Method and apparatus for in-band wireless relay operation

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to in-band wireless relay operations. Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A relay node can establish a control plane connection between the relay node and a base station, where establishing the control plane connection includes receiving, from the base station, a first network identifier of the relay node. The relay node can receive, from the base station via the control plane connection, a relay configuration. The relay node can monitor, based at least in part on the relay configuration, grants associated with a set of one or more user equipment (UEs), each UE including a different network identifier than the first network identifier. The relay node can relay communications between the base station and the set of one or more UEs in accordance with the monitoring.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application filed on June 2, 2020, with international application number PCT / US2020 / 035680, Chinese application number 202080039531.5, and entitled "In-band Wireless Relay Operation".

[0002] Cross-references

[0003] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 889,665, entitled "In-Band Wireless Relay Operations," filed June 1, 2020, by RICO ALVARINO et al., and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 856,509, entitled "In-Band Wireless Relay Operations," filed June 3, 2019, by RICO ALVARINO et al., which has been assigned to the assignee of this application. background

[0004] The following text generally refers to wireless communication, especially in-band wireless relay operation.

[0005] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, message sending and receiving, broadcasting, and so on. These systems can support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth-generation (4G) systems (such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-A Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems) and fifth-generation (5G) systems, which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems can employ various technologies, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), or Discrete Fourier Transform Extended Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include several base stations or network access nodes, each supporting communication from multiple communication devices simultaneously, which may also be referred to as User Equipment (UE).

[0006] Some wireless communication systems may use one or more relay nodes to forward wireless communication between the base station and the UE.

[0007] Overview

[0008] The described technology relates to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses supporting in-band wireless relay operation. Generally, the described technology provides techniques for ensuring or otherwise improving wireless communication between a base station and a user equipment (UE) involving one or more hops via a relay node. Broadly, aspects of the described technology may relate to the establishment of a control plane connection between a base station and a relay node for such relay operation, the identification of a set of UEs for which a relay node can perform relay operation, duplex / normal operation (e.g., priority ordering), etc. For example, aspects of the described technology may address issues such as whether the UE is aware that a relay operation is being performed, channel performance measurement, and reporting for relay operation within a wireless network.

[0009] In one example, a relay node (e.g., a UE acting as a relay node in a wireless network) can establish a control plane connection with a base station. For example, the relay node can perform a Random Access Channel (RACH) procedure with the base station at initialization to establish a control plane connection. Establishing a control plane connection may include the relay node receiving its first network identifier (e.g., a Cellular Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI)). The relay node can receive relay configuration from the base station, such as configuration information for performing relay operations between the base station and the UEs. Therefore, the relay node can monitor control channels (e.g., Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Narrowband PDCCH (NPDCCH), etc.) to find permission associated with the UEs. Generally, each UE for which the relay node performs relay operations can be associated with its own unique network identifier (e.g., a second network identifier), which is different from the relay node's first network identifier. The relay node may use the information indicated in the received authorization to perform relay operations between the base station and (e.g., relay uplink and / or downlink communication).

[0010] In another example, a UE (e.g., a UE that may or may not perform relay operations by a relay node) may modify various channel performance measurement and reporting parameters based on ongoing relay communication. For example, the UE may determine that relay communication is being performed; for instance, the UE may be configured to detect relay communication in which the UE participates and / or for relay communication in the presence of (or between) neighboring UEs / relay nodes. Accordingly, the UE may determine the transmission scheduling of relay transmissions performed by the relay node on the channel. In some respects, relay communication can generally disrupt channel performance within a wireless network; for example, sudden and potentially widespread transmissions on the channel can introduce additional congestion and / or interference. Accordingly, the UE may use transmission scheduling to identify time periods in which channel parameter conditions change in response to relay transmissions. The UE may modify the channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule based, at least in some respects, on time periods in which channel parameter conditions change. Accordingly, the UE may reset its channel estimation loop based on time instances in which channel conditions may change due to relay transmissions.

[0011] A method for wireless communication at a relay node is described. The method may include: establishing a control plane connection between the relay node and a base station, wherein establishing the control plane connection includes receiving a first network identifier of the relay node from the base station; receiving a relay configuration from the base station via the control plane connection; monitoring, based on the relay configuration, permissions associated with a set including one or more UEs, each UE including a network identifier different from the first network identifier; and relaying communication between the base station and the set including one or more UEs based on the monitoring.

[0012] An apparatus for wireless communication at a relay node is described. The apparatus may include at least one processor, a memory coupled to the at least one processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions, executable by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: establish a control plane connection between the relay node and a base station, wherein establishing the control plane connection includes receiving a first network identifier of the relay node from the base station; receiving a relay configuration from the base station via the control plane connection; monitoring, based on the relay configuration, permissions associated with a set including one or more UEs, each UE including a network identifier different from the first network identifier; and relaying communication between the base station and the set including one or more UEs based on the monitoring.

[0013] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a relay node is described. The apparatus may include means for: establishing a control plane connection between the relay node and a base station, wherein establishing the control plane connection includes receiving a first network identifier of the relay node from the base station; receiving a relay configuration from the base station via the control plane connection; monitoring, based on the relay configuration, permissions associated with a set including one or more UEs, each UE including a network identifier different from the first network identifier; and relaying communication between the base station and the set including one or more UEs based on the monitoring.

[0014] A non-transient computer-readable medium is described, storing code for wireless communication at a relay node. The code may include instructions executable by a processor for: establishing a control plane connection between the relay node and a base station, wherein establishing the control plane connection includes receiving a first network identifier of the relay node from the base station; receiving a relay configuration from the base station via the control plane connection; monitoring, based on the relay configuration, permissions associated with a set including one or more UEs, each UE including a network identifier different from the first network identifier; and relaying communication between the base station and the set including one or more UEs based on the monitoring.

[0015] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for identifying a set of one or more UEs based on the fact that each UE in a set including one or more UEs is within the vicinity of a relay node, or that the repetition rate of relay communication meets a threshold, or a combination thereof.

[0016] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the relay configuration identifier includes a set of one or more UEs.

[0017] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for receiving signals, identifying a set of one or more UEs, via a control plane connection.

[0018] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for receiving transmissions from each of a set of one or more UEs, the set of one or more UEs being identifiable based on the received transmissions.

[0019] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for receiving a random access request from at least one UE in a set comprising one or more UEs, wherein monitoring permission may be based on the random access request.

[0020] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (equipment) and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving a random access request may include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining that the received power level of the random access request meets a threshold, or that the relay transmission associated with the random access request includes a repetition rate that meets the threshold, or a combination thereof.

[0021] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for: relaying a random access request to a base station, receiving a random access response from a base station, and relaying the random access response to at least one UE, wherein monitoring permission may be based on the random access response.

[0022] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for receiving a radio resource control configuration for a set including one or more UEs, wherein communication between a relay base station and the set including one or more UEs may be based on the radio resource control configuration.

[0023] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (equipment) and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, radio resource control configuration may be received via at least one of a control plane connection or a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) or a combination thereof.

[0024] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for: receiving uplink transmissions from each of a set of one or more UEs, determining a channel performance metric associated with each UE based on the uplink transmissions, and transmitting a channel performance feedback report to a base station identifying the channel performance metric associated with each UE.

[0025] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for transmitting to a base station a signal identifying the location of a relay node, including a set of one or more UEs that may satisfy a threshold based on the location of the relay node and the proximity range between each UE in the set of one or more UEs and the relay node.

[0026] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for identifying a first priority metric for communication between a relay base station and a set including one or more UEs and a second priority metric for performing communication between the base station and the relay node, wherein the communication between the relay base station and the set including one or more UEs may be based on a first priority metric that is a higher priority metric than the second priority metric.

[0027] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for: monitoring control signals that identify scheduling information for corresponding data signals based on relay configuration, and determining, based on the transmission configuration for control signals or data signals, the communication between a base station and a set including one or more UEs to be relayed.

[0028] Examples of methods, apparatus (devices), and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for: decoding at least a portion of a control signal to identify scheduling information for a corresponding data signal; decoding at least a portion of a corresponding data signal based on the decoded portion of the control signal; and determining, based on a transmission configuration for the control signal, the corresponding data signal, or a combination thereof, communication between a base station to be relayed and a set including one or more UEs.

[0029] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for identifying transmission scheduling associated with a relay base station and a set including one or more UEs, wherein relaying may be performed according to the transmission scheduling.

[0030] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, transmission scheduling includes a set of start points for relay communication, and wherein the relay communication can be scheduled to begin at at least one start point in the set of start points.

[0031] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, communication between a relay base station and a collection comprising one or more UEs may include operations, features, means, or instructions for actions such as boosting the transmit power of the communication relayed between the base station and the collection comprising one or more UEs.

[0032] Examples of methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for: determining that at least one communication in a communication may be received together with a reference signal of a corresponding type for decoding the at least one communication, and determining, based on the reference signal of the corresponding type, whether to relay or suppress the at least one communication between a relay base station and a set including one or more UEs.

[0033] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for: determining a reference signal of a corresponding type, including a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and determining, based on the DMRS, at least one communication between a base station to be relayed and a set including one or more UEs.

[0034] Examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for determining a reference signal of a corresponding type, including a reference signal (CRS) that varies depending on the cell, and determining, based on the CRS, at least one communication between a non-relay base station and a set including one or more UEs.

[0035] Examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for: determining that at least one communication in a communication may be scheduled on overlapping resources used by a set of one or more UEs to perform channel performance measurements and reporting with a base station, and suppressing the at least one communication between a relay base station and a set of one or more UEs based on the overlapping resources.

[0036] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for delaying communication between a relay base station and a set of one or more UEs based on a delay configuration, wherein the delay configuration may be based on a repetition factor for communication between the base station and the set of one or more UEs.

[0037] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for suppressing at least one communication between a relay base station and a set including one or more UEs based on a corresponding reference signal.

[0038] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for transmitting a capability configuration to a base station that identifies counts of UEs that a relay node may be able to monitor, including a set of one or more UEs based on the capability configuration.

[0039] A method for performing wireless communication at a UE is described. The method may include: determining a transmission schedule associated with one or more relay nodes performing relay transmissions on a channel; identifying, based on the transmission schedule, time periods in which channel parameter conditions change based on the relay transmissions; and modifying a channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule based on the time periods in which the channel parameter conditions change.

[0040] An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include at least one processor, a memory coupled to the at least one processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions, executable by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine a transmission schedule associated with one or more relay nodes performing relay transmissions on a channel; identify, based on the transmission schedule, a time period in which channel parameter conditions change based on the relay transmissions; and modify a channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule based on the time period in which the channel parameter conditions change.

[0041] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include means for: determining a transmission schedule associated with one or more relay nodes performing relay transmissions on a channel; identifying, based on the transmission schedule, time periods in which channel parameter conditions change based on the relay transmissions; and modifying a channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule based on the time periods in which the channel parameter conditions change.

[0042] A non-transient computer-readable medium is described, storing code for wireless communication at a UE. The code may include instructions executable by a processor for: determining a transmission schedule associated with one or more relay nodes performing relay transmissions on a channel; identifying, based on the transmission schedule, time periods in which channel parameter conditions change based on the relay transmissions; and modifying a channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule based on the time periods in which the channel parameter conditions change.

[0043] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for detecting ramps in relay transmissions on a channel, wherein time periods may be identified based on the ramps in the detected relay transmissions.

