Smart surface-enabled techniques for interference management

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. The described techniques support communication between one or more network entities and a user equipment (UE) via a configurable smart surface. A first UE may send, to a second UE associated with a set of configurable smart surfaces, first information indicating a tracking period and a data period for the second UE to use to manage the configurable smart surfaces. The second UE may adjust the configurable smart surfaces for communication between the first UE and a network entity during the tracking period and the data period. The second UE may adjust the configurable smart surfaces based on measurement reports generated by the first UE based on communications during the tracking period and the data period.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application No. 17 / 847,447, filed by DUTTA et al. on June 23, 2022, entitled “INTELLIGENT SURFACE ENABLED TECHNIQUES FOR INTERFERENCE MANAGEMENT,” which is assigned to the assignee of this application. Technical Field

[0003] The following relates to wireless communications, including smart surface-enabled techniques for interference management. Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcasting, and the like. These systems may be able to support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems (such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, advanced LTE (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems) and fifth generation (5G) systems (which may be referred to as new radio (NR) systems). These systems may employ techniques such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more base stations, each of which supports wireless communications for communication devices, which may be referred to as user equipment (UE).

[0005] In some wireless communication systems, communication may occur between an external network entity and one or more UEs inside a vehicle. In such cases, the communication between the network entity and the UE may suffer from external to internal penetration loss, blocking, interference or other communication problems. Therefore, it is desirable to support mechanisms for successfully sending and receiving signals in a vehicle environment. Summary of the invention

[0006] The described technology relates to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support smart surface-enabled technologies for interference management. For example, the described technology provides for communication between one or more network entities and user equipment (UE) via configurable smart surfaces. A first UE may send first information indicating a tracking period and a data period that the second UE will use to manage the configurable smart surfaces to a second UE associated with a set of configurable smart surfaces. The second UE may adjust the configurable smart surfaces for communication between the first UE and the network entity during the tracking period and the data period. The second UE may adjust the configurable smart surfaces based on measurement reports generated by the first UE using communications during the tracking period and the data period.

[0007] A method for wireless communication at a first UE is described. The method may include: sending first information to a second UE associated with a set of configurable smart surfaces indicating a tracking period and a data period that the second UE will use to manage the set of configurable smart surfaces; communicating with a set of multiple network entities via the set of configurable smart surfaces during the tracking period; sending second information to the second UE indicating a measurement report associated with the communication during the tracking period; and communicating with a subset of network entities in the set of multiple network entities via the set of configurable smart surfaces and based on the measurement report during the data period.

[0008] An apparatus for wireless communication at a first UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: send first information indicating a tracking period and a data period that the second UE will use to manage the group of configurable smart surfaces to a second UE associated with a group of configurable smart surfaces; communicate with a group of multiple network entities via the group of configurable smart surfaces during the tracking period; send second information indicating a measurement report associated with the communication during the tracking period to the second UE; and communicate with a subset of network entities in the group of multiple network entities via the group of configurable smart surfaces and based on the measurement report during the data period.

[0009] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a first UE is described. The apparatus may include: a component for sending to a second UE associated with a set of configurable smart surfaces first information indicating a tracking period and a data period that the second UE will use to manage the set of configurable smart surfaces; a component for communicating with a set of multiple network entities via the set of configurable smart surfaces during the tracking period; a component for sending to the second UE second information indicating a measurement report associated with the communication during the tracking period; and a component for communicating with a subset of network entities in the set of multiple network entities via the set of configurable smart surfaces and based on the measurement report during the data period.

[0010] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a first UE is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to: send first information to a second UE associated with a set of configurable smart surfaces indicating a tracking period and a data period that the second UE will use to manage the set of configurable smart surfaces; communicate with a set of multiple network entities via the set of configurable smart surfaces during the tracking period; send second information to the second UE indicating a measurement report associated with the communication during the tracking period; and communicate with a subset of network entities in the set of multiple network entities via the set of configurable smart surfaces and based on the measurement report during the data period.

[0011] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, sending first information indicating a tracking period and a data period may include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending an indication of a timing offset, periodicity, expiration timer, or a combination thereof for a pattern that defines the tracking period and the data period.

[0012] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, sending second information indicating a measurement report may include operations, features, components, or instructions for the following actions: sending a request to the second UE for the second UE to perform interference cancellation adjustments on the group of configurable smart surfaces.

[0013] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, sending second information indicating a measurement report may include operations, features, components, or instructions for the following actions: sending signaling indicating a measurement report based on determining that the secondary cell can be within a threshold received power of the primary cell received power.

[0014] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, sending second information indicating a measurement report may include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending an indication of a signal metric of received signal strength, received signal quality, or both for each of a set of multiple network entities that may be based on communications during a tracking period.

[0015] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the measurement report indicates a previously measured signal metric relative to a signal metric of each network entity in the set of multiple network entities.

[0016] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending an indication of a second measurement report associated with communicating with the subset of network entities during the data period to a second UE.

[0017] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, sending second information indicating a measurement report may include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending an indication of a signal metric associated with reception of data during a data period, wherein the signal metric may be a received signal strength associated with reception of data during the data period, a received signal quality associated with reception of data during the data period, or both.

[0018] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second measurement report indicates a previously measured signal metric relative to a signal metric of the subset of network entities.

[0019] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending location information associated with one or more network entities in the set of multiple network entities relative to the first UE to the second UE.

[0020] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the location information indicates a distance metric or an area identifier associated with each of the one or more network entities.

[0021] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the location information indicates that each of the one or more network entities may be a primary network entity or a secondary network entity.

[0022] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, each of the one or more network entities may be indicated as a primary network entity or a secondary network entity on a data opportunity basis.

[0023] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving an indication of increased interference over a period of time from a second UE.

[0024] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending control signaling to a base station including an indication of increased interference during the period based on receiving the indication of increased interference.

[0025] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for reducing a communication data rate during the period.

[0026] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, sending second information indicating a measurement report may include operations, features, components, or instructions for the following actions: sending the second information on a side channel with a second UE, where the side channel may be a Bluetooth communication link, a Wi-Fi link, a cellular side link, or a vehicle-to-vehicle communication link.

[0027] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving an indication of one or more measurement occasions from a second UE, wherein the measurement report includes measurements for the one or more measurement occasions.

[0028] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the one or more measurement opportunities include at least one measurement opportunity during a data period.

[0029] A method for wireless communication at a first UE is described. The method may include: receiving first information from a second UE indicating a tracking period and a data period that the first UE will use to manage a set of configurable smart surfaces; adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration so that a first communication between the second UE and a set of multiple network entities occurs during the tracking period; receiving signaling from the second UE indicating a measurement report associated with the first communication occurring during the tracking period; and adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to a second configuration based on the measurement report so that a second communication between the second UE and a subset of network entities in the set of multiple network entities occurs during the data period.

[0030] An apparatus for wireless communication at a first UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receive first information from a second UE indicating a tracking period and a data period that the first UE will use to manage a set of configurable smart surfaces; adjust the set of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration so that a first communication between the second UE and a set of multiple network entities occurs during the tracking period; receive signaling from the second UE indicating a measurement report associated with the first communication occurring during the tracking period; and adjust the set of configurable smart surfaces to a second configuration based on the measurement report so that a second communication between the second UE and a subset of network entities in the set of multiple network entities occurs during the data period.

[0031] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a first UE is described. The apparatus may include: a component for receiving first information from a second UE indicating a tracking period and a data period that the first UE will use to manage a set of configurable smart surfaces; a component for adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration so that a first communication between the second UE and a set of multiple network entities occurs during the tracking period; a component for receiving signaling from the second UE indicating a measurement report associated with the first communication occurring during the tracking period; and a component for adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to a second configuration based on the measurement report so that a second communication between the second UE and a subset of network entities in the set of multiple network entities occurs during the data period.

[0032] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a first UE is described. The code may include instructions that can be executed by a processor to perform the following operations: receiving first information from a second UE indicating a tracking period and a data period that the first UE will use to manage a set of configurable smart surfaces; adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration so that a first communication between the second UE and a set of multiple network entities occurs during the tracking period; receiving signaling from the second UE indicating a measurement report associated with the first communication occurring during the tracking period; and adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to a second configuration based on the measurement report so that a second communication between the second UE and a subset of network entities in the set of multiple network entities occurs during the data period.

[0033] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving first information indicating a tracking period and a data period may include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving an indication of a timing offset, periodicity, expiration timer, or a combination thereof for a pattern that defines the tracking period and the data period.

[0034] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving second information indicating a measurement report may include operations, features, components, or instructions for the following actions: receiving a request for the first UE to perform interference cancellation adjustments on the group of configurable smart surfaces, wherein the second configuration may be based on the request.

[0035] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving second information indicating a measurement report may include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving an indication of a signal metric of received signal strength, received signal quality, or both for each of a set of multiple network entities that may be based on communications during a tracking period.

[0036] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the measurement report indicates a previously measured signal metric relative to a signal metric of each network entity in the set of multiple network entities.

[0037] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving, from a second UE, an indication of a second measurement report associated with communicating with a subset of network entities during a data period.

[0038] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving an indication of a second measurement report may include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving, from a second UE, an indication of a signal metric associated with data reception during a data period, wherein the signal metric may be a received signal strength associated with data reception during the data period, a received signal quality associated with data reception during the data period, or both.

[0039] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second measurement report indicates a previously measured signal metric relative to a signal metric of the subset of network entities.

[0040] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving signaling from the second UE indicating location information associated with one or more network entities in the set of multiple network entities relative to the second UE.

[0041] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the distance information indicates a region identifier associated with each of the one or more network entities.

[0042] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the distance information indicates that each of the one or more network entities may be a primary network entity or a secondary network entity.

[0043] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending an indication of increased interference over a period of time to a second UE.

[0044] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for determining that a second UE may be entering a high interference area based on measurement reports, location information, sensor information, or a combination thereof, wherein an indication of increased interference may be sent based on determining that the second UE may be entering a high interference area.

[0045] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, sending an indication of increased interference may include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending an indication that the set of configurable smart surfaces may not be available for interference cancellation, signal enhancement, or both during the period.

[0046] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving second information indicating a measurement report may include operations, features, components, or instructions for the following actions: receiving the signaling on a side link channel with a second UE, wherein the side link channel may be a Bluetooth communication link, a Wi-Fi link, a cellular side link, or a vehicle-to-vehicle communication link.

[0047] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, adjusting the group of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration may include operations, features, components, or instructions for adjusting the group of configurable smart surfaces to increase a signal metric associated with a corresponding link between a second UE and each of the group of multiple network entities.

[0048] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, adjusting the group of configurable smart surfaces to a second configuration may include operations, features, components, or instructions for the following actions: adjusting the group of configurable smart surfaces to increase signal metrics associated with corresponding links between the second UE and one or more network entities in the subset of network entities and reduce signal metrics associated with corresponding links with other network entities in the group of multiple network entities.

[0049] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, adjusting the group of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration or a second configuration may include operations, features, components, or instructions for adjusting a transmission angle of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the group of configurable smart surfaces, adjusting an operating mode of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the group of configurable smart surfaces between a reflective mode or a transmissive mode, or adjusting a phase of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the group of configurable smart surfaces.

[0050] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for determining the first configuration, the second configuration, or both based on a machine learning model that receives the measurement reports as input.

[0051] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending an indication of one or more measurement occasions to a second UE, wherein the measurement report includes measurements for the one or more measurement occasions.

[0052] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the one or more measurement opportunities include at least one measurement opportunity during a data period.

