Techniques for multi-transmit / receive point (multi-TRP) operation via repeaters.

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. In some examples, a base station may identify one or more communication paths to a user equipment (UE) and may determine an end-to-end signal quality (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)) for each communication path, one or more hop SNR values ​​for each hop of each communication path, a ratio of the hop SNR value to the end-to-end SNR for each communication path, or a combination thereof. Based on the determined SNR values, ratios, or both, the base station may select a first communication path for a first type of communication (e.g., uplink, downlink, signal type, etc.), select a second communication path for a second type of communication (e.g., uplink, downlink, signal type, etc.), and communicate with the UE using the selected communication paths.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] cross reference This patent application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 003,393, entitled "TECHNIQUES FOR MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION / RECEPTION POINT (MULTI-TRP) OPERATION VIA REPEATERS," filed Aug. 26, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 912,849, entitled "MULTI-TRP OPERATION VIA REPEATERS," filed Oct. 9, 2019, by ABEDINI et al., which is assigned to the assignee of the present application.

[0002] The following relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to multiple transmit / receive point (multiple TRP) operation via repeaters. [Background technology]

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcasts, and the like. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced (LTE-A), or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems, sometimes referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), or Discrete Fourier Transform Spread Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more base stations or one or more network access nodes, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, which may in some cases be known as user equipment (UE).

[0004] Radio access technologies (RATs) that use millimeter waves, such as NR, may be subject to obstacles that impede the passage of the waves from a transmitting entity to a receiving entity. In such cases, a wireless communication system may include one or more repeaters to amplify received signals and forward those signals from the transmitting entity to the receiving entity. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support multi-transmit / receive point (multi-TRP) operation via repeaters. In such systems, there may be multiple communication paths between a transmitting device and a receiving device, at least some of which may include one or more repeaters. In some examples, a transmitting device may select a communication path in a multi-TRP system based on an end-to-end signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of each communication path to improve inefficiencies and reduce latency in a wireless communication system. In some examples, a base station may identify one or more communication paths to a user equipment (UE) and determine an end-to-end SNR for each communication path, one or more hop SNR values ​​for each hop of each communication path, a ratio of the hop SNR value and the end-to-end SNR for each communication path, or a combination thereof. Based on the determined SNR value, ratio, or both, the base station may select a first communication path for a first type of communication (e.g., uplink, downlink, signal type, etc.), select a second communication path for a second type of communication (e.g., uplink, downlink, signal type, etc.), and may communicate with the UE using the selected communication paths.

[0006] A method of wireless communication is described, the method including the steps of identifying a first communication path with a UE and a second communication path with the UE, the first communication path, the second communication path, or both including one or more relays, determining a first end-to-end quality of the first communication path and a second end-to-end quality of the second communication path, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each including at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communication path and the second communication path, and determining a first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, a first end-to-end quality, a second end-to-end quality, a The method may include selecting a first communication path for a first communication type for communication with the UE based on a first hop quality of the end quality to a first ratio of a first end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof; selecting a second communication path for a second communication type for communication with the UE based on the first hop quality of a second end-to-end quality, the second end-to-end quality, a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof; and communicating with the UE via the first communication path, the second communication path, or both based on the selection.

[0007] An apparatus for wireless communications is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may include: identifying a first communication path with a UE and a second communication path with the UE, where the first communication path, the second communication path, or both include one or more relays; determining a first end-to-end quality of the first communication path and a second end-to-end quality of the second communication path, where the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each include at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communication path and the second communication path; determining a first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, a first end-to-end quality of the first end-to-end quality, a first hop ... The method may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to select a first communication path for a first communication type for communication with the UE based on a first ratio of a hop quality to a first end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof, select a second communication path for a second communication type for communication with the UE based on the first hop quality of a second end-to-end quality, the second end-to-end quality, a second ratio of the first hop quality to the second end-to-end quality of the second end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof, and communicate with the UE via the first communication path, the second communication path, or both based on the selection.

[0008] Another apparatus for wireless communications is described, the apparatus including: means for identifying a first communication path with a UE and a second communication path with the UE, the first communication path, the second communication path, or both including one or more relays; means for determining a first end-to-end quality of the first communication path and a second end-to-end quality of the second communication path, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each including at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communication path and the second communication path; and means for determining a first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, a first end-to-end quality, a second end-to-end quality of the second communication path, the first end-to-end quality, and a second end-to-end quality of the first end-to-end quality. The method may include selecting a first communication path for a first communication type for communication with the UE based on a first ratio of a first hop quality to a first end-to-end quality of the quality, or a combination thereof, selecting a second communication path for a second communication type for communication with the UE based on the first hop quality of a second end-to-end quality, the second end-to-end quality, a second ratio of the first hop quality to the second end-to-end quality of the second end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof, and communicating with the UE via the first communication path, the second communication path, or both based on the selection.