[0044] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for receiving configuration signals identifying transmission scheduling from a base station. Brief description of the attached diagram

[0045] Figure 1 Examples of systems for supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure are explained.

[0046] Figure 2A-2B Examples of wireless communication systems supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure are explained.

[0047] Figure 3 Examples of methods for supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure are explained.

[0048] Figure 4 Examples of the process for supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure are explained.

[0049] Figure 5 Examples of the process for supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure are explained.

[0050] Figure 6 and 7 A block diagram of an apparatus supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0051] Figure 8 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0052] Figure 9 A diagram is shown of a system including a device supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0053] Figures 10 to 14 A flowchart illustrating a method for supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Detailed description

[0054] A wireless multiple access communication system may include several base stations or network access nodes, each of which simultaneously supports communication from multiple communication devices, which may also be referred to as user equipment (UE). Some wireless networks may support relay operations using relay nodes. For example, relay operations (e.g., uplink and / or downlink relay operations) may be implemented to support access and / or backhaul communication. In one example, relay operations may be implemented because the link between the relay node and the base station and / or the link between the relay node and the UE is superior to the link between the UE and the base station. For various other reasons, such as to increase throughput, relay operations may be implemented additionally or alternatively within the wireless network. However, various aspects of relay operations introduce additional overhead (e.g., the use of additional messages exchanged using air resources), may delay some communication, and / or may introduce additional considerations within the wireless network.

[0055] The aspects of this disclosure are initially described in the context of wireless communication systems, such as wireless networks supporting relay operation. These aspects provide a relay node obtaining a Cellular Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) during control plane establishment with a base station. The relay node can be a UE and / or a base station configured to support relay operation within a wireless network. For example, upon initial power-on, the relay node may establish a control plane connection with the base station and receive a C-RNTI (e.g., a first network identifier) ​​from the base station during control plane connection establishment. The relay node may also receive a relay configuration from the base station. The relay configuration may instruct the relay node to perform relay operation for a set of UEs. In some examples, the relay configuration may use bits, flags, information elements (IEs), etc., to notify the relay node of relay operation. In some examples, the relay configuration may identify the set of UEs for which the relay node will perform relay operation. In some examples, the relay configuration may instruct the relay node on resources (e.g., control and / or data channel time, frequency, space, code, etc.) that it can monitor and / or use for performing relay operation (e.g., various physical layer parameters for UEs in the UE set). Relay nodes can use information indicated in the relay configuration to monitor grants for a set of UEs (e.g., a set including one or more UEs). In some aspects, each UE for which the relay node is performing relay operations may have its own network identifier (e.g., a second network identifier), which the relay node uses to determine whether the permission is for relaying communication. If so, the relay node may monitor the communication between the relay base station and (the) UEs, such as uplink and / or downlink communication.

[0056] In some respects, UEs operating in a relay-enabled wireless network can modify their channel measurement and reporting protocols based on relay operations. Generally, relay operations introduce additional uplink and / or downlink transmissions on a wireless network. Since relay operations can be sporadic in nature, the sudden addition and / or removal of additional relay transmissions on the network can abruptly alter the channel parameter status of the wireless network. Accordingly, UEs operating within a relay-enabled network can identify or otherwise determine the transmission schedule for relay transmissions on the channel. Based on the transmission schedule, UEs can identify the time period in which the channel parameter status changes (e.g., due to the start or end of a relay transmission within the wireless network). In response, UEs can modify their channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule based on the time period in which the channel parameter status changes. Thus, UEs can adapt channel measurement and reporting to improve such operations within a relay-enabled network.

[0057] Various aspects of this disclosure are further explained and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts relating to in-band wireless relay operation.

[0058] Figure 1 Examples of a wireless communication system 100 supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure are described. The wireless communication system 100 includes a base station 105, a user interface unit (UE) 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an Advanced LTE (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, or a New Radio (NR) network. In some cases, the wireless communication system 100 may support enhanced broadband communication, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission-critical) communication, low latency communication, or communication with low-cost and low-complexity devices.

[0059] Base station 105 can wirelessly communicate with UE 115 via one or more base station antennas. Base station 105 described herein may include, or may be referred to by those skilled in the art as, a base transceiver station, radio base station, access point, radio transceiver, B-node, evolved B-node (eNB), next-generation B-node, or gigabit B-node (any of which may be referred to as gNB), home B-node, home evolved B-node, or some other suitable term. Wireless communication system 100 may include different types of base station 105 (e.g., macrocell base station or small cell base station). UE 115 described herein may be able to communicate with various types of base station 105 and network equipment (including macro eNB, small cell eNB, gNB, relay base station, etc.).

[0060] Each base station 105 may be associated with a specific geographic coverage area 110, within which communication with various UEs 115 is supported. Each base station 105 may provide communication coverage to the corresponding geographic coverage area 110 via a communication link 125, and the communication link 125 between the base station 105 and the UE 115 may utilize one or more carriers. The communication link 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include uplink transmission from the UE 115 to the base station 105, or downlink transmission from the base station 105 to the UE 115. Downlink transmission may also be referred to as forward link transmission, and uplink transmission may also be referred to as reverse link transmission.

[0061] The geographic coverage area 110 of base station 105 can be divided into sectors that constitute part of the geographic coverage area 110, and each sector can be associated with a cell. For example, each base station 105 can provide communication coverage to macrocells, small cells, hotspots, or other types of cells, or various combinations thereof. In some examples, base station 105 can be mobile and thus provide communication coverage to mobile geographic coverage areas 110. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies can overlap, and overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies can be supported by the same base station 105 or different base stations 105. The wireless communication system 100 can include, for example, heterogeneous LTE / LTE-A / LTE-A Pro or NR networks, wherein different types of base stations 105 provide coverage to various geographic coverage areas 110.

[0062] The term "cell" refers to a logical communication entity used to communicate with base station 105 (e.g., on a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier to distinguish adjacent cells operating via the same or different carriers (e.g., Physical Cell Identifier (PCID), Virtual Cell Identifier (VCID)). In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types that can provide access for different types of devices (e.g., Machine-Type Communication (MTC), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), or others). In some cases, the term "cell" may refer to a portion (e.g., a sector) of the geographical coverage area 110 on which the logical entity operates.

[0063] Each UE 115 can be distributed throughout the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 can be stationary or mobile. UE 115 may also be referred to as a mobile device, wireless device, remote device, handheld device, or subscriber device, or any other suitable term, where "device" may also be referred to as a unit, station, terminal, or client. UE 115 can also be a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet computer, laptop computer, or personal computer. In some examples, UE 115 may also refer to a wireless local loop (WLL) station, Internet of Things (IoT) device, Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or MTC device, etc., which can be implemented in various items such as appliances, vehicles, instruments, etc.

[0064] Some UE 115 devices (such as MTC or IoT devices) can be low-cost or low-complexity devices and can provide automated communication between machines (e.g., via machine-to-machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC can refer to data communication technologies that allow devices to communicate with each other or with base station 105 without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC may include communication from devices that have integrated sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay that information to a central server or application that can utilize the information or present it to people interacting with the program or application. Some UE 115 devices may be designed to collect information or enable automated machine behavior. Examples of applications for MTC devices include: smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcare monitoring, wilderness survival monitoring, weather and geographic event monitoring, queue management and tracking, remote security sensing, physical access control, and transaction-based commercial charging.

[0065] Some UEs 115 can be configured to operate in reduced-power modes, such as half-duplex communication (e.g., a mode that supports unidirectional communication via transmission or reception but not simultaneous transmission and reception). In some examples, half-duplex communication can be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other power-saving techniques for UEs 115 include entering a power-saving "deep sleep" mode when not engaged in active communication, or operating on limited bandwidth (e.g., according to narrowband communication). In some cases, UEs 115 can be designed to support critical functions (e.g., mission-critical functions), and the wireless communication system 100 can be configured to provide ultra-reliable communication for these functions.

[0066] In some scenarios, UE 115 may also be able to communicate directly with other UE 115 (e.g., using peer-to-peer (P2P) or device-to-device (D2D) protocols). One or more UEs in a group of UEs 115 utilizing D2D communication may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of base station 105. Other UEs 115 in this group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of base station 105 or may be unable to receive transmissions from base station 105 for other reasons. In some scenarios, groups of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE 115 transmits to every other UE 115 in the group. In some scenarios, base station 105 facilitates the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other scenarios, D2D communication is performed between the individual UEs 115 without involving base station 105.

[0067] Base station 105 can communicate with core network 130 and with each other. For example, base station 105 can interface with core network 130 via backhaul link 132 (e.g., via S1, N2, N3 or other interfaces). Base stations 105 can communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between base stations 105) or indirectly (e.g., via core network 130) on backhaul link 134 (e.g., via X2, Xn or other interfaces).

[0068] Core network 130 provides user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. Core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC), which may include at least one mobility management entity (MME), at least one serving gateway (S-GW), and at least one packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW). The MME manages non-access stratum (e.g., control plane) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management of UE 115 served by base station 105 associated with the EPC. User IP packets can be delivered via the S-GW, which itself may connect to the P-GW. The P-GW provides IP address allocation and other functions. The P-GW may connect to network operator IP services. Operator IP services may include access to the Internet, intranets, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched (PS) streaming services.

[0069] At least some network devices (such as base station 105) may include sub-components, such as access network entities, which may be examples of access node controllers (ANCs). Each access network entity may communicate with each UE 115 through several other access network transport entities, which may be referred to as a radio headend, a smart radio headend, or a transmit / receive point (TRP). In some configurations, the various functions of each access network entity or base station 105 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., radio headends and access network controllers) or combined into a single network device (e.g., base station 105).

[0070] Wireless communication system 100 can operate using one or more frequency bands, typically in the range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. Generally, the 300 MHz to 3 GHz band is referred to as a UHF band or decimeter band because the wavelengths range from approximately 1 decimeter to 1 meter. UHF waves can be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features. However, these waves can penetrate various structures sufficiently for macrocells to provide service to UE 115 located indoors. Compared to transmissions using smaller frequencies and longer waves in the lower HF or VHF portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz, UHF wave transmission can be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 km).

[0071] The wireless communication system 100 can also operate in the ultra-high frequency (SHF) zone using a frequency band from 3 GHz to 30 GHz (also known as the centimeter band). The SHF zone includes frequency bands that can be used by devices that can tolerate interference from other users (such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band).

[0072] The wireless communication system 100 can also operate in extremely high frequency (EHF) zoning (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz), also known as the millimeter band. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 can support millimeter-wave (mmW) communication between the UE 115 and the base station 105, and the EHF antennas of the corresponding devices can be even smaller and more closely spaced than UHF antennas. In some cases, this can facilitate the use of antenna arrays within the UE 115. However, the propagation of EHF transmissions may suffer even greater atmospheric attenuation and shorter range than SHF or UHF transmissions. The techniques disclosed herein can be employed across transmissions using one or more different frequency zonings, and the frequency band usage specified across these frequency zonings may vary by country or regulatory authority.

