Direct or indirect communication between the device and the controller

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a device can measure a set of reference signal received power (RSRP) metrics with respect to reference signals including one or more reference signals from a base station and one or more reference signals from a controller associated with the device; and determine a configuration for receiving communications from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station based at least in part on the RSRP metrics. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 000,871, filed March 27, 2020, entitled “DETERMINING A LINKASSOCIATION FOR A DEVICE,” and U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 16 / 948,107, filed September 3, 2020, entitled “DETERMINING A LINK ASSOCIATION FOR A DEVICE,” which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

[0003] open field

[0004] Various aspects of this disclosure generally relate to wireless communication, and to techniques and apparatus for link association of devices.

[0005] background

[0006] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunications services such as telephone, video, data, messaging, and broadcasting. Typical wireless communication systems employ multiple access technologies that can support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmit power). Examples of such multiple access technologies include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) systems, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) systems, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) systems, Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) systems, Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA) systems, and Long Term Evolution (LTE). LTE / LTE-Advanced is an enhancement set of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile standard issued by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

[0007] Wireless communication networks may include several base stations (BSs) capable of supporting communication between several user equipments (UEs). UEs can communicate with the base stations (BSs) via downlinks and uplinks. A downlink (or forward link) refers to the communication link from the BS to the UE, while an uplink (or reverse link) refers to the communication link from the UE to the BS. As will be described in more detail herein, a BS may be referred to as a B-node, gNB, access point (AP), radio headend, transmit / receive point (TRP), new radio (NR) BS, 5G B-node, etc.

[0008] The multiple access technologies mentioned above have been adopted in various telecommunications standards to provide a common protocol enabling different user equipment to communicate at the city, country, region, and even global levels. New Radio (NR) (also known as 5G) is an enhancement set to the LTE mobile standard issued by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). NR is designed to better support mobile broadband Internet access by using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) with a Cyclic Prefix (CP) (CP-OFDM) on the downlink (DL), CP-OFDM and / or SC-FDM (e.g., also known as Discrete Fourier Transform Extended OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM)) on the uplink (UL), and supporting beamforming, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technologies and carrier aggregation to improve spectral efficiency, reduce costs, improve service, utilize new spectrum, and better integrate with other open standards. However, with the continued growth in demand for mobile broadband access, there is a need for further improvements to LTE and NR technologies. Preferably, these improvements should be applicable to other multiple access technologies and telecommunications standards that employ them.

[0009] Overview

[0010] In some aspects, a wireless communication method performed by a device may include: measuring a set of reference signal received power (RSRP) metrics with respect to reference signals, including one or more reference signals from a base station and one or more reference signals from a controller associated with the device; and determining, at least in part, a configuration for receiving communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station, based on these RSRP metrics.

[0011] In some aspects, a wireless communication method performed by a controller may include: receiving from a device a set of RSRP metrics for reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with a base station and one or more reference signals associated with the controller; and determining, at least in part, a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station, based on these RSRP metrics.

[0012] In some aspects, a wireless communication method performed by a base station may include: receiving from a device a set of RSRP metrics for reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with the base station and one or more reference signals associated with a controller associated with the device; and determining, at least in part, a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station, based on these RSRP metrics.

[0013] In some aspects, a device for wireless communication may include a memory and one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory. The memory and the one or more processors may be configured to: measure a set of RSRP metrics with respect to reference signals, including one or more reference signals from a base station and one or more reference signals from a controller associated with the device; and determine, at least in part, a configuration for receiving communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station, based on these RSRP metrics.

[0014] In some aspects, a controller for wireless communication may include a memory and one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory. The memory and the one or more processors may be configured to: receive from a device a set of RSRP metrics for reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with a base station and one or more reference signals associated with the controller; and determine, at least in part, a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station, based on these RSRP metrics.

[0015] In some aspects, a base station for wireless communication may include a memory and one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory. The memory and the one or more processors may be configured to: receive from a device a set of RSRP metrics for reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with the base station and one or more reference signals associated with a controller associated with the device; and determine, at least in part, a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station, based on these RSRP metrics.

[0016] In some aspects, a non-transient computer-readable medium may store one or more instructions for wireless communication. When executed by one or more processors of the device, the one or more processors may cause the one or more processors to: measure a set of RSRP metrics with respect to reference signals, including one or more reference signals from a base station and one or more reference signals from a controller associated with the device; and determine, at least in part, a configuration for receiving communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station, based on these RSRP metrics.

[0017] In some aspects, a non-transient computer-readable medium may store one or more instructions for wireless communication. When executed by one or more processors of a controller, the one or more instructions may cause the processors to receive from a device a set of RSRP metrics for reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with a base station and one or more reference signals associated with the controller; and to determine, at least in part, a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station, based on these RSRP metrics.

[0018] In some aspects, a non-transient computer-readable medium may store one or more instructions for wireless communication. When executed by one or more processors of a base station, the one or more instructions may cause the processors to: receive from a device a set of RSRP metrics for reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with the base station and one or more reference signals associated with a controller associated with the device; and determine, at least in part, a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station, based on these RSRP metrics.

[0019] In some aspects, an apparatus for wireless communication may include: means for measuring a set of RSRP metrics with respect to reference signals, including one or more reference signals from a base station and one or more reference signals from a controller associated with the apparatus; and means for determining, at least in part, a configuration for receiving communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station, based on these RSRP metrics.

[0020] In some aspects, an apparatus for wireless communication may include: means for receiving from the device a set of RSRP metrics about reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with a base station and one or more reference signals associated with the apparatus; and means for determining, at least in part, a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station, based on these RSRP metrics.

[0021] In some aspects, an apparatus for wireless communication may include: means for receiving from the device a set of RSRP metrics about reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with the apparatus and one or more reference signals associated with a controller associated with the device; and means for determining, at least in part, a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the apparatus, based on the RSRP metrics.

[0022] The aspects generally include, as substantially described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings and description, methods, apparatus, systems, computer program products, non-transient computer-readable media, user equipment, base stations, wireless communication devices and / or processing systems.

