Control information of intelligent repeaters in wireless communication systems

Abstract

This disclosure relates to control information for intelligent repeaters in wireless communication systems. This document discloses systems and methods for using control information to control signaling relay between a base station and a user equipment (UE) using an intelligent repeater (SMR) and / or a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS). In one embodiment, the SMR uses a first phase to identify a trained Rx beam used with the base station with a first SS burst from the base station, and a second phase receives a second SS burst from the base station and forwards the second SS burst to the UE using beam scanning, enabling the UE to provide feedback on a corresponding SSB of the second SS burst. In other embodiments, the SMR or RIS is controlled to enable a complete check of all beam direction routes between the base station and the UE using the SS burst, thereby providing feedback on the corresponding SSB selection made by the UE.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates in general to wireless communication systems, including wireless communication systems that use smart repeaters (SMRs) and / or reconfigurable smart surfaces (RISs) to relay signaling between, for example, base stations and user equipment (UEs). Background Technology

[0002] Wireless mobile communication technologies use various standards and protocols to transmit data between base stations and wireless communication devices. Wireless communication system standards and protocols can include, for example, 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) (such as 4G), 3GPP New Radio (NR) (such as 5G), and the IEEE 802.11 standard for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) (often referred to within industry organizations as...). ).

[0003] As envisioned by 3GPP, different wireless communication system standards and protocols can use various radio access networks (RANs) to enable RAN base stations (which are sometimes also called RAN nodes, network nodes, or simply nodes) to communicate with wireless communication equipment called user equipment (UEs). 3GPP RANs may include, for example, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data Rate GSM Evolution (EDGE) RAN (GERAN), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), and / or Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN).

[0004] Each RAN can use one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs) for communication between the base station and the UE. For example, GERAN implements the GSM and / or EDGE RAT, UTRAN implements the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) RAT or other 3GPP RATs, E-UTRAN implements the LTE RAT (sometimes simply referred to as LTE), and NG-RAN implements the NR RAT (sometimes also referred to herein as the 5G RAT, 5G NR RAT, or simply NR). In some deployments, E-UTRAN may also implement the NR RAT. In some deployments, NG-RAN may also implement the LTE RAT.

[0005] The base stations used by a RAN can correspond to that RAN. An example of an E-UTRAN base station is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (also commonly referred to as Evolved Node B, Enhanced Node B, eNodeB, or eNB). An example of an NG-RAN base station is a Next Generation Node B (sometimes also called gNodeB or gNB).

[0006] The RAN provides communication services to external entities through its connection with the core network (CN). For example, E-UTRAN can utilize the evolved packet core network (EPC), while NG-RAN can utilize the 5G core network (5GC).

[0007] 5G NR frequency bands can be divided into two or more distinct frequency ranges. For example, Frequency Range 1 (FR1) may include bands operating at frequencies below 6 GHz, some of which are available for use in previous standards and can potentially be extended to cover new spectrum offerings from 410 MHz to 7125 MHz. Frequency Range 2 (FR2) may include bands from 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz. It should be noted that in some systems, FR2 may also include bands from 52.6 GHz to 71 GHz (or higher). Bands in the millimeter-wave (mmWave) range of FR2 may have a smaller coverage area but potentially higher available bandwidth than bands in FR1. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these frequency ranges, presented by way of example, may vary over time or in different regions. Attached Figure Description

[0008] To facilitate identification of any particular element or action being discussed, one or more of the most significant digits in the reference numerals refer to the drawing number in which the element was first introduced.

[0009] Figure 1 A wireless communication system according to an implementation scheme is shown, wherein the base station uses SMR to communicate with the UE.

[0010] Figure 2 A wireless communication system according to an implementation scheme is shown, wherein the base station uses RIS to communicate with the UE.

[0011] Figure 3 A wireless communication system according to an embodiment of this document is shown.

[0012] Figure 4A The use of the SS burst set in the time domain according to the implementation scheme of this paper is illustrated.

[0013] Figure 4B Beam scanning associated with the transmission of SS burst sets according to the embodiment described herein is shown.

[0014] Figure 5A and Figure 5B A flowchart of control signaling for beam management between the base station, SMR, and UE, according to the implementation scheme, is shown together.

[0015] Figure 6A and Figure 6B A flowchart of control signaling for beam management between the base station, SMR, and UE, according to the implementation scheme, is shown together.

[0016] Figure 7 A method for SMR according to an implementation scheme is shown.

[0017] Figure 8 A method for SMR according to an implementation scheme is shown.

[0018] Figure 9 The RIS method according to the implementation scheme is shown.

[0019] Figure 10 An exemplary architecture of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment disclosed herein is shown.

[0020] Figure 11A and Figure 11B Together, a system for performing signaling between SMR, base station, and UE according to an implementation scheme is shown.

[0021] Figure 12A and Figure 12B Together, a system for performing signaling between the RIS, base station, and UE according to an implementation scheme is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Various embodiments are described with respect to the UE. However, references to the UE are provided for illustrative purposes only. Exemplary embodiments may be used with any electronic component capable of establishing a connection to a network and configured with hardware, software, and / or firmware for exchanging information and data with the network. Therefore, the UE described herein is used to represent any suitable electronic component.

[0023] UE coverage is a fundamental aspect of wireless communication system deployment. Mobile operators may rely on different types of network nodes to provide blanket coverage in their deployments. Deploying full-stack cells within a wireless communication system is one option for providing UE coverage; however, full-stack cells may not always be possible or economically feasible in every location (e.g., when backhaul from that location to the core network is unavailable and / or the cost of establishing such backhaul and / or full-stack cells is unreasonable). Additionally or alternatively, UE coverage may also be affected by interference (e.g., obstacles between the UE and the base station) that would otherwise be sufficient (e.g., in the absence of obstacles).

[0024] These considerations may be particularly relevant in cases of higher frequency operation of the cell (e.g., in FR2), because signaling at such relatively higher frequencies tends to be more susceptible to interference sources and / or has a smaller transmission range than signaling at relatively lower frequencies.

[0025] Given the need to provide robust coverage even with any interference considerations in mind, new types of network nodes and / or other equipment should be considered to improve the flexibility of mobile operators' wireless communication system network deployment.

[0026] An example of a new network node that enables improved coverage and / or extended range in a wireless communication system is a Smart Repeater (SMR). An SMR can connect to one or more UEs and transmit signals back and forth between the one or more UEs served by the SMR and the base station via a link (e.g., an unlink) between the SMR and the base station. This can be useful, for example, where a base station (e.g., with backhaul to the core network of the wireless communication system) cannot directly serve the UE due to distance and / or interference, but the SMR can. The link between the SMR and the base station is possible because, for example, the SMR and / or the base station are able to use the necessary transmit power and / or more accurate and / or precise beamforming (e.g., greater than / better than reasonably provided for the UE's normal usage), and / or due to less / no interference within the channel between the SMR and the base station (e.g., due to obstacles).

[0027] Through this relay between the SMR and the base station, the effective potential coverage and / or perceived signaling strength at the UE within the wireless communication network are improved. For example, the effective range of a cell can be extended via the SMR by repeating signaling on the cell by the SMR. Additionally or alternatively, the SMR can overcome interference problems by, for example, achieving spatial redirection of signaling around obstacles and / or by improving signal penetration through obstacles (e.g., outdoor-to-indoor (O2I) penetration) (assuming relatively low proximity between the SMR and the obstacle).

[0028] Compared to conventional RF repeaters, SMRs themselves are enhanced with the ability to receive, process, and implement SMR control information from the network (e.g., as received from a base station). Among other things, SMR control information allows the SMR to perform any amplification and forwarding operations more efficiently. Potential benefits stemming from the use of such SMR control information may include reduction of unnecessary noise amplification, better spatial directivity of SMR transmission and / or reception, and / or simplified network integration between the SMR and the base station. It should be noted that, herein, such SMR control information may be more simply referred to as “control information,” and the context will clearly define this information as SMR control information (e.g., control information between the base station and the SMR).

[0029] An SMR may be able to transmit beamforming signals to one or more UEs it serves. It is envisioned that one or more of the aforementioned benefits can be achieved by using SMR control information to enable (at least partially) network control / influence over beamforming operations at the SMR. Therefore, this document discloses an implementation scheme using beamforming communication via an SMR, which improves spectral efficiency and coverage related to the SMR.

[0030] Figure 1 A wireless communication system 100 according to an embodiment is shown, wherein base station 102 uses SMR 104 to communicate with UE 106. Figure 1 As shown in the implementation scheme, UE 106 is currently outside the base station coverage 108 directly provided by base station 102. However, UE 106 is within the SMR coverage 110 directly provided by SMR 104. Therefore, communication between base station 102 and UE 106 can be achieved by relaying information (e.g., data information and / or control information, as appropriate) between base station 102 and UE 106 via SMR 104.

[0031] As shown in the figure, base station 102 can use beamforming technology to achieve and / or improve its communication with SMR 104. For example, in Figure 1 In this embodiment, base station 102 communicates with SMR 104 on a first base station beam 112. It should be understood that the first base station beam 112 can be used to transmit from base station 102 to SMR 104 (e.g., as a base station transmit (Tx) beam) and / or can be used to receive transmissions from SMR 104 at base station 102 (e.g., as a base station receive (Rx) beam). It should be noted that although only one first base station beam 112 is shown between base station 102 and SMR 104, those skilled in the art will understand that in other embodiments, multiple such base station beams may be used simultaneously between base station 102 and SMR 104.

[0032] As shown in the figure, SMR 104 can use beamforming technology to achieve and / or improve its communication with UE 106. For example, in Figure 1In this embodiment, SMR 104 communicates with UE 106 on the first SMR beam 114. It should be understood that the first SMR beam 114 can be used to transmit from SMR 104 to UE 106 (e.g., as an SMR Tx beam) and / or can be used to receive transmissions from UE 106 at SMR 104 (e.g., as an SMR Rx beam). It should be noted that although only one first SMR beam 114 is shown between SMR 104 and UE 106, those skilled in the art will understand that in other embodiments, multiple such SMR beams can be used simultaneously between SMR 104 and UE 106. This can be understood as adaptive beamforming capability.

[0033] Although not explicitly stated, it is envisioned that SMR 104 may use one or more SMR Tx and / or SMR Rx beams to communicate with base station 102. Additionally, if UE 106 supports beamforming, it is also envisioned that UE 106 may use one or more UE Tx and / or UE Rx beams to communicate with SMR 104.

[0034] An example of a new network node that enables coverage improvement and / or range extension within a wireless communication system is a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS). The RIS can be a surface composed of one or more elements (RIS elements) configured to reflect, refract, repolarize, split, absorb, focus, collimate, and / or perform analog processing on signals received at the RIS. In this respect, the behavior of the RIS can be defined by a response matrix that defines the individual behavior at one or more elements of the RIS. The RIS may include a control module that implements the response matrix by configuring the elements of the RIS according to the response matrix (e.g., as received from the base station in RIS control information at the RIS). It should be noted that, herein, such RIS control information may be more simply referred to as “control information,” and the context will clearly indicate that this information is RIS control information (e.g., control information between the base station and the RIS).

[0035] RIS can be useful in situations where, for example, a cell has areas of poor signal strength within the cell due to obstacles between the base station and the UE (and such areas would otherwise have stronger signal strength without the obstacles). The RIS can be physically placed in a location unobstructed relative to each of the base station and the UE, and can then be configured such that the RIS relays these signals in a manner that signals received from each of the base station and the UE can be sensed at the other device.