[0053] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for determining one or more measurement opportunities based on the indication of the tracking period and the data period. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system supporting smart surface-enabled techniques for interference management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0055] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system supporting smart surface-enabled techniques for interference management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0056] Figure 3A and Figure 3B An example of a communication timeline supporting smart surface-enabled techniques for interference management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0057] Figure 4 An example of a process flow supporting smart surface enabled techniques for interference management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0058] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A block diagram of a device supporting smart surface-enabled techniques for interference management is shown in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0059] Figure 7 A block diagram of a communications manager supporting smart surface-enabled techniques for interference management is shown in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0060] Figure 8 A diagram of a system including a device supporting smart surface-enabled techniques for interference management is shown in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0061] Figures 9 to 12 A flow chart illustrating a method of supporting smart surface enabled techniques for interference management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] A wireless communication system may support communication by a network entity with a movable user equipment (UE), such as a UE in a transportation environment (e.g., a train, a car, an air vehicle). However, communication with a moving UE (e.g., in a vehicle) may suffer from external to internal penetration loss, blocking, fading, etc., which may result in failed or unreliable communication. A wireless communication system may use a configurable smart surface (e.g., a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS)) to support or enhance communication. In some cases, the RIS may be positioned on a vehicle because the RIS may include electrically manipulable metamaterials and high transparency capabilities. Thus, the RIS may be used in vehicle windows, windshields, sunroofs, etc. In some examples, the RIS may use its electrical control capabilities to send or reflect incident waves at a desired angle. However, a vehicle system that controls the RIS may not be able to access data or a network to fully support communication with the UE because the control system may not be able to communicate with the network.

[0063] In some specific implementations of the present disclosure, a wireless communication system may employ RIS to enhance signal strength to a UE and / or reflect signals away from a UE inside a vehicle. For example, a vehicle may include a vehicle UE (V-UE) communication device that controls a RIS located at the vehicle based on communication with a UE located in the vehicle (e.g., a handheld UE (H-UE)). In order to control the RIS, the V-UE may exchange control messages with the UE in the vehicle (e.g., via a side channel). In some examples, the H-UE may configure a tracking period and a data period for the V-UE to use for management of the RIS. During the tracking period, the V-UE may configure the RIS to maximize signals from potential devices (e.g., network entities, UEs, etc.) for communication. That is, the V-UE may configure the RIS so that some or all signals are allowed to be received at the UE in the vehicle. During the tracking period, the H-UE may measure the received signals and send a measurement report based on the measurement of the signals during the tracking period to the V-UE. During the data period, the V-UE may configure the RIS to enhance one or more links (e.g., between the H-UE and an external network entity or UE) and perform interference mitigation for the one or more links. The RIS configuration for link enhancement and interference mitigation may be based on measurement reports. Additionally, the V-UE may change or improve the RIS configuration based on sensor information, artificial intelligence machine learning, maps, location information, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the V-UE may warn the H-UE of predictions of high interference areas to support throttling of data rates or notify network entities.

[0064] Implementations of the subject matter described herein can be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages. In some implementations, for example, one or more network entities can communicate with one or more UEs inside a vehicle via a RIS. For vehicle use cases, the RIS can act as a vehicle window while also enhancing or reflecting signals to the UEs. Techniques described herein can support RIS control by using an H-UE (e.g., in a vehicle) to measure signals and provide information to a UE controlling the RIS so that the RIS can be adjusted to support communication with the H-UEs.

[0065] Various aspects of the disclosure are first described in the context of a wireless communication system. Various aspects of the disclosure are further described with respect to a wireless communication system illustrating communication between a UE and a network entity via RIS configuration, a communication timeline for RIS control, and a process flow chart. Various aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flow charts related to smart surface-enabled techniques for interference management.

[0066] Figure 1An example of a wireless communication system 100 supporting smart surface-enabled techniques for interference management according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an Advanced LTE (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, a New Radio (NR) network, or a network operating according to other systems and radio technologies, including future systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0067] The network entities 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic area to form the wireless communication system 100, and may include devices in different forms or with different capabilities. In various examples, the network entities 105 may be referred to as network elements, mobility elements, radio access network (RAN) nodes, or network equipment, among other nomenclature. In some examples, the network entities 105 and the UE 115 may communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., radio frequency (RF) access links). For example, the network entity 105 may support a coverage area 110 (e.g., a geographic coverage area) within which the UE 115 and the network entity 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area within which the network entity 105 and the UE 115 may support signal communications according to one or more radio access technologies (RATs).

[0068] The UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout the coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary or mobile, or stationary and mobile at different times. The UEs 115 may be devices in different forms or with different capabilities. Figure 1 Some example UEs 115 are illustrated in FIG. 1 . The UEs 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as Figure 1 Other UEs 115 or network entities 105 are shown.

[0069] As described herein, a node of the wireless communication system 100 (which may be referred to as a network node or a wireless node) may be a network entity 105 (e.g., any network entity described herein), a UE 115 (e.g., any UE described herein), a network controller, an apparatus, a device, a computing system, one or more components, or another suitable processing entity configured to perform any of the techniques described herein. For example, the node may be a UE 115. As another example, the node may be a network entity 105. As another example, a first node may be configured to communicate with a second node or a third node. In one aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a UE 115. In another aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a network entity 105. In other aspects of this example, the first node, the second node, and the third node may be different relative to these examples. Similarly, references to UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, etc. may include disclosure of UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, etc. as nodes. For example, a disclosure that UE 115 is configured to receive information from network entity 105 also discloses that the first node is configured to receive information from a second node.

[0070] In some examples, the network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130, or communicate with each other, or both. For example, the network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130 via one or more backhaul communication links 120 (e.g., according to S1, N2, N3 or other interface protocols). In some examples, the network entities 105 may communicate with each other via the backhaul communication link 120 (e.g., according to X2, Xn or other interface protocols) directly (e.g., directly between the network entities 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130). In some examples, the network entities 105 may communicate with each other via the midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., according to the midhaul interface protocol) or the fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., according to the fronthaul interface protocol) or any combination thereof. The backhaul communication link 120, the midhaul communication link 162, or the fronthaul communication link 168 may be or include one or more wired links (e.g., electrical links, optical fiber links), one or more wireless links (e.g., radio links, wireless optical links), etc. or various combinations thereof. UE 115 may communicate with core network 130 via communication link 155 .

[0071] One or more of the network entities 105 described herein may include or may be referred to as a base station 140 (e.g., a transceiver base station, a radio base station, an NR base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), a next-generation Node B, or a Gigabit Node B (any of which may be referred to as a gNB), a 5G NB, a next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), a Home Node B, a Home Evolved Node B, or other suitable terms). In some examples, the network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may be implemented in an aggregated (e.g., monolithic, stand-alone) base station architecture, which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack physically or logically integrated within a single network entity 105 (e.g., a single RAN node, such as a base station 140).

[0072] In some examples, the network entity 105 may be implemented in a disaggregated architecture (e.g., a disaggregated base station architecture, a disaggregated RAN architecture) that may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed between two or more network entities 105, such as an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open RAN (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance), or a virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a cloud RAN (C-RAN)). For example, the network entity 105 may include one or more of the following: a central unit (CU) 160, a distributed unit (DU) 165, a radio unit (RU) 170, a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 175 (e.g., a near real-time RIC (near RT RIC), a non-real-time RIC (non-RT RIC)), a service management and orchestration (SMO) 180 system, or any combination thereof. The RU 170 may also be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, a remote radio head (RRH), a remote radio unit (RRU), or a transmit receive point (TRP). One or more components of the network entity 105 in the decomposed RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of the network entity 105 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations). In some examples, one or more network entities 105 of the decomposed RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., virtual CU (VCU), virtual DU (VDU), virtual RU (VRU)).

[0073] The functional split between CU 160, DU 165, and RU 170 is flexible and can support different functionalities based on which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, RF functions, and any combination thereof) are performed at CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170. For example, a functional split of a protocol stack can be employed between CU 160 and DU 165, such that CU 160 can support one or more layers of a protocol stack and DU 165 can support one or more different layers of a protocol stack. In some examples, CU 160 can host higher protocol layer (e.g., layer 3 (L3), layer 2 (L2)) functionality and signaling (e.g., radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP)). The CU 160 may be connected to one or more DUs 165 or RUs 170, and the one or more DUs 165 or RUs 170 may host lower protocol layers, such as layer 1 (L1) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer) functionality and signaling, and may each be at least partially controlled by the CU 160. Additionally or alternatively, a functional split of the protocol stack may be employed between the DU 165 and the RU 170, such that the DU 165 may support one or more layers of the protocol stack, and the RU 170 may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DU 165 may support one or more different cells (e.g., via one or more RUs 170). In some cases, the functional split between CU 160 and DU 165 or between DU 165 and RU 170 can be within the protocol layer (e.g., some functions of the protocol layer can be performed by one of CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170, while other functions of the protocol layer are performed by different ones of CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170). CU 160 can be further functionally split into CU control plane (CU-CP) and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. CU 160 can be connected to one or more DUs 165 via midhaul communication links 162 (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u), and DU 165 can be connected to one or more RUs 170 via fronthaul communication links 168 (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface). In some examples, midhaul communication link 162 or fronthaul communication link 168 may be implemented according to interfaces (eg, channels) between layers of a protocol stack supported by respective network entities 105 in communication via those communication links.

[0074] In some wireless communication systems (e.g., wireless communication system 100), infrastructure and spectrum resources for radio access may support wireless backhaul link capabilities to supplement wired backhaul connections, thereby providing an IAB network architecture (e.g., to core network 130). In some cases, in an IAB network, one or more network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) may be partially controlled by each other. One or more IAB nodes 104 may be referred to as donor entities or IAB donors. One or more DUs 165 or one or more RUs 170 may be controlled in part by one or more CUs 160 associated with a donor network entity 105 (e.g., donor base station 140). One or more donor network entities 105 (e.g., IAB donors) may communicate with one or more additional network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) via supported access and backhaul links (e.g., backhaul communication links 120). The IAB node 104 may include an IAB mobile terminal (IAB-MT) controlled (e.g., scheduled) by a coupled IAB donor's DU 165. The IAB-MT may include an independent set of antennas for relaying communications with the UE 115, or may share the same antennas of the IAB node 104 (e.g., of the RU 170) for access via the DU 165 of the IAB node 104 (e.g., referred to as a virtual IAB-MT (vIAB-MT)). In some examples, the IAB node 104 may include a DU 165 that supports communication links with additional entities (e.g., IAB node 104, UE 115) within a relay chain or configuration (e.g., downstream) of the access network. In such cases, one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture (e.g., one or more IAB nodes 104 or components of the IAB node 104) may be configured to operate according to the techniques described herein.

[0075] Where the techniques described herein are applied in the context of a disaggregated RAN architecture, one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture may be configured to support the smart surface enabled techniques for interference management as described herein. For example, some operations described as being performed by a UE 115 or a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may additionally or alternatively be performed by one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture (e.g., an IAB node 104, a DU 165, a CU 160, a RU 170, a RIC 175, a SMO 180).

[0076] UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable term, where a "device" may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, etc. UE 115 may also include or may be referred to as a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine type communication (MTC) device, etc., which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances or vehicles, meters, etc.

[0077] The UE 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices such as other UEs 115 which may sometimes act as relays, as well as network entities 105 and network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations, etc. Figure 1 shown.

[0078] The UE 115 and the network entity 105 may wirelessly communicate with each other via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., access links) using resources associated with one or more carriers. The term "carrier" may refer to a collection of RF spectrum resources having a physical layer structure defined for supporting the communication link 125. For example, a carrier for the communication link 125 may include a portion of an RF spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth portion (BWP)) that operates according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling for coordinating carrier operations, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communication system 100 may support communications with the UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. Depending on the carrier aggregation configuration, the UE 115 may be configured to have multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers. Carrier aggregation may be used for both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) component carriers. Communication between the network entity 105 and other devices may refer to communication between these devices and any portion (e.g., entity, sub-entity) of the network entity 105. For example, the terms "send," "receive," or "communicate" when referring to the network entity 105 may refer to any portion of a network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, CU 160, DU 165, RU 170) of a RAN communicating with another device (e.g., directly or via one or more other network entities 105).