[0073] In some scenarios, wireless communication system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio spectrum bands. For example, wireless communication system 100 may employ License-Assisted Access (LAA), LTE Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology in unlicensed frequency bands (such as the 5 GHz ISM band). When operating in unlicensed radio spectrum bands, wireless devices (such as base station 105 and UE 115) may employ a Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) protocol to ensure the frequency channel is open before transmitting data. In some scenarios, operation in unlicensed frequency bands may be based on carrier aggregation configurations (e.g., LAA) in coordination with component carriers operating in licensed frequency bands. Operation in unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmission, uplink transmission, peer-to-peer transmission, or a combination thereof. Duplexing in unlicensed spectrum may be based on Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), or a combination thereof.

[0074] In some examples, base station 105 or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which can be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. For example, wireless communication system 100 may use a transmission scheme between a transmitting device (e.g., base station 105) and a receiving device (e.g., UE 115), wherein the transmitting device is equipped with multiple antennas and the receiving device is equipped with one or more antennas. MIMO communication may employ multipath signal propagation to increase spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers, which may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. For example, the transmitting device may transmit multiple signals via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Similarly, the receiving device may receive multiple signals via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of these multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry bits associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams. Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports used for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO technology includes single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), in which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device; and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), in which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.

[0075] Beamforming (also known as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception) is a signal processing technique used at a transmitting or receiving device (e.g., base station 105 or UE 115) to shape or guide an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam or a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting and receiving devices. Beamforming can be achieved by combining signals transmitted via antenna elements of an antenna array, such that signals propagating relative to a particular orientation of the antenna array experience constructive interference, while other signals experience destructive interference. Adjustments to the signals transmitted via the antenna elements may include the transmitting or receiving device applying specific amplitude and phase shifts to the signals carried via each antenna element associated with that device. The adjustments associated with each antenna element may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting or receiving device, or relative to some other orientation).

[0076] In one example, base station 105 may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays to perform beamforming operations for directional communication with UE 115. For example, some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted multiple times by base station 105 in different directions. This may include a signal being transmitted according to different beamforming weight sets associated with different transmission directions. Transmissions in different beam directions can be used (e.g., by base station 105 or receiving equipment, such as UE 115) to identify the beam direction used by base station 105 for subsequent transmission and / or reception.

[0077] Some signals (such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device) may be transmitted by base station 105 in a single beam direction (e.g., the direction associated with the receiving device (such as UE 115). In some examples, the beam direction associated with transmission along a single beam direction may be determined at least in part based on signals transmitted in different beam directions. For example, UE 115 may receive one or more signals transmitted by base station 105 in different directions, and UE 115 may report to base station 105 an indication of the signals it received with the highest signal quality or other acceptable signal quality. Although these techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted by base station 105 in one or more directions, UE 115 may use similar techniques to transmit signals multiple times in different directions (e.g., to identify the beam direction used by UE 115 for subsequent transmission or reception) or to transmit signals in a single direction (e.g., to transmit data to the receiving device).

[0078] A receiver device (e.g., UE 115, which may be an example of an mmW receiver device) may attempt multiple receive beams when receiving various signals (such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) from base station 105. For example, the receiver device may attempt multiple receive directions by: receiving via different antenna subarrays; processing received signals according to different antenna subarrays; receiving according to different sets of receive beamforming weights applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of the antenna array; or processing received signals according to different sets of receive beamforming weights applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of the antenna array, any of which may be referred to as “listening” according to different receive beams or receive directions. In some examples, the receiver device may use a single receive beam to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). The single receive beam may be aligned at least in part based on a beam direction determined by listening according to different receive beam directions (e.g., at least in part based on a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio, or other acceptable signal quality by listening according to multiple beam directions).

[0079] In some cases, the antennas of base station 105 or UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays that support MIMO operation or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may coexist on an antenna assembly (such as an antenna tower). In some cases, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with base station 105 may be located in different geographical locations. Base station 105 may have an antenna array with several rows and columns of antenna ports that base station 105 can use to support beamforming for communication with UE 115. Similarly, UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that support various MIMO or beamforming operations.

[0080] In some scenarios, the wireless communication system 100 may be a packet-based network operating according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communication at the bearer or Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer may be IP-based. The Radio Link Control (RLC) layer performs packet segmentation and reassembly for communication on logical channels. The Media Access Control (MAC) layer performs priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer may also use Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) to provide retransmissions at the MAC layer, thereby improving link efficiency. In the control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer can provide the establishment, configuration, and maintenance of RRC connections between UE115 and base station 105 or core network 130 that support user plane data radio bearers. At the physical layer, transport channels can be mapped to physical channels.

[0081] In some scenarios, UE 115 and base station 105 may support data retransmission to increase the likelihood of successful data reception. HARQ feedback is a technique to increase the likelihood of correctly receiving data on communication link 125. HARQ may include a combination of error detection (e.g., using Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ)). HARQ can improve MAC layer throughput in poor radio conditions (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio conditions). In some scenarios, the wireless device may support simultaneous time-slot HARQ feedback, where the device can provide HARQ feedback in a specific time slot for data received in previous symbols within that time slot. In other scenarios, the device may provide HARQ feedback in subsequent time slots or according to some other time interval.

[0082] The time interval in LTE or NR can be represented by a basic time unit (which may, for example, refer to the sampling period T). s = 1 / 30,720,000 seconds) is used as a multiple. The time interval of communication resources can be organized according to radio frames, each with a duration of 10 milliseconds (ms), where the frame period can be expressed as T. f = 307,200 T s Radio frames can be identified by system frame numbers ranging from 0 to 1023. Each frame may include 10 subframes numbered from 0 to 9, and each subframe may have a duration of 1 ms. Subframes may be further divided into two time slots, each time slot having a duration of 0.5 ms, and each time slot may contain 6 or 7 modulation symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix preceding each symbol period). Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may contain 2048 sampling periods. In some cases, a subframe may be the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In other cases, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 may be shorter than a subframe or may be dynamically selected (e.g., in a shortened TTI (sTTI) burst or in a selected component carrier using an sTTI).

[0083] In some wireless communication systems, time slots can be further divided into multiple mini-time slots containing one or more symbols. In some instances, the symbol or mini-time slot of a mini-time slot can be the smallest scheduling unit. For example, the duration of each symbol may vary depending on the subcarrier spacing or operating frequency band. Furthermore, some wireless communication systems can implement time slot aggregation, where multiple time slots or mini-time slots are aggregated together and used for communication between UE 115 and base station 105.

[0084] The term "carrier" refers to a set of radio frequency spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting communications on communication link 125. For example, a carrier of communication link 125 may include a portion of a radio spectrum band operating according to physical layer channels for a given radio access technology. Each physical layer channel may carry user data, control information, or other signaling. A carrier may be associated with a predefined frequency channel (e.g., an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (EARFCN)) and may be located according to a channel grid for discovery by UE 115. A carrier may be downlink or uplink (e.g., in FDD mode), or configured to carry both downlink and uplink communications (e.g., in TDD mode). In some examples, the signal waveform transmitted on a carrier may include multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) or Discrete Fourier Transform Extended OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)).

[0085] The organization of a carrier can vary depending on the radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). For example, communication on a carrier can be organized according to a TTI or time slot, each of which may include user data and control information or signaling that supports decoding the user data. A carrier may also include dedicated acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals or system information) and control signaling that coordinates carrier operation. In some examples (e.g., in a carrier aggregation configuration), a carrier may also have acquisition signaling or control signaling that coordinates the operation of other carriers.

[0086] Physical channels can be multiplexed on a carrier using various techniques. Physical control channels and physical data channels can be multiplexed on a downlink carrier, for example, using time division multiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), or a hybrid TDM-FDM technique. In some examples, control information transmitted in the physical control channel can be distributed in a cascaded manner between different control regions (e.g., between a shared control region or shared search space and one or more UE-specific control regions or UE-specific search spaces).

[0087] A carrier may be associated with a specific bandwidth of the radio frequency spectrum, and in some examples, this carrier bandwidth may be referred to as the carrier or the “system bandwidth” of the wireless communication system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of several predetermined bandwidths of a carrier for a particular radio access technology (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 MHz). In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured to operate on a portion or all of the carrier bandwidth. In other examples, some UEs 115 may be configured to operate using a narrowband protocol type associated with a predefined portion or range within the carrier (e.g., a set of subcarriers or RBs) (e.g., “in-band” deployment of a narrowband protocol type).

[0088] In systems employing MCM technology, a resource element may include a symbol period (e.g., the duration of a modulation symbol) and a subcarrier, where the symbol period and subcarrier spacing are inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme). Therefore, the more resource elements UE 115 receives and the higher the order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate UE 115 can achieve. In MIMO systems, wireless communication resources can refer to a combination of radio frequency spectrum resources, time resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers), and using multiple spatial layers can further improve the data rate for communication with UE 115.

[0089] The devices of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., base station 105 or UE 115) may have a hardware configuration that supports communication over a specific carrier bandwidth, or may be configurable to support communication over a single carrier bandwidth in a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include base station 105 and / or UE 115 that support simultaneous communication via carriers associated with more than one different carrier bandwidth.

[0090] The wireless communication system 100 can support communication with the UE 115 on multiple cells or carriers, a feature that may be referred to as carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. The UE 115 can be configured to have multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to the carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation can be used in conjunction with both FDD and TDD component carriers.

[0091] In some scenarios, the wireless communication system 100 may utilize enhanced component carrier (eCC). eCC can be characterized by one or more features, including a wider carrier or frequency channel bandwidth, shorter symbol duration, shorter TTI duration, or a modified control channel configuration. In some scenarios, eCC may be associated with carrier aggregation configurations or dual connectivity configurations (e.g., when multiple serving cells have suboptimal or non-ideal backhaul links). eCC can also be configured for use in unlicensed or shared spectrum (e.g., where more than one operator is permitted to use the spectrum). eCC characterized by a wide carrier bandwidth may include one or more segments that can be utilized by a UE 115 that is unable to monitor the entire carrier bandwidth or is otherwise configured to use a limited carrier bandwidth (e.g., to save power).

[0092] In some cases, eCC may utilize symbol durations different from those of other component carriers. This may include using a reduced symbol duration compared to that of other component carriers. A shorter symbol duration may be associated with increased spacing between adjacent subcarriers. Devices utilizing eCC (such as UE 115 or base station 105) can transmit wideband signals (e.g., based on frequency channels or carrier bandwidths of 20, 40, 60, 80 MHz, etc.) with a reduced symbol duration (e.g., 16.67 microseconds). The TTI in eCC may include one or more symbol periods. In some cases, the TTI duration (i.e., the number of symbol periods in the TTI) may be variable.

[0093] Wireless communication system 100 can be an NR system that can utilize any combination of licensed, shared, and unlicensed spectrum bands. The flexibility of eCC symbol duration and subcarrier spacing allows eCC to be used across multiple spectrums. In some examples, NR spectrum sharing can improve spectrum utilization and efficiency, particularly through dynamic vertical (e.g., across frequency domains) and horizontal (e.g., across time domains) sharing of resources.

[0094] In some aspects, one or more UEs 115 or other devices may be configured or otherwise used as relay node 101 (wherein only one relay node 101 is shown by way of example only). Generally, relay node 101 may establish a control plane connection between relay node 101 and base station 105, wherein establishing the control plane connection includes receiving a first network identifier of relay node 101 from base station 105. Relay node 101 may receive relay configuration from base station 105 via the control plane connection. Relay node 101 may monitor, at least in part, permissions associated with a set including one or more UEs 115, each UE 115 including a network identifier different from the first network identifier, based on the relay configuration. Relay node 101 may relay communications between base station 105 and the set including one or more UEs 115 based on the monitoring.