[0036] The response matrix of the RIS can be (re)configurable, such that the RIS can effectively receive signaling on one or more beams according to a first beamforming comprising one or more beams, and / or relay the signaling according to a second beamforming comprising one or more beams, such that the signaling leaves the RIS.

[0037] Figure 2 A wireless communication system 200 according to an embodiment is shown, wherein base station 202 uses RIS 204 to communicate with UE 206. Figure 2 As shown in the implementation, the first signaling 210 from base station 202 to UE 206 is currently interfered with due to the presence of obstacle 208. However, the placement of RIS 204 makes a second signaling 212 from base station 202 and RIS 204 possible. This second signaling 212 is then relayed to a third signaling 214 reaching UE 206.

[0038] Figure 2 It is shown that, due to the configuration matrix currently being used by RIS 204, second signaling 212 is relayed to multiple signals 216, wherein third signaling 214 within the multiple signals 216 reaches UE 206.

[0039] The configuration of RIS 204 allows signaling to RIS 204 (such as, but not limited to, second signaling 212) to be received at RIS 204 on its Rx beam (RIS Rx beam), and one or more signals to be transmitted in response to actions performed by RIS 204, each occurring on its respective Tx beam (RIS Tx beam). In such cases, it is possible to provide a 1:1 correspondence between signals received on the respective RIS Rx beam and signals occurring on the respective Rx beam through the configuration of RIS 204, but this is not strictly required.

[0040] It should be understood that for UL signaling from UE 206 to base station 202, a similar route via RIS204 (in the other direction) can be used, and similar considerations as described (including, for example, beamforming considerations) may also apply in the UL direction.

[0041] Figure 3A wireless communication system 300 according to an embodiment of this document is illustrated. The wireless communication system 300 includes a base station 302, an SMR 304, and a UE 306. As shown, the base station 302 can communicate with the SMR 304 using base station beamforming 308 (e.g., beamforming composed of base station Tx or Rx beams, as applicable), and the UE 306 can communicate with the SMR 304 using UE beamforming 310 (e.g., beamforming composed of UE Tx or Rx beams, as applicable).

[0042] The SMR 304 can be a full-duplex, non-regenerative repeater. “Non-regenerative” can mean that, in some implementations, the SMR does not decode and / or repackage any received signals, but instead relays those received signals (e.g., after adaptive beamforming is performed on the Tx end of the communication via the SMR).

[0043] SMR 304 may include a control module 312, a base station Rx RF module 314, a UE Tx RF module 316, a base station Tx RF module 318, and a UE Rx RF module 320. The base station Rx RF module 314 can be used to receive signaling from base station 302 at SMR 304. The base station Rx RF module 314 can be configured to cause SMR 304 to receive such signaling on one or more Rx beams of SMR 304 according to Rx beamforming.

[0044] The UE Tx RF module 316 can be used to transmit signaling from the SMR 304 to the UE 306. The UE Tx RF module 316 can be configured to cause the SMR 304 to transmit such signaling on one or more Tx beams of the SMR 304 according to Tx beamforming.

[0045] As shown in the figure, it is envisioned that signaling can be relayed from base station 302 to UE 306 via the use of base station Rx RF module 314 and UE Tx RF module 316. In other words, signaling received from base station 302 at SMR 304 can be transmitted from base station Rx RF module 314 to UE Tx RF module 316, so that it can be transmitted from SMR 304 to UE 306.

[0046] The base station Tx RF module 318 can be used to transmit signaling from the base SMR 304 to the base station 302. The base station Tx RF module 318 can be configured to cause the SMR 304 to transmit such signaling on one or more Tx beams of the SMR 304 according to Tx beamforming.

[0047] The UE Rx RF module 320 can be used to receive signaling from the UE 306 at the SMR 304. The UE Rx RF module 320 can be configured to enable the SMR 304 to receive such signaling on one or more Rx beams of the SMR 304 according to Rx beamforming.

[0048] As shown in the figure, it is envisioned that signaling can be relayed from UE 306 to base station 302 via the use of UE Rx RF module 320 and base station Tx RF module 318. In other words, signaling received from UE 306 at SMR 304 can be passed from UE Rx RF module 320 to base station Tx RF module 318, so that it can be transmitted from SMR 304 to base station 302.

[0049] The control module can implement SMR control information received from base station 302. This control information may include control information for beam management of one or more SMR beams (e.g., one or more SMR Tx and / or SMR Rx beams), timing information, information regarding the time division duplex (TDD) configuration used between base station 302 and UE 306, etc. Once decoded, this control information can be used to control one or more of the RF modules 314 to 320 of SMR 304. For example, the control information can be used to control beamforming used by one or more of the RF modules 314 to 320, to depict the timing of reception / transmission that will occur on the RF modules 314 to 320, and / or to assign time resources for various reception and / or transmission in the downlink (DL) and / or uplink (UL) performed by the RF modules 314 to 320, etc.

[0050] The control module can be an NR UE modem (such as the modem that will exist on the NR UE). In other cases, it is anticipated that the control module can instead be a lower-power / more efficient modem with a more limited data rate compared to a typical NR UE modem. It is also envisioned that such a lower-power / more efficient modem could be suitable as a RIS (e.g., Figure 2 (The control module in the RIS).

[0051] Note that SMR situations (e.g., such as...) Figure 3One difference between the alternative case of using RIS instead of SMR (as shown in the diagram) and the other case is that, because RIS establishes its effective beamforming at RIS based on a single currently implemented N×N response matrix (denoted as Q) (where N is the number of RIS elements) rather than by using multiple RF modules (such as RF modules 314 to 320 of SMR 304), it may not be possible to use different beamformings of Rx instead of Tx at RIS simultaneously (e.g., RIS will inherently have a complete correspondence in the Rx and Tx usage at each beam in its effective beam at any given time).

[0052] Figure 4A The use of a synchronization signal (SS) burst set 402 in the time domain according to an embodiment of this document is illustrated. The SS burst set 402 may consist of one or more synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) with specific indices. For example, the SS burst set 402 may consist of SSB1, SSB2, SSB3, ..., SSBn, as shown in the figure. The number of SSBs in the SS burst set and their selection by index may vary between various embodiments.

[0053] As shown in the figure, the SSBs in SS burst set 402 are emitted sequentially in time during the period of SS burst set periodicity 404. This sequential emission can be referred to as the emission of an SS burst set or an SS burst of an SS burst set (or more simply, a burst). The emission of an SS burst set can then be repeated at a later time during the next period of SS burst set periodicity (e.g., a subsequent SS burst of an SS burst set can be executed), as... Figure 4A As shown.

[0054] Figure 4B A beam scan 406 associated with the transmission of an SS burst set according to an embodiment herein is shown. The SS burst set uses SSB1, SSB2, SSB3, ..., SSBn. A transmitter 408 (e.g., a base station, SMR, etc.) transmitting the SS burst set can transmit each of these SSBs on the corresponding beam of the beam scan 406 in the manner shown.

[0055] Because SSBs are transmitted on corresponding beams of different directions in beam scan 406, receivers (e.g., UE, SMR, etc. (not shown)) may perceive the signal strength of each SSB differently, depending on, for example, the receiver's position relative to transmitter 408 and / or environmental interference effects applicable between the positions of transmitter 408 and receiver. The receiver may be able to identify the SSB with, for example, the highest or best signal strength (relative to the receiver's position relative to transmitter 408) among the transmitted SSBs, and may use this identified SSB to continue synchronizing with and / or receiving system parameters from transmitter 408.

[0056] If the receiver has the capability of Rx beamforming, the receiver can also determine the appropriate and / or optimal receiver Rx beam for continued reception of the identified SSB by monitoring multiple such transmissions of the SS burst set (multiple SS bursts of the SS burst set).

[0057] This document discusses the reception of SS bursts (or portions of SS bursts) by entities (e.g., SMRs and / or UEs). When an entity receives an SS burst (or a portion of an SS burst), the entity may receive fewer SSBs than all associated SSBs (e.g., due to interference and / or the directionality of unreceived SSBs relative to the entity). Therefore, it should be understood that, as used herein, an SS burst (or a portion of the SS burst) can be considered "received" by the entity if at least one (but at most all) of the SSBs of the SS burst (or a portion of the SS burst) is received at the entity.

[0058] Figure 5A and Figure 5B A flowchart 500 of control signaling for beam management between base station 502, SMR 504, and UE 506, according to an embodiment, is shown together. As shown, the flowchart 500 for this control signaling can be based on the first stage 508 (in Figure 5A (marked as "Phase I") and Phase 510 (in Figure 5B This is understood as "Phase II" (as indicated in the text). Phase 512, used for data communication, is also shown. Figure 5B (This is marked as "Phase III"). As can be seen in flowchart 500, SMR 504 sends signaling to / receives signaling from base station 502 according to SMR-to-Base Station Functionality 514, and sends signaling from SMR 504 to UE 506 / receives signaling from UE 506 to SMR 504 according to SMR-to-UE Functionality 516. SMR-to-Base Station Functionality 514 can be understood as being via, for example, the base station Rx RF module of SMR 504 and the base station Tx RF module of SMR 504 (such as regarding...). Figure 3 The base station Rx RF module 314 and base station Tx RF module 318 described are used to implement this. SMR to UE functionality 516 can be understood as being achieved via, for example, the UE Tx RF module of SMR 504 and the UE Rx RF module of SMR 504 (such as regarding...). Figure 3 This is implemented using the described UETx RF module 316 and UETx RF module 320.

[0059] exist Figure 5A and Figure 5BIn one implementation, the control module of SMR 504 may include an NR UE modem. In this implementation, the control module may share the Tx / Rx characteristics of the control plane connection between base station 502 and SMR 504 (e.g., via SMR to base station functionality 514). This allows the control module to communicate with base station 502 in reverse along the same route on which it receives SMR control information in response to SMR control information.

[0060] Phase 508 envisions the use of a first SS burst set. During Phase 508, beam management between the SMR and base station functionality 514 is performed between base station 502 and SMR 504. As shown, base station 502 sends the first SS burst of the first SS burst set 518 to SMR 504. This first SS burst of the first SS burst set 518 may include multiple SSBs in the first SS burst set, and each such SSB may be transmitted on a separate base station Tx beam used by base station 502 (e.g., as indicated by the note "Base Station Tx Beam Scan").

[0061] The base station Rx RF module of SMR-to-base station functionality 514 may be able to use up to Y SMR Rx beams. Therefore, in such an implementation, the SS burst of the first SS burst set can be repeatedly transmitted up to Y times (where the Yth SS burst of the first SS burst set 520 is in...). Figure 5A (As shown in the diagram). This repetition allows the SMR 504's SMR-to-base station functionality 514 to receive each SSB in the first SS burst set on each such SS burst of the SMR Rx beam. Then, processing corresponding to each such reception is performed, such that the SSB with the highest signal quality in the first SS burst set is identified (as processed on the identified beam in the SMR Rx beam). This signal quality metric can be, for example, a measurement of Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) or a measurement of Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ). The SMR 504 thus identifies the SMR Rx beam on which it receives the SSB with the highest signal quality. At this stage, the SMR Rx beam can be considered a "trained" SMR Rx beam.

