Multi-path user equipment uplink communication techniques with user equipment collaboration

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for wireless communication that support multi-path user equipment (UE) uplink communication techniques with UE collaboration. In a first aspect, a UE configured for wireless communication includes determining activation of a multipath transmit configuration at the UE. The UE identifies one or more uplink communication messages for transmission to the serving network entity and transmits the uplink communication messages according to the multipath transmission configuration. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described with respect to collaborative UEs and network entities.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 046,307, filed on October 13, 2022, entitled "MULTI - PATH USER EQUIPMENT UPLINK COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES WITH USER EQUIPMENT COOPERATION", which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical field

[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication systems and, more particularly, to multi - path communication with user equipment (UE) cooperation. Some features may enable and provide improved communication, including multi - path UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation. Background art

[0004] Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide various communication services such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcasting, etc. These wireless networks can be multi - access networks capable of supporting multiple users by sharing available network resources. Such networks can be multi - access networks that support communication for multiple users by sharing available network resources.

[0005] A wireless communication network may include several components. These components may include wireless communication devices such as a base station (or Node B) that can support communication for multiple user equipments (UEs). The UE may communicate with the base station via a downlink and an uplink. The downlink (or forward link) refers to the communication link from the base station to the UE, and the uplink (or reverse link) refers to the communication link from the UE to the base station.

[0006] A network entity may send data and control information to the UE on the downlink or receive data and control information from the UE on the uplink. On the downlink, the transmission from the network entity may encounter interference caused by transmissions from neighboring network entities or other radio frequency (RF) transmitters. On the uplink, the transmission from the UE may encounter interference from other UEs communicating with neighboring network entities or from uplink transmissions of other wireless RF transmitters. Such interference may degrade the performance on both the downlink and the uplink.

[0007] Due to the continuous growth of the demand for mobile broadband access, with more UEs accessing remote wireless communication networks and more short-range wireless systems deployed in the community, the likelihood of interference and congested networks is also increasing. Research and development continue to advance wireless technologies to not only meet the growing demand for mobile broadband access but also enhance and improve the user experience of mobile communications. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The following presents a summary of some aspects of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of the technologies discussed. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of all the expected features of the present disclosure, and neither is it intended to identify the key or important elements of all aspects of the present disclosure nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the present disclosure. The sole purpose of this summary of the invention is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the present disclosure in a general form as a prelude to the more specific embodiments that are presented later.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for wireless communication includes: determining the activation of a multipath transmission configuration at a UE, where the multipath transmission configuration defines the transmission of uplink communication from the UE to a serving network entity via a direct air interface between the UE and the serving network entity and via one or more indirect air interfaces, where the one or more indirect air interfaces include one or more sidelink interfaces between the UE and one or more cooperative UEs and a direct air interface between each of the one or more cooperative UEs and the serving network entity; identifying one or more uplink communication messages to be sent to the serving network entity; and sending the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity according to the multipath transmission configuration, where the one or more uplink communication messages are sent by one of the following: being sent individually; or being assembled into one or more combined uplink communication messages for transmission.

[0010] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a method for wireless communication includes: receiving, in a sidelink communication with a cooperative UE, an indication of the activation of a multipath transmission configuration from a primary UE, where the multipath transmission configuration defines that uplink communication received from the primary UE via a sidelink interface is retransmitted to the serving network entity via a direct air interface between the cooperative UE and the serving network entity; receiving one or more uplink communication messages from the primary UE; and retransmitting the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity via the direct air interface according to the multipath transmission configuration.

[0011] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a method for wireless communication includes: sending an activation signal to a primary UE, where the activation signal activates a multi-path transmission configuration at the primary UE, and the multi-path transmission configuration defines uplink communication to be sent by the primary UE via a direct air interface between the primary UE and the network entity and via one or more indirect interfaces between the primary UE, one or more cooperative UEs, and the network entity; identifying one or more duplicate uplink communication messages from two or more uplink communication messages received at the network entity; and discarding the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages.

[0012] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a device includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to: determine the activation of a multi-path transmission configuration at a UE, where the multi-path transmission configuration defines uplink communication to be sent by the UE to a serving network entity via a direct air interface between the UE and the serving network entity and via one or more indirect air interfaces, and the one or more indirect air interfaces include one or more sidelink interfaces between the UE and one or more cooperative UEs and direct air interfaces between each of the one or more cooperative UEs and the serving network entity; identify one or more uplink communication messages to be sent to the serving network entity; and send the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity according to the multi-path transmission configuration, where the one or more uplink communication messages are sent in one of the following ways: being sent individually; or being assembled into one or more combined uplink communication messages for sending.

[0013] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a device includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to: receive, in a sidelink communication with a cooperative UE, an activation indication of a multi-path transmission configuration from a primary UE, where the multi-path transmission configuration defines that uplink communication received from the primary UE via a sidelink interface is retransmitted to a serving network entity via a direct air interface between the cooperative UE and the serving network entity; receive one or more uplink communication messages from the primary UE; and retransmit the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity via the direct air interface according to the multi-path transmission configuration.

[0014] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to: send an activation signal to a primary UE, wherein the activation signal activates a multipath transmission configuration at the primary UE, the multipath transmission configuration defining uplink communication to be sent by the primary UE via a direct air interface between the primary UE and the network entity and via one or more indirect interfaces between the primary UE, one or more cooperative UEs, and the network entity; identify one or more duplicate uplink communication messages from two or more uplink communication messages received at the network entity; and discard the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages.

[0015] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes: means for determining activation of a multipath transmission configuration at a UE, wherein the multipath transmission configuration defines uplink communication to be sent by the UE to a serving network entity via a direct air interface between the UE and the serving network entity and via one or more indirect air interfaces, wherein the one or more indirect air interfaces include one or more sidelink interfaces between the UE and one or more cooperative UEs and a direct air interface between each of the one or more cooperative UEs and the serving network entity; means for identifying one or more uplink communication messages to be sent to the serving network entity; and means for sending the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity according to the multipath transmission configuration, wherein the one or more uplink communication messages are sent by one of: being sent individually; or being assembled into one or more combined uplink communication messages for sending.

[0016] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes: means for receiving, in sidelink communication with the cooperative UE, an activation indication of a multipath transmission configuration from a primary UE, wherein the multipath transmission configuration defines that uplink communication received from the primary UE via a sidelink interface is retransmitted to the serving network entity via a direct air interface between the cooperative UE and the serving network entity; means for receiving one or more uplink communication messages from the primary UE; and means for retransmitting the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity via the direct air interface according to the multipath transmission configuration.

[0017] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes: means for sending an activation signal to a primary UE, wherein the activation signal activates a multipath transmission configuration at the primary UE, the multipath transmission configuration defining uplink communication to be sent by the primary UE via a direct air interface between the primary UE and the network entity and via one or more indirect interfaces between the primary UE, one or more cooperative UEs, and the network entity; means for identifying one or more duplicate uplink communication messages from two or more uplink communication messages received at the network entity; and means for discarding the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages.

[0018] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include: determining activation of a multipath transmission configuration at a UE, wherein the multipath transmission configuration defines uplink communication to be sent by the UE to a serving network entity via a direct air interface between the UE and the serving network entity and via one or more indirect air interfaces, wherein the one or more indirect air interfaces include one or more sidelink interfaces between the UE and one or more cooperative UEs and a direct air interface between each of the one or more cooperative UEs and the serving network entity; identifying one or more uplink communication messages to send to the serving network entity; and sending the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity according to the multipath transmission configuration, wherein the one or more uplink communication messages are sent by one of the following: being sent individually; or being assembled into one or more combined uplink communication messages for sending.

[0019] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include: receiving, in a sidelink communication with the cooperative UE, an activation indication of a multipath transmission configuration from a primary UE, wherein the multipath transmission configuration defines that uplink communication received from the primary UE via a sidelink interface is retransmitted to a serving network entity via a direct air interface between the cooperative UE and the serving network entity; receiving one or more uplink communication messages from the primary UE; and retransmitting the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity via the direct air interface according to the multipath transmission configuration.

[0020] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include: sending an activation signal to a primary UE, where the activation signal activates a multipath transmission configuration at the primary UE, the multipath transmission configuration defining uplink communications to be sent by the primary UE via a direct air interface between the primary UE and the network entity and via one or more indirect interfaces between the primary UE, one or more cooperating UEs, and the network entity; identifying one or more duplicate uplink communication messages from two or more uplink communication messages received at the network entity; and discarding the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages.

[0021] The features and technical advantages of examples in accordance with the present disclosure have been outlined rather broadly above so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described hereinafter. The disclosed concepts and specific examples may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. When considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the characteristics (both the organization and method of operation) of the concepts disclosed herein, as well as the associated advantages, will be better understood. Each of the drawings provided is for the purpose of illustration and description and is not a definition of the limits of the claims.

[0022] Although aspects and specific implementations are described by way of illustration of some examples in this application, those skilled in the art will understand that additional specific implementations and use cases may arise in many different arrangements and scenarios. The innovations described herein can be implemented across many different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, packaging arrangements. For example, aspects and / or uses can be implemented via integrated chips and other non-module component-based devices (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial equipment, retail / purchase devices, medical devices, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled devices, etc.). Although some examples may or may not specifically point to use cases or applications, the applicability of various types of the described innovations can occur. The scope of specific implementations can range from chip-level or module components to non-module, non-chip-level implementations and further to aggregated, distributed, or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices or systems that incorporate one or more aspects of the described innovations. In some practical environments, devices incorporating the described aspects and features may also necessarily include additional components and features for implementing and practicing the aspects claimed and described. For example, the transmission and reception of wireless signals necessarily includes multiple components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including antennas, radio frequency (RF) chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers, adders / summers, etc.). The innovations described herein are intended to be practiced in a variety of devices, chip-level components, systems, distributed arrangements, end-user devices, etc. having different sizes, shapes, and configurations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure can be realized by referring to the following drawings. In the drawings, like components or features may have the same reference numeral. Additionally, various components of the same type can be distinguished by adding a dash and a second numeral used to differentiate between like components after the reference numeral. If only the first reference numeral is used in the specification, the description applies to any one of the like components having the same first reference numeral, regardless of the second reference numeral.

[0024] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating details of an example wireless communication system in accordance with one or more aspects.

[0025] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a base station and a user equipment (UE) capable of supporting multi-path user equipment (UE) uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation in accordance with one or more aspects.

[0026] Figure 3is a block diagram of a wireless network having a network entity, a primary UE, and at least two cooperative UEs, all such network nodes being configured to support multipath UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation.

[0027] Figures 4A to 4C is a flowchart of an example process supporting multipath UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation according to one or more aspects.

[0028] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a wireless network having a network entity, a primary UE, and a cooperative UE, all such network nodes being configured to support multipath UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation.

[0029] Figure 6 is a block diagram of an example UE supporting multipath UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation according to one or more aspects.

[0030] Figure 7 is a block diagram of an example base station supporting multipath UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation according to one or more aspects.

[0031] Like reference numerals and names in the various figures indicate like elements. Detailed Description

[0032] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. On the contrary, the detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of the subject matter of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in every instance and that in some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form for clarity of presentation.

[0033] The present disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media that support multipath user equipment (UE) uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation. Certain specific implementations of the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented to realize one or more of the following potential advantages or benefits. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides techniques for multipath UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation. Multipath UE uplink communication according to these aspects may reduce latency and power consumption in response to a potential reduction in retransmissions. By increasing the reliability of uplink communication, quality of service, beam reliability, and resource utilization may all be improved.

[0034] The present disclosure generally relates to providing or participating in authorized shared access between two or more wireless devices in one or more wireless communication systems (also referred to as wireless communication networks). In various embodiments, techniques and apparatus may be used in wireless communication networks such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) networks, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) networks, Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) networks, Single-Carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks, LTE networks, GSM networks, Fifth Generation (5G) or New Radio (NR) networks (sometimes referred to as “5G NR” networks, systems or devices), and other communication networks. As used herein, the terms “network” and “system” may be used interchangeably.

[0035] CDMA networks may implement radio technologies such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), cdma2000, etc. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (W-CDMA) and Low Chip Rate (LCR). CDMA2000 covers the IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards.

[0036] For example, TDMA networks may implement radio technologies such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defines the standards for the GSM EDGE (Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution) Radio Access Network (RAN) (also known as GERAN). GERAN is the radio component of GSM / EDGE together with the network connecting base stations (e.g., Ater and Abis interfaces) and base station controllers (A interface, etc.). The radio access network represents the component of the GSM network through which telephone calls and packet data are routed from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the Internet to subscriber handsets (also known as user terminals or user equipment (UE)) and from subscriber handsets to the PSTN and the Internet. The network of a mobile phone operator may include one or more GERANs, which may be coupled to the UTRAN in the case of a UMTS / GSM network. Additionally, the operator network may also include one or more LTE networks, or one or more other networks. Various different network types may use different Radio Access Technologies (RATs) and RANs.

[0037] OFDMA networks can implement radio technologies such as evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA, E-UTRA, and GSM are part of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). Specifically, Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is a UMTS version that uses E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, GSM, UMTS, and LTE are described in documents provided by an organization named the "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP), and cdma2000 is described in documents from an organization named the "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2). These various radio technologies and standards are known or under development. For example, 3GPP is a cooperation among telecommunication association groups aimed at defining globally applicable third-generation (3G) mobile phone specifications. 3GPP LTE is a 3GPP program aimed at improving the UMTS mobile phone standard. 3GPP can define the specifications for next-generation mobile networks, mobile systems, and mobile devices. Certain aspects of the present disclosure may be described with reference to LTE, 4G, or 5G NR technologies; however, the description is not intended to be limited to a particular technology or application, and one or more aspects described with reference to one technology may be understood to be applicable to another technology. Additionally, one or more aspects of the present disclosure may relate to shared access to the radio spectrum between networks using different radio access technologies or radio air interfaces.

[0038] 5G networks are expected to have diverse deployments, diverse spectrums, and diverse services and devices that can be implemented using an OFDM-based unified air interface. To achieve these goals, in addition to developing new radio technologies for 5G NR networks, further enhancements to LTE and LTE-A are also considered. 5G NR will be able to scale to provide coverage (1) for massive Internet of Things (IoT) with ultra-high density (e.g., about 1M nodes / km 2 ), ultra-low complexity (e.g., about 10s bits / sec), ultra-low power consumption (e.g., about 10+ year battery life), and deep coverage with the ability to reach challenging locations; (2) including mission-critical control with strong security to protect sensitive personal, financial, or classified information, ultra-high reliability (e.g., about 99.9999% reliability), ultra-low latency (e.g., about 1 millisecond (ms)), and users with a wide range of mobility or lack of mobility; and (3) providing coverage with enhanced mobile broadband (including extremely high capacity (e.g., about 10 Tbps / km 2 ), extremely high data rates (e.g., multi-Gbps rates, 100+ Mbps user experience rate), and deep awareness with advanced discovery and optimization).

[0039] Devices, networks, and systems can be configured to communicate via one or more portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The electromagnetic spectrum is typically subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc. based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified as Frequency Range Designation FR1 (410 MHz - 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz - 52.6 GHz). The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are generally referred to as mid-band frequencies. Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, in various documents and articles, FR1 is typically (interchangeably) referred to as the "sub-6 GHz" band. Similar naming issues sometimes arise with respect to FR2, which is typically (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" (mmW) band in documents and articles, although it is different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz - 300 GHz) identified by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as the "mmW" band.

[0040] The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are generally referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR research has identified operating bands for these mid-band frequencies as Frequency Range Designation FR3 (7.126 GHz - 24.25 GHz). Bands falling within FR3 can inherit FR1 characteristics and / or FR2 characteristics, and thus can effectively extend the features of FR1 and / or FR2 to the mid-band frequencies. In addition, higher bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operation beyond 52.6 GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as Frequency Range Designation FR2x (52.6 GHz - 71 GHz), FR4 (71 GHz - 114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz - 275 GHz). Each of these higher bands falls within the EHF band.

