Wireless communication method, device, computer program product and readable medium

Abstract

A wireless communication method, an apparatus, a computer program product, and a readable medium are presented. The method comprises: receiving, by a network node, a first signaling from a wireless communication node, where the first signaling comprises a list of forwarding resources, each forwarding resource in the list of forwarding resources comprising a beam index and a time resource associated with the beam index; a second signaling is received by the network node from the wireless communication node, where the second signaling indicates at least one forwarding resource from the list of forwarding resources for an access link between a wireless communication device and the network node.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a Chinese patent application with the application number "202280093556.2", the application date of "November 3, 2022", and the title of "Systems and Methods for Identifying Beams and Associated Times". Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication, including but not limited to a system and method for identifying beams and associated times. Background Art

[0003] The standardization organization 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) is currently in the process of formulating a new radio interface called 5G New Radio (5G NR) and the next-generation packet core network (NG-CN or NGC). 5G NR will have three main components: a 5G access network (5G-AN), a 5G core network (5GC), and a user equipment (UE). To facilitate the implementation of different data services and requirements, the elements of the 5GC (also called network functions) have been simplified, some of which are software-based and some are hardware-based so that they can be adjusted as needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to solving problems related to one or more problems existing in the prior art and providing additional features that will become apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings. According to various embodiments, exemplary systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example and not limitation, and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art reading this disclosure that various modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments (e.g., including combining features from various disclosed examples, embodiments, and / or implementations) while remaining within the scope of this disclosure.

[0005] At least one aspect is directed to the following systems, methods, devices, or computer-readable media. A network node (e.g., a secondary node (SN)) may receive beam information for a first forwarding link (e.g., an access link) between a wireless communication device and the network node from a wireless communication node (e.g., a BS). The beam information may be associated with a plurality of beams. The beams for the network node on the first forwarding link may include a first type of beam and a second type of beam. The beam information may include at least one of the following information: a beam index; a beam pattern index; a bit flag for indicating the beam index or the beam pattern index; and a beam count. The beam count may be used to indicate the number of beams in each indication.

[0006] In some embodiments, the beam index may include at least one of an index of a first type of beam, an index of a second type of beam, or a bit flag for differentiating between the first type of beam or the second type of beam.

[0007] In some embodiments, a network node may receive a list from a wireless communication node. The list may include one or more beam information and one or more associated time information. The list may be indicated to the network node via at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE, and DCI signaling. A new field may be added in the DCI signaling to indicate the beam information and the associated time information simultaneously. An existing field in the DCI signaling may be reused to indicate the beam information and the associated time information simultaneously.

[0008] In some embodiments, one of the existing bits in the DCI signaling or a newly added bit in the DCI signaling may be used to indicate whether the existing field is for traditional use or for beam information and associated time information. The associated time information of the beam may be indicated to the network node.

[0009] In some embodiments, the beam information and the associated time information may be indicated to the network node via the same signaling or different signaling. A new field may be added in the DCI signaling to indicate the beam information of the first forwarding link. An existing field in the DCI signaling may be reused to indicate the beam information of the first forwarding link. One of the existing bits in the DCI signaling or a newly added bit in the DCI signaling may be used to differentiate whether the existing field is for traditional use or for the beam information of the first forwarding link.

[0010] In some embodiments, a new field may be added in the DCI signaling to indicate the associated time information of the first forwarding link. An existing field in the DCI signaling may be reused to indicate the associated time information of the first forwarding link. One of the existing bits in the DCI signaling or a newly added bit in the DCI signaling may be used to indicate whether the existing field is for traditional use or for the associated time information of the first forwarding link.

[0011] In some embodiments, a wireless communication node may send a beam indication for a first forwarding link between a wireless communication device and a network node to the network node. The beam indication may be associated with multiple beams. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Various exemplary embodiments of the present solution will be described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and depict only the exemplary embodiments of the present solution to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present solution. Therefore, the drawings should not be regarded as limiting the breadth, scope, or applicability of the present solution. It should be noted that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale for clarity and ease of illustration.

[0013] Figure 1 An exemplary cellular communication network that can implement the technologies disclosed herein according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0014] Figure 2 A block diagram of an exemplary base station and user equipment device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0015] Figure 3 An exemplary network control repeater (NCR) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown; and

[0016] Figure 4 A flowchart for identifying beams and associated times according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0017] 1. Mobile Communication Technologies and Environment

[0018] Figure 1 An exemplary wireless communication network and / or system 100 that can implement the technologies disclosed herein according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In the following discussion, the wireless communication network 100 can be any wireless network, such as a cellular network or a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network, and is referred to herein as "network 100". Such an exemplary network 100 includes base stations 102 (hereinafter "BS102", also referred to as wireless communication nodes) and user equipment devices 104 (hereinafter "UE 104", also referred to as wireless communication devices) that can communicate with each other via communication links 110 (e.g., wireless communication channels), and a cluster of cells 126, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 that cover a geographical area 101. In Figure 1 which, BS102 and UE 104 are contained within the respective geographical boundaries of cell 126. Each of the other cells 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 can include at least one base station operating within its allocated bandwidth to provide sufficient radio coverage to its intended users.

[0019] For example, BS102 can operate under the allocated channel transmission bandwidth to provide sufficient coverage to UE 104. BS102 and UE 104 can communicate via a downlink radio frame 118 and an uplink radio frame 124, respectively. Each radio frame 118 / 124 can be further divided into subframes 120 / 127 that can include data symbols 122 / 128. In the present disclosure, BS102 and UE 104 are generally described herein as non-limiting examples of "communication nodes" that can practice the methods disclosed herein. According to various embodiments of the present solution, such communication nodes can be capable of wireless and / or wired communication.

[0020] Figure 2 A block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system 200 for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals (e.g., OFDM / OFDMA signals) according to some embodiments of the present solution is shown. System 200 can include components and elements configured to support known or conventional operating features that need not be described in detail herein. As described above, in one illustrative embodiment, system 200 can be used to transmit (e.g., send and receive) data symbols in a wireless communication environment such as Figure 1 a wireless communication environment 100 as described.

[0021] System 200 generally includes a base station 202 (hereinafter "BS202") and a user equipment device 204 (hereinafter "UE204"). BS202 includes a BS (base station) transceiver module 210, a BS antenna 212, a BS processor module 214, a BS memory module 216, and a network communication module 218, each module being coupled and interconnected to each other via a data communication bus 220 as needed. UE 204 includes a UE (user equipment) transceiver module 230, a UE antenna 232, a UE memory module 234, and a UE processor module 236, each module being coupled and interconnected to each other via a data communication bus 240 as needed. BS202 communicates with UE 204 via a communication channel 250, which can be any wireless channel or other medium suitable for data transmission as described herein.

[0022] As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, system 200 can also include other components in addition to Figure 2Any number of modules outside the module shown. Those skilled in the art will understand that the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits, and processing logics described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in hardware, computer-readable software, firmware, or any specific combination thereof. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability and compatibility of hardware, firmware, and software, the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been generally described in terms of their functions. Whether such functions are implemented as hardware, firmware, or software can depend on the specific application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art familiar with the concepts described herein can implement such functions in a suitable manner for each specific application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the UE transceiver 230 may be referred to herein as the "uplink" transceiver 230, which includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and an RF receiver, each of which includes circuitry coupled to an antenna 232. A duplex switch (not shown) may alternatively couple the uplink transmitter or receiver to the uplink antenna in a time-division duplex manner. Similarly, according to some embodiments, the BS transceiver 210 may be referred to herein as the "downlink" transceiver 210, which includes an RF transmitter and an RF receiver, each of which includes circuitry coupled to an antenna 212. The downlink duplex switch may alternatively couple the downlink transmitter or receiver to the downlink antenna 212 in a time-division duplex manner. The operations of the two transceiver modules 210 and 230 may be coordinated in time such that the uplink receiver circuitry is coupled to the uplink antenna 232 to receive transmissions on the wireless transmission link 250 while the downlink transmitter is coupled to the downlink antenna 212. Conversely, the operations of the two transceivers 210 and 230 may be coordinated in time such that the downlink receiver is coupled to the downlink antenna 212 to receive transmissions on the wireless transmission link 250 while the uplink transmitter is coupled to the uplink antenna 232. In some embodiments, there is a tight time synchronization with a minimum guard time between changes in the duplex direction.

