Relay configuration for channel state information reference signals

Abstract

Devices, methods, and systems are disclosed for repeater configuration for channel state information reference signals. One device (800) includes a transceiver (825) that receives a first configuration from a base station (121) of a mobile wireless communication network, the first configuration comprising channel state information reference signal ("CSI-RS") configuration information for amplifying and forwarding a CSI-RS beam from the device (800) to a user equipment ("UE") device (700). The transceiver (825) receives a second configuration from the base station (121), the second configuration comprising configuration information for performing measurements and reporting of the CSI-RS beam. The transceiver (825) receives a repeater-specific CSI-RS to be forwarded to the UE device (700) and transmits the repeater-specific CSI-RS to the UE device (700) in accordance with the first configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The topics disclosed in this article generally relate to wireless communication, and more specifically to repeater configuration for channel state information reference signals. Background Technology

[0002] In wireless networks, repeaters can be used to receive and transmit signals to enhance reception within the network. With the aid of more control information from the network, intelligent repeaters can be used to extend network coverage in both uplink and downlink communications to achieve efficient amplification and forwarding mechanisms using Uu link temporal and spatial information. However, transmitting this control information for each time slot can impose a significant burden on control signaling overhead. Furthermore, based on the multiple antenna ports used to transmit Channel State Information Reference Signals (“CSI-RS”) to User Equipment (“UE”), CSI-RS resources can be mapped in frequency and time using a configuration that includes code division (“CD”) in Frequency Division Multiplexing (“FDM”) and / or Time Division Multiplexing (“TDM”). Summary of the Invention

[0003] A process for configuring a repeater for a channel state information reference signal is disclosed. The process can be implemented by an apparatus, system, method, and / or computer program product.

[0004] In one embodiment, a first device includes a transceiver that receives a first configuration from a base station of a mobile wireless communication network. The first configuration includes CSI-RS configuration information for amplifying a Channel State Information Reference Signal (“CSI-RS”) beam and forwarding it from the repeater node to a User Equipment (“UE”) device.

[0005] In one embodiment, the transceiver receives a second configuration from the base station, the second configuration including configuration information for performing measurements and reporting of the CSI-RS beam. In another embodiment, the transceiver receives repeater-specific CSI-RS to be forwarded to the UE device and transmits the repeater-specific CSI-RS to the UE device according to the first configuration.

[0006] In one embodiment, a first method includes receiving a first configuration from a base station of a mobile wireless communication network, the first configuration including CSI-RS configuration information for amplifying a Channel State Information Reference Signal (“CSI-RS”) beam and forwarding it from the repeater node to a User Equipment (“UE”) device. In one embodiment, the first method includes receiving a second configuration from the base station, the second configuration including configuration information for performing measurements and reporting of the CSI-RS beam. In one embodiment, the first method includes receiving a repeater-specific CSI-RS to be forwarded to the UE device and transmitting the repeater-specific CSI-RS to the UE device according to the first configuration.

[0007] In one embodiment, a second device includes a transceiver that transmits a first configuration to a repeater node of a mobile wireless communication network, the first configuration including CSI-RS configuration information for amplifying a Channel State Information Reference Signal (“CSI-RS”) beam and forwarding it from the repeater node to a User Equipment (“UE”) device. In one embodiment, the transceiver transmits a second configuration to the repeater node, the second configuration including configuration information for performing measurements and reporting of the CSI-RS beam. In one embodiment, the transceiver transmits repeater-specific CSI-RS to be forwarded to the UE device to the repeater node and transmits an indication for reporting repeater-specific CSI-RS measurements to the base station to the UE device.

[0008] In one embodiment, a second method includes transmitting a first configuration to a repeater node of a mobile wireless communication network, the first configuration including CSI-RS configuration information for amplifying a Channel State Information Reference Signal (“CSI-RS”) beam and forwarding it from the repeater node to a User Equipment (“UE”) device. In one embodiment, the second method includes transmitting a second configuration to the repeater node, the second configuration including configuration information for performing measurements and reporting of the CSI-RS beam. In one embodiment, the second method includes transmitting repeater-specific CSI-RS to be forwarded to the UE device to the repeater node and transmitting an indication for reporting repeater-specific CSI-RS measurements to the base station to the UE device.

[0009] In one embodiment, a third device includes a transceiver that receives from a base station of a mobile wireless communication network an indication for reporting repeater-specific reference signal (“RS”) measurements and repeater-specific channel state information (“CSI-RS”) associated with a repeater node, and transmits the repeater-specific RS measurements associated with the received repeater-specific CSI-RS to the base station.

[0010] In one embodiment, a third method includes receiving from a base station of a mobile wireless communication network an indication for reporting repeater-specific reference signal (“RS”) measurements and repeater-specific channel state information (“CSI-RS”) associated with a repeater node, and transmitting the repeater-specific RS measurements associated with the received repeater-specific CSI-RS to the base station. Attached Figure Description

[0011] A more specific description of the embodiments briefly described above will be given with reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings depict only some embodiments and are therefore not to be considered as limiting the scope; the embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail using the drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a wireless communication system for configuring a repeater for a channel state information reference signal;

[0013] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates CSI-RS transmission in the presence of a repeater;

[0014] Figure 3A This is a diagram illustrating an example of combining multiple CSI-RS beams via FD-CDM;

[0015] Figure 3B This is a diagram illustrating an example of how CSI-RS configuration is limited to CSI-RS beams via TD-CDM;

[0016] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of CSI-RS beamfinding performed only at the repeater-UE link;

[0017] Figure 5A This is a diagram illustrating an example of a single-port FDM-only mode for configuring a repeater for a channel state information reference signal;

[0018] Figure 5B This is a diagram illustrating an example of a TDM-only mode used for repeater configuration for channel state information reference signals;

[0019] Figure 5C This is a diagram illustrating an example of a combination of FDM single-port and TDM multi-port modes for repeater configuration for channel state information reference signals.

[0020] Figure 5D This is a diagram illustrating an example of TD-CDM mode configuration for a repeater targeting the channel state information reference signal;

[0021] Figure 5E This is a diagram illustrating an example of a combination of FDM single-port and TD-CDM multi-port modes for repeater configuration for channel state information reference signals;

[0022] Figure 6A This is a diagram illustrating an example of the mapping / association of the CSI-RS beams from the BS-repeater link to the CSI-RS beams from the repeater-UE link.

[0023] Figure 6B This is a diagram illustrating an example of the mapping / association of the CSI-RS beams from the BS-repeater link to the CSI-RS beams from the repeater-UE link.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a user equipment device that can be used for repeater configuration for channel state information reference signals;

[0025] Figure 8 This is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a network device that can be used for repeater configuration for channel state information reference signals;

[0026] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a repeater configuration method for a channel state information reference signal;

[0027] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of another method for configuring a repeater for a channel state information reference signal; and

[0028] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of another method for configuring a repeater for a channel state information reference signal. Detailed Implementation

[0029] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, aspects of the embodiments may be embodied as systems, devices, methods, or program products. Therefore, embodiments may take the form of entirely hardware embodiments, entirely software embodiments (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or embodiments combining software and hardware aspects.

[0030] For example, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented as hardware circuitry comprising custom-designed very large-scale integration (“VLSI”) circuitry or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. The disclosed embodiments may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices, such as field-programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, or the like. As another example, the disclosed embodiments may include one or more physical or logical blocks of executable code that can be organized, for example, into objects, processes, or functions.

[0031] Furthermore, embodiments may take the form of a program product embodied in one or more computer-readable storage devices that store machine-readable code, computer-readable code, and / or program code (hereinafter referred to as code). The storage device may be tangible, non-transitory, and / or non-emissive. The storage device may not embody signals. In one embodiment, the storage device uses only signals to access the code.

[0032] Any combination of one or more computer-readable media may be used. The computer-readable media may be a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may be a storage device for storing code. The storage device may be, for example, but not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, holographic, micromechanical, or semiconductor systems, devices, or apparatuses, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0033] More specific examples of storage devices (a non-exhaustive list) will include: electrical connections having one or more wires, portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (“RAM”), read-only memory (“ROM”), erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM” or flash memory), portable optical disc read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, computer-readable storage media can be any tangible medium that contains or stores programs for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, device, or apparatus.

[0034] The code used to implement the operations of the embodiments may be any number of lines and may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​(such as Python, Ruby, Java, Smalltalk, C++, or similar), and conventional procedural programming languages ​​(such as the "C" programming language or similar) and / or machine languages ​​(such as assembly language). The code may be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer via any type of network (including a local area network ("LAN"), a wireless LAN ("WLAN"), or a wide area network ("WAN"), or may be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet through an Internet service provider ("ISP").

[0035] Furthermore, the features, structures, or characteristics described in the embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner. Numerous specific details (e.g., examples of programming, software modules, user selection, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc.) are provided in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details described or using other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations have not been shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

[0036] Throughout this specification, references to "an embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar language mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in one embodiment," and similar language appearing throughout this specification may, but not necessarily all, refer to the same embodiment, but rather to "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless expressly stated otherwise. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless expressly stated otherwise. The enumerated list of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly stated otherwise. The terms "a," "an," and "described" also mean "one or more," unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0037] As used herein, a list containing the conjunction “and / or” includes any single item in the list or a combination of items in the list. For example, a list of A, B, and / or C includes only A, only B, only C, a combination of A and B, a combination of B and C, a combination of A and C, or a combination of A, B, and C. As used herein, a list using the term “one or more of…” includes any single item in the list or a combination of items in the list. For example, one or more of A, B, and C includes only A, only B, only C, a combination of A and B, a combination of B and C, a combination of A and C, or a combination of A, B, and C. As used herein, a list using the term “one of…” includes one and only one of any single item in the list. For example, “one of A, B, and C” includes only A, only B, or only C and does not include a combination of A, B, and C. As used herein, “a member selected from the group consisting of A, B, and C” includes one and only one of A, B, or C and does not include a combination of A, B, and C. As used in this article, “selecting members of a group consisting of A, B, and C and their combinations” includes only A, only B, only C, combinations of A and B, combinations of B and C, combinations of A and C, or combinations of A, B, and C.

[0038] The following description refers to schematic flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus, systems, and program products according to embodiments. It will be understood that each block of the schematic flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the schematic flowcharts and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by code. This code can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that instructions executable via the processor of said computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions / actions specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[0039] The code may also be stored in a storage device that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing equipment or other devices to operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the storage device produce an article of writing containing instructions that implement the functions / actions specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[0040] The code may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing device or other apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable device or other apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the code executing on the computer or other programmable device provides a process for implementing the functions / actions specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0041] The flowcharts and / or block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of the device, system, method, and program products according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code containing one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical functions(s).

[0042] It should also be noted that in some alternative embodiments, the functions marked in the boxes may appear in the order shown in the figures. For example, depending on the functionality involved, two boxes shown consecutively may actually be executed substantially concurrently, or the boxes may sometimes be executed in reverse order. Other steps and methods that are functionally, logically, or effectively equivalent to one or more boxes or portions thereof in the illustrated figures are conceivable.

[0043] While various arrow and line types may be used in flowcharts and / or block diagrams, they should be understood as not limiting the scope of the corresponding embodiments. In fact, some arrows or other connectors may be used only to indicate the logical flow of the depicted embodiment. For example, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps in the depicted embodiment. It will also be noted that each block in the block diagram and / or flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the block diagram and / or flowchart, may be implemented by a system based on dedicated hardware or a combination of dedicated hardware and code that performs the specified function or action.

[0044] The description of the components in each figure can be referenced to the components in the previous figure. In all figures, similar numbers refer to similar components, including alternative embodiments containing similar components.

[0045] Generally, this disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatuses for configuring repeaters for channel state information reference signals. In some embodiments, the methods may be performed using computer code embedded in a computer-readable medium. In some embodiments, the apparatus or system may include a computer-readable medium containing computer-readable code that, when executed by a processor, causes the apparatus or system to perform at least a portion of the solution described below.