[0041] Taking the above aspects into account, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if used herein, terms such as "sub-6 GHz" can generally represent frequencies that can be less than 6 GHz, can be within FR1, or can include mid-band frequencies. In addition, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if the term "mmW" etc. is used herein, it can generally represent frequencies that can include mid-band frequencies, can be within FR2, FR2x, FR4, and / or FR5, or can be within the EHF band.

[0042] 5G NR devices, networks, and systems can be implemented to use waveform features based on optimized OFDM. These features can include scalable parameter sets and transmission time intervals (TTIs); a common flexible framework for efficiently multiplexing services and features using dynamic, low-latency time-division duplex (TDD) designs or frequency-division duplex (FDD) designs; and advanced radio technologies such as massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), robust mmW transmission, advanced channel decoding, and device-centric mobility. The scalability of parameter sets in 5G NR and the scaling of subcarrier spacing can efficiently address the operation of various services across different spectrums and different deployments. For example, in various outdoor and macro-coverage deployments with less than 3 GHz FDD or TDD implementations, the subcarrier spacing may occur at 15 kHz, such as over bandwidths of 1 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 20 MHz, etc. For other various outdoor and small cell coverage deployments with TDD greater than 3 GHz, the subcarrier spacing may occur at 30 kHz over an 80 MHz / 100 MHz bandwidth. For other various indoor broadband implementations using TDD in the unlicensed portion of the 5 GHz band, the subcarrier spacing may occur at 60 kHz over a 160 MHz bandwidth. Finally, for various deployments with transmission via mmW components under TDD at 28 GHz, the subcarrier spacing can occur at 120 kHz over a 500 MHz bandwidth.

[0043] The scalable parameter sets of 5G NR facilitate scalable TTIs for diverse latency and quality of service (QoS) requirements. For example, shorter TTIs can be used for low latency and high reliability, while longer TTIs can be used for higher spectral efficiency. The efficient multiplexing of long and short TTIs allows transmissions to start at symbol boundaries. 5G NR also anticipates self-contained integrated subframe designs, where uplink or downlink scheduling information, data, and acknowledgments are located in the same subframe. Self-contained integrated subframes support communication in unlicensed or contention-based shared spectrums, and adaptive uplink or downlink can be flexibly configured on a per-cell basis to dynamically switch between uplink and downlink to meet current traffic demands.

[0044] For clarity, certain aspects of the devices and technologies may be described below with reference to example 5G NR implementations or in a 5G-centric manner, and 5G terminology may be used as an illustrative example in parts of the description below; however, the description is not intended to be limited to 5G applications.

[0045] In addition, it should be understood that, in operation, a wireless communication network adapted according to the concepts herein may operate using any combination of licensed or unlicensed spectrum depending on load and availability. Thus, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein may be applied to other communication systems and applications in addition to the specific examples provided.

[0046] While aspects and specific implementations are described herein by way of illustration of some examples, those skilled in the art will understand that additional specific implementations and use cases may arise in many different arrangements and scenarios. The innovations described herein may be implemented across many different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, packaging arrangements. For example, a specific implementation or use may be implemented via an integrated chip or other non-module-component-based device (e.g., an end-user device, a vehicle, a communication device, a computing device, an industrial equipment, a retail or point-of-purchase device, a medical device, an AI-enabled device, etc.). While some examples may or may not specifically point to a use case or application, applicability of various types of the described innovations may arise. The scope of specific implementations may range from chip-level or modular components to non-modular, non-chip-level implementations and further to aggregated, distributed, or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices or systems that incorporate one or more of the described aspects. In some practical environments, a device incorporating the described aspects and features may also necessarily include additional components and features for implementing and practicing the aspects claimed and described. It is intended that the innovations described herein be implemented in a wide variety of specific implementations of different sizes, shapes, and configurations, including both large and small devices, chip-level components, multi-component systems (e.g., radio frequency (RF) chains, communication interfaces, processors), distributed arrangements, end-user devices, etc.

[0047] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system 100 that supports scheduling requests for spatial multiplexing in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, a New Radio (NR) network, or a network operating according to other systems and radio technologies (including future systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein).

[0048] Network entity 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographical area to form a wireless communication system 100, and may include devices in different forms or having different capabilities. In 3GPP, the term "cell" may refer to the specific geographical coverage area of a network entity (such as network entity 105) or the network entity subsystem serving that coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used. In various examples, network entity 105 may be referred to as a network element, a mobility element, a radio access network (RAN) node, or network equipment, etc. In some examples, network entity 105 and UE 115 may communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., radio frequency (RF) access links). For example, network entity 105 may support a coverage area 110 (e.g., geographical coverage area) over which UE 115 and network entity 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. Coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographical area over which network entity 105 and UE 115 may support signal communication according to one or more radio access technologies (RATs).

[0049] Each UE 115 may be dispersed throughout the coverage area 110 of wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary or mobile, or stationary and mobile at different times. UE 115 may be a device in different forms or having different capabilities. Figure 1 Some example UEs 115 are illustrated. The UEs 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices (such as other UEs 115 or network entity 105 as Figure 1 shown).

[0050] As described herein, a node of the wireless communication system 100 (which may be referred to as a network node or a wireless node) may be a network entity 105 (e.g., any network entity described herein), a UE 115 (e.g., any UE described herein), a network controller, a device, an apparatus, a computing system, one or more components, or another suitable processing entity configured to perform any of the techniques described herein. For example, the node may be a UE 115. As another example, the node may be a network entity 105. As yet another example, a first node may be configured to communicate with a second node or a third node. In one aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a UE 115. In another aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a network entity 105. In other aspects of this example, the first node, the second node, and the third node may be different from these examples. Similarly, references to the UE 115, the network entity 105, the device, the apparatus, the computing system, etc. may include the disclosure of the UE 115, the network entity 105, the device, the apparatus, the computing system, etc. as network nodes. For example, the disclosure that the UE 115 is configured to receive information from the network entity 105 also discloses that a first node is configured to receive information from a second node.

[0051] In some examples, the network entity 105 may communicate with the core network 130, or with each other, or both. For example, the network entity 105 may communicate with the core network 130 via one or more backhaul communication links 120 (e.g., according to the S1, N2, N3, or other interface protocols). In some examples, the network entity 105 may communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between the network entities 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130) through the backhaul communication links 120 (e.g., according to the X2, Xn, or other interface protocols). In some examples, the network entity 105 may communicate with each other via the midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., according to the midhaul interface protocol) or the fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., according to the fronthaul interface protocol) or any combination thereof. The backhaul communication link 120, the midhaul communication link 162, or the fronthaul communication link 168 may be or include one or more wired links (e.g., electrical links, fiber optic links), one or more wireless links (e.g., radio links, wireless optical links), etc. or various combinations thereof. The UE 115 may communicate with the core network 130 via the communication link 155.

[0052] One or more of the network entities 105 described herein may include or may be referred to as a base station 140 (e.g., transceiver base station, radio base station, NR base station, access point, radio transceiver, transmit receive point (TRP), Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), next generation Node B or gigabit Node B (any of which may be referred to as a gNB), 5G NB, next generation eNB (ng-eNB), home Node B, home evolved Node B or other suitable terms). In some examples, the network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140) may be implemented in an integrated (e.g., monolithic, stand-alone) base station architecture that may be configured to utilize a protocol stack physically or logically integrated within a single network entity 105 (e.g., a single RAN node, such as base station 140).

[0053] In some examples, the network entity 105 may be implemented in a disaggregated architecture (e.g., disaggregated base station architecture, disaggregated RAN architecture) that may be configured to utilize a protocol stack physically or logically distributed among two or more network entities 105 (such as an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, open RAN (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance) or virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., cloud RAN (C-RAN))). For example, the network entity 105 may include one or more of the following: a central unit (CU) 160, a distributed unit (DU) 165, a radio unit (RU) 170, a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 175 (e.g., near real-time RIC (near RT RIC), non-real-time RIC (non RT RIC)), a service management and orchestration (SMO) 180 system or any combination thereof. The RU 170 may also be referred to as a radio head, intelligent radio head, remote radio head (RRH), remote radio unit (RRU) or transmit receive point (TRP). One or more components of the network entity 105 in a disaggregated RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of the network entity 105 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations). In some examples, one or more network entities 105 of a disaggregated RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., virtual CU (VCU), virtual DU (VDU), virtual RU (VRU)).

[0054] The functional split between the CU 160, DU 165, and RU 175 is flexible and can support different functions depending on which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, RF functions, and any combination thereof) are performed at the CU 160, DU 165, or RU 175. For example, a functional split of the protocol stack can be employed between the CU 160 and the DU 165 such that the CU 160 can support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the DU 165 can support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. In some examples, the CU 160 can host higher protocol layer (e.g., layer 3 (L3), layer 2 (L2)) functions and signaling (e.g., radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP)). The CU 160 can be connected to one or more DU 165s or RU 170s, and one or more DU 165s or RU 170s can host lower protocol layers, such as layer 1 (L1) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer) functions and signaling, and can each be at least partially controlled by the CU 160.

[0055] Additionally or alternatively, a functional split of the protocol stack can be employed between the DU 165 and the RU 170 such that the DU 165 can support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the RU 170 can support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DU 165 can support one or more different cells (e.g., via one or more RU 170s). In some cases, the functional split between the CU 160 and the DU 165 or between the DU 165 and the RU 170 can be within a protocol layer (e.g., some functions of a protocol layer can be performed by one of the CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170, while other functions of that protocol layer are performed by a different one of the CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170). The CU 160 can be further functionally split into a CU control plane (CU-CP) function and a CU user plane (CU-UP) function. The CU 160 can be connected to one or more DU 165s via an intermediate transport communication link 162 (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u), and the DU 165 can be connected to one or more RU 170s via a fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface). In some examples, the intermediate transport communication link 162 or the fronthaul communication link 168 can be implemented according to the interfaces (e.g., channels) between the layers of the protocol stack, which are supported by the corresponding network entities 105 that communicate through these communication links.

[0056] In a wireless communication system (e.g., wireless communication system 100), the infrastructure and spectrum resources for radio access may support wireless backhaul link capabilities to supplement a wired backhaul connection, thereby providing an IAB network architecture (e.g., to core network 130). In some cases, in an IAB network, one or more network entities 105 (e.g., IAB node 104) may be controlled in part by each other. One or more IAB nodes 104 may be referred to as donor entities or IAB donors. One or more DUs 165 or one or more RUs 170 may be controlled in part by one or more CUs 160 associated with a donor network entity 105 (e.g., donor base station 140). One or more donor network entities 105 (e.g., IAB donors) may communicate with one or more additional network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) via the supported access and backhaul links (e.g., backhaul communication link 120). An IAB node 104 may include an IAB mobile terminal (IAB-MT) controlled (e.g., scheduled) by a DU 165 of a coupled IAB donor. The IAB-MT may include a separate set of antennas for relaying communication with a UE 115 or may share the same antennas (e.g., of an RU 170 of the IAB node 104) for access via the DU 165 of the IAB node 104 (e.g., referred to as a virtual IAB-MT (vIAB-MT)). In some examples, an IAB node 104 may include a DU 165 that supports communication links with relay chains or additional entities (e.g., IAB nodes 104, UEs 115) within a configuration (e.g., downstream) of the access network. In such cases, one or more components of a split RAN architecture (e.g., one or more IAB nodes 104 or components of an IAB node 104) may be configured to operate in accordance with the techniques described herein.

[0057] For example, the access network (AN) or RAN may include communication between an access node (e.g., an IAB donor), an IAB node 104, and one or more UEs 115. The IAB donor may facilitate the connection between the core network 130 and the AN (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection to the core network 130). That is, the IAB donor may refer to a RAN node having a wired or wireless connection to the core network 130. The IAB donor may include a CU 160 and at least one DU 165 (e.g., and an RU 170), where the CU 160 may communicate with the core network 130 via an interface (e.g., a backhaul link). The IAB donor and the IAB node 104 may communicate via an F1 interface according to a protocol that defines signaling messages (e.g., the F1 AP protocol). Additionally or alternatively, the CU 160 may communicate with the core network via an interface (which may be an example of a part of the backhaul link) and may communicate with other CUs 160 (e.g., CUs 160 associated with alternative IAB donors) via an Xn-C interface (which may be an example of a part of the backhaul link).

[0058] The IAB node 104 may refer to a RAN node that provides IAB functionality (e.g., access for UEs 115, wireless self-backhaul capabilities, etc.). The DU 165 may act as a distributed scheduling node towards the child nodes associated with the IAB node 104, and the IAB-MT may act as a scheduled node towards the parent nodes associated with the IAB node 104. That is, the IAB donor may be referred to as a parent node that communicates with one or more child nodes (e.g., the IAB donor may relay transmissions for UEs via one or more other IAB nodes 104). Additionally or alternatively, the IAB node 104 may also be referred to as a parent node or a child node of other IAB nodes 104, depending on the relay chain or configuration of the AN. Thus, the IAB-MT entity of the IAB node 104 may provide a Uu interface for a child IAB node 104 to receive signaling from a parent IAB node 104, and the DU interface (e.g., the DU 165) may provide a Uu interface for a parent IAB node 104 to signal to a child IAB node 104 or a UE 115.

[0059] For example, the IAB node 104 may be referred to as a parent node supporting sub-IAB node communication and as a sub-node associated with the IAB donor. The IAB donor may include a CU 160 having a wired or wireless connection to the core network 130 (e.g., a fronthaul communication link 120), and may act as the parent node of the IAB node 104. For example, the DU 165 of the IAB donor may relay transmissions to the UE 115 via the IAB node 104 and may directly signal the transmissions to the UE 115. The CU 160 of the IAB donor may signal the communication link establishment to the IAB node 104 via the F1 interface, and the IAB node 104 may schedule transmissions (e.g., transmissions relayed from the IAB donor to the UE 115) via the DU 165. That is, data may be relayed to and from the IAB node 104 via signaling on the NR Uu-interface to the MT of the IAB node 104. Communication with the IAB node 104 may be scheduled by the DU 165 of the IAB donor, and communication with the IAB node 104 may be scheduled by the DU 165 of the IAB node 104.

[0060] In the case where the techniques described herein are applied in the context of a split RAN architecture, one or more components of the split RAN architecture may be configured to support scheduling requests for spatial multiplexing as described herein. For example, some operations described as being performed by the UE 115 or the network entity 105 (e.g., the base station 140) may additionally or alternatively be performed by one or more components of the split RAN architecture (e.g., the IAB node 104, the DU 165, the CU 160, the RU 170, the RIC 175, the SMO 180).

[0061] The UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable term, where the "device" may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, etc. The UE 115 may also include or be referred to as a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, the UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine type communication (MTC) device, etc., which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances, or vehicles, meters, satellite radios, global positioning system (GPS) devices, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) devices, logistics controllers, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, smart energy or security devices, solar panels or solar cell arrays, etc.

[0062] The UE 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115 that may sometimes act as relays, and network entities 105 and network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, relay base stations, etc., as Figure 1 shown.

[0063] The UE 115 and the network entity 105 may communicate wirelessly with each other via one or more carriers over one or more communication links 125 (e.g., access links). The term "carrier" may refer to a set of RF spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting the communication link 125. For example, a carrier for the communication link 125 may include a portion (e.g., bandwidth part (BWP)) of an RF spectrum band that operates according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling for coordinating carrier operation, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communication system 100 may support communication with the UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. According to a carrier aggregation configuration, the UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers. Carrier aggregation may be used for both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) component carriers. Communication between the network entity 105 and other devices may refer to communication between these devices and any part (e.g., entity, sub-entity) of the network entity 105. For example, the terms "transmit", "receive", or "communicate" when referring to the network entity 105 may refer to any part of the network entity 105 of the RAN (e.g., base station 140, CU 160, DU 165, RU 170) communicating with another device (e.g., directly or via one or more other network entities 105).