[0062] Then, SMR 504 may provide a first L1-RSRP feedback 522 to base station 502. This first L1-RSRP feedback 522 identifies the SSB with the highest signal quality as previously described. For example, the first L1-RSRP feedback 522 may indicate a value of RSRP measurement based on the absolute L1-RSRP measurement result of the SSB with the highest signal quality in the SS burst set (e.g., as received on a trained SMR Rx beam), thereby identifying the SSB to base station 502. This allows the base station to know that the optimal base station Tx beam for communicating with SMR 504 is the base station Tx beam used to transmit the identified SSB.

[0063] It is envisioned that the procedure shown in Phase 1 508 can be repeated periodically to ensure that, over time, any identified base station Tx beam and / or trained SMR Rx beam (as identified using Phase 1 508) is the “optimal” beam / beam pair between base station 502 and SMR 504. However, due to the fixed nature of SMR 504 (and base station 502), it is expected that the state of these beams as the “optimal” beam / beam pair may shift less frequently and / or occasionally (e.g., at a rate that may be infrequent, such as the introduction and / or removal of relevant obstacles from the local environment). Therefore, the periodicity for performing Phase 1 508 can be quite long. In some implementations, it is envisioned that if a new obstacle between the base station and the repeater causes the L1-RSRP of the indicated SSB, such as that received on a trained SMR Rx beam, to drop below the L1-RSRP of another SSB (on any SMR Rx beam), then outside of this periodicity, a first L1-RSRP feedback 522 portion of the first phase 508 may be triggered to indicate the better SSB to the base station 502.

[0064] During the first phase 508, no transmission may occur between SMR 504 and UE 506. Therefore, the SMR RF module corresponding to SMR-to-UE functionality 516 (such as the UE Tx RF module and / or UE RxRF module for SMR-to-UE functionality 516) may be turned off during this phase (e.g., to facilitate power saving).

[0065] During the second phase 510, beam management between SMR 504 and UE functionality 516 and UE506 is performed. The control module of SMR 504 performs baseband processing to process control signaling received from base station 502 for controlling the beam management procedure.

[0066] Phase 510 envisions the use of a second SS burst set (e.g., different from the first SS burst set used during Phase 508). As shown, base station 502 sends SSBs from the second SS burst set 524 to SMR 504. The SSBs in the second SS burst set 524 may be different from the SSBs in the first SS burst set used during Phase 508. The SSBs in the second SS burst set 524 may be SSBs designated within the wireless communication system for beam management between SMR 504 and UE 506 (e.g., not for beam management between base station 502 and SMR 504 and / or UEs directly served by base station 502). Therefore, in Figure 5B In this context, the indices of the SSBs in the second SS burst set 524 are shown as including "R" (e.g., to visually distinguish them from the SSBs in the first SS burst set used during the first phase 508).

[0067] The number of SSBs in the second SS burst set 524 can be determined by the base station 502 based on the SMR codebook information received in the feedback message from SMR 504 to the base station 502 (e.g., this may occur before the first phase 508 or at least before the second phase 510). Specifically, this codebook information informs the base station 502 of the Tx beamforming codebook that the SMR of SMR 504 will use at the UE Tx RF module of UE functionality 516. This allows the base station 502 to know the number of Tx beams used / available at the SMR to UE functionality 516, and can, for example, send a number of SSBs in the second SS burst set 524 that is less than or equal to that number.

[0068] The SSBs in the second SS burst set 524 are transmitted to the SMR 504 on the same base station Tx beam. In other words, when transmitting between base station 502 and SMR 504, each SSB in the second SS burst set 524 is at least spatially quasi-co-located (QCLed) with each other SSB in the second SS burst set 524 (e.g., at least QCL type D, but note that QCL types A, B, and / or C (other than type D) between these SSBs in the second SS burst set 524 are not excluded). The base station Tx beam can be a beam used by the SSBs in the first SS burst set, identified to base station 502 in the manner described herein via the first L1-RSRP feedback 522 of the first phase 508 (e.g., the beam used by the SSBs in the first SS burst set). Figure 5B (See the note "Base station Tx beam trained in phase I"). Therefore, it should be understood that the SSBs in the second SS burst set 524 are transmitted from base station 502 to SMR 504 on the "optimal" base station Tx beam for SMR 504.

[0069] The SSBs in the second SS burst set 524 are received at the SMR-to-base station functionality 514 of SMR 504. As shown, the SMR-to-base station functionality 514 uses a trained SMR Rx beam (as previously described, trained during the first phase 508, such as...). Figure 5B The reception is performed (as indicated by the note "SMR Rx beam trained in phase 1"). Therefore, it should be understood that the SSB in the second SS burst set 524 is received at SMR 504 on the "optimal" SMR Rx beam relative to the transmission from base station 502.

[0070] Once the first SS burst of the second SS burst set 526 is received at the SMR-to-base station functionality 514 of SMR 504, SMR 504 transmits the first SS burst to UE 506 using SMR-to-UE functionality 516. Each SSB in the first SS burst of the second SS burst set 526 can be transmitted on a separate SMR Tx beam used by the UE Tx RF module of SMR 504's SMR-to-UE functionality 516 (e.g., Figure 5B (See the note "SMR Tx beam scan" in the text).

[0071] UE 506 may be able to use up to Z UE Rx beams. Therefore, in such an implementation, the SS burst of the first SS burst set can be retransmitted up to Z times (where the Zth SS burst of the second SS burst set 528 is in...). Figure 6B (As shown in the diagram). This repetition allows UE 506 to receive each SSB in the second SS burst set on each SS burst of such UE Rx beam.

[0072] Then, processing corresponding to each such reception is performed, such that the SSB with the highest signal quality in the second SS burst set is identified (e.g., processed on an identified beam in the UE Rx beamforming, as in the case where the UE uses Rx beamforming). This signal quality metric can be, for example, a measurement of Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) or a measurement of Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ). When using UE Rx beamforming, UE 506 may also identify the UE Rx beam on which the SSB is received with the highest signal quality.

[0073] UE 506 understands that communication with base station 502 via SMR 504 can be achieved using the route taken by the identified SSB in the second SS burst set via SMR 504. UE 506 can therefore determine, based on this route (e.g., according to the system timing corresponding to the route taken by the specific identified SSB in the second SS burst set, on any UE Rx beam in the DL that may have already been used to receive the identified SSB with the highest signal quality in the second SS burst set (if the UE uses Rx beamforming), on any UE Tx beam that is so identified as having a 1-bit beam correspondence with the UE Rx beam, and according to the same system timing in the UL, etc.), to perform subsequent transmissions and / or receptions corresponding to communication with base station 502 via SMR 504.

[0074] UE 506 may provide a second L1-RSRP feedback 530 to SMR 504. The second L1-RSRP feedback 530 is relayed from SMR 504 to base station 502. The second L1-RSRP feedback 530 identifies the SSB with the highest signal quality at the UE within the second SS burst concentration, as previously described. For example, the second L1-RSRP feedback 530 may indicate the magnitude of the RSRP measurement based on the absolute L1-RSRP measurement result of the SSB with the highest signal quality at the UE within the second SS burst concentration, thereby (ultimately) identifying that SSB to base station 502. Thus, base station 502 knows that the optimal SSB for communication with UE 506 within the second SS burst concentration is the identified SSB within the second SS burst concentration. Furthermore, base station 502 understands that communication with UE 506 via SMR 504 will continue to be implemented using the route taken by the identified SSB within the second SS burst concentration via SMR 504. Base station 502 can therefore determine, based on the route (based on the system timing corresponding to the route taken by the SSB identified in the second SS burst set, on the base station Tx beam trained in the first phase 508 of the DL and used to indicate the SSB in the second SS burst set 524, on any base station Rx beam so identified as having a 1-bit beam correspondence with the base station Tx beam, and based on the same system timing in the UL, etc.), to perform subsequent transmissions and / or receptions corresponding to communication with UE 506 via SMR 504.

[0075] Accordingly, SMR 504 can continue to use the trained SMR Rx and SMR Tx beams of the identified SSBs in the second SS burst set for DL ​​communication along the route. Furthermore, based on the appropriate system timing established for the route, SMR Tx beams and SMR Rx beams with a 1-bit beam correspondence to the trained SMR Rx beams of the identified SSBs in the second SS burst set can be identified and used for UL communication along the route.

[0076] It is envisioned that the procedure shown in Phase 2 510 can be repeated periodically to ensure that, over time, any identified SMR Tx beam and / or any identified UE Rx beam (as identified using Phase 2 510) is the “optimal” beam / beam pair between SMR 504 and UE 506. Due to the potential mobility of UE 506 and / or the potentially relatively high probability of relative antenna panel rotation at UE 506 during normal use of UE 506, the state of these beams as the “optimal” beam / beam pair is expected to shift frequently. Therefore, the periodicity used to perform Phase 2 510 can be short (e.g., relative to the periodicity used to perform Phase 1 508).

[0077] After the completion of the first phase 508 and the second phase 510, data communication 532 during the third phase 512 may proceed along the route established using the first phase 508 and the second phase 510 as already described. Data communication 532 may occur in either the DL and UL directions and / or both. In some embodiments, data communication 532 includes user plane data.

[0078] In some implementations, data communication 532 additionally / optionally includes control signaling intended for use with SMR 504, the control signaling corresponding to control of data relay between base station 502 and UE 506 via SMR 504. In some cases, the control signaling includes TDD configuration between base station 502 and UE 506.

[0079] In some cases, the control signaling includes an indication for SMR 504 to receive a new SMR Rx beam transmitted from the base station and / or for SMR 504 to transmit a new SMR Tx beam transmitted to the base station, or both. The duration of validity of the indicated new SMR Rx beam and / or the indicated SMR Tx beam may also be provided.

[0080] In some cases, the control signaling includes indications for SMR 504 to receive a newly transmitted SMR Rx beam from the UE and / or for SMR 504 to transmit a newly transmitted SMR Tx beam to the UE. The duration of validity of either / both of the indicated SMR Rx beam and / or the indicated SMR Tx beam may also be provided. This type of indication can be relatively frequent (because the base station attempts to schedule the UE, taking into account UE mobility and / or UE antenna panel rotation).

[0081] In some cases, the control signaling includes power state information for SMR 504. This power state information can control the power state of one or more of the RF modules of SMR 504 (including, for example, any base station Rx RF module and / or base station Tx RF module from SMR to base station functionality 514, any UE Tx RF module and / or UE Rx RF module from SMR to UE functionality 516, and / or any other (not shown) RF module of SMR 504).

[0082] The ability to control the power state of the SMR's RF module enables targeted operation of the SMR's functions, ensuring that the SMR actively transmits only when it is actively relaying data (and in the manner the system intends). By activating only the necessary RF module at the required times, the overall impact of the SMR on spectrum resources is reduced, for example, by preventing the SMR from relaying noise when there is no explicit signaling from base station 502 or UE 506 to be relayed through the SMR. This behavior also reduces the total power usage of the SMR.

[0083] The SMR's RF module can be controlled according to various modes. In the first mode, the entire device can be effectively powered off (e.g., each of the base station Rx RF module, UE Tx RF module, base station Tx RF module, and UE Rx RF module can be powered off).

[0084] In the second mode, the power state information can correspond to the TDD configuration between the base station and the UE. This second mode can correspond to data transmissions that occur after the beam management scheme has been established, or data transmissions that accompany such transmissions.