[0024] The UE transceiver 230 and the base station transceiver 210 are configured to communicate via a wireless data communication link 250 and cooperate with a suitably configured RF antenna arrangement 212 / 232 capable of supporting a specific wireless communication protocol and modulation scheme. In some illustrative embodiments, the UE transceiver 210 and the base station transceiver 210 are configured to support industry standards such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and emerging 5G standards. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the application of specific standards and associated protocols. Instead, the UE transceiver 230 and the base station transceiver 210 may be configured to support alternative or additional wireless data communication protocols, including future standards or variants thereof.

[0025] According to various embodiments, BS202 can be, for example, an evolved Node B (eNB), serving eNB, target eNB, femtocell, or picocell. In some embodiments, UE 204 can be embodied in various types of user devices, such as mobile phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computers, laptop computers, wearable computing devices, and the like. Processor modules 214 and 236 can be implemented, implemented, designed to perform the functions described herein using a general-purpose processor, content-addressable memory, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field-programmable gate array, any suitable programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. In this way, the processor can be implemented as a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, state machine, and the like. The processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a digital signal processor core, or any other such configuration.

[0026] In addition, the steps of the methods or algorithms described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in firmware, in software modules executed separately by processor modules 214 and 236, or in any specific combination thereof. Memory modules 216 and 234 can be implemented as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. In this regard, memory modules 216 and 234 can be coupled to processor modules 210 and 230, respectively, such that processor modules 210 and 230 can read information from and write information to memory modules 216 and 234, respectively. Memory modules 216 and 234 can also be integrated into their respective processor modules 210 and 230. In some embodiments, memory modules 216 and 234 can each include a cache memory for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions to be executed by processor modules 210 and 230, respectively. Memory modules 216 and 234 can also each include a non-volatile memory for storing instructions to be executed by processor modules 210 and 230, respectively.

[0027] The network communication module 218 generally represents the hardware, software, firmware, processing logic, and / or other components of the base station 202 that enable two-way communication between the base station transceiver 210 and other network components and communication nodes configured to communicate with the base station 202. For example, the network communication module 218 may be configured to support Internet or WiMAX traffic. In a typical deployment, but not limited to, the network communication module 218 provides an 802.3 Ethernet interface that enables the base station transceiver 210 to communicate with a conventional Ethernet-based computer network. In this way, the network communication module 218 may include a physical interface for connecting to a computer network (e.g., a mobile switching center (MSC)). As used herein, the terms "configured for", "configured to", and variations thereof, with respect to a particular operation or function, refer to a device, component, circuit, structure, machine, signal, etc. that is physically constructed, programmed, formatted, and / or arranged to perform the specified operation or function.

[0028] The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model (referred to herein as the "Open Systems Interconnection model") is a conceptual and logical layout that defines the network communication opened by a system (e.g., a wireless communication device, a wireless communication node) for interconnection and communication with other systems. The model is divided into seven sub-components or layers, each of which represents a conceptual set of services provided for its upper and lower layers. The OSI model also defines a logical network and effectively describes the transfer of computer data packets by using different layer protocols. The OSI model may also be referred to as the seven-layer OSI model or the seven-layer model. In some embodiments, the first layer may be the physical layer. In some embodiments, the second layer may be the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. In some embodiments, the third layer may be the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer. In some embodiments, the fourth layer may be the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer. In some embodiments, the fifth layer may be the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer. In some embodiments, the sixth layer may be the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) layer or the Internet Protocol (IP) layer, and the seventh layer is other layers.

[0029] The various exemplary embodiments of the present solution are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those of ordinary skill in the art can implement and use the present solution. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that after reading this disclosure, various changes or modifications can be made to the examples described herein without departing from the scope of the present solution. Therefore, the present solution is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and applications described and shown herein. In addition, the specific order or hierarchy of the steps in the methods disclosed herein is merely an exemplary method. Based on design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of the steps of the disclosed methods or processes can be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present solution. Therefore, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or actions in a sample order, and the present solution is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented, unless otherwise expressly stated.

[0030] 2. Systems and Methods for Identifying Beams and Associated Times

[0031] As new radio (NR) systems move to higher frequencies (around 4 GHz for FR1 deployments and above 24 GHz for FR2), the propagation conditions may deteriorate compared to lower frequencies, exacerbating coverage challenges. Therefore, further increasing cell density may be a solution. While the preferred deployment is conventional full-stack cells, it may not be an economically viable option. To provide comprehensive coverage in cellular network deployments at a relatively low cost, radio frequency (RF) repeaters with full-duplex amplify-and-forward operation can be used in 2G, 3G, and / or 4G systems. However, a major problem posed by RF repeaters may be that they amplify both signals and noise and may increase interference in the system.

[0032] Another feature of NR systems can be multi-beam operation with associated beam management in the higher frequency bands defined for time division duplex (TDD). Multi-antenna techniques include massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO) for FR1 and analog beamforming for FR2, which helps to cope with the challenging propagation conditions of these higher frequency bands. An RF repeater without a beam management function may not provide beamforming gain in its signal forwarding.

[0033] To address unwanted interference, network control repeaters (NCRs) can be considered, which utilize control information from their connected base stations (BSs) to achieve intelligent amplify-and-forward operations. In this disclosure, methods for beam information indication and associated time indication for cellular networks with NCRs are studied.

[0034] RF repeaters can be used in 2G, 3G, and / or 4G deployments to supplement the coverage provided by conventional full-stack cells with various transmit power characteristics. RF repeaters can provide a simple and cost-effective way to improve network coverage. The main advantages of RF repeaters can lie in their low cost, ease of deployment, and the fact that RF repeaters do not increase latency. The main disadvantage can be that RF repeaters amplify both signals and noise. Therefore, RF repeaters may cause an increase in interference (e.g., contamination) in the system. Inside an RF repeater, there can be different categories depending on the power characteristics and the amount of spectrum that the RF repeater is configured to amplify (e.g., single-band or multi-band). An RF repeater can be a non-regenerative type of relay node. An RF repeater can simply amplify and forward signals in an omnidirectional manner.

[0035] From a functional perspective, Figure 3 The structure of a Network Control Repeater (NCR) is shown. The NCR-Mobile Terminal (MT) is defined as a functional entity to communicate with the gNB via a control link (C-link) to enable the exchange of control information (e.g., at least side control information for controlling NCR-Fwd). The C-link is based on the NR Uu interface. The NCR-Forward (Fwd) is defined as a functional entity to perform amplification and forwarding of uplink / downlink (UL / DL) RF signals between the gNB and the UE via a backhaul link and an access link. The behavior of NCR-Fwd can be controlled according to the side control information received from the gNB.

[0036] Implementation Example 1: Beam Numbering Mechanism

[0037] Beam indices can be used to indicate beam information of the access link. There can be different types of beams on the access link. Different numbering mechanisms can be considered to index the physical beams on the access link.

[0038] In some embodiments, a unified numbering mechanism can be considered for the beams of the access link. For example, for an NCR, there can be 4 narrow beams and 2 wide beams on the access link. These 6 beams can be uniformly numbered as Beam 1 to Beam 6. In this case, the BS can directly use the index number to indicate beam information to the NCR. For example, if the BS wants to indicate Beam 2 to the NCR, the BS can directly use "0010" to represent the index of Beam 2.

[0039] In some embodiments, the NCR may have different types of beams, including a first type of beam (e.g., wide beam) and a second type of beam (e.g., narrow beam). The different types of beams may be numbered separately. A unified numbering mechanism may be used to index all the first type of beams. And a unified numbering mechanism may be used to index all the second type of beams. In this case, to distinguish different types of beams, bits may be used as flags to distinguish whether the indicated index information refers to the first type of beam or the second type of beam. In this case, the beam index definition of the beam includes bit flag information and the number / index information of the beam. And the beam index may be used for beam information indication. For example, for the NCR, there may be 4 narrow beams and 2 wide beams on the access link. The wide beams may be numbered from 0 to 1, and the narrow beams may be numbered from 0 to 3. The bit flag may be used to distinguish the beam type, where bit 0 may represent the wide beam, and bit 1 may represent the narrow beam. In this case, if the BS wants to indicate narrow beam 2 to the NCR, the BS may use the bit information "110" as the beam index of narrow beam 2, where the first bit may be the bit flag and the last two bits may be the number / index information of narrow beam 2. In some embodiments, the BS may indicate the bit flag to the NCR via at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control Control Element (MAC CE) signaling, or Downlink Control Information (DCI) signaling. The indication of the bit flag and the number / index information of the beam may be in the same signaling or in different signaling. In some embodiments, the bit flag may be indicated by the number / index information of the beam in the same field of the signaling, where one bit (e.g., the first bit) in the field may be used as the bit flag to distinguish the type of the indicated beam, and the remaining bits in the field may be used to indicate the number / index information of the beam.