[0023] The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the examples according to this disclosure in an effort to facilitate a better understanding of the following detailed description. Additional features and advantages will be described thereafter. The disclosed concepts and specific examples can be readily used as the basis for modifications or the design of other structures for implementing the same purposes as this disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. The characteristics of the concepts disclosed herein, in both their organization and manner of operation, and their associated advantages, will be better understood by considering the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Each drawing is provided for illustrative and descriptive purposes and not for defining limitations on the claims. Brief description of the attached diagram

[0025] To gain a more detailed understanding of the features described above in this disclosure, reference can be made to various aspects of the above brief overview, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings illustrate only certain typical aspects of this disclosure and should not be considered as limiting its scope, as other equivalent aspects are permissible in this description. Identical reference numerals in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

[0026] Figure 1 It is a block diagram that conceptually illustrates examples of wireless communication networks according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a block diagram that conceptually illustrates an example of a base station and a UE communicating in a wireless communication network according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of link association of devices according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of link association of devices according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of determining the link association of devices according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an example of link association of devices according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0032] Figure 7This is a diagram illustrating an example of link association of devices according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0033] Figure 8 It is a diagram illustrating, for example, an example process performed by a device according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0034] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating, for example, an example process performed by a controller according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0035] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating, for example, an example process performed by a base station according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0036] Detailed description

[0037] The various aspects of this disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to any specific structure or function given throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the scope of this disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of this disclosure disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of or in combination with any other aspect of this disclosure. For example, any number of aspects set forth herein may be used to implement an apparatus or method of practice. Furthermore, the scope of this disclosure is intended to cover such apparatus or methods practiced using additional structures, functionalities, or structures and functionalities that complement or supplement the various aspects of this disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect of this disclosure disclosed herein may be implemented by one or more elements of the claims.

[0038] Several aspects of a telecommunications system will now be described with reference to various devices and techniques. These devices and techniques will be described in the following detailed description and explained in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively, "elements"). These elements can be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0039] It should be noted that although the aspects herein may be described using terms commonly associated with 3G and / or 4G wireless technologies, the aspects of this disclosure may be applied to communication systems based on other generations, such as 5G and later, including NR technologies.

[0040] Figure 1This is a diagram illustrating a wireless network 100 in which various aspects of this disclosure may be practiced. Wireless network 100 may be an LTE network or some other wireless network, such as a 5G or NR network. Wireless network 100 may include several BS 110s (shown as BS 110a, BS 110b, BS 110c, and BS 110d) and other network entities. A BS is an entity that communicates with a user equipment (UE) and may also be referred to as a base station, NR BS, B-node, gNB, 5G B-node (NB), access point, transmit / receive point (TRP), etc. Each BS may provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area. In 3GPP, the term "cell" may refer to the coverage area of ​​a BS and / or the BS subsystem serving that coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used.

[0041] A BS can provide communication coverage for macrocells, picocells, femtocells, and / or another type of cell. Macrocells can cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and allow unrestricted access by UEs with a service subscription. Picocells can cover a relatively small geographic area and allow unrestricted access by UEs with a service subscription. Femtocells can cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a residential area) and allow restricted access by UEs associated with that femtocell (e.g., UEs in a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG)). A BS used for macrocells may be referred to as a macro BS. A BS used for picocells may be referred to as a pico BS. A BS used for femtocells may be referred to as a femto BS or a home BS. Figure 1 In the example shown, BS 110a can be a macro BS for macro cell 102a, BS 110b can be a pico BS for pico cell 102b, and BS 110c can be a femto BS for femto cell 102c. A BS can support one or more (e.g., three) cells. The terms “eNB,” “base station,” “NR BS,” “gNB,” “TRP,” “AP,” “B node,” “5G NB,” and “cell” are used interchangeably herein.

[0042] In some respects, the cell may not be stationary, and the geographical area of ​​the cell may move depending on the location of the mobile BS. In some respects, BSs may interconnect with each other and / or interconnect to one or more other BSs or network nodes (not shown) in the wireless network 100 using any suitable transport network through various types of backhaul interfaces (such as direct physical connections, virtual networks, etc.).

[0043] The wireless network 100 may also include a relay station. A relay station is an entity capable of receiving data transmissions from an upstream station (e.g., a BS or a UE) and transmitting those data transmissions to a downstream station (e.g., a UE or a BS). A relay station can also be a UE capable of relaying transmissions for other UEs. Figure 1 In the example shown, relay station 110d can communicate with macro BS 110a and UE 120d to facilitate communication between BS 110a and UE 120d. A relay station may also be referred to as a relay BS, relay base station, relay, etc.

[0044] Wireless network 100 can be a heterogeneous network comprising different types of Base Stations (BSs) (e.g., macro BSs, pico BSs, femto BSs, relay BSs, etc.). These different types of BSs may have different transmit power levels, different coverage areas, and different effects on interference in wireless network 100. For example, macro BSs may have high transmit power levels (e.g., 5 to 40 watts), while pico BSs, femto BSs, and relay BSs may have lower transmit power levels (e.g., 0.1 to 2 watts).

[0045] Network controller 130 can be coupled to a set of Base Stations (BSs) and can provide coordination and control over these BSs. Network controller 130 can communicate with each BS via backhaul. These BSs can also communicate with each other directly or indirectly, for example, via wireless or wired backhaul.

[0046] UE 120 (e.g., 120a, 120b, 120c) may be distributed throughout the wireless network 100, and each UE may be stationary or mobile. UE may also be referred to as an access terminal, terminal, mobile station, subscriber unit, station, etc. UE may be a cellular phone (e.g., a smartphone), personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless modem, wireless communication device, handheld device, laptop computer, cordless phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, tablet, camera, gaming device, netbook, smartbook, ultrabook, medical device or equipment, biometric sensor / device, wearable device (smartwatch, smart clothing, smart glasses, smart wristband, smart jewelry (e.g., smart ring, smart bracelet)), entertainment device (e.g., music or video device, or satellite radio), vehicle component or sensor, smart meter / sensor, industrial manufacturing equipment, GPS device, or any other suitable device configured to communicate via wireless or wired media.

[0047] Some UEs can be considered Machine-Type Communication (MTC) UEs, or evolved or enhanced Machine-Type Communication (eMTC) UEs. MTC and eMTC UEs include, for example, robots, drones, remote devices, sensors, meters, monitors, location tags, etc., which can communicate with a base station, another device (e.g., a remote device), or some other entity. Wireless nodes can provide connectivity to or to a network (e.g., a wide area network such as the Internet) or a cellular network, for example, via wired or wireless communication links. Some UEs can be considered Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and / or can be implemented as NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) devices. Some UEs can be considered Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). UE120 can be included within a housing that houses the components of UE120, such as processor components, memory components, etc. In some aspects, the processor components and memory components can be coupled together. For example, the processor components (e.g., one or more processors) and memory components (e.g., memory) can be operatively coupled, communicatively coupled, electronically coupled, electrically coupled, etc.

[0048] Generally, any number of wireless networks can be deployed in a given geographical area. Each wireless network can support a specific Radio Access Technology (RAT) and can operate on one or more frequencies. A RAT may also be referred to as a radio technology, air interface, etc. A frequency may also be referred to as a carrier, frequency channel, etc. Each frequency can support a single RAT in a given geographical area to avoid interference between wireless networks using different RATs. In some cases, NR or 5GRAT networks can be deployed.