[0085] In the second mode, for DL ​​time slots / symbols in the TDD configuration, the power state information can configure the base station Rx RF module and UE Tx RF module to be enabled, and the base station Tx RF module and UE Rx RF module to be disabled. For UL time slots / symbols in the TDD configuration, the power state information can configure the base station Tx RF module and UE Rx RF module to be enabled, and the base station Rx RF module and UE Tx RF module to be disabled. For flexible time slots / symbols in the TDD configuration, the power state information can configure each RF module to be enabled. For unused time slots / symbols in the TDD configuration, the power state information can configure each RF module to be disabled.

[0086] It should be noted that changes in the power state of the RF module may involve the use of switching time, which the network may take into account when operating in the second mode.

[0087] As a further detail of this second mode, the power state information can further enable RF modules at the beam level using beam-specific information. For example, for a DL timeslot / symbol in a TDD configuration, the power state information can configure the base station Rx RF module to be enabled and the UE Tx RF module to be enabled, but only use the expected / indicated Tx beam for relay transmission at a specific time. This beam indication can be based on, for example, a TCI state known from the SMR. As another example, for a UL timeslot / symbol in a TDD configuration, the power state information can configure the base station Tx RF module to be enabled and the UE Rx FR module to be enabled, but only use the expected / indicated Rx beam to receive transmissions from the UE for relay transmission at a specific time. This beam indication can be based on, for example, a TCI state known from the SMR.

[0088] In matters such as about Figure 5A and Figure 5B In some cases of the multiple stages described in flowchart 500, power state information can be used in an additional mode to enable various RF modules of the SMR on a stage-by-stage basis, so as to realize data reception and / or data transmission by the SMR during that stage. For example, relative to Figure 5A In flowchart 500, in the third mode, the power state information only configures the SMF's base station Rx RF module to be enabled during the time period used to receive SS bursts from base station 502 (e.g., from the first SS burst of the first SS burst set 518 to the Yth SS burst of the first SS burst set 520). In the fourth mode (again, relative to...) Figure 5A and Figure 5BIn flowchart 500, the power state information only configures the SMF's base station Tx RF to be enabled during the time period when the first L1-RSRP feedback 522 is sent from SMR 504 to base station 502. It should be noted that, as part of both the third and fourth modes, the power state information consistently configures the UE Rx RF module and the UE Tx RF module to be disabled, because these modules are not used at all during the first phase 508.

[0089] Expected relative to Figure 5A and Figure 5B In the implementation scheme, power status information can be used to configure the SMR 504 according to any of the first, second, third and / or fourth modes, as appropriate.

[0090] Figure 6A and Figure 6B A flowchart 600 is shown, illustrating signaling for controlling beam management between base station 602, SMR 604, and UE 606 according to an embodiment. As can be seen in flowchart 600, SMR 604 uses SMR-to-base station functionality 608 to send / receive signaling to base station 602, and uses SMR-to-UE functionality 610 to send / receive signaling from SMR 604 to UE 606. SMR-to-base station functionality 608 can be understood as being via, for example, the base station Rx RF module of SMR 604 and the base station Tx RF module of SMR 604 (such as regarding...). Figure 3 The base station Rx RF module 314 and base station Tx RF module 318 described are used to implement this. SMR to UE functionality 610 can be understood as being implemented via, for example, the UE Tx RF module of SMR 604 and the UE Rx RF module of SMR 604 (such as regarding...). Figure 3 This is implemented using the UE Tx RF module 316 and UE Rx RF module 320 described.

[0091] exist Figure 6A and Figure 6B In the implementation scheme, the control module of SMR 604 may not include / reuse the NR UE modem, and / or in any case may not share the Tx / Rx characteristics of the control plane connection between base station 602 and SMR 604 (e.g., with...). Figure 5A and Figure 5B (The situation shown is different). In such an implementation, it is possible that the SMR 604 therefore does not perform the previously mentioned... Figure 5A and Figure 5BThe first phase 508 of flowchart 500 describes some of the behaviors in the beam management actions. In such an implementation, it is possible that the control module of SMR 604 is used to receive SMR control information from base station 602 and configure the Rx and / or Tx beams according to the control information (e.g., without any feedback from SMR 604 to base station 602, such as...). Figure 5A The first L1-RSRP feedback 522 in the first stage 508 of the flowchart 500 shown affects the process.

[0092] Figure 6A and Figure 6B The implementation scheme illustrates joint beam training performed for beam management. Joint beam training may assume the use of N base station Tx beams, M SMR Rx beams (e.g., used by the base station Rx RF module from the SMR to base station functionality 608), N1 SMR Tx beams (e.g., used by the UE Tx RF module from the SMR to UE functionality 610), and M1 UE Rx beams. Figure 6A and Figure 6B In the example of flowchart 600, N = 4, M = 2, N1 = 2, and M2 = 1. It should be understood that flowchart 600 is given by way of example, and in other embodiments, other values ​​of these parameters may be used in a given situation.

[0093] As shown in the figure, base station 602 sends a first portion 612 of an SS burst (corresponding to an SS burst set) to SMR 604. This first portion 612 may contain a first plurality of SSBs of the SS burst. In flowchart 600, each SSB in the first portion 612 is transmitted on a separate base station Tx beam used by base station 602 (e.g., as indicated by the note "Base Station Tx Beam Scan").

[0094] SMR 604 (e.g., at SMR-to-base station functionality 608) receives the first portion 612. As part of this reception, each SSB in the first portion 612 may be received on a first SMR Rx beam used by the base station Rx RF module of SMR-to-base station functionality 608 of SMR 604 (e.g., as indicated by the note "SMR Rx beam 1").

[0095] Once the first portion 612 of the SS burst is received at the SMR-to-base station functionality 608 of SMR 604, SMR 604 relays the first portion to UE 606 using SMR-to-UE functionality 610. Each SSB in the first portion 612 may be transmitted on a first SMR Tx beam used by the UE Tx RF module of the SMR-to-base station functionality 608 of SMR 604 (e.g., as indicated by note "SMR Tx beam 1").

[0096] UE 606 receives the first part 612. Because M2=1 in this embodiment, the first part 612 does not use any specific UE Rx beamforming reception and / or in this particular embodiment only uses a single Rx beam reception used by the UE.

[0097] Base station 602 further transmits a second portion 614 of the SS burst to SMR 604. This second portion 614 may contain a second plurality of SSBs of the SS burst. In flowchart 600, each SSB in the second portion 614 is transmitted on a separate base station Tx beam used by base station 602 (e.g., continuing with the note "Base Station Tx Beam Scan").

[0098] It is possible that each SSB in the second part 614 used is at least spatially QCLed with the SSB in the first part 612 (e.g., at least QCL type D, but note that QCL types A, B, and / or C (other than type D) between related SSBs are not excluded). In other words, the same set of base station Tx beams used to scan through the corresponding SSB in the first part 612 can be used to scan through the corresponding SSB in the second part 614.

[0099] SMR 604 (e.g., at SMR-to-base station functionality 608) receives the second portion 614. As part of this reception, each SSB in the second portion 614 may be received on a second SMR Rx beam used by the base station Rx RF module of SMR-to-base station functionality 608 of SMR 604 (e.g., as indicated by the note "SMR Rx beam 2").

[0100] Once the second portion 614 of the SS burst is received at the SMR-to-base station functionality 608 of SMR 604, SMR 604 relays the second portion to UE 606 using SMR-to-UE functionality 610. Each SSB in the second portion 614 may be transmitted on a second SMR Tx beam used by the UE Tx RF module of the SMR-to-base station functionality 608 of SMR 604 (e.g., as indicated by note "SMR Tx beam 2").

[0101] UE 606 receives the second part 614 (e.g., without using any UE Rx beamforming and / or using only a single Rx beam, corresponding to M2=1 as described above).

[0102] In a similar manner to that described above with respect to the first part 612 and the second part 614, flowchart 600 illustrates the transmission and reception of the third part 616 and the fourth part 618. Each of the third part 616 and the fourth part 618 can be scanned using a base station Tx beam, wherein the SSBs in the third and fourth parts are QCLed with the SSBs in the first part 612 / second part 614 (e.g., the same beam used for scanning through the first part 612 and the second part 614 is used to scan the SSBs through the third part 616 and the fourth part 618). As shown, the third part 616 is received at the SMR-to-base station functionality 608 on the first SMR Tx beam used for the first part 612, and the SMR-to-UE functionality 610 transmits the third part 616 to the UE 606 on the second SMR Tx beam used for the second part 614. Finally, the fourth part 618 is received at the SMR-to-base station functionality 608 on the second SMR Rx beam used for the second part 614, and the SMR-to-UE functionality 610 transmits the fourth part 618 to the UE 606 on the first SMR Tx beam used for the first part 612.

[0103] UE 606 performs processing corresponding to each SSB in the SS burst received by the UE, thereby identifying the SSB with the highest signal quality in the SS burst set. This signal quality metric can be, for example, RSRP or RSRQ.

[0104] It should be noted that Figure 6A and Figure 6B An example of joint beamforming training has been shown, where M2 = 1 (where the UE does not use Rx beamforming or only uses one UE Rx beam), and one SS burst from the relevant SS burst set is used. Figure 6A and Figure 6B In cases other than those shown, where M2>1, it is envisioned that UE 606 can use subsequent repetitions of the SS burst set to test its(multiple) corresponding UE Rx beams. For example, as applied to Figure 6A and Figure 6B Imagine that the UE will receive the first SS burst (SSB1 to SSB16, as shown) of the SS burst set on the first UE Rx beam, and the second SS burst (repeating SSB1 to SSB16) of the SS burst set on the second UE Rx beam. Each such SS burst will be processed (on its corresponding Rx beam) to determine the overall SSB with the highest signal quality (on its corresponding UE Rx beam). In such a case, UE606 can thus identify the UE Rx beam on which it receives that SSB with the highest signal quality.

[0105] UE 606 understands that communication with base station 602 via SMR 604 can be achieved using the route taken by the SSB identified in the SS burst set via SMR 604. UE 606 can therefore determine, based on this route (e.g., based on system timing corresponding to the route taken by the specific identified SSB in the SS burst set), to perform subsequent transmissions and / or receptions corresponding to communication with base station 602 via SMR 604. Where M2>1, UE 606 can identify any specific UE Rx beam receiving the identified SSB with the highest signal quality as part of that route. Additionally, in such cases, UE 606 can identify any UE Tx beam with a 1-bit beam correspondence to that UE Rx beam as part of the route (in the UL direction).

[0106] UE 606 may provide L1-RSRP feedback 620 to SMR 604. L1-RSRP feedback 620 is relayed from SMR 604 to base station 602. L1-RSRP feedback 620 identifies the SSB with the highest signal quality in the SS burst set as previously determined. For example, L1-RSRP feedback 620 may indicate the magnitude of the RSRP measurement based on the absolute L1-RSRP measurement result of the SSB with the highest signal quality in the SS burst set, thereby (ultimately) identifying that SSB to base station 602. Thus, base station 602 knows that the best SSB in the SS burst set for communicating with SMR 604 is the identified SSB. Furthermore, base station 602 understands that communication with UE 606 via SMR 604 will continue to be implemented using the route taken by the identified SSB in the SS burst set via SMR 604. Base station 602 can therefore determine, based on the route (e.g., on the base station Tx beam for the identified SSB in the SS burst set, and according to the system timing of the DL corresponding to the route taken by the identified SSB in the SS burst set, on any base station Rx beam that is thus identified with a 1-bit beam correspondence to the base station Tx beam, and according to the same system timing in the UL, etc.), to perform subsequent transmissions and / or receptions corresponding to communication with UE 606 via SMR 604.