[0079] The signal waveform transmitted via the carrier wave may be composed of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system using MCM techniques, a resource element may refer to a symbol period (e.g., the duration of a modulation symbol) and a resource of a subcarrier, in which case the symbol period and the subcarrier spacing may be inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both), so that a relatively high number of resource elements (e.g., in the transmission duration) and a relatively high order modulation scheme may correspond to a relatively high communication rate. Wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of RF spectrum resources, time resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers or beams), and the use of multiple spatial resources may increase the data rate or data integrity used for communication with UE 115.

[0080] The time interval for the network entity 105 or the UE 115 may be expressed as a multiple of a basic time unit, which may be, for example, a sampling period T s =1 / (Δf max ·N f ) seconds, where Δf max It can represent the supported subcarrier spacing, and N f The supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size may be indicated. The time intervals of the communication resources may be organized according to radio frames each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0081] Each frame may include multiple consecutively numbered subframes or time slots, and each subframe or time slot may have the same duration. In some examples, the frame may be divided into subframes (e.g., in the time domain), and each subframe may be further divided into a certain number of time slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable number of time slots, and the number of time slots may depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each time slot may include a certain number of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix appended in front of each symbol period). In some wireless communication systems 100, the time slot may be further divided into a plurality of mini-time slots associated with one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may be associated with one or more (e.g., N f The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or the operating frequency band.

[0082] A subframe, slot, mini-slot, or symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communication system 100 and may be referred to as a transmit time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., the number of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., in a burst of a shortened TTI (sTTI)).

[0083] Carriers may be used to multiplex physical channels for communication according to various techniques. Physical control channels and physical data channels may be multiplexed via downlink carriers using, for example, one or more of a time division multiplexing (TDM) technique, a frequency division multiplexing (FDM) technique, or a hybrid TDM-FDM technique. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) of a physical control channel may be defined by a set of symbol periods and may extend across a system bandwidth of a carrier or a subset of that system bandwidth. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a set of UEs 115. For example, one or more UEs in UE 115 may monitor or search a control region to obtain control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set may include one or more control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. The aggregation level of a control channel candidate may refer to the amount of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with coded information for a control information format having a given payload size. The search space sets may include a common search space set configured for transmitting control information to multiple UEs 115 , and a UE-specific search space set for transmitting control information to a specific UE 115 .

[0084] In some examples, the network entities 105 (e.g., base stations 140, RUs 170) may be mobile and thus provide communication coverage for mobile coverage areas 110. In some examples, different coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but the different coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same network entity 105. In some other examples, overlapping coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different network entities 105. The wireless communication system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of network entities 105 provide coverage for various coverage areas 110 using the same or different radio access technologies.

[0085] The wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable communication or low-latency communication or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). UE 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable or low-latency or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communication may include private communication or group communication, and may be supported by one or more services (such as push-to-talk, video, or data). Support for ultra-reliable, low-latency functions may include prioritization of services, and such services may be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, and ultra-reliable low-latency may be used interchangeably herein.

[0086] In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured to support communication directly with other UEs 115 via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., according to a peer-to-peer (P2P), D2D, or sidelink protocol). In some examples, one or more UEs 115 in a group that are performing D2D communication may be within a coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, a RU 170), which may support aspects of such D2D communication configured (or scheduled) by the network entity 105. In some examples, one or more UEs 115 in such a group may be outside the coverage area 110 of the network entity 105, or may otherwise be unable or not configured to receive transmissions from the network entity 105. In some examples, a group of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communication may support a one-to-many (1:M) system, in which each UE 115 transmits to each of the other UEs 115 in the group. In some examples, the network entity 105 may facilitate scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In some other examples, D2D communications may be performed between UEs 115 without involving network entity 105 .

[0087] In some systems, the D2D communication link 135 can be an example of a communication channel (such as a sidelink communication channel) between vehicles (e.g., UE 115). In some examples, the vehicles can communicate using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, or some combination of these. The vehicles can signal information related to traffic conditions, signal scheduling, weather, safety, emergency situations, or any other information related to the V2X system. In some examples, vehicles in the V2X system can communicate with roadside infrastructure (such as roadside units) using vehicle-to-network (V2N) communications, or communicate with the network via one or more network nodes (e.g., network entity 105, base station 140, RU 170), or both.

[0088] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC), which may include at least one control plane entity (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF)) for managing access and mobility and at least one user plane entity (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)) for routing packets or interconnecting to an external network. The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management of UE 115 served by a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be delivered through the user plane entity, which may provide IP address allocation and other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to the IP service 150 of one or more network operators. IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched streaming services.

[0089] The wireless communication system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands that may be in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). The region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is referred to as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelength range is approximately 1 decimeter to 1 meter. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features (which may be referred to as clusters), but these waves may be sufficient to penetrate structures so that macro cells provide services to UEs 115 located indoors. Communication using UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) than communication using smaller frequencies and longer waves in the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0090] The wireless communication system 100 may also operate using a super high frequency (SHF) region that may be in the range of 3 GHz to 30 GHz (also referred to as a centimeter band) or an extremely high frequency (EHF) region that uses a spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz) (also referred to as a millimeter band). In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW) communications between a UE 115 and a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, RU170), and the EHF antenna of the corresponding device may be smaller and closer than the UHF antenna. In some examples, such technology may facilitate the use of antenna arrays within the device. However, the propagation of EHF transmissions may be affected by greater attenuation and a shorter range than SHF or UHF transmissions. The technology disclosed herein may be adopted across transmissions using one or more different frequency regions, and the use of frequency bands specified across these frequency regions may vary by country or regulatory agency.

[0091] The wireless communication system 100 may utilize licensed and unlicensed RF spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may employ licensed assisted access (LAA), LTE unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology using unlicensed bands (such as the 5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band). When operating using unlicensed RF spectrum bands, devices such as network entity 105 and UE 115 may employ carrier sensing for conflict detection and avoidance. In some examples, operations using unlicensed bands may be based on carrier aggregation configuration in conjunction with component carriers operating using licensed bands (e.g., LAA). Operations using unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, among others.

[0092] The network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas that can be used to employ technologies such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. The antennas of the network entity 105 or UE 115 may be located in one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels, which can support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. In some examples, antennas or antenna arrays associated with the network entity 105 may be located at different geographical locations. The network entity 105 may include an antenna array having a collection of multiple rows and columns of antenna ports that the network entity 105 can use to support beamforming for communications with the UE 115. Similarly, the UE 115 may include one or more antenna arrays that can support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna panel may support RF beamforming for signals sent via the antenna ports.

[0093] The network entity 105 or UE 115 may use MIMO communication to utilize multipath signal propagation and improve spectral efficiency by sending or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. Such a technology may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. The multiple signals may be sent, for example, by a transmitting device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Similarly, the multiple signals may be received by a receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry information associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO technologies include: single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), in which multiple spatial layers are sent to the same receiving device; and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), in which multiple spatial layers are sent to multiple devices.

[0094] Beamforming (which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception) is a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., a network entity 105, a UE 115) to shape or direct an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining signals communicated via antenna elements of an antenna array so that some signals propagating along an orientation relative to the antenna array experience constructive interference, while other signals experience destructive interference. Adjustments to signals communicated via antenna elements may include a transmitting device or a receiving device applying an amplitude offset, a phase offset, or both to a signal carried via an antenna element associated with the device. Adjustments associated with each antenna element may be defined by a set of beamforming weights associated with an orientation (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting device or the receiving device, or relative to some other orientation).

[0095] The network entity 105 or UE 115 may use beam scanning techniques as part of a beamforming operation. For example, the network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to perform beamforming operations for directional communication with UE 115. Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be sent multiple times by the network entity 105 along different directions. For example, the network entity 105 may send signals according to different sets of beamforming weights associated with different transmission directions. Transmissions along different beam directions may be used to identify (e.g., by a transmitting device (such as network entity 105), or by a receiving device (such as UE 115)) beam directions for later transmission or reception by the network entity 105.

[0096] Some signals (such as data signals associated with a receiving device) may be sent by a transmitting device (e.g., transmitting network entity 105, transmitting UE 115) along a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with a receiving device such as receiving network entity 105 or receiving UE 115). In some examples, a beam direction associated with the transmission along a single beam direction may be determined based on signals sent along one or more beam directions. For example, UE 115 may receive one or more of the signals sent by network entity 105 along different directions, and may report to network entity 105 an indication of the signal received by UE 115 with the highest signal quality or other acceptable signal quality.

[0097] In some examples, transmission by a device (e.g., by network entity 105 or UE 115) may be performed using multiple beam directions, and the device may use a combination of digital precoding or beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from network entity 105 to UE 115). UE 115 may report feedback indicating precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and the feedback may correspond to a configured set of beams across a system bandwidth or one or more subbands. Network entity 105 may send reference signals (e.g., cell-specific reference signals (CRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS)), which may or may not be precoded. UE 115 may provide feedback for beam selection, which may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., multi-panel codebook, linear combination codebook, port selection codebook). Although these techniques are described with reference to signals sent along one or more directions by a network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170), UE 115 may use similar techniques to send signals multiple times along different directions (e.g., to identify a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by UE 115), or to send signals along a single direction (e.g., to send data to a receiving device).

[0098] A receiving device (e.g., UE 115) may perform receiving operations according to multiple receiving configurations (e.g., directional listening) when receiving various signals (such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) from a receiving device (e.g., network entity 105). For example, the receiving device may perform reception according to multiple receiving directions by: receiving via different antenna subarrays, processing the received signals according to different antenna subarrays, receiving according to different receiving beamforming weight sets (e.g., different directional listening weight sets) applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, or processing the received signals according to different receiving beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, any of which may be referred to as "listening" according to different receiving configurations or receiving directions. In some examples, the receiving device may use a single receiving configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). A single receive configuration may be aligned along a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receive configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or other acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions).

[0099] In some aspects, the wireless communication system 100 may support communication between one or more network entities 105 and one or more UEs 115 via RIS, which may be used to redirect or block signals. In some cases, the RIS may be positioned on a vehicle (e.g., as a vehicle window), such as to enhance signals to UEs 115 in the vehicle or to reflect signals away from UEs 115 in the vehicle. For example, the RIS may operate in a transmission mode, such as to perform anomalous transmission and lensing to focus energy in configurable directions. In a vehicle specific implementation, the RIS transmission mode may bend the wavefront to maximize the energy at one or more points inside the vehicle. In other cases, the RIS may operate in a reflection mode to perform anomalous reflection of the wavefront in a configurable direction. Additionally or alternatively, the reflection mode may include a lensing capability. Therefore, the RIS may switch between a transmission mode and a reflection mode by utilizing a phase shift of the wave to enhance or eliminate signals for UEs 115 in the vehicle.

[0100] In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include one or more V-UE communication devices that control the functions and modes of the RIS. As described herein, the V-UE may control the RIS based on communication messages from a H-UE (e.g., UE 115) located in a vehicle to support communications between the H-UE and external devices (e.g., network entities and other UEs). In some cases, the vehicle may include multiple sensors (e.g., cameras, radars, etc.) and the V-UE may use the sensor information for RIS configuration and H-UE communication support. In some cases, V-UE implementations may utilize artificial intelligence to support communication operations.