[0049] In some respects, two or more UEs 120 (e.g., shown as UE 120a and UE 120e) may communicate directly using one or more sidelink channels (e.g., without using base station 110 as an intermediary). For example, UEs 120 may communicate using peer-to-peer (P2P) communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) protocols (e.g., which may include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) protocols, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) protocols, etc.), mesh networks, etc. In this scenario, UEs 120 may perform scheduling operations, resource selection operations, and / or other operations described elsewhere herein as being performed by base station 110.

[0050] As indicated above, Figure 1 This is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from the one provided. Figure 1 The example described.

[0051] Figure 2A block diagram of a design 200 for base station 110 and UE 120 is shown. Base station 110 and UE 120 can be Figure 1 One of the base stations and one of the UEs. Base station 110 may be equipped with T antennas 234a to 234t, while UE 120 may be equipped with R antennas 252a to 252r, where generally T≥1 and R≥1.

[0052] At base station 110, transmit processor 220 can receive data destined for one or more UEs from data source 212, select one or more modulation and coding schemes (MCS) for each UE based at least in part on channel quality indicators (CQI) received from each UE, process (e.g., encode and modulate) the data for each UE based at least in part on the MCS selected for each UE, and provide data symbols for all UEs. Transmit processor 220 can also process system information (e.g., semi-static resource allocation information (SRPI) and control information (e.g., CQI requests, grants, upper-layer signaling, etc.) and provide overhead symbols and control symbols. Transmit processor 220 can also generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., cell-specific reference signals (CRS)) and synchronization signals (e.g., primary synchronization signal (PSS) and secondary synchronization signal (SSS)). The transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor 230 can perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on ​​data symbols, control symbols, overhead symbols, and / or reference symbols, where applicable, and can provide T output symbol streams to T modulators (MODs) 232a to 232t. Each modulator 232 can process its own output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modulator 232 can further process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and up-convert) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink signal. The T downlink signals from modulators 232a to 232t can be transmitted via T antennas 234a to 234t, respectively. According to the aspects described in more detail below, position coding can be used to generate synchronization signals to convey additional information.

[0053] At UE 120, antennas 252a to 252r can receive downlink signals from base station 110 and / or other base stations and can provide the received signals to demodulators (DEMODs) 254a to 254r respectively. Each demodulator 254 can condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) the received signal to obtain an input sample. Each demodulator 254 can further process the input sample (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain received symbols. MIMO detector 256 can obtain the received symbols from all R demodulators 254a to 254r, perform MIMO detection on these received symbols where applicable, and provide detected symbols. Receiver processor 258 can process (e.g., demodulate and decode) these detected symbols, provide the decoded data for UE 120 to data receiver 260, and provide the decoded control information and system information to controller / processor 280. The channel processor can determine the Reference Received Power (RSRP), Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Reference Received Quality (RSRQ), Channel Quality Indicator (CQI), and so on. In some respects, one or more components of the UE 120 may be included in the housing.

[0054] On the uplink, at UE 120, transmit processor 264 can receive and process data from data source 262 and control information from controller / processor 280 (e.g., reports including RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ, CQI, etc.). Transmit processor 264 can also generate reference symbols for one or more reference signals. Symbols from transmit processor 264 can be pre-encoded by TX MIMO processor 266 where applicable, further processed by modulators 254a to 254r (e.g., for DFT-s-OFDM, CP-OFDM, etc.), and transmitted to base station 110. At base station 110, uplink signals from UE 120 and other UEs can be received by antenna 234, processed by demodulator 232, detected by MIMO detector 236 where applicable, and further processed by receive processor 238 to obtain decoded data and control information transmitted by UE 120. The receiver processor 238 can provide decoded data to the data receiver 239 and decoded control information to the controller / processor 240. The base station 110 may include a communication unit 244 and communicate with the network controller 130 via the communication unit 244. The network controller 130 may include a communication unit 294, a controller / processor 290, and a memory 292.

[0055] The controller / processor 240 of base station 110, the controller / processor 280 of UE 120, and / or Figure 2Any other component may perform one or more technologies associated with determining the link association of the device according to various aspects of this disclosure, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, the controller / processor 240 of base station 110, the controller / processor 280 of UE 120, and / or Figure 2 Any other component may execute or direct, for example Figure 8 The process 800 Figure 9 The process 900 Figure 10 The operation of process 1000 and / or other processes as described herein. Memory 242 and 282 may store data and program code for base station 110 and UE 120, respectively. In some aspects, memory 242 and / or memory 282 may include a non-transient computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions for wireless communication. For example, these one or more instructions may be executable or directive, when executed by one or more processors of base station 110 and / or UE 120 (e.g., directly, or after compilation, translation, interpretation, etc.). Figure 8 The process 800 Figure 9 The process 900 Figure 10 The operation of process 1000 and / or other processes as described herein. In some aspects, the execution instructions may include run instructions, conversion instructions, compilation instructions, interpretation instructions, etc. Scheduler 246 may schedule the UE for data transmission on the downlink and / or uplink.

[0056] In some aspects, UE 120 (e.g., device) may include: means for measuring a set of RSRP metrics with respect to reference signals, including one or more reference signals from a base station and one or more reference signals from a controller associated with the device; means for determining, at least in part, a configuration for receiving communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station, based on these RSRP metrics; and so on. In some aspects, such means may include a combination of Figure 2 One or more components of the described UE 120, such as controller / processor 280, transmit processor 264, TX MIMO processor 266, MOD 254, antenna 252, DEMOD 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, etc.

[0057] In some aspects, UE 120 (e.g., a controller) may include: means for receiving from a device a set of RSRP metrics regarding reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with a base station and one or more reference signals associated with the controller; means for determining, at least in part, a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station, based on these RSRP metrics; and so on. In some aspects, such means may include a combination of Figure 2 One or more components of the described UE 120, such as controller / processor 280, transmit processor 264, TX MIMO processor 266, MOD 254, antenna 252, DEMOD 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, etc.

[0058] In some aspects, base station 110 (e.g., a controller) may include: means for receiving from a device a set of RSRP metrics regarding reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with the base station and one or more reference signals associated with the controller; means for determining, at least in part, a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station, based on these RSRP metrics; and so on. In some aspects, such means may include a combination of Figure 2 One or more components of the described base station 110, such as antenna 234, DEMOD 232, MIMO detector 236, receiver processor 238, controller / processor 240, transmitter processor 220, TXMIMO processor 230, MOD 232, antenna 234, etc.

[0059] In some aspects, base station 110 may include: means for receiving from a device a set of RSRP metrics regarding reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with the base station and one or more reference signals associated with a controller associated with the device; means for determining, at least in part, a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station, based on these RSRP metrics; and so on. In some aspects, such means may include a combination of Figure 2 One or more components of the described base station 110, such as antenna 234, DEMOD 232, MIMO detector 236, receiver processor 238, controller / processor 240, transmitter processor 220, TX MIMO processor 230, MOD 232, antenna 234, etc.