[0064] The signal waveform transmitted via a carrier may include multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element may refer to the resource of one symbol period (e.g., the duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, where the symbol period and the subcarrier spacing may be inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the decoding rate of the modulation scheme, or both), such that the more resource elements the device receives and the higher the order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate of the device can be. Wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of RF spectrum resources, time resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers, beams), and the use of multiple spatial resources may increase the data rate or data integrity of the communication with UE 115.

[0065] One or more parameter sets may be supported for a carrier, where the parameter set may include the subcarrier spacing (Δf) and the cyclic prefix. The carrier may be divided into one or more BWPs with the same or different parameter sets. In some examples, UE 115 may be configured with multiple BWPs. In some examples, a single BWP of the carrier may be active at a given time, and the communication for UE 115 may be restricted to one or more active BWPs.

[0066] The time interval for the network entity 105 or UE 115 can be expressed as a multiple of a basic time unit, which may refer to, for example, the sampling period T s = 1 / (Δf max ·N f ) seconds, where Δf max may represent the maximum supported subcarrier spacing, and N f may represent the maximum supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size. The time intervals of the communication resources may be organized according to radio frames, each radio frame having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0067] Each frame may include a plurality of consecutively numbered subframes or time slots, and each subframe or time slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may be divided (e.g., in the time domain) into subframes, and each subframe may further be divided into a certain number of time slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable number of time slots, and the number of time slots may depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each time slot may include a certain amount of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix appended to each symbol period). In some wireless communication systems 100, a time slot may be further divided into a plurality of mini-slots each containing one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may contain one or more (e.g., N f ) sampling periods. The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or the operating frequency band.

[0068] A subframe, time slot, mini-slot, or symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communication system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., the amount of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., in a burst of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).

[0069] Physical channels may be multiplexed on a carrier according to various techniques. Physical control channels and physical data channels may be multiplexed on a downlink carrier using, for example, one or more of time division multiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency division multiplexing (FDM) techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. The control region of a physical control channel (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) may be defined by a set of symbol periods and may extend across the system bandwidth of the carrier or a subset of that system bandwidth. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a set of UEs 115. For example, one or more of the UEs 115 may monitor or search a control region for control information according to one or more sets of search spaces, and each set of search spaces may include one or more control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. The aggregation level of a control channel candidate may refer to the amount of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with the coded information for a control information format having a given payload size. The set of search spaces may include a common set of search spaces configured to transmit control information to a plurality of UEs 115 and a UE-specific set of search spaces for transmitting control information to a particular one of the UEs 115.

[0070] In some examples, network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) can be movable and thus provide communication coverage for a mobile coverage area within coverage area 110. In some examples, different coverage areas within coverage area 110 associated with different technologies can overlap, but different coverage areas within coverage area 110 can be supported by the same network entity among network entities 105. In some other examples, overlapping coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies can be supported by different network entities among network entities 105. Wireless communication system 100 can include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of network entities 105 use the same or different radio access technologies to provide coverage for respective coverage areas 110.

[0071] Some UEs in UE 115 (such as MTC or IoT devices) can be low-cost or low-complexity devices and can provide automated communication between machines (e.g., via machine-to-machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC can refer to a data communication technology that allows devices to communicate with each other or with network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140) without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC can include communication from devices with integrated sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay such information to a central server or application that utilizes or presents the information to a person interacting with the application. Some UEs in UE 115 can be designed to collect information or implement automated behavior of machines or other devices. Application examples of MTC devices include smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcare monitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather and geological event monitoring, fleet management and tracking, remote security sensing, physical access control, and transaction-based business charging.

[0072] Some UEs in UE 115 can be configured to adopt an operation mode that reduces power consumption, such as half-duplex communication (e.g., a mode that supports one-way communication via transmission or reception but does not support concurrent transmission and reception). In some examples, half-duplex communication can be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other power saving techniques for UE 115 include entering a deep sleep power saving mode when not participating in active communication, or operating on limited bandwidth (e.g., according to narrowband communication), or a combination of these techniques. For example, some UEs in UE 115 can be configured to operate using a narrowband protocol type associated with a defined portion or range (e.g., a set of subcarriers or resource blocks (RBs)) within a carrier, within a guard band of a carrier, or outside a carrier.

[0073] The wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable communication or low-latency communication or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). The UE 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency, or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communication may include private communication or group communication and may be supported by one or more services such as push-to-talk, video, or data. Support for ultra-reliable, low-latency functions may include prioritization of services, and such services may be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms "ultra-reliable", "low-latency", and "ultra-reliable low-latency" may be used interchangeably herein.

[0074] In some examples, the UE 115 may be able to communicate directly with other UEs 115 via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., according to a peer-to-peer (P2P) or D2D or sidelink protocol). In some examples, one or more UEs 115 performing D2D communication in a group may be within the coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170), and the network entity may support aspects of such D2D communication configured or scheduled by the network entity 105. In some examples, one or more UEs 115 in such a group may be outside the coverage area 110 of the network entity 105 or may otherwise be unable or not configured to receive transmissions from the network entity 105. In some examples, a group of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communication may support a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE 115 transmits to each of the other UEs in the group of UEs 115. In some examples, the network entity 105 may facilitate the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In some other examples, D2D communication may be performed between UEs 115 without involving the network entity 105.

[0075] In some systems, the D2D communication link 135 may be an example of a communication channel (such as a sidelink communication channel) between vehicles (e.g., UE 115). In some examples, vehicles may communicate using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or some combination of these. Vehicles may signal information related to traffic conditions, signal scheduling, weather, safety, emergencies, or any other information related to the V2X system. In some examples, vehicles in a V2X system may communicate with roadside infrastructure (such as roadside units) or communicate with the network via vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication via one or more network nodes (e.g., network entity 105, base station 140, RU 170), or both.

[0076] The core network 130 can provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 can be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC), which may include at least one control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF)) and at least one user plane entity that routes packets or interconnects to external networks (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)). The control plane entity can manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management of a UE 115 served by a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) associated with the core network 130. User IP packets can be transferred through the user plane entity, which can provide IP address allocation and other functions. The user plane entity can be connected to the IP services 150 of one or more network operators. The IP services 150 can include access to the Internet, an intranet, an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched streaming services.

[0077] The wireless communication system 100 can operate using one or more frequency bands that can be in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Generally, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is known as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or the decimeter band because, in terms of length, the wavelength range is from approximately one decimeter to one meter. UHF waves can be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features (which can be referred to as clutter), but these waves can be sufficient to penetrate structures so that a macro cell can serve a UE 115 located indoors. Compared to transmissions at smaller frequencies and longer wavelengths using the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz, UHF wave transmissions can be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 kilometers).

[0078] The wireless communication system 100 may also operate in the super high frequency (SHF) region using a frequency band from 3 GHz to 30 GHz (also known as the centimeter band) or in the extremely high frequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz) (also known as the millimeter band). In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW) communication between the UE 115 and the network entity 105 (e.g., the base station 140, the RU 170), and the EHF antennas of the corresponding devices may be smaller and closer spaced than UHF antennas. In some examples, this may facilitate the use of antenna arrays within the device. However, the propagation of EHF transmissions may be affected by greater atmospheric attenuation and shorter ranges than SHF or UHF transmissions. The techniques disclosed herein may be employed across transmissions using one or more different frequency regions, and the frequency bands designated across these frequency regions may vary by country or regulatory body.

[0079] The wireless communication system 100 may utilize both licensed RF spectrum bands and unlicensed RF spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may employ licensed-assisted access (LAA), LTE-unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technologies, or NR technologies in an unlicensed band such as the 5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. When operating in an unlicensed RF spectrum band, devices such as the network entity 105 and the UE 115 may employ carrier sensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples, operation in an unlicensed band may be based on a carrier aggregation configuration in combination with a component carrier operating in a licensed band (e.g., LAA). Operation in the unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, etc.

[0080] The network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. The antennas of the network entity 105 or UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels, which may support MIMO operation or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly such as an antenna tower. In some examples, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with the network entity 105 may be located in different geographical locations. The network entity 105 may have an antenna array that has a set of antenna ports in multiple rows and columns for beamforming that the network entity 105 may use to support communication with the UE 115. Similarly, the UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna panel may support RF beamforming for signals transmitted via the antenna ports.

[0081] The network entity 105 or UE 115 may use MIMO communication to exploit multipath signal propagation and improve spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. Such techniques may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. The multiple signals may be transmitted, for example, by a transmitting device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Similarly, the multiple signals may be received by a receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry information associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), in which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device, and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), in which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.

[0082] Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signal processing technique that can be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., network entity 105, UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming can be achieved by combining signals communicated via the antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating in a particular direction relative to the antenna array experience constructive interference while other signals experience destructive interference. The adjustment of the signals communicated via the antenna elements can include the transmitting device or the receiving device applying an amplitude offset, a phase offset, or both to the signals carried via the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustment associated with each of these antenna elements can be defined by a set of beamforming weights associated with a particular orientation (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting device or the receiving device or relative to some other orientation).

[0083] Network entity 105 or UE 115 can use beam scanning techniques as part of beamforming operations. For example, network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) can use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to perform beamforming operations for directional communication with UE 115. Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) can be sent by network entity 105 multiple times along different directions. For example, network entity 105 can send signals according to different sets of beamforming weights associated with different transmission directions. Transmissions along different beam directions can be used to (e.g., by a transmitting device such as network entity 105 or by a receiving device such as UE 115) identify beam directions for later transmission or reception by network entity 105.

[0084] Some signals (such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device) can be sent by a transmitting device (e.g., transmitting network entity 105, transmitting UE 115) along a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with a receiving device such as receiving network entity 105 or receiving UE 115). In some examples, the beam direction associated with a transmission along a single beam direction can be determined based on signals transmitted along one or more beam directions. For example, UE 115 can receive one or more of the signals sent by network entity 105 along different directions and can report to network entity 105 an indication of the signal that UE 115 receives with the highest signal quality or other acceptable signal quality.

[0085] In some examples, transmissions performed by a device (e.g., by network entity 105 or UE 115) may be carried out using multiple beam directions, and the device may use a combination of digital precoding or beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from network entity 105 to UE 115). UE 115 may report feedback indicating precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and the feedback may correspond to a configured set of beams across the system bandwidth or one or more subbands. Network entity 105 may transmit reference signals (e.g., cell-specific reference signal (CRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)), which may or may not be precoded. UE 115 may provide feedback for beam selection, which may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., multi-panel codebook, linear combination codebook, port selection codebook). Although these techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted by network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) in one or more directions, UE 115 may use similar techniques for transmitting signals multiple times in different directions (e.g., for identifying beam directions used by UE 115 for subsequent transmission or reception), or for transmitting signals in a single direction (e.g., for transmitting data to a receiving device).

[0086] When receiving various signals (such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) from a receiving device (e.g., network entity 105), a receiving device (e.g., UE 115) may perform receiving operations (e.g., directional listening) according to multiple receiving configurations. For example, the receiving device may perform receiving according to multiple receiving directions by: receiving via different antenna subarrays, processing the received signals according to different antenna subarrays, receiving according to different sets of receiving beamforming weights (e.g., different directional listening weight sets) applied to the signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, or processing the received signals according to different sets of receiving beamforming weights applied to the signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, any of which may refer to "listening" according to different receiving configurations or receiving directions. In some examples, the receiving device may use a single receiving configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). The single receiving configuration may be aligned along a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receiving configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or other acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions).

[0087] The wireless communication system 100 can be a packet-based network that operates according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communication at the bearer or PDCP layer can be IP-based. The RLC layer can perform packet segmentation and reassembly for conveyance over logical channels. The MAC layer can perform priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer can also use error detection techniques, error correction techniques, or both to support retransmission at the MAC layer to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the RRC protocol layer can provide the establishment, configuration, and maintenance of an RRC connection that supports radio bearers for user plane data between the UE 115 and the network entity 105 or the core network 130. At the PHY layer, transport channels can be mapped to physical channels.

[0088] The UE 115 and the network entity 105 can support retransmission of data to increase the likelihood of successfully receiving the data. Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback is a technique for increasing the likelihood of correctly receiving data over a communication link (e.g., communication link 125, D2D communication link 135). HARQ can include a combination of error detection (e.g., using Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)), Forward Error Correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ)). HARQ can improve throughput at the MAC layer under poor radio conditions (e.g., low signal-to-noise ratio conditions). In some examples, a device can support simultaneous slot HARQ feedback, where the device can provide HARQ feedback for data received in previous symbols in a particular slot during that slot. In some other examples, the device can provide HARQ feedback in a subsequent slot or according to some other time interval.

[0089] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating examples of a base station 140 and a UE 115 in accordance with one or more aspects. The base station 140 and the UE 115 can be Figure 1 any one of the network entities in and a UE among the UEs in the network. For a restricted association scenario (as mentioned above), the network entity 105 can be a small cell base station, and the UE 115 can be a UE 115 operating in the service area of the small cell base station, and for accessing the small cell base station, the UE will be included in the list of accessible UEs of the small cell base station. The base station 140 can also be some other type of base station. As Figure 2 shown, the network entity 105 (such as the base station 140) can be equipped with antennas 234a to 234t, and the UE 115 can be equipped with antennas 252a to 252r for facilitating wireless communication.

[0090] At base station 140, transmit processor 220 may receive data from data source 212 and receive control information from controller 240, such as a processor. The control information may be for a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH), a physical hybrid ARQ (automatic repeat request) indicator channel (PHICH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH), an MTC physical downlink control channel (MPDCCH), etc. The data may be for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), etc. Additionally, transmit processor 220 may process (e.g., encode and symbol map) the data and control information respectively to obtain data symbols and control symbols. Transmit processor 220 may also generate reference symbols for, e.g., a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), as well as cell-specific reference signals. Transmit (TX) MIMO processor 230 may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on the data symbols, control symbols, or reference symbols (if applicable) and may provide an output symbol stream to modulators (MOD) 232a through 232t. For example, the spatial processing performed on the data symbols, control symbols, or reference symbols may include precoding. Each modulator 232 may process the respective output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain an output sample stream. Additionally or alternatively, each modulator 232 may process the output sample stream (e.g., perform analog-to-digital conversion, amplification, filtering, and upconversion on it) to obtain a downlink signal. The downlink signals from modulators 232a through 232t may be transmitted via antennas 234a through 234t respectively.

[0091] At UE 115, antennas 252a through 252r may receive the downlink signals from base station 140 and may provide the received signals to demodulators (DEMOD) 254a through 254r respectively. Each demodulator 254 may condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) the respective received signal to obtain input samples. Each demodulator 254 may further process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain the received symbols. MIMO detector 256 may obtain the received symbols from demodulators 254a through 254r, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols when needed, and provide the detected symbols. Receive processor 258 may process (e.g., demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, provide the decoded data for UE 115 to data sink 260, and provide the decoded control information to controller 280, such as a processor.

[0092] On the uplink, at the UE 115, the transmit processor 264 may receive and process data from the data source 262 (e.g., for the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)) and control information from the controller 280 (e.g., for the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)). Additionally, the transmit processor 264 may also generate reference symbols for reference signals. The symbols from the transmit processor 264 may be pre-coded by the TX MIMO processor 266 (if applicable), further processed by the modulators 254a to 254r (e.g., for SC-FDM, etc.), and transmitted to the network entity 105. At the network entity 105, the uplink signal from the UE 115 may be received by the antenna 234, processed by the demodulator 232, detected by the MIMO detector 236 (if applicable), and further processed by the receive processor 238 to obtain the decoded data and control information transmitted by the UE 115. The receive processor 238 may provide the decoded data to the data sink 239 and the decoded control information to the controller 240.