[0101] In some specific implementations, the wireless communication system 100 may support tracking and data periods to support communications controlled via RIS. For example, the first UE 115 may send one or more signals indicating that the second UE can be used to manage the tracking period and data period of the group of RIS to the second UE 115 that may be associated with a group of RIS (e.g., controlling or managing a group of RIS). The second UE 115 may configure the RIS to allow communication between the first UE 115 and one or more network entities 105 via the RIS during the tracking period. In some cases, the first UE 115 may send a measurement report associated with the communication during the tracking period to the second UE 115. The second UE 115 may adjust the RIS for communication during the data period based on the received measurement report. The first UE 115 may communicate with one or more network entities via the RIS during the data period. Additional details related to the technology enabled by the configurable smart surface for communication management are described herein.

[0102] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system 200 that supports smart surface-enabled techniques for interference management according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In some examples, the wireless communication system 200 can implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. For example, the wireless communication system 200 includes a UE 260-a and a network entity 255, which can be reference Figure 1 Examples of corresponding devices described.

[0103] In some aspects, the wireless communication system 200 may suffer from external-to-internal penetration losses, blocking, fading, etc. between the network entity 255 and the UE 260-a, which may be inside the vehicle 205. For example, the network entity 255 may transmit signals toward the UE 260-a in the vehicle 205 via the beam 210 and the direct path 220. However, one or more signals from the external network entity 255 may not reach the internal UE 260-a due to various conditions, such as being blocked by components of the vehicle 205. Therefore, the vehicle 205 may be implemented with a RIS 215 to support communications with the UE 260-a inside the vehicle 205. In some cases, the RIS 215 may be configured as an electrically steerable metamaterial that can be used to refract or reflect incident waves at a desired angle to support such communications. Since some RIS can be transparent, RIS 215 can be installed on a vehicle window (e.g., front windshield, rear windshield, sunroof) to enhance the signal strength to UE 260-a inside vehicle 205 using RIS 215. Using RIS 215 can limit the penetration loss of communication between UE 260-a and network entity 255.

[0104] As described herein, RIS215 may have multiple modes of operation, such as transmission mode and reflection mode. In transmission mode, RIS215 may be configured to perform anomalous transmission and lensing. Anomalous transmission supports refraction, which may not follow Snell's law. For lensing, RIS215 may focus energy in a restricted direction. In reflection mode, RIS215 may perform anomalous reflection to reflect the wavefront in a configurable direction. RIS215 may use lensing technology in reflection mode. RIS215 may be switched between transmission mode and reflection mode, and the reflected / transmitted waves may be phase shifted to enhance or eliminate the signal.

[0105] The H-UE (e.g., UE 260-b) may track multiple network entities (e.g., network entity 255) to determine channel conditions and improve communications. For example, UE 260-b may receive multiple synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) to decode system information. However, UE 260-b may communicate data with one of the multiple network entities (such as network entity 255). In such cases, focusing on electromagnetic waves sent from other network entities may increase interference and reduce performance, and the RIS configuration may be configured for interference cancellation / shielding during communication with network entity 255. Similarly, UE 260-a may be receiving from multiple distributed adjacent side link UEs 115 (e.g., via mode 2 side link communications), and multiple interference sources may occur. RIS control may be used to eliminate interfering signals while enhancing desired side link signals. For example, UE 260-a may perform both multicast and unicast transmissions, and according to data transmission scheduling and priority, RIS may be controlled to perform intelligent interference cancellation.

[0106] In some implementations, the RIS 215 can be controlled (e.g., changed between a transmission mode and a reflection mode) by a control system that can be implemented by one or more UEs 260-b (e.g., one or more V-UEs). For example, a "shark fin" antenna on top of a vehicle can be an example of a V-UE (including associated hardware / firmware) that can control the RIS. Furthermore, these V-UE control systems can access or use data from multiple sensors (e.g., cameras, radars) to track and plan RIS control. Additionally, these V-UEs can use artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to support such techniques.

[0107] However, UE 260-b may be out-of-band (OOB) with a network entity (e.g., network entity 255) and / or other UEs (such as UE 260-a). For example, UE 260-b may not be able to communicate with network entity 255 due to UE 260-b being a non-cellular UE or being limited to Wi-Fi or dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications. In some other examples, communication between UE 260-b and UE 260-a may fail due to UE 260-b having sub-6 capabilities when UE 260-a is in frequency range 2 (FR2). Therefore, communication between network entity 255 and UE 260-b to support control of RIS 215 may be limited or suppressed. However, communication between UE 260-a and UE 260-b may be supported by a side channel, such as via an unlicensed spectrum (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) or via a sidelink cellular channel.

[0108] In some cases, UE 260-b may use side channel 230 to indicate various capability information. For example, UE 260-b may indicate that UE 260-b controls one or more signal auxiliary devices (e.g., RIS 215, repeater) and the frequency bands in which the specified signal auxiliary devices can operate. Additionally or alternatively, UE 260-b may indicate via capability signaling that UE 260-b may have various sensors and machine learning capabilities that provide sensor data 240. Capability signaling may be sent between UE 260-a and UE 260-b based on a connection such as a Bluetooth connection between a UE 115 (e.g., UE 260-a) inside a vehicle and a V-UE (e.g., UE 260-b) that controls the RIS (e.g., RIS215). Capability signaling of UE 260-b may occur during connection establishment or may be transmitted periodically.

[0109] The techniques described herein are proposed to utilize the use of an H-UE (e.g., UE 260-a) to support a V-UE (e.g., UE 260-b) to control a configurable smart surface (e.g., RIS 215) on a vehicle to enhance communication between external devices (e.g., other UEs and network entities, such as network entity 255) and the H-UE located inside the vehicle. For example, OOB UE 260-b may help the in-vehicle UE 260-a communicate with the network entity 255. To support such communication, UE 260-b may be configured with a tracking period and a data period. During the tracking period, UE 260-b may control RIS 215 so that signals to and from the external devices are maximized. That is, RIS 215 may be configured to allow communication between multiple external devices and UE 260-a. During the tracking period, UE 260-a may perform measurements of signals received from the external devices and indicate the results of such measurements to UE 260-b. During the data period, UE 260-b may control RIS 215 to maximize the signals to and from the external devices. That is, RIS 215 may be configured to allow communication between multiple external devices and UE 260-a. During the tracking period, UE 260-a may perform measurements of signals received from the external devices and indicate the results of such measurements to UE 260-b. During the data period, UE 260-b may control RIS 215 to maximize the signals to and from the external devices. 260-b may control or adjust RIS 215 (e.g., a subset of RIS 215) to perform link enhancement and / or interference mitigation. Configuration of RIS 215 during a data period may be based on measurement reports associated with measurements performed by UE 260-a during the data period. Additionally, RIS 215 may be controlled based on other sensor data and machine learning and / or AI systems. Thus, these techniques may support enhanced coverage and an improved in-vehicle user experience.

[0110] For example, to support communication between the network entity 255 and the UE 260-a via the path 225, the UE 260-b may configure the RIS 215 based on the information received from the UE 260-a. In some cases, the UE 260-b may communicate with the UE 260-a via the side channel 230, which may be an example of a Bluetooth communication link, a Wi-Fi link, a cellular side link (e.g., a PC5 interface), or a V2X communication link. Using the side channel 230, the UE 260-a may configure the tracking period and the data period to the UE 260-b, as described herein. The UE 260-b may control the RIS 215 via the controller 250 based on the configuration of the tracking period and the data period. The UE 260-b may also use the sensor data 240 (which may include GPS data, camera data, radar data, etc.) to support the RIS configuration during the tracking and / or data period. Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115 - b may use the machine learning system 270 (and / or an artificial intelligence (AI) system) to support RIS configuration during tracking and / or data periods.

[0111] Figure 3A and Figure 3B An example of a communication timeline 300 supporting smart surface enabled techniques for interference management according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In some examples, the communication timeline 300 can be implemented by aspects of the wireless communication system 100 or 200. For example, the communication timeline 300 can be implemented by an H-UE (e.g., Figure 2 UE 260-a) and V-UE (e.g., Figure 2 UE 260-b) is used to support communication between an external device (e.g., a network entity) and the H-UE. That is, the communication timeline 300 can be used to support RIS configuration by the V-UE for communication between the H-UE and the external device. For example, the RIS can be configured to focus on transmissions (e.g., synchronization signal bursts) from many trackable network entities during tracking periods 315, and to perform interference cancellation and shielding during data periods. Thus, the H-UE and the V-UE can use one or more tracking periods 315 and one or more data periods 320 to switch various RIS (e.g., Figure 2 As described herein, the V-UE may control the RIS to enhance or eliminate the signal based on sensor information or artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning techniques to determine one or more RIS configurations.

[0112] In some examples, the H-UE may notify the V-UE of the time domain duplex (TDD) mode via a side channel. In some cases, the TDD mode may allocate time windows into the tracking period 315 and the data period 320. In one example, the TDD mode may include a timing offset 305. Additionally or alternatively, the TDD mode may be allocated based on a periodicity or a time period 310. In some cases, the TDD mode may include an expiration timer. Therefore, the TDD mode of the tracking period 315 and the data period 320 may be configured by the H-UE using a timing offset, a periodicity, an expiration timer, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the H-UE may instruct or request the V-UE to perform interference cancellation via the RIS. In some cases, the H-UE may determine the interference cancellation configuration for the RIS based on H-UE measurements across multiple tracked network entities or transmissions. For example, during the tracking period 315, the H-UE may determine that the secondary cell reference signal received power (RSRP) is within an increment (e.g., a threshold) or a measurement range of the primary cell RSRP in decibels (dB). In some examples, the H-UE may determine that the V-UE is to control interference cancellation via RIS based on interference measurements during data reception. Thus, based on measurements and communications made by the H-UE, the H-UE may instruct the V-UE to perform interference cancellation via RIS adjustments.

[0113] In some examples, the H-UE may provide the V-UE with information about one or more network entities (e.g., Figure 1 and Figure 2 The distance or location information of the network entity 105) of the sidelink UE. For example, the distance information may indicate that there are multiple network entities around the current location. Additionally, for a sidelink specific implementation, the H-UE may provide a zone identification (Zone-ID) based on information of other devices to be tracked (e.g., other UEs). In some examples, the indication associated with the location information may indicate whether the network entity is a primary transmitter or a secondary transmitter (e.g., corresponding to a primary cell or a secondary cell). Additionally or alternatively, an indication of a primary transmitter or a secondary transmitter may be configured on a per data opportunity basis. For example, for a sidelink UE, a first data opportunity may be used for unicast communication with a first UE, and the H-UE may indicate to the V-UE that the first UE is the primary. In other cases, the H-UE may indicate that the second UE is the primary and the first UE is the secondary and is used for measurement purposes.

[0114] Upon receiving an indication of TDD mode and / or an interference cancellation request, the V-UE may determine a RIS configuration corresponding to a communication path for signal enhancement and / or interference cancellation. In some examples, the V-UE may determine the RIS configuration using sensor information (e.g., perception), an AI / ML subsystem, or both. In some cases, the V-UE may automatically track and configure the RIS to perform link enhancement and interference cancellation. For example, the V-UE adjusts the RIS configuration so that links for multiple network entities are enhanced during tracking period 315. Additionally, the V-UE adjusts the RIS so that the primary link is enhanced and the secondary link (e.g., the interfering link) may be cancelled during data period 320.

[0115] like Figure 3B As indicated in , the H-UE may perform measurements during measurement opportunities 325 and 330. In some examples, the H-UE is configured with measurement opportunities for the H-UE. As shown, the measurement opportunities may overlap with the tracking period 315 and / or the data period 320. Therefore, during the data period 320-a, the H-UE may measure the received signal during the measurement opportunity 325-a, and the measured signal may be enhanced and / or eliminated by the configuration of the RIS as controlled by the V-UE. During the tracking period 315-b, the H-UE may measure the received signal during the measurement opportunity 330-a. Therefore, the measurement report sent by the H-UE to the V-UE may be associated with the tracking period, the data period, or both. In some examples, the V-UE may determine the measurement opportunities 325 and 330 based on the configured tracking period 315 and data period 320 patterns. In some examples, a single measurement opportunity 325 may be configured per data period 320, and a single measurement opportunity 330 may be configured per tracking period 315. Additionally or alternatively, multiple measurement opportunities may be configured per tracking period 315 and / or data period 320 .