[0009] A non-transitory computer readable medium storing code for wireless communications is described, the code comprising: identifying a first communication path with a UE and a second communication path with the UE, the first communication path, the second communication path, or both including one or more relays; determining a first end-to-end quality of the first communication path and a second end-to-end quality of the second communication path, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each including at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communication path and the second communication path; determining a first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, a first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, and a second end-to-end quality of the second communication path, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each including at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communication path and the second communication path; the first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, the second end-to-end quality, a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof; and communicating with the UE via the first communications path, the second communications path, or both based on the selection.

[0010] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for selecting a first communication path for uplink communications, where the first communication type includes uplink communications, and selecting a second communication path for downlink communications, where the second communication type includes downlink communications.

[0011] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for: configuring one or more repeaters of the first communication path to receive one or more uplink signals from the UE and communicate the one or more uplink signals to the base station based on selecting the first communication path for uplink communications; and configuring one or more repeaters of the second communication path to receive one or more downlink signals from the base station and communicate the one or more downlink signals to the UE based on selecting the second communication path for downlink communications.

[0012] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for selecting a first communication path for a first type of downlink signal, the first communication type including the first type of downlink signal, and selecting a second communication path for a second type of downlink signal, the second communication type including the second type of downlink signal.

[0013] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining that the first end-to-end quality, the first ratio, or a combination thereof may be higher than the second end-to-end quality, the second ratio, or a combination thereof, and selecting the first communications path for the first type of downlink signal and selecting the second communications path for the second type of downlink signal may be based on the determining.

[0014] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a first type of downlink signal over a first communications path and transmitting a second type of downlink signal over a second communications path.

[0015] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the first type of downlink signal includes data signaling.

[0016] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second type of downlink signal includes broadcast signaling or control signaling.

[0017] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second communication path includes one or more repeaters and the first communication path includes a direct link between the base station and the UE.

[0018] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for selecting a first communication path for a first signal, where the first communication type includes a first copy of the first signal, and selecting a second communication path for the first signal, where the second communication type includes a second copy of the first signal.

[0019] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for selecting a first communication path for a first set of signals, where the first communication type includes a first communication stream, and selecting a second communication path for a second set of signals, which may be different from the first set of signals, where the second communication type includes a second communication stream.

[0020] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for selecting a first communication path for communicating with the UE, the first communication type including an active communication mode, and selecting a second communication path for backup communication when communication via the first communication path fails, the second communication type including a backup communication mode.

[0021] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, determining a first end-to-end quality of the first communication path may include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining a first SNR of the first communication path, and determining a second end-to-end quality of the second communication path includes determining a second SNR of the second communication path, and the first hop quality includes the first hop SNR.

[0022] A method of wireless communication in a repeater is described, the method including the steps of communicating between a base station and a UE via a first communication path including the repeater, the first communication path corresponding to a first end-to-end quality and a second communication path between the base station and the UE not including the repeater corresponding to a second end-to-end quality, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each including at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communication path and the second communication path, and receiving a configuration message from the base station within the first communication path at the repeater, the receiving the configuration message corresponding to a first hop quality associated with the first end-to-end quality. the second end-to-end quality, and a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality; adjusting a configuration status of the repeater based on the configuration message to perform a communication type corresponding to communication between the UE and the base station; and relaying one or more signals between the UE and the base station according to the communication type based on the adjustment.

[0023] An apparatus for wireless communication in a repeater is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may include: communicating between a base station and a UE via a first communication path including the repeater, the first communication path corresponding to a first end-to-end quality and a second communication path between the base station and the UE not including the repeater corresponding to a second end-to-end quality, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each including at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communication path and the second communication path; and receiving a configuration message from the base station within the first communication path at the repeater, the receiving the configuration message including at least a first hop quality associated with the first end-to-end quality, a second hop quality associated with the first end-to-end quality, and a third hop quality associated with the second end-to-end quality. The apparatus may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to receive a communication type corresponding to communication between the UE and the base station based on any combination of a first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, a first ratio of the first hop quality to the first end-to-end quality, a first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality, a second end-to-end quality, and a second ratio of the first hop quality to the second end-to-end quality, adjusting a configuration status of the repeater based on the configuration message to perform a communication type corresponding to communication between the UE and the base station, and relaying one or more signals between the UE and the base station according to the communication type based on the adjustment.