[0060] As indicated above, Figure 2 This is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from the one provided. Figure 2 The example described.

[0061] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating example 300 of link associations of devices according to various aspects of this disclosure. As shown, a base station, one or more controllers, and one or more devices can communicate via a wireless network. The one or more controllers can generate data to control the operation of the device. In some aspects, the wireless network may include an industrial IoT wireless network.

[0062] In some wireless networks (e.g., in industrial IoT wireless networks), communication from the controller to associated devices (e.g., sensors, actuators, etc.) may have latency requirements, reliability requirements, and so on. For example, communication may have latency requirements of approximately 1 to 2 milliseconds and reliability requirements of less than 10 milliseconds. -5 Up to 10 -6 Error rate reliability requirements. Control and data channels may need to meet latency and / or reliability requirements. To meet latency and / or reliability requirements, the controller can be configured to use semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) resources for the initial transmission and to schedule additional resources for retransmissions using physical downlink control channel or physical sidelink control channel messages.

[0063] like Figure 3 As shown by reference numeral 305, the base station can transmit scheduling information to the controller. This scheduling information may include resource allocations for each communication between the controller and associated devices. Alternatively, the scheduling information may include resource allocations that the controller can use to allocate resources for individual communications between the controller and associated devices. As shown by reference numerals 310 and 315, the controller can use direct communication links to communicate with associated devices.

[0064] As shown by reference numeral 320, the base station may transmit scheduling information to another controller. This scheduling information may include resource allocation for communication between the other controller and associated devices. Resource allocation for the other controller may be at least partially based on other network traffic (e.g., communication involving other controllers, other devices, etc.). As shown by reference numerals 325 and 330, the other controller may use a direct communication link to communicate with the associated devices.

[0065] Based at least in part on the use of direct communication links, wireless networks can meet latency requirements and maintain a relatively low load on the network. However, if the quality of the direct communication link is poor, it may fail to meet reliability requirements.

[0066] As indicated above, Figure 3 This is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from the one provided. Figure 3 The example described.

[0067] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating example 400 of link associations of devices according to various aspects of this disclosure. As shown, a base station, one or more controllers, and one or more devices can communicate via a wireless network. The one or more controllers can generate data to control the operation of the device. In some aspects, the wireless network may include an industrial IoT wireless network.

[0068] like Figure 4 As shown by reference numerals 405 and 410, the first and second controllers can transmit device-specific communications to the base station. As shown by reference numerals 415, 420, and 425, the base station can transmit device-specific communications. This configuration can be referred to as a 2-hop configuration.

[0069] At least in part, the reliability of communication to the device can meet reliability requirements based on the use of a 2-hop configuration. For example, the base station can be located in a location that provides relatively good coverage. In some aspects, the base station can be located near the ceiling of a room, while one or more controllers can be located near the floor of the room (e.g., where the possibility of obstacles (permanent or temporary) between the controller and associated equipment increases). Additionally or alternatively, the base station can be configured with components configured to provide (e.g., relative to the components of the controller) relatively good coverage.

[0070] However, at least in part, based on the use of a 2-hop configuration, computational, communication, and network resources may be unnecessarily used to provide the device with communication that might otherwise have been provided using a direct communication link between the controller and the device. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may become overloaded (e.g., causing the base station to drop data packets), transmissions to the base station may interfere with each other, and / or the base station may have scheduling constraints that could lead to delays (which may prevent it from meeting latency requirements).

[0071] As indicated above, Figure 4 This is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from the one provided. Figure 4 The example described.

[0072] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating example 500 of determining the link association of devices according to various aspects of this disclosure. As shown, a base station (e.g., base station 110), a controller (e.g., base station 110 or UE 120), and a device (e.g., UE 120) can communicate via a wireless network (e.g., wireless network 100). The controller can generate data to control the operation of the device. In some aspects, the wireless network may include an industrial IoT wireless network.

[0073] In some aspects, the device may be a sensor and / or actuator. In some aspects, the controller may be a programmable logic controller (PLC). The controller may be configured to operate as a UE, base station, picocell, femtocell, etc. In some aspects, the device and controller may be associated at least partially based on application-based association. In other words, the device and controller may be associated at least partially based on more than one link quality indicator (e.g., RSRP metric, Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) metric, number of allocated resource blocks, etc.). In some aspects, the device and controller may be associated independently of link quality indicators.

[0074] As indicated by reference numeral 505, the base station may transmit Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, System Information Blocks (SIBs), Media Access Control (MAC) CEs, etc., to the device. In some aspects, the RRC signaling, SIBs, MAC CEs, etc., may include information for determining the configuration for the device to receive communications from the controller. For example, this configuration may indicate whether to receive communications from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station.

[0075] In some aspects, the configuration may include a bias for determining a configuration for receiving communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via a base station. For example, the bias may be based at least in part on a first resource requirement for receiving communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller and a second resource requirement for receiving communication from the controller via a base station. In other words, the bias may be based at least in part on a first load on the network when the device is configured to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link, and at least in part on a second load on the network when the device is configured to receive communication from the controller via a base station.

[0076] Additionally or alternatively, the bias may indicate a preference for 1-hop communication, a preference for 2-hop communication, a preference for side-link communication, a preference for Uu communication, a preference for receiving communication from the controller, a preference for receiving communication from the base station, and so on.

[0077] This bias can indicate the amount, proportion, etc., that must be overcome by the difference between the link quality indicators used for the link between the device and the controller and those used for the link between the device and the base station. For example, the bias can indicate a 20% bias to favor the link between the device and the controller. This bias can also indicate that the link between the device and the controller should be selected unless the link quality indicators (e.g., RSRP, SINR, number of allocated resource blocks, etc.) used for the link between the device and the base station are 20% better (e.g., 20% higher, 20% larger, etc.) than those used for the link between the device and the controller.

[0078] As indicated by reference numeral 510 in the accompanying drawings, a base station may transmit RRC signaling, SIBs, MAC CEs, etc., to a controller. In some aspects, the base station may transmit RRC signaling, SIBs, MAC CEs, etc., to the controller at least in part based on a configuration of the controller being set to determine for a device to receive communications directed to the controller. In some aspects, the base station may transmit RRC signaling, SIBs, MAC CEs, etc., to the controller as an alternative to or supplement to transmitting them to the device. As discussed herein, RRC signaling, SIBs, MAC CEs, etc., may include configurations for biasing. In some aspects, the configurations for biasing may indicate a process for determining bias or an explicit indication of such bias.

[0079] As indicated by reference numeral 515, the device can be configured (e.g., at least in part based on RRC signaling, SIB, MAC CE, etc.). In some aspects, the controller can be additionally or alternatively configured at least in part based on RRC signaling, SIB, MAC CE, etc.