[0040] In some embodiments, a group numbering mechanism may be considered for the beams on the access link. The beams of the NCR may be divided into different beam groups. Each beam group may include a first type of beam (e.g., wide beam) and multiple second types of beams (e.g., narrow beams). In this case, the group numbering method may be used to number the beams of the NCR by using at least one of the following methods.

[0041] Alt 1: All the first type of beams can be uniformly numbered, and multiple second type of beams in each group can be uniformly numbered. To indicate beam information, a first bit part including one or more bits can be used to indicate the number / index information of the first type of beams, and a second bit part including one or more bits can be used to indicate the number / index information of the second type of beams. These two bit parts can be indicated via at least one of the following: RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, or DCI signaling. These two parts of bits can be indicated in the same field of the same signaling, or in different fields of the same signaling, or in different signaling. In some embodiments, bits can be used as flags to represent the indicated beam information for indicating the number / index information of the first type of beams or the number / index information of the second type of beams. For example, if the bit flag is 0, it can indicate that the indicated beam information is the first type of beams, while the bit flag of 1 can represent the second type of beams. In some embodiments, if the bit flag represents / indicates the first type of beams, the configuration of the second bit part may not be required. And if the value of the bit flag represents / indicates the second type of beams, both of these two bit parts may be required. In this case, the beam index definition includes at least one of the following: the number / index information of the first type of beams, the number / index information of the second type of beams, the bit flag information. The beam index can be used for beam information indication.

[0042] Alt 2: All different groups can be uniformly numbered, and multiple second-type beams in each group can be uniformly numbered. Since the numbering / index information can implicitly indicate the numbering / index information of the first-type beams, it may not be necessary to number the first-type beams in each group. To indicate the beam information, a first bit part including one or more bits can be used to indicate the numbering / index information of the group, and a second bit part including one or more bits can be used to indicate the numbering / index information of the second-type beams. These two bit parts can be indicated via at least one of the following: RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, or DCI signaling. These two bit parts can be indicated in the same field of the same signaling, or in different fields of the same signaling, or in different signaling. In some embodiments, bits can be used as flags to represent the indicated beam information for indicating the numbering / index information of the group or the second-type beams. For example, if the bit flag is 0, it can indicate that the indicated beam information is the numbering / index information of the group, while the bit flag of 1 can represent the numbering / index information of the second-type beams. In some embodiments, if the bit flag represents / indicates the numbering / index information of the group, it may not be necessary to configure the second bit part. And if the value of the bit flag represents / indicates the numbering / index information of the second-type beams, both of these two bit parts may be required. Similarly, the beam index definition includes at least one of the following: the numbering / index information of the group, the numbering / index information of the second-type beams, bit flag information. The beam index can be used for beam information indication.

[0043] In some embodiments, the beam index on the access link can be reported by the NCR. The beam index on the access link can be configured by the BS to the NCR, or can be configured by the OAM.

[0044] In some embodiments, the beams used on the access link of NCR-Fwd can be different from the beams supported on the access link of NCR-Fwd. The above beam numbering mechanism can be used to index the beams supported on the access link of NCR-Fwd, and / or can also be used to index the beams used or configured on the access link of NCR-Fwd. In some embodiments, the NCR can report the beam indexes of all the beams supported on the access link to the BS, or the OAM can configure the beam indexes of all the beams supported on the access link to the BS and the NCR. If the BS indicates to the NCR a subset of the beams that can be used on the access link, at least one of the following methods can be considered for indexing the subset of the beams.

[0045] Alt1: The BS can directly re-index a subset of the beams used on the access link and can indicate to the NCR the mapping relationship between the new index of the subset of beams and the index of the subset of beams. For example, there may be 4 wide beams indexed from 0 to 3 and 8 narrow beams indexed from 0 to 7. If the BS configures the NCR that a subset of beams including wide beams 2 to 3 and narrow beams 4 to 7 can be used on the access link, the BS can re-index the subset of beams to wide beams 0 to 1 and narrow beams 0 to 3 and can indicate the mapping relationship between the new index of the subset of beams and the index of the subset of beams. The BS can directly use the new index to indicate the corresponding beam. In this case, the signaling cost can be reduced because it may only require 1 bit to indicate a wide beam and 2 bits to indicate a narrow beam, while if the BS directly uses the index without re-indexing the subset of beams, it requires 2 bits to indicate a wide beam and 3 bits to indicate a narrow beam.

[0046] Alt2: There is no need to re-index the subset of beams. The BS can directly use the beam index corresponding to each beam to indicate the beam information.

[0047] Example implementation 2: Applicable time information of the beam

[0048] The BS can indicate the beam information to the NCR. The NCR can use the received beam information to forward signals using the corresponding beams. The beams of the NCR can be represented / identified by the beam index or the TCI state. In each indication, one or more beams can be indicated. Considering the beam indication method, there are three options.

[0049] Option 1: The BS can indicate one or more beams in each indication. The beams in the indication can be represented / identified by the beam index or the TCI state. The beam index definition can be determined according to the different beam numbering mechanisms shown in Example implementation 1.

[0050] Option 2: The BS can indicate one or more beam patterns in each indication. The beam pattern can be an ordered sequence of the beams of the NCR to be used one by one. The beams in the beam pattern can be represented / identified by the beam index or the TCI state. The beam index definition can be determined according to the different beam numbering mechanisms shown in Example implementation 1. The beams in each beam pattern can be the same or different. If all the beams in the beam pattern are the same, it can be indicated that the beam pattern only includes one beam.

[0051] Option 3: The BS may configure an applicable beam list including one or more beam patterns. The beams in the beam pattern may be represented / identified by a beam index or a TCI state. The beam index definition may be determined according to different beam numbering mechanisms shown in Implementation Example 1. Each beam pattern in the list may have a corresponding beam pattern index. The beams in each beam pattern may be the same or different. If all the beams in the beam pattern are the same, it may be indicated that the beam pattern includes only one beam. The BS may directly indicate one or more beam pattern indices to the NCR in each indication.

[0052] In addition to the beam information, the BS may also indicate to the NCR the associated time domain information of the beam information. In some embodiments, the time domain information may be used to indicate the applicable time for other operations of the NCR (e.g., power control, on / off). The time domain information may include at least one of the following aspects: (1) parameters related to the time resources of the beam information; (2) time offset; (3) time granularity; or (4) periodicity.

[0053] The time offset may be the time interval between the transmission of the control information by the BS and the earliest applicable forwarding time of the NCR after receiving the control information. The BS may configure the time offset for the NCR to include a slot-level value K1 and / or a symbol-level value K2. In some embodiments, the configuration of K2 may be omitted. For example, the BS may send an indication of the beam information to the NCR. The transmission of the indication may end in slot n. The time offset may be symbol K2 in slot n+K1. In certain embodiments, both K1 and K2 may be zero. In this case, the NCR may apply the beam (with time domain information) when receiving the beam information (e.g., from slot n).

[0054] Regarding the parameters related to the time resources of the beam information, different parameters may be considered in different beam indication cases. Regarding the beam pattern case, the NCR may know the start time and duration of the beam pattern. The NCR may also know the time length of each beam in the beam pattern. Regarding the applicable time information for the beam pattern case, the following two cases may be considered.

[0055] Case 1: The time resources of the beam pattern when the beams in the beam pattern are continuously used.