[0107] Accordingly, SMR 604 can continue to use the SMR Rx and SMRTx beams of the identified SSB for SS burst concentration to perform DL communication along the route. Additionally, based on the appropriate system timing established for the route, SMR Tx beams with a 1-bit beam correspondence to the SMR Rx beam and SMR Rx beams with a 1-bit beam correspondence to the SMR Tx beam can be identified and used for UL communication along the route.

[0108] Therefore, data communication 622 can then proceed along the established route as described. Data communication 622 can occur in either the DL direction and the UL direction, and / or both. In some embodiments, data communication 622 includes user plane data.

[0109] In some implementations, data communication 622 additionally / optionally includes control signaling intended for use with SMR 604, the control signaling corresponding to control of data relay between base station 602 and UE 606 via SMR 604. In some cases, the control signaling includes TDD configuration between base station 602 and UE 606.

[0110] In some cases, the control signaling includes indications for SMR 604 to receive a new SMR Rx beam transmitted from the base station and / or for SMR 604 to transmit a new SMR Tx beam transmitted to the base station. The duration of validity of either / both of the indicated new SMR Rx beam and / or the indicated SMR Tx beam may also be provided. This type of indication can be relatively frequent (because the base station attempts to schedule the UE, taking into account UE mobility and / or UE antenna panel rotation).

[0111] In some cases, the control signaling includes indications for SMR 604 to receive a newly transmitted SMR Rx beam from the UE and / or for SMR 604 to transmit a newly transmitted SMR Tx beam to the UE. The duration of validity of either / both of the indicated SMR Rx beam and / or the indicated SMR Tx beam may also be provided. This type of indication can be relatively frequent (because the base station attempts to schedule the UE, taking into account UE mobility and / or UE antenna panel rotation).

[0112] In some cases, the control signaling includes power state information for SMR 604. This power state information can control the power state of one or more of the RF modules of SMR 604 (including, for example, any base station Rx RF module and / or base station Tx RF module from SMR to base station functionality 608, any UE Tx RF module and / or UE Rx RF module from SMR to UE functionality 610, and / or any other (not shown) RF module of SMR 604). In other words, the power state information of SMR 604 can control the operation of one or more of the base station Rx RF module, the UE Tx RF module, and the UE Rx RF module of SMR 604.

[0113] As previously stated, the ability to control the power state of the SMR's RF module enables targeted operation of the SMR's functions, allowing the SMR to actively transmit only during times when actively relaying data via the SMR (and only in the manner the system intends). This is expected relative to... Figure 6A and Figure 6B In the implementation scheme, power state information can be used to configure the SMR 604 according to at least the previously described first and / or second modes, as appropriate.

[0114] It should be understood that Figure 6A The implementation shown in flowchart 600 can be modified in various ways, and still achieves the goal of enabling UE606 to identify the “best” SSB from the SS burst central identification results.

[0115] For example, it is possible that when M=2, in order to fully utilize N=4 base station Tx beams for beam management purposes, base station 602, as an alternative, transmits the first pair of SSBs (e.g., SSB1 and SSB2) of the SS burst set on the first beam of the four base station Tx beams, then transmits the second pair of SSBs (e.g., SSB3 and SSB4) of the SS burst on the second beam of the four base station Tx beams, then transmits the third pair of SSBs (e.g., SSB5 and SSB6) on the third beam of the four base station Tx beams, and finally transmits the fourth pair of SSBs (e.g., SSB7 and SSB8) on the fourth beam of the four base station Tx beams. In this case, it is therefore understood that each such SSB pair is at least spatially QCLed (e.g., at least QCL type D, but it should be noted that QCL types A, B, and / or C (other than type D) between related SSBs are not excluded). This pairwise SSB QCL arrangement can then be repeated on SSB9 through SSB16, where SSB9 and SSB10 are QCLed with SSB1 and SSB2, SSB11 and SSB12 are QCLed with SSB3 and SSB4, and so on.

[0116] Additionally, SMR 604 can accordingly use beam scanning of M=2 SMR Rx beams of the base station Rx RF module via the previously described SMR-to-base station functionality 608 (e.g., at SMR-to-base station functionality 608) to receive the first pair of SSBs. This can be repeated more than seven times (so that each pair of SSBs received is scanned through in this manner).

[0117] Finally, SMR 604 can then continue to be used. Figure 6A and Figure 6B The SMR Tx beam pattern shown transmits SSB.

[0118] Therefore, it should be understood that, according to this alternative example, each potential route (e.g., each potential group of SMR Tx beams at the base station Tx RF module of base station functionality 608 and at the base station Tx RF module of UE functionality 610) is represented by an SSB in the SS burst set (although the route represented by a given indexed SSB may differ from that previously described in this case due to the different procedural ordering used for beams). Because each possible route is represented, UE 606 remains capable of receiving and processing each SSB in the manner described herein (e.g., including at each Rx beam of UE 606 if UE 606 has Rx beamforming capabilities), and identifies the “best” SSB to base station 602 using L1-RSRP feedback in the manner described herein, enabling the determination of the “best” route for data communication between base station 602 and UE 606 in the manner described herein. It should be noted that other possible alternative examples may be developed.

[0119] The principles discussed above have been based on Figure 6A and Figure 6B The flowchart 600 is associated with N=4, M=2, N1=2, and M2=1 (unless otherwise discussed). It will be apparent that these methods can be similarly applied when one or more values ​​of N, M, N1, and / or N2 are chosen alternatively (e.g., the one or more values ​​can be extended or reduced at each of base station 502, SMR to base station functionality 514, SMR to UE functionality 516, and / or UE 506 according to the number of beams used at each such entity and the need to create a complete joint beam training).

[0120] Given the recognition of the relationship with... Figure 6A and Figure 6B The methods described in SMR 604 and similar methods do not require feedback from the SMR control module to the base station (e.g., see...). Figure 6A and Figure 6B This paper envisions that such a method could be feasiblely implemented in alternative scenarios where SMR is replaced with RIS.

[0121] Additionally, as described elsewhere in this paper, one consideration for using RIS to replace / alternate SMR is that, because RIS establishes its effective beamforming at RIS based on a single, currently implemented N×N response matrix (denoted as Q) (where N is the number of RIS elements) rather than by using multiple RF modules (as available at SMR), it may not be possible to simultaneously use different beamformings of Rx instead of Tx at RIS (e.g., RIS will inherently have a complete correspondence in Rx and Tx usage at each beam in its effective beam at any given time). Therefore, systems using RIS can implement base station beamforming weights W. s UE reception weight W r Joint optimization of the RIS response matrix Q (based on the physical channel H between the base station and the RIS) dr And the physical channel H between RIS and UE rs ), so as to achieve an effective channel Y corresponding to the desired effective beamforming behavior at RIS, where:

[0122] Y = W r H dr QH rs W s .

[0123] In similar to about Figure 6A and Figure 6B The descriptions, including those using RIS instead of SMR, and in light of the above principles, envision a base station that can configure the RIS controller to apply one or more response matrices Q to the RIS at a timing that ensures the expected effective RIS Tx beam response and effective RIS Rx beam response for each SSB in the SS burst set are present at the RIS at that SSB's time. This can be performed by scanning the codebook of various response matrices Q defined by the RIS (e.g., such that each applied matrix Q corresponds to the expected Rx and Tx SMR beam behavior of the corresponding SSB). Then, once the "optimal" route is thus identified to the base station via L1-RSRP feedback from the UE, the base station can proceed to configure the RIS to apply the response matrix Q corresponding to that "optimal" route through the RIS, in preparation for further data communication.

[0124] Figure 7 A method 700 for SMR according to an implementation scheme is shown. Method 700 includes a first phase of execution 702.

[0125] The first phase of method 700 includes receiving one or more first SS bursts of the first SS burst set from the base station.

[0126] The first phase of method 700 also includes identifying the 706 trained SMR Rx beam based on the signal quality of the first SSB received in one or more first SS bursts within the first SS burst set.

[0127] The first phase of method 700 also includes sending a first feedback message identifying the first SSB to the base station 708.

[0128] Method 700 also includes performing the second phase of 710.

[0129] The second phase of method 700 includes receiving a second SS burst set 712 using a trained SMR Rx beam.

[0130] The second phase of method 700 also includes transmitting one or more second SS bursts of the second SS burst set to the UE, thereby transmitting multiple SSBs in the second SS burst set in each of the one or more second SS bursts using beam scanning of the corresponding SMR Tx beam.

[0131] The second phase of method 700 also includes receiving from the UE a second feedback message identifying a second SSB from a second SS burst set, identified by 716.

[0132] The second phase of method 700 also includes relaying the second feedback message 718 to the base station.

[0133] In some implementations of method 700, the first phase is performed according to a first period, and the second phase is performed according to a second period shorter than the first period.

[0134] In some embodiments of method 700, identifying the trained SMR Rx beam based on the signal quality of the first SSB includes: identifying the first SSB received with the highest signal quality among all SSBs received in one or more first SS bursts; and identifying the first SSB received with the highest signal quality on the trained SMR Rx beam.

[0135] In some implementations, method 700 further includes performing a third phase, including receiving user plane data of the UE from the base station on the trained SMR Rx beam; and transmitting the user plane data to the UE on the SMR Tx beam corresponding to the second SSB.

[0136] In some embodiments, method 700 further includes receiving control signaling from the base station corresponding to data relay between the base station and the UE via SMR. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the control signaling includes TDD configuration between the base station and the UE. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the control signaling includes: an indication for receiving a newly transmitted SMR Rx beam from the base station and for transmitting a newly transmitted SMR Tx beam to the base station; and the validity duration of the newly transmitted SMR Rx beam and the newly transmitted SMR Tx beam. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the control signaling includes: an indication for receiving a newly transmitted SMR Rx beam from the UE and for transmitting a newly transmitted SMR Tx beam to the UE; and the validity duration of the newly transmitted SMR Rx beam and the newly transmitted SMR Tx beam.

[0137] In some of these implementations, control signaling includes power state information of the SMR. In some such implementations, the power state information corresponds to the TDD configuration between the base station and the UE. In some such implementations, the power state information enables data reception from the base station at the SMR during the first phase. In some such implementations, the power state information enables data transmission from the SMR to the base station during the first phase.

[0138] In some implementations, method 700 further includes sending a message to the base station containing SMR codebook information that controls the number of multiple SSBs in the second SS burst set.

[0139] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means for performing one or more elements of method 700. This apparatus may be, for example, an SMR apparatus (such as SMR1102, as described herein).

[0140] The embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of method 700. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, an SMR memory (such as memory 1106 of SMR 1102, as described herein).

[0141] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logic, modules, or circuitry for performing one or more elements of method 700. This apparatus may be, for example, a UE (such as SMR 1102, as described herein).

[0142] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media, the computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of method 700. The apparatus may be, for example, an SMR apparatus (such as SMR1102, as described herein).

[0143] The implementation scheme envisioned herein includes a signal as described in or in connection with one or more elements of method 700.