[0080] As indicated by reference numeral 520, the base station may transmit one or more reference signals (e.g., Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS)) to the device. As indicated by reference numeral 525, the controller may transmit one or more reference signals (e.g., CSI-RS) to the device. As indicated by reference numeral 530, the device may measure one or more reference signal metrics, at least in part, based on one or more reference signals from the base station and one or more reference signals from the controller. In some aspects, the device may determine one or more link quality indicators for each of the links between the device and the controller and between the device and the base station.

[0081] As indicated by reference numeral 535, the device may report reference signal metrics to the base station. In other words, the base station may receive a set of reference signal metrics (e.g., RSRP metrics) relating to reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with the base station and one or more reference signals associated with a controller associated with the device. In some aspects, the base station may receive the set of reference signal metrics via a controller.

[0082] As indicated by reference numeral 540, the device may report reference signal metrics to the controller. In other words, the controller may receive a set of reference signal metrics (e.g., RSRP metrics) relating to reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with the base station and one or more reference signals associated with the controller. In some aspects, the device may report reference signal metrics to the controller, and the controller may report reference signal metrics to the base station.

[0083] As indicated by reference numeral 545, the base station can determine a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via the direct communication link with the controller or via the base station. In some aspects, the base station can determine this configuration based at least in part on a link quality indicator (e.g., RSRP metric) associated with the controller and a link quality indicator associated with the base station. In some aspects, the base station can determine this configuration based at least in part on an offset (e.g., as a supplement to the link quality indicator).

[0084] In some aspects, this configuration may instruct the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link. In some aspects, this configuration may instruct the device to receive communication from the controller via the base station. In some aspects, this configuration may instruct the device to receive transmissions of communication via a direct link to the controller and to receive retransmissions of communication via the base station.

[0085] As indicated by reference numeral 550 in the accompanying drawings, the base station can transmit an indication to either the selection controller or the base station for receiving communications. In some aspects, the base station can transmit this indication to the device. In some aspects, the base station can transmit this indication to the controller. In some aspects, the base station can transmit this indication to the device via the controller.

[0086] As indicated by reference numeral 555, the controller can determine the configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via the direct communication link with the controller or via the base station. In some aspects, the controller can make the determination based at least in part on instructions from the base station. In other aspects, the controller can make the determination without or independently of instructions from the base station.

[0087] In some aspects, the controller may determine the configuration based at least in part on link quality indicators (e.g., RSRP metric) associated with the controller and link quality indicators associated with the base station. In other aspects, the base station may determine the configuration based at least in part on bias (e.g., as a supplement to the link quality indicators).

[0088] As indicated by reference numeral 560 in the accompanying drawings, the controller may transmit instructions regarding the configuration to the device. In some aspects, the controller may transmit the instructions at least in part based on receiving instructions from the base station. In other aspects, the controller may transmit the instructions at least in part based on making a determination in the absence of or independently of instructions from the base station.

[0089] As indicated by reference numeral 565, the device can determine a configuration for receiving communication from the controller (e.g., via a direct communication link with the controller or via a base station). In some aspects, the device can determine the configuration based at least in part on instructions from the base station and / or the controller. In other aspects, the device can make the determination without or independently of instructions from the base station or the controller.

[0090] In some respects (e.g., when the device is in idle mode), the device may determine its configuration based at least in part on link quality indicators associated with the controller and link quality indicators associated with the base station. In some respects, the base station may determine its configuration based at least in part on an offset (e.g., as a supplement to the link quality indicators).

[0091] As indicated by reference numeral 570 in the accompanying drawings, the device can receive two-hop communications via a base station. In some aspects, the device can receive all communications (e.g., during a time period) via a base station. In other aspects, the device can receive retransmissions of communications via a base station.

[0092] As shown by reference numeral 575, the device can communicate with the controller using either a PC5 interface or a Uu interface. For example, the device can communicate with the controller via one or more sidelink channels using the PC5 interface. Alternatively, the device can communicate with the controller via the Uu interface, at least in part, based on control information from the controller (e.g., where the controller schedules communication between the controller and the device).

[0093] Configuration is determined at least in part based on device bias, and the network can provide parameters as supplementary indicators of link quality to determine the configuration. This avoids unnecessarily dedicating computational, network, and / or communication resources to communication between the controller and the device. Additionally or alternatively, the configuration may be biased to reduce certain configurations that are discouraged (e.g., based at least in part on consuming network resources), unless that bias is overcome (e.g., to meet latency and / or reliability requirements for communication).

[0094] As indicated above, Figure 5 This is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from the one provided. Figure 5 The example described.

[0095] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating example 600 of link associations of devices according to various aspects of this disclosure. As shown, a base station (e.g., base station 110), one or more controllers (e.g., base station 110 or UE 120), and one or more devices (e.g., UE 120) can communicate via a wireless network (e.g., wireless network 100). The one or more controllers can generate data to control the operation of the devices. In some aspects, the wireless network may include an industrial IoT wireless network.

[0096] like Figure 6 As shown by reference numerals 605 and 610 in the accompanying drawings, the controller may attempt to transmit communication to the associated device. For example, the controller may transmit a raw transmission to the device. The controller may receive an acknowledgement or a negative acknowledgement associated with the transmitted communication, or may fail to receive feedback associated with the transmitted communication. The controller may determine that a retransmission is necessary based at least in part on receiving a negative acknowledgement or failing to receive feedback. If the controller determines that a retransmission is necessary, the controller may determine whether a retransmission is necessary based at least in part on obstacles, interference, etc., caused by (e.g., obstructions).

[0097] As shown by reference numeral 615 in the attached figure, the base station can also receive communications intended for transmission to associated devices. The base station can receive transmissions from the controller so that it can retransmit these transmissions (if necessary).

[0098] As shown by reference numerals 635, 640, and 645 in the accompanying drawings, a base station may retransmit transmitted communications to a device. The base station may retransmit transmitted communications at least in part based on receiving an instruction from a controller, device, etc., indicating that the base station intends to retransmit the transmitted communications.

[0099] This configuration improves communication reliability when the base station can be used to retransmit communication from the controller to the device. For example, the base station can provide spatial diversity, which can avoid obstacles that impede transmission from one or more controllers to the associated device. In some aspects, this configuration can be selected for one or more devices. In some aspects, this configuration can be selected at least in part based on one or more link quality indicators, offsets, etc. In some aspects, base stations, controllers, devices, etc., can select this configuration for one or more of these devices.

[0100] As indicated above, Figure 6 This is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from the one provided. Figure 6 The example described.

[0101] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating example 700 of link associations of devices according to various aspects of this disclosure. As shown, a base station (e.g., base station 110), one or more controllers (e.g., base station 110 or UE 120), and one or more devices (e.g., UE 120) can communicate via a wireless network (e.g., wireless network 100). The one or more controllers can generate data to control the operation of the devices. In some aspects, the wireless network may include an industrial IoT wireless network.