[0056] In this case, the beams in the beam pattern can be used one by one continuously without time gaps. The time-domain information of the beam pattern can include at least one of the following: (1) parameters related to the time resources of the beam pattern; (2) time offset; (3) time granularity; or (4) periodicity. As for the parameters related to the time resources of the beam pattern, it can include the start time and duration of the beam pattern. In some embodiments, the time length of each beam in the beam pattern can also be indicated.

[0057] First, the time length of each beam in the beam pattern can have at least one of the following alternatives.

[0058] Alt 1: Default time length. The default time length can represent the time length applicable to all beams in the beam pattern. The default time length can be predefined and known to the NCR and / or gNB.

[0059] Alt 2: Time length. The time length applicable to all beams in the beam pattern can be indicated by the BS to the NCR;

[0060] Alt 3: Multiple time lengths. Each of the multiple time lengths can be associated with a beam in the beam pattern, which can be indicated by the BS to the NCR.

[0061] Alt 4: Multiple time lengths. Each of the multiple time lengths can be associated with multiple beams in the beam pattern, which can be indicated by the BS to the NCR.

[0062] Second, the start time and duration of the beam pattern can be indicated by at least one of the following: start time, end time, start and length indication value (SLIV), or the duration of the beam pattern.

[0063] The start time can be used to indicate the start time of the beam pattern. The start time can be indicated via a start time slot and / or a start symbol. The start time of the beam pattern in the time domain information can include a start time slot index (e.g., Sslot) and / or a start symbol index (e.g., Ssymbol). In some embodiments, the start time can be implicitly indicated, or if there is no explicit indication value for the start time, a predefined rule can be followed. For example, if the BS does not indicate the start time to the NCR and the BS indicates a time offset (e.g., time offset parameters K1 and / or K2) to the NCR, the start time of the indicated beam information can be the symbol K2 in time slot n+K1. For example, if the BS does not indicate the start time to the NCR and the BS indicates a time offset (e.g., time offset parameters K1 and / or K2) to the NCR, the NCR can start the forwarding operation using the indicated beam from X (X≥1) time slots after the applicable time defined by the time offset, where X can be predefined for the NCR and the BS, or can be indicated by the BS to the NCR.

[0064] The end time can be used to indicate the end time of the beam pattern. The end time can be indicated via an end time slot and / or an end symbol. The end time of the beam pattern in the time domain information can include an end time slot index (e.g., Eslot) and / or an end symbol index (e.g., Esymbol).

[0065] The duration of the beam pattern can include the number of time slots and / or the number of symbols. The duration can include multiple time slot indexes and / or multiple symbol indexes.

[0066] The start time and duration of the beam pattern can be indicated by a combined parameter. Start and length indication values (SLIV) can be defined for a duration with a predefined maximum time length. If the duration does not exceed one time slot, the start and length indication values (SLIV) can be used to indicate the start symbol Ssymbol and the duration of the beam pattern (e.g., the number of symbols Lsymbol). If the duration has time slot-level granularity and does not exceed a subframe, the SLIV can be used to indicate the start time slot Sslot and the duration (e.g., the number of symbols Lslot).

[0067] Specifically, the above parameters can be combined to indicate the start time and duration of the beam pattern. At least one of the following options can be listed as an example.

[0068] OP 1.1 (start time): The BS can only indicate the start time to the NCR. As for the duration of the beam pattern, it can be implicitly indicated by the sum of the time lengths of each beam in the beam pattern.

[0069] OP 1.2 (Time offset): The start time of the beam pattern can be implicitly indicated by a time offset. As for the duration of the beam pattern, it can be implicitly indicated by the sum of the time lengths of each beam in the beam pattern.

[0070] OP 1.3 (Start time + Duration): The BS can indicate the start time and duration of the beam pattern to the NCR. In this case, the duration of the beam pattern can be equal to the sum of the applicable time lengths of each beam in the beam pattern.

[0071] OP 1.4 (Start time + End time): The BS can indicate the start time and end time to the NCR. And the time interval between the start time and the end time should be equal to the sum of the applicable time lengths of each beam in the beam pattern.

[0072] OP 1.5 (End time): The BS can only indicate the end time to the NCR, and if a time offset is indicated to the NCR, the start time can be implicitly indicated by the time offset. If the BS does not indicate a time offset to the NCR, it can be indicated that the NCR can use the beam pattern to forward signals after receiving the beam information.

[0073] OP 1.6 (SLIV): The BS can indicate the SLIV value to the NCR to represent the start time and duration of the beam pattern. The duration calculated by the SLIV can be equal to the sum of the applicable time lengths of each beam in the beam pattern.

[0074] In some embodiments, as for the applicable time information of the beam pattern, the BS can only indicate the applicable time length of each beam in the beam pattern to the NCR, and the mechanism of the applicable time length of each beam can be the same as Alt1 to Alt4 in Case 1 of Implementation Example 2. As for the start time of the beam pattern, it can be implicitly indicated by a time offset, or if no time offset is configured for the NCR, the NCR can use the beam pattern to forward signals after receiving the beam information. The duration of the beam pattern can be implicitly indicated by the sum of the applicable time lengths of each beam in the beam pattern.

[0075] Case 2: Parameters related to the time resources of the beam pattern when the beams in the beam pattern are not continuously used.

[0076] In this case, the applicable time of each beam in the beam pattern may not be used continuously, which may indicate that there may be a time gap in the applicable time of adjacent beams in the beam pattern. Similarly, the time information of the beam pattern may include at least one of the following: (1) parameters related to the time resources of the beam pattern; (2) time offset; (3) time granularity; or (4) periodicity. Regarding the parameters related to the time resources of the beam pattern in this Case 2, at least one of the following two options may be considered.

[0077] Option 1: Separate time resource parameters for each beam in the beam pattern.

[0078] Since the beams in the beam pattern are not used continuously in this Case 2, time parameters can be defined for each beam in the beam pattern. For each beam of the beam pattern, the time resource information of each beam can be indicated by at least one of the following: start time, end time, duration of the beam, or SLIV.

[0079] The start time can be used to indicate the start time of the beam and can be indicated via the start time slot and / or start symbol. The start time of the beam in the time domain information can include the start time slot index (e.g., Sslot) and / or the start symbol index (e.g., Ssymbol). The start time of the first beam in the beam pattern may not be earlier than the time offset of the beam pattern. In some embodiments, the start time of the first beam in the beam pattern can be implicitly indicated by the time offset, or if there is no explicit indication value for the start time, a predefined rule can be followed. For example, if the BS does not indicate the start time of the first beam in the beam pattern to the NCR and the BS indicates the time offset of the beam pattern (e.g., time offset parameters K1 and / or K2) to the NCR, the start time of the first beam in the beam pattern can be the symbol K2 in the time slot n+K1. For another example, if the BS does not indicate the start time to the NCR and the BS indicates the time offset (e.g., time offset parameters K1 and / or K2) to the NCR, the NCR can start the forwarding operation from the X (X≥1) time slots after the applicable time defined by the time offset using the indicated beam, where X can be predefined for the NCR and the BS or can be indicated by the BS to the NCR.

[0080] The end time can be used to indicate the end time of the beam and can be indicated via the end time slot and / or end symbol. The end time of the beam in the time domain information can include the end time slot index Eslot and / or the end symbol index Esymbol.

[0081] The duration of the beam can include the number of time slots and / or the number of symbols. The duration can include multiple time slot indexes and / or multiple symbol indexes.

[0082] The start time and duration of a beam can be indicated by a combined parameter. Start and length indication values (SLIVs) can be defined for a duration with a predefined maximum time length. If the duration does not exceed one time slot, the start symbol Ssymbol and the duration of the beam pattern (e.g., the number of symbols Lsymbol) can be indicated using the start and length indication value (SLIV). If the duration has a time slot-level granularity and does not exceed a subframe, the SLIV can be used to indicate the start time slot Sslot and the duration (e.g., the number of symbols Lslot).

[0083] Specifically, the above parameters can be combined to indicate the start time and duration of a beam. At least one of the following options can be listed as an example.

[0084] Alt 1.1: Start time + end time.

[0085] Alt 1.2: Start time + duration.

[0086] Alt 1.3: SLIV.

[0087] Alt 1.4: Time offset + duration. In this case, the start time can be implicitly indicated by the time offset.

[0088] Alt 1.5: Duration.