[0093] The controllers 240 and 280 may direct operations at the base station 140 and the UE 115, respectively. The controller 240 or other processors and modules at the base station 140 or the controller 280 or other processors and modules at the UE 115 may execute or direct the execution of various processes for the techniques described herein, such as executing or directing Figures 4A to 4C the execution illustrated in, or other processes for the techniques described herein. The memories 242 and 282 may store data and program codes for the base station 140 and the UE 115, respectively. The scheduler 244 may schedule the UE for data transmission on the downlink or uplink.

[0094] In some cases, UE 115 and base station 140 may operate in a shared radio frequency spectrum band, which may include licensed or unlicensed (e.g., contention-based) spectrum. In the unlicensed frequency portion of the shared radio frequency spectrum band, UE 115 or base station 140 may traditionally perform a medium sensing procedure to compete for access to the spectrum. For example, UE 115 or base station 140 may perform a listen-before-talk or listen-before-transmit (LBT) procedure (such as clear channel assessment (CCA)) before communication to determine whether the shared channel is available. In some embodiments, CCA may include an energy detection procedure to determine whether there is any other active transmission. For example, a device may infer that a change in the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a power meter indicates that the channel is occupied. In particular, signal power concentrated in a certain bandwidth and exceeding a predetermined noise floor may indicate another wireless transmitter. CCA may also include detection of a specific sequence indicating the use of the channel. For example, another device may transmit a specific preamble before transmitting a data sequence. In some cases, the LBT procedure may include a wireless node adjusting its own backoff window based on the amount of energy detected on the channel or acknowledgment / negative acknowledgment (ACK / NACK) feedback for its own transmitted packets (as an indication of a collision).

[0095] Generally, four categories of LBT procedures have been proposed for sensing signals on a shared channel that may indicate that the channel is occupied. In the first category (CAT 1 LBT), no LBT or CCA is applied to detect occupancy of the shared channel. The second category (CAT 2 LBT) (which may also be referred to as shortened LBT, single-shot LBT, 16-μs LBT, or 25-μs LBT) specifies that a node performs CCA to detect energy above a predetermined threshold or to detect a message or preamble that occupies the shared channel. CAT 2 LBT performs CCA without using random backoff operations, which results in its shortened length relative to the next category.

[0096] The third category (CAT 3 LBT) performs CCA to detect energy or messages on the shared channel, but also uses random backoff and a fixed contention window. Thus, when a node initiates CAT 3 LBT, it performs a first CCA to detect occupancy of the shared channel. If the shared channel is idle during the duration of the first CCA, the node may proceed with transmission. However, if the first CCA detects a signal occupying the shared channel, the node selects a random backoff based on the fixed contention window size and performs an extended CCA. If the shared channel is detected as idle during the extended CCA and the random number has decremented to 0, the node may start transmission on the shared channel. Otherwise, the node decrements the random number and performs another extended CCA. The node will continue to perform the extended CCA until the random number reaches 0. If the random number reaches 0 and none of the extended CCAs detect channel occupancy, the node may then transmit on the shared channel. If, in any of the extended CCAs, the node detects channel occupancy, the node may re-select a new random backoff based on the fixed contention window size to start the countdown again.

[0097] The fourth category (CAT 4 LBT) (which may also be referred to as a full LBT procedure) uses random backoff and a variable contention window size to perform CCA with energy or message detection. The sequence of CCA detection proceeds similarly to the process of CAT 3 LBT, except that the contention window size is variable for the CAT 4 LBT procedure.

[0098] The sensing for shared channel access can also be classified into full type or shortened type LBT procedures. For example, full LBT procedures such as CAT 3 or CAT 4 LBT procedures (including extended channel clearance assessment (ECCA) over a non-trivial number of 9-μs time slots) can also be referred to as "type 1 LBT". Shortened LBT procedures such as CAT 2 LBT procedures (which may include a one-time CCA for 16-μs or 25-μs) can also be referred to as "type 2 LBT".

[0099] Competing for access to the unlicensed shared spectrum using a medium sensing procedure can lead to inefficient communication. This is particularly evident when multiple network operating entities (e.g., network operators) attempt to access the shared resource. In the wireless communication system 100, the network entity 105 and the UE 115 may be operated by the same or different network operating entities. In some examples, a separate network entity 105 or UE 115 may be operated by more than one network operating entity. In other examples, each of the network entity 105 and UE 115 may be operated by a single network operating entity. Requiring each of the network entity 105 and UE 115 of different network operating entities to compete for the shared resource can lead to an increase in signaling overhead and communication latency.

[0100] In some cases, operations in an unlicensed band can be based on a carrier aggregation configuration that combines component carriers operating in a licensed band (e.g., LAA). Operations in the unlicensed spectrum can include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, peer-to-peer transmissions, or a combination of these. Duplexing in the unlicensed spectrum can be based on frequency-division duplexing (FDD), time-division duplexing (TDD), or a combination of both.

[0101] In general operations within a wireless cellular network, a UE can frequently perform uplink communications, whether these communications are data, control information, measurements, or status reports, etc. Measurements and status reports include reports such as buffer status reports (BSRs), power headroom reports (PHRs), beam failure recovery (BFR), etc. These types of reports can typically be sent by the UE using medium access control - control element (MAC CE) type transmissions. In single-path operation, the UE sends uplink communications to a network entity via a direct air interface (referred to as the Uu air interface). 5G NR 3GPP Release 18 (Rel-18) provides the availability of multi-path communications, which enables the primary UE to connect to both one or more cooperating UEs and the network entity gNB, where uplink communications can be sent via a direct interface, the Uu interface, and / or an indirect air interface or relay link. Aspects of the present disclosure contemplate multi-path communications between the primary UE and the network entity and propose techniques for facilitating primary UE uplink communications using both a direct air interface and one or more indirect air interfaces. Design considerations include options for multi-path UE uplink communications, network entity resolution when receiving duplicate reports from multiple paths, and configuration considerations.

[0102] Figure 3FIG. 0 is a block diagram of a wireless network 30 having a network entity 105, a primary UE 115a, and at least two cooperating UEs 115b and 115c, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. All such network nodes are configured to support multi-path UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation. The primary UE 115a communicates with the network entity 105 via a direct air interface (Uu air interface) and performs sidelink communication with the cooperating UEs 115b and 115c via a sidelink air interface such as a PC5 interface. The cooperating UEs 115b and 115c also communicate with the network entity 105, each via its own direct air interface (Uu interface). The primary UE 115a and the network entity 105 can communicate with each other via the direct Uu air interface and via an indirect relay link through the cooperating UEs 115b and 115c. The indirect relay link can include a combination of a sidelink air interface (PC5 interface) between the primary UE 115a and each of the cooperating UEs 115b and 115c and a direct air interface (Uu interface) between each of the cooperating UEs 115b and 115c and the network entity 105.

[0103] Figure 4A FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example process 40 that supports multi-path UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation, in accordance with one or more aspects. The operations of process 40 can be performed by a UE, such as the UE 115 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or the UE described with reference to Figure 6 . Figure 6 FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example UE configured to support multi-path UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation. For example, the example operations (also referred to as “blocks”) of process 40 can enable the UE 115 to support multi-path UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation.

[0104] As shown, the memory 282 can include multi-path transmit (TX) logic 601, sidelink communication logic 602, and uplink communication 603. The multi-path TX logic 601 includes code and instructions that, when executed by a controller 280 (referred to herein as the “execution environment” of the multi-path TX logic 601), enable the UE 115 to have the functionality and ability to perform uplink communication with one or more cooperating UEs via a direct air interface and an indirect air interface. The sidelink communication logic 602 includes code and instructions that, in the execution environment of the sidelink communication logic, enable the UE 115 to perform sidelink communication with one or more neighboring UEs having sidelink or cooperation capabilities. The uplink communication 603 can include uplink data or logic for generating other uplink signals, including control signals, measurement reports, etc.

[0105] In block 400, the UE determines the activation of a multipath transmission configuration at the UE, where the multipath transmission configuration defines the transmission of uplink communications by the UE to a serving network entity via a direct air interface between the UE and the serving network entity and via one or more indirect air interfaces, where the one or more indirect air interfaces include one or more sidelink interfaces between the UE and one or more cooperating UEs and a direct air interface between each of the one or more cooperating UEs and the serving network entity. A UE such as UE 115 may determine the activation of the multipath transmission configuration. This determination may occur due to an activation signal received from a network entity, or by requesting activation and receiving the activation signal via radio components 600a - 600r and antennas 252a - 252r. When activation is determined, UE 115 may execute multipath TX logic 601 and sidelink communication logic 602 under the control of controller 280. The execution environment of sidelink communication logic 602 enables UE 115 to perform sidelink communication with one or more cooperating UEs. When UE 115 detects the activation of the multipath transmission configuration, the execution environment of multipath TX logic 601 enables UE 115 (operating as the primary UE) to configure the uplink transmission to occur directly in the direct air interface between UE 115 and the network entity, and indirectly via the sidelink air interface between UE 115 and one or more cooperating UEs and the direct air interface between the one or more cooperating UEs and the network entity.

[0106] In block 401, the UE identifies one or more uplink communication messages to send to the serving network entity. UE 115 may access uplink communication 603, which may include uplink data to be sent via the network entity, or an indication of an uplink control message, a measurement report, etc.

[0107] In block 402, the UE sends one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity according to the multipath transmission configuration, where the one or more uplink communication messages are sent by one of the following: being sent individually; or being assembled into one or more combined uplink communication messages for transmission. Within the execution environment of multipath TX logic 601, UE 115 (as the primary UE) sends the uplink communication from uplink communication 603 to each of the cooperating UEs and directly to the network entity via radio components 600a - 600r and antennas 252a - 252r. With the activated multipath transmission configuration, UE 115 expects the cooperating UEs to re - transmit such uplink communications to the network entity.

[0108] Figure 4Bis a flowchart illustrating an example process 41 that supports multipath UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation according to one or more aspects. The operations of process 41 may be performed by a UE (such as UE 115 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or UE described with reference to Figure 6 . Figure 6 is a block diagram of an example UE configured to support multipath UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation according to one or more aspects. For example, the example operations (also referred to as “blocks”) of process 41 may enable UE 115 to support multipath UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation.

[0109] In block 410, the UE receives an activation indication of a multipath transmission configuration from the primary UE in sidelink communication with a cooperating UE, where the multipath transmission configuration defines that uplink communication received from the primary UE via the sidelink interface is retransmitted to a serving network entity via a direct air interface between the cooperating UE and the serving network entity. When operating as a cooperating UE in a group of cooperating UEs, a UE such as UE 115 may receive an activation indication from the primary UE in the UE group to activate the multipath transmission configuration via antennas 252a - 252r and radio components 600a - 600r. UE 115 operates within the group of cooperating UEs when executing sidelink communication logic 602 under the control of controller 280. Within the execution environment of sidelink communication logic 602, UE 115 may transmit and receive sidelink communication from one or more cooperating UEs in the group. In response to the activation indication, UE 115 may execute multipath TX logic 601 under the control of controller 280.

[0110] In block 411, the UE receives one or more uplink communication messages from the primary UE. UE 115 may receive uplink communication messages from the primary UE via sidelink communication via antennas 252a - 252r and radio components 600a - 600r.

[0111] In block 412, the UE retransmits one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity via the direct air interface according to the multipath transmission configuration. Within the execution environment of multipath TX logic 601, UE 115 (as a cooperating UE) is configured to identify uplink communication messages received from the primary UE via sidelink communication and retransmit these uplink communications to the network entity via radio components 600a - 600r and antennas 252a - 252r.

[0112] Figure 4C is a flowchart illustrating an example process 42 that supports multipath UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation according to one or more aspects. The operations of process 42 may be performed by a network entity (such as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3The described network entity 105, base station 140, etc. or reference Figure 7 is performed by the described network entity). Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example network entity configured to support multi-path UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation according to one or more aspects. For example, the example operations (also referred to as "blocks") of process 42 may enable network entity 105 to support multi-path UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation.

[0113] As shown, the memory 242 may include multi-path TX logic 701. The multi-path TX logic 701 includes code and instructions that, when executed by the controller 240, enable network entity 105 to have the functionality and ability to manage multi-path transmission operations with multiple served UEs.

[0114] In block 420, the network entity sends an activation signal to the primary UE, where the activation signal activates a multi-path transmission configuration at the primary UE that defines the uplink communication to be sent by the primary UE via a direct air interface between the primary UE and the network entity and via one or more indirect interfaces between the primary UE, one or more cooperating UEs, and the network entity. A network entity such as network entity 105 may determine the activation of the multi-path transmission configuration for the served UE. This determination may occur because network entity 105 determines that the communication environment may benefit from the UE using the multi-path transmission configuration or may receive a request for activation from the served UE via radio components 700a - 700t and antennas 234a - 234t. When the activation is determined, network entity 105 may execute the multi-path TX logic 701 under the control of the controller 240. When network entity 105 determines the activation of the multi-path transmission configuration, the execution environment of the multi-path TX logic 701 enables network entity 105 to send an activation signal to the served UE via radio components 700a - 700t and antennas 234a - 234t.

[0115] In block 421, the network entity identifies one or more duplicate uplink communication messages from two or more uplink communication messages received at the network entity. When network entity 105 receives uplink communication from the served UE via antennas 234a - 234t and radio components 700a - 700t, the network entity may determine which of these uplink communications may be duplicate communications received via the multi-path transmission configuration within the execution environment of the multi-path TX logic 701. For example, network entity 105 may decode the report identifier (ID) of the message to determine the duplicate communication.

[0116] In block 422, the network entity discards one or more duplicate uplink communication messages. Within the execution environment of the multipath TX logic 701, the network entity 105 will discard duplicate communications, whether received concurrently with other communications or after receiving other communications.

[0117] As referenced Figures 4A to 4C described, the present disclosure provides techniques for multipath UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation. Multipath UE uplink communication according to these aspects can reduce latency and power consumption in response to a potential reduction in retransmissions. By increasing the reliability of uplink communication, quality of service, beam reliability, and resource utilization can all be improved.

[0118] Returning to reference Figure 3 , a UE such as the primary UE 115a may be configured to or may have the ability to send uplink communication using a multipath transmission configuration. The primary UE 115a may receive a configuration message from the network entity 105 to activate the multipath transmission configuration at the primary UE 115a, or the primary UE 115a may autonomously determine to activate the multipath transmission configuration. The uplink communication that the primary UE 115a may send using the direct air interface and the indirect air interface of the multipath transmission configuration may include all expected uplink transmissions, including control signaling, report transmissions, and even data transmissions. Depending on the size of the expected payload, the multipath transmission may be formatted according to different types of transmission formats, such as uplink control information (UCI) formatted messages, medium access control - control element (MAC CE) formatted messages, etc. For example, in the case of a smaller payload size, such as one bit or a few bits (e.g., "non - empty indicator" for BSR reporting), the primary UE 115a may use UCI message reception and transmission to format the uplink communication, while if the payload is expected to be greater than a few bits (e.g., BSR reporting including uplink buffer data priority information, deadline information, channel measurements, etc.), the primary UE 115a may use MAC CE message reception and transmission to format the uplink communication.