[0116] In some cases, the content of the measurement report may depend on whether the measurement report corresponds to the tracking period 315 or the data period 320. For example, for a measurement report corresponding to the tracking period 315, the content may include a measure of signal strength (e.g., RSRP) and / or signal quality (reference signal received quality (RSRQ)) for each of the network entities. In some examples, the measurement report may indicate whether the signal strength has improved or decreased compared to a previous measurement. In some examples, the indication of the signal strength may include a value that is improved or decreased relative to the previous measurement (e.g., a 3 dB drop from the previous measurement). In some cases, the content of the measurement report for the data period 320 may include a signal strength associated with data reception (e.g., RSRP measured for a demodulation reference signal (DMRS)), a signal quality associated with data reception (e.g., RSRQ), and / or an indication of an improvement or decrease in the signal.

[0117] In some cases, the V-UE may receive the measurement reports and change or improve one or more RIS configurations. The RIS configuration may be adjusted by adjusting the transmission angle of the RIS, adjusting the operating mode of the RIS (e.g., transmission mode to reflection mode, reflection mode to transmission mode), or adjusting the phase of the RIS elements. In some examples, in addition to the measurement reports, the V-UE may also use sensor data and AI or machine learning techniques to change or improve the RIS configuration for signal enhancement and / or interference cancellation.

[0118] Additionally, in addition to the measurement reports, the V-UE may also use maps and location information (e.g., GPS data) to determine that the vehicle is approaching a high interference area. For example, an interference area may include a location where signals from multiple transmitters can be transmitted at high power. In other examples, the interference area may include an area where transmissions from both the primary transmitter and the secondary transmitter are blocked or obscured (which may result in a low signal-to-noise ratio (SINR)). Therefore, the V-UE may signal the H-UE on a side channel of the interference event and / or future time periods in which high interference may occur. In some examples, the V-UE may additionally transmit an indication that RIS-based interference cancellation or RIS-based signal enhancement may not be feasible during a time period such as data period 320.

[0119] In some aspects, the H-UE may respond to the indication of the interference area by throttling the data rate during the indicated time period. In some examples, the H-UE may notify a network entity (e.g., a primary network entity) of the future collision prediction via radio resource control (RRC) signaling or another type of control signaling. In response to being notified, the network entity may throttle the downlink data rate and / or switch to a lower modulation control scheme (MCS) transmission. In some cases, the active switching of transmissions may save time for link change adaptation.

[0120] Figure 4 An example of a process flow 400 for supporting smart surface enabled techniques for interference management according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In some examples, the process flow 400 may be performed by Figure 1 and Figure 2 Aspects of the wireless communication systems 100 and 200 may be implemented and may be used Figure 3A and Figure 3B The process flow 400 includes a UE 410 (eg, H-UE) and a UE 415 (eg, V-UE), which may be as described in reference Figure 1 3. The process flow 400 also includes a network entity 405, which may be a reference Figure 13. The second UE may be associated with (eg, manage) a set of configurable smart surfaces (eg, RIS 420).

[0121] At 425, UE 410 (e.g., a first UE) may send first information to UE 415 (e.g., a second UE) indicating a tracking period and a data period that UE 415 will use to manage the set of configurable smart surfaces (e.g., RIS 420). In some examples, the first information may include an indication of a timing offset, a periodicity, an expiration timer, or a combination thereof that defines a pattern of tracking periods and data periods.

[0122] At 430, UE 415 may adjust the set of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration so that a first communication between UE 410 and the plurality of network entities occurs during the tracking period. In some examples, adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces may include adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to increase a signal metric associated with a corresponding link between the second UE and each of the plurality of network entities. The adjustment may include adjusting a transmission angle of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the set of configurable smart surfaces, adjusting an operating mode of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the set of configurable smart surfaces between a reflection mode or a transmission mode, adjusting a phase of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the set of configurable smart surfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0123] At 435, UE 410 may communicate with a plurality of network entities (e.g., including network entity 405) via the set of configurable smart surfaces during the tracking period. In some examples, UE 410 may perform measurements of signals received from one or more of the plurality of network entities during one or more measurement occasions during the tracking period.

[0124] At 440, UE 410 may send second information indicating a measurement report associated with communications during the tracking period to UE 415. In some examples, the sending of the second information may include sending a request to UE 415 to perform interference cancellation adjustments on the set of configurable smart surfaces. The measurement report may be sent based on determining that the secondary cell is within a threshold received power of the primary cell received power. The measurement report may include an indication of a signal metric of received signal strength, received signal quality, or both for each of the plurality of network entities based at least in part on communications during the tracking period.

[0125] At 445, UE 415 may adjust the set of configurable smart surfaces to a second configuration based at least in part on the measurement report so that a second communication between UE 410 and a subset of network entities in the plurality of network entities occurs during the data period. The adjustment may include adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to increase a signal metric associated with a corresponding link between the second UE and one or more network entities in the subset of network entities (e.g., enhance the signal) and reduce a signal metric associated with a corresponding link with other network entities in the plurality of network entities (e.g., reduce or eliminate interference). The adjustment may include adjusting a transmission angle of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the set of configurable smart surfaces, adjusting an operation mode of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the set of configurable smart surfaces between a reflection mode or a transmission mode, adjusting a phase of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the set of configurable smart surfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0126] At 450, UE 415 may communicate with a subset of network entities (e.g., including network entity 405) of the plurality of network entities during the data period via the set of configurable smart surfaces and based at least in part on the measurement reports. In some examples, UE 410 may perform measurements of signals received from one or more of the plurality of network entities during one or more measurement opportunities during the data period.

[0127] At 455, UE 410 may send an indication of a second measurement report associated with communicating with the subset of network entities during the data period to UE 415. UE 415 may use the second measurement report to further refine the second configuration of the RIS to support communication between UE 410 and one or more network entities.

[0128] Figure 5 A block diagram 500 of a device 505 supporting smart surface enabled techniques for interference management according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 505 may be an example of aspects of a UE 115 as described herein. The device 505 may include a receiver 510, a transmitter 515, and a communication manager 520. The device 505 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0129] Receiver 510 may provide means for receiving information (such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof) associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to smart surface enabled technologies for interference management). The information may be communicated to other components of device 505. Receiver 510 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0130] The transmitter 515 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 505. For example, the transmitter 515 may transmit information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to smart surface-enabled technologies for interference management), such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 515 may be co-located with the receiver 510 in a transceiver component. The transmitter 515 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0131] The communication manager 520, the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, or various combinations thereof, or various components thereof, may be examples of means for performing various aspects of the smart surface-enabled techniques for interference management as described herein. For example, the communication manager 520, the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, or various combinations thereof, or components thereof, may support methods for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0132] In some examples, the communication manager 520, the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communication management circuit). The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof that is configured to or otherwise supports components for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, the processor and a memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing instructions stored in the memory by the processor).

[0133] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communication manager 520, receiver 510, transmitter 515, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as communication management software or firmware). If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functionality of the communication manager 520, receiver 510, transmitter 515, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general purpose processor (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting components for performing the functions described in the present disclosure), a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices.

[0134] In some examples, communication manager 520 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, send) using or otherwise cooperating with receiver 510, transmitter 515, or both. For example, communication manager 520 may receive information from receiver 510, transmit information to transmitter 515, or be integrated in conjunction with receiver 510, transmitter 515, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0135] The communication manager 520 may support wireless communications at a first UE according to examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 520 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending a first information indicating a tracking period and a data period that the second UE will use to manage the group of configurable smart surfaces to a second UE associated with a group of configurable smart surfaces. The communication manager 520 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with a group of multiple network entities via the group of configurable smart surfaces during the tracking period. The communication manager 520 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending a second information indicating a measurement report associated with communications during the tracking period to the second UE. The communication manager 520 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with a subset of network entities in the group of multiple network entities via the group of configurable smart surfaces and based on the measurement report during the data period.

[0136] Additionally or alternatively, the communication manager 520 may support wireless communication at the first UE according to the examples disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 520 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving from the second UE first information indicating the tracking period and data period that the first UE will use to manage a set of configurable smart surfaces. The communication manager 520 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for adjusting the group of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration so that a first communication between the second UE and a set of multiple network entities occurs during the tracking period. The communication manager 520 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving from the second UE signaling indicating a measurement report associated with the first communication occurring during the tracking period. The communication manager 520 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for adjusting the group of configurable smart surfaces to a second configuration based on the measurement report so that a second communication between the second UE and a subset of network entities in the group of multiple network entities occurs during the data period.

[0137] By including or configuring the communication manager 520 according to the examples as described herein, the device 505 (e.g., a processor controlling or otherwise coupled to the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, the communication manager 520, or a combination thereof) can support techniques for reduced processing due to reduced interference and retransmissions. For example, by using the UE to control a configurable smart surface to support communications between the UE and a network entity, interference can be reduced and communications can be more reliable and efficient.

[0138] Figure 6 A block diagram 600 of a device 605 supporting smart surface enabled techniques for interference management according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 605 may be an example of aspects of the device 505 or UE 115 as described herein. The device 605 may include a receiver 610, a transmitter 615, and a communication manager 620. The device 605 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0139] Receiver 610 may provide means for receiving information (such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof) associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to smart surface enabled technologies for interference management). The information may be communicated to other components of device 605. Receiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0140] The transmitter 615 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 605. For example, the transmitter 615 may transmit information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to smart surface-enabled technologies for interference management), such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 615 may be co-located with the receiver 610 in a transceiver component. The transmitter 615 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0141] Device 605 or its various components may be examples of components for performing various aspects of the smart surface-enabled techniques for interference management as described herein. For example, communication manager 620 may include period configuration component 625, tracking period component 630, measurement reporting interface 635, data period component 640, or any combination thereof. Communication manager 620 may be an example of various aspects of communication manager 520 as described herein. In some examples, communication manager 620 or its various components may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, send) using or otherwise in conjunction with receiver 610, transmitter 615, or both. For example, communication manager 620 may receive information from receiver 610, transmit information to transmitter 615, or be integrated in combination with receiver 610, transmitter 615, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0142] The communication manager 620 may support wireless communication at the first UE according to the examples disclosed herein. The period configuration component 625 may be configured as or otherwise support a component for sending a first information indicating a tracking period and a data period that the second UE will use to manage the group of configurable smart surfaces to a second UE associated with a group of configurable smart surfaces. The tracking period component 630 may be configured as or otherwise support a component for communicating with a group of multiple network entities via the group of configurable smart surfaces during the tracking period. The measurement report interface 635 may be configured as or otherwise support a component for sending a second information indicating a measurement report associated with communication during the tracking period to the second UE. The data period component 640 may be configured as or otherwise support a component for communicating with a subset of network entities in the group of multiple network entities via the group of configurable smart surfaces and based on the measurement report during the data period.

[0143] Additionally or alternatively, the communication manager 620 may support wireless communication at the first UE according to the examples disclosed herein. The period configuration component 625 may be configured as or otherwise support a component for receiving from the second UE a first information indicating a tracking period and a data period that the first UE will use to manage a set of configurable smart surfaces. The tracking period component 630 may be configured as or otherwise support a component for adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration so that a first communication between the second UE and a set of multiple network entities occurs during the tracking period. The measurement report interface 635 may be configured as or otherwise support a component for receiving from the second UE a signaling indicating a measurement report associated with the first communication occurring during the tracking period. The data period component 640 may be configured as or otherwise support a component for adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to a second configuration based on the measurement report so that a second communication between the second UE and a subset of network entities in the set of multiple network entities occurs during the data period.

