nodes 16 is a plurality of child IAB nodes 16.

[0215] Example B4. The network node 16 of Example B1, wherein each time domain communication mode corresponds to at least one synchronization signaling block SSB transmission configuration STC parameter.

[0216] Example C1. A first sub-network node 16 configured to communicate with a donor network node 16, the donor network node 16 managing multiple time domain communication modes for multiple sub-network nodes 16 including the first sub-network node 16, the first sub-network node 16 being configured and / or including a radio interface 34 and / or a communication interface 32 and / or including a processing circuit 36, the processing circuit 36 ​​being configured to:

[0217] receiving a configuration of a time domain communication mode associated with an SSB for one or more SSB transmissions and SSB measurements; and

[0218] At least one SSB-based function is performed based at least in part on the configuration.

[0219] Example C2. The first child network node 16 of Example C1, wherein donor network node 16 is a donor IAB node 16 and the plurality of child network nodes 16 are a plurality of child IAB nodes 16.

[0220] Example C3. The first sub-network node of Example C1, wherein the received time domain communication pattern corresponds to at least one synchronization signaling block SSB transmission configuration STC parameter.

[0221] Example D1. A method implemented by a first sub-network node 16 configured to communicate with a donor network node 16, the donor network node 16 managing multiple time domain communication modes for multiple sub-network nodes 16 including the first sub-network node 16, the method comprising:

[0222] receiving a configuration of a time domain communication mode associated with an SSB for one or more SSB transmissions and SSB measurements; and

[0223] At least one SSB-based function is performed based at least in part on the configuration.

[0224] Example D2. The method of Example D1, wherein the donor network node 16 is a donor IAB node 16 and the plurality of child network nodes 16 are a plurality of child IAB nodes 16.

[0225] Example D3. The method of Example D1, wherein the received time domain communication pattern corresponds to at least one synchronization signaling block SSB transmission configuration STC parameter.

[0226] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the concepts described herein may be embodied as methods, data processing systems, computer program products, and / or computer storage media storing executable computer programs. Therefore, the concepts described herein may take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects, all of which are collectively referred to herein as "circuits" or "modules". Any process, step, action, and / or function described herein may be performed and / or associated with a corresponding module, which may be implemented in software and / or firmware and / or hardware. In addition, the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product on a tangible computer-usable storage medium having a computer program code contained in a medium that may be executed by a computer. Any suitable tangible computer-readable medium may be used, including a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an electronic storage device, an optical storage device, or a magnetic storage device.

[0227] Some embodiments are described herein with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, systems, and computer program products. It should be understood that each frame of the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of frames in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer (thereby creating a special-purpose computer), a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that instructions executed via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device create a component for implementing the function / action specified in one or more frames of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0228] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory or storage medium, which may instruct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a product including instruction components that implement the functions / actions specified in one or more boxes of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0229] Computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operating steps to be executed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions / actions specified in one or more boxes of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0230] It should be understood that the functions / actions noted in the blocks may not occur in the order noted in the operating instructions. For example, two blocks shown in succession may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functions / actions involved. Although some figures include arrows on communication paths to show the primary direction of communication, it should be understood that communication may occur in the direction opposite to the arrows depicted.

[0231] Computer program code for carrying out operations of the concepts described herein may be used, for example, The computer program code for performing the operations of the present disclosure may be written in an object-oriented programming language such as C++ or C++. However, the computer program code for performing the operations of the present disclosure may also be written in a conventional procedural programming language, such as the "C" programming language. The program code may be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer. In the latter case, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer via a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0232] In conjunction with the above description and the accompanying drawings, many different embodiments are disclosed herein. It should be understood that it would be unduly repetitive and obfuscating to describe and illustrate verbatim every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Therefore, all embodiments may be combined in any manner and / or combination, and this specification, including the accompanying drawings, should be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, as well as the manner and process of making and using them, and should support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

[0233] Abbreviations that may be used in the preceding description include:

[0234] Abbreviation

[0235] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

[0236] 5G Fifth Generation

[0237] ANR Automatic Neighbor Relation

[0238] CD-SSB Cell Definition SSB

[0239] CGI Cell Global Identifier

[0240] CU Central Unit

[0241] DU Distributed Unit

[0242] eNB E-UTRAN NodeB

[0243] EN-DC E-UTRAN-NR Dual Connectivity

[0244] FR Frequency Range

[0245] GSNC Global Synchronous Channel Number

[0246] ID Identity / Identifier

[0247] LTE Long Term Evolution

[0248] LSB Least Significant Bit

[0249] MCC Mobile Country Code

[0250] MeasObj Measurement object (RRC)

[0251] MIB Master Information Base

[0252] MNC Mobile Network Code

[0253] NGC 5GC; 5G core network

[0254] NR New Radio (5G)

[0255] NRT Neighbor Relationship Table

[0256] NR-U NR Not licensed

[0257] OAM Operation Management Administration

[0258] PBCH Physical Broadcast Channel

[0259] PCI Physical Cell Identifier

[0260] PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0261] PLMN Public Land Mobile Network

[0262] RAT Radio Access Technology

[0263] RMSI Remaining Minimum System Information

[0264] RRC Radio Resource Control

[0265] RSRP Reference Signal Received Power

[0266] RSRQ Reference Signal Received Quality

[0267] SCS Subcarrier Spacing

[0268] SFN System Frame Number

[0269] SIB System Information Block

[0270] SON Self-Organizing Network

[0271] SSB Synchronous Signal Block

[0272] TPMF Time Mode Management Function

[0273] TS Technical Specifications

[0274] UE User Equipment

[0275] UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network

[0276] Xn Interface between two gNBs.

[0277] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described herein are not limited to what has been specifically shown and described above. In addition, unless otherwise specified above, it should be noted that all drawings are not drawn to scale. Various modifications and variations may be made according to the above teachings without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A donor integrated access backhaul IAB node (16) configured with a distributed unit DU for communicating with a wireless device (22) and a central unit CU for communicating with at least a first child IAB node (16), the donor IAB node (16) comprising: A processing circuit (36) configured to: indicating to the at least first child IAB node (16) the determined first synchronization signaling block SSB transmission configuration STC for the at least first child IAB node (16), the first STC being associated with inter-node measurement; The first STC is determined by the CU of the donor IAB node (16).

2. The donor IAB node (16) according to claim 1, wherein: The processing circuit (36) is further configured to: receiving an indication from an operations management and administration (OAM) unit that a second STC has been preconfigured, the second STC being different from the first STC; as well as By making the second STC covered by the first STC, the first sub IAB node (16) is reconfigured from the second STC to the first STC.

3. The donor IAB node (16) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein: The processing circuit (36) is further configured to: determining a plurality of STCs for a plurality of child IAB nodes (16), the plurality of STCs being associated with inter-node measurements and including the first STC, and the plurality of child IAB nodes (16) including the first child IAB node (16); and The plurality of STCs are indicated to the plurality of child IAB nodes (16).

4. The donor IAB node (16) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein: The determination of the first STC for performing inter-node measurement by the first sub-IAB node (16) is based at least on STC time mode information and synchronization signaling block SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC time mode information for multiple DUs and mobile terminals MT associated with multiple sub-IAB nodes (16) and managed by the donor IAB node (16).

5. The donor IAB node (16) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein: The first STC indicates whether one or more SSBs can be muted by the first sub-IAB node (16).

6. The donor IAB node (16) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein: The indication of the first STC to the first child IAB node (16) is provided in system information through an F1 interface between the CU of the donor IAB node (16) and the DU of the first child IAB node (16).

7. The donor IAB node (16) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein: The processing circuit (36) is configured to: determining at least a subset of a plurality of STCs for the first child IAB node (16), the at least a subset of the plurality of STCs including the first STC; as well as The at least a subset of the plurality of STCs is indicated to the first child IAB node (16) to participate in inter-node measurements using one STC of the at least a subset of the plurality of STCs.

8. The donor IAB node (16) according to claim 7, wherein: The processing circuit (36) is further configured to receive an indication of an STC of the at least a subset of the plurality of STCs selected by the child IAB node (16) to participate in inter-node measurements.