[0144] The embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product comprising instructions, wherein execution by a processor causes the processor to perform one or more elements of method 700. The processor may be a processor of an SMR (such as processor 1104 of SMR 1102, as described herein). These instructions may, for example, reside in the processor of the SMR and / or on memory (such as processor 1104 of SMR 1102 or memory 1106, as described herein).

[0145] Figure 8 A method 800 for SMR according to an embodiment is shown. Method 800 includes receiving a first portion of an SS burst of an 802SS burst set from a base station on a first SMR Rx beam.

[0146] Method 800 also includes relaying the first part of the SS burst 804 to the UE, thereby forwarding multiple SSBs in the first part of the SS burst using beam scanning of the corresponding SMR Tx beams in a set of SMR Tx beams.

[0147] Method 800 also includes a second part of receiving an 806SS burst from the base station on the second SMR Rx beam.

[0148] Method 800 also includes relaying a second part of the SS burst 808 to the UE, thereby forwarding multiple SSBs in the second part of the SS burst using a beam scan of the corresponding SMR Tx beam in the set of SMR Tx beams.

[0149] Method 800 also includes receiving from the UE a feedback message identifying the first SSB in the SS burst set.

[0150] Method 800 also includes relaying the feedback message 812 to the base station.

[0151] In some implementations of method 800, multiple SSBs in the first part of an SS burst occupy corresponding beams in a set of base station Tx beams; and multiple SSBs in the second part of an SS burst occupy corresponding beams in the same set of base station Tx beams.

[0152] In some embodiments of method 800, two or more SSBs in the first part of the SS burst occupy the Tx beam of the first base station; and two or more SSBs in the second part of the SS burst occupy the Tx beam of the second base station.

[0153] In some embodiments, method 800 further includes receiving control signaling from the base station corresponding to data relay between the base station and the UE via SMR. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the control signaling includes TDD configuration between the base station and the UE. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the control signaling includes: an indication for receiving one or more of a newly transmitted SMR Rx beam from the base station and for sending one or more of a newly transmitted SMR Tx beam to the base station; and the validity duration of one or more of the new SMR Rx beam and the new SMR Tx beam. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the control signaling includes: an indication for receiving one or more of a newly transmitted SMR Rx beam from the UE and for sending one or more of a newly transmitted SMR Tx beam to the UE; and the validity duration of one or more of the new SMR Rx beam and the new SMR Tx beam. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the control signaling includes power state information of the SMR corresponding to the TDD configuration between the base station and the UE.

[0154] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means for performing one or more elements of method 800. This apparatus may be, for example, an SMR (such as SMR1102, as described herein).

[0155] The embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of method 800. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, an SMR memory (such as memory 1106 of SMR 1102, as described herein).

[0156] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logic, modules, or circuitry for performing one or more elements of method 800. This apparatus may be, for example, a UE (such as SMR 1102, as described herein).

[0157] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media, the computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of method 800. The apparatus may be, for example, an SMR apparatus (such as SMR1102, as described herein).

[0158] The implementation scheme envisioned herein includes a signal as described in or in connection with one or more elements of method 800.

[0159] The embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product comprising instructions, wherein the program is executed by a processor to cause the processor to perform one or more elements of method 800. The processor may be a processor of an SMR (such as processor 1104 of SMR 1102, as described herein). These instructions may, for example, reside in the processor of the SMR and / or on memory (such as processor 1104 or memory 1106 of SMR 1102, as described herein).

[0160] Figure 9 A method 900 for SMR according to an embodiment is shown. Method 900 includes receiving a first portion of an SS burst of a 902SS burst set from a base station on a first RIS Rx beam.

[0161] Method 900 also includes relaying the first part of the SS burst 904 to the UE, thereby forwarding multiple SSBs in the first part of the SS burst using beam scanning of the corresponding RIS Tx beams in a set of RIS Tx beams.

[0162] Method 900 also includes a second part of receiving a 906SS burst from the base station on the second RIS Rx beam.

[0163] Method 900 also includes relaying a second portion of the SS burst 908 to the UE, thereby forwarding multiple SSBs in the second portion of the SS burst using a beam scan of the corresponding RIS Tx beam in the set of RIS Tx beams.

[0164] Method 900 also includes receiving from the UE a feedback message identifying the first SSB in the SS burst set.

[0165] Method 900 also includes relaying the feedback message 912 to the base station.

[0166] In some implementations of method 900, multiple SSBs in the first part of an SS burst occupy corresponding beams in a set of base station Tx beams; and multiple SSBs in the second part of an SS burst occupy corresponding beams in the same set of base station Tx beams.

[0167] In some embodiments of method 900, two or more SSBs in the first part of an SS burst occupy the Tx beam of a first base station; and two or more SSBs in the second part of an SS burst occupy the Tx beam of a second base station.

[0168] In some implementations, method 900 further includes receiving control signaling including a RIS response matrix that configures the RIS to use the set of RIS Tx beams, a first RIS Rx beam, and a second RIS Rx beam; and applying the RIS response matrix from the control signaling at the RIS.

[0169] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising components for performing one or more elements of method 900. This apparatus may be, for example, a RIS (such as RIS1202, as described herein).

[0170] The embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of method 900. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, a memory of a RIS (such as memory 1206 of a RIS 1202, as described herein).

[0171] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logic, modules, or circuitry for performing one or more elements of method 900. This apparatus may be, for example, a RIS (such as RIS 1202, as described herein).

[0172] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of method 900. The apparatus may be, for example, a RIS apparatus (such as RIS 1202, as described herein).

[0173] The implementation scheme envisioned herein includes a signal as described in or in connection with one or more elements of method 900.

[0174] The embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product comprising instructions, wherein execution by a processor causes the processor to perform one or more elements of method 900. The processor may be a RIS processor (such as processor 1204 of RIS 1202, as described herein). These instructions may, for example, reside in the RIS processor and / or memory (such as processor 1204 of RIS 1202 or memory 1206, as described herein).

[0175] Figure 10 An exemplary architecture of a wireless communication system 1000 according to an embodiment disclosed herein is shown. The description provided below is for an exemplary wireless communication system 1000 operating in conjunction with LTE system standards and / or 5G or NR system standards provided by 3GPP technical specifications.

[0176] like Figure 10 As shown, the wireless communication system 1000 includes UE 1002 and UE 1004 (however, any number of UEs may be used). In this example, UE 1002 and UE 1004 are shown as smartphones (e.g., handheld touchscreen mobile computing devices capable of connecting to one or more cellular networks), but may also include any mobile or non-mobile computing device configured for wireless communication.

[0177] UE 1002 and UE 1004 can be configured to communicate with RAN 1006. In this implementation, RAN 1006 can be NG-RAN, E-UTRAN, etc. UE 1002 and UE 1004 utilize connections (or channels) with RAN 1006 (shown as connection 1008 and connection 1010, respectively), where each connection (or channel) includes a physical communication interface. RAN 1006 may include: one or more base stations, such as base station 1012 and base station 1014; one or more SMRs, such as SMR 1034 and SMR 1036; and / or one or more RISs, such as RIS 1038 and RIS 1040, any one of which can enable connection 1008 and connection 1010 (wherein the SMR and / or RIS are controlled by the base stations in the manner described herein).

[0178] In this example, Connection 1008 and Connection 1010 are air interfaces that enable this type of communication coupling and can conform to the RAT used by RAN1006, such as LTE and / or NR.

[0179] In some implementations, UE 1002 and UE 1004 may also exchange communication data directly via sidelink interface 1016. UE 1004 is shown configured to access an access point (shown as AP 1018) via connection 1020. By way of example, connection 1020 may include a local wireless connection, such as a connection conforming to any IEEE 802.11 protocol, wherein AP 1018 may include... Router. In this example, AP 1018 can connect to another network (e.g., the Internet) without going through CN 1024.

[0180] In the implementation scheme, UE 1002 and UE 1004 may be configured to communicate with each other or with base stations 1012, 1014, SMR 1034, SMR 1036, RIS 1038 and / or RIS 1040 using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals on a multi-carrier communication channel, based on various communication technologies, such as, but not limited to, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication technology (e.g., for downlink communication) or single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communication technology (e.g., for uplink and ProSe or sidelink communication), but the scope of the implementation scheme is not limited in this respect. The OFDM signal may include multiple orthogonal subcarriers.

[0181] In some implementations, all or part of base station 1012 or base station 1014 may be implemented as one or more software entities running on a server computer as part of a virtual network. Furthermore, or in other implementations, base station 1012 or base station 1014 may be configured to communicate with each other via interface 1022. In implementations where the wireless communication system 1000 is an LTE system (e.g., when CN 1024 is an EPC), interface 1022 may be an X2 interface. This X2 interface may be defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more eNBs, etc.) connected to the EPC and / or between two eNBs connected to the EPC. In implementations where the wireless communication system 1000 is an NR system (e.g., when CN 1024 is a 5GC), interface 1022 may be an Xn interface. This Xn interface is defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more gNBs, etc.) connected to the 5GC, between base station 1012 (e.g., a gNB) connected to the 5GC and an eNB, and / or between two eNBs connected to the 5GC (e.g., CN 1024).

[0182] RAN 1006 is shown communicatively coupled to CN 1024. CN 1024 may include one or more network elements 1026 configured to provide various data and telecommunications services to customers / subscribers (e.g., users of UE 1002 and UE 1004) connected to CN 1024 via RAN 1006. Components of CN 1024 may be implemented in a single physical device or in separate physical devices, including components for reading and executing instructions from machine-readable or computer-readable media (e.g., non-transitory machine-readable storage media).

[0183] In the implementation scheme, CN 1024 may be an EPC, and RAN 1006 may be connected to CN 1024 via S1 interface 1028. In the implementation scheme, S1 interface 1028 may be divided into two parts: an S1 user plane (S1-U) interface, which carries traffic data between base station 1012 or base station 1014 and the serving gateway (S-GW); and an S1-MME interface, which is the signaling interface between base station 1012 or base station 1014 and the mobility management entity (MME).

[0184] In this implementation, CN 1024 may be a 5GC, and RAN 1006 may be connected to CN 1024 via NG interface 1028. In this implementation, NG interface 1028 may be divided into two parts: an NG user plane (NG-U) interface, which carries traffic data between base station 1012 or 1014 and the User Plane Function (UPF); and an S1 control plane (NG-C) interface, which is the signaling interface between base station 1012 or 1014 and the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0185] Generally, application server 1030 can be an element providing Internet Protocol (IP) bearer resources (e.g., packet-switched data services) for use with CN 1024. Application server 1030 can also be configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., VoIP sessions, group communication sessions, etc.) for UE 1002 and UE 1004 via CN 1024. Application server 1030 can communicate with CN 1024 via IP communication interface 1032.

[0186] Figure 11A and Figure 11B Together, a system 1100 for performing signaling between SMR 1102, base station 1118 and UE 1136 according to an implementation scheme is shown. Figure 11A The SMR 1102 and base station 1118 are shown, and Figure 11BSMR1102 and UE 1136 are shown. System 1100 can be part of a wireless communication system as described herein. Base station 1118 can be, for example, a gNB or eNB of a wireless communication system. UE 1136 can be, for example, a UE of a wireless communication system as envisioned herein.

[0187] like Figure 11A As shown, SMR 1102 may include one or more processors 1104. Processor 1104 is executable instructions that cause various operations of SMR 1102 to be performed as described herein. Processor 1104 may include one or more baseband processors that are implemented using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a controller, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof for performing the operations described herein.