[0046] Smart repeaters are currently gaining momentum in Rel18 discussions. This new type of RF repeater aims to extend network coverage in both uplink and downlink communications with the help of more control information from the network, enabling efficient amplification and forwarding mechanisms using the time and spatial information of the Uu link. This information may include time division duplex (“TDD”) switching and common and UE-specific spatial information for beamforming. However, transmitting this control information for each time slot can impose a significant burden on control signaling overhead. Furthermore, in Rel16 / 15, based on the multiple antenna ports used to transmit Channel State Information Reference Signals (“CSI-RS”) to User Equipment (“UE”), CSI-RS resources can be mapped in frequency and time using a configuration that can include code division (“CD”) in Frequency Division Multiplexing (“FDM”) and / or Time Division Multiplexing (“TDM”). This may require mapping between CSI-RS ports and antennas / panels.

[0047] If a repeater without baseband capability exists in the network, the repeater can receive and forward CSI-RS based on time and / or direction information from a base station (e.g., gNB). However, the repeater cannot interpret the frequency allocation or FD-CDM configuration of the CSI-RS. Furthermore, the UE reports the CSI-RS received from the repeater to the gNB, not the CSI-RS received by the repeater (or the CSI-RS transmitted by the gNB). Therefore, an association / mapping between the CSI-RS transmitted from the repeater and the CSI-RS transmitted from the gNB is required. In one embodiment, this disclosure describes how a repeater can be configured to efficiently amplify and forward CSI-RS to the UE, and the corresponding configurations required at the gNB and the repeater.

[0048] In this disclosure, apparatus, methods, and systems are proposed for efficiently performing CSI-RS amplification and forwarding by introducing a configuration of (a number of) intelligent repeaters:

[0049] ● Configure repeaters with CSI-RS resource sets containing time information to perform CSI-RS amplification and forwarding;

[0050] ● Configure repeaters to forward each CSI-RS receive beam from the BS to a direction toward the UE;

[0051] ● Configure repeaters to combine multiple CSI-RS ports in a symbol and forward them to the configured space direction;

[0052] ●If the repeater is equipped with a baseband processing module, then configure the repeater to measure the CSI-RS beam and report cri-rsrp / cri-snr to the BS;

[0053] ● Configure multiple repeaters to forward repeater-specific RS / CSI-RS; and

[0054] ● Configure multiple repeaters to perform simultaneous DL data transmission to the UE based on reported CSI measurements from specific RSs of multiple repeaters.

[0055] Figure 1 A wireless communication system 100 for a repeater configuration for a channel state information reference signal is depicted according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the wireless communication system 100 includes at least one remote unit 105, a fifth-generation radio access network (“5G-RAN”) 115, and a mobile core network 140. The 5G-RAN 115 and the mobile core network 140 form a mobile communication network. The 5G-RAN 115 may consist of a third-generation partnership (“3GPP”) access network 120 containing at least one cellular base unit 121 and / or a non-3GPP access network 130 containing at least one access point 131. The remote unit 105 communicates with the 3GPP access network 120 using a 3GPP communication link 123 and / or communicates with the non-3GPP access network 130 using a non-3GPP communication link 133. Although in Figure 1 The text describes a specific number of remote units 105, 3GPP access networks 120, cellular base units 121, 3GPP communication links 123, non-3GPP access networks 130, access points 131, non-3GPP communication links 133, and mobile core networks 140. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the wireless communication system 100 may include any number of remote units 105, 3GPP access networks 120, cellular base units 121, 3GPP communication links 123, non-3GPP access networks 130, access points 131, non-3GPP communication links 133, and mobile core networks 140.

[0056] In one embodiment, the wireless communication system 100 may include a repeater 122, which may be embodied as a network node or device configured to extend the coverage of the wireless communication system 100 by relaying, amplifying, forwarding, and / or similarly relaying signals between the base unit 121 and the remote unit 105 (e.g., UE). The repeater 122 may include a bidirectional signal amplifier for extending the coverage of the wireless signal in both the uplink and downlink directions. In some embodiments, the repeater 122 is transparent to the remote unit 105, allowing the remote unit 105 to communicate via the repeater 122 as if it were communicating directly with the base unit 121. In this embodiment, an access procedure between the remote unit 105 and the repeater 122 is not required.

[0057] In one implementation, RAN 120 conforms to the 5G system as specified in the 3GPP specification. For example, RAN 120 may be a next-generation RAN (“NG-RAN”) implementing NR Radio Access Technology (“RAT”) and / or Long Term Evolution (“LTE”) RAT. In another instance, RAN 120 may contain non-3GPP RATs (e.g., compliant with 3GPP specifications). Or an IEEE 802.11 family of WLANs. In another embodiment, RAN 120 conforms to the LTE system as specified in the 3GPP specification. However, more generally, the wireless communication system 100 may implement other open or proprietary communication networks, such as WiMAX or IEEE 802.16 family of standards and other networks. This disclosure is not intended to limit implementation to any particular wireless communication system architecture or protocol implementation.

[0058] In one embodiment, remote unit 105 may include a computing device, such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, personal digital assistant (“PDA”), tablet computer, smartphone, smart TV (e.g., a TV connected to the Internet), smart appliance (e.g., an appliance connected to the Internet), set-top box, game console, security system (including security cameras), in-vehicle computer, network device (e.g., router, switch, modem), or the like. In some embodiments, remote unit 105 includes a wearable device, such as a smartwatch, fitness tracker, optical head-mounted display, or the like. Furthermore, remote unit 105 may be referred to as user equipment (“UE”), subscriber unit, mobile device, mobile station, user, terminal, mobile terminal, fixed terminal, subscriber station, user terminal, wireless transmit / receive (“WTRU”) unit (“WTRU”), apparatus, or other terms used in the art. In various embodiments, remote unit 105 includes a subscriber identity and / or identification module (“SIM”) and a mobile device (“ME”) that provides mobile termination functions (e.g., radio transmission, handover, voice encoding and decoding, error detection and correction, signaling, and access to the SIM). In some embodiments, remote unit 105 may include terminal equipment (“TE”) and / or be embedded in an electrical appliance or device (e.g., a computing device, as described above).

[0059] Remote unit 105 can communicate directly with one or more cellular base units 121 in 3GPP access network 120 via UL and DL communication signals. Furthermore, UL and DL communication signals can be carried on 3GPP communication link 123. Similarly, remote unit 105 can communicate with one or more access points 131 in non-3GPP access network 130 via UL and DL communication signals carried on non-3GPP communication link 133. Here, access networks 120 and 130 are intermediate networks providing remote unit 105 with access to mobile core network 140.

[0060] In some embodiments, remote unit 105 communicates with a remote host (e.g., in data network 150 or data network 160) via a network connection to mobile core network 140. For example, an application 107 in remote unit 105 (e.g., a web browser, media client, telephone, and / or Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) application) can trigger remote unit 105 to establish a Protocol Data Unit (“PDU”) session (or other data connection) with mobile core network 140 via 5G-RAN 115 (i.e., via 3GPP access network 120 and / or non-3GPP network 130). Mobile core network 140 then uses the PDU session to relay services between remote unit 105 and the remote host. The PDU session represents a logical connection between remote unit 105 and User Plane Function (“UPF”) 141.

[0061] To establish a PDU session (or packet data network (“PDN”) connection), remote unit 105 must register with mobile core network 130 (also referred to as “attached to mobile core network” in the context of fourth-generation (“4G”) systems). It should be noted that remote unit 105 may establish one or more PDU sessions (or other data connections) with mobile core network 140. Thus, remote unit 105 may have at least one PDU session for communicating with packet data network 150. Alternatively—or alternatively—remote unit 105 may have at least one PDU session for communicating with packet data network 160. Remote unit 105 may establish additional PDU sessions for communicating with other data networks and / or other communication peers.

[0062] In the context of a 5G system (“5GS”), the term “PDU session” refers to a data connection that provides end-to-end (“E2E”) user plane (“UP”) connectivity between a remote unit 105 and a specific data network (“DN”) via UPF 131. A PDU session supports one or more Quality of Service (“QoS”) streams. In some embodiments, a one-to-one mapping may exist between QoS streams and QoS profiles, such that all packets belonging to a particular QoS stream have the same 5G QoS identifier (“5QI”).

[0063] In the context of 4G / LTE systems (e.g., Evolved Packet System (“EPS”)), PDN connections (also referred to as EPS sessions) provide end-to-end connectivity between the remote unit and the PDN. The PDN connectivity process establishes an EPS bearer, i.e., a tunnel between the remote unit 105 and the packet gateway (“P-GW”, not shown) in the mobile core network 130. In some embodiments, a one-to-one mapping exists between the EPS bearer and QoS profiles, such that all packets belonging to a particular EPS bearer have the same QoS class identifier (“QCI”).

[0064] As described in more detail below, remote unit 105 may use a first data connection (e.g., a PDU session) established with the first mobile core network 130 to establish a second data connection (e.g., a portion of the second PDU session) with the second mobile core network 140. When establishing a data connection (e.g., a PDU session) with the second mobile core network 140, remote unit 105 uses the first data connection to register with the second mobile core network 140.

[0065] Cellular base unit 121 may be distributed within a geographic area. In some embodiments, cellular base unit 121 may also be referred to as an access terminal, base station, base station, Node-B (“NB”), evolved Node B (abbreviated as eNodeB or “eNB”, also referred to as an evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (“E-UTRAN”) Node B), 5G / NR Node B (“gNB”), home Node-B, relay node, apparatus, or any other term used in the art. Cellular base unit 121 is typically part of a radio access network (“RAN”) (e.g., 3GPP access network 120), which may include one or more controllers communicatively coupled to one or more corresponding cellular base units 121. These and other elements of the radio access network are not described but are generally well known to those skilled in the art. Cellular base unit 121 is connected to mobile core network 140 via 3GPP access network 120.

[0066] Cellular base unit 121 may serve several remote units 105 within a service area (e.g., a cell or cell sector) via 3GPP wireless communication link 123. Cellular base unit 121 may communicate directly with one or more of the remote units 105 via communication signals. Typically, cellular base unit 121 transmits DL communication signals to serve the remote units 105 in the time, frequency, and / or spatial domains. Furthermore, DL communication signals may be carried on 3GPP communication link 123. 3GPP communication link 123 may be any suitable carrier in licensed or unlicensed radio spectrum. 3GPP communication link 123 facilitates communication between one or more of the remote units 105 and / or one or more of the cellular base unit 121. It should be noted that during NR operation (referred to as "NR-U") on unlicensed spectrum, base unit 121 communicates with remote units 105 on unlicensed (i.e., shared) radio spectrum.

[0067] Non-3GPP access networks 130 may be distributed within a geographical area. Each non-3GPP access network 130 may serve several remote units 105 with a service area. Access points 131 in non-3GPP access networks 130 may communicate directly with one or more remote units 105 by receiving UL communication signals and transmitting DL communication signals to serve remote units 105 in the time, frequency, and / or spatial domains. Both DL and UL communication signals are carried on non-3GPP communication links 133. 3GPP communication links 123 and non-3GPP communication links 133 may employ different frequencies and / or different communication protocols. In various embodiments, access points 131 may use unlicensed radio spectrum for communication. Mobile core network 140 may provide services to remote units 105 via non-3GPP access networks 130, as described in more detail herein.

[0068] In some embodiments, a non-3GPP access network 130 is connected to a mobile core network 140 via an interoperability entity 135. The interoperability entity 135 provides interoperability between the non-3GPP access network 130 and the mobile core network 140. The interoperability entity 135 supports connectivity via “N2” and “N3” interfaces. As depicted, both the 3GPP access network 120 and the interoperability entity 135 communicate with the Access and Mobility Management Function (“AMF”) 143 using the “N2” interface. The 3GPP access network 120 and the interoperability entity 135 also communicate with the UPF 141 using the “N3” interface. Although depicted as being outside the mobile core network 140, in other embodiments, the interoperability entity 135 may be part of the core network. Although depicted as being outside the non-3GPP RAN 130, in other embodiments, the interoperability entity 135 may be part of the non-3GPP RAN 130.