[0095] In some respects, UE 115 may determine the transmission schedule associated with one or more relay nodes 101 performing relay transmissions on the channel. UE 115 may identify, at least in part, time periods in which channel parameter conditions change, at least in part, based on the transmission schedule. UE 115 may modify the channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule, at least in part, based on the time periods in which channel parameter conditions change.

[0096] Figure 2A and 2B Examples of a wireless communication system 200 supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure have been described. In some examples, the wireless communication system 200 may implement various aspects of the wireless communication system 100. Various aspects of the wireless communication system 200 may be implemented by a base station 205, a relay node 210, and / or a UE 215, which may be examples of the corresponding devices described herein. Generally, Figure 2A The text describes a wireless communication system 200 configured to support relay operations, and... Figure 2B An example relay timeline 201 for relay communication within the wireless communication system 200 is explained.

[0097] Generally, the wireless communication system 200 can support relay operation, where relay node 210 relays communication between base station 205 and UE 215. Although only one base station 205, relay node 210, and UE 215 are shown in the wireless communication system 200, it should be understood that additional devices may be included in the wireless communication system 200. Furthermore, relay operation may include more than one hop (e.g., additional relay nodes may exist to relay communication between base station 205 and UE 215). In this context, communication between base station 205 and relay node 210 can be considered as one hop, communication between relay node 210 and UE 215 can be considered as one hop, and communication between relay node 210 and another relay node (not shown) can be considered as another hop.

[0098] In some respects, the wireless communication system 200 can support various types of communication. For example, the wireless communication system 200 can support eMTC communication, narrowband (NB) Internet of Things (NB-IoT) communication, etc. In some respects, the wireless communication system 200 can support access and / or backhaul relay operations. In some respects, relay operations within the wireless communication system 200 can provide coverage extension for such communication, such as coverage extension for eMTC / NB-IoT communication.

[0099] In some aspects, the wireless communication system 200 may support in-band Layer 1 relay operation, which intercepts uplink and / or downlink transmissions and performs single-frequency network (SFN) relay transmissions in the uplink and / or downlink. Aspects of the described techniques, in addition to extensive repetition, may also include early termination at relay node 210. In some aspects, the connection from base station 205 to relay node 210 to UE 215 may be superior to the connection from base station 205 to UE 215.

[0100] In some aspects, the wireless communication system 200 can use relay configuration to support various aspects of relay operation. Examples of features involved in the wireless communication system 200 include, but are not limited to, how a control plane connection is established between the relay node 210 and the base station 205, how the relay node 210 knows which UEs it supports for relay operation, half-duplex / normal operation (e.g., priority ordering), etc. Aspects of the described techniques may involve channel measurement and reporting, quasi-co-location (QCL) issues, and what the UE 215 knows about relay operation, etc.

[0101] In some aspects, relay node 210 may establish a control plane connection between relay node 210 and base station 205. In some aspects, this may include receiving or otherwise obtaining a first network identifier (e.g., C-RNTI) of relay node 210. Relay node 210 may receive relay configuration from base station 205 via the control plane connection. Relay node 210 may, at least in some aspects, monitor grants associated with the UE set based on the relay configuration. In some aspects, each UE within the UE set may have a unique identifier (e.g., a second network identifier), such as its own C-RNTI. Accordingly, UE 215 may also have a second network identifier different from the first network identifier of relay node 210.

[0102] For example, upon power-up, relay node 210 may perform random access procedures (e.g., emulate a UE) with base station 205 and obtain physical layer parameters (e.g., timing advance, power control, etc.). Relay node 210 may also receive or otherwise establish a control plane connection with base station 205 for control plane exchange between relay node 210 and base station 205. Relay node 210 may receive a C-RNTI (e.g., a first network identifier) ​​and monitor permission based on the C-RNTI to update configuration parameters, for example, as needed. In some aspects, relay node 210 may set its downlink timing to be equal to the measured downlink timing of base station 205 as measured at relay node 210.

[0103] Relay node 210 may use the C-RNTIs of different UEs to monitor authorization (e.g., for communication between relay base station 205 and a set of UEs, such as UE 215). Relay node 210 may also use its own C-RNTI to monitor authorization for its own control plane communication with base station 205. In some aspects, the C-RNTI used by relay node 210 for its own control communication may be configured by base station 205 or otherwise established after initial access.

[0104] In some aspects, the physical layer protocol can be modified at least to some extent. For example, it can be assumed that relay node 210 is configured as a "high-category" or "high-priority" UE from the perspective of base station 205. For example, the processing latency at relay node 210 can be less than the processing latency of UE 215 within the UE set, for example, with no scheduling latency for N+4 decoding (where N refers to the number of time slots granted between the corresponding data signal). In some aspects, if there is a conflict or collision between the control channel communication and relay communication of relay node 210, relay node 210 can give higher priority to its own control channel communication. Accordingly, relay node 210 can identify a first priority metric for relaying communication between base station 205 and the UE set and a second priority metric for performing communication between base station 205 and relay node 210. Relay node 210 can relay communication between base station 205 and the UE set based at least in some aspects on the first priority metric being a higher priority metric than the second priority metric.

[0105] A given base station (such as base station 205) may potentially serve hundreds of UEs simultaneously (e.g., there may be hundreds of UEs in the UE set). Theoretically, this would mean that relay node 210 might need to monitor control channels for all of these UEs, which may be impractical. Accordingly, in some respects, relay node 210 may transmit or otherwise provide a capability configuration that carries or otherwise conveys an indication of the maximum number of UEs that relay node 210 can monitor (e.g., in terms of the maximum number of supported C-RNTIs that relay node 210 can monitor). Thus, relay node 210 may transmit or otherwise provide a capability configuration to base station 205 that identifies a count of UEs that relay node 210 is capable of monitoring. The set of UEs that relay node 210 is permitted to monitor may be based, at least in some respects, on the capability configuration of relay node 210.

[0106] In some aspects, the described techniques can enable relay node 210 to serve a subset of UEs that base station 205 can serve (e.g., the set of UEs for which relay node 210 performs relay operations may be a subset of potentially hundreds of UEs that base station 205 can serve). Accordingly, relay node 210 may identify or otherwise determine the set of UEs that relay node 210 monitors according to relay configuration. In some aspects, relay node 210 may determine or otherwise identify the set of UEs based at least in some respects on each UE within the set being within a defined proximity range of relay node 210 and / or on the repetition rate of relay communication meeting a threshold. That is, the UEs within the set of UEs served by relay node 210 may include a large number of repetitive UEs that are close to relay node 210 and / or using the relayed communication. In some aspects, UEs within the set of UEs may be identified based on relay configuration, signals received via control plane connection, and / or based on uplink transmissions received from each UE within the set of UEs.

[0107] As discussed, relay node 210 can typically identify UEs within its served UE set that are used to perform relay operations. In some aspects, identifying UEs within the UE set can be initiated by relay node 210 and / or by base station 205.

[0108] For the approach initiated by relay node 210, relay node 210 can identify UEs in the UE set via a control plane connection established between relay node 210 and base station 205. As an example, relay node 210 can be configured to monitor a subset of random access resources (e.g., relay node 210 receives uplink transmissions from UEs such as UE 215). For example, relay node 210 can monitor random access resources with a large number of duplicates. In some aspects, relay node 210 can be configured with a receive uplink power threshold. If relay node 210 detects a random access preamble (or other uplink transmission) with a receive power level exceeding the threshold, relay node 210 can consider the UE that transmitted the preamble (or other uplink transmission) as a candidate to relay communication between UE 215 and base station 205.

[0109] For example, if relay node 210 detects any preamble (e.g., a random access request) that meets these requirements (e.g., an uplink received power level exceeding a threshold), relay node 210 may begin monitoring (e.g., control channels, such as NPDCCH) to look for permission from base station 205 (e.g., a random access response) (e.g., relay node 210 receiving downlink transmissions from base station 205). Several options are available for random access response relay (e.g., NPDCCH and / or narrowband PDSCH (NPDSCH) random access response) and for cases where early termination at relay node 210 is possible. In the first option, and during this phase, relay node 210 may receive the random access response and identify the network identifier (e.g., RNTI) of the candidate UE for relaying and / or the potential location for the corresponding message 3, but may not relay the random access response to that UE (e.g., relay node 210 may assume the UE receives the random access response directly from base station 205). In the second option, if relay node 210 decodes the random access response in advance, it may switch to a transmission mode in which the random access response is transmitted to the UE (e.g., relayed). In the third option, base station 205 may send signaling to indicate whether PDSCH / message 3 should be relayed (e.g., implicitly based on the number of repetitions, etc., within the random access response itself).

[0110] Upon receiving the random access response, relay node 210 can identify the set of UEs for potential relaying and also (e.g., granted by the random access response) know the location (e.g., time, frequency, space, code, and other resources) of message 3 for UEs within the UE set. Relay node 210 can begin receiving uplink transmissions from the UEs in the UE set and begin performing relay communication for one or more of these UEs.

[0111] In some aspects, after security activation, relay node 210 may need to know at least some RRC configurations (e.g., relay configuration information) for UEs in its set of UEs for which it performs relay communication. In some aspects, this may include the number of repetitions for the NPDCCH, search space configuration, transport block size (TBS) configuration, etc. In some aspects, base station 205 may transmit this information to relay node 210 in the form of encrypted or other secure messages. In some aspects, this information (e.g., relay configuration) may be sent from base station 205 to relay node 210 via a control plane connection, for example, before or after sending RRC configuration information to the corresponding UE. In some aspects, this information (e.g., relay configuration) may be sent from base station 205 to relay node 210 in a MAC control element (CE) embedded within a MAC protocol data unit (PDU). In some aspects, relay node 210 uses the information indicated in the MAC CE to determine the relay configuration; for example, relay node 210 may need to determine the physical layer parameters for UEs in its set of UEs for which it performs relay communication.

[0112] For the method initiated by base station 205, base station 205 may transmit signals, messages, etc. to relay node 210 via control plane connection. These signals, messages, etc. identify or otherwise indicate the set of network identifiers (e.g., C-RNTIs corresponding to UEs in the UE set) for which relay node 210 will perform relay. Relay node 210 may begin monitoring the C-RNTI set and relay corresponding information (e.g., monitoring permissions associated with C-RNTIs and relaying communication based on any permissions received).

[0113] In some aspects, base station 205 may configure relay node 210 to measure uplink physical channels / signals (e.g., probe reference signals (SRS)) from UEs. In some aspects, relay node 210 may report information (e.g., channel performance metrics associated with each UE) to base station 205 via channel performance feedback reports. For example, base station 205 may modify or otherwise change the relay configuration of relay node 210 based on the reported channel performance metrics. In some aspects, base station 205 may configure relay node 210 to relay communication if SRS reception is above a given threshold. For example, if a channel performance metric measured using SRS meets the threshold, this can be used to identify the corresponding UE as a UE within the set of UEs for which relay node 210 performs relay communication. In some aspects, this may include base station 205 transmitting or otherwise providing SRS information about the corresponding UE to relay node 210.