[0089] Option 2: The time-related parameters and mechanisms can be the same as those in Case 1 of Implementation Example 2. In addition to the parameters and mechanisms mentioned in Case 1 of Implementation Example 2, considering that the beams in a beam pattern may not be used in sequence, at least one of the following alternatives can be used to indicate the time gap between adjacent beams in the beam pattern to the NCR.

[0090] Alt 2.1: Default time gap. The default time gap can represent / indicate that the time intervals between all two adjacent beams in the beam pattern are the same, are predefined, and / or are known to the NCR and the gNB.

[0091] Alt 2.2: Time gap. The time gap can represent / indicate that the time intervals between all two adjacent beams in the beam pattern are the same. The time gap can be indicated by the BS to the NCR.

[0092] Alt 2.3: Multiple time gaps, where each time gap in the multiple time gaps can be associated with two adjacent beams in the beam pattern. The multiple time gaps can be indicated by the BS to the NCR.

[0093] Example of Implementation 3: Signaling of Beam Information and Associated Time Information for an Access Link

[0094] Case 1: Each Indicated Single Beam or Multi-Beam

[0095] Regarding each indicated single beam or multi-beam, the signaling of beam information and associated time information may have at least one of the following options. And the beam information includes a beam index, where the beam index definition can be determined according to different beam numbering mechanisms shown in Example of Implementation 1.

[0096] Op 1.1: The beam information and associated time information may be indicated in different fields respectively.

[0097] First, regarding the beam information indication, the beam information including one or more beams may be indicated by the BS to the NCR via at least one of the following: a new information element (IE) in RRC signaling, a new MAC CE signaling, or DCI signaling.

[0098] Second, regarding the associated time information, the associated time information including one or more time resource information may be indicated by the BS to the NCR via at least one of the following: a new IE in RRC signaling, a new MAC CE signaling, or DCI signaling.

[0099] Third, the BS may indicate the association between the beam information and the time domain information to the NCR via an RRC / MAC CE / DCI message. The association may refer to (1) using the same signaling for the indication of the beam (e.g., beam information) and the indication of the associated time; or (2) having a defined mapping relationship. For example, the BS may indicate a one-to-N (where N >= 1) mapping between the beam information and the time domain information. For another example, if the NCR supports communicating with multiple beams simultaneously, the BS may indicate an N-to-one (where N >= 1) mapping between the beam information and the time domain information.

[0100] Op 1.2: The beam information and associated time information may be indicated jointly.

[0101] A list including one or more forwarding resources may be indicated by the BS to the NCR via at least one of the following: a new IE in RRC signaling, a new MAC CE signaling, or DCI signaling. Each forwarding resource in the list may have at least one of the following: beam information or associated time resources.

[0102] In some embodiments, a list including one or more beam information and an associated time information may be indicated by the BS to the NCR via at least one of the following: a new IE in RRC signaling, a new MAC CE signaling, or DCI signaling. In this case, the only time resource information may be shared by all the beam information in the list, which may indicate that the configured beams in the list are used simultaneously.

[0103] In some embodiments, a list including one beam information and one or more time information may be indicated by the BS to the NCR via at least one of the following: a new IE in RRC signaling, a new MAC CE signaling, or DCI signaling. In this case, the only beam in the list may be applicable to all the configured time information in the list, which may indicate that the configured beam has multiple applicable time resources.

[0104] Case 2: Each indicated beam pattern index.

[0105] Regarding the beam pattern case, the BS may configure a list including one or more beam patterns, where each beam pattern in the list may include one or an ordered beam sequence.

[0106] The beams in the beam pattern may be represented / identified by beam indices. The beam index definition may be determined according to different beam numbering mechanisms shown in Implementation Example 1. Each beam pattern in the list may have a corresponding beam pattern index. The beams in each beam pattern may be the same or different. If all the beams in the beam pattern are the same, it may be indicated that the beam pattern may include only one beam. The BS may directly indicate one or more beam pattern indices to the NCR in each indication.

[0107] Op 2.1: The beam pattern and the associated time information may be configured in the same list.

[0108] A list of forwarding resources can be configured by the BS and indicated to the NCR. Each forwarding resource in the list can include at least one of the following: beam pattern or associated time information. The list can include one or more forwarding resources. Each forwarding resource in the list can have a corresponding resource index. In some embodiments, all defined beam patterns in the list can have the same associated time information. In this case, the list can include one or more beam patterns and time information resources. The resource index can be used to represent different beam patterns. The BS can directly indicate the resource index to the NCR to represent the corresponding beam pattern. The associated time information can directly refer to the common time information resource defined in the list. In some embodiments, the list can have one beam pattern and one or more time information, which can indicate that the beam pattern can be applied at different times. In this case, the list can include one or more time information resources and a common beam pattern. The resource index can refer to different time resource information. The BS can directly indicate the resource index to the NCR to represent the corresponding time information. The beam information can directly refer to the common beam pattern defined in the list.

[0109] In this case, the beam information and the associated time information can be jointly indicated by the resource index in the list. At least one of the following methods can be considered for the signaling of the beam information and the associated time information.

[0110] Alt 1: The list can be indicated by the BS to the NCR via at least one of the following: a new IE in the RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, or DCI signaling.

[0111] Alt 2: The list can be configured by the BS to the NCR via a new IE in the RRC signaling. A new MAC CE signaling or DCI signaling can be used to indicate one or more resource indexes in the list to represent the corresponding beam information and the associated time information.

[0112] Alt 3: The list can be configured by the BS to the NCR via a new MAC CE signaling. A DCI signaling can be used to indicate one or more resource indexes in the list to represent the corresponding beam information and the associated time information.

[0113] Alt 4: The list can be configured by the BS to the NCR via a new IE in the RRC signaling. A new MAC CE signaling can be used to indicate a set of resource indexes from the list. A DCI signaling can be used to indicate one or more resource indexes from the set of resource indexes indicated by the MAC CE signaling.

[0114] Op 2.2: The beam pattern and the associated time information can be configured separately.

[0115] The beam pattern and associated time information can be indicated separately. First, regarding the beam information, at least one of the following methods can be considered.

[0116] Alt 1: The BS can directly indicate one or more beam patterns to the NCR via at least one of the following: RRC signaling, new MAC CE signaling, or DCI signaling.

[0117] Alt 2: The BS can indicate a list including one or more beam patterns. Each beam pattern in the list can have a beam pattern index. The BS can directly use the beam pattern index to indicate the beam information to the NCR. The BS can use at least one of the following methods to indicate the beam information to the NCR.

[0118] Alt 2.1: The list can be indicated by the BS to the NCR via at least one of the following: a new IE in RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, or DCI signaling.

[0119] Alt 2.2: The list can be configured by the BS to the NCR via a new IE in RRC signaling. New MAC CE signaling or DCI signaling can be used to indicate one or more beam pattern indices in the list to represent the corresponding beam information.

[0120] Alt 2.3: The list can be configured by the BS to the NCR via new MAC CE signaling. DCI signaling can be used to indicate one or more beam pattern indices in the list to represent the corresponding beam information.

[0121] Alt 2.4: The list can be configured by the BS to the NCR via a new IE in RRC signaling. New MAC CE signaling can be used to indicate a set of beam pattern indices from the list. DCI signaling can be used to indicate one or more beam pattern indices from the set of resource indices indicated by the MAC CE signaling.

[0122] Second, regarding the time information, at least one of the following methods can be considered.

[0123] Alt A: The BS can directly indicate one or more time information resources associated with the indicated beam information to the NCR via at least one of the following: a new IE in RRC signaling, new MAC CE signaling, or DCI signaling.

[0124] Alternative B: The BS may configure a list including one or more time information. Each time information in the list may also have a resource index. The BS may directly use the resource index to indicate the time information to the NCR. The BS may indicate the time information used by the indicated beam to the NCR by using at least one of the following methods.

[0125] Alternative B.1: The list may be indicated by the BS to the NCR via at least one of the following: a new IE in RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, or DCI signaling.

[0126] Alternative B.2: The list may be configured by the BS to the NCR via a new IE in RRC signaling. A new MAC CE signaling or DCI signaling may be used to indicate one or more time resource indexes in the list to represent the corresponding time information.