9. The donor IAB node (16) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein: The processing circuit (36) is further configured to: Determining that a predefined IAB event occurs; and Determination of the first STC for the first child IAB node (16) is triggered based at least on the occurrence of the predefined IAB event.

10. The donor IAB node (16) according to claim 9, wherein: The predefined IAB event is an IAB network topology change associated with one of adding an IAB node (16) and removing a child IAB node (16) from the IAB network topology; and The processing circuit (36) is further configured to reconfigure the STC associated with at least one remaining child IAB node (16) in the IAB network topology in response to the IAB network topology change.

11. The donor IAB node (16) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein: The first STC indicates at least one of the following: at least one time domain pattern for performing at least one SSB transmission associated with an inter-node measurement; and At least one time domain mode for performing at least one SSB measurement associated with an inter-node measurement.

12. The donor IAB node (16) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein: The first STC is determined and managed by the CU of the donor IAB node (16).

13. A first sub-integrated access backhaul IAB node (16), which is configured with a distributed unit DU for communicating with a wireless device (22) and a mobile terminal MT for communicating with a donor IAB node (16), the first sub-IAB node (16) comprising: A processing circuit (36) configured to: receiving an indication of a first synchronization signaling block SSB transmission configuration STC associated with inter-node measurements from the donor IAB node (16); and performing operations associated with inter-node measurements using the first STC; Wherein, the first STC is transmitted from a central unit CU of the donor IAB node (16) which determines the first STC.

14. The first child IAB node (16) according to claim 13, wherein: The first STC is different from the STC allocated to the first sub-IAB node (16) by the operation management and administration OAM unit.

15. The first child IAB node (16) according to any one of claims 13-14, wherein: The first STC for the first sub-IAB node (16) is based at least on STC time mode information and synchronization signaling block SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC time mode information for multiple DUs and mobile terminals MT associated with multiple sub-IAB nodes (16) managed by the donor IAB node (16), and the multiple sub-IAB nodes include the first sub-IAB node (16).

16. The first child IAB node (16) according to any one of claims 13-14, wherein: The first STC indicates whether one or more SSBs can be muted by the first sub-IAB node (16).

17. The first child IAB node (16) according to any one of claims 13-14, wherein: The indication of at least the first STC to the first child IAB node (16) is received in system information over an F1 interface between a central unit CU of the donor IAB node (16) and the DU of the first child IAB node (16).

18. The first child IAB node (16) according to any one of claims 13-14, wherein: At least the first STC corresponds to at least a subset of a plurality of STCs including the first STC; and The processing circuit (36) is further configured to select the first STC from the at least a subset of the plurality of STCs.

19. The first child IAB node (16) according to claim 18, wherein: The processing circuit (36) is further configured to send an indication that the first STC has been selected.

20. The first child IAB node (16) according to any one of claims 13-14, wherein: The first STC indicates at least one of the following: at least one time domain pattern for performing at least one SSB transmission associated with an inter-node measurement; and At least one time domain mode for performing at least one SSB measurement associated with an inter-node measurement.

21. The first child IAB node (16) according to any one of claims 13-14, wherein: The operation associated with inter-node measurement using the first STC corresponds to SSB transmission associated with inter-node measurement.

22. A method implemented by a donor integrated access backhaul (IAB) node (16), the donor integrated access backhaul node (16) being configured with a distributed unit (DU) for communicating with a wireless device (22) and a central unit (CU) for communicating with at least a first child IAB node (16), the method comprising: indicating to the at least first child IAB node (16) the determined first synchronization signaling block SSB transmission configuration STC for the at least first child IAB node (16), the first STC being associated with inter-node measurement; The first STC is determined by the CU of the donor IAB node (16).

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising: receiving an indication from an operations management and administration (OAM) unit that a second STC has been preconfigured, the second STC being different from the first STC; as well as By making the second STC covered by the first STC, the first sub IAB node (16) is reconfigured from the second STC to the first STC.

24. The method according to any one of claims 22-23, further comprising: determining a plurality of STCs for a plurality of child IAB nodes (16), the plurality of STCs being associated with inter-node measurements and including the first STC, and the plurality of child IAB nodes (16) including the first child IAB node (16); and The plurality of STCs are indicated to the plurality of child IAB nodes (16).