[0102] As shown by reference numeral 705, the controller can use a direct communication link to transmit communication to the device. As shown by reference numeral 710, the controller can transmit communication to the base station.

[0103] As shown by reference numeral 715, another controller can use a direct communication link to transmit communication to the device. As shown by reference numeral 720, this other controller can transmit communication to the base station.

[0104] As indicated by reference numeral 725 in the accompanying drawings, a base station can transmit communications to one or more devices. In some aspects, the communications may be raw transmissions that the controller and the other controller have not previously attempted to transmit to the one or more devices. In some aspects, the one or more devices may be configured to receive communications as two-hop communications, as selected according to one or more techniques described herein.

[0105] As indicated by reference numerals 730 and 735 in the accompanying drawings, the base station can retransmit communications to an auxiliary device. In some aspects, the auxiliary device can be configured to receive the original transmission via an associated controller and to receive retransmissions via the base station, as selected according to one or more techniques described herein.

[0106] In this way, only some devices can use 2-hop communication, some devices can use a direct communication link with the controller, and some devices can use both (e.g., using the direct communication link for the original transmission and using 2-hop communication for retransmission).

[0107] As indicated above, Figure 7 This is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from the one provided. Figure 7 The example described.

[0108] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating, for example, an example process 800 performed by a device according to various aspects of this disclosure. Example process 800 is an example of a device (e.g., UE 120, etc.) performing operations associated with determining the link association of the device.

[0109] like Figure 8 As shown, in some aspects, process 800 may include measuring a set of RSRP metrics with respect to reference signals, including one or more reference signals from a base station and one or more reference signals from a controller associated with the device (block 810). For example, a device (e.g., using antenna 252, DEMOD 254, MIMO detector 256, receiver processor 258, controller / processor 280, etc.) may measure a set of RSRP metrics with respect to reference signals, including one or more reference signals from a base station and one or more reference signals from a controller associated with the device, as described above.

[0110] like Figure 8 As further shown, in some aspects, process 800 may include determining, at least in part, a configuration for receiving communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station based on these RSRP metrics (block 820). For example, a device (e.g., using controller / processor 280, etc.) may determine, at least in part, a configuration for receiving communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station based on these RSRP metrics, as described above.

[0111] Process 800 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and / or in conjunction with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0112] In the first aspect, the device is associated with the controller via an application-based association.

[0113] In a second aspect, either alone or in combination with the first aspect, determining the configuration for receiving communication from the controller via the direct communication link with the controller or via the base station includes: determining, at least in part, to receive communication via the direct communication link with the controller based on the fact that the RSRP metric associated with the controller is greater than the RSRP metric associated with the base station.

[0114] In a third aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, process 800 includes receiving a configuration for determining a bias for receiving communication from the controller via the direct communication link with the controller or via the base station; and determining the configuration for receiving communication from the controller via the direct communication link with the controller or via the base station based at least in part on the bias.

[0115] In the fourth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to third aspects, process 800 includes receiving an indication of the bias via one or more of the following: SIB, RRC signaling, or MAC CE.

[0116] In the fifth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fourth aspects, the bias is based at least in part on one or more of the following: a first resource requirement for receiving communication from the controller via the direct communication link with the controller and a second resource requirement for receiving communication from the controller via the base station, a preference for 1-hop communication, a preference for 2-hop communication, a preference for side-link communication, a preference for Uu communication, a preference for receiving communication from the controller, or a preference for receiving communication from the base station.

[0117] In a sixth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fifth aspects, process 800 includes determining a configuration for receiving communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller, wherein the configuration indicates receiving transmissions of communication via the direct link with the controller and receiving retransmissions of communication via the base station.

[0118] In the seventh aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to sixth aspects, process 800 includes determining a configuration for receiving communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller, wherein the configuration indicates that the transmission of communication is to be received via a PC5 interface or a Uu interface using a direct link with the controller.

[0119] In the eighth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to seventh aspects, process 800 includes reporting a set of RSRP metrics to the controller or the base station.

[0120] In the ninth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eighth aspects, determining the configuration for receiving communication from the controller via the direct communication link with the controller or via the base station includes: receiving from the base station an indication to select either the controller or the base station for receiving communication from the controller, or receiving from the controller an indication to select either the controller or the base station for receiving communication from the controller.

[0121] In the tenth aspect, the device is a sensor or actuator, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to ninth aspects.

[0122] In the eleventh aspect, the controller is PCL, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to tenth aspects.

[0123] In the twelfth aspect, the configuration is determined, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eleventh aspects, to be further based at least in part on one or more of the following: the SINR metric or the number of allocated resource blocks for the link between the device and the controller, or the SINR metric or the number of allocated resource blocks for the link between the device and the base station.

[0124] although Figure 8 An example box of process 800 is shown, but in some respects, process 800 may include... Figure 8 The boxes depicted in the process are compared to additional boxes, fewer boxes, different boxes, or boxes arranged differently. Additionally or alternatively, two or more boxes in process 800 can be executed in parallel.

[0125] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating, for example, an example process 900 performed by a controller according to various aspects of this disclosure. Example process 900 is an example of a controller (e.g., UE 120 or base station 110, etc.) performing operations associated with determining the link association of a device.

[0126] like Figure 9 As shown, in some aspects, process 900 may include receiving a set of RSRP metrics from the device regarding reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with a base station and one or more reference signals associated with the controller (block 910). For example, a controller (e.g., using antenna 252, DEMOD 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, controller / processor 280, antenna 234, DEMOD 232, MIMO register 236, receive processor 238, controller / processor 240, etc.) may receive a set of RSRP metrics from the device regarding reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with a base station and one or more reference signals associated with the controller, as described above.

[0127] like Figure 9 As further shown, in some aspects, process 900 may include determining, at least in part, a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station based on these RSRP metrics (block 920). For example, the controller (e.g., using controller / processor 280, controller / processor 240, etc.) may determine, at least in part, a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station based on these RSRP metrics, as described above.

[0128] Process 900 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and / or in conjunction with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0129] In the first aspect, the controller is associated with the device via an application-based association.

[0130] In a second aspect, either alone or in combination with the first aspect, determining the configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via the direct communication link with the controller or via the base station includes: determining, at least in part, that the device should receive communication via the direct communication link with the controller based on the fact that the RSRP metric associated with the controller is greater than the RSRP metric associated with the base station.

[0131] In a third aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, process 900 includes receiving a configuration for biasing when determining a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via the direct communication link with the controller or via the base station; and determining the configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via the direct communication link with the controller or via the base station based at least in part on the bias.

[0132] In the fourth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to third aspects, process 900 includes receiving an instruction on the configuration via one or more of SIB, RRC signaling, or MAC CE.