[0144] Figure 7 A block diagram 700 of a communication manager 720 supporting smart surface enabled technologies for interference management according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The communication manager 720 can be an example of aspects of the communication manager 520, the communication manager 620, or both as described herein. The communication manager 720 or its various components can be examples of components for performing various aspects of the smart surface enabled technologies for interference management as described herein. For example, the communication manager 720 may include a period configuration component 725, a tracking period component 730, a measurement report interface 735, a data period component 740, an interference cancellation request component 745, a data period measurement component 750, a location component 755, an interference indication component 760, a measurement opportunity component 765, a data period measurement component 770, a configurable smart surface adjustment component 775, a machine learning component 780, a control signaling interface 785, a data rate component 790, or any combination thereof. Each of these components can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0145] The communication manager 720 may support wireless communication at the first UE according to the examples disclosed herein. The period configuration component 725 may be configured as or otherwise support a component for sending a first information indicating a tracking period and a data period that the second UE will use to manage the group of configurable smart surfaces to a second UE associated with a group of configurable smart surfaces. The tracking period component 730 may be configured as or otherwise support a component for communicating with a group of multiple network entities via the group of configurable smart surfaces during the tracking period. The measurement report interface 735 may be configured as or otherwise support a component for sending a second information indicating a measurement report associated with the communication during the tracking period to the second UE. The data period component 740 may be configured as or otherwise support a component for communicating with a subset of network entities in the group of multiple network entities via the group of configurable smart surfaces and based on the measurement report during the data period.

[0146] In some examples, to support sending first information indicating tracking periods and data periods, the period configuration component 725 may be configured as or otherwise support components for sending indications of a timing offset, periodicity, expiration timer, or a combination thereof for a pattern defining the tracking periods and data periods.

[0147] In some examples, to support sending second information indicating a measurement report, the interference cancellation request component 745 may be configured as or otherwise support a component for sending a request to the second UE for the second UE to perform interference cancellation adjustments on the group of configurable smart surfaces.

[0148] In some examples, to support sending second information indicating a measurement report, the measurement report interface 735 may be configured as or otherwise support components for sending signaling indicating a measurement report based on a determination that the secondary cell is within a threshold received power of the primary cell received power.

[0149] In some examples, to support sending second information indicating a measurement report, the measurement reporting interface 735 may be configured as or otherwise support components for sending an indication of a signal metric of received signal strength, received signal quality, or both for each of a group of multiple network entities that are based on communications during a tracking period.

[0150] In some examples, the measurement report indicates a previously measured signal metric relative to a signal metric of each network entity in the set of multiple network entities.

[0151] In some examples, data period measurement component 750 may be configured or otherwise support components for sending an indication of a second measurement report associated with communicating with a subset of network entities during a data period to a second UE.

[0152] In some examples, to support sending second information indicative of a measurement report, the data period measurement component 750 may be configured as or otherwise support components for sending an indication of a signal metric associated with data reception during the data period, wherein the signal metric is a received signal strength associated with data reception during the data period, a received signal quality associated with data reception during the data period, or both.

[0153] In some examples, the second measurement report indicates previously measured signal metrics relative to signal metrics of the subset of network entities.

[0154] In some examples, location component 755 may be configured as or otherwise support components for sending location information associated with one or more network entities in the set of multiple network entities relative to the first UE to the second UE.

[0155] In some examples, the location information indicates a distance metric or an area identifier associated with each of the one or more network entities.

[0156] In some examples, the location information indicates whether each of the one or more network entities is a primary network entity or a secondary network entity.

[0157] In some examples, each of the one or more network entities is indicated as a primary network entity or a secondary network entity on a data opportunity basis.

[0158] In some examples, interference indication component 760 may be configured as or otherwise support components for receiving an indication of increased interference over a period of time from a second UE.

[0159] In some examples, control signaling interface 785 may be configured or otherwise support components for sending control signaling to a base station including an indication of increased interference during the period based on receiving an indication of increased interference.

[0160] In some examples, data rate component 790 may be configured or otherwise support components for reducing the communication data rate during the period.

[0161] In some examples, to support sending second information indicating a measurement report, the measurement report interface 735 may be configured as or otherwise support components for sending the second information on a side channel with a second UE, where the side channel is a Bluetooth communication link, a Wi-Fi link, a cellular side link, or a vehicle networking communication link.

[0162] In some examples, the measurement opportunity component 765 may be configured as or otherwise support components for receiving an indication of one or more measurement opportunities from a second UE, wherein the measurement report includes measurements for the one or more measurement opportunities.

[0163] In some examples, the one or more measurement opportunities include at least one measurement opportunity during a data period.

[0164] Additionally or alternatively, the communication manager 720 may support wireless communication at the first UE according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the period configuration component 725 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving from the second UE a first information indicating the tracking period and data period that the first UE will use to manage the group of configurable smart surfaces. In some examples, the tracking period component 730 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for adjusting the group of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration so that a first communication between the second UE and a group of multiple network entities occurs during the tracking period. In some examples, the measurement report interface 735 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving from the second UE a measurement report indicating a first communication associated with the first communication occurring during the tracking period. In some examples, the data period component 740 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for adjusting the group of configurable smart surfaces to a second configuration based on the measurement report so that a second communication between the second UE and a subset of network entities in a group of multiple network entities occurs during the data period.

[0165] In some examples, to support receiving first information indicating tracking periods and data periods, period configuration component 725 may be configured as or otherwise support components for receiving indications of a timing offset, periodicity, expiration timer, or a combination thereof for a pattern defining tracking periods and data periods.

[0166] In some examples, to support receiving second information indicating a measurement report, the interference cancellation request component 745 may be configured as or otherwise support a component for receiving a request for the first UE to perform interference cancellation adjustments on the group of configurable smart surfaces, wherein the second configuration is based on the request.

[0167] In some examples, to support receiving second information indicative of a measurement report, the measurement reporting interface 735 may be configured as or otherwise support components for receiving an indication of a signal metric of received signal strength, received signal quality, or both for each of a group of multiple network entities that are based on communications during a tracking period.

[0168] In some examples, the measurement report indicates a previously measured signal metric relative to a signal metric of each network entity in the set of multiple network entities.

[0169] In some examples, data period measurement component 770 may be configured or otherwise support components for receiving, from a second UE, an indication of a second measurement report associated with communicating with a subset of network entities during a data period.

[0170] In some examples, to support receiving an indication of a second measurement report, the data period measurement component 770 may be configured as or otherwise support components for receiving, from a second UE, an indication of a signal metric associated with data reception during the data period, wherein the signal metric is a received signal strength associated with data reception during the data period, a received signal quality associated with data reception during the data period, or both.

[0171] In some examples, the second measurement report indicates previously measured signal metrics relative to signal metrics of the subset of network entities.

[0172] In some examples, location component 755 may be configured as or otherwise support components for receiving signaling from the second UE indicating location information associated with one or more network entities in the set of multiple network entities relative to the second UE.

[0173] In some examples, the location information indicates a distance metric or an area identifier associated with each of the one or more network entities.

[0174] In some examples, the location information indicates whether each of the one or more network entities is a primary network entity or a secondary network entity.

[0175] In some examples, interference indication component 760 may be configured or otherwise supported for sending an indication of increased interference over a period of time to a second UE.

[0176] In some examples, the interference indication component 760 may be configured to or otherwise support components for determining that the second UE is entering a high interference area based on measurement reports, location information, sensor information, or a combination thereof, wherein the indication of increased interference is sent based on determining that the second UE is entering a high interference area.

[0177] In some examples, to support sending an indication of increased interference, interference indication component 760 may be configured or otherwise support means for sending an indication that the set of configurable smart surfaces is unavailable for interference cancellation, signal enhancement, or both during the period.

[0178] In some examples, to support receiving second information indicating a measurement report, the measurement report interface 735 may be configured as or otherwise support components for receiving the signaling on a side channel with a second UE, wherein the side channel is a Bluetooth communication link, a Wi-Fi link, a cellular side link, or a vehicle networking communication link.

[0179] In some examples, to support adjustment of the group of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration, the configurable smart surface adjustment component 775 may be configured as or otherwise support components for adjusting the group of configurable smart surfaces to increase signal metrics associated with a corresponding link between the second UE and each of the group of multiple network entities.

[0180] In some examples, to support adjustment of the group of configurable smart surfaces to a second configuration, the configurable smart surface adjustment component 775 may be configured as or otherwise support components for adjusting the group of configurable smart surfaces to increase signal metrics associated with corresponding links between the second UE and one or more network entities in the subset of network entities and reduce signal metrics associated with corresponding links of other network entities in the group of multiple network entities.

[0181] In some examples, to support adjustment of the group of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration or a second configuration, the configurable smart surface adjustment component 775 may be configured as or otherwise support components for adjusting the transmission angle of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the group of configurable smart surfaces, adjusting the operation mode of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the group of configurable smart surfaces between a reflection mode or a transmission mode, or adjusting the phase of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the group of configurable smart surfaces.

[0182] In some examples, machine learning component 780 may be configured as or otherwise support components for determining the first configuration, the second configuration, or both based on a machine learning model that receives measurement reports as input.

[0183] In some examples, the measurement opportunity component 765 may be configured as or otherwise support components for sending an indication of one or more measurement opportunities to the second UE, wherein the measurement report includes measurements for the one or more measurement opportunities.

[0184] In some examples, the one or more measurement opportunities include at least one measurement opportunity during a data period.

[0185] In some examples, measurement opportunity component 765 can be configured or otherwise support components for determining one or more measurement opportunities based on indications of tracking periods and data periods.

[0186] Figure 8A diagram of a system 800 including a device 805 supporting smart surface-enabled technologies for interference management according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 805 may be an example of a device 505, a device 605, or a UE 115 as described herein or include components thereof. The device 805 may communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof. The device 805 may include components for two-way voice and data communications, including components for sending and receiving communications, such as a communication manager 820, an input / output (I / O) controller 810, a transceiver 815, an antenna 825, a memory 830, a code 835, and a processor 840. These components may be electronically communicated or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 845).

[0187] I / O controller 810 can manage input signals and output signals of device 805. I / O controller 810 can also manage peripheral devices that are not integrated into device 805. In some cases, I / O controller 810 can represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 810 can utilize an operating system, such as or another known operating system. Additionally or alternatively, I / O controller 810 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or similar device. In some cases, I / O controller 810 may be implemented as part of a processor (such as processor 840). In some cases, a user may interact with device 805 via I / O controller 810 or via hardware components controlled by I / O controller 810.

[0188] In some cases, the device 805 may include an antenna 825. However, in some other cases, the device 805 may have more than one antenna (e.g., antenna 825), which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 815 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 825, a wired or wireless link, as described herein. For example, the transceiver 815 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 815 may also include a modem for: modulating packets; providing the modulated packets to one or more antennas 825 for transmission; and demodulating packets received from one or more antennas 825. The transceiver 815 or the transceiver 815 and one or more antennas 825 may be examples of transmitters 515, transmitters 615, receivers 510, receivers 610, or any combination thereof or components thereof as described herein.

[0189] The memory 830 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The memory 830 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 835 including instructions that, when executed by the processor 840, cause the device 805 to perform various functions described herein. The code 835 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 835 may not be directly executable by the processor 840, but may (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause the computer to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 830 may also include, among other things, a basic I / O system (BIOS) that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0190] The processor 840 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 840 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 840. The processor 840 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., a memory 830) to cause the device 805 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks that support technologies enabled by smart surfaces for interference management). For example, the device 805 or a component of the device 805 may include a processor 840 and a memory 830 coupled to or to the processor 840, the processor 840 and the memory 830 being configured to perform the various functions described herein.