25. The method according to any one of claims 22-23, wherein: The determination of the first STC for performing inter-node measurement by the first sub-IAB node (16) is based at least on STC time mode information and synchronization signaling block SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC time mode information for multiple DUs and mobile terminals MT associated with multiple sub-IAB nodes (16) and managed by the donor IAB node (16).

26. The method according to any one of claims 22-23, wherein: The first STC indicates whether one or more SSBs can be muted by the first sub-IAB node (16).

27. The method according to any one of claims 22-23, wherein: The indication of the first STC to the first child IAB node (16) is provided in system information through an F1 interface between the CU of the donor IAB node (16) and the DU of the first child IAB node (16).

28. The method according to any one of claims 22-23, further comprising: determining at least a subset of a plurality of STCs for the first child IAB node (16), the at least a subset of the plurality of STCs including the first STC; as well as The at least a subset of the plurality of STCs is indicated to the first child IAB node (16) to participate in inter-node measurements using one STC of the at least a subset of the plurality of STCs.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising: An indication of an STC of the at least a subset of the plurality of STCs selected by the child IAB node (16) to participate in inter-node measurements is received.

30. The method according to any one of claims 22-23, further comprising: Determine that a predefined IAB event occurs; as well as Determination of the first STC for the first child IAB node (16) is triggered based at least on the occurrence of the predefined IAB event.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein: The predefined IAB event is an IAB network topology change associated with one of adding a child IAB node (16) and removing a child IAB node (16) from the IAB network topology; as well as The method further includes reconfiguring an STC associated with at least one remaining child IAB node (16) in the IAB network topology in response to the IAB network topology change.

32. The method according to any one of claims 22-23, wherein: The first STC indicates at least one of the following: at least one time domain pattern for performing at least one SSB transmission associated with an inter-node measurement; and At least one time domain mode for performing at least one SSB measurement associated with an inter-node measurement.

33. The method according to any one of claims 22-23, wherein: The first STC is determined and managed by the CU of the donor IAB node (16).

34. A method implemented by a first sub-integrated access backhaul IAB node (16), the first sub-integrated access backhaul IAB node (16) being configured with a distributed unit DU for communicating with a wireless device (22) and a mobile terminal MT for communicating with a donor IAB node (16), the method comprising: receiving (S108) from a donor IAB node (16) an indication of a first synchronization signaling block SSB transmission configuration STC associated with inter-node measurements; as well as performing (S110) operations associated with inter-node measurements using the first STC; Wherein, the first STC is transmitted from a central unit CU of the donor IAB node (16) which determines the first STC.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein: The first STC is different from the STC allocated to the first sub-IAB node (16) by the operation management and administration OAM unit.

36. The method according to any one of claims 34-35, wherein: The first STC for the first sub-IAB node (16) is based at least on STC time mode information and synchronization signaling block SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC time mode information for multiple DUs and mobile terminals MT associated with multiple sub-IAB nodes (16) managed by the donor IAB node (16), and the multiple sub-IAB nodes include the first sub-IAB node (16).

37. The method according to any one of claims 34-35, wherein: The first STC indicates whether one or more SSBs can be muted by the first sub-IAB node (16).

38. The method according to any one of claims 34-35, wherein: The indication of at least the first STC to the first child IAB node (16) is received in system information over an F1 interface between a central unit CU of the donor IAB node (16) and the DU of the first child IAB node (16).

39. The method according to any one of claims 34-35, wherein: at least the first STC corresponds to at least a subset of a plurality of STCs including the first STC; as well as The method further comprises selecting the first STC from the at least a subset of the plurality of STCs.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising: An indication is sent that the first STC has been selected.

41. The method according to any one of claims 34-35, wherein: The first STC indicates at least one of the following: at least one time domain pattern for performing at least one SSB transmission associated with an inter-node measurement; and At least one time domain mode for performing at least one SSB measurement associated with an inter-node measurement.

42. The method according to any one of claims 34-35, wherein: The operation associated with inter-node measurement using the first STC corresponds to SSB transmission associated with inter-node measurement.

Images