[0119] Uplink communications that can be sent within a multi-path transmission configuration can be sent individually, such that each individual report (e.g., BSR, beam failure recovery (BFR) report, power headroom report (PHR), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), etc.) is sent independently using the multi-path configuration, or the uplink communications can be sent jointly, where certain transmissions or reports are combined into a joint message (e.g., BHR+PHR, PHR+URLLC, PHR+BFR, etc.). Then, each individual or joint uplink communication can be sent to the network entity 105 via the direct air interface (Uu air interface) between the primary UE 115a and the network entity 105 and via the indirect air interface (sidelink interface, PC5 interface) between the primary UE 115a and the cooperative UEs 115b and 115c, and the direct air interface (Uu air interface) between each of the cooperative UEs 115b and 115c and the network entity 105. Thus, the same uplink communication (whether individual or joint) is sent directly by the primary UE 115a to the network entity 105 and to each of the cooperative UEs 115b and 115c, which retransmit or relay the uplink communication directly to the network entity 105.

[0120] Aspects of the present disclosure can provide new message formatting that defines joint message transmission. When using layer 1 (L1) signaling (e.g., UCI message reception and transmission), new UCI formats can be defined that are designed to identify jointly combined communications and include these jointly combined communications into a single UCI message. When using layer 2 (L2) signaling (e.g., MAC CE message reception and transmission), new MAC CE formats can be designed to identify jointly combined messages and include these jointly combined messages into a single MAC CE message, whether the new L2 format specifically defines a particular combination of messages associated with the format or the new format defines an indicator field within the MAC CE message that depicts different combined messages within the MAC CE payload.

[0121] When the uplink communication includes measurement reports or other types of control information or reports, such uplink communication may be reported by the primary UE 115a on a periodic basis or an aperiodic basis. In a periodic reporting instance, the network entity 105 may configure one or more periods for the primary UE 115a via control signaling (e.g., radio resource control (RRC) signaling) for transmitting these reported uplink communications. Similarly, in an aperiodic reporting instance, the network entity 105 may configure one or more trigger events for the primary UE 115a via control signaling (e.g., RRC signaling) for triggering any of the uplink communications in the aperiodic uplink communication. The trigger event may be related to the channel condition experienced by the primary UE 115a, UE mobility, the content of the report, etc.

[0122] It should be noted that in the case where multiple periods or multiple trigger events are configured, the network entity 105 may transmit more dynamic signaling (e.g., MAC CE or downlink control information (DCI) messages) to indicate to the primary UE 115a which period or which trigger event or set of trigger events will be used when determining to transmit the associated reported uplink communication. This configuration and selection message reception sequence allows the network entity 105 and the primary UE 115a to switch between different periods and trigger events among the configured periods and trigger events.

[0123] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a wireless network 50 having a network entity 105, a primary UE 115a, and a cooperative UE 115b, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, all such network nodes being configured to support multipath UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation. Similar to the wireless network 30 ( Figure 3 ), the wireless network 50 includes a primary UE 115a configured for uplink transmission using a multipath transmission configuration. The primary UE 115a may be configured by the network entity 105 via control signaling (e.g., RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI, etc.) to activate the multipath transmission configuration, or may autonomously determine to activate the multipath transmission configuration. The primary UE 115a maintains sidelink communication with the cooperative UE 115b via the PC5 air interface. The cooperative UE 115b also maintains communication with the network entity 105 via the Uu air interface.

[0124] In an example embodiment, when the primary UE 115a autonomously determines to activate the multi-path transmission configuration, the primary UE sends an activation request to the network entity 105 via the Uu air interface. Then, the network entity 105 can determine whether to grant the activation based on the current channel condition, the current transmission load, etc. When the network entity 105 determines to grant the activation, the network entity will send an activation signal to the primary UE 115a via the Uu air interface. Then, the primary UE 115a determines the activation of the multi-path transmission configuration.

[0125] As described above, to accommodate the joint signaling for the various aspects proposed herein, new L1 / L2 joint signaling formats can be defined. Multiple L1 / L2 joint signaling formats can be configured by the network and provided in the configuration message exchange from the network entity 105 to the served UEs (such as the primary UE 115a and the cooperative UE 115b). Each L1 / L2 joint signaling format can represent a different combination of uplink communication content. In an example embodiment, the L1 joint signaling format for UCI message exchange can include UCI format 1, which can define the combination of BSR and PHR for the joint message payload; UCI format 2 can define the combination of BSR and BFR for the joint message payload, etc. Similarly, an example embodiment of the L2 joint signaling format for MAC CE message exchange can include MAC CE format 1, which can define the combination of BSR and PHR; MAC CE format 2 can define the combination of BFR and URLLC data, etc. Each L1 / L2 joint signaling format can be associated with a predefined report identifier (ID), and for the L1 joint signaling format, it can also be associated with a predefined uplink resource.

[0126] The network entity 105 can configure multiple L1 / L2 joint signaling formats for the primary UE 115a and the cooperative UE 115b. When the message format selection is determined by the network entity 105, the network entity 105 can send a dynamic selection signal, such as via MAC CE or DCI, which indicates to the primary UE 115a and / or the cooperative UE 115b which L1 / L2 joint signaling format to use for the upcoming uplink communication using the multi-path transmission configuration. In this way, the network entity 105 can indicate a switch between multiple available L1 / L2 joint signaling formats at the primary UE 115a or the cooperative UE 115b.

[0127] The report ID can include a configuration ID for UCI type L1 signaling and a logical channel ID (LCID) for MAC CE type L2 signaling. The network entity 105 can use the decoded report ID to determine when multiple received signals represent the same uplink communication message received via the multi-path transmission configuration. As Figure 5As illustrated, the primary UE 115a generates a combined message 500 that includes a combination of uplink communications. The primary UE 115a selects an L1 / L2 combined signaling format associated with its selected communication combination. The primary UE 115a includes a report ID for the combined message 500 that identifies the uplink communication. According to the illustrated aspect, the primary UE 115a uses a direct interface (Uu air interface) to send the combined message 500 - directly to the network entity 105. The primary UE 115a also uses the PC5 air interface to send the combined message 500 - indirectly to the cooperative UE 115b, and the combined message 500 - indirectly is the same message with the same report ID as the combined message 500 - directly. When implementing an indirect path to the network entity 105, the cooperative UE 115b can use the direct interface (Uu air interface) to re - transmit the combined message 500 - indirectly to the network entity 105.

[0128] When the network entity 105 receives duplicate communications (combined message 500 - directly and combined message 500 - indirectly) from the direct Uu air interface from the primary UE 115a and from the "indirect" Uu air interface from the cooperative UE 115b, the network entity 105 can determine that these received communications are duplicates by the report ID. As described above, when the combined message 500 is configured using the UCI L1 combined signaling format, the report ID can be the configuration ID, or when the combined message 500 is configured using the MAC CE L2 combined signaling format, the report ID can be the LCID. Then, the network entity 105 can determine how to handle the duplicate messages. The network entity 105 may not process both messages. Thus, the network entity 105 will discard all but one of the duplicate messages. For example, when both the combined message 500 - directly and the combined message 500 - indirectly are received simultaneously, the network entity 105 can randomly select one of these messages to discard. When the combined message 500 - directly and the combined message 500 - indirectly are received at different times, the network entity can discard the later - received message.

[0129] In addition to discarding duplicate messages, the network entity 500 may also determine to signal one or both of the primary UE 115a and the cooperative UE 115b to disable the multipath transmission configuration. In one example implementation, the network entity may directly send L1 / L2 deactivation signaling to the primary UE 115a via the Uu air interface, or indirectly send L1 / L2 deactivation signaling to the primary UE 115a via the Uu air interface with the cooperative UE 115b, and then the cooperative UE may retransmit the L1 / L2 deactivation signaling to the primary UE 115a via the sidelink PC5 air interface. Upon receiving the L1 / L2 deactivation signaling, the primary UE 115a may deactivate the multipath transmission configuration. In another example implementation, the network entity 105 may transmit the L1 / L2 deactivation signaling on the interface that should be deactivated. For example, the network entity 105 may send the L1 / L2 deactivation signaling to the primary UE 115a via the direct Uu air interface. Then, the primary UE 115a may stop sending uplink communications via the direct Uu air interface, but continue to send uplink communications via the indirect line, through the PC5 air interface with the cooperative UE 115b and its direct Uu air interface with the network entity 105. Alternatively, the network entity 105 may send the L1 / L2 deactivation signaling to the cooperative UE 115b via the Uu air interface between the network entity 105 and the cooperative UE 115b. Then, the cooperative UE 115b will stop retransmitting the uplink communications received from the primary UE 115a. The cooperative UE 115b may also send an indication identifying the deactivation signaling from the network entity 105 to the primary UE 115a via the sidelink PC5 air interface.

[0130] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, the network entity 105 may implicitly signal the deactivation of the multipath transmission configuration by sending feedback to the primary UE 115a via a link or interface that the network entity 105 wants to keep active. For example, when the network entity 105 desires to deactivate the indirect path, the network entity 105 may provide feedback to the primary UE 115a via the direct Uu air interface, such as hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback. Upon receiving this feedback, the primary UE 115a will know to deactivate the multipath transmission configuration and the indirect communication path via the cooperative UE 115b. Alternatively, when the network entity 105 wants to deactivate the direct interface, the network entity may indirectly send feedback from the network entity 105 to the cooperative UE 115b via the Uu air interface, where the cooperative UE 115b re - sends the feedback from the network entity 105 to the primary UE 115a via the sidelink PC5 air interface. Upon receiving the feedback from the cooperative UE 115b at the primary UE 115a, the primary UE 115a will know to deactivate the multipath transmission configuration and use the indirect path for uplink communication to the network entity 105 via the sidelink PC5 air interface and the Uu air interface between the cooperative UE 115b and the network entity 105.

[0131] As described above, the multipath transmission configuration may be activated and deactivated via L1 (e.g., UCI) or L2 (e.g., MAC CE) signaling. The network entity 105 may initiate activation or deactivation by sending activation / deactivation L1 / L2 signaling to the primary UE 115a. The primary UE 115a may also initiate the activation / deactivation of the multipath transmission configuration. For the UE - initiated aspect, the primary UE 115a will send an activation / deactivation request to the network entity 105 and then wait for activation or deactivation until the network entity 105 sends an activation or deactivation signal. The activation / deactivation signaling may be performed before or during data transmission between the primary UE 115a and the network entity 105. The activation or deactivation of the multipath transmission configuration may be determined based on various factors, such as the quality of service (QoS) requirements of the served traffic (e.g., URLLC versus one of enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) communication or massive machine - type communication (mMTC)), the power capacity or capability constraints of the primary UE 115a and / or the cooperative UE 115b, etc.

[0132] It should be noted that Figures 4A to 4C one or more of the blocks (or operations) described with reference Figure 5 may be combined with one or more of the blocks (or operations) described with reference to another figure in the reference diagram. For example, Figure 3 one or more of the blocks (or operations) ofFigures 4A to 4C One or more associated boxes may be combined with one or more boxes (or operations) associated with Figures 1 to 3 Additional or alternatively, one or more operations described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3 One or more operations described may be combined with those described with reference to Figure 6 or Figure 7 One or more operations described.

[0133] In one or more aspects, techniques for supporting multipath UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes or devices described elsewhere herein. In a first aspect, techniques for supporting multipath UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include an apparatus configured to: determine activation of a multipath transmission configuration at the UE, where the multipath transmission configuration defines sending uplink communication from the UE to a serving network entity via a direct air interface between the UE and the serving network entity and via one or more indirect air interfaces, where the one or more indirect air interfaces include one or more sidelink interfaces between the UE and one or more cooperating UEs and a direct air interface between each of the one or more cooperating UEs and the serving network entity; identify one or more uplink communication messages to send to the serving network entity; and send the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity according to the multipath transmission configuration, where the one or more uplink communication messages are sent by one of: being sent individually; or being assembled into one or more combined uplink communication messages for sending.

[0134] Additionally, the apparatus may perform or operate according to one or more aspects described below. In some specific implementations, the apparatus includes a wireless device, such as a UE. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include at least one processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor may be configured to perform the operations described herein for the apparatus. In some other specific implementations, the apparatus may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, and the program code may be executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform the operations described herein with reference to the apparatus. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include one or more components configured to perform the operations described herein. In some specific implementations, a method of wireless communication may include one or more operations described herein with reference to the apparatus.

[0135] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the processor-readable code for causing the at least one processor to determine the activation of the multipath transmission configuration includes processor-readable code for causing the at least one processor to perform the following operations: receiving a multipath transmission activation signal from the serving network entity.

[0136] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect or the second aspect, the processor-readable code for causing the at least one processor to determine the activation of the multipath transmission configuration includes processor-readable code for causing the at least one processor to perform the following operations: identifying an activation condition for the multipath transmission configuration. The activation condition includes one of the following: a quality of service setting or a power constraint of the UE or one or more cooperative UEs known to the UE; in response to the activation condition, sending an activation request to the serving network entity; and receiving a multipath transmission activation signal from the network entity.

[0137] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect to the third aspect, it further includes processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: receiving a transmission timing configuration from the serving network entity. The transmission timing configuration includes one of the following: when the uplink communication includes periodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more configured periods, or when the uplink communication includes aperiodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more trigger events.

[0138] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, it further includes processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: receiving a dynamic selection message from the serving network entity. The dynamic selection message identifies a period from one or more configured periods or a trigger event from one or more trigger events.

[0139] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, it further includes processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: receiving one or more joint message reception and transmission formats from the serving network entity; and assembling the one or more uplink communication messages into the one or more joint uplink communication messages according to the joint message reception and transmission format in the one or more joint message reception and transmission formats.

[0140] In a seventh aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to sixth aspects, there is also provided processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: receive a dynamic selection message from the serving network entity. The dynamic selection message identifies the joint message reception and transmission format from among the one or more joint message reception and transmission formats.

[0141] In an eighth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to seventh aspects, the one or more joint message reception and transmission formats include a plurality of uplink control information (UCI) formats or a plurality of medium access control - control element (MAC CE) formats. Each UCI format among the plurality of UCI formats is associated with a predefined combination of an uplink communication message, a configuration identifier (ID), and a predefined set of uplink resources. Each MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats is associated with a predefined combination of an uplink communication message and a logical channel ID (LCID).

[0142] In a ninth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eighth aspects, the predefined combination of the MAC CE for the uplink communication message is indicated by one of the following: a payload field within a joint MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats, or an indication field within a single MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats.

[0143] In a tenth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to ninth aspects, there is also provided processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: determine the deactivation of the multipath transmission configuration at the UE. The deactivation is determined based on one of the following: a deactivation signal received from the serving network entity, or a deactivation condition identified by the UE.

[0144] In an eleventh aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to tenth aspects, the deactivation condition includes one of the following: a quality of service setting, or a power constraint of the UE or one or more cooperative UEs known to the UE, or a feedback message received from the serving network entity via the direct air interface.

[0145] In a twelfth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eleventh aspects, the processor-readable code for causing the at least one processor to determine deactivation of the multipath transmission configuration includes processor-readable code for causing the at least one processor to perform the following operations: identifying the feedback message from the serving network entity; sending a deactivation request to the serving network entity in response to the feedback message; and receiving the deactivation signal from the serving network entity.

[0146] In one or more aspects, supporting multipath UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described elsewhere herein or in connection with one or more other processes or devices described below. In a thirteenth aspect, supporting multipath UE uplink communication techniques with UE cooperation may include an apparatus configured to receive, in a sidelink communication with the cooperative UE, an activation indication of a multipath transmission configuration from a primary UE. The multipath transmission configuration defines that uplink communication received from the primary UE via a sidelink interface is retransmitted to the serving network entity via a direct air interface between the cooperative UE and the serving network entity. The apparatus is further configured to receive one or more uplink communication messages from the primary UE. The apparatus is further configured to retransmit the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity via the direct air interface according to the multipath transmission configuration.

[0147] Additionally, the apparatus may be implemented or operate according to one or more aspects described below. In some specific implementations, the apparatus includes a wireless device, such as a base station. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include at least one processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor may be configured to perform the operations described herein for the apparatus. In some other specific implementations, the apparatus may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, and the program code may be executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform the operations described herein with reference to the apparatus. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include one or more components configured to perform the operations described herein. In some specific implementations, a method of wireless communication may include one or more operations described herein with reference to the apparatus.