[0191] The communication manager 820 may support wireless communication at a first UE according to examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 820 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending a first information indicating a tracking period and a data period that the second UE will use to manage the group of configurable smart surfaces to a second UE associated with a group of configurable smart surfaces. The communication manager 820 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with a group of multiple network entities via the group of configurable smart surfaces during the tracking period. The communication manager 820 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending a second information indicating a measurement report associated with the communication during the tracking period to the second UE. The communication manager 820 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with a subset of network entities in the group of multiple network entities via the group of configurable smart surfaces and based on the measurement report during the data period.

[0192] Additionally or alternatively, the communication manager 820 may support wireless communication at the first UE according to the examples disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 820 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving from the second UE a first information indicating a tracking period and a data period that the first UE will use to manage a set of configurable smart surfaces. The communication manager 820 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for adjusting the group of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration so that a first communication between the second UE and a set of multiple network entities occurs during the tracking period. The communication manager 820 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving from the second UE a signaling indicating a measurement report associated with the first communication occurring during the tracking period. The communication manager 820 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for adjusting the group of configurable smart surfaces to a second configuration based on the measurement report so that a second communication between the second UE and a subset of network entities in the group of multiple network entities occurs during the data period.

[0193] By including or configuring a communication manager 820 according to examples as described herein, the device 805 can support techniques for improved communication reliability and improved user experience due to reduced processing. For example, by using the UE to control a configurable smart surface to support communications between the UE and a network entity, interference can be reduced and communications can be more reliable and efficient.

[0194] In some examples, the communication manager 820 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, monitor, transmit) using or otherwise cooperating with the transceiver 815, one or more antennas 825, or any combination thereof. Although the communication manager 820 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communication manager 820 may be supported or performed by the processor 840, the memory 830, the code 835, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 835 may include instructions executable by the processor 840 to cause the device 805 to perform various aspects of the smart surface-enabled techniques for interference management as described herein, or the processor 840 and the memory 830 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0195] Fig. 9 A flow chart illustrating a method 900 for supporting smart surface enabled techniques for interference management according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 900 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 900 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described in reference to Figures 1 to 8 The UE 115 described herein performs. In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0196] At 905, the method may include sending first information to a second UE associated with a set of configurable smart surfaces indicating a tracking period and a data period that the second UE will use to manage the set of configurable smart surfaces. The operations of 905 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 905 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The described cycle configures component 725 to execute.

[0197] At 910, the method may include communicating with a set of multiple network entities via the set of configurable smart surfaces during a tracking period. The operations of 910 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 910 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The described tracking cycle component 730 is executed.

[0198] At 915, the method may include sending second information indicating a measurement report associated with communications during the tracking period to the second UE. The operations of 915 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 915 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The measurement report interface 735 described above is executed.

[0199] At 920, the method may include communicating with a subset of network entities in the set of multiple network entities via the set of configurable smart surfaces during the data period and based on the measurement report. The operations of 920 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 920 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The data cycle component 740 described above is executed.

[0200] Fig.10 A flow chart illustrating a method 1000 for supporting smart surface enabled techniques for interference management according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1000 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1000 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described in reference to Figures 1 to 8 The UE 115 described herein may be executed. In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0201] At 1005, the method may include sending first information to a second UE associated with a set of configurable smart surfaces indicating a tracking period and a data period that the second UE will use to manage the set of configurable smart surfaces. The operations of 1005 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1005 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The described cycle configures component 725 to execute.

[0202] At 1010, the method may include sending an indication of a timing offset, periodicity, expiration timer, or a combination thereof that defines a pattern of tracking periods and data periods. The operations of 1010 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1010 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The described cycle configures component 725 to execute.

[0203] At 1015, the method may include communicating with a set of multiple network entities via the set of configurable smart surfaces during the tracking period. The operations of 1015 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1015 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The described tracking cycle component 730 is executed.

[0204] At 1020, the method may include sending second information indicating a measurement report associated with communications during the tracking period to the second UE. The operations of 1020 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1020 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The measurement report interface 735 described above is executed.

[0205] At 1025, the method may include sending an indication of a signal metric that is a received signal strength, received signal quality, or both for each of the plurality of network entities in the set of network entities based on communications during the tracking period. The operations of 1025 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1025 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The measurement report interface 735 described above is executed.

[0206] At 1030, the method may include communicating with a subset of network entities in the set of multiple network entities via the set of configurable smart surfaces during the data period and based on the measurement report. The operations of 1030 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1030 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The data cycle component 740 described above is executed.

[0207] Fig.11 A flow chart illustrating a method 1100 for supporting smart surface enabled techniques for interference management according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1100 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1100 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described in reference to Figures 1 to 8The described functions may be performed by the UE 115. In some examples, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0208] At 1105, the method may include receiving first information from the second UE indicating a tracking period and a data period that the first UE will use to manage a set of configurable smart surfaces. The operations of 1105 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1105 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The described cycle configures component 725 to execute.

[0209] At 1110, the method may include adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration so that a first communication between the second UE and a set of multiple network entities occurs during a tracking period. The operations of 1110 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1110 may be performed as described in reference Figure 7 The described tracking cycle component 730 is executed.

[0210] At 1115, the method may include receiving signaling from the second UE indicating a measurement report associated with the first communication occurring during the tracking period. The operations of 1115 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1115 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The measurement report interface 735 described above is executed.

[0211] At 1120, the method may include adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to a second configuration based on the measurement report so that a second communication between the second UE and a subset of network entities in the set of multiple network entities occurs during the data period. The operations of 1120 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1120 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The data cycle component 740 described above is executed.

[0212] Fig.12 A flow chart illustrating a method 1200 for supporting smart surface enabled techniques for interference management according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1200 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1200 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described in reference to Figures 1 to 8 The described UE 115 may be performed. In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0213] At 1205, the method may include receiving first information from the second UE indicating a tracking period and a data period that the first UE will use to manage a set of configurable smart surfaces. The operations of 1205 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1205 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The described cycle configures component 725 to execute.

[0214] At 1210, the method may include adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration so that a first communication between the second UE and a set of multiple network entities occurs during a tracking period. The operations of 1210 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1210 may be performed as described in reference Figure 7 The described tracking cycle component 730 is executed.

[0215] At 1215, the method may include receiving signaling from the second UE indicating a measurement report associated with the first communication occurring during the tracking period. The operations of 1215 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1215 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The measurement report interface 735 described above is executed.

[0216] At 1220, the method may include adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to a second configuration based on the measurement report so that a second communication between the second UE and a subset of network entities in the set of multiple network entities occurs during the data period. The operations of 1220 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1220 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The data cycle component 740 described above is executed.

[0217] At 1225, the method may include receiving an indication of a timing offset, a periodicity, an expiration timer, or a combination thereof that defines a pattern of tracking periods and data periods. The operations of 1225 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1225 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 7 The described cycle configures component 725 to execute.

[0218] The following provides an overview of various aspects of the disclosure:

[0219] Aspect 1: A method for wireless communication at a first UE, the method comprising: sending first information to a second UE associated with a group of configurable smart surfaces indicating that the second UE will be used to manage a tracking period and a data period of the group of configurable smart surfaces; communicating with multiple network entities via the group of configurable smart surfaces during the tracking period; sending second information to the second UE indicating a measurement report associated with the communication during the tracking period; and communicating with a subset of network entities among the multiple network entities via the group of configurable smart surfaces and at least partially based on the measurement report during the data period.

[0220] Aspect 2: The method according to aspect 1, wherein sending the first information indicating the tracking period and the data period comprises sending an indication of a timing offset, a periodicity, an expiration timer, or a combination thereof defining a pattern of the tracking period and the data period.

[0221] Aspect 3: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 2, wherein sending the second information indicating the measurement report includes: sending a request to the second UE for the second UE to perform interference cancellation adjustment on the set of configurable smart surfaces.

[0222] Aspect 4: According to the method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, sending the second information indicating the measurement report includes: sending signaling indicating the measurement report based at least in part on determining that the secondary cell is within a threshold received power of the primary cell.

[0223] Aspect 5: A method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein sending the second information indicating the measurement report includes: sending an indication of a signal metric of received signal strength, received signal quality, or both for each of the multiple network entities as the communication is at least partially based during the tracking period.

[0224] Aspect 6: The method according to aspect 5, wherein the measurement report indicates the signal metric relative to a previous measurement of the signal metric of each of the plurality of network entities.

[0225] Aspect 7: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 6 further includes: sending an indication of a second measurement report associated with communicating with the subset of network entities during the data period to the second UE.

[0226] Aspect 8: A method according to Aspect 7, wherein sending the second information indicating the measurement report includes: sending an indication of a signal metric associated with data reception during the data period, wherein the signal metric is a received signal strength associated with the data reception during the data period, a received signal quality associated with the data reception during the data period, or both.

[0227] Aspect 9: The method according to aspect 8, wherein the second measurement report indicates the signal metric relative to a previous measurement of the signal metric of the subset of network entities.

[0228] Aspect 10: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9 further includes: sending location information associated with one or more network entities of the multiple network entities relative to the first UE to the second UE.

[0229] Aspect 11: The method according to aspect 10, wherein the location information indicates a distance metric or an area identifier associated with each of the one or more network entities.

[0230] Aspect 12: The method according to any one of aspects 10 to 11, wherein the location information indicates whether each of the one or more network entities is a primary network entity or a secondary network entity.

[0231] Aspect 13: The method according to aspect 12, wherein each of the one or more network entities is indicated as the primary network entity or the secondary network entity on a data opportunity basis.

[0232] Aspect 14: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 13 further includes: receiving an indication of increased interference over a period of time from the second UE.

[0233] Aspect 15: The method according to aspect 14 further comprises: sending control signaling including an indication of the increased interference within the time period to a base station based at least in part on receiving the indication of increased interference.

[0234] Aspect 16: The method according to any one of aspects 14 to 15 further comprises: reducing the communication data rate during the period.

[0235] Aspect 17: A method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 16, wherein sending the second information indicating a measurement report includes: sending the second information on a side channel with the second UE, wherein the side channel is a Bluetooth communication link, a Wi-Fi link, a cellular side link, or a vehicle network communication link.

[0236] Aspect 18: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 17 further includes: receiving an indication of one or more measurement opportunities from the second UE, wherein the measurement report includes measurements for the one or more measurement opportunities.

[0237] Aspect 19: The method according to aspect 18, wherein the one or more measurement opportunities include at least one measurement opportunity during the data period.

[0238] Aspect 20: A method for performing wireless communications at a first UE, the method comprising: receiving first information from a second UE indicating a tracking period and a data period that the first UE will use to manage a set of configurable smart surfaces; adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration so that a first communication between the second UE and a plurality of network entities occurs during the tracking period; receiving signaling from the second UE indicating a measurement report associated with the first communication occurring during the tracking period; and adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to a second configuration based at least in part on the measurement report so that a second communication between the second UE and a subset of network entities among the plurality of network entities occurs during the data period.

[0239] Aspect 21: The method according to aspect 20, wherein receiving the first information indicating the tracking period and the data period includes: receiving an indication of a timing offset, a periodicity, an expiration timer, or a combination thereof defining a pattern of the tracking period and the data period.

[0240] Aspect 22: A method according to any one of Aspects 20 to 21, wherein receiving the second information indicating the measurement report includes: receiving a request for the first UE to perform interference cancellation adjustment on the set of configurable smart surfaces, wherein the second configuration is at least partially based on the request.

[0241] Aspect 23: A method according to any one of Aspects 20 to 22, wherein receiving the second information indicating the measurement report includes: receiving an indication of a signal metric of received signal strength, received signal quality, or both for each of the multiple network entities as the communication is at least partially based during the tracking period.

[0242] Aspect 24: The method according to aspect 23, wherein the measurement report indicates the signal metric relative to a previous measurement of the signal metric of each of the plurality of network entities.