[0024] Another apparatus for wireless communication in a repeater is described, the apparatus comprising: means for communicating between a base station and a UE via a first communication path including the repeater, the first communication path corresponding to a first end-to-end quality, and a second communication path between the base station and the UE not including the repeater corresponding to a second end-to-end quality, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each including at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communication path and the second communication path; and means for receiving a configuration message from the base station within the first communication path at the repeater, the receiving the configuration message corresponding to a first hop quality associated with the first end-to-end quality. the first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, a first ratio of the first hop quality to the first end-to-end quality, the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality, the second end-to-end quality, and a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality; means for adjusting a configuration status of the repeater based on the configuration message to perform a communication type corresponding to communication between the UE and the base station; and means for relaying one or more signals between the UE and the base station according to the communication type based on the adjustment.

[0025] A non-transitory computer readable medium storing code for wireless communication in a repeater is described, the code including: communicating between a base station and a UE via a first communication path including the repeater, the first communication path corresponding to a first end-to-end quality and a second communication path between the base station and the UE not including the repeater corresponding to a second end-to-end quality, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each including at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communication path and the second communication path; and receiving a configuration message from the base station within the first communication path at the repeater, the receiving the configuration message including at least a first hop quality associated with the first end-to-end quality, the first hop quality associated with the first end-to-end quality, the second hop quality associated with the first end-to-end quality, the second hop quality associated with the second end-to-end quality, the first hop quality associated with the first end-to-end quality, the second ... second end-to-end quality, the first hop quality associated with the first end-to-end quality, the second hop quality associated with the first end-to-end quality, the second hop quality associated with the second end-to-end quality, the first hop quality associated with the first end-to-end quality, the second hop quality associated with the first end-to-end quality, the the configuration message may include instructions executable by a processor to receive a communication type corresponding to the communication between the UE and the base station based on any combination of a first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, a first ratio of the first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality to the first end-to-end quality, a first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality, a second end-to-end quality, and a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality; adjusting a configuration status of the repeater based on the configuration message to perform a communication type corresponding to the communication between the UE and the base station; and relaying one or more signals between the UE and the base station according to the communication type based on the adjustment.

[0026] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for relaying one or more uplink messages from the UE to the base station, where the communication type includes uplink communication.

[0027] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for relaying one or more downlink messages from the base station to the UE, where the communication type includes a downlink communication.

[0028] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for relaying a downlink broadcast signal, a downlink control signal, or a downlink data signal from the base station to the UE, where the communication type includes a type of downlink signal.

[0029] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for relaying a first copy of the signal between the UE and the base station, where the communication type includes the first copy of the signal.

[0030] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for relaying a first set of signals between the UE and the base station, the communication type comprising a first communication stream.

[0031] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for relaying a set of one or more signals between the UE and the base station, where the communication type includes an active communication mode.

[0032] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for relaying a subset of the set of one or more signals between a UE and a base station, the subset having failed transmission over a different communication path that does not include a repeater, and the communication type includes a backup communication mode.

[0033] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the first end-to-end quality of the first communication path includes a first SNR of the first communication path, the second end-to-end quality of the second communication path includes a second SNR of the second communication path, and the first hop quality includes the first hop SNR. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system for wireless communications supporting techniques for multiple transmit receive point (multi-TRP) operation via repeaters, according to aspects of the disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system that supports techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters, according to aspects of the disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a baseline architecture that supports techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system that supports techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters, according to aspects of the disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system that supports techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters, according to aspects of the disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system that supports techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters, according to aspects of the disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system that supports techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters, according to aspects of the disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a process flow supporting a technique for multi-TRP operation via a repeater, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communications manager supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system including devices supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communications manager supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system including devices supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 17] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 18] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 19] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 20] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater, according to an aspect of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] In some wireless communication systems, a transmitting device may use millimeter waves to communicate with a receiving device. Obstacles between the transmitting device and the receiving device may prevent these millimeter wave signals from reaching the receiving device. The use of repeaters in a multi-transmit-receive