[0127] Alternative B.3: The list may be configured by the BS to the NCR via a new MAC CE signaling. DCI signaling may be used to indicate one or more time resource indexes in the list to represent the corresponding time information.

[0128] Alternative B.4: The list may be configured by the BS to the NCR via a new IE in RRC signaling. A new MAC CE signaling may be used to indicate a set of time resource indexes from the list. DCI signaling may be used to indicate one or more time resource indexes from the set of time resource indexes indicated by the MAC CE signaling.

[0129] The BS may indicate beam information (e.g., beam pattern) and associated time information to the NCR in the same signaling. In some embodiments, the BS may indicate beam information and associated time information in different signaling. For example, the BS may configure a beam pattern list and a time information list for the NCR in the same IE in RRC signaling. The BS may directly use MAC CE signaling to indicate a beam pattern index and a time resource index to the NCR to represent beam information and associated time information. For example, the BS may configure a beam pattern list and a time information list for the NCR in the same IE in RRC signaling. The BS may use a first MAC CE signaling to indicate a set of beam pattern indexes from the beam pattern list, and may use a second MAC CE to indicate a set of time resource indexes from the time information list. The BS may use DCI signaling to indicate a beam pattern index from the set of beam information indicated by the first MAC CE signaling, and a time resource index from the set of time information indicated by the second MAC CE signaling. For example, the BS may configure a beam pattern list in RRC signaling. The BS may use MACCE signaling to indicate a beam pattern index and associated time resource information.

[0130] Scenario 3: Detailed signaling design for beam information and associated time information.

[0131] DCI signaling can be used to indicate beam information and associated time information. The beam information indicated in the DCI can include at least one of the following information.

[0132] (1) Beam index: The beam index definition can be determined according to the beam numbering mechanism shown in Implementation Example 1. In some embodiments, if the beams of the access link of the NCR have different types of beams, the beam index definition can include beam flag information, and the beam flag information is used to distinguish whether the indicated index is for the first type of beam or the second type of beam;

[0133] (2) Beam mode index;

[0134] (3) Bit flag: The bit flag can be used to distinguish whether the index indicated in the DCI refers to the beam index or the beam mode index; and

[0135] (4) Number of each indicated beam: If the number of each indicated beam is 1, it can indicate that a single beam index is indicated in the DCI; if the number of each indicated beam is greater than 1, it can indicate that multiple beams are indicated in the indication, which means that the beam mode index can be indicated in the DCI.

[0136] In some embodiments, the beam information indicated in the DCI can include at least one of the following information.

[0137] (1) Number of each indicated beam. If the value of the beam number is 1, it can indicate that only a single beam index is indicated in the DCI. If the value of the beam number is greater than 1, it can indicate that multiple beams are indicated, and the index indicated in the DCI is the beam mode index. The bit width can depend on the maximum number of beams in the beam mode.

[0138] (2) Index information.

[0139] If the number of each indicated beam is 1, the indicated index information can be the beam index. The beam index definition can be determined according to different numbering mechanisms in Implementation Example 1. The bit width can depend on the beam layout and beam numbering mechanism of the NCR.

[0140] If the number of each indicated beam is greater than 1, the indicated index information can be the beam mode index. The beam mode list can be defined in the RRC signaling. The selected beam mode index can be indicated in the DCI. In this way, the bit width can depend on the number of beam modes in the list.

[0141] Regarding the detailed signaling design of DCI, at least one of the following methods can be considered.

[0142] Op 3.1: The beam information and the associated time information can be indicated in the same field in DCI. The beam information can be one or more beam indices or one or more beam pattern indices. The definition of the beam index can be determined according to different numbering mechanisms in Implementation Example 1.

[0143] Since the beam information and the associated time information are indicated in the same list, it can be considered to simultaneously indicate the beam and the associated time information in the same field in the DCI signaling. For example, as described in Option 2.1 of Case 2, the beam information and the associated time information can be configured in the same list. The resource index can be used to simultaneously indicate the corresponding beam information and time information. Regarding the specific design of the DCI signaling, at least one of the following alternatives can be considered.

[0144] Alt 1: A new DCI format with a separate Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) can be defined for NCR-Fwd to indicate one or more beam information and the associated time information for the access link. If the DCI is scrambled with the RNTI of NCR-MT, NCR-MT can communicate with the BS (e.g., the UE with allocated time-frequency resources, MCS, and / or other control parameters). If the DCI is scrambled with the RNTI of NCR-Fwd, NCR-MT can decode the new DCI format of NCR-Fwd and can accordingly control the amplify-and-forward operation of NCR-Fwd. The new DCI format of NCR'Fwd can include at least one of the following fields: (1) Beam information of the backhaul link: indicating the beam information of the backhaul link (e.g., TCI state ID); (2) Time resource information of the backhaul link: indicating the associated time information of the indicated beam information; (3) Beam information and the associated time information of the access link: simultaneously indicating the beam information and the associated time information using the field (e.g., the resource index shown in Option 2.1 of Case 2); (4) Frequency resource information: indicating the frequency resources to be used by NCR-Fwd; and (5) Panel resource information: indicating the panel information to be used by NCR-Fwd.

[0145] Alt 2: A new field can be added to the DCI signaling to simultaneously indicate the beam information and the associated time information of the access link.

[0146] Alternative 3: An existing field in the DCI signaling can be used to simultaneously indicate the beam information of the access link and the associated time information. An existing bit in the DCI signaling can be used to indicate whether the field is for traditional use or for beam and time information indication. For example, the current "frequency domain resource allocation" in the DCI signaling can be reinterpreted to indicate the beam information and the associated time information, where the first bit in the "frequency domain resource allocation" can be used as a flag. If the first bit is set to 0, it can indicate that the remaining bits in the "frequency domain resource allocation" are used to indicate the frequency information for NCR-MT. If the first bit is set to 1, it can indicate that the remaining bits in the "frequency domain resource allocation" are used to indicate the beam information of the access link and the associated time information. For example, the current "time domain resource allocation" or "modulation and coding scheme" or "bandwidth part indicator" can be reinterpreted, and one bit in the field can be used as a flag.

[0147] Alternative 4: An existing field in the DCI signaling can be used to simultaneously indicate the beam information of the access link and the associated time information. New bits can be added to the DCI signaling to indicate whether the field is for traditional use or for beam and time information indication of the access link. For example, the current "modulation and coding scheme" in the DCI signaling can be reinterpreted to indicate the beam information and the associated time information, where new bits can be added to the DCI signaling as a flag. If the new bit is set to 0, it can indicate that the "modulation and coding scheme" field is used to indicate the modulation and coding information for NCR-MT. If the new bit is set to 1, it can indicate that the "modulation and coding scheme" field is used to indicate the beam information of the access link and the associated time information.

[0148] Alternative 5: The current "transmission configuration indication" field can be reinterpreted to indicate the beam information of the access link and the associated time information. One bit or new bits in the DCI signaling can be added to indicate whether the field is for beam information of the control link or for beam and time information indication of the access link. In some embodiments, one bit or new bits in the DCI signaling can be added to indicate whether the field is for beam information of the backhaul link or for beam and time information indication of the access link.

[0149] Option 3.2: The beam information and the associated time information can be indicated in different fields in the DCI respectively. The beam information can be one or more beam indices or one or more beam pattern indices. The definition of the beam index can be determined according to different numbering mechanisms in Implementation Example 1.

[0150] Since beam information (e.g., beam index or beam pattern index) and associated time information are indicated in different fields of DCI signaling, the fields in DCI for indicating beam information and the fields in DCI for indicating time information can be considered separately.

[0151] (1) First, at least one of the following methods can be considered to indicate the beam information of the access link.

[0152] Alt 1: A new field can be added in the DCI signaling to indicate the beam information of the access link.

[0153] Alt 2: An existing field in the DCI signaling can be used to indicate the beam information of the access link. An existing bit in the DCI signaling can be used to indicate whether the field is for traditional use or for beam indication of the access link. For example, the current "frequency domain resource allocation" in the DCI signaling can be reinterpreted to indicate the beam information of the access link, where the first bit in the "frequency domain resource allocation" can be used as a flag. If the first bit is set to 0, it can indicate / represent that the remaining bits in the "frequency domain resource allocation" are used to indicate the frequency information for NCR-MT. If the first bit is set to 1, it can represent / indicate that the remaining bits in the "frequency domain resource allocation" are used to indicate the beam information of the access link. For example, the current "time domain resource allocation" or "modulation and coding scheme" or "bandwidth part indicator" can also be reinterpreted, and one bit in the field can be used as a flag.