[0114] In some respects, base station 205 may configure relay node 210 to perform relay operations for UEs within a UE set based on the relative positions of relay node 210 and UEs (such as UE 215). For example, relay node 210 may transmit or otherwise provide a signal identifying the location of relay node 210 to base station 205. UEs within the UE set may, at least in some respects, satisfy thresholds based on the position of relay node 210 and the proximity range between each UE in the UE set and relay node 210.

[0115] In some respects, relay node 210 can be configured to have a certain degree of priority ordering among different channels, such as PDCCH / PDSCH to be relayed, PDSCH to be decoded, PDCCH to be monitored, etc.

[0116] Regarding downlink transmission, channel coherence time can affect the initiation of relaying. In some aspects, wireless communication system 200 may, for example, use cross-subframe channel estimation (e.g., averaging some reference signals over multiple subframes, such as DMRS) for NB-IoT / eMTC type communication. If the channel changes abruptly due to the initiation of transmission by relay node 210, the performance of some UEs may be impaired. Therefore, aspects of the described techniques may include one or more UEs (such as UE 215) within a set of UEs modifying or otherwise altering certain parameters in response to the occurrence of relay communication.

[0117] For example, UE 215 may identify or otherwise determine the transmission schedule associated with relay nodes(such as relay node 210) performing relay transmissions on the channel. UE 215 may also determine or otherwise identify, based on the transmission schedule, a period in which channel parameter conditions may change based on relay transmissions. Accordingly, UE 215 may modify or otherwise alter the channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule based on the period in which the channel parameter conditions change.

[0118] Similarly, relay node 210 may identify transmission schedules associated with communication between relay base station 205 and a set of UEs (e.g., UE 215). Relay node 210 may relay communication according to the transmission schedule. In some aspects, the transmission schedule may include a set of start points for relay communication, wherein the relay communication is scheduled to begin at at least one start point in the set of start points. In some examples, each start point may be based on the decoding time of base station 205, relay node 210, and / or UE 215. In some examples, each start point may be based on or otherwise correspond to a transmission opportunity for each instance of communication based on a repetition factor.

[0119] That is, aspects of the described techniques can define, in time, instances in which channel conditions may change (and therefore, UE 215 may need to reset its channel estimation loop). These temporal instances may depend on the number of PDSCH / PDCCH repetitions or other parameters. In some aspects, this may include relay node 210 implementing a slowly ramping filter to smooth the transition. In some aspects, these approaches may depend on whether UE 215 is aware of the presence of a relay node operating within wireless communication system 200. Furthermore, aspects of these approaches may be applied to second-order filters (e.g., Doppler / delay power profile (PDP) filters). For UEs within the set of UEs aware of the relay node, aspects of the described techniques may include determining a subset of subframes to be used by the relay node to estimate channel parameters and conditions.

[0120] In some aspects, channel parameters may be determined based on measurements performed by UE 215. In some aspects, the transmission reference signal may affect the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) / Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) estimation and / or power control for all UEs within the cell. To address this issue, aspects of the described techniques may include enabling relaying based on a specific type of reference signal. For example, relay node 210 may determine to relay communication between base station 205 and UE 215 based on determining that communication is received along with DMRS, but suppress relay communication based on determining that communication is received along with a cell-specific reference signal (CRS). Additionally or alternatively, relay node 210 may determine to relay communication between base station 205 and UE 215 based on determining that the reference signal is not used for measurement (e.g., Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements, etc.), and suppress relay communication based on determining that the reference signal is used for measurement (e.g., for CRS-based transmissions in the central six PRBs for eMTC, or for NRS-based transmissions in NB-IoT on anchor carriers). In this scenario, additionally, UE 215 may not update its power control parameters based on the estimated path loss (e.g., base station 205 may configure alpha=0 to disable open-loop power control).

[0121] Accordingly, aspects of the described technology may include the transmit power of the communication relayed by the relay node 210 between the base station 205 and the UE set.

[0122] Regarding uplink transmission, aspects of the described techniques may include delayed relaying. That is, in some cases, it may be beneficial for relay node 210 to delay relaying operations (e.g., to increase the amount of data relayed). In some scenarios, this may include the UE transmitting with each of its own 64 repetitions and a 20ms set. Relay node 210 may need 30ms to decode the transmission, while base station 205 may need 10ms to decode the transmission from relay node 210. Performing relaying operations immediately in this scenario may mean that relay node 210 is blocked for at least 20ms. In another approach, delayed relaying may mean that relay node 210 is blocked for only 10ms and can instead begin relaying the first uplink transmission after decoding the second uplink transmission.

[0123] Accordingly, aspects of the techniques described for the delayed relay operation may include relay node 210 not initiating uplink transmissions until necessary, for example, if the total number of repetitions on the channel is R and base station 205 requires R0 to decode the transmission from relay node 210, then the repetitions are initiated at R-R0 or otherwise.

[0124] In some aspects, this may include, during uplink transmission (e.g., PUSCH), relay node 210 monitoring downlink control channel signals (e.g., PDCCH) indicating successful transmission. Upon receipt, relay node 210 may stop transmission (e.g., may cease relay communication in response to successful transmission). Accordingly, this can serve as an indication of early termination of relay operations of relay node 210.

[0125] Regarding relaying narrowband Physical Random Access Channel (NPRACH) transmissions, relay node 210 may have difficulty determining the distance to a given UE because the UE is in idle mode. Therefore, aspects of the described techniques may include identifying the UE as “relayable” by base station 205 and / or relay node 210 during a previous connection. From then on, the UE can be configured to transmit for NPRACH with a reduced number of repetitions (e.g., for the next cell access procedure). In another approach, aspects of the described techniques may include indicating that a relay is deployed within the wireless communication system 200. UEs within a set of UEs (e.g., UE 215) may first try different numbers of repetitions to determine if relay node 210 is present; for example, UE 215 may first try N repetitions, and if this does not work, fall back to normal operation. In some aspects, this may include UE 215 being aware of relay node 210. One way to achieve this (in a way transparent to UE 215) is to match the number of repetitions for different coverage levels while assuming the presence of relay node 210. In this context, backoff may naturally occur with cyclic expansion (CE) level wrap-up. Where UE 215 is aware of relay node 210, base station 205 can notify individual time / frequency resources for a reduced number of repeated signaling.

[0126] In some respects, the wireless communication system 200 may not be an SFN-based network (e.g., a non-SFN relay). For uplink transmissions, relay node 210 may receive transmissions from UE 215 at a given frequency (e.g., carrier, narrowband, PRB, subcarrier, etc.) and subsequently relay that transmission at a different frequency. If the frequency separation is large enough, UE 215 may be able to operate in full-duplex mode. In some respects, this is transparent to UE 215 (e.g., relay node 210 may construct physical packets and transmit them at different frequencies). However, this approach may mean that base station 205 cannot soft-combine the outputs from UE 215 and relay node 210. In some respects, the scrambling sequence for the uplink transmission of relay node 210 may be the same as or different from the scrambling sequence used by UE 215.

[0127] Another approach is for UE 215 and relay node 210 to use distributed space-time codes (or spatial frequencies). Transmissions can overlap in time and / or frequency. UE 215 and relay node 210 can be configured to have orthogonal reference signal (e.g., DMRS) resources. Precoding can differ for UE 215 and relay node 210. Since UE 215 is transparent, it can transmit uncoded data (e.g., [X1 X2]), and relay node 210 can apply the Alamouti transform to the relayed communication and perform [-X2]... [X1]. Accordingly, in some aspects, relay node 210 may determine that at least one communication in the communication is scheduled on overlapping resources used by the UE set to perform channel performance measurements and reporting with base station 205. In some aspects, relay node 210 may suppress relay communication based on the overlapping resources at least in some aspects.

[0128] Accordingly, for an example of downlink communication relayed from base station 205 to UE 215, base station 205 may initiate downlink transmission 220 (e.g., NPDSCH transmission) to UE 215, where downlink transmission 220 has a large number of repetitions (R). Initially, relay node 210 may operate in listening mode 225, where it monitors permissions associated with the UE set according to relay configuration. Based on the detection of one or more permissions, relay node 210 may relay communication 230 from base station 205 to UE 215. During listening mode 225, UE 215 may receive downlink transmission 220 directly from base station 205 during receiving period 235, and receive both downlink transmission 220 and relay communication 230 from base station 205 and relay node 210 respectively during receiving period 240.

[0129] Figure 3 Examples of a method 300 supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure are described. In some examples, method 300 may implement aspects of wireless communication systems 100 and / or 200. Aspects of method 300 may be implemented by a relay node, which may be an example of the corresponding device described herein.

[0130] Generally, a relay node can relay communication between a base station and a set of UEs based on permissions associated with monitoring the set of UEs. In some examples, a relay node may operate under certain constraints. One example may include a relay node that supports FDD but is not full-duplex; for example, the relay node cannot transmit and receive simultaneously in the downlink direction, but can receive / transmit in the uplink / downlink direction, and can transmit / receive in the downlink / uplink direction. That is, within a given time slot, the relay node can receive both uplink and downlink, transmit both uplink and downlink (or potentially only one), receive uplink / transmit downlink, or receive downlink / transmit uplink.

[0131] In some aspects, relay nodes can be configured to have a certain degree of priority ordering among different channels. Generally, method 300 describes a method for priority ordering among different channels implemented by a relay node. In some aspects of method 300, the relay node can monitor the NPDCCH to find permission for UEs within the UE set and then initiate relay operations. In a broad sense, priority ordering can be performed if relaying is required. Otherwise, the relay node can monitor its own downlink transmissions from the base station.

[0132] At position 305, a subframe can begin. As discussed, some examples of the described techniques can be implemented in SFN networks or non-SFN networks.

[0133] At point 310, the relay node may determine whether any communication (e.g., PDCCH and / or PDSCH) exists to be relayed. From the list of PDCCH / PDSCH to be relayed, the relay node may determine whether to relay the communication based on a set of conditions. Examples of such conditions include, but are not limited to, the number of repetitions for the PDCCH / PDSCH (both the total number of repetitions and the remaining number of repetitions), the TBS used for the communication, the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) used for the communication, and / or the network identifier associated with the communication (e.g., C-RNTI / other, where the decision for relaying may differ for different UEs). If communication to be relayed exists and the conditions are met, at point 315, the relay node may relay the communication between the base station and the UE (e.g., relay PDCCH and / or PDSCH communication).

[0134] If there is no communication to relay, at 320, the relay node may receive downlink transmissions (e.g., to determine if a PDSCH to be decoded exists). For example, the relay node may have detected a PDCCH and therefore know the resource allocation / TBS / etc. used for the corresponding data transmission. If the network identifier (e.g., C-RNTI) or other conditions (e.g., the number of PDSCH repetitions indicated in the DCI) are not met, the relay node may skip decoding the PDSCH. Otherwise, at 325, the relay node may decode the PDSCH and / or update the list of decoded PDSCHs.

[0135] At 330, the relay node can perform blind decoding of the PDCCH (if available). That is, for PDCCH monitoring, the relay node can perform blind attempt detection of the PDCCH for different UEs (e.g., as configured by the C-RNTI list, such as in the relay configuration). During detection, the relay node can decode the PDCCH and update the list of decoded PDCCHs at 335. That is, the relay node can add the decoded PDCCH to the list of decoded uplink / downlink allowed.

[0136] Generally, method 300 is explained with reference to downlink transmission relayed from the base station to the UE. However, it should be understood that method 300 can also be applied to uplink transmission relayed from the UE to the base station.