[0188] SMR 1102 may include memory 1106. Memory 1106 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 1108 (which may include, for example, instructions executed by processor 1104). Instructions 1108 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. Memory 1106 may also store data used by processor 1104 and results calculated by the processor.

[0189] SMR 1102 may include one or more transceivers 1110, which may include radio frequency (RF) transmitter and / or receiver circuitry systems that use the antenna 1112 of SMR 1102 to facilitate signaling (e.g., signaling 1134) to and / or from SMR 1102 with other devices (e.g., base station 1118) according to the corresponding RAT.

[0190] SMR 1102 may include one or more antennas 1112 (e.g., one, two, four, or more). For implementations with multiple antennas 1112, SMR 1102 can fully utilize the spatial diversity of such multiple antennas 1112 to transmit and / or receive multiple different data streams on the same time-frequency resource. This practice may be referred to, for example, as a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) approach (referring to multiple antennas used separately on the transmitting and receiving sides to achieve this). MIMO transmission by SMR 1102 can be achieved according to precoding (or digital beamforming) applied at SMR 1102, which multiplexes the data streams among antennas 1112 based on known or assumed channel characteristics, such that each data stream is received with appropriate signal strength relative to the others at a desired location in the spatial domain (e.g., the location of the receiver associated with that data stream). Some implementations may use a single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) method (where the entire data stream is directed to a single receiver) and / or a multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) method (where individual data streams may be directed to individual (different) receivers at different locations in the airspace).

[0191] In some implementations with multiple antennas, the SMR 1102 may implement simulated beamforming, whereby the phase of the signal transmitted by the antenna 1112 is relatively adjusted, enabling the (joint) transmission of the directional antenna 1112 (this is sometimes referred to as beam steering).

[0192] SMR 1102 may include one or more interfaces 1114. Interfaces 1114 can be used to provide input to or output to SMR 1102. For example, SMR 1102 may include interfaces 1114 such as a microphone, speaker, touchscreen, buttons, etc., to allow input and / or output to SMR 1102 by a user of SMR 1102. Other interfaces of SMR 1102 may consist of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 1110 / antenna 1112 already described), which allow communication between SMR 1102 and other devices, and can be performed according to known protocols (e.g., ...). (etc.) to perform the operation.

[0193] SMR 1102 may include an SMR control module 1116. The SMR control module 1116 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the SMR control module 1116 may be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 1108 stored in memory 1106 and executed by processor 1104. In some examples, the SMR control module 1116 may be integrated within processor 1104 and / or transceiver 1110. For example, the SMR control module 1116 may be implemented via a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general-purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within processor 1104 or transceiver 1110.

[0194] The SMR control module 1116 can be used in various aspects of this disclosure, for example, Figures 1 to 10 Regarding base station 1118, in some embodiments, SMR control module 1116 may configure SMR 1102 to receive signaling (e.g., SSB) from base station 1118 to UE 1136 using one or more SMR Rx beams as described herein. In some embodiments, SMR control module 1116 may configure SMR 1102 to provide L1-RSRP feedback to base station 1118 (e.g., as generated at SMR 1102 and / or as provided by UE 1136 to SMR 1102 for relay to base station 1118).

[0195] Base station 1118 may include one or more processors 1120. Processor 1120 is executable instructions that cause various operations of base station 1118 to be performed as described herein. Processor 1120 may include one or more baseband processors, which are implemented using, for example, a CPU, DSP, ASIC, controller, FPGA device, another hardware device, firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0196] Base station 1118 may include memory 1122. Memory 1122 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 1124 (which may include, for example, instructions executed by processor 1120). Instructions 1124 may also be referred to as program code or computer program. Memory 1122 may also store data used by processor 1120 and results calculated by the processor.

[0197] Base station 1118 may include one or more transceivers 1126, which may include RF transmitter and / or receiver circuitry systems that use antenna 1128 of base station 1118 to facilitate signaling (e.g., signaling 1134) to and / or from base station 1118 and other devices (e.g., SMR 1102) according to the corresponding RAT.

[0198] Base station 1118 may include one or more antennas 1128 (e.g., one, two, four or more). In embodiments with multiple antennas 1128, base station 1118 may perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beam steering, etc., as described.

[0199] Base station 1118 may include one or more interfaces 1130. Interface 1130 may be used to provide input to or output to base station 1118. For example, base station 1118 as a base station may include interface 1130 consisting of transmitters, receivers and other circuitry (e.g., in addition to transceiver 1126 / antenna 1128 already described), which enables the base station to communicate with other equipment in the core network and / or enables the base station to communicate with external networks, computers, databases, etc., for the purpose of operating, managing and maintaining the base station or other equipment operatively connected to the base station.

[0200] Base station 1118 may include SMR control information module 1132. SMR control information module 1132 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, SMR control information module 1132 may be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 1124 stored in memory 1122 and executed by processor 1120. In some examples, SMR control information module 1132 may be integrated within processor 1120 and / or transceiver 1126. For example, SMR control information module 1132 may be implemented via a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general-purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within processor 1120 or transceiver 1126.

[0201] The SMR control information module 1132 can be used in various aspects of this disclosure, for example, Figures 1 to 10 In all aspects. The SMR control information module 1132 can configure the base station 1118 to transmit signaling (e.g., SSB) to the SMR 1102 using one or more base station Tx beams in the manner described herein. Additionally, the SMR control information module 1132 can configure the base station 1118 to identify the base station Tx beam used to transmit the SSB, which is identified in the L1-RSRP feedback provided to the base station from the SMR 1102 (directly or relayed from the UE, as appropriate).

[0202] like Figure 11B As shown, one or more transceivers 1110 of SMR 1102 can use the antenna 1112 of SMR 1102 to facilitate signaling 1150 to and / or from SMR 1102 with UE 1136.

[0203] Regarding UE 1136, SMR control module 1116 can configure SMR 1102 to relay control signaling (e.g., SSB) from base station 1118 to UE 1136 on one or more SMR Tx beams in the manner described herein. Additionally, SMR control module 1116 can configure SMR 1102 to relay L1-RSRP feedback identifying the SSB from UE 1136 to base station 1118.

[0204] UE 1136 may include one or more processors 1138. Processor 1138 may execute instructions to cause various operations of UE 1136 to be performed as described herein. Processor 1138 may include one or more baseband processors, which may be implemented using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), controller, field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0205] UE 1136 may include memory 1140. Memory 1140 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 1142, which may include, for example, instructions executed by processor 1138. Instructions 1142 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. Memory 1140 may also store data used by processor 1138 and results calculated by the processor.

[0206] UE 1136 may include one or more transceivers 1144, which may include radio frequency (RF) transmitter and / or receiver circuitry systems that use the antenna 1146 of UE 1136 to facilitate signaling (e.g., signaling 1150) to and / or from UE 1136 with other devices (e.g., SMR 1102) according to the corresponding RAT.

[0207] UE 1136 may include one or more antennas 1146 (e.g., one, two, four or more). In embodiments with multiple antennas 1146, UE 1136 may perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beam steering, etc., as described.

[0208] UE 1136 may include one or more interfaces 1148. Interface 1148 can be used to provide input to or output to UE 1136. For example, UE 1136, as a UE, may include interface 1148, such as a microphone, speaker, touchscreen, buttons, etc., to allow input and / or output to the UE by a user of the UE. Other interfaces of such a UE may consist of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 1144 / antenna 1146 already described), which allow communication between the UE and other devices, and can be performed according to known protocols (e.g., (etc.) to perform the operation.

[0209] Figure 12A and Figure 12B Together, a system 1200 for performing signaling between RIS 1202, base station 1220 and UE 1238 according to an implementation scheme is shown. Figure 12A The RIS 1202 and base station 1220 are shown, and Figure 12B RIS1202 and UE 1238 are shown. System 1200 may be part of a wireless communication system as described herein. Base station 1220 may be, for example, a gNB or eNB of a wireless communication system. UE 1238 may be, for example, a UE of a wireless communication system as envisioned herein.

[0210] like Figure 12A As shown, the RIS 1202 may include one or more processors 1204. The processor 1204 is executable with instructions that cause various operations of the RIS 1202 to be performed, as described herein. The processor 1204 may include one or more baseband processors, which are implemented using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), controller, field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0211] RIS 1202 may include memory 1206. Memory 1206 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 1208 (which may include, for example, instructions executed by processor 1204). Instructions 1208 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. Memory 1206 may also store data used by processor 1204 and results calculated by the processor.

[0212] RIS 1202 may include one or more transceivers 1210, which may include radio frequency (RF) transmitter and / or receiver circuitry systems that use antenna 1216 of RIS 1202 to facilitate signaling (e.g., signaling 1236) to and / or from RIS 1202 with other devices (e.g., base station 1220) according to the corresponding RAT.

[0213] The RIS 1202 may include one or more antennas 1216. In embodiments with multiple antennas 1216, the RIS 1202 may perform, for example, simulated beamforming and / or beam steering, as described. It should be noted that in some embodiments (except...) Figure 12A and Figure 12B (In addition to the embodiments shown), one or more elements in the RIS element 1218 may be used as one or more antennas 1216.

[0214] RIS 1202 may include one or more interfaces 1212. Interfaces 1212 can be used to provide input to or output to RIS 1202. For example, RIS 1202 may include interfaces 1212 such as microphones, speakers, touchscreens, buttons, etc., to allow input and / or output to RIS 1202 by a user of RIS 1202. Other interfaces of RIS 1202 may consist of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 1210 / antenna 1216 already described), which allow RIS 1202 to communicate with other devices and according to known protocols (e.g., (etc.) to perform the operation.

[0215] RIS 1202 may include a RIS control module 1214. The RIS control module 1214 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the RIS control module 1214 may be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 1226 stored in memory 1206 and executed by processor 1204. In some examples, the RIS control module 1214 may be integrated within processor 1204 and / or transceiver 1210. For example, the RIS control module 1214 may be implemented via a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general-purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within processor 1204 or transceiver 1210.

[0216] The RIS control module 1214 can be used in various aspects of this disclosure, for example, Figure 2 , Figure 6A and Figure 9Regarding base station 1220, in some embodiments, RIS control module 1214 may configure RIS 1202 to receive RIS control information (e.g., one or more response matrices Q and timing for applying these one or more response matrices to RIS element 1218 of RIS 1202) from base station 1220 via antenna 1216 (e.g., in first signaling 1236). In some embodiments, RIS control module 1214 may apply response matrix Q (at an appropriate time) to RIS element 1218 as instructed by the RIS control information.

[0217] As shown in the figure, the configuration of RIS element 1218 in the manner described herein enables RIS 1202 to relay second signaling 1252 occurring between base station 1220 and UE 1238 in the manner described herein. This can be achieved based on effective RIS beamforming corresponding to the response matrix Q of the current configuration, as already described herein.

[0218] Base station 1220 may include one or more processors 1222. Processor 1222 is executable instructions that cause various operations of base station 1220 to be performed as described herein. Processor 1222 may include one or more baseband processors, which are implemented using, for example, a CPU, DSP, ASIC, controller, FPGA device, another hardware device, firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0219] Base station 1220 may include memory 1224. Memory 1224 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 1226 (which may include, for example, instructions executed by processor 1222). Instructions 1226 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. Memory 1224 may also store data used by processor 1222 and results calculated by the processor.