[0069] In some embodiments, the non-3GPP access network 130 may be controlled by the operator of the mobile core network 140 and may have direct access to the mobile core network 140. This non-3GPP AN deployment is referred to as a “trusted non-3GPP access network”. The non-3GPP access network 130 is considered “trusted” when it is operated by a 3GPP operator or trusted partner and supports certain security features, such as strong air interface encryption. In contrast, a non-3GPP AN deployment that is not controlled by the operator (or trusted partner) of the mobile core network 140, cannot have direct access to the mobile core network 140, or does not support certain security features is referred to as an “untrusted” non-3GPP access network. The interoperability entity 135 deployed in the trusted non-3GPP access network 130 may be referred to herein as a Trusted Network Gateway Function (“TNGF”). The interoperability entity 135 deployed in the untrusted non-3GPP access network 130 may be referred to herein as a Non-3GPP Interoperability Function (“N3IWF”). Although depicted as part of a non-3GPP access network 130, in some embodiments, the N3IWF may be part of a mobile core network 140 or may be located in a data network 150.

[0070] In one embodiment, the mobile core network 140 is a 5G core (“5GC”) or an evolved packet core (“EPC”) that may be coupled to a data network 150, such as the Internet, private data networks, and other data networks. The remote unit 105 may have a subscription or other account to the mobile core network 140. Each mobile core network 140 belongs to a single Public Land Mobile Network (“PLMN”). This disclosure is not intended to limit implementations to any particular wireless communication system architecture or protocol.

[0071] The mobile core network 140 includes several network functions (“NFs”). As depicted, the mobile core network 140 includes at least one UPF 141. The mobile core network 140 also includes multiple control plane functions, including, but not limited to, an AMF 143 serving 5G-RAN 115, a session management function (“SMF”) 145, a policy control function (“PCF”) 147, an authentication server function (“AUSF”) 148, a unified data management (“UDM”) and a unified data repository function (“UDR”).

[0072] In the 5G architecture, (several) UPF 141 units are responsible for packet routing and forwarding, packet verification, QoS handling, and external PDU sessions for interconnecting data networks (“DN”). AMF 143 is responsible for non-access stratum (“NAS”) signaling termination, NAS encryption and integrity protection, registration management, connection management, mobility management, access authentication and authorization, and security context management. SMF 145 is responsible for session management (i.e., session establishment, modification, and release), remote unit (i.e., UE) IP address allocation and management, DL data notification, and service orientation configuration for UPFs to enable appropriate service routing.

[0073] PCF 147 is responsible for unifying the policy framework, thereby providing policy rules to the control plane (“CP”) functionality and accessing subscription information used for policy decisions in UDR. AUSF 148 acts as an authentication server.

[0074] The UDM is responsible for generating authentication and key protocol (“AKA”) credentials, handling user identifiers, granting access, and managing subscriptions. The UDR is a repository of subscriber information and can be used to serve several network functions. For example, the UDR may store subscription data, policy-related data, subscriber-related data that may be disclosed to third-party applications, and the like. In some embodiments, the UDM and UDR are co-located and depicted as a combined entity “UDM / UDR”149.

[0075] In various embodiments, the mobile core network 140 may also include a Network Exposure Function (“NEF”) (which enables customers and network partners to easily access network data and resources via one or more APIs), a Network Repository Function (“NRF”) (which provides NF service registration and discovery, enabling NFs to identify the appropriate services among themselves and communicate with each other via application programming interfaces (“APIs”), or other NFs defined by 5GC. In some embodiments, the mobile core network 140 may include an Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (“AAA”) server.

[0076] In various embodiments, the mobile core network 140 supports different types of mobile data connections and different types of network slices, wherein each mobile data connection utilizes a specific network slice. Here, a "network slice" refers to a portion of the mobile core network 140 optimized for a particular service type or communication service. Network examples can be identified by individual network slice selection assistance information ("S-NSSAI"), while the set of network slices authorized for use by the remote unit 105 is identified by NSSAI. In some embodiments, various network slices may contain individual examples of network functions, such as SMF and UPF 141. In some embodiments, different network slices may share some common network functions, such as AMF 143. For ease of illustration, in Figure 1 Different network slices are not shown, but it is assumed that they are supported.

[0077] Despite Figure 1 The description depicts a specific number and type of network functions, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the mobile core network 140 may contain any number and type of network functions. Furthermore, in the case where the mobile core network 140 includes an EPC, the described network functions may be replaced by appropriate EPC entities (e.g., a Mobility Management Entity (“MME”), Serving Gateway (“S-GW”), P-GW, Home Subscriber Server (“HSS”), and the like).

[0078] Although Figure 1 The described embodiments, which depict components of the 5G RAN and 5G core network but use pseudonyms for access authentication of non-3GPP access, are applicable to other types of communication networks and RATs, including IEEE 802.11 variants, GSM, GPRS, UMTS, LTE variants, CDMA 2000, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Sigfox, and the like. For example, in 4G / LTE variants involving EPC, AMF 143 can be mapped to MME, SMF can be mapped to the control plane portion of P-GW and / or MME, UPF 141 can be mapped to the user plane portion of S-GW and P-GW, UDM / UDR 149 can be mapped to HSS, etc.

[0079] As depicted, remote unit 105 (e.g., UE) can connect to the mobile core network (e.g., a 5G mobile communication network) via two types of access: (1) via 3GPP access network 120 and (2) via non-3GPP access network 130. The first type of access (e.g., 3GPP access network 120) uses 3GPP-defined type wireless communication (e.g., NG-RAN) and the second type of access (e.g., non-3GPP access network 130) uses non-3GPP-defined type wireless communication (e.g., WLAN). 5G-RAN 115 refers to any type of 5G access network that can provide access to the mobile core network 140, including 3GPP access network 120 and non-3GPP access network 130.

[0080] In the following description, the terms antenna, panel, antenna panel, device panel, and UE panel are used interchangeably. An antenna panel may be hardware used to transmit and / or receive radio signals or millimeter-wave (mmWave) at frequencies below 6 GHz (e.g., frequency range 1 (“FR1”, i.e., frequencies from 410 MHz to 7125 MHz) or above 6 GHz (e.g., frequency range 2 (“FR2”, i.e., frequencies from 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz)). In some embodiments, the antenna panel may include an array of antenna elements, wherein each antenna element is connected to hardware such as a phase shifter, which allows a control module to apply spatial parameters to transmit and / or receive signals. The resulting radiation pattern may be referred to as a beam, which may or may not be single-peaked and may allow the device to amplify signals transmitted or received from a spatial direction.

[0081] In some embodiments, the antenna panels may or may not be virtualized as antenna ports in the specification. The antenna panels may be connected to the baseband processing module via a radio frequency (“RF”) chain for each of the transmit (outgoing) and receive (ingoing) directions. The capabilities of the device may or may not be transparent to other devices in terms of the number of antenna panels, their duplex capabilities, their beamforming capabilities, etc. In some embodiments, capability information may be communicated via signaling or, in some embodiments, may be provided to the device without signaling. Where this information is available to other devices, it may be used for transmission or local decision-making.

[0082] In some embodiments, (e.g., of a UE or RAN node) a device antenna panel may be a physical or logical antenna array comprising a set of antenna elements or antenna ports sharing common or essential parts of the RF chain (e.g., in-phase / quadrature (“I / Q”) modulators, analog-to-digital (“A / D”) converters, local oscillators, phase-shifting networks). The device antenna panel, or “device panel,” may be a logical entity to which physical device antennas are mapped. The mapping from physical device antennas to logical entities may vary depending on the device implementation. Communication (receiving or transmitting) on ​​at least a subset of antenna elements or antenna ports (also referred to herein as active elements) that are effective for radiated energy of the antenna panel requires biasing or power supply to the RF chain, resulting in current consumption or power dissipation in the device associated with the antenna panel (including power amplifier / low-noise amplifier (“LNA”) power dissipation associated with the antenna elements or antenna ports). As used herein, the phrase “effective for radiated energy” is not intended to be limited to transmitting functions but also covers receiving functions. Therefore, antenna elements effective for radiated energy can be coupled simultaneously or sequentially to a transmitter to transmit radio frequency energy or to a receiver to receive radio frequency energy, or generally to a transceiver to perform their intended function. Communication is achieved on the active elements of the antenna panel to generate radiation patterns or beams.

[0083] In some embodiments, depending on the implementation of the device itself, the "device panel" may function as an operational role with at least one of the following functionalities: an antenna group unit for independently controlling its Tx beam, an antenna group unit for independently controlling its transmit power, and an antenna group unit for independently controlling its transmit timing. The "device panel" may be transparent to the gNB. For certain conditions, the gNB or network may assume that the mapping between the device's physical antennas and the logical entity "device panel" will not change. For example, the conditions may include the duration until the next update or report from the device, or include the time during which the gNB assumes the mapping will not change.

[0084] The device can report its capabilities regarding "device panels" to the gNB or network. Device capabilities may include at least the number of "device panels". In one embodiment, the device may support UL transmission from one beam within the panel; for multiple panels, more than one beam (one beam per panel) may be used for UL transmission. In another embodiment, more than one beam per panel may be supported for / used for UL transmission.

[0085] In some of the described embodiments, antenna ports are defined such that the channel in which a symbol is delivered at the antenna port can be inferred from the channel in which another symbol is delivered at the same antenna port. If the large-scale properties of the channel in which a symbol is delivered at one antenna port can be inferred from the channel in which a symbol is delivered at the other antenna port, then the two antenna ports are considered quasi-co-located (QCL). Large-scale properties include one or more of delay spread, Doppler spread, Doppler shift, average gain, average delay, and the spatial Rx parameter. Two antenna ports can be quasi-co-located relative to a subset of large-scale properties, and the different subsets of large-scale properties can be indicated by the QCL type. For example, the qcl-Type can take one of the following values:

[0086] ●'QCL-TypeA':{Doppler shift,Doppler spread,average delay,delayspread}

[0087] ●'QCL-TypeB':{Doppler shift,Doppler spread}

[0088] ●'QCL-TypeC':{Doppler shift,average delay}

[0089] ●'QCL-TypeD':{Spatial Rx parameter}.

[0090] Spatial Rx parameters may include one or more of the following: angle of arrival (AoA), dominant AoA, average AoA, angular spread, power angular spectrum (PAS) of AoA, average AoD (departure angle), PAS of AoD, transmit / receive channel correlation, transmit / receive beamforming, spatial channel correlation, etc.

[0091] According to embodiments, an "antenna port" may be a logical port that corresponds to a beam (generated by beamforming) or a physical antenna on the device. In some embodiments, a physical antenna may be directly mapped to a single antenna port, wherein the antenna port corresponds to an actual physical antenna. Alternatively, a set or subset of physical antennas, or an antenna set, antenna array, or antenna subarray, may be mapped to one or more antenna ports after applying complex weights, cyclic delays, or both to the signal on each physical antenna. A set of physical antennas may have antennas from a single module or panel, or from multiple modules or panels. The weights may be fixed, as in antenna virtualization schemes (e.g., cyclic delay diversity ("CDD")). The process used to derive antenna ports from physical antennas may be specific to the device implementation and transparent to other devices.

[0092] In some of the described embodiments, the TCI state associated with the target transmission may indicate parameters for configuring a quasi-pairing relationship between the target transmission (e.g., the target RS of the DM-RS port of the target transmission during a transmission event) and(several) source reference signals (e.g., SSB / CSI-RS / SRS) with respect to(several) quasi-co-location type parameters indicated in the corresponding TCI state. The apparatus may receive configurations of multiple transmission configuration indicator states of the serving cell for transmission on the serving cell.

[0093] In some of the described embodiments, spatial relationship information associated with the target transmission may indicate parameters for configuring the spatial setup between the target transmission and a reference RS (e.g., SSB / CSI-RS / SRS). For example, the apparatus may transmit the target transmission using the same spatial domain filter used for receiving the reference RS (e.g., DL RS, such as SSB / CSI-RS). In another instance, the apparatus may transmit the target transmission using the same spatial domain transmission filter used for transmitting the reference RS (e.g., UL RS, such as SRS). The apparatus may receive a configuration of multiple spatial relationship information of the serving cell for transmission over the serving cell.