[0137] For uplink transmissions, similar to downlink transmissions, permission information can be accessed by the relay node (e.g., by decoding the PDCCH). When using semi-persistent scheduling (SPS), the base station can indicate this information to the relay node via, for example, a control plane connection. Operations for uplink relaying may be slightly more complex because, for a downlink transmission on a given carrier, a single UE can be served over a period of time. For uplink, aspects of the described techniques can have multiple UEs served simultaneously (interleaved in time), assuming the relay node can transmit multiple PUSCHs concurrently. Generally, and within a given uplink time slot, the relay node can perform monitoring random access (uplink receive operation), receiving uplink data signals (e.g., PUSCH, uplink receive operation), and / or relaying uplink data signals (e.g., PUSCH, uplink transmit operation).

[0138] In some respects, prioritization can be performed across these channels, for example, depending on the number of repetitions, C-RNTI, etc., and / or configured by the base station. In some examples, a relay node may be unable to transmit the complete set of repetitions, but only a subset (e.g., if a relay node knows that the base station requires R0 < R to decode from the relay node, the relay node may only relay a small portion of these repetitions and then move to receive mode for the rest of the time slot).

[0139] That is, a relay node can determine which subset of physical channels to relay. For example, in some cases, the UE may be uplink-limited (e.g., a UE with reduced transmit power), and the relay node may relay only uplink channels. The determination of which channels to relay may be based on configuration information received from the base station. For example, the base station may configure the relay node to relay PUSCH information used for data (e.g., avoiding PUCCH, PRACH, and / or downlink channels). In some aspects, the configuration information may be per-hop and UE / C-RNTI-based; for example, the relay node may relay PUSCH / PDSCH for some UEs, PDCCH / PUSCH / PDSCH for other UEs, etc.

[0140] In some respects, relay nodes can also be configured to relay PRACH. For example, a relay node can be configured to relay PRACH if the received signal is above a threshold and / or the measured timing advance is below a threshold. In some examples, a relay node can be configured to relay only a subset of PRACH resources (e.g., PRACH resources used for deep coverage).

[0141] Figure 4 Examples of a process 400 supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure are described. In some examples, process 400 may implement aspects of wireless communication systems 100, 200, and / or method 300. The aspects of process 400 may be implemented by a base station 405, a relay node 410, and / or a UE 415, which may be examples of the corresponding devices described herein.

[0142] At 420, relay node 410 may establish a control plane connection between relay node 410 and base station 405. In some aspects, this may include receiving a first network identifier from base station 405. In some aspects, this may include relay node 410 receiving an RRC configuration for a set of UEs and relaying communication between base station 405 and the set of UEs based on the RRC configuration. In some aspects, the RRC configuration may be received via the control plane and / or via MAC CE. In some aspects, this may include relay node 410 transmitting a signal identifying the location of relay node 410 to base station 405. The set of UEs may satisfy a threshold based on the location of relay node 410 and the proximity range between each UE in the set and relay node 410.

[0143] At 425, relay node 410 may receive relay configuration from base station 405 via a control plane connection. In some aspects, this may include relay node 410 identifying the UE set at least in part based on each UE within the UE set being within the vicinity of relay node 410 and / or based on the repetition rate of relay communication meeting a threshold. In some examples, the relay configuration may identify UEs in the UE set. In some aspects, this may include relay node 410 receiving signals identifying UEs in the UE set from base station 405 via a control plane connection. In some aspects, this may include relay node 410 receiving transmissions (e.g., uplink transmissions) from each UE within the UE set, and identifying the UE set at least in part based on the received transmissions.

[0144] At 430, relay node 410 may monitor grants associated with the UE set based on relay configuration in at least some respects. In some respects, each UE may have a second network identifier that is different from the first network identifier of relay node 410.

[0145] In some aspects, this may include relay node 410 receiving a random access request from UE 415 and monitoring granting permission at least in part based on the random access request. In some aspects, this may include relay node 410 determining that the received power level of the random access request meets a threshold and / or that the relayed transmissions associated with the random access request include a repetition rate that meets the threshold. In some aspects, this may include relay node 410 relaying the random access request to base station 405 and receiving a random access response from base station 405. Relay node 410 may relay the random access response to UE 415 and monitor granting permission at least in part based on the random access response.

[0146] At 435, relay node 410 may relay communication between base station 405 and UE 415. In some aspects, this may include relay node 410 identifying a first priority metric for relaying communication between base station 405 and the set of UEs and a second priority metric for performing communication between base station 405 and relay node 410. In some aspects, communication between relay base station 405 and the set of UEs may be based on the first priority metric being a higher priority metric than the second priority metric.

[0147] In some aspects, this may include relay node 410 monitoring control signals that identify scheduling information for corresponding data signals. Relay node 410 may determine to relay communication between base station 405 and the UE set based on the transmission configuration for the control signals and / or data signals. In some aspects, this may include relay node 410 decoding at least a portion of the control signals to identify scheduling information for corresponding data signals. Relay node 410 may decode at least a portion of the corresponding data signals based on the decoded portion of the control signals. Relay node 410 may determine to relay communication between base station 405 and the UE set based on the transmission configuration for the control signals and / or corresponding data signals.

[0148] In some aspects, this may include a transmission schedule associated with relay node 410 for communication between relay base station 405 and a set of UEs. Communication between relay base station 405 and the set of UEs may be performed according to the transmission schedule. In some aspects, the transmission schedule may include a set of start points for relay communication, wherein the relay communication is scheduled to begin at at least one start point in that set of start points.

[0149] In some respects, this may include the transmit power of the communication relayed by relay node 410 between base station 405 and the UE set.

[0150] In some aspects, this may include relay node 410 determining that at least one communication in the communications is received together with a reference signal of a corresponding type (e.g., DMRS or CRS reference signal type, measurement-based or non-measurement-based reference signal, etc.) used for decoding the at least one communication. Relay node 410 may determine whether to relay or suppress the at least one communication between the base station and the UE set based on the reference signal of the corresponding type. For example, relay node 410 may determine that the reference signal of the corresponding type is DMRS, and determine to relay the communication between base station 405 and the UE set based on DMRS. In another example, relay node 410 may determine that the reference signal of the corresponding type is CRS, and determine not to relay the communication between base station 405 and the UE set based on CRS.

[0151] Figure 5 Examples of a process 500 supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure are described. In some examples, process 500 may implement aspects of wireless communication systems 100 and / or 200, method 300 and / or process 400. Aspects of process 500 may be implemented by a base station 505, a relay node 510, and / or a UE 515, which may be examples of the corresponding devices described herein.

[0152] At 520, UE 515 may determine a transmission schedule associated with one or more relay nodes (such as relay node 510) performing relay transmissions on the channel. In some aspects, this may include UE 515 receiving a configuration signal identifying the transmission schedule from base station 505. Additionally or alternatively, this may include UE 515 monitoring or otherwise detecting one or more transmissions from relay node 510 (and / or other relay nodes) and identifying the transmission schedule based on the detected transmissions.

[0153] At 525, UE 515 may identify, at least in part, time periods in which channel parameter conditions change based on relay transmissions, based on transmission scheduling. In some aspects, this may include UE 515 detecting the ramp of relay transmissions on the channel, which can be used to identify the time period.

[0154] At 530, UE 515 can modify the channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule based on the time period in which the channel parameter conditions change. For example, UE 515 can expand or shrink the schedule in which it performs channel estimation measurements and reporting according to the transmission schedule in response to the time period in which the channel parameter conditions change.

[0155] Figure 6A block diagram 600 of a device 605 supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Device 605 may be an example of various aspects of a UE 115 and / or a relay node as described herein. That is, in some examples, device 605 may be a non-relay UE 115, or a UE 115 acting as a relay node, or a UE 115 acting as an independent relay node different from the UE 115. Accordingly, in some cases, device 605 may be an example of both a UE 115 and a relay node. Device 605 may include a receiver 610, a communication manager 615, and a transmitter 620. Device 605 may also include a processor, for example, at least one processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0156] Receiver 610 can receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to in-band wireless relay operation). This information can be transmitted to other components of device 605. Receiver 610 can be a reference... Figure 9 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 920 described. The receiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or an array of antennas.

[0157] When device 605 is configured as a relay node, communication manager 615 can establish a control plane connection between the relay node and a base station, wherein establishing the control plane connection includes receiving a first network identifier of the relay node from the base station; receiving a relay configuration from the base station via the control plane connection; monitoring permissions associated with a set including one or more UEs based on the relay configuration, each UE including a network identifier different from the first network identifier; and relaying communication between the base station and the set including one or more UEs based on the monitoring.

[0158] When device 605 is configured as UE 115, communication manager 615 can also determine a transmission schedule associated with one or more relay nodes performing relay transmissions on the channel; identify, based on the transmission schedule, the time period in which channel parameter conditions change based on the relay transmission; and modify the channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule based on the time period in which the channel parameter conditions change. Communication manager 615 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 910 described herein.

[0159] The communication manager 615 or its sub-components may be implemented in hardware, code executed by a processor (e.g., software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functionality of the communication manager 615 or its sub-components may be performed by a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure.

[0160] The communication manager 615 or its subcomponents may be physically located at various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functionality are implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, according to various aspects of this disclosure, the communication manager 615 or its subcomponents may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, according to various aspects of this disclosure, the communication manager 615 or its subcomponents may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including but not limited to input / output (I / O) components, transceivers, network servers, other computing devices, one or more other components described in this disclosure, or combinations thereof.

[0161] Transmitter 620 can transmit signals generated by other components of device 605. In some examples, transmitter 620 may coexist with receiver 610 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 620 may be a reference... Figure 9 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 920 described. The transmitter 620 may utilize a single antenna or an array of antennas.

[0162] In some examples, the communication manager 615 may be implemented as one or more components of a wireless modem chipset, and the receiver 610 and transmitter 620 may include analog components (e.g., filters, amplifiers, mixers, phase components, antennas, etc.) that interface with the wireless modem chipset to transmit and receive signals and messages. In one example, the communication manager 615 may be coupled to the receiver via a first interface and to the transmitter via a second interface. The communication manager 615 may receive signals received on the wireless channel from the receiver 610 via the first interface and may output signals to the transmitter 620 via the second interface for transmission on the wireless channel.

[0163] Figure 7A block diagram 700 of a device 705 supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Device 705 may be an example of various aspects of device 605, UE 115, and / or relay node as described herein. That is, in some aspects, device 705 may be an example of UE 115, but UE 115 may be configured or otherwise used as a relay node within a wireless network. Accordingly, in some cases, device 705 may be an example of both UE 115 and a relay node. Device 705 may include a receiver 710, a communications manager 715, and a transmitter 740. Device 705 may also include a processor, for example, at least one processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0164] Receiver 710 can receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to in-band wireless relay operation). This information can be transmitted to other components of device 705. Receiver 710 can be a reference... Figure 9 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 920 described. The receiver 710 may utilize a single antenna or an array of antennas.

[0165] Communication manager 715 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 615 as described herein. Communication manager 715 may include control plane connection manager 720, trunk configuration manager 725, trunk communication manager 730, and channel parameter status change 735. Communication manager 715 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 910 as described herein.

[0166] When device 705 is configured as a relay node, control plane connection manager 720 can establish a control plane connection between the relay node and the base station, wherein establishing the control plane connection includes receiving the first network identifier of the relay node from the base station.