[0243] Aspect 25: The method according to any one of aspects 20 to 24 further includes: receiving, from the second UE, an indication of a second measurement report associated with communicating with the subset of network entities during the data period.

[0244] Aspect 26: A method according to Aspect 25, wherein receiving the indication of the second measurement report includes: receiving an indication of a signal metric associated with data reception during the data period from the second UE, wherein the signal metric is a received signal strength associated with the data reception during the data period, a received signal quality associated with the data reception during the data period, or both.

[0245] Aspect 27: The method according to aspect 26, wherein the second measurement report indicates the signal metric relative to a previous measurement of the signal metric for the subset of network entities.

[0246] Aspect 28: The method according to any one of aspects 20 to 27 also includes: receiving signaling from the second UE indicating distance information associated with one or more network entities of the multiple network entities relative to the second UE.

[0247] Aspect 29: The method according to aspect 28, wherein the distance information indicates an area identifier associated with each of the one or more network entities.

[0248] Aspect 30: The method according to any one of aspects 28 to 29, wherein the distance information indicates whether each of the one or more network entities is a primary network entity or a secondary network entity.

[0249] Aspect 31: The method according to any one of aspects 20 to 30 further includes: sending an indication of increased interference over a period of time to the second UE.

[0250] Aspect 32: The method according to Aspect 31 also includes: determining that the second UE is entering a high interference area based at least in part on the measurement report, location information, sensor information, or a combination thereof, wherein the indication of the increased interference is sent based at least in part on determining that the second UE is entering the high interference area.

[0251] Aspect 33: The method according to any one of aspects 31 to 32, wherein sending the indication of the increased interference includes sending an indication that the set of configurable smart surfaces are not available for interference cancellation, signal enhancement, or both during the period.

[0252] Aspect 34: A method according to any one of Aspects 20 to 33, wherein receiving the second information indicating the measurement report includes: receiving the signaling on a side link channel with the second UE, wherein the side link channel is a Bluetooth communication link, a Wi-Fi link, a cellular side link, or a vehicle network communication link.

[0253] Aspect 35: A method according to any one of Aspects 20 to 34, wherein adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to the first configuration includes: adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to increase the signal metric associated with the corresponding link between the second UE and each of the multiple network entities.

[0254] Aspect 36: A method according to any one of Aspects 20 to 35, wherein adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to the second configuration includes: adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to increase the signal metric associated with the corresponding link between the second UE and one or more network entities in the subset of network entities and reducing the signal metric associated with the corresponding link of other network entities in the multiple network entities.

[0255] Aspect 37: A method according to any one of Aspects 20 to 36, wherein adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to the first configuration or the second configuration includes: adjusting the transmission angle of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the set of configurable smart surfaces, adjusting the operation mode of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the set of configurable smart surfaces between a reflection mode or a transmission mode, or adjusting the phase of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the set of configurable smart surfaces.

[0256] Aspect 38: The method according to any one of Aspects 20 to 37 further includes: determining the first configuration, the second configuration, or both based at least in part on a machine learning model that receives measurement reports as input.

[0257] Aspect 39: The method according to any one of aspects 20 to 38 further includes: sending an indication of one or more measurement opportunities to the second UE, wherein the measurement report includes measurements for the one or more measurement opportunities.

[0258] Aspect 40: The method according to aspect 39, wherein the one or more measurement opportunities include at least one measurement opportunity during the data period.

[0259] Aspect 41: The method according to any one of aspects 39 to 40, further comprising: determining the one or more measurement opportunities based at least in part on the indication of the tracking period and the data period.

[0260] Aspect 42: An apparatus for performing wireless communications at a first UE, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 19.

[0261] Aspect 43: An apparatus for wireless communication at a first UE, the apparatus comprising: at least one component for performing a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 19.

[0262] Aspect 44: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a first UE, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 19.

[0263] Aspect 45: An apparatus for performing wireless communications at a first UE, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of Aspects 20 to 41.

[0264] Aspect 46: An apparatus for wireless communication at a first UE, the apparatus comprising: at least one component for performing the method according to any one of aspects 20 to 41.

[0265] Aspect 47: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a code for wireless communication at a first UE, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method according to any one of aspects 20 to 41.

[0266] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and that the various operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more methods may be combined.

[0267] Although aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described for example purposes, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used in much of the description, the techniques described herein may also be applicable to networks other than LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the described techniques may be applicable to various other wireless communication systems, such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0268] The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips mentioned throughout the specification may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0269] The various illustrative blocks and components described in conjunction with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed using a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in an alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0270] The functions described herein can be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software executed by a processor, the functions can be stored as one or more instructions or codes of a computer-readable medium, or sent using one or more instructions or codes of a computer-readable medium. Other examples and specific implementations are within the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hard wiring, or a combination of any of these items. Features that implement the functions can also be physically located at different locations, including being distributed so that the various parts of the functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0271] Computer-readable medium includes both non-transient computer storage medium and communication medium, and communication medium includes any medium that helps to transfer a computer program from one place to another place.Non-transient storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general or special computer.By way of example and not limitation, non-transient computer-readable medium can include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc (CD) ROM or other optical disc storage device, disk storage device or other magnetic storage device, or can be used for carrying or storing desired program code components and any other non-transient medium that can be accessed by a general or special computer or a general or special processor in the form of an instruction or data structure.Moreover, any connection is appropriately referred to as computer-readable medium.For example, if software is sent from a website, server or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable medium. Disks and optical disks as used herein include CDs, laser optical disks, optical optical disks, digital versatile disks (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray disks. Disks can reproduce data magnetically, while optical disks can reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0272] As used herein (including in the claims), "or" used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items followed by a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list, so that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). In addition, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be interpreted as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step described as "based on condition A" can be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "based at least in part on."

[0273] The term "determining" encompasses a variety of actions, and thus, "determining" may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (such as via looking up in a table, database or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. Furthermore, "determining" may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), etc. Additionally, "determining" may include parsing, obtaining, selecting, choosing, establishing, and other such similar actions.

[0274] In the drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference label. In addition, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a dash and a second label to distinguish between the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description may apply to any of the similar components having the same first reference label, regardless of the second reference label or other subsequent reference labels.

[0275] The descriptions set forth herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings describe example configurations and do not represent all examples that may be implemented or within the scope of the claims. The term "example" as used herein means "used as an example, instance, or illustration," rather than "preferred" or "advantageous over other examples." The specific implementation includes specific details to provide an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0276] The description herein is provided to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to implement or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be granted the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), the method comprising: sending, to a second UE associated with a set of configurable smart surfaces, first information indicating a tracking period and a data period that the second UE is to use to manage the set of configurable smart surfaces; communicating with a plurality of network entities via the set of configurable smart surfaces during the tracking period; sending, to the second UE, second information indicating a measurement report associated with the communication during the tracking period; as well as Communicating with a subset of the plurality of network entities via the set of configurable smart surfaces during the data period and based at least in part on the measurement reports.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the first information indicating the tracking period and the data period comprises: An indication of a timing offset, a periodicity, an expiration timer, or a combination thereof, defining a pattern of the tracking period and the data period is sent.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the second information indicating the measurement report comprises: A request is sent to the second UE for the second UE to perform interference cancellation adjustments on the set of configurable smart surfaces.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the second information indicating the measurement report comprises: Signaling indicating the measurement report is sent based at least in part on determining that the secondary cell is within a threshold received power of the primary cell.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the second information indicating the measurement report comprises: An indication of a signal metric that is a received signal strength, a received signal quality, or both for each of the plurality of network entities is sent based at least in part on the communications during the tracking period.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the measurement report indicates the signal metric relative to a previous measurement of the signal metric for each of the plurality of network entities.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: An indication of a second measurement report associated with communicating with the subset of network entities during the data period is sent to the second UE.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein sending the second information indicating the measurement report comprises: An indication of a signal metric associated with reception of data during the data period is sent, wherein the signal metric is a received signal strength associated with the reception of data during the data period, a received signal quality associated with the reception of data during the data period, or both.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second measurement report indicates the signal metric relative to a previous measurement of the signal metric of the subset of network entities.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Location information associated with one or more of the plurality of network entities relative to the first UE is sent to the second UE.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the location information indicates a distance metric or an area identifier associated with each of the one or more network entities. 12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the location information indicates whether each of the one or more network entities is a primary network entity or a secondary network entity.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the one or more network entities is indicated as the primary network entity or the secondary network entity on a data opportunity basis.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: An indication of increased interference over a period of time is received from the second UE.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: Control signaling including an indication of the increased interference during the time period is sent to a base station based at least in part on receiving the indication of increased interference.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: The communication data rate is reduced during the period.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the second information indicating a measurement report comprises: The second information is sent on a side channel with the second UE, wherein the side channel is a Bluetooth communication link, a Wi-Fi link, a cellular side link, or a vehicle networking communication link.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising: An indication of one or more measurement occasions is received from the second UE, wherein the measurement report includes measurements for the one or more measurement occasions.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more measurement opportunities include at least one measurement opportunity during the data period.

20. A method for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving, from a second UE, first information indicating a tracking period and a data period that the first UE is to use to manage a set of configurable smart surfaces; adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration to cause first communications between the second UE and a plurality of network entities to occur during the tracking period; receiving signaling from the second UE indicating a measurement report associated with the first communication occurring during the tracking period; as well as The set of configurable intelligent surfaces is adjusted to a second configuration based at least in part on the measurement report to cause a second communication between the second UE and a subset of network entities of the plurality of network entities to occur during the data period.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising: An indication of increased interference over a period of time is sent to the second UE.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising: A determination is made based at least in part on the measurement report, location information, sensor information, or a combination thereof that the second UE is entering a high interference area, wherein the indication of the increased interference is sent based at least in part on determining that the second UE is entering the high interference area.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to the first configuration comprises: The set of configurable smart surfaces is adjusted to increase a signal metric associated with a corresponding link between the second UE and each of the plurality of network entities.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to the second configuration comprises: The set of configurable smart surfaces is adjusted to increase signal metrics associated with respective links between the second UE and one or more network entities in the subset of network entities and to decrease the signal metrics associated with respective links of other network entities in the plurality of network entities.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to the first configuration or the second configuration comprises: Adjust the transmission angle of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the set of configurable smart surfaces, adjust the operation mode of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the set of configurable smart surfaces between reflection mode or transmission mode, or adjust the phase of one or more configurable smart surfaces in the set of configurable smart surfaces.

26. The method of claim 20, further comprising: The first configuration, the second configuration, or both are determined based at least in part on a machine learning model that receives measurement reports as input.

27. The method of claim 20, further comprising: An indication of one or more measurement occasions is sent to the second UE, wherein the measurement report includes measurements for the one or more measurement occasions.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the one or more measurement opportunities include at least one measurement opportunity during the data period.

29. An apparatus for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: sending, to a second UE associated with a set of configurable smart surfaces, first information indicating a tracking period and a data period that the second UE is to use to manage the set of configurable smart surfaces; communicating with a plurality of network entities via the set of configurable smart surfaces during the tracking period; sending, to the second UE, second information indicating a measurement report associated with the communication during the tracking period; as well as Communicating with a subset of the plurality of network entities via the set of configurable smart surfaces during the data period and based at least in part on the measurement reports.

30. An apparatus for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receiving, from a second UE, first information indicating a tracking period and a data period that the first UE is to use to manage a set of configurable smart surfaces; adjusting the set of configurable smart surfaces to a first configuration to cause first communications between the second UE and a plurality of network entities to occur during the tracking period; receiving signaling from the second UE indicating a measurement report associated with the first communication occurring during the tracking period; as well as The set of configurable intelligent surfaces is adjusted to a second configuration based at least in part on the measurement report to cause a second communication between the second UE and a subset of network entities of the plurality of network entities to occur during the data period.

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