[0148] In a fourteenth aspect, either alone or in combination with the thirteenth aspect, there is also provided processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: determining deactivation of the multipath transmission configuration at the cooperative UE. The deactivation is determined based on one of the following: a feedback message received from the serving network entity via the direct air interface, or a deactivation indication received from the primary UE.

[0149] In a fifteenth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the thirteenth or fourteenth aspects, there is also provided processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to retransmit the feedback message received from the serving network entity to the primary UE.

[0150] In one or more aspects, techniques for supporting multi-path UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include additional aspects, such as any individual aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes or apparatuses described elsewhere herein. In a sixteenth aspect, techniques for supporting multi-path UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include an apparatus configured to determine activation of a multi-path transmission configuration at the UE. The multi-path transmission configuration defines the transmission of uplink communication from the UE to the serving network entity via a direct air interface between the UE and the serving network entity and via one or more indirect air interfaces. The one or more indirect air interfaces include one or more sidelink interfaces between the UE and one or more cooperative UEs and a direct air interface between each of the one or more cooperative UEs and the serving network entity. The apparatus is also configured to determine activation of the multi-path transmission configuration at the UE. The multi-path transmission configuration defines the transmission of uplink communication from the UE to the serving network entity via a direct air interface between the UE and the serving network entity and via one or more indirect air interfaces. The one or more indirect air interfaces include one or more sidelink interfaces between the UE and one or more cooperative UEs and a direct air interface between each of the one or more cooperative UEs and the serving network entity. The apparatus is also configured to identify one or more uplink communication messages to be transmitted to the serving network entity. The apparatus is also configured to transmit the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity according to the multi-path transmission configuration. The one or more uplink communication messages are transmitted by one of the following: being transmitted individually; or being assembled into one or more combined uplink communication messages for transmission.

[0151] Additionally, the apparatus may be operative or operate according to one or more aspects as described hereinafter. In some specific implementations, the apparatus includes a wireless device, such as a base station. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include at least one processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor may be configured to perform the operations described herein for the apparatus. In some other specific implementations, the apparatus may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, and the program code may be executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform the operations described herein with reference to the apparatus. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include one or more components configured to perform the operations described herein. In some specific implementations, a method of wireless communication may include one or more operations described herein with reference to the apparatus.

[0152] In a seventeenth aspect, alone or in combination with the sixteenth aspect, determining the activation of the multipath transmission configuration includes receiving a multipath transmission activation signal from the serving network entity.

[0153] In an eighteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the sixteenth or seventeenth aspects, determining the activation of the multipath configuration includes identifying an activation condition for the multipath transmission configuration. The activation condition includes one of the following: a quality of service setting or a power constraint of the UE or one or more cooperative UEs known to the UE; in response to the activation condition, sending an activation request to the serving network entity; and receiving a multipath transmission activation signal from the network entity.

[0154] In a nineteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the sixteenth to eighteenth aspects, it further includes receiving a transmission timing configuration from the serving network entity. The transmission timing configuration includes one of the following: when the uplink communication includes periodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more configured periodicities, or when the uplink communication includes aperiodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more trigger events.

[0155] In a twentieth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the sixteenth to nineteenth aspects, it includes receiving a dynamic selection message from the serving network entity. The dynamic selection message identifies a periodicity from one or more configured periodicities or a trigger event from one or more trigger events.

[0156] In a twenty - first aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the sixteenth aspect to the twentieth aspect, it further includes: receiving one or more joint messaging formats from the service network entity; and assembling the one or more uplink communication messages into the one or more joint uplink communication messages according to the joint messaging format among the one or more joint messaging formats.

[0157] In a twenty - second aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the sixteenth aspect to the twenty - first aspect, it further includes receiving a dynamic selection message from the service network entity. The dynamic selection message identifies the joint messaging format from among the one or more joint messaging formats.

[0158] In a twenty - third aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the sixteenth aspect to the twenty - second aspect, the one or more joint messaging formats include a plurality of uplink control information (UCI) formats or a plurality of medium access control - control element (MAC CE) formats. Each UCI format among the plurality of UCI formats is associated with a UCI predefined combination of an uplink communication message, a configuration identifier (ID), and a predefined set of uplink resources. Each MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats is associated with a MAC CE predefined combination of an uplink communication message and a logical channel ID (LCID).

[0159] In a twenty - third aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the sixteenth aspect to the twenty - second aspect, the MAC CE predefined combination of the uplink communication message is indicated by one of the following: a payload field within a joint MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats, or an indication field within a single MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats.

[0160] In a twenty - fifth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the sixteenth aspect to the twenty - fourth aspect, it further includes determining de - activation of the multipath transmission configuration at the UE. The de - activation is determined according to one of the following: a de - activation signal received from the service network entity, or a de - activation condition identified by the UE.

[0161] In a twenty - sixth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the sixteenth aspect to the twenty - fifth aspect, the de - activation condition includes one of the following: a quality - of - service setting, or a power constraint of the UE or one or more cooperative UEs known to the UE, or a feedback message received from the service network entity via the direct air interface.

[0162] In a twenty-seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the sixteenth to twenty-sixth aspects, determining the deactivation of the multipath transmission configuration includes: identifying the feedback message from the serving network entity; sending a deactivation request to the serving network entity in response to the feedback message; and receiving the deactivation signal from the serving network entity.

[0163] In one or more aspects, techniques for supporting multipath UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or elsewhere herein in connection with one or more other processes or devices. In a twenty-eighth aspect, techniques for supporting multipath UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include an apparatus configured to receive an activation indication of a multipath transmission configuration from a primary UE in sidelink communication with the cooperative UE. The multipath transmission configuration defines that uplink communication received from the primary UE via a sidelink interface is retransmitted to the serving network entity via a direct air interface between the cooperative UE and the serving network entity. The apparatus is further configured to receive one or more uplink communication messages from the primary UE. The apparatus is further configured to retransmit the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity via the direct air interface according to the multipath transmission configuration.

[0164] Additionally, the apparatus may perform or operate according to one or more aspects described below. In some specific implementations, the apparatus includes a wireless device, such as a base station. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include at least one processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor may be configured to perform the operations described herein for the apparatus. In some other specific implementations, the apparatus may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, and the program code may be executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform the operations described herein with reference to the apparatus. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include one or more components configured to perform the operations described herein. In some specific implementations, a method of wireless communication may include one or more operations described herein with reference to the apparatus.

[0165] In a twenty-ninth aspect, alone or in combination with the twenty-eighth aspect, further includes determining the deactivation of the multipath transmission configuration at the cooperative UE. The deactivation is determined according to one of the following: a feedback message received from the serving network entity via the direct air interface, or a deactivation indication received from the primary UE.

[0166] In a thirtieth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the twenty-eighth or twenty-ninth aspects, it further includes retransmitting the feedback message received from the service network entity to the primary UE.

[0167] In one or more aspects, techniques for supporting multi-path UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in combination with one or more other processes or devices described elsewhere herein. In a thirty-first aspect, techniques for supporting multi-path UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include an apparatus configured to determine activation of a multi-path transmission configuration at the UE. The multi-path transmission configuration defines uplink communication transmitted by the UE to the service network entity via a direct air interface between the UE and the service network entity and via one or more indirect air interfaces. The one or more indirect air interfaces include one or more sidelink interfaces between the UE and one or more cooperating UEs and a direct air interface between each of the one or more cooperating UEs and the service network entity. The apparatus is further configured to identify one or more uplink communication messages to transmit to the service network entity. The apparatus is further configured to transmit the one or more uplink communication messages to the service network entity according to the multi-path transmission configuration. The one or more uplink communication messages are transmitted by one of the following: being transmitted separately; or being assembled into one or more combined uplink communication messages for transmission.

[0168] Additionally, the apparatus may perform or operate according to one or more aspects described below. In some specific implementations, the apparatus includes a wireless device, such as a base station. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include at least one processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor may be configured to perform the operations described herein for the apparatus. In some other specific implementations, the apparatus may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, and the program code may be executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform the operations described herein with reference to the apparatus. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include one or more components configured to perform the operations described herein. In some specific implementations, a method of wireless communication may include one or more operations described herein with reference to the apparatus.

[0169] In a thirty-second aspect, either alone or in combination with the thirty-first aspect, the component for determining the activation of the multi-path transmission configuration includes a component for receiving a multi-path transmission activation signal from the service network entity.

[0170] In a thirty-third aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the thirty-first or thirty-second aspects, the component for determining the activation of the multipath transmission configuration includes a component for identifying an activation condition for the multipath transmission configuration. The activation condition includes one of the following: a quality of service setting or a power constraint of the UE or the one or more cooperative UEs known to the UE; a component for sending an activation request to the serving network entity in response to the activation condition; and a component for receiving a multipath transmission activation signal from the network entity.

[0171] In a thirty-fourth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the thirty-first to thirty-third aspects, it further includes a component for receiving a transmission timing configuration from the serving network entity. The transmission timing configuration includes one of the following: when the uplink communication includes periodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more configured periods, or when the uplink communication includes aperiodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more trigger events.

[0172] In a thirty-fifth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the thirty-first to thirty-fourth aspects, it further includes a component for receiving a dynamic selection message from the serving network entity. The dynamic selection message identifies a period from the one or more configured periods or a trigger event from the one or more trigger events.

[0173] In a thirty-sixth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the thirty-first to thirty-fifth aspects, it further includes: a component for receiving one or more joint message reception and transmission formats from the serving network entity; and a component for assembling the one or more uplink communication messages into the one or more joint uplink communication messages according to the joint message reception and transmission format in the one or more joint message reception and transmission formats.

[0174] In a thirty-seventh aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the thirty-first to thirty-sixth aspects, it further includes a component for receiving a dynamic selection message from the serving network entity. The dynamic selection message identifies the joint message reception and transmission format from the one or more joint message reception and transmission formats.

[0175] In a thirty-eighth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of aspects thirty-one to thirty-seven, the one or more combined messaging formats include a plurality of uplink control information (UCI) formats or a plurality of medium access control - control element (MAC CE) formats. Each UCI format among the plurality of UCI formats is associated with a predefined combination of an uplink communication message, a configuration identifier (ID), and a predefined set of uplink resources. Each MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats is associated with a predefined combination of an uplink communication message and a logical channel ID (LCID).

[0176] In a thirty-ninth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of aspects thirty-one to thirty-eight, the predefined combination of the MAC CE for the uplink communication message is indicated by one of the following: a payload field within a combined MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats, or an indication field within a single MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats.

[0177] In a fortieth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of aspects thirty-one to thirty-nine, there is also a component for determining deactivation of the multipath transmission configuration at the UE. The deactivation is determined based on one of the following: a deactivation signal received from the serving network entity, or a deactivation condition identified by the UE.

[0178] In a forty-first aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of aspects thirty-one to forty, the deactivation condition includes one of the following: a quality of service setting, or a power constraint of the UE or one or more cooperative UEs known to the UE, or a feedback message received from the serving network entity via the direct air interface.

[0179] In a forty-second aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of aspects thirty-one to forty-one, the component for determining deactivation of the multipath transmission configuration includes: a component for identifying the feedback message from the serving network entity; a component for sending a deactivation request to the serving network entity in response to the feedback message; and a component for receiving the deactivation signal from the serving network entity.

[0180] In one or more aspects, techniques for supporting multi-path UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include additional aspects, such as any individual aspect or any combination of aspects described below or elsewhere herein in connection with one or more other processes or devices. In a forty-third aspect, techniques for supporting multi-path UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include an apparatus configured to receive, in sidelink communication with the cooperating UE, an activation indication of a multi-path transmission configuration from a primary UE. The multi-path transmission configuration defines that uplink communication received from the primary UE via a sidelink interface is retransmitted to a serving network entity via a direct air interface between the cooperating UE and the serving network entity. The apparatus is further configured to receive one or more uplink communication messages from the primary UE. The apparatus is further configured to retransmit the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity via the direct air interface according to the multi-path transmission configuration.

[0181] Additionally, the apparatus may perform or operate according to one or more aspects described below. In some specific implementations, the apparatus includes a wireless device, such as a base station. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include at least one processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor may be configured to perform the operations described herein for the apparatus. In some other specific implementations, the apparatus may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, and the program code may be executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform the operations described herein with reference to the apparatus. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include one or more components configured to perform the operations described herein. In some specific implementations, a method of wireless communication may include one or more operations described herein with reference to the apparatus.

[0182] In a forty-fourth aspect, either alone or in combination with the forty-third aspect, there is further included a component for determining deactivation of the multi-path transmission configuration at the cooperating UE. The deactivation is determined according to one of the following: a feedback message received from the serving network entity via the direct air interface, or a deactivation indication received from the primary UE.

[0183] In a forty-fifth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the forty-third to forty-fourth aspects, there is further included a component for retransmitting the feedback message received from the serving network entity to the primary UE.

[0184] In one or more aspects, techniques for supporting multipath UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or elsewhere herein in connection with one or more other processes or devices. In a forty-sixth aspect, techniques for supporting multipath UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include an apparatus configured to determine activation of a multipath transmission configuration at the UE. The multipath transmission configuration defines uplink communication to be sent by the UE to the serving network entity via a direct air interface between the UE and the serving network entity and via one or more indirect air interfaces. The one or more indirect air interfaces include one or more sidelink interfaces between the UE and one or more cooperating UEs and a direct air interface between each of the one or more cooperating UEs and the serving network entity. The apparatus is further configured to identify one or more uplink communication messages to be sent to the serving network entity. The apparatus is further configured to send the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity according to the multipath transmission configuration. The one or more uplink communication messages are sent by one of the following: being sent individually; or being assembled into one or more combined uplink communication messages for sending.

[0185] Additionally, the apparatus may perform or operate according to one or more aspects as described below. In some particular implementations, the apparatus includes a wireless device, such as a base station. In some particular implementations, the apparatus may include at least one processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor may be configured to perform the operations described herein for the apparatus. In some other particular implementations, the apparatus may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, and the program code may be executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform the operations described herein with reference to the apparatus. In some particular implementations, the apparatus may include one or more components configured to perform the operations described herein. In some particular implementations, a method of wireless communication may include one or more operations described herein with reference to the apparatus.

[0186] In a forty-seventh aspect, either alone or in combination with the forty-sixth aspect, the instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the determination of the activation of the multipath transmission configuration include instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following operations: receive a multipath transmission activation signal from the serving network entity.

[0187] In a forty-eighth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the forty-sixth and forty-seventh aspects, the instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform determining the activation of the multi-path transmission configuration include the instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following operations: identifying an activation condition for the multi-path transmission configuration. The activation condition includes one of the following: a quality of service setting or a power constraint of the UE or the one or more cooperative UEs known to the UE; in response to the activation condition, sending an activation request to the serving network entity; and receiving a multi-path transmission activation signal from the network entity.

[0188] In a forty-ninth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the forty-sixth to forty-eighth aspects, it further includes the instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following operations: receiving a transmission timing configuration from the serving network entity. The transmission timing configuration includes one of the following: when the uplink communication includes periodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more configured periods, or when the uplink communication includes aperiodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more trigger events.

[0189] In a fiftieth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the forty-sixth to forty-ninth aspects, it further includes the instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following operations: receiving a dynamic selection message from the serving network entity. The dynamic selection message identifies a period from the one or more configured periods or a trigger event from the one or more trigger events.

[0190] In a fifty-first aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the forty-sixth to fiftieth aspects, it further includes the instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following operations: receiving one or more joint message reception and transmission formats from the serving network entity; and assembling the one or more uplink communication messages into the one or more joint uplink communication messages according to the joint message reception and transmission format in the one or more joint message reception and transmission formats.