[0094] As background, regarding CSI-RS in NR, zero-power (“ZP”) and non-zero-power (“NZP”) CSI-RS are defined, for example, according to TS 38.211. For non-zero-power CSI-RS configured by the NZP-CSI-RS-Resource information element (“IE”) or by the CSI-RS-Resource-Mobility field in the CSI-RS-ResourceConfigMobility IE, the sequence should be generated, for example, according to clause 7.4.1.5.2 and mapped to resource elements, for example, according to clause 7.4.1.5.3.

[0095] In one embodiment, for zero-power CSI-RS configured by the ZP-CSI-RS-Resource IE, the UE should assume that the resource elements defined in clause 7.4.1.5.3 are not used for Physical Downlink Shared Channel (“PDSCH”) transmission, for example, in accordance with clause 5.1.4.2 of TS 38.214. In one embodiment, the UE performs the same measurements / receptions on channels / signals other than the PDSCH, regardless of whether they conflict with ZP CSI-RS.

[0096] In one embodiment, regarding sequence generation, the UE should assume that the reference signal sequence r(m) is defined by the following formula:

[0097]

[0098] For example, a pseudo-random sequence c(i) is defined in Clause 5.2.1. The pseudo-random sequence generator should be initialized as follows:

[0099]

[0100] At the beginning of each Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (“OFDM”) symbol (where (where l is the time slot number within the radio frame), l is the OFDM symbol number within the time slot, and n ID It is equal to the higher-level parameter scrapblingID or sequenceGenerationConfig.

[0101] In one embodiment, regarding the mapping to physical resources, for each configured CSI-RS, the UE should assume that the sequence r(m) is mapped to resource element (k,l) according to the following formula. p,μ :

[0102]

[0103]

[0104]

[0105]

[0106]

[0107] n = 0, 1, ...

[0108] When the following conditions are met

[0109] ●Resource elements (k,l) p,μ Within the resource block occupied by the CSI-RS resources configured for the UE;

[0110] ●The reference point for k=0 is subcarrier 0 in common resource block 0;

[0111] ● The value of ρ is given by the higher-level parameter density in CSI-RS-ResourceMapping IE or CSI-RS-CellMobility IIE, and the number of ports X is given by the higher-level parameter nrofPorts;

[0112] ● It is expected that the UE will not receive CSI-RS and DM-RS on the same resource element;

[0113] ● For non-zero power CSI-RS, the UE should assume β CSIRS >0, where β is chosen. CSIRSThis ensures that the power offset meets the requirements specified by the higher-level parameter powerControlOffsetSS in NZP-CSI-R-Resource IE (if provided);

[0114] ●Quantities k′, l′, w f (k′) and w t (l′) is given by Tables 7.4.1.5.3-1 to 7.4.1.5.3-6 as shown below, where each of the given rows in Table 7.4.1.5.3-1 This corresponds to a CDM group of size 1 (no CDM) or sizes 2, 4, or 8. The CDM type is provided by the higher-level parameter `cdm-Type` in the CSI-RS-ResourceMapping IE. Indexes `k′` and `l′` index resource elements within the CDM group;

[0115] ● The time domain positions l0∈{0,1,…,13} and l1∈{2,3,…,12} are provided by the higher-level parameters firstOFDMSymbolInTimeDomain and firstOFDMSymbolInTimeDomain2 in CSI-RS-ResourceMappingIE or CSI-RS-ResourceConfigMobilityIE, respectively, and are defined relative to the start point of the time slot;

[0116] ● The frequency domain location is given by the bitmap provided by the higher-level parameter frequencyDomainAllocation in CSI-RS-ResourceMapping IE or CSI-RS-ResourceConfigMobilityIE, and k in Table 7.4.1.5.3-1 i The value is given by the following formula.

[0117] a. For row 1 of Table 7.4.1.5.3-1, [b3…b0], k i-1 = f(i);

[0118] b. For row 2 of Table 7.4.1.5.3-1, [b 11 …b0],k i-1 = f(i);

[0119] c. For row 4 of Table 7.4.1.5.3-1, [b2…b0], k i-1 =4f(i);

[0120] d. For all other cases, [b5…b0],k i-1 =2f(i).

[0121] Where f(i) is the number of bits set to 1 in the bitmap, spanning each resource block configured for UE to receive CSI-RS. Repeat. The UE should assume that the starting position and number of resource blocks for transmitting CSI-RS are given by the higher-layer parameters freqBand and density in the CSI-RS-ResourceMapping IE for the bandwidth portion given by the higher-layer parameter BWP-Id in the CSI-ResourceConfig IE or by the higher-layer parameter nrofPRBs in the CSI-RS-CellMobility IE, where startPRB given by csi-is-MeasurementBW is relative to common resource block 0.

[0122] The UE should assume that it is transmitting CSI-RS using antenna port p numbered according to the following formula:

[0123] p = 3000 + s + jL;

[0124] j = 0, 1, ..., N / L-1;

[0125] s = 0, 1, ..., L-1;

[0126] Where s is the sequence index provided in Tables 7.4.1.5.3-2 to 7.4.1.5.3-5, L∈{1,2,4,8} is the CDM group size, and N is the number of CSI-RS ports. The CDM group index j given in Table 7.4.1.5.3-1 corresponds to the time / frequency position of a given row in that table. CDM groups are numbered in the order of first increasing frequency domain allocation and then increasing time domain allocation. For CSI-RS resources configured as periodic or semi-persistent by the higher-layer parameter resourceType or configured by the higher-layer parameter CSI-RS-CellMobility, the UE should assume that the CSI-RS is transmitted in time slots that meet the following conditions.

[0127]

[0128] Where the periodicity T CSI-RS (in time slots) and time slot offset T offset It is obtained from the higher-layer parameter CSI-ResourcePeriodicityAndOffset or slotConfig. The UE should assume that CSI-RS is transmitted in a candidate time slot, for example as described in Clause 11.1 of TS 38.213.

[0129] The UE may assume that the antenna ports within the CSI-RS resources are quasi-co-located with QCL type A, type D (where applicable) and average gain.

[0130]

[0131]

[0132] Table 7.4.1.5.3-1: CSI-RS location within a time slot.

[0133] Generally, the subject matter disclosed herein describes the configuration of smart repeaters to efficiently amplify and forward CSI-RS beams for beam refinement, management, or CSI feedback purposes. This can be based on transmitting a narrower beam within a wider beam, such as transmitting a narrower CSI-RS beam within the Wide Synchronization Block (“SSB”) beam used for the connection between the UE and the network.

[0134] The base station (“BS”) configures the UE to receive, measure, and report multiple CSI-RS beams within the SSB beam for the BS to determine at least one of the rank, spatial filter, precoding scheme, and / or similar for PDSCH / PDCCH transmission. In the presence of a repeater configured with temporal and spatial information to amplify and forward CSI-RS, CSI-RS transmission from the BS may imply that the repeater receives multiple CSI-RS, even though it is in a fixed position relative to the BS. In the following embodiments, several options can be employed to efficiently amplify and forward CSI-RS for beam refinement or other BM / MIMO purposes. Figure 2 The options are displayed.

[0135] In this disclosure, the following aspects are discussed:

[0136] ● Configure smart repeaters using CSI-RS resource set configuration;

[0137] ● Configure intelligent repeaters to measure and report CSI-RS for repeaters with baseband capabilities;

[0138] ● Configure a smart repeater to map the received CSI-RS beam to the transmitted / retransmitted CSI-RS beam; and

[0139] ● Configure the UE to measure and report CSI-RS from multiple repeaters for repeater selection.

[0140] In one embodiment, in order to establish a control communication link between the network and the smart repeater, the BS and the smart repeater can synchronize with each other using a dedicated synchronization signal, an external synchronization source (e.g., GNSS), a synchronization signal from the BS on the Uu interface, and / or a combination thereof.

[0141] In one embodiment involving repeaters without measurement capabilities (e.g., no baseband), the smart repeaters(s) without baseband capabilities receive configuration from the BS for amplifying and forwarding CSI-RS. In one instance, the BS configuration may indicate the set of OFDM symbols / slots to be amplified and forwarded. In one embodiment, the OFDM symbol set includes at least one CSI-RS.

[0142] In one embodiment, the repeater receives a configuration for forwarding CSI-RS to the UE. In one embodiment, the configuration includes timing information with the slot locations of the CSI-RS and beam information for each CSI-RS symbol / slot. Because the repeater cannot process (e.g., cannot amplify and forward only a subset of subcarriers within a carrier (e.g., the bandwidth portion (“BWP”))) frequency domain information (e.g., the frequency domain allocation of the CSI-RS port), the repeater forwards multiple frequency domain code division multiplexing (via “FD-CDM”) CSI-RS in the same direction (e.g., using the same DL beam / TCI state / space transmit filter).

[0143] In one embodiment, for an OFDM symbol, the BS configures the repeater to use an antenna port group / panel to forward CSI-RS. In one embodiment, the selected antenna / panel at the repeater may be associated with one or more antenna ports used to carry CSI-RS in that symbol, such as... Figure 3A As explained in the text.

[0144] In one embodiment, the CSI-RS port 302 of each CSI-RS resource is divided into two or more groups 304, wherein the groups are configured by the network, set by rules, or a combination thereof. In one instance, the CSI-RS port transmission corresponding to the first group 304a of the two CSI-RS port groups is separated from the CSI-RS port transmission corresponding to the second group 304b of the two CSI-RS port groups by up to x symbols.

[0145] In one example, x = 1, 2, 3, 4 symbols. In another implementation, the selected antenna / panel at the repeater is associated with a combination of spatial information from different CSI-RS ports within that symbol, for example, the repeater is configured to forward the CSI-RS beam received from the BS in that time slot to a direction that is the average of the CSI-RS beam direction transmitted from the BS. In one example, the average CSI-RS beam direction can be indicated to a smart repeater that includes transmit angles (transmit azimuth and / or elevation) or transmit / DL TCI status / space transmit filters.

[0146] In an alternative embodiment, upon identifying or determining that the UE is connected via a smart repeater (or will benefit from the connection, e.g., near range / improved reference signal received power (“RSRP”) / signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (“SINR”)), the BS restricts the CSI-RS beam configuration to the time domain, such that the CSI-RS resource elements (“RE”) of different daily antenna port CSI-RS are mapped to different OFDM symbols, such as... Figure 3B As shown in the image.

[0147] In one embodiment, beam information for each port 402 is signaled to the repeater to apply different OFDM symbols. This reduces the total number of possible antenna ports for the CSI-RS; however, more symbols can be used to cover more CSI-RS antenna ports. In one instance, CDM (e.g., in the frequency and / or time domain) is not used / indicated for different daily antenna ports of the CSI-RS across the same RE set.

[0148] In an alternative embodiment, since the repeater and BS are in fixed locations, the BS transmits CSI-RS to repeaters on different symbols in the same direction. The BS can use the same spatial filter for the corresponding SSB. From the perspective of the BS and UE, the CSI-RS is a single-port CSI-RS. For beam refinement at the repeater-UE link, the BS configures the repeater to apply specific beam information to each symbol carrying the CSI-RS, so that the UE receives different CSI-RS beams. In one embodiment, the UE can receive the CSI-RS using the same spatial domain receive filter (e.g., the same receive beam).

[0149] In one embodiment, the UE is configured to measure the CSI-RS of the corresponding symbol and report CSI information (e.g., L1-RSRP and / or L1-SINR) along with the symbol ID (e.g., CRI-RSrp-symID), such that the BS identifies the optimal transmit beam direction for forwarding the DL channel at the repeater to be relayed. In another instance, the UE may be configured to report CSI information (e.g., based on the higher-layer parameter nrofReportedSym) including more than one symbol in a single reporting example. In this embodiment, the UE may use differential CSI-based reporting (e.g., L1-RSRP / L1-SINR) relative to the maximum value of the CSI (e.g., quantized to 7 bits, differential CSI quantized to 4 bits), may report the symbol index corresponding to each of the reported CSIs (e.g., CRI-RSrp-symID), or may report a combination of the symbol index of the largest CSI and a bitmap indicating the symbol of the differential CSI (e.g., in the case of reporting CSIs of fewer symbols than the number of CSI-RS symbols).