[0133] In the fifth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fourth aspects, the bias is based at least in part on one or more of the following: a first resource requirement for the device to receive communication from the controller via the direct communication link with the controller and a second resource requirement for the device to receive communication from the controller via the base station, a preference for 1-hop communication, a preference for 2-hop communication, a preference for side-link communication, a preference for Uu communication, a preference for the device to receive communication from the controller, or a preference for the device to receive communication from the base station.

[0134] In a sixth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fifth aspects, process 900 includes determining a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller, wherein the configuration instructs the device to receive transmissions of communication via a direct link with the controller and to receive retransmissions of communication via the base station.

[0135] In the seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to sixth aspects, process 900 includes determining a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller, wherein the configuration indicates that the transmission of communication is to be received via a PC5 interface or a Uu interface using a direct link with the controller.

[0136] In the eighth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to seventh aspects, process 900 includes reporting a set of RSRP metrics to the base station.

[0137] In the ninth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eighth aspects, determining the configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via the direct communication link with the controller or via the base station includes: receiving from the base station an indication to select either the controller or the base station for the device to receive communication from the controller.

[0138] In the tenth aspect, the device is a sensor or actuator, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to ninth aspects.

[0139] In the eleventh aspect, the controller is PCL, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to tenth aspects.

[0140] In the twelfth aspect, the configuration is determined, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eleventh aspects, to be further based at least in part on one or more of the following: the SINR metric or the number of allocated resource blocks for the link between the device and the controller, or the SINR metric or the number of allocated resource blocks for the link between the device and the base station.

[0141] although Figure 9 An example box of process 900 is shown, but in some respects, process 900 may include... Figure 9 The boxes depicted in the diagram are compared to additional boxes, fewer boxes, different boxes, or boxes arranged differently. Additionally or alternatively, two or more boxes in process 900 can be executed in parallel.

[0142] Figure 10This is a diagram illustrating, for example, an example process 1000 performed by a base station according to various aspects of this disclosure. Example process 1000 is an example of a base station (e.g., base station 110, etc.) performing operations associated with determining the link association of a device.

[0143] like Figure 10 As shown, in some aspects, process 1000 may include receiving a set of RSRP metrics from a device regarding reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with the base station and one or more reference signals associated with a controller associated with the device (block 1010). For example, the base station (e.g., using a receive processor 238, a controller / processor 240, a memory 242, etc.) may receive a set of RSRP metrics from the device regarding reference signals, including one or more reference signals associated with the base station and one or more reference signals associated with a controller associated with the device, as described above.

[0144] like Figure 10 As further shown, in some aspects, process 1000 may include determining, at least in part, a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station based on these RSRP metrics (block 1020). For example, a base station (e.g., using controller / processor 240, memory 242, etc.) may determine, at least in part, a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller or via the base station based on these RSRP metrics, as described above.

[0145] Process 1000 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and / or in conjunction with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0146] In the first aspect, the controller is associated with the device via an application-based association.

[0147] In a second aspect, either alone or in combination with the first aspect, determining the configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via the direct communication link with the controller or via the base station includes: determining, at least in part, that the device should receive communication via the direct communication link with the controller based on the fact that the RSRP metric associated with the controller is greater than the RSRP metric associated with the base station.

[0148] In a third aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, process 1000 includes determining, at least in part, a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via the direct communication link with the controller or via the base station based on a bias.

[0149] In the fourth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to third aspects, the bias is based at least in part on one or more of the following: a first resource requirement for the device to receive communication from the controller via the direct communication link with the controller and a second resource requirement for the device to receive communication from the controller via the base station, a preference for 1-hop communication, a preference for 2-hop communication, a preference for side-link communication, a preference for Uu communication, a preference for the device to receive communication from the controller, or a preference for the device to receive communication from the base station.

[0150] In a fifth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fourth aspects, process 1000 includes: determining a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller, wherein the configuration instructs the device to receive transmissions of communication via a direct link with the controller and to receive retransmissions of communication via the base station.

[0151] In a sixth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fifth aspects, process 1000 includes determining a configuration for the device to receive communication from the controller via a direct communication link with the controller, wherein the configuration indicates that the transmission of communication is to be received via a PC5 interface or a Uu interface using a direct link with the controller.

[0152] In the seventh aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to sixth aspects, process 1000 includes receiving a set of RSRP measurements via the controller.

[0153] In the eighth aspect, the device is a sensor or actuator, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to seventh aspects.

[0154] In the ninth aspect, the controller is PCL, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eighth aspects.

[0155] In the tenth aspect, the configuration is determined, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to ninth aspects, to be further based at least in part on one or more of the following: the SINR metric or the number of allocated resource blocks for the link between the device and the controller, or the SINR metric or the number of allocated resource blocks for the link between the device and the base station.

[0156] although Figure 10 An example box of process 1000 is shown, but in some respects, process 1000 may include... Figure 10 The boxes depicted in the process are compared to additional boxes, fewer boxes, different boxes, or boxes arranged differently. Additionally or alternatively, two or more boxes of process 1000 can be executed in parallel.

[0157] The foregoing disclosure provides explanations and descriptions, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the foregoing disclosure or may be obtained through practice.

[0158] As used herein, the term "component" is intended to be interpreted broadly as hardware, firmware, and / or a combination of hardware and software. As used herein, a processor is implemented using hardware, firmware, and / or a combination of hardware and software.

[0159] As used in this article, depending on the context, satisfying the threshold can mean a value greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, not equal to the threshold, etc.

[0160] It will be apparent that the systems and / or methods described herein can be implemented in various forms, including hardware, firmware, and / or combinations of hardware and software. The actual dedicated control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not limited in any way. Therefore, the operation and behavior of these systems and / or methods are described herein without reference to any specific software code—it is understood that software and hardware can be designed to implement these systems and / or methods, at least in part, based on the description herein.

[0161] Although specific combinations of features are described in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of aspects. In fact, many of these features can be combined in ways not specifically described in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may be directly subordinated to only one claim, the disclosure of aspects includes each dependent claim being combined with each other claim in this set of claims. The phrase “at least one of” refers to any combination of these items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc, as well as any combination having multiple identical elements (e.g., aa, aaa, aab, aac, abb, acc, bb, bbb, bbc, cc, and ccc, or any other ordering of a, b, and c).