[0154] Alt 3: An existing field in the DCI signaling can be used to indicate the beam information of the access link. New bits can be added in the DCI signaling to indicate whether the field is for traditional use or for beam indication of the access link. For example, the current "modulation and coding scheme" in the DCI signaling can be reinterpreted to indicate the beam information of the access link, where new bits can be added in the DCI signaling as a flag. If the new bit is set to 0, it can represent / indicate that the "modulation and coding scheme" field is used to indicate the modulation and coding information for NCR-MT. If the new bit is set to 1, it can represent / indicate that the "modulation and coding scheme" field is used to indicate the beam information of the access link.

[0155] Alt 4: The current "transmission configuration indicator" field can be reinterpreted to indicate the beam information of the access link. One bit or new bits in the DCI signaling can be added to indicate whether the field is for beam information of the control link or for beam indication of the access link. In some embodiments, one bit or new bits in the DCI signaling can be added to indicate whether the field is for beam information of the backhaul link or for beam indication of the access link.

[0156] (2) Second, for the associated time information of the beam on the access link, at least one of the following methods can be considered.

[0157] Alt 1: A new field can be added to the DCI signaling to indicate the associated time information of the indicated beam on the access link.

[0158] Alt 2: The current "time domain resource allocation" field in the DCI signaling can be reused to indicate the associated time information of the indicated beam on the access link. One bit in the DCI signaling can be used to indicate whether the "time domain resource allocation" field is for the time information used for NCR-MT or for the associated time information of the access link. For example, the first bit in the "time domain resource allocation" field can be used as a flag. If the first bit is set to 0, it can indicate that the "time domain resource allocation" field is used to indicate the time resources for NCR-MT. If the first bit is set to 1, it can indicate that the "time domain resource allocation" field is used to indicate the associated time information of the beam on the access link.

[0159] Alt 3: The current "time domain resource allocation" field in the DCI signaling can be reused to indicate the associated time information of the indicated beam on the access link. A new bit can be added to the DCI signaling to indicate whether the "time domain resource allocation" field is for the time information used for NCR-MT or for the associated time information of the access link. For example, if the new bit is set to 0, it can indicate that the "time domain resource allocation" field is used to indicate the time resources for NCR-MT. If the new bit is set to 1, it can indicate that the "time domain resource allocation" field is used to indicate the associated time information of the beam on the access link.

[0160] (3) In some embodiments, a new DCI format with a separate radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) can be defined for NCR-Fwd to indicate one or more beam indices for the access link. If the DCI is scrambled with the RNTI of NCR-MT, NCR-MT can communicate with the BS (e.g., the UE with allocated time-frequency resources, MCS, and / or other control parameters). If the DCI is scrambled with the RNTI of NCR-Fwd, NCR-MT can decode the new DCI format of NCR-Fwd and can control the amplify-and-forward operation of NCR-Fwd accordingly. The new DCI format of NCR-Fwd can include at least one of the following fields: (1) Beam information of the backhaul link: indicating the beam information of the backhaul link (e.g., TCI state ID); (2) Time resource information of the backhaul link: indicating the associated time information of the indicated beam information on the backhaul link; (3) Beam information of the access link: indicating the beam information of the access link (e.g., beam index or beam pattern index); (4) Time resource information of the access link: indicating the associated time information of the indicated beam on the access link; (5) Frequency resource information: indicating the frequency resources to be used by NCR-Fwd; and (6) Panel resource information: indicating the panel information to be used by NCR-Fwd.

[0161] Example Implementation 4: Beam Indication of the Backhaul Link of NCR

[0162] In some embodiments, a set of transmission configuration indication (TCI) states configured by RRC signaling can be shared and can be used to control both the control link and the backhaul link. MAC CE signaling can be used to activate a subset of the TCI states from the TCI state configuration in the RRC signaling. The subset of the TCI states activated by the MAC CE signaling can be shared and can be used to control the beam indication of both the control link and the backhaul link. The value of N can be predefined for all NCRs, or the value of N can be different for different NCRs. The value of N can be determined according to the capabilities of the NCR-MT. DCI signaling can be used to select a TCI state from the subset of the TCI states activated by the MAC CE. In this case, the number of TCI states (e.g., the first N (N≥1) TCI states) in the subset of the activated TCI states can be predefined for the BS and the NCR for use in the beam indication of the backhaul link. In some embodiments, the BS can indicate to the NCR the number of TCI states (e.g., the first N (N≥1) TCI states) in the subset of the activated TCI states for use in the beam indication of the backhaul link. Thus, when the NCR receives the selected TCI state indicated by the DCI, the NCR can check whether the selected TCI state belongs to the TCI states applicable to the backhaul link. If the selected TCI state ID belongs to the TCI states applicable to the backhaul link, the selected TCI state can be used for the beam indication of both the backhaul link and the control link. If the selected TCI state ID does not belong to the TCI states applicable to the backhaul link, the selected TCI state can only be used for the beam indication of the control link. For example, in some embodiments, there can be 8 TCI states activated by the MAC CE signaling. The BS can indicate to the NCR that only the first 4 TCI states activated in the MAC CE can be used by the backhaul link. In this case, if the TCI field in the DCI is 2, it can be indicated that the TCI state can be configured for the beam indication of both the C link and the backhaul link. If the TCI field in the DCI is 5, it can be indicated that the selected TCI state is only applicable to the beam indication of the C link.

[0163] In some embodiments, a set of TCI states configured by RRC signaling for the control link can be used for the backhaul link. The number of TCI states (e.g., the first N (N≥1) TCI states) in the TCI state set configured by RRC can be predefined for the BS and the NCR for beam indication for the backhaul link. The value of N can be predefined for all NCRs, or the value of N can be different for different NCRs. The value of N can be determined according to the capabilities of the NCR-MT. In some embodiments, the BS can indicate to the NCR the number of TCI states (e.g., the first N (N≥1) TCI states) in the TCI state set configured by RRC for beam indication for the backhaul link. In this case, when the NCR receives the selected TCI state indicated by DCI, the NCR can check whether the selected TCI state belongs to the TCI states applicable to the backhaul link. If the selected TCI state ID belongs to the TCI states applicable to the backhaul link, the selected TCI state can be used for beam indication for both the backhaul link and the control link. If the selected TCI state ID does not belong to the TCI states applicable to the backhaul link, the selected TCI state can only be used for beam indication for the control link. For example, 20 TCI states can be configured by RRC signaling, and the BS can indicate to the NCR that only the first 8 TCI states configured in the RRC set can be used by the backhaul link. In this case, when the NCR receives the indicated TCI state in the DCI, it can determine whether the indicated TCI state belongs to the TCI states applicable to the backhaul link.

[0164] Implementation Example 5: HARQ-ACK Feedback for PDCCH Carrying Sidelink Control Information

[0165] The sidelink control information includes at least one of the following: beam information, on / off information, power control information, timing information, or UL / DL time-division duplex (TDD) configuration. The sidelink control information can be indicated in DCI and can be sent from the BS to the NCR. To ensure the reliability of the sidelink control information, HARQ-ACK feedback for DCI may be required. Regarding when and where to send the HARQ-ACK feedback for DCI carrying sidelink control information, at least one of the following options can be considered.

[0166] Op 1: The BS can send a DCI format carrying sidelink control information ending at slot n. The NCR can report the HARQ-ACK feedback information through the PUCCH transmission closest to slot n.

[0167] Op 2: The BS may send a DCI format carrying sidelink control information ending at slot n. The NCR may send a HARQ-ACK feedback message via the PUCCH in slot n + k, where k may be a time offset value provided by the BS to the NCR.

[0168] Op 3: The BS may send a DCI format carrying sidelink control information ending at slot n. The NCR may send a HARQ-ACK feedback message via the PUCCH in slot n + L, where L may be provided by the current "PDSCH-to-HARQ_feedback timing indicator" field in the DCI.