[0150] exist Figure 4In another embodiment shown, repeater 122 is configured by the network (e.g., BS 121) using control information received at repeater 122 to receive multiple CSI-RS resources using the same spatial filter 502. In this embodiment, different CSI-RS resources are transmitted in different symbols, with one CSI-RS resource transmission separated from another CSI-RS resource transmission by at least x symbols, for example, x = 1, 2, 3, 4. In one embodiment, the repeater will then transmit CSI-RS 504 corresponding to the different CSI-RS resources using different beams. In one embodiment, the UE will then report CSI-RS resource indicators (“CRI”) (and in one instance, CSI) corresponding to the best direction or the top N directions corresponding to the highest N CSI values. In one instance, the UE may receive CSI-RS using the same spatial domain receive filter (e.g., the same receive beam).

[0151] In one embodiment, the table used to indicate the CSI-RS location within a time slot (e.g., 3GPP TS38.211V16.6.0 Table 7.4.1.5.3-1) is enhanced to indicate the CSI-RS mode or rows in an existing table are limited to indication when the UE communicates via a smart repeater. In one embodiment, only rows of the table are allowed, where there is no CDM in the frequency domain. Table 1 below illustrates this, where only underlined rows can be indicated when using a smart repeater:

[0152]

[0153]

[0154] Table 1: CSI-RS Locations within Time Slots (Limitations apply when using smart repeaters)

[0155] In another implementation, when using a smart repeater, a new row can be added to the CSI-RS location table or a new configurable table can be created, wherein the mode is limited to:

[0156] ●FDM only Figure 5A The examples described herein are examples, but different patterns are possible for densities p = 1, 2, 4;

[0157] ●TDM only Figure 5B (The examples described herein may vary depending on the TDM and its mode).

[0158] ●FDM+TDM( Figure 5C The examples described herein are for densities p=1, 2, 4 and for different TDM modes (different modes are also possible);

[0159] ●TD-CDM( Figure 5D The examples described herein are for TD-CDM, but different modes are also possible; and

[0160] ●FDM+TD-CDM( Figure 5E (Examples illustrated in the text).

[0161] In one implementation, more patterns can be accommodated by supporting additional density values ​​(e.g., p = 2, 4).

[0162] In one implementation, when using a smart repeater, the maximum number of CSI-RS ports is limited to (due to the lack of FD-CDM) less than 32 ports.

[0163] exist Figure 6A and 6B In one embodiment of the repeater with measurement (baseband) capability shown, several smart repeaters with baseband for CSI-RS measurements are configured by the network with a CSI-RS resource set and indications for reporting beam-refined CSI measurements between the BS and the repeater. In one embodiment, the repeater measures CSI-RS from the BS based on the configured CSI-RS resource set, and for each configured CSI-RS, the report includes CRI-RSRP, CRI-SINR, and / or similar CSI measurements (or reports the maximum CSI measurement or a subset of CSI measurements). In one embodiment, upon receiving the report, the BS may select the beam associated with the best measured CSI-RS for DL ​​data transmission to the repeater.

[0164] In one embodiment, based on a predefined threshold of measured CSI-RS from the repeater and the UE, the BS can decide to select the beam (or suitable beam, such as a beam with CSI above the threshold) with the highest CRI-RSRP / CRI-SINR reported from the UE (e.g., measured on a beam amplified and forwarded by the repeater). If the beam (or suitable beam) with the highest RSRP reported from the UE is the same as the beam reported by the smart repeater, or if the beam (or suitable beam) with the highest RSRP reported by the UE meets a predetermined threshold, then the beam is also used for the link between the BS and the smart repeater.

[0165] In one embodiment, if the beam (or suitable beam) with the highest RSRP reported by the UE is different from the beam reported by the repeater and the beam (or suitable beam) with the highest RSRP reported by the UE does not meet a predefined threshold, then the BS selects the beam (or suitable beam above the RSRP threshold) with the highest RSRP reported by the repeater for the link between the repeater and the BS and configures the repeater to use the beam direction / spatial filter associated with the beam (or suitable beam above the RSRP threshold) reported by the UE in the next CSI-RS period.

[0166] In another embodiment, the network or BS shares the UL RS configuration, such as the SRS transmission configuration, with the repeater in terms of time and frequency. The repeater then forwards the signal to the UE using the same transmit beam as the receive beam used in (some) previous time slots to receive the signal from the UE (e.g., assuming beam correspondence).

[0167] In one embodiment involving CSI-RS repeater selection, the BS configures the UE with repeater-specific reference signals to report the best repeater that can be used to serve the UE, or the CRI corresponding to the best repeater, or the CSI-RS resource received with the highest RSRP / SINR or above a threshold. The BS can associate CSI-RS resources with specific repeaters. Due to UE mobility, it is possible that the UE is no longer within the coverage area of ​​the repeater that forwards the SSB / CSI-RS beam for that UE to connect to. In one embodiment, the BS configures multiple repeaters to forward repeater-specific reference signals to the UE. In one implementation, the BS assigns SSB / CSI-RS beams to different repeaters and configures the repeaters to forward SSB / CSI-RS with time and direction information. In one embodiment, the UE measures the CSI-RS received from multiple repeaters and reports CRI-RSRP / CRI-SINR / SSB-INDEX-RSRP / SSB-INDEX-SINR to the BS. In one embodiment, based on a predefined threshold and the SSB / CSI-RS with the highest RSRP (or a suitable beam above the RSRP threshold), the BS assigns a repeater associated with the SSB / CSI-RS beam (or a suitable beam) with the highest RSRP to serve the reporting UE. In another embodiment, based on the reported RSRP, the network may enable, turn on, activate, or similarly activate the repeater associated with the highest RSRP (or RSRP / SINR above the threshold) and disable, shut down, deactivate, or similarly activate other repeaters, for example, associated with lower RSRPs.

[0168] In one embodiment, the network can configure the UE using a reference signal set (e.g., CSI-RS), wherein a subset of CSI-RS ports is associated with a smart repeater and another subset of CSI-RS ports is associated with another smart repeater. In one implementation, the UE can be configured / pre-configured using the association of a smart repeater with a corresponding CSI-RS port.

[0169] In one implementation, when a CSI-RS port with a CDM in the frequency domain needs to be applied to a smart repeater, one smart repeater can then be associated with a port having CDM1 (e.g., a first CDM code or orthogonal code) on a given symbol, while another smart repeater can be associated with a port on the same symbol on the same RE but with a different CDM2 (e.g., a second CDM code or orthogonal code). From the perspective of the gNB and UE, this efficiently allows the same CSI-RS mode. Essentially, in one embodiment, the same number of CSI-RS ports can be maintained (e.g., up to 32 ports), but each smart repeater is associated with only a subset. For example, when using two smart repeaters, 16 ports can then be associated with the first smart repeater and another 16 ports can be associated with the second smart repeater.

[0170] In another implementation, the BS configures a repeater RS ​​that is different from the CSI-RS. The RS can be scrambled using a repeater ID (e.g., a repeater ID or an ID corresponding to the repeater used during the initialization of the pseudo-random sequence generator associated with the CSI-RS sequence) and mapped to repeater-specific resources. In one embodiment, the UE is configured by the BS with the resources of these RSs and is instructed to measure and report the RSRP / SINR of the configured RS resources. The BS may assign the highest RSRP (or RSRP / SINR above a threshold) reported from the UE to the corresponding repeater.

[0171] In one implementation, the BS configures the UE to report the quality of all or a subset of configured links (e.g., CSI-RS beam / repeater-specific RS). In another implementation, the UE is configured to report only links with quality that meet a predefined threshold.

[0172] Figure 7 User equipment device 700, which can be used in repeater configurations for channel state information reference signals according to embodiments of the present disclosure, is described. In various embodiments, user equipment device 700 is used to implement one or more solutions described above. User equipment device 700 may be an embodiment of remote unit 105 and / or UE described above. Furthermore, user equipment device 700 may include processor 705, memory 710, input device 715, output device 720, and transceiver 725.

[0173] In some embodiments, the input device 715 and the output device 720 are combined into a single device, such as a touchscreen. In some embodiments, the user equipment device 700 may not include any input device 715 and / or output device 720. In various embodiments, the user equipment device 700 may include one or more of the following: a processor 705, a memory 710, and a transceiver 725, and may not include input device 715 and / or output device 720.

[0174] As depicted, transceiver 725 includes at least one transmitter 730 and at least one receiver 735. In some embodiments, transceiver 725 communicates with one or more cells (or radio coverage areas) supported by one or more base units 121. In various embodiments, transceiver 725 may operate on unlicensed spectrum. Furthermore, transceiver 725 may include multiple UE panels supporting one or more beams. Additionally, transceiver 725 may support at least one network interface 740 and / or application programming interface 745. Several application programming interfaces 745 may support one or more APIs. Several network interfaces 740 may support 3GPP reference points, such as Uu, N1, PC5, etc. Other network interfaces 740 may be supported, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0175] In one embodiment, processor 705 may include any known controller capable of executing computer-readable instructions and / or performing logical operations. For example, processor 705 may be a microcontroller, microprocessor, central processing unit (“CPU”), graphics processing unit (“GPU”), auxiliary processing unit, field-programmable gate array (“FPGA”), or similar programmable controller. In some embodiments, processor 705 executes instructions stored in memory 710 to perform the methods and routines described herein. Processor 705 is communicatively coupled to memory 710, input device 715, output device 720, and transceiver 725. In some embodiments, processor 705 may include an application processor (also referred to as a “main processor”) that manages application domains and operating system (“OS”) functions, and a baseband processor (also referred to as a “baseband radio processor”) that manages radio functions.

[0176] In various embodiments, the processor 705 and transceiver 725 control the user equipment 700 to perform the UE behavior described above. In one embodiment, the transceiver 725 receives from a base station of a mobile wireless communication network an indication for reporting repeater-specific reference signal (“RS”) measurements and repeater-specific channel state information (“CSI-RS”) associated with a repeater node, and transmits the repeater-specific RS measurements associated with the received repeater-specific CSI-RS to the base station.

[0177] In one embodiment, transceiver 725 receives from a base station a configuration for reporting at least one of a CSI-RS Resource Indicator (“CRI”) reference signal received power and a CRI signal to noise plus interference ratio associated with a symbol identifier used to enable the base station to identify the beam to be used at the repeater node.

[0178] In one embodiment, transceiver 725 receives a configuration for reporting the quality of at least one configured link. In another embodiment, transceiver 725 receives a configuration for reporting the quality of at least one configured link in response to the quality of at least one configured link meeting a predefined quality threshold.

[0179] In one embodiment, memory 710 is a computer-readable storage medium. In some embodiments, memory 710 includes volatile computer storage media. For example, memory 710 may include RAM, including dynamic RAM (“DRAM”), synchronous dynamic RAM (“SDRAM”), and / or static RAM (“SRAM”). In some embodiments, memory 710 includes non-volatile computer storage media. For example, memory 710 may include a hard disk drive, flash memory, or any other suitable non-volatile computer storage device. In some embodiments, memory 710 includes both volatile and non-volatile computer storage media.

[0180] In some embodiments, memory 710 stores data related to repeater configuration for channel state information reference signals. For example, memory 710 may store various parameters, panel / beam configurations, resource assignments, strategies, and the like, as described above. In some embodiments, memory 710 also stores program code and related data, such as an operating system or other controller algorithms operating on user equipment device 700.