[0191] In a fifty-second aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the forty-sixth to fifty-first aspects, it further includes the instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following operations: receiving a dynamic selection message from the serving network entity. The dynamic selection message identifies the joint message reception and transmission format from the one or more joint message reception and transmission formats.

[0192] In a fifty-third aspect, in combination with one or more of the forty-sixth aspect to the fifty-second aspect, the one or more joint messaging formats include a plurality of uplink control information (UCI) formats or a plurality of medium access control - control element (MAC CE) formats. Each UCI format of the plurality of UCI formats is associated with a UCI predefined combination of an uplink communication message, a configuration identifier (ID), and a predefined set of uplink resources. Each MAC CE format of the plurality of MAC CE formats is associated with a MAC CE predefined combination of an uplink communication message and a logical channel ID (LCID).

[0193] In a fifty-fourth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the forty-sixth aspect to the fifty-third aspect, the MAC CE predefined combination of the uplink communication message is indicated by one of the following: a payload field within a joint MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats, or an indication field within a single MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats.

[0194] In a fifty-fifth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the forty-sixth aspect to the fifty-fourth aspect, the instructions further include, when executed by the processor, causing the processor to perform the following operations: determining a deactivation of the multipath transmission configuration at the UE. The deactivation is determined based on one of the following: a deactivation signal received from the serving network entity, or a deactivation condition identified by the UE.

[0195] In a fifty-sixth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the forty-sixth aspect to the fifty-fifth aspect, the deactivation condition includes one of the following: a quality of service setting, or a power constraint of the UE or the one or more cooperative UEs known to the UE, or a feedback message received from the serving network entity via the direct air interface.

[0196] In a fifty-seventh aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the forty-sixth aspect to the fifty-sixth aspect, the instructions that cause the processor to perform the deactivation of the multipath transmission configuration when executed by the processor include the instructions that cause the processor to perform the following operations when executed by the processor: identifying the feedback message from the serving network entity; sending a deactivation request to the serving network entity in response to the feedback message; and receiving the deactivation signal from the serving network entity.

[0197] In one or more aspects, techniques for supporting multipath UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes or devices described elsewhere herein. In a fifty-eighth aspect, techniques for supporting multipath UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include an apparatus configured to receive an activation indication of a multipath transmission configuration from a primary UE in sidelink communication with the cooperating UE. The multipath transmission configuration defines that uplink communication received from the primary UE via a sidelink interface is retransmitted to a serving network entity via a direct air interface between the cooperating UE and the serving network entity. The apparatus is further configured to receive one or more uplink communication messages from the primary UE. The apparatus is further configured to retransmit the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity via the direct air interface according to the multipath transmission configuration.

[0198] Additionally, the apparatus may perform or operate according to one or more aspects described below. In some specific implementations, the apparatus includes a wireless device, such as a base station. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include at least one processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor may be configured to perform the operations described herein for the apparatus. In some other specific implementations, the apparatus may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, and the program code may be executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform the operations described herein with reference to the apparatus. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include one or more components configured to perform the operations described herein. In some specific implementations, a method of wireless communication may include one or more operations described herein with reference to the apparatus.

[0199] In a fifty-ninth aspect, either alone or in combination with the fifty-eighth aspect, there are also instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following operations: determine deactivation of the multipath transmission configuration at the cooperating UE. The deactivation is determined based on one of the following: a feedback message received from the serving network entity via the direct air interface, or a deactivation indication received from the primary UE.

[0200] In a sixtieth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the fifty-eighth or fifty-ninth aspects, there are also instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following operation: retransmit the feedback message received from the serving network entity to the primary UE.

[0201] In one or more aspects, techniques for supporting multipath UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or elsewhere in this document in connection with one or more other processes or devices. In a sixty-first aspect, techniques for supporting multipath UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include a network entity configured to: send an activation signal to a primary UE, where the activation signal activates a multipath transmission configuration at the primary UE, the multipath transmission configuration defining the sending of uplink communication by the primary UE via a direct air interface between the primary UE and the network entity and via one or more indirect interfaces between the primary UE, one or more cooperating UEs, and the network entity; identify one or more duplicate uplink communication messages from two or more uplink communication messages received at the network entity; and discard the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages.

[0202] Additionally, the apparatus may perform or operate according to one or more aspects described below. In some specific implementations, the apparatus includes a wireless device, such as a network entity. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include at least one processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor may be configured to perform the operations described herein for the apparatus. In some other specific implementations, the apparatus may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, and the program code may be executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform the operations described herein with reference to the apparatus. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include one or more components configured to perform the operations described herein. In some specific implementations, a method of wireless communication may include one or more operations described herein with reference to the apparatus.

[0203] In a sixty-second aspect, either alone or in combination with the sixty-first aspect, the processor-readable code for causing the at least one processor to identify the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages includes processor-readable code for causing the at least one processor to perform the following operations: decode a report identifier (ID) associated with each of the two or more uplink communication messages received at the network entity; and determine the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages in response to the report IDs of the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages being the same report ID.

[0204] In a sixty-third aspect, in combination with one or more of the sixty-first or sixty-second aspects, there is also provided processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: in response to the one or more repeated uplink communication messages, send a multipath transmission deactivation indication via either the direct air interface or one of the one or more indirect interfaces through which the network entity receives the one or more repeated uplink communication messages.

[0205] In a sixty-fourth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the sixty-first to sixty-third aspects, the multipath transmission deactivation indication includes one of the following: a deactivation signal to the primary UE, or a feedback signal associated with the one or more repeated uplink communication messages to the primary UE or the one or more cooperative UEs.

[0206] In a sixty-fifth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the sixty-first to sixty-fourth aspects, there is also provided processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: send a transmission timing configuration to the primary UE. The transmission timing configuration includes one of the following: when the uplink communication includes periodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more configured periods, or when the uplink communication includes aperiodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more trigger events.

[0207] In a sixty-sixth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the sixty-first to sixty-fifth aspects, there is also provided processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: send a dynamic selection message to the primary UE. The dynamic selection message identifies a period from among the one or more configured periods or a trigger event from among the one or more trigger events.

[0208] In a sixty-seventh aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the sixty-first to sixty-sixth aspects, there is also provided processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: send one or more joint message reception and transmission formats to the primary UE. The one or more uplink communication messages are formatted according to a joint message reception and transmission format among the one or more joint message reception and transmission formats.

[0209] In a sixty-eighth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of aspects sixty-one to sixty-seven, there is also provided processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: sending a dynamic selection message to the primary UE. The dynamic selection message identifies the joint message reception format from among the one or more joint message reception formats.

[0210] In a sixty-ninth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of aspects sixty-one to sixty-eight, the one or more joint message reception formats include a plurality of uplink control information (UCI) formats or a plurality of medium access control - control element (MAC CE) formats. Each UCI format among the plurality of UCI formats is associated with a UCI predefined combination of an uplink communication message, a configuration identifier (ID), and a predefined set of uplink resources. Each MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats is associated with a MAC CE predefined combination of an uplink communication message and a logical channel ID (LCID).

[0211] In a seventieth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of aspects sixty-one to sixty-nine, the MAC CE predefined combination of the uplink communication message is indicated by one of the following: a payload field within a joint MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats, or an indication field within a single MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats.

[0212] In one or more aspects, techniques for supporting multipath UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in combination with one or more other processes or devices described elsewhere herein. In a seventy-first aspect, techniques for supporting multipath UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include a network entity configured to: send an activation signal to a primary UE, where the activation signal activates a multipath transmission configuration at the primary UE, the multipath transmission configuration defining the sending of uplink communication by the primary UE via a direct air interface between the primary UE and the network entity and via one or more indirect interfaces between the primary UE, one or more cooperative UEs, and the network entity; identify one or more duplicate uplink communication messages from among two or more uplink communication messages received at the network entity; and discard the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages.

[0213] Additionally, the apparatus may perform or operate according to one or more aspects as described below. In some specific embodiments, the apparatus includes a wireless device, such as a network entity. In some specific embodiments, the apparatus may include at least one processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor may be configured to perform the operations described herein for the apparatus. In some other specific embodiments, the apparatus may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, and the program code may be executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform the operations described herein with reference to the apparatus. In some specific embodiments, the apparatus may include one or more components configured to perform the operations described herein. In some specific embodiments, a method of wireless communication may include one or more operations described herein with reference to the apparatus.

[0214] In a seventy-second aspect, either alone or in combination with the seventy-first aspect, wherein identifying the one or more repeated uplink communication messages includes: decoding a report identifier (ID) associated with each of the two or more uplink communication messages received at the network entity; and determining the one or more repeated uplink communication messages in response to the report ID of the one or more repeated uplink communication messages being the same report ID.

[0215] In a seventy-third aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the seventy-first aspect or the seventy-second aspect, further includes sending a multipath transmission deactivation indication via the direct air interface or one of the one or more indirect interfaces through which the network entity receives the one or more repeated uplink communication messages in response to the one or more repeated uplink communication messages.

[0216] In a seventy-fourth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the seventy-first aspect to the seventy-third aspect, the multipath transmission deactivation indication includes one of the following: a deactivation signal to the primary UE, or a feedback signal associated with the one or more repeated uplink communication messages to the primary UE or the one or more cooperating UEs.

[0217] In a seventy-fifth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the seventy-first aspect to the seventy-fourth aspect, further includes sending a transmission timing configuration to the primary UE. The transmission timing configuration includes one of the following: when the uplink communication includes periodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more configured periods, or when the uplink communication includes aperiodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more trigger events.

[0218] In a seventy-sixth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the seventy-first to seventy-fifth aspects, it further includes sending a dynamic selection message to the master UE. The dynamic selection message identifies a periodicity from the one or more configured periodicities or a triggering event from the one or more triggering events.

[0219] In a seventy-seventh aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the seventy-first to seventy-sixth aspects, it further includes sending one or more joint message reception and transmission formats to the master UE. The one or more uplink communication messages are formatted according to the joint message reception and transmission format in the one or more joint message reception and transmission formats.

[0220] In a seventy-eighth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the seventy-first to seventy-seventh aspects, it further includes: sending a dynamic selection message to the master UE. The dynamic selection message identifies the joint message reception and transmission format from the one or more joint message reception and transmission formats.

[0221] In a seventy-ninth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the seventy-first to seventy-eighth aspects, the one or more joint message reception and transmission formats include a plurality of uplink control information (UCI) formats or a plurality of medium access control - control element (MAC CE) formats. Each UCI format in the plurality of UCI formats is associated with a UCI predefined combination of an uplink communication message, a configuration identifier (ID), and a predefined set of uplink resources. Each MAC CE format in the plurality of MAC CE formats is associated with a MAC CE predefined combination of an uplink communication message and a logical channel ID (LCID).

[0222] In an eightieth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the seventy-first to seventy-ninth aspects, the MAC CE predefined combination of the uplink communication message is indicated by one of the following: a payload field within a joint MAC CE format in the plurality of MAC CE formats, or an indication field within a single MAC CE format in the plurality of MAC CE formats.

[0223] In one or more aspects, techniques for supporting multi-path UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes or devices described elsewhere herein. In an eighty-first aspect, techniques for supporting multi-path UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include a network entity configured to: send an activation signal to a primary UE, wherein the activation signal activates a multi-path transmission configuration at the primary UE, the multi-path transmission configuration defining uplink communication to be sent by the primary UE via a direct air interface between the primary UE and the network entity and via one or more indirect interfaces between the primary UE, one or more cooperating UEs, and the network entity; identify one or more duplicate uplink communication messages from two or more uplink communication messages received at the network entity; and discard the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages.

[0224] Additionally, the apparatus may perform or operate in accordance with one or more aspects described below. In some particular implementations, the apparatus includes a wireless device, such as a network entity. In some particular implementations, the apparatus may include at least one processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor may be configured to perform the operations described herein for the apparatus. In some other particular implementations, the apparatus may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, and the program code may be executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform the operations described herein with reference to the apparatus. In some particular implementations, the apparatus may include one or more components configured to perform the operations described herein. In some particular implementations, a method of wireless communication may include one or more operations described herein with reference to the apparatus.

[0225] In an eighty-second aspect, either alone or in combination with the eighty-first aspect, the component for identifying the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages includes: a component for decoding a report identifier (ID) associated with each of the two or more uplink communication messages received at the network entity; and a component for determining the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages in response to the report IDs of the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages being the same report ID.

[0226] In an eighty-third aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the eighty-first to eighty-second aspects, there is also a component for sending a multipath transmission deactivation indication in response to the one or more repeated uplink communication messages via the direct air interface or one of the one or more indirect interfaces through which the network entity receives the one or more repeated uplink communication messages.

[0227] In an eighty-fourth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the eighty-first to eighty-third aspects, the multipath transmission deactivation indication includes one of the following: a deactivation signal to the primary UE, or a feedback signal associated with the one or more repeated uplink communication messages to the primary UE or the one or more cooperative UEs.

[0228] In an eighty-fifth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the eighty-first to eighty-fourth aspects, there is also a component for sending a transmission timing configuration to the primary UE. The transmission timing configuration includes one of the following: when the uplink communication includes periodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more configured periods, or when the uplink communication includes aperiodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more trigger events.

[0229] In an eighty-sixth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the eighty-first to eighty-fifth aspects, there is also a component for sending a dynamic selection message to the primary UE. The dynamic selection message identifies a period from the one or more configured periods or a trigger event from the one or more trigger events.

[0230] In an eighty-seventh aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the eighty-first to eighty-sixth aspects, there is also a component for sending one or more joint message reception / transmission formats to the primary UE. The one or more uplink communication messages are formatted according to a joint message reception / transmission format among the one or more joint message reception / transmission formats.

[0231] In an eighty-eighth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the eighty-first to eighty-seventh aspects, there is also a component for sending a dynamic selection message to the primary UE. The dynamic selection message identifies the joint message reception / transmission format from among the one or more joint message reception / transmission formats.

[0232] In an eighty-ninth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the eighty-first to eighty-eighth aspects, the one or more joint messaging formats include a plurality of uplink control information (UCI) formats or a plurality of medium access control-control element (MAC CE) formats. Each UCI format among the plurality of UCI formats is associated with a UCI predefined combination of an uplink communication message, a configuration identifier (ID), and a predefined set of uplink resources. Each MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats is associated with a MAC CE predefined combination of an uplink communication message and a logical channel ID (LCID).

[0233] In a ninetieth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the eighty-eighth or eighty-ninth aspects, the MAC CE predefined combination of the uplink communication message is indicated by one of the following: a payload field within a joint MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats, or an indication field within a single MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats.

[0234] In one or more aspects, techniques for supporting multipath UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described elsewhere herein or in connection with one or more other processes or devices described below. In a ninety-first aspect, techniques for supporting multipath UE uplink communication with UE cooperation may include a network entity configured to: send an activation signal to a primary UE, where the activation signal activates a multipath transmission configuration at the primary UE, the multipath transmission configuration defining uplink communication to be sent by the primary UE via a direct air interface between the primary UE and the network entity and via one or more indirect interfaces between the primary UE, one or more cooperative UEs, and the network entity; identify one or more duplicate uplink communication messages from two or more uplink communication messages received at the network entity; and discard the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages.

[0235] Additionally, the apparatus may be implemented or operate in accordance with one or more aspects as described below. In some specific implementations, the apparatus includes a wireless device, such as a network entity. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include at least one processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor may be configured to perform the operations described herein for the apparatus. In some other specific implementations, the apparatus may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, and the program code may be executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform the operations described herein with reference to the apparatus. In some specific implementations, the apparatus may include one or more components configured to perform the operations described herein. In some specific implementations, a method of wireless communication may include one or more operations described herein with reference to the apparatus.

[0236] In a ninety-second aspect, either alone or in combination with the ninety-first aspect, the instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the operations of identifying the one or more repeated uplink communication messages include the instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following operations: decode a report identifier (ID) associated with each of the two or more uplink communication messages received at the network entity; and determine the one or more repeated uplink communication messages in response to the report IDs of the one or more repeated uplink communication messages being the same report ID.