[0169] It should be understood that one or more features in the above implementation examples are not unique to a particular implementation example, but can be combined in any way (e.g., in any priority and / or order, simultaneously or in other ways).

[0170] Figure 4 A flowchart for identifying beams and associated times according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Method 400 may be implemented using one or more components and devices detailed herein in connection with Figures 1 to 2 Overall, in some embodiments, method 400 may be performed by a network node. Additional, fewer, or different operations may be performed in method 400 according to the embodiment. At least one aspect of the operations is directed to a system, method, device, or computer-readable medium.

[0171] At least one aspect is directed to the following system, method, device, or computer-readable medium.

[0172] A network node (e.g., a secondary node (SN)) may receive beam information for a first forwarding link (e.g., an access link) between a wireless communication device and the network node from a wireless communication node (e.g., a BS). The beam information may be associated with multiple beams. The beams for the network node on the first forwarding link may include a first type of beam and a second type of beam. The beam information may include at least one of the following information: a beam index; a beam pattern index; a bit flag for indicating the beam index or the beam pattern index; and a beam count. The beam count may be used to indicate the number of beams in each indication.

[0173] In some embodiments, the beam index may include at least one of an index of the first type of beam, an index of the second type of beam, or a bit flag for distinguishing the first type of beam or the second type of beam.

[0174] In some embodiments, a network node may receive a list from a wireless communication node. The list may include one or more beam information and one or more associated time information. The list may be indicated to the network node via at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE, and DCI signaling. A new field may be added in the DCI signaling to indicate the beam information and the associated time information simultaneously. An existing field in the DCI signaling may be reused to indicate the beam information and the associated time information simultaneously.

[0175] In some embodiments, one of the existing bits in the DCI signaling or a newly added bit in the DCI signaling may be used to indicate whether the existing field is for traditional use or for beam information and the associated time information. The associated time information of the beam may be indicated to the network node.

[0176] In some embodiments, the beam information and the associated time information may be indicated to the network node via the same signaling or different signaling. A new field may be added in the DCI signaling to indicate the beam information of the first forwarding link. An existing field in the DCI signaling may be reused to indicate the beam information of the first forwarding link. One of the existing bits in the DCI signaling or a newly added bit in the DCI signaling may be used to distinguish whether the existing field is for traditional use or for the beam information of the first forwarding link.

[0177] In some embodiments, a new field may be added in the DCI signaling to indicate the associated time information of the first forwarding link. An existing field in the DCI signaling may be reused to indicate the associated time information of the first forwarding link. One of the existing bits in the DCI signaling or a newly added bit in the DCI signaling may be used to indicate whether the existing field is for traditional use or for the associated time information of the first forwarding link.

[0178] In some embodiments, the wireless communication node may send a beam indication for the first forwarding link between the wireless communication device and the network node to the network node. The beam indication may be associated with multiple beams.

[0179] Although various embodiments of the present solution have been described above, it should be understood that the embodiments are presented by way of example and not limitation. Similarly, the various figures may depict exemplary architectures or configurations, which are provided to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the exemplary features and functions of the present solution. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the present solution is not limited to the exemplary architectures or configurations shown, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. In addition, as those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, one or more features of one embodiment may be combined with one or more features of another embodiment described herein. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described illustrative embodiments.

[0180] It should also be understood that any reference herein to elements by names such as “first,” “second,” etc. generally does not limit the number or order of these elements. Instead, these names may be used herein as a convenient means of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, a reference to a first element and a second element does not mean that only two elements may be employed, or that the first element must be superior to the second element in some way.

[0181] In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that any of a variety of different technologies and techniques may be used to represent information and signals. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols, which may be referred to in the above description, may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0182] Those of ordinary skill in the art should also understand that any of the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, processors, devices, circuits, methods, and functions described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented by electronic hardware (e.g., digital implementations, analog implementations, or combinations thereof), firmware, various forms of program or design code incorporating instructions (which may be referred to herein, for convenience, as “software” or “software modules”), or any combination of these technologies. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware, firmware, and software, the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have generally been described above in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, software, or a combination of these technologies depends on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. For each particular application, those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in a variety of ways, but such implementations will not result in departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0183] In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, devices, components, and circuits described herein can be implemented within or performed by an integrated circuit (IC), which can include a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof. The logical blocks, modules, and circuits can also include antennas and / or transceivers to communicate with various components within a network or within a device. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration to perform the functions described herein.

[0184] If implemented in software, the functions can be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Accordingly, the steps of the methods or algorithms disclosed herein can be implemented as software stored on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium includes both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that can facilitate the transfer of a computer program or code from one place to another. The storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0185] In this document, the term "module" as used herein refers to software, firmware, hardware, and any combination of these elements for performing the associated functions described herein. In addition, for purposes of discussion, the various modules are described as discrete modules; however, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that two or more modules can be combined to form a single module that performs the associated functions according to an embodiment of the present solution.

[0186] In addition, a memory or other storage device and a communication component may be employed in embodiments of the present solution. It should be understood that, for clarity, the embodiments of the present solution have been described above with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable functional distribution between different functional units, processing logic elements or domains may be used without departing from the present solution. For example, functions shown to be performed by separate processing logic elements or controllers may be performed by the same processing logic element or controller. Thus, the reference to specific functional units is only a reference to the appropriate means for providing the described functionality, rather than indicating a strict logical or physical structure or organization.

[0187] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate various modifications to the embodiments described in this disclosure, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Therefore, as recited in the following claims, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but should be accorded the widest scope consistent with the novel features and principles disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, comprising: A network node receives first signaling from a wireless communication node, where the first signaling includes a list of forwarding resources, and each forwarding resource in the list of forwarding resources includes a beam index and a time resource associated with the beam index; The network node receives second signaling from the wireless communication node, where the second signaling indicates at least one forwarding resource from the list of forwarding resources for an access link between a wireless communication device and the network node.

2. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, further comprising: The network node receives the first signaling via RRC signaling, and The network node receives the second signaling via MAC CE signaling.

3. The wireless communication method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The time resource includes a start time and a duration, the start time of the time resource is indicated by a start symbol and a start time slot, and the duration of the time resource is indicated by the number of symbols.

4. The wireless communication method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The second signaling further indicates the beam index associated with the at least one forwarding resource.

5. A wireless communication method, comprising: A wireless communication node sends first signaling to a network node, where the first signaling includes a list of forwarding resources, and each forwarding resource in the list of forwarding resources includes a beam index and a time resource associated with the beam index; The wireless communication node sends second signaling to the network node, where the second signaling indicates at least one forwarding resource from the list of forwarding resources for an access link between a wireless communication device and the network node.

6. The wireless communication method according to claim 5, further comprising: The wireless communication node sends the first signaling via RRC signaling, and The wireless communication node sends the second signaling via MAC CE signaling.

7. The wireless communication method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein The time resource includes a start time and a duration, the start time of the time resource is indicated by a start symbol and a start time slot, and the duration of the time resource is indicated by the number of symbols.

8. The wireless communication method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein The second signaling further indicates the beam index associated with the at least one forwarding resource.

9. A wireless communication device, comprising at least one processor and a memory, wherein The at least one processor is configured to read code from the memory and cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: Receive first signaling from a wireless communication node, where the first signaling includes a list of forwarding resources, and each forwarding resource in the list of forwarding resources includes a beam index and a time resource associated with the beam index; Receive second signaling from the wireless communication node, where the second signaling indicates at least one forwarding resource from the list of forwarding resources for an access link between a wireless communication device and the network node.

10. The wireless communication device according to claim 9, wherein The processor is further configured to perform the following operations: Receive the first signaling via RRC signaling, and Receive the second signaling via MAC CE signaling.

11. The wireless communication device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein The time resource includes a start time and a duration, the start time of the time resource is indicated by a start symbol and a start time slot, and the duration of the time resource is indicated by the number of symbols.

12. The wireless communication device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein The second signaling further indicates the beam index associated with the at least one forwarding resource.

13. A wireless communication device, comprising at least one processor and a memory, wherein The at least one processor is configured to read code from the memory and execute the method according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

14. A computer program product, comprising computer-readable program media code stored thereon, which when executed by at least one processor causes the at least one processor to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

15. A computer-readable medium having code stored thereon, the code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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