[0167] When device 705 is configured as a relay node, relay configuration manager 725 can receive relay configuration from base station via control plane connection.

[0168] When device 705 is configured as a relay node, relay communication manager 730 can monitor, based on the relay configuration, permissions associated with a set including one or more UEs, each UE including a network identifier different from a first network identifier; and relay communication between the base station and the set including one or more UEs based on the monitoring.

[0169] When device 705 is configured as UE 115, relay communication manager 730 can determine the transmission schedule associated with one or more relay nodes performing relay transmissions on the channel.

[0170] When device 705 is configured as UE 115, channel parameter status change 735 can identify the time period in which the channel parameter status changes based on relay transmission based on the transmission schedule; and modify the channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule based on the time period in which the channel parameter status changes.

[0171] Transmitter 740 can transmit signals generated by other components of device 705. In some examples, transmitter 740 may coexist with receiver 710 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 740 may be a reference... Figure 9 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 920 described. The transmitter 740 may utilize a single antenna or an array of antennas.

[0172] Figure 8 A block diagram 800 of a communication manager 805 supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. The communication manager 805 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 615, communication manager 715, or communication manager 910 described herein. The communication manager 805 may include a control plane connection manager 810, a relay configuration manager 815, a relay communication manager 820, a UE set identifier manager 825, a random access manager 830, an RRC manager 835, an uplink relay manager 840, a location manager 845, a priority metric manager 850, a channel priority ordering manager 855, a relay transmission scheduling manager 860, a reference signal manager 865, an overlap resource manager 870, a relay delay manager 875, a capability configuration manager 880, a channel parameter status change manager 885, a ramp manager 890, and a configuration manager 895. Each of these modules may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0173] The control plane connection manager 810 can establish a control plane connection between a relay node and a base station, wherein establishing a control plane connection includes receiving a first network identifier of the relay node from the base station.

[0174] The relay configuration manager 815 can receive relay configurations from the base station via a control plane connection.

[0175] The relay communication manager 820 can monitor permissions associated with a set including one or more UEs based on the relay configuration, each UE including a network identifier different from a first network identifier. In some examples, the relay communication manager 820 can relay communication between a base station and the set including one or more UEs based on monitoring. In some aspects, the relay communication manager 820 can determine the transmission schedule associated with one or more relay nodes performing relay transmissions on the channel. In some examples, the relay communication manager 820 can ramp up the transmit power of the communication relayed between the base station and the set including one or more UEs.

[0176] The channel parameter status change 835 can be used to identify the time period during which the channel parameter status changes based on relay transmissions, based on the transmission schedule. In some examples, the channel parameter status change 885 can modify the channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule based on the time period during which the channel parameter status changes.

[0177] The UE set identifier manager 825 can identify a set of one or more UEs based on the fact that each UE within the set is within the vicinity of a relay node, or that the repetition rate of relay communication meets a threshold, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the UE set identifier manager 825 can receive signals identifying a set of one or more UEs via a control plane connection. In some examples, the UE set identifier manager 825 can receive transmissions from each UE within the set of one or more UEs, and the set of one or more UEs is identified based on the received transmissions. In some cases, the relay configuration identifies a set of one or more UEs.

[0178] The random access manager 830 can receive a random access request from at least one UE in a set including one or more UEs, wherein monitoring grant is based on the random access request. In some examples, the random access manager 830 can determine that the received power level of the random access request meets a threshold, or that the relay transmission associated with the random access request includes a repetition rate that meets the threshold, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the random access manager 830 can relay the random access request to a base station. In some examples, the random access manager 830 can receive a random access response from a base station. In some examples, the random access manager 830 can relay the random access response to at least one UE, wherein monitoring grant is based on the random access response.

[0179] The RRC manager 835 can receive radio resource control configurations for a set including one or more UEs, wherein communication between the relay base station and the set including one or more UEs is based on the radio resource control configuration. In some cases, the radio resource control configuration is received via at least one of a control plane connection, MAC-CE, or a combination thereof.

[0180] The uplink relay manager 840 may receive uplink transmissions from each UE in a set comprising one or more UEs. In some examples, the uplink relay manager 840 may determine a channel performance metric associated with each UE based on the uplink transmission. In some examples, the uplink relay manager 840 may transmit a channel performance feedback report to the base station identifying the channel performance metric associated with each UE.

[0181] The location manager 845 can transmit a signal to the base station identifying the location of a relay node, which includes a set of one or more UEs based on the location of the relay node and the proximity range between each UE in the set of one or more UEs and the relay node meeting a threshold.

[0182] The priority metric manager 850 can identify a first priority metric for communication between a relay base station and a set including one or more UEs, and a second priority metric for performing communication between the base station and the relay node, wherein the communication between the relay base station and the set including one or more UEs is based on the first priority metric being a higher priority metric than the second priority metric.

[0183] The channel priority sequencing manager 855 can monitor control signals that identify scheduling information for corresponding data signals based on relay configuration. In some examples, the channel priority sequencing manager 855 can determine, based on the transmission configuration for the control or data signals, which determines the communication to be relayed between the base station and a set including one or more UEs. In some examples, the channel priority sequencing manager 855 can decode at least a portion of the control signals to identify scheduling information for corresponding data signals.

[0184] In some examples, the channel priority ordering manager 855 may decode at least a portion of the corresponding data signal based on the decoded portion of the control signal. In some examples, the channel priority ordering manager 855 may determine the communication to be relayed between the base station and a set including one or more UEs based on the transmission configuration for the control signal, or the corresponding data signal, or a combination thereof.

[0185] The relay transmission scheduler 860 can identify transmission schedules associated with communication between a relay base station and a set including one or more UEs, wherein relaying is performed according to the transmission schedule. In some cases, the transmission schedule includes a set of start points for relay communication, and wherein the relay communication is scheduled to begin at at least one start point in that set of start points.

[0186] The reference signal manager 865 can determine that at least one communication in the communication is received together with a reference signal of a corresponding type used for decoding the at least one communication. In some examples, the reference signal manager 865 can determine whether to relay or suppress the at least one communication between the relay base station and a set including one or more UEs based on the reference signal of the corresponding type. In some examples, determining the reference signal of the corresponding type includes DMRS.

[0187] In some examples, the reference signal manager 865 may determine, based on the DMRS, at least one communication between a base station and a set including one or more UEs to be relayed. In some examples, determining the corresponding type of reference signal includes a CRS. In some examples, the reference signal manager 865 may determine, based on the CRS, at least one communication between a base station and a set including one or more UEs not to be relayed. In some examples, the reference signal manager 865 may suppress at least one communication between a base station and a set including one or more UEs based on a corresponding reference signal.

[0188] The overlap resource manager 870 can determine that at least one communication in the communication is scheduled on overlap resources used by a set of one or more UEs to perform channel performance measurements and reporting with the base station. In some examples, the overlap resource manager 870 can suppress the at least one communication between the relay base station and the set of one or more UEs based on the overlap resources.

[0189] The relay delay manager 875 can delay communication between a relay base station and a set of one or more UEs based on a delay configuration, wherein the delay configuration is based on a repetition factor for communication between the base station and the set of one or more UEs.

[0190] The capability configuration manager 880 can transmit capability configurations to the base station, which identify the count values ​​of UEs that the relay node can monitor, including a set of one or more UEs based on the capability configuration.

[0191] The ramp manager 890 can detect ramps in relay transmissions on a channel, with time periods identified based on the detected ramps in relay transmissions.

[0192] Configuration Manager 895 can receive configuration signals identifying transmission scheduling from the base station.

[0193] Figure 9A diagram of a system 900 including a device 905 supporting in-band wireless relay operation is shown according to various aspects of this disclosure. Device 905 may be an example of device 605, device 705, and / or a relay node as described herein, or a component including the aforementioned devices. Device 905 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a communication manager 910, an I / O controller 915, a transceiver 920, an antenna 925, a memory 930, and a processor 940. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 945).

[0194] When device 905 is configured as a relay node, communication manager 910 can establish a control plane connection between the relay node and a base station, wherein establishing the control plane connection includes receiving a first network identifier of the relay node from the base station; receiving a relay configuration from the base station via the control plane connection; monitoring permissions associated with a set including one or more UEs based on the relay configuration, each UE including a network identifier different from the first network identifier; and relaying communication between the base station and the set including one or more UEs based on the monitoring.

[0195] When device 905 is configured as UE 115, communication manager 910 can also determine a transmission schedule associated with one or more relay nodes performing relay transmissions on the channel; identify, based on the transmission schedule, the time period in which the channel parameter status changes based on the relay transmission; and modify the channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule based on the time period in which the channel parameter status changes.

[0196] I / O controller 915 manages the input and output signals of device 905. I / O controller 915 can also manage peripheral devices not integrated into device 905. In some cases, I / O controller 915 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 915 may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS / 2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system. In other cases, I / O controller 915 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, or similar device. In some cases, I / O controller 915 may be implemented as part of a processor. In some cases, a user may interact with device 905 via I / O controller 915 or via hardware components controlled by I / O controller 915.

[0197] Transceiver 920 can communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links, as discussed herein. For example, transceiver 920 may represent a wireless transceiver and be able to communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 920 may also include a modem to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to the antenna for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the antenna.

[0198] In some cases, a wireless device may include a single antenna 925. However, in other cases, the device may have more than one antenna 925, which may be able to transmit or receive multiple wireless transmissions concurrently.

[0199] Memory 930 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). Memory 930 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 935, including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the various functions described herein. In some cases, memory 930 may particularly include a basic input / output system (BIOS) that controls basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0200] Processor 940 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 940 may be configured to use a memory controller to operate a memory array. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 940. Processor 940 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 930) to cause device 905 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting in-band wireless relay operation).

[0201] Code 935 may include instructions for implementing various aspects of this disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communication. Code 935 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as system memory or other types of memory. In some cases, code 935 may not be directly executed by processor 940, but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein.

[0202] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating a method 1000 for supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. The various operations of method 1000 can be implemented by a UE 115 (e.g., a UE 115 configured as a relay node) or its components as described herein. For example, the operation of method 1000 can be implemented by, as referred to... Figures 6 to 9The described communication manager is used to perform this. In some examples, the relay node can execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the relay node to perform the functions discussed herein. Additionally or alternatively, the relay node can use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions discussed herein.

[0203] At point 1005, the relay node can establish a control plane connection between itself and the base station, wherein establishing the control plane connection includes receiving the relay node's first network identifier from the base station. The operation of point 1005 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1005 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 6 to 9 The control plane connection manager is used to execute the described commands.

[0204] At 1010, the relay node can receive relay configuration from the base station via a control plane connection. The operation of 1010 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1010 can be described as follows: Figures 6 to 9 The described relay configuration manager is used to execute this.

[0205] At point 1015, the relay node can monitor grants associated with a set including one or more UEs based on this relay configuration, each UE including a network identifier different from the first network identifier. Operation of point 1015 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of operation of point 1015 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 6 to 9 The described relay communication manager is used to perform this.

[0206] At point 1020, the relay node can relay communication between the base station and a set including one or more UEs based on monitoring. The operation of point 1020 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1020 can be determined by reference to... Figures 6 to 9 The described relay communication manager is used to perform this.