[0237] In a ninety-third aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the ninety-first aspect or the ninety-second aspect, the instructions further include the instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following operation: in response to the one or more repeated uplink communication messages, transmit a multipath transmission deactivation indication via the direct air interface or one of the one or more indirect interfaces through which the network entity receives the one or more repeated uplink communication messages.

[0238] In a ninety-fourth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the ninety-first aspect to the ninety-third aspect, the multipath transmission deactivation indication includes one of the following: a deactivation signal to the primary UE, or a feedback signal associated with the one or more repeated uplink communication messages to the primary UE or the one or more cooperative UEs.

[0239] In a ninety-fifth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the ninety-first to ninety-fourth aspects, there are also instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following operations: sending a transmission timing configuration to the primary UE. The transmission timing configuration includes one of the following: when the uplink communication includes periodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more configured periodicities, or when the uplink communication includes aperiodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more trigger events.

[0240] In a ninety-sixth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the ninety-first to ninety-fifth aspects, there are also instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following operations: sending a dynamic selection message to the primary UE. The dynamic selection message identifies a periodicity from the one or more configured periodicities or a trigger event from the one or more trigger events.

[0241] In a ninety-seventh aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the ninety-first to ninety-sixth aspects, there are also instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following operations: sending one or more joint message reception and transmission formats to the primary UE. The one or more uplink communication messages are formatted according to the joint message reception and transmission format in the one or more joint message reception and transmission formats.

[0242] In a ninety-eighth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the ninety-first to ninety-seventh aspects, there are also instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following operations: sending a dynamic selection message to the primary UE. The dynamic selection message identifies the joint message reception and transmission format from the one or more joint message reception and transmission formats.

[0243] In a ninety-ninth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the ninety-first to ninety-eighth aspects, the one or more joint message reception and transmission formats include a plurality of uplink control information (UCI) formats or a plurality of medium access control - control element (MAC CE) formats. Each UCI format in the plurality of UCI formats is associated with a predefined combination of an uplink communication message, a configuration identifier (ID), and a predefined set of uplink resources. Each MAC CE format in the plurality of MAC CE formats is associated with a predefined combination of an uplink communication message and a logical channel ID (LCID).

[0244] In a one - hundredth aspect, in combination with one or more of the ninety - first to ninety - ninth aspects, the predefined combination of the MAC CE of the uplink communication message is indicated by one of the following: a payload field within a combined MAC CE format among the multiple MAC CE formats, or an indication field within a single MAC CE format among the multiple MAC CE formats.

[0245] Those skilled in the art should understand that any of a variety of different techniques and arts can be used to represent information and signals. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may have been mentioned throughout the above description can be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0246] In this article, for Figures 1 to 7 The components, functional blocks, and modules described herein include processors, electronic devices, hardware devices, electronic components, logic circuits, memories, software code, firmware code, etc., or any combination thereof. Software should be interpreted broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subroutines, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, execution threads, procedures, and / or functions, etc., regardless of whether it is referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or other terms. Additionally, the features discussed herein can be implemented via dedicated processor circuits, via executable instructions, or a combination thereof.

[0247] Those skilled in the art will further understand that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the present disclosure can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been generally described above in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the particular application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in different ways for each particular application, but such specific implementation decisions should not be construed as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will also readily recognize that the order or combination of the components, methods, or interactions described herein are merely examples, and the components, methods, or interactions of the various aspects of the present disclosure can be combined or performed in ways other than those illustrated and described herein.

[0248] The various illustrative logical components, logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithmic processes described in connection with the specific implementations disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. The interchangeability of hardware and software has been described generally in terms of functionality and illustrated in the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and processes described above. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0249] The hardware and data processing apparatus for implementing or performing the various illustrative logical components, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be realized using a general-purpose single-chip or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. In some particular implementations, the processor may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some particular implementations, specific processes and methods may be performed by circuitry specific to a given function.

[0250] In one or more aspects, the described functionality may be implemented in hardware, digital electronic circuits, computer software, firmware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and structural equivalents thereof, or any combination thereof. The particular implementations of the subject matter described in this specification may also be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a computer storage medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, a data processing apparatus.

[0251] If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. The processes of the methods or algorithms disclosed herein may be implemented in a processor-executable software module that may reside on a computer-readable medium. A computer-readable medium includes both a computer storage medium and a communication medium including any medium that can be implemented to transfer a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (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. Additionally, any connection may be properly termed a computer-readable medium. As used herein, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. Additionally, operations of a method or algorithm may be as a code and instruction set, or any combination of a code and instruction set, residing on a machine-readable medium and a computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.

[0252] Various modifications to the specific implementations described in this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to some other specific implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the specific implementations shown herein but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with this disclosure, the principles disclosed herein, and the novel features.

[0253] Additionally, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the terms "above" and "below" are sometimes used for ease of description of the figures and indicate relative positions corresponding to the orientation of the figures on a correctly oriented page and may not reflect the correct orientation of any device as implemented.

[0254] Certain features that are described in the context of separate specific implementations in this specification may also be implemented in combination in a single specific implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single specific implementation may also be implemented separately or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple specific implementations. Additionally, although features may have been described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination may in some cases be excluded from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

[0255] Similarly, although operations are depicted in the figures in a particular order, this should not be construed as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in a sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed to achieve the desired result. Additionally, the figures may schematically depict one or more example processes in the form of a flowchart. However, other operations not depicted may be incorporated into the example processes schematically illustrated. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, concurrently with, or between any of the illustrated operations. In certain environments, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Further, the separation of various system components in the specific embodiments described above should not be construed as requiring such separation in all specific embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems may generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. Additionally, some other specific embodiments also fall within the scope of the appended claims. In some cases, the acts recited in the claims may be performed in a different order and still achieve the desired result.

[0256] As used herein (including in the claims), the term "or" as used in a list of two or more items means that any one of the listed items may be employed alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, or C, the composition may contain A alone; B alone; C alone; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C. Additionally, as used herein (including in the claims), "or" as used in a list of items beginning with "at least one of" indicates a disjunctive list, such that a list of "at least one of A, B, or C" means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C) or any combination of any of these items. The term "substantially" is defined as largely but not necessarily entirely what is specified (and includes what is specified; e.g., substantially 90 degrees includes 90 degrees, and substantially parallel includes parallel), as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In any disclosed specific embodiment, the term "substantially" may be replaced with "[percentage] within" of what is specified, where the percentage includes 0.1%, 1%, 5%, or 10%.

[0257] The foregoing description of the disclosure has been provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE), the UE comprising: a memory storing processor-readable code; and at least one processor coupled to the memory, the at least one processor configured to execute the processor-readable code to cause the at least one processor to: determine activation of a multi-path transmission configuration at the UE, wherein the multi-path transmission configuration defines sending uplink communication from the UE to a serving network entity via a direct air interface between the UE and the serving network entity and via one or more indirect air interfaces, wherein the one or more indirect air interfaces include one or more sidelink interfaces between the UE and one or more cooperative UEs and a direct air interface between each of the one or more cooperative UEs and the serving network entity; identify one or more uplink communication messages to send to the serving network entity; and send the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity according to the multi-path transmission configuration, wherein the one or more uplink communication messages are sent by one of: being sent individually; or being assembled into one or more combined uplink communication messages for sending.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor-readable code for causing the at least one processor to determine the activation of the multi-path transmission configuration includes processor-readable code for causing the at least one processor to perform the following operations: receive a multi-path transmission activation signal from the serving network entity.

3. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor-readable code for causing the at least one processor to determine the activation of the multi-path transmission configuration includes processor-readable code for causing the at least one processor to perform the following operations: identify activation conditions for the multi-path transmission configuration, wherein the activation conditions include one of: quality of service settings or power constraints of the UE or the one or more cooperative UEs known to the UE; send an activation request to the serving network entity in response to the activation conditions; and receive a multi-path transmission activation signal from the network entity.

4. The UE according to claim 1, the UE further comprising processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: receive a transmission timing configuration from the serving network entity, wherein the transmission timing configuration includes one of: when the uplink communication includes periodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more configured periods, or when the uplink communication includes aperiodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more trigger events.

5. The UE according to claim 4, the UE further comprising processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: Receive a dynamic selection message from the service network entity, where the dynamic selection message identifies a periodicity from the one or more configured periodicities or a triggering event from the one or more triggering events.

6. The UE according to claim 1, the UE further comprising processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: Receive one or more combined message reception and transmission formats from the service network entity; and Assemble the one or more uplink communication messages into the one or more combined uplink communication messages according to the combined message reception and transmission format in the one or more combined message reception and transmission formats.

7. The UE according to claim 6, the UE further comprising processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: Receive a dynamic selection message from the service network entity, where the dynamic selection message identifies the combined message reception and transmission format from the one or more combined message reception and transmission formats.

8. The UE according to claim 6, where the one or more combined message reception and transmission formats include a plurality of uplink control information (UCI) formats or a plurality of medium access control - control element (MAC CE) formats, where each UCI format in the plurality of UCI formats is associated with a UCI predefined combination of an uplink communication message, a configuration identifier (ID), and a predefined set of uplink resources, where each MAC CE format in the plurality of MAC CE formats is associated with a MAC CE predefined combination of an uplink communication message and a logical channel ID (LCID).

9. The UE according to claim 8, where the MAC CE predefined combination of the uplink communication message is indicated by one of the following: A payload field within the combined MAC CE format in the plurality of MAC CE formats, or An indication field within a single MAC CE format in the plurality of MAC CE formats.

10. The UE according to claim 1, the UE further comprising processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations: Determine the deactivation of the multipath transmission configuration at the UE, where the deactivation is determined according to one of the following: A deactivation signal received from the service network entity, or A deactivation condition identified by the UE.

11. The UE according to claim 10, where the deactivation condition includes one of the following: A quality of service setting, or A power constraint of the UE or the one or more cooperative UEs known to the UE, or A feedback message received from the service network entity via the direct air interface.

12. The UE according to claim 11, where the processor-readable code for causing the at least one processor to determine the deactivation of the multipath transmission configuration includes processor-readable code for causing the at least one processor to perform the following operations: Identify the feedback message from the service network entity; Send a deactivation request to the service network entity in response to the feedback message; and Receive the deactivation signal from the service network entity.

13. A cooperative User Equipment (UE), the cooperative User Equipment (UE) comprising: A memory that stores processor-readable code; And At least one processor coupled to the memory, the at least one processor being configured to execute the processor-readable code to cause the at least one processor to: Receive an activation indication of a multi-path transmission configuration from a primary UE in a sidelink communication with the cooperative UE, wherein the multi-path transmission configuration defines that uplink communication received from the primary UE via a sidelink interface is retransmitted to the service network entity via a direct air interface between the cooperative UE and the service network entity; Receive one or more uplink communication messages from the primary UE; And Retransmit the one or more uplink communication messages to the service network entity via the direct air interface according to the multi-path transmission configuration.

14. The cooperative UE according to claim 13, the cooperative UE further comprising processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to: Determine the deactivation of the multi-path transmission configuration at the cooperative UE, wherein the deactivation is determined based on one of the following: A feedback message received from the service network entity via the direct air interface, or A deactivation indication received from the primary UE.

15. The cooperative UE according to claim 14, the cooperative UE further comprising processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to: Retransmit the feedback message received from the service network entity to the primary UE.

16. A network entity, the network entity comprising: A memory that stores processor-readable code; And At least one processor coupled to the memory, the at least one processor being configured to execute the processor-readable code to cause the at least one processor to: Send an activation signal to a primary UE, wherein the activation signal activates a multi-path transmission configuration at the primary UE, the multi-path transmission configuration defining uplink communication to be sent by the primary UE via a direct air interface between the primary UE and the network entity and via one or more indirect interfaces between the primary UE, one or more cooperative UEs and the network entity; Identify one or more duplicate uplink communication messages from two or more uplink communication messages received at the network entity; And Discard the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages.

17. The network entity according to claim 16, wherein the processor-readable code for causing the at least one processor to identify the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages includes processor-readable code for causing the at least one processor to perform the following operations: decode a report identifier (ID) associated with each of the two or more uplink communication messages received at the network entity; and determine the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages in response to the report ID of the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages being the same report ID.

18. The network entity according to claim 17, the network entity further including processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operation: in response to the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages, send a multipath transmission deactivation indication via one of the direct air interface or the one or more indirect interfaces through which the network entity receives the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages.

19. The network entity according to claim 18, wherein the multipath transmission deactivation indication includes one of the following: a deactivation signal to the primary UE; or a feedback signal associated with the one or more duplicate uplink communication messages to the primary UE or the one or more cooperative UEs.

20. The network entity according to claim 16, the network entity further including processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operation: send a transmission timing configuration to the primary UE, wherein the transmission timing configuration includes one of the following: when the uplink communication includes periodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more configured periods, or when the uplink communication includes aperiodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more trigger events.

21. The network entity according to claim 20, the network entity further including processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operation: send a dynamic selection message to the primary UE, wherein the dynamic selection message identifies a period from the one or more configured periods or a trigger event from the one or more trigger events.

22. The network entity according to claim 16, the network entity further including processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operation: send one or more joint message reception and transmission formats to the primary UE, wherein the one or more uplink communication messages are formatted according to a joint message reception and transmission format among the one or more joint message reception and transmission formats.

23. The network entity according to claim 22, the network entity further including processor-readable code executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operation: Send a dynamic selection message to the primary UE, where the dynamic selection message identifies the combined message reception / transmission format from among the one or more combined message reception / transmission formats.

24. The network entity according to claim 22, where the one or more combined message reception / transmission formats include a plurality of uplink control information (UCI) formats or a plurality of medium access control - control element (MAC CE) formats, and each UCI format among the plurality of UCI formats is associated with a predefined combination of an uplink communication message, a configuration identifier (ID), and a predefined set of uplink resources; where each MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats is associated with a predefined combination of an uplink communication message and a logical channel ID (LCID).

25. The network entity according to claim 24, wherein the predefined combination of MAC CE for the uplink communication message is indicated by one of the following: a payload field within a combined MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats, or an indication field within a single MAC CE format among the plurality of MAC CE formats.

26. A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: determining the activation of a multipath transmission configuration at the UE, where the multipath transmission configuration defines the transmission of uplink communication from the UE to a serving network entity via a direct air interface between the UE and the serving network entity and via one or more indirect air interfaces, and the one or more indirect air interfaces include one or more sidelink interfaces between the UE and one or more cooperative UEs and a direct air interface between each of the one or more cooperative UEs and the serving network entity; identifying one or more uplink communication messages to send to the serving network entity; and sending the one or more uplink communication messages to the serving network entity according to the multipath transmission configuration, where the one or more uplink communication messages are sent either individually or assembled into one or more combined uplink communication messages.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein determining the activation of the multipath transmission configuration includes receiving a multipath transmission activation signal from the serving network entity.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein determining the activation of the multipath transmission configuration includes: identifying activation conditions for the multipath transmission configuration, where the activation conditions include one of the following: quality of service settings or power constraints of the UE or the one or more cooperative UEs known to the UE; sending an activation request to the serving network entity in response to the activation conditions; and receiving a multipath transmission activation signal from the network entity.

29. The method according to claim 26, the method further comprising: Receive a transmission timing configuration from the serving network entity, where the transmission timing configuration includes one of the following: when the uplink communication includes periodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more configured periods, or when the uplink communication includes aperiodic communication, the transmission timing configuration includes one or more trigger events.

30. The method according to claim 26, the method further comprising: Determine deactivation of the multipath transmission configuration at the UE, where the deactivation is determined according to one of the following: A deactivation signal received from the serving network entity, or A deactivation condition identified by the UE.

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