[0181] In one embodiment, input device 715 may include any known computer input device, including a touch panel, buttons, keyboard, stylus, microphone, or the like. In some embodiments, input device 715 may be integrated with output device 720, such as as a touchscreen or similar touch-sensitive display. In some embodiments, input device 715 includes a touchscreen that allows text to be entered using a virtual keyboard displayed on the touchscreen and / or by handwriting on the touchscreen. In some embodiments, input device 715 includes two or more different devices, such as a keyboard and a touch panel.

[0182] In one embodiment, output device 720 is designed to output visual, auditory, and / or tactile signals. In some embodiments, output device 720 includes an electronically controllable display or display device capable of outputting visual data to a user. For example, output device 720 may include, but is not limited to, an LCD display, LED display, OLED display, projector, or similar display device capable of outputting images, text, or the like to a user. As another non-limiting example, output device 720 may include a wearable display, such as a smartwatch, smart glasses, head-up display, or the like, that is separate from but communicatively coupled to the rest of user equipment device 700. Furthermore, output device 720 may be a component of a smartphone, personal digital assistant, television, desktop computer, laptop computer, personal computer, vehicle dashboard, or the like.

[0183] In some embodiments, the output device 720 includes one or more speakers for generating sound. For example, the output device 720 may generate an auditory alarm or notification (e.g., a beeping sound or a chime). In some embodiments, the output device 720 includes one or more haptic devices for generating vibration, motion, or other haptic feedback. In some embodiments, all or part of the output device 720 may be integrated with the input device 715. For example, the input device 715 and the output device 720 may form a touchscreen or similar touch-sensitive display. In other embodiments, the output device 720 may be located near the input device 715.

[0184] Transceiver 725 communicates with one or more network functions of a mobile communication network via one or more access networks. Transceiver 725 operates under the control of processor 705 to transmit and receive messages, data, and other signals. For example, processor 705 may selectively activate transceiver 725 (or a portion thereof) at specific times to send and receive messages.

[0185] Transceiver 725 includes at least one transmitter 730 and at least one receiver 735. One or more transmitters 730 may be used to provide UL communication signals to base unit 121, such as UL transmission as described herein. Similarly, one or more receivers 735 may be used to receive DL communication signals from base unit 121, as described herein. Although only one transmitter 730 and one receiver 735 are described, user equipment device 700 may have any suitable number of transmitters 730 and receivers 735. Furthermore, the transmitters 730 and receivers 735 may be of any suitable type. In one embodiment, transceiver 725 includes a first transmitter / receiver pair for communicating with a mobile communication network on licensed radio spectrum and a second transmitter / receiver pair for communicating with a mobile communication network on unlicensed radio spectrum.

[0186] In some embodiments, a first transmitter / receiver pair for communicating with a mobile communication network on licensed radio spectrum and a second transmitter / receiver pair for communicating with a mobile communication network on unlicensed radio spectrum may be combined into a single transceiver unit, such as a single chip performing the functions of both licensed and unlicensed radio spectrum. In some embodiments, the first transmitter / receiver pair and the second transmitter / receiver pair may share one or more hardware components. For example, certain transceivers 725, transmitters 730, and receivers 735 may be implemented as physically separate components accessing shared hardware and / or software resources (e.g., network interface 740, for example).

[0187] In various embodiments, one or more transmitters 730 and / or one or more receivers 735 may be implemented and / or integrated into a single hardware component (e.g., a multi-transceiver chip, a system-on-a-chip, an ASIC, or other type of hardware component). In some embodiments, one or more transmitters 730 and / or one or more receivers 735 may be implemented and / or integrated into a multi-chip module. In some embodiments, other components (e.g., a network interface 740 or other hardware components / circuit) may be integrated into a single chip along with any number of transmitters 730 and / or receivers 735. In this embodiment, the transmitters 730 and receivers 735 may be logically configured as transceivers 725 using one or more common control signals, or as modular transmitters 730 and receivers 735 configured to be implemented in the same hardware chip or multi-chip module.

[0188] Figure 8 A network device 800, which can be used in a repeater configuration for a channel state information reference signal according to embodiments of the present disclosure, is depicted. In one embodiment, the network device 800 may be an implementation of a RAN node, such as the base unit 121, RAN node 210, or gNB described above. Furthermore, the basic network device 800 may include a processor 805, a memory 810, an input device 815, an output device 820, and a transceiver 825.

[0189] In some embodiments, the input device 815 and the output device 820 are combined into a single device, such as a touchscreen. In some embodiments, the network device 800 may not include any input device 815 and / or output device 820. In various embodiments, the network device 800 may include one or more of the following: a processor 805, a memory 810, and a transceiver 825, and may not include input device 815 and / or output device 820.

[0190] As depicted, transceiver 825 includes at least one transmitter 830 and at least one receiver 835. Here, transceiver 825 communicates with one or more remote units 105. Additionally, transceiver 825 may support at least one network interface 840 and / or application programming interface 845. The application programming interface 845 may support one or more APIs. The network interface 840 may support 3GPP reference points, such as Uu, N1, N2, and N3. Other network interfaces 840 may be supported, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0191] In one embodiment, processor 805 may include any known controller capable of executing computer-readable instructions and / or performing logical operations. For example, processor 805 may be a microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, GPU, auxiliary processing unit, FPGA, or similar programmable controller. In some embodiments, processor 805 executes instructions stored in memory 810 to perform the methods and routines described herein. Processor 805 is communicatively coupled to memory 810, input device 815, output device 820, and transceiver 825. In some embodiments, processor 805 may include an application processor (also referred to as a "main processor") that manages application domains and operating system ("OS") functions, and a baseband processor (also referred to as a "baseband radio processor") that manages radio functions.

[0192] In various embodiments, network device 800 is a RAN node (e.g., gNB) including processor 805 and transceiver 825. In one embodiment, transceiver 825 transmits an initial setup configuration to a repeater node for establishing a forwarding link with user equipment (“UE”), transmits an initial access configuration to the repeater node (the initial access configuration includes one or more configuration parameters that allow the UE to establish access to the mobile wireless communication network via the repeater node), and receives from the repeater node an indication that one or more of the initial setup configuration and initial access configuration have been received.

[0193] In one embodiment, memory 810 is a computer-readable storage medium. In some embodiments, memory 810 includes volatile computer storage media. For example, memory 810 may include RAM, including dynamic RAM (“DRAM”), synchronous dynamic RAM (“SDRAM”), and / or static RAM (“SRAM”). In some embodiments, memory 810 includes non-volatile computer storage media. For example, memory 810 may include a hard disk drive, flash memory, or any other suitable non-volatile computer storage device. In some embodiments, memory 810 includes both volatile and non-volatile computer storage media.

[0194] In some embodiments, memory 810 stores data related to repeater configuration for channel state information reference signals. For example, memory 810 may store parameters, configurations, resource assignments, policies, and the like, as described above. In some embodiments, memory 810 also stores program code and related data, such as an operating system or other controller algorithms operating on network device 800.

[0195] In one embodiment, input device 815 may include any known computer input device, including a touch panel, button, keyboard, stylus, microphone, or the like. In some embodiments, input device 815 may be integrated with output device 820, such as as a touchscreen or similar touch-sensitive display. In some embodiments, input device 815 includes a touchscreen that allows text to be entered using a virtual keyboard displayed on the touchscreen and / or by handwriting on the touchscreen. In some embodiments, input device 815 includes two or more different devices, such as a keyboard and a touchpad.

[0196] In one embodiment, output device 820 is designed to output visual, auditory, and / or tactile signals. In some embodiments, output device 820 includes an electronically controllable display or display device capable of outputting visual data to a user. For example, output device 820 may include, but is not limited to, an LCD display, LED display, OLED display, projector, or similar display device capable of outputting images, text, or the like to a user. As another non-limiting example, output device 820 may include a wearable display, such as a smartwatch, smart glasses, head-up display, or the like, separate from but communicatively coupled to the rest of network device 800. Furthermore, output device 820 may be a component of a smartphone, personal digital assistant, television, desktop computer, laptop computer, personal computer, vehicle dashboard, or the like.

[0197] In some embodiments, the output device 820 includes one or more speakers for generating sound. For example, the output device 820 may generate an auditory alarm or notification (e.g., a beeping sound or a chime). In some embodiments, the output device 820 includes one or more haptic devices for generating vibration, motion, or other haptic feedback. In some embodiments, all or part of the output device 820 may be integrated with the input device 815. For example, the input device 815 and the output device 820 may form a touchscreen or a similar touch-sensitive display. In other embodiments, the output device 820 may be located near the input device 815.

[0198] Transceiver 825 includes at least one transmitter 830 and at least one receiver 835. One or more transmitters 830 may be used to communicate with a UE, as described herein. Similarly, one or more receivers 835 may be used to communicate with network functions in a non-public network (“NPN”), PLMN, and / or RAN, as described herein. Although only one transmitter 830 and one receiver 835 are described, network device 800 may have any suitable number of transmitters 830 and receivers 835. Furthermore, transmitters 830 and receivers 835 may be of any suitable type.

[0199] In one embodiment, transceiver 825 receives a first configuration from a base station of a mobile wireless communication network, the first configuration including CSI-RS configuration information for amplifying a channel state information reference signal (“CSI-RS”) beam and forwarding it from a repeater node to a user equipment (“UE”) device.

[0200] In one embodiment, transceiver 825 receives a second configuration from the base station, the second configuration including configuration information for performing measurements and reporting of the CSI-RS beam. In another embodiment, transceiver 825 receives repeater-specific CSI-RS to be forwarded to the UE device and transmits the repeater-specific CSI-RS to the UE device according to the first configuration.

[0201] In one embodiment, the first configuration further includes receiving timing information of the location with CSI-RS time slots and beam information for each CSI-RS symbol. In one embodiment, the beam information includes associating one or more antenna ports at the base station with one or more antenna ports at the repeater for each symbol, such that one or more CSI-RS received from the base station for a symbol are grouped and associated with an antenna port at the repeater.

[0202] In one embodiment, in response to identifying that the UE device is connected to the base station through the repeater node, the first configuration is limited to the time domain and the repeater node is configured with time and beam information such that CSI-RS resource elements (“RE”) of different ports are mapped to different orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (“OFDM”) symbols.

[0203] In one embodiment, transceiver 825 receives from the base station an instruction to apply beam refinement to a single CSI-RS port beam, wherein a different beam configuration is applied to each of a plurality of symbols received from the base station on the single CSI-RS port beam.

[0204] In one embodiment, transceiver 825 receives different CSI-RS resources from the base station using the same spatial filter, the different CSI-RS resources being received in different symbols; and transmits CSI-RS corresponding to the different CSI-RS resources using different beams.

[0205] In one embodiment, transceiver 825 receives from the base station a CSI-RS resource set configuration and an indication for reporting beam-refined CSI measurements for the link between the base station and the repeater node.

[0206] In one embodiment, transceiver 825 receives from the base station an uplink (“UL”) RS configuration for transmitting and receiving signals from the UE device in a previous time slot on the same beam.

[0207] In one embodiment, transceiver 825 transmits a first configuration to a repeater node of a mobile wireless communication network, the first configuration including CSI-RS configuration information for amplifying a Channel State Information Reference Signal (“CSI-RS”) beam and forwarding it from the repeater node to a User Equipment (“UE”) device.

[0208] In one embodiment, transceiver 825 transmits a second configuration to the repeater node, the second configuration including configuration information for performing measurements and reporting of the CSI-RS beam. In one embodiment, transceiver 825 transmits repeater-specific CSI-RS to be forwarded to the UE device to the repeater node and transmits an indication for reporting repeater-specific CSI-RS measurements to the base station to the UE device.

[0209] In one embodiment, the first configuration further includes receiving timing information of the location with CSI-RS time slots and beam information for each CSI-RS symbol. In one embodiment, the beam information includes associating one or more antenna ports at the base station with one or more antenna ports at the repeater for each symbol, such that one or more CSI-RS received from the base station for a symbol are grouped and associated with an antenna port at the repeater.

[0210] In one embodiment, the second device includes a processor that, in response to recognizing that the UE device is connected to the base station via the repeater node, configures the first configuration to be time-domain and configures the repeater node with time and beam information such that CSI-RS resource elements (“RE”) of different ports are mapped to different orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (“OFDM”) symbols.