[0220] Base station 1220 may include one or more transceivers 1228, which may include RF transmitter and / or receiver circuitry systems that use antenna 1230 of base station 1220 to facilitate signaling (e.g., first signaling 1236) to and / or from base station 1220 and other devices (e.g., RIS 1202) according to a corresponding RAT.

[0221] Base station 1220 may include one or more antennas 1230 (e.g., one, two, four or more). In embodiments with multiple antennas 1230, base station 1220 may perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beam steering, etc., as described.

[0222] Base station 1220 may include one or more interfaces 1232. Interface 1232 may be used to provide input to or output to base station 1220. For example, base station 1220 as a base station may include interface 1232 consisting of transmitters, receivers and other circuitry (e.g., in addition to transceiver 1228 / antenna 1230 already described), which enables the base station to communicate with other equipment in the core network and / or to communicate with external networks, computers, databases, etc., for the purpose of operating, managing and maintaining the base station or other equipment operatively connected to the base station.

[0223] Base station 1220 may include RIS control information module 1234. RIS control information module 1234 may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, RIS control information module 1234 may be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 1226 stored in memory 1224 and executed by processor 1222. In some examples, RIS control information module 1234 may be integrated within processor 1222 and / or transceiver 1228. For example, RIS control information module 1234 may be implemented using a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general-purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within processor 1222 or transceiver 1228.

[0224] The RIS control module 1234 can be used in various aspects of this disclosure, for example, Figure 2 , Figure 6A and Figure 9 In all aspects. The RIS control information module 1234 can configure the base station 1220 to send a response matrix Q (and the corresponding timing of the application response matrix Q) to the RIS 1202 in the first signaling 1236. In addition, the RIS control information module 1234 can configure the base station 1220 to communicate with the UE 1238 using a second signaling 1252, which is relayed by the RIS 1202 using the RIS element 1218 in the manner described herein.

[0225] like Figure 12B As shown, with respect to UE 1238, RIS element 1218 may be configured by RIS control module 1214 to relay second signaling 1252 between UE 1238 and base station 1220 as described herein.

[0226] As shown in the figure, it is possible that the antenna 1216 of the RIS 1202 may not be used for communication with the UE 1238.

[0227] UE 1238 may include one or more processors 1240. Processor 1240 is executable instructions that cause various operations of UE 1238 to be performed as described herein. Processor 1240 may include one or more baseband processors, which are implemented using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), controller, field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0228] UE 1238 may include memory 1242. Memory 1242 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 1244 (which may include, for example, instructions executed by processor 1240). Instructions 1244 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. Memory 1242 may also store data used by processor 1240 and results calculated by the processor.

[0229] UE 1238 may include one or more transceivers 1246, which may include radio frequency (RF) transmitter and / or receiver circuitry systems that use antenna 1248 of UE 1238 to facilitate signaling (e.g., second signaling 1252) to and / or from UE 1238 and other devices (e.g., RIS 1202) according to a corresponding RAT. For example, as shown, antenna 1248 may facilitate second signaling 1252 between RIS 1202 and UE 1238, such that second signaling 1252 can ultimately be relayed from RIS 1202 to base station 1220.

[0230] UE 1238 may include one or more antennas 1248 (e.g., one, two, four or more). In embodiments with multiple antennas 1248, UE 1238 may perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beam control, etc., as described.

[0231] UE 1238 may include one or more interfaces 1250. Interface 1250 can be used to provide input to or from UE 1238. For example, UE 1238 as a UE may include interfaces 1250 such as a microphone, speaker, touchscreen, buttons, etc., to allow input and / or output to the UE by a user of the UE. Other interfaces of such a UE may consist of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 1246 / antenna 1248 already described), which allow communication between the UE and other devices, and can be performed according to known protocols (e.g., (etc.) to perform the operation.

[0232] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components shown in one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes, and / or methods as described herein. For example, the baseband processor described herein in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more examples of the examples described herein. Similarly, the circuitry associated with the UE, base station, network element, etc., described above in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more examples of the examples shown herein.

[0233] Unless otherwise expressly stated, any of the above embodiments may be combined with any other embodiment (or combination of embodiments). The foregoing description of one or more specific embodiments provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. In view of the teachings above, modifications and variations are possible, or modifications and variations may be derived from practice of various embodiments.

[0234] Implementations and specific embodiments of the systems and methods described herein may include various operations embodied in machine-executable instructions to be executed by a computer system. The computer system may include one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers (or other electronic devices). The computer system may include hardware components, including specific logical components for performing the operations, or may include a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware.

[0235] It should be recognized that the systems described herein include descriptions of specific implementations. These implementations may be combined into a single system, partially integrated into other systems, divided into multiple systems, or otherwise partitioned or combined. Furthermore, it is conceivable to use parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., of one implementation in another implementation. For clarity, these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., are described only in one or more implementations, and it should be recognized that unless specifically stated herein, these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., may be combined with or substituted for parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., of another implementation.

[0236] As is widely recognized, the use of personally identifiable information should comply with privacy policies and practices that are generally accepted to meet or exceed industry or governmental requirements for protecting user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly explained to users.

[0237] Although the foregoing has been described in considerable detail for clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. It should be noted that many alternative ways exist to implement both the processes and apparatus described herein. Therefore, embodiments of the invention should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and this specification is not limited to the details given herein, but can be modified within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method of a smart repeater, SMR, comprising: performing a first phase, the first phase comprising: receiving one or more first synchronization signal, SS, bursts of a first SS burst set from a base station; identifying a trained SMR receive, Rx, beam based on a signal quality of a first synchronization signal block, SSB, of the first SS burst set received in one of the one or more first SS bursts; and sending a first feedback message identifying the first SSB to the base station; and performing a second phase, the second phase comprising: receiving a second SS burst set using the trained SMR Rx beam; sending one or more second SS bursts of the second SS burst set to a user equipment, UE, whereby a plurality of SSBs of the second SS burst set are transmitted in each of the one or more second SS bursts using a beam sweep of respective SMR transmit, Tx, beams; receiving a second feedback message from the UE identifying a second SSB from the second SS burst set; and relaying the second feedback message to the base station.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first phase is performed according to a first periodicity, and the second phase is performed according to a second periodicity shorter than the first periodicity.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the trained SMR Rx beam based on the signal quality of the first SSB comprises: identifying the first SSB received with a highest signal quality among all SSBs received in the one or more first SS bursts; and identifying that the first SSB is received with a highest signal quality on the trained SMR Rx beam.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: performing a third phase, the third phase comprising: receiving user plane data of the UE from the base station on the trained SMR Rx beam; and sending the user plane data to the UE on a SMR Tx beam corresponding to the second SSB. receiving control signaling from the base station corresponding to data relaying between the base station and the UE via the SMR.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the control signaling comprises a time division duplex, TDD, configuration between the base station and the UE.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the control signaling comprises: an indication of one of a new SMR Rx beam for receiving transmissions from the base station and a new SMR Tx beam for transmitting to the base station; and a validity duration of the one of the new SMR Rx beam and the new SMR Tx beam.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the control signaling comprises: an indication of one of a new SMR Rx beam for receiving transmissions from the UE and a new SMR Tx beam for transmitting to the UE; and a validity duration of the one of the new SMR Rx beam and the new SMR Tx beam. ​ 9. The method of claim 5, wherein the control signaling comprises power state information of the SMR.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the power state information corresponds to a time division duplex (TDD) configuration between the base station and the UE.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the power state information enables data reception at the SMR from the base station during the first stage.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the power state information enables data transmission from the SMR to the base station during the first stage.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting, to the base station, a message containing SMR codebook information that controls a number of the plurality of SSBs in the second set of SS bursts.

14. A method of a smart repeater (SMR), comprising: receiving, from a base station, a first portion of a synchronization signal (SS) burst of a set of SS bursts on a first SMR receive (Rx) beam; repeating, to a user equipment (UE), the first portion of the SS burst, whereby a plurality of SS blocks (SSBs) in the first portion of the SS burst are forwarded using a beam sweep of a respective SMR transmit (Tx) beam of a set of SMR Tx beams; receiving, from the base station, a second portion of the SS burst on a second SMR Rx beam; repeating, to the UE, the second portion of the SS burst, whereby a plurality of SSBs in the second portion of the SS burst are forwarded using a beam sweep of a respective SMR Tx beam of the set of SMR Tx beams; receiving, from the UE, a feedback message that identifies a first SSB in one of the first portion of the set of SS bursts or the second portion of the set of SS bursts; and repeating the feedback message to the base station.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein: the plurality of SSBs in the first portion of the SS burst occupy respective base station Tx beams of a set of base station Tx beams; and the plurality of SSBs in the second portion of the SS burst occupy respective base station Tx beams of the set of base station Tx beams.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein: two or more of the plurality of SSBs in the first portion of the SS burst occupy a first base station Tx beam; and two or more of the plurality of SSBs in the second portion of the SS burst occupy a second base station Tx beam. receiving, from the base station, control signaling corresponding to data relay between the base station and the UE via the SMR.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the control signaling comprises a time division duplex (TDD) configuration between the base station and the UE.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the control signaling comprises: an indication of one or more of a new SMR Rx beam for receiving transmissions from the base station and a new SMR Tx beam for transmitting to the base station; and ​ ​ a validity duration of the one or more of the new SMR Rx beam and the new SMR Tx beam.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the control signaling comprises: an indication of one or more of a new SMR Rx beam for receiving transmissions from the UE and a new SMR Tx beam for transmitting transmissions to the UE; and a validity duration of the one or more of the new SMR Rx beam and the new SMR Tx beam.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the control signaling comprises power state information for the SMR, the power state information corresponding to a time division duplex, TDD, configuration between the base station and the UE.

22. A method of a reconfigurable intelligent surface, RIS, comprising: receiving a first portion of a synchronization signal, SS, burst of a SS burst set from a base station on a first RIS receive, Rx, beam; relaying the first portion of the SS burst to a user equipment, UE, whereby a plurality of SS blocks, SSBs, in the first portion of the SS burst are forwarded using a beam sweep of a respective RIS transmit, Tx, beam of a set of RIS Tx beams; receiving a second portion of the SS burst from the base station on a second RIS Rx beam; relaying the second portion of the SS burst to the UE, whereby a plurality of SSBs in the second portion of the SS burst are forwarded using a beam sweep of a respective RIS Tx beam of the set of RIS Tx beams; receiving a feedback message from the UE identifying a first SSB in one of the first portion of the SS burst of the SS burst set or the second portion of the SS burst of the SS burst set; and relaying the feedback message to the base station.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein: the plurality of SSBs in the first portion of the SS burst occupy respective base station Tx beams of a set of base station Tx beams; and the plurality of SSBs in the second portion of the SS burst occupy respective base station Tx beams of the set of base station Tx beams.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein: two or more of the plurality of SSBs in the first portion of the SS burst occupy a first base station Tx beam; and two or more of the plurality of SSBs in the second portion of the SS burst occupy a second base station Tx beam.

25. The method of claim 22, the method further comprising: receiving control signaling comprising an RIS response matrix that configures the RIS to use the set of RIS Tx beams, the first RIS Rx beam, and the second RIS Rx beam; and applying the RIS response matrix from the control signaling at the RIS.

26. An apparatus comprising means for implementing the steps of the method of any one of claims 1 to 25. ​ ​ 27. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

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