[0162] The elements, actions, or instructions used herein should not be construed as critical or necessary unless explicitly stated otherwise. Furthermore, as used herein, the articles “a” and “a certain” are intended to include one or more items and are used interchangeably with “one or more.” Additionally, as used herein, the terms “set” and “group” are intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, combinations of related and unrelated items, etc.) and are used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Moreover, as used herein, the terms “have,” “contain,” “include,” etc., are intended to be open-ended terms. Furthermore, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “at least partially based on” unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication performed by a device, comprising: measuring a set of reference signal received power (RSRP) metrics with respect to reference signals, the reference signals including one or more reference signals from a network node and one or more reference signals from a controller associated with the device; and determining a configuration for receiving communications from the controller based at least in part on the RSRP metrics and a received bias, wherein the configuration indicates that transmissions of communications are to be received via a direct link with the controller and retransmissions of the communications are to be received via the network node, and wherein an indication of the bias is received via one or more of: a system information block, radio resource control signaling, or a medium access control control element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the bias is based at least in part on one or more of: a preference for 1-hop communications, a preference for 2-hop communications, a preference for sidelink communications, a preference for Uu communications, a preference for receiving from the controller, or a preference for receiving from the network node.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration further indicates that the transmissions of the communications are to be received via the direct link with the controller using a PC5 interface or a Uu interface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a sensor or an actuator.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration is further determined based at least in part on one or more of: a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) metric or a number of allocated resource blocks for the direct link with the controller, or a SINR metric or a number of allocated resource blocks for a link between the device and the network node.

6. A method of wireless communication performed by a controller, comprising: receiving, from a device, a set of reference signal received power (RSRP) metrics with respect to reference signals, the reference signals including one or more reference signals associated with a network node and one or more reference signals associated with the controller; and determining a configuration for receiving communications from the controller based at least in part on the RSRP metrics and a received bias, wherein the configuration indicates that the device is to receive transmissions of communications via a direct link with the controller and retransmissions of the communications via the network node, and wherein an indication of the bias is received via one or more of: a system information block, radio resource control signaling, or a medium access control control element.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the bias is based at least in part on one or more of: a preference for 1-hop communications, a preference for 2-hop communications, a preference for sidelink communications, a preference for Uu communications, a preference for the device to receive from the controller, or a preference for the device to receive from the network node.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the configuration further indicates that the device is to receive the transmissions of the communications via the direct link with the controller using a PC5 interface or a Uu interface.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the controller is a programmable logic controller.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the configuration is further determined based at least in part on one or more of: a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) metric or a number of allocated resource blocks for the direct link with the controller, or a SINR metric or a number of allocated resource blocks for a link between the device and the network node.

11. A method of wireless communication performed by a network node, comprising: receiving, from a device, a set of reference signal received power (RSRP) metrics for reference signals including one or more reference signals associated with the network node and one or more reference signals associated with a controller associated with the device; and determining a configuration for receiving communications from the controller based at least in part on the RSRP metrics and a bias, wherein the configuration indicates that the device is to receive a transmission of a communication via a direct link with the controller and receive a retransmission of the communication via the network node, and wherein an indication of the bias is conveyed via one or more of: a system information block, radio resource control signaling, or a medium access control control element.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the bias is based at least in part on one or more of: a preference for one-hop communications, a preference for two-hop communications, a preference for sidelink communications, a preference for Uu communications, a preference for reception from the controller, or a preference for reception from the network node.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the configuration further indicates that the device is to receive the transmission of the communication via the direct link with the controller using a PC5 interface or a Uu interface.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the set of RSRP metrics are received via the controller.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the configuration is further determined based at least in part on one or more of: a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) metric or a number of allocated resource blocks for the direct link with the controller, or a SINR metric or a number of allocated resource blocks for a link between the device and the network node.

16. A device for wireless communication, comprising: a memory; and one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory, and configured to: measure a set of reference signal received power (RSRP) metrics for reference signals including one or more reference signals from a network node and one or more reference signals from a controller associated with the device; and ​ ​ ​ determine a configuration for receiving communications from the controller based at least in part on the RSRP metrics and a received bias, wherein the configuration indicates that transmissions of communications are to be received via a direct link with the controller and retransmissions of the communications are to be received via the network node, and wherein the indication of the bias is received via one or more of: a system information block, radio resource control signaling, or a medium access control control element.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the bias is based at least in part on one or more of: a preference for 1-hop communications, a preference for 2-hop communications, a preference for sidelink communications, a preference for Uu communications, a preference for receiving from the controller, or a preference for receiving from the network node.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the configuration further indicates that the transmissions of the communications are to be received via the direct link with the controller using a PC5 interface or a Uu interface.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the device is a sensor or an actuator.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the configuration is further determined based at least in part on one or more of: a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) metric or a number of allocated resource blocks for the direct link with the controller, or a SINR metric or a number of allocated resource blocks for a link between the device and the network node.

21. A controller for wireless communication, comprising: a memory; and one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory and configured to: receive, from a device, a set of reference signal received power (RSRP) metrics for reference signals including one or more reference signals associated with a network node and one or more reference signals associated with the controller; determine a configuration for receiving communications from the controller based at least in part on the RSRP metrics and a received bias, wherein the configuration indicates that the device is to receive transmissions of communications via a direct link with the controller and retransmissions of the communications via the network node, and wherein the indication of the bias is received via one or more of: a system information block, radio resource control signaling, or a medium access control control element.

22. The controller of claim 21, wherein the bias is based at least in part on one or more of: a preference for 1-hop communications, a preference for 2-hop communications, a preference for sidelink communications, a preference for Uu communications, a preference for the device to receive from the controller, or a preference for the device to receive from the network node.

23. The controller of claim 21, wherein the configuration further indicates that the device is to receive the transmissions of the communications via the direct link with the controller using a PC5 interface or a Uu interface.

24. The controller of claim 21, wherein the controller is a programmable logic controller. ​ ​ 25. The controller of claim 21, wherein the configuration is further determined based at least in part on one or more of: a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) metric or a number of allocated resource blocks for the direct link with the controller, or a SINR metric or a number of allocated resource blocks for a link between the device and the network node.

26. A network node for wireless communication, comprising: a memory; and one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory, and configured to: receive, from a device, a set of reference signal received power (RSRP) metrics for reference signals including one or more reference signals associated with the network node and one or more reference signals associated with a controller associated with the device; and determine a configuration for receiving communications from the controller based at least in part on the RSRP metrics and a bias, wherein the configuration indicates that the device is to receive a transmission of a communication via a direct link with the controller and receive a retransmission of the communication via the network node, and wherein an indication of the bias is conveyed via one or more of: a system information block, radio resource control signaling, or a medium access control control element.

27. The network node of claim 26, wherein the bias is based at least in part on one or more of: a preference for one-hop communications, a preference for two-hop communications, a preference for sidelink communications, a preference for Uu communications, a preference for the device to receive from the controller, or a preference for the device to receive from the network node.

28. The network node of claim 26, wherein the configuration further indicates that the device is to receive the transmission of the communication via the direct link with the controller using a PC5 interface or a Uu interface.

29. The network node of claim 26, wherein the set of RSRP metrics are received via the controller.

30. The network node of claim 26, wherein the configuration is further determined based at least in part on one or more of: a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) metric or a number of allocated resource blocks for the direct link with the controller, or a SINR metric or a number of allocated resource blocks for a link between the device and the network node. ​ ​

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