[0211] In one embodiment, transceiver 825 transmits an instruction for applying beam refinement to a single CSI-RS port beam to the repeater node, wherein a different beam configuration is applied to each of a plurality of symbols received from the base station on the single CSI-RS port beam.

[0212] In one embodiment, processor 805 configures the UE device to report at least one of a CSI-RS Resource Indicator (“CRI”) reference signal received power and a CRI signal to noise plus interference ratio associated with a symbol identifier used to enable the base station to identify the beam to be used at the repeater node.

[0213] In one embodiment, processor 805 configures the repeater node to receive different CSI-RS resources using the same spatial filter, wherein the different CSI-RS resources are transmitted in different symbols using different beams.

[0214] In one embodiment, the processor 805 configures the repeater node with a CSI-RS resource set configuration and an indication for reporting beam-refined CSI measurements for the link between the base station and the repeater node; compares the CSI measurements reported from the repeater node and the UE device; and selects a beam for each link between the base station, the UE, and the repeater node, and associates at least one of the following:

[0215] In one embodiment, transceiver 825 transmits uplink (“UL”) RS configurations for transmitting and receiving signals from the UE device in a previous time slot from the base station to the repeater node on the same beam. In one embodiment, transceiver 825 configures different repeaters to forward repeater-specific RSs to the UE device.

[0216] In one embodiment, processor 805 assigns CSI-RS beams to the different repeaters and configures the different repeaters with time and direction information to forward the CSI-RS to the UE device. In one embodiment, processor 805, in response to determining that the CSI-RS port with code division multiplexing (“CDM”) should be applied in the frequency domain, associates one of the different repeaters with a port having a CDM on a given symbol and associates another of the different repeaters with a port on the same symbol but with a different CDM.

[0217] In one embodiment, the processor 805 configures the UE device to report relay-specific RS measurements to the base station and selects from the different repeaters that can serve the UE device for data transmission.

[0218] In one embodiment, processor 805 configures the UE device to report the quality of at least one configured link between the UE and the repeater node. In another embodiment, processor 805 configures the UE device to report the quality of the at least one configured link in response to the quality of the at least one configured link meeting a predefined quality threshold.

[0219] Figure 9 This is a flowchart of a method 900 for configuring a repeater for a channel state information reference signal. Method 900 can be executed by a repeater node (e.g., network equipment device 800). In some embodiments, method 900 can be executed by a processor (e.g., a microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, GPU, auxiliary processing unit, FPGA, or the like) that executes program code.

[0220] In one embodiment, method 900 includes receiving 905 a first configuration from a base station of a mobile wireless communication network, the first configuration including CSI-RS configuration information for amplifying a Channel State Information Reference Signal (“CSI-RS”) beam and forwarding it from the repeater node to a User Equipment (“UE”) device. In one embodiment, method 900 includes receiving 910 a second configuration from the base station, the second configuration including configuration information for performing measurements and reporting of the CSI-RS beam.

[0221] In one embodiment, method 900 includes receiving 915 repeater-specific CSI-RS to be forwarded to the UE device. In another embodiment, method 900 includes transmitting 920 the repeater-specific CSI-RS to the UE device according to the first configuration, and method 900 terminates.

[0222] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of a method 1000 for configuring a repeater for a channel state information reference signal. Method 1000 can be performed by a network entity (e.g., a base node, gNB, and / or network equipment device 800). In some embodiments, method 1000 can be performed by a processor (e.g., a microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, GPU, auxiliary processing unit, FPGA, or the like) that executes program code.

[0223] In one embodiment, method 1000 includes transmitting a first configuration 1005 to a repeater node of a mobile wireless communication network, the first configuration including CSI-RS configuration information for amplifying a Channel State Information Reference Signal (“CSI-RS”) beam and forwarding it from the repeater node to a User Equipment (“UE”) device. In one embodiment, method 1000 includes transmitting a second configuration 1010 to the repeater node, the second configuration including configuration information for performing measurements and reporting of the CSI-RS beam.

[0224] In one embodiment, method 1000 includes transmitting a repeater-specific CSI-RS transmission 1015 to the repeater node to be forwarded to the UE device. In another embodiment, method 1000 includes transmitting an indication 1020 to the UE device for reporting repeater-specific CSI-RS measurements to the base station, and method 1000 terminates.

[0225] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of a method 1100 for configuring a repeater for a channel state information reference signal. Method 1100 may be executed by user equipment device 700 (e.g., remote unit 105). In some embodiments, method 1100 may be executed by a processor (e.g., microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, GPU, auxiliary processing unit, FPGA, or the like) that executes program code.

[0226] In one embodiment, method 1100 includes receiving, 1105, an indication from a base station of a mobile wireless communication network to report repeater-specific reference signal (“RS”) measurements and repeater-specific channel state information (“CSI-RS”) associated with a repeater node. In another embodiment, method 1100 includes transmitting, 1110, the repeater-specific RS measurements associated with the received repeater-specific CSI-RS to the base station, and method 1100 terminates.

[0227] A first device is disclosed for configuring a repeater for a channel state information reference signal. The first device may include a repeater node, such as network equipment device 800. In some embodiments, the first device includes a processor that executes program code, such as a microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, GPU, auxiliary processing unit, FPGA, or the like.

[0228] In one embodiment, the first device includes a transceiver that receives a first configuration from a base station of a mobile wireless communication network. The first configuration includes CSI-RS configuration information for amplifying a Channel State Information Reference Signal (“CSI-RS”) beam and forwarding it from the repeater node to a User Equipment (“UE”) device.

[0229] In one embodiment, the transceiver receives a second configuration from the base station, the second configuration including configuration information for performing measurements and reporting of the CSI-RS beam. In another embodiment, the transceiver receives repeater-specific CSI-RS to be forwarded to the UE device and transmits the repeater-specific CSI-RS to the UE device according to the first configuration.

[0230] In one embodiment, the first configuration further includes receiving timing information of the location with CSI-RS time slots and beam information for each CSI-RS symbol. In one embodiment, the beam information includes associating one or more antenna ports at the base station with one or more antenna ports at the repeater for each symbol, such that one or more CSI-RS received from the base station for a symbol are grouped and associated with an antenna port at the repeater.

[0231] In one embodiment, in response to identifying that the UE device is connected to the base station through the repeater node, the first configuration is limited to the time domain and the repeater node is configured with time and beam information such that CSI-RS resource elements (“RE”) of different ports are mapped to different orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (“OFDM”) symbols.

[0232] In one embodiment, the transceiver receives from the base station an instruction to apply beam refinement to a single CSI-RS port beam, wherein a different beam configuration is applied to each of a plurality of symbols received from the base station on the single CSI-RS port beam.

[0233] In one embodiment, the transceiver uses the same spatial filter to receive different CSI-RS resources from the base station, the different CSI-RS resources being received in different symbols; and uses different beams to transmit CSI-RS corresponding to the different CSI-RS resources.

[0234] In one embodiment, the transceiver receives from the base station a CSI-RS resource set configuration and an indication for reporting beam-refined CSI measurements for the link between the base station and the repeater node.

[0235] In one embodiment, the transceiver receives from the base station an uplink (“UL”) RS configuration for transmitting and receiving signals from the UE device in a previous time slot on the same beam.

[0236] A first method for configuring a repeater for a channel state information reference signal is disclosed. The first method may be executed by a repeater node (e.g., network equipment device 800). In some embodiments, the first method may be executed by a processor (e.g., a microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, GPU, auxiliary processing unit, FPGA, or the like) that executes program code.

[0237] In one embodiment, the first method includes receiving a first configuration from a base station of a mobile wireless communication network, the first configuration including CSI-RS configuration information for amplifying a Channel State Information Reference Signal (“CSI-RS”) beam and forwarding it from the repeater node to a User Equipment (“UE”) device.

[0238] In one embodiment, the first method includes receiving a second configuration from the base station, the second configuration including configuration information for performing measurements and reporting of the CSI-RS beam. In another embodiment, the first method includes receiving a repeater-specific CSI-RS to be forwarded to the UE device and transmitting the repeater-specific CSI-RS to the UE device according to the first configuration.

[0239] In one embodiment, the first configuration further includes receiving timing information of the location with CSI-RS time slots and beam information for each CSI-RS symbol. In one embodiment, the beam information includes associating one or more antenna ports at the base station with one or more antenna ports at the repeater for each symbol, such that one or more CSI-RS received from the base station for a symbol are grouped and associated with an antenna port at the repeater.

[0240] In one embodiment, in response to identifying that the UE device is connected to the base station through the repeater node, the method includes limiting the first configuration to the time domain and configuring the repeater node with time and beam information such that CSI-RS resource elements (“RE”) of different ports are mapped to different orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (“OFDM”) symbols.

[0241] In one embodiment, the first method includes receiving from the base station an instruction to apply beam refinement to a single CSI-RS port beam, wherein a different beam configuration is applied to each of a plurality of symbols received from the base station on the single CSI-RS port beam.

[0242] In one embodiment, the first method includes receiving different CSI-RS resources from the base station using the same spatial filter, the different CSI-RS resources being received in different symbols; and transmitting CSI-RS corresponding to the different CSI-RS resources using different beams.

[0243] In one embodiment, the first method includes receiving a CSI-RS resource set configuration from the base station and an indication for reporting beam-refined CSI measurements for the link between the base station and the repeater node.

[0244] In one embodiment, the first method includes receiving from the base station an uplink (“UL”) RS configuration for transmitting and receiving signals from the UE device in a previous time slot on the same beam.

[0245] A second device is disclosed for configuring a repeater for a channel state information reference signal. The second device may include a network entity, such as a base node, gNB, and / or network equipment device 800. In some embodiments, the second device includes a processor that executes program code, such as a microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, GPU, auxiliary processing unit, FPGA, or the like.

[0246] In one embodiment, the second device includes a transceiver that transmits a first configuration to a repeater node of a mobile wireless communication network, the first configuration including CSI-RS configuration information for amplifying a Channel State Information Reference Signal (“CSI-RS”) beam and forwarding it from the repeater node to a User Equipment (“UE”) device.

[0247] In one embodiment, the transceiver transmits a second configuration to the repeater node, the second configuration including configuration information for performing measurements and reporting of the CSI-RS beam. In another embodiment, the transceiver transmits repeater-specific CSI-RS to be forwarded to the UE device to the repeater node and transmits an indication for reporting repeater-specific CSI-RS measurements to the base station to the UE device.

[0248] In one embodiment, the first configuration further includes receiving timing information of the location with CSI-RS time slots and beam information for each CSI-RS symbol. In one embodiment, the beam information includes associating one or more antenna ports at the base station with one or more antenna ports at the repeater for each symbol, such that one or more CSI-RS received from the base station for a symbol are grouped and associated with an antenna port at the repeater.

[0249] In one embodiment, the second device includes a processor that, in response to recognizing that the UE device is connected to the base station via the repeater node, configures the first configuration to be time-domain and configures the repeater node with time and beam information such that CSI-RS resource elements (“RE”) of different ports are mapped to different orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (“OFDM”) symbols.

[0250] In one embodiment, the transceiver transmits an instruction for applying beam refinement to a single CSI-RS port beam to the repeater node, wherein a different beam configuration is applied to each of a plurality of symbols received from the base station on the single CSI-RS port beam.

[0251] In one embodiment, the processor configures the UE device to report at least one of a CSI-RS Resource Indicator (“CRI”) reference signal received power and a CRI signal to noise plus interference ratio associated with a symbol identifier used to enable the base station to identify the beam to be used at the repeater node.

[0252] In one embodiment, the processor configures the repeater node to receive different CSI-RS resources using the same spatial filter, wherein the different CSI-RS resources are transmitted in different symbols using different beams.