[0207] Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating a method 1100 for supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. The operations of method 1100 may be implemented by a UE 115 (e.g., a UE 115 configured as a relay node) or its components as described herein. For example, the operation of method 1100 may be implemented by, as referred to... Figures 6 to 9 The described communication manager is used to perform this. In some examples, the relay node can execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the relay node to perform the functions discussed herein. Additionally or alternatively, the relay node can use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions discussed herein.

[0208] At point 1105, the relay node can establish a control plane connection between itself and the base station, wherein establishing the control plane connection includes receiving the relay node's first network identifier from the base station. The operation of point 1105 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1105 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 6 to 9 The control plane connection manager is used to execute the described commands.

[0209] At 1110, the relay node can receive relay configuration from the base station via a control plane connection. The operation of 1110 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1110 can be described as follows: Figures 6 to 9 The described relay configuration manager is used to execute this.

[0210] At 1115, the relay node may identify a set of one or more UEs based on the fact that each UE within the set, including one or more UEs, is within the vicinity of the relay node, or that the repetition rate of relay communication meets a threshold, or a combination thereof. The operation of 1115 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1115 may be determined by reference to... Figures 6 to 9 The UE set identifier manager is described and executed.

[0211] At 1120, the relay node can monitor, based on this relay configuration, permissions associated with a set including one or more UEs, each UE including a network identifier different from the first network identifier. The operation of 1120 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1120 can be determined by reference to [reference needed]. Figures 6 to 9 The described relay communication manager is used to perform this.

[0212] At 1125, the relay node can relay communication between the base station and a set including one or more UEs based on monitoring. The operation of 1125 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1125 can be determined by reference to... Figures 6 to 9 The described relay communication manager is used to perform this.

[0213] Figure 12 A flowchart illustrating a method 1200 for supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. The various operations of method 1200 can be implemented by a UE 115 (e.g., a UE 115 configured as a relay node) or its components as described herein. For example, the operation of method 1200 can be implemented by, as referred to... Figures 6 to 9The described communication manager is used to perform this. In some examples, the relay node can execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the relay node to perform the functions discussed herein. Additionally or alternatively, the relay node can use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions discussed herein.

[0214] At point 1205, the relay node can establish a control plane connection between itself and the base station, wherein establishing the control plane connection includes receiving the relay node's first network identifier from the base station. The operation of point 1205 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1205 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 6 to 9 The control plane connection manager is used to execute the described commands.

[0215] At 1210, the relay node can receive relay configuration from the base station via a control plane connection. The operation of 1210 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1210 can be described as follows: Figures 6 to 9 The described relay configuration manager is used to execute this.

[0216] At point 1215, the relay node may receive a random access request from at least one UE in a set comprising one or more UEs, wherein monitoring grant is based on the random access request. The operation of point 1215 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of block 1215 may be as described in reference... Figures 6 to 9 The described random access manager is used to perform this.

[0217] At 1220, the relay node can monitor grants associated with a set including one or more UEs based on this relay configuration, each UE including a network identifier different from the first network identifier. The operation of 1220 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1220 can be determined by reference to [reference needed]. Figures 6 to 9 The described relay communication manager is used to perform this.

[0218] At 1225, the relay node can relay communication between the base station and a set including one or more UEs based on monitoring. The operation of 1225 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1225 can be determined by reference to... Figures 6 to 9 The described relay communication manager is used to perform this.

[0219] Figure 13 A flowchart illustrating a method 1300 for supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Operation of method 1300 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1300 may be implemented by, as referred to... Figures 6 to 9The described communication manager is used to perform this. In some examples, the UE can execute a set of instructions to control the UE's functional elements to perform the functions discussed herein. Additionally or alternatively, the UE can use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions discussed herein.

[0220] At 1305, the UE can determine the transmission schedule associated with one or more relay nodes performing relay transmissions on the channel. The operation of 1305 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1305 can be determined by reference to... Figures 6 to 9 The described relay communication manager is used to perform this.

[0221] At 1310, the UE can identify time periods in which channel parameter conditions change based on relay transmissions, based on this transmission schedule. The operation of 1310 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1310 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 6 to 9 The described channel parameter conditions are changed to execute this.

[0222] At point 1315, the UE can modify the channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule based on the time period in which the channel parameter conditions change. The operation at point 1315 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at point 1315 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 6 to 9 The described channel parameter conditions are changed to execute this.

[0223] Figure 14 A flowchart illustrating a method 1400 for supporting in-band wireless relay operation according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Operation of method 1400 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1400 may be implemented by, as described in reference... Figures 6 to 9 The described communication manager is used to perform this. In some examples, the UE can execute a set of instructions to control the UE's functional elements to perform the functions discussed herein. Additionally or alternatively, the UE can use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions discussed herein.

[0224] At point 1405, the UE can determine the transmission schedule associated with one or more relay nodes performing relay transmissions on the channel. The operation of point 1405 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1405 can be determined by reference to... Figures 6 to 9 The described relay communication manager is used to perform this.

[0225] At 1410, the UE can detect the ramp of relay transmissions on the channel, where the time period is identified based on the detected ramp of relay transmissions. The operation at 1410 can be performed according to the method described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1410 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 6 to 9 The described ramp manager is used to execute this.

[0226] At point 1415, the UE can identify time periods in which channel parameter conditions change based on relay transmissions, based on this transmission schedule. The operation at point 1415 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at point 1415 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 6 to 9 The described channel parameter conditions are changed to execute this.

[0227] At point 1420, the UE can modify the channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule based on the time period during which the channel parameter conditions change. The operation at point 1420 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at point 1420 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 6 to 9 The described channel parameter conditions are changed to execute this.

[0228] It should be noted that the methods described in this paper describe possible implementations, and the operations and steps can be rearranged or otherwise modified, and other implementations are also possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more methods can be combined.

[0229] The techniques described in this article can be used in various wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), and others. CDMA systems can implement radio technologies such as CDMA2000 and Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA). CDMA2000 encompasses the IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards. Versions of IS-2000 are often referred to as CDMA2000 1X, 1X, etc. IS-856 (TIA-856) is often referred to as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), etc. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. TDMA systems can implement radio technologies such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).

[0230] OFDMA systems can implement radio technologies such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, and Flash-OFDM. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). LTE, LTE-A, and LTE-A Pro are UMTS versions using E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR, and GSM are described in documents from an organization called the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization called 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2). The technologies described herein can be used with the systems and radio technologies mentioned herein, as well as with other systems and radio technologies. Although aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described for illustrative purposes, and the terms LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR may be used in most of the descriptions, the techniques described herein may also be applied to applications beyond LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR applications.

[0231] Macrocells typically cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions to a network provider. Small cells may be associated with lower-power base stations (compared to macrocells) and may operate in the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed, etc.) frequency bands as macrocells. Depending on the examples, small cells may include picocells, femtocells, and microcells. Picocells may, for example, cover a smaller geographic area and allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions to a network provider. Femtocells may also cover a smaller geographic area (e.g., a residential area) and provide restricted access by UEs associated with that femtocell (e.g., UEs in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs of users in that residence, etc.). An eNB used for a macrocell may be referred to as a macro eNB. An eNB used for a small cell may be referred to as a small cell eNB, pico eNB, femtocell eNB, or home eNB. eNB can support one or more (e.g., two, three, four, etc.) cells and can also support communication using one or more component carriers.

[0232] The wireless communication system described herein can support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, base stations can have similar frame timings, and transmissions from different base stations can be approximately time-aligned. For asynchronous operation, base stations can have different frame timings, and transmissions from different base stations may not be time-aligned. The techniques described herein can be used for both synchronous and asynchronous operation.

[0233] The information and signals described herein can be represented using any of a wide variety of different techniques and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout this description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or light particles, or any combination thereof.

[0234] The various illustrative boxes and modules described herein can be implemented or executed using a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in alternatives, the processor may be any conventional processor(s), controller(s), microcontroller(s), or state machine(s). The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors working in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0235] The functions described herein can be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions can be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations fall within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwired, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions can also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that different parts of the function are implemented at different physical locations.

[0236] Computer-readable media includes both non-transient computer storage media and communication media, encompassing any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one location to another. Non-transient storage media can be any available medium accessible to a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example and not limitation, non-transient computer-readable media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc (CD) ROM or other optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transient medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and is accessible to a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Any connection is also legitimately referred to as computer-readable media. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then that coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of media. As used in this article, disk and disc include CDs, laser discs, optical discs, DVDs, floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, where disks often magnetically reproduce data while discs optically reproduce data using lasers. Combinations of these media are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0237] As used herein (including in the claims), the word "or" in an enumeration of items (e.g., an enumeration of items accompanied by phrases such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive enumeration, such that an enumeration of at least one of, for example, A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Similarly, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be construed as referencing a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "at least partially based on".

[0238] In the accompanying drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference numerals. Furthermore, components of the same type may be distinguished by a dash following the reference numeral and a second reference numeral used to differentiate between similar components. If only the first reference numeral is used in the description, the description may apply to any of the similar components having the same first reference numeral, regardless of the second reference numeral or other subsequent reference numerals.

[0239] This document, illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes exemplary configurations but does not represent all examples that can be implemented or fall within the scope of the claims. The term "exemplary" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration" and does not mean "superior to" or "outperforms" other examples. This detailed description includes specific details to provide an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0240] The description provided herein is intended to enable those skilled in the art to make or use this disclosure. Various modifications to this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the universal principles defined herein can be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Thus, this disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be granted the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the UE operating in a wireless network supporting in-band wireless relay operation, the method comprising: Determine a transmission schedule associated with one or more relay nodes performing relay transmissions on the channel, wherein the transmission schedule is determined by at least one of: monitoring one or more relay transmissions from the one or more relay nodes; and receiving a configuration signal identifying the transmission schedule from a base station; Detect the ramp of the relay transmission on the channel; The time period in which the channel parameter conditions change at least in part based on the transmission scheduling and the detected ramp of the relay transmission is identified at least in part based on the relay transmission. as well as The channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule is modified, at least in part, based on the time period during which the channel parameter conditions change.

2. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the UE operating in a wireless network supporting in-band wireless relay operation, the apparatus comprising: A means for determining a transmission schedule associated with one or more relay nodes performing relay transmissions on a channel, wherein the transmission schedule is determined by at least one of: monitoring one or more relay transmissions from the one or more relay nodes; and receiving a configuration signal identifying the transmission schedule from a base station; A means for detecting the ramp of the relay transmission on the channel; A means for identifying a time period in which channel parameter conditions change at least in part based on the transmission scheduling and the detected ramp of the relay transmission; as well as A means for modifying channel estimation measurement and reporting schedules based at least in part on the time period during which the channel parameter conditions change.

3. A computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processing system of a user equipment (UE) operating in a wireless network supporting in-band wireless relay operation, cause the UE to perform operations including: Determine a transmission schedule associated with one or more relay nodes performing relay transmissions on the channel, wherein the transmission schedule is determined by at least one of: monitoring one or more relay transmissions from the one or more relay nodes; and receiving a configuration signal identifying the transmission schedule from a base station; Detect the ramp of the relay transmission on the channel; The time period in which the channel parameter conditions change at least in part based on the transmission scheduling and the detected ramp of the relay transmission is identified at least in part based on the relay transmission. as well as The channel estimation measurement and reporting schedule is modified, at least in part, based on the time period during which the channel parameter conditions change.

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