[0253] In one embodiment, the processor configures the repeater node with a CSI-RS resource set configuration and an indication for reporting beam-refined CSI measurements for the link between the base station and the repeater node; compares the CSI measurements reported from the repeater node and the UE device; and selects a beam for each link between the base station, the UE, and the repeater node, and associates the beams of the links between the base station, the UE, and the repeater node with at least one of the following:

[0254] In one embodiment, the transceiver configures uplink (“UL”) RS configurations for transmitting and receiving signals from the UE device in a previous time slot on the same beam from the base station to the repeater node. In another embodiment, the transceiver configures different repeaters to forward repeater-specific RSs to the UE device.

[0255] In one embodiment, the processor assigns CSI-RS beams to the different repeaters and configures the different repeaters with time and direction information to forward the CSI-RS to the UE device. In another embodiment, in response to determining that the CSI-RS port with code division multiplexing (“CDM”) should be applied in the frequency domain, the processor associates one of the different repeaters with a port having a CDM on a given symbol and associates another of the different repeaters with a port on the same symbol but with a different CDM.

[0256] In one embodiment, the processor configures the UE device to report relay-specific RS measurements to the base station and select from the different repeaters that can serve the UE device for data transmission.

[0257] In one embodiment, the processor configures the UE device to report the quality of at least one configured link between the UE and the repeater node. In another embodiment, the processor configures the UE device to report the quality of the at least one configured link in response to the quality of the at least one configured link meeting a predefined quality threshold.

[0258] A second method for configuring a repeater for a channel state information reference signal is disclosed. The second method can be performed by a network entity (e.g., a base node, gNB, and / or network equipment device 800). In some embodiments, the second method can be performed by a processor (e.g., a microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, GPU, auxiliary processing unit, FPGA, or the like) that executes program code.

[0259] In one embodiment, the second method includes transmitting a first configuration to a repeater node of a mobile wireless communication network, the first configuration including CSI-RS configuration information for amplifying a Channel State Information Reference Signal (“CSI-RS”) beam and forwarding it from the repeater node to a User Equipment (“UE”) device.

[0260] In one embodiment, the second method includes transmitting a second configuration to the repeater node, the second configuration including configuration information for performing measurements and reporting of the CSI-RS beam. In one embodiment, the second method includes transmitting repeater-specific CSI-RS to be forwarded to the UE device to the repeater node and transmitting an indication for reporting repeater-specific CSI-RS measurements to the base station to the UE device.

[0261] In one embodiment, the first configuration further includes receiving timing information of the location with CSI-RS time slots and beam information for each CSI-RS symbol. In one embodiment, the beam information includes associating one or more antenna ports at the base station with one or more antenna ports at the repeater for each symbol, such that one or more CSI-RS received from the base station for a symbol are grouped and associated with an antenna port at the repeater.

[0262] In one embodiment, the second method includes, in response to identifying that the UE device is connected to the base station via the repeater node, making the first configuration time-domain and configuring the repeater node with time and beam information such that CSI-RS resource elements (“RE”) of different ports are mapped to different orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (“OFDM”) symbols.

[0263] In one embodiment, the second method includes transmitting an indication for applying beam refinement to a single CSI-RS port beam to the repeater node, wherein a different beam configuration is applied to each of a plurality of symbols received from the base station on the single CSI-RS port beam.

[0264] In one embodiment, the second method includes configuring the UE device to report at least one of a CSI-RS Resource Indicator (“CRI”) reference signal received power and a CRI signal to noise plus interference ratio associated with a symbol identifier used to enable the base station to identify a beam to be used at the repeater node.

[0265] In one embodiment, the second method includes configuring the repeater node to receive different CSI-RS resources using the same spatial filter, wherein the different CSI-RS resources are transmitted in different symbols using different beams.

[0266] In one embodiment, the second method includes configuring the repeater node with a CSI-RS resource set and an indication for reporting beam-refined CSI measurements for the link between the base station and the repeater node; comparing CSI measurements reported from the repeater node and the UE device; and at least one of selecting a beam for each link between the base station, the UE, and the repeater node and associating the beams of the links between the base station, the UE, and the repeater node.

[0267] In one embodiment, the second method includes configuring uplink (“UL”) RSs for transmitting and receiving signals from the UE device in a previous time slot on the same beam from the base station to the repeater node. In one embodiment, the second method includes configuring different repeaters to forward repeater-specific RSs to the UE device.

[0268] In one embodiment, the second method includes assigning CSI-RS beams to the different repeaters and configuring the different repeaters with time and direction information to forward the CSI-RS to the UE device. In one embodiment, the second method includes, in response to determining that the CSI-RS port with code division multiplexing (“CDM”) should be applied in the frequency domain, associating one of the different repeaters with a port having a CDM on a given symbol and associating another of the different repeaters with a port on the same symbol but with a different CDM.

[0269] In one embodiment, the second method includes configuring the UE device to report relay-specific RS measurements to the base station and selecting a repeater from the different repeaters that can serve the UE device for data transmission.

[0270] In one embodiment, the second method includes configuring the UE device to report the quality of at least one configured link between the UE and the repeater node. In another embodiment, the second method includes configuring the UE device to report the quality of the at least one configured link in response to the quality of the at least one configured link meeting a predefined quality threshold.

[0271] A third device is disclosed for configuring a repeater for a channel state information reference signal. The third device may include user equipment device 700, such as remote unit 105. In some embodiments, the third device may be executed by a processor (e.g., microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, GPU, auxiliary processing unit, FPGA, or the like) that executes program code.

[0272] In one embodiment, the third device includes a transceiver that receives from a base station of a mobile wireless communication network an indication for reporting repeater-specific reference signal (“RS”) measurements and repeater-specific channel state information (“CSI-RS”) associated with a repeater node; and transmits the repeater-specific RS measurements associated with the received repeater-specific CSI-RS to the base station.

[0273] In one embodiment, the transceiver receives from the base station a configuration for reporting at least one of a CSI-RS Resource Indicator (“CRI”) reference signal received power and a CRI signal to noise plus interference ratio associated with a symbol identifier used by the base station to identify the beam to be used at the repeater node.

[0274] In one embodiment, the transceiver receives a configuration for reporting the quality of at least one configured link. In another embodiment, the transceiver receives a configuration for reporting the quality of the at least one configured link in response to the quality of the at least one configured link meeting a predefined quality threshold.

[0275] A third method for configuring a repeater for a channel state information reference signal is disclosed. This third method may be executed by a user equipment device 700 (e.g., remote unit 105). In some embodiments, the third method may be executed by a processor (e.g., a microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, GPU, auxiliary processing unit, FPGA, or the like) that executes program code.

[0276] In one embodiment, the third method includes receiving from a base station of a mobile wireless communication network an indication for reporting repeater-specific reference signal (“RS”) measurements and repeater-specific channel state information (“CSI-RS”) associated with a repeater node; and transmitting the repeater-specific RS measurements associated with the received repeater-specific CSI-RS to the base station.

[0277] In one embodiment, the third method includes receiving from the base station at least one of a CSI-RS Resource Indicator (“CRI”) reference signal received power and a CRI signal to noise plus interference ratio associated with a symbol identifier used by the base station to identify a beam to be used at the repeater node.

[0278] In one embodiment, the third method includes receiving a configuration for reporting the quality of at least one configured link. In another embodiment, the third method includes receiving a configuration for reporting the quality of the at least one configured link in response to the quality of the at least one configured link meeting a predefined quality threshold.

[0279] Other specific embodiments may be practiced. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. Therefore, the scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All modifications within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the claims should be covered within their scope.

Claims

1. A repeater node, comprising: At least one memory; as well as At least one processor, coupled to the at least one memory and configured such that the repeater node: A first configuration is received from a base station, the first configuration including CSI-RS configuration information for amplifying a Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) beam and forwarding it from the repeater node to a User Equipment (UE) device, wherein the CSI-RS configuration information indicates time information of a location having time slots of one or more CSI-RSs, and wherein the CSI-RS configuration information further indicates beam information associated with each of the one or more CSI-RSs, wherein the beam information indicates, for each of the one or more CSI-RSs, the association of at least one antenna port associated with the base station with at least one antenna port associated with the repeater node; Receive a second configuration from the base station, the second configuration including measurement and reporting configuration information for the CSI-RS beam; Receive repeater-specific CSI-RS to be forwarded to the UE; and The repeater-specific CSI-RS is transmitted to the UE according to the first configuration.

2. The repeater node of claim 1, wherein the first configuration further includes receiving time information of the location having time slots of the one or more CSI-RS.

3. The repeater node of claim 2, wherein the one or more CSI-RS are grouped for a symbol and associated with an antenna port at the repeater node.

4. The repeater node according to claim 1, wherein CSI-RS resource elements (REs) for different antenna ports are mapped to different orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols.

5. The repeater node of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the repeater node receives from the base station an instruction to apply beam refinement to a single CSI-RS port beam, wherein a different beam configuration is applied to each of a plurality of symbols received from the base station on the single CSI-RS port beam.

6. The repeater node of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the repeater node: Different CSI-RS resources are received using the same spatial filter, wherein the different CSI-RS resources are received in different symbols; and CSI-RS corresponding to the different CSI-RS resources are transmitted using different beams.

7. The repeater node of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the repeater node receives CSI-RS resource set configuration and indications for reporting beam-refined CSI measurements for the link between the base station and the repeater node.

8. A base station, comprising: At least one memory; as well as At least one processor, coupled to the at least one memory and configured such that the base station: A first configuration is transmitted to a repeater node, the first configuration including CSI-RS configuration information for amplifying the Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) beam and forwarding it from the repeater node to a User Equipment (UE) device, wherein the CSI-RS configuration information indicates time information of a location having time slots of one or more CSI-RSs, and wherein the CSI-RS configuration information further indicates beam information associated with each of the one or more CSI-RSs, wherein the beam information indicates, for each of the one or more CSI-RSs, the association of at least one antenna port associated with the base station with at least one antenna port associated with the repeater node; The second configuration is transmitted to the repeater node, the second configuration including measurement and reporting configuration information for the CSI-RS beam; Transmit the repeater-specific CSI-RS to be forwarded to the UE; and The indication used to report repeater-specific CSI-RS measurements to the base station is transmitted to the UE.

9. The base station of claim 8, wherein the first configuration further includes receiving time information of the location having time slots of the one or more CSI-RS.

10. The base station of claim 9, wherein the one or more CSI-RS are grouped for a symbol and associated with an antenna port at the repeater node.

11. The base station according to claim 8, wherein CSI-RS resource elements (REs) for different ports are mapped to different orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols.

12. The base station of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the base station transmits an indication for applying beam refinement to a single CSI-RS port beam to the repeater node, wherein a different beam configuration is applied for each of a plurality of symbols.

13. The base station of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the base station configures the UE to report at least one of a CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI) reference signal received power and a CRI signal-to-noise-plus-interference ratio associated with a symbol identifier of the beam used by the base station to identify the repeater node.

14. The base station of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the base station configures the repeater node to receive different CSI-RS resources using the same spatial filter, wherein the different CSI-RS resources are transmitted in different symbols using different beams.

15. The base station of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the base station to: Configure the repeater node with a CSI-RS resource set and an indication for reporting beam-refined CSI measurements for the link between the base station and the repeater node; Compare the CSI measurements reported from the repeater node with those reported by the UE; and Selecting a beam for each link between the base station, the UE, and the repeater node, and associating the beams of the links between the base station, the UE, and the repeater node, at least one of the following:

16. The base station of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the base station to: Configure different repeater nodes to forward repeater-specific RSs to the UE; and The CSI-RS beam is assigned to the different repeater nodes and the different repeater nodes are configured with time and direction information to forward the CSI-RS to the UE.

17. The base station of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the base station, in response to determining that the CSI-RS port having code division multiplexing (CDM) in the frequency domain should be applied, associates one of the different repeater nodes with a port having a CDM on a given symbol and associates the other of the different repeater nodes with a port having a different CDM on the same symbol.

18. The base station of claim 17, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the base station to: Configure the UE to report relay-specific RS measurements to the base station; and Select at least one repeater node from the different repeater nodes that can serve the UE for data transmission.

19. The base station of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the base station configures the UE device to report the quality of at least one configured link between the UE and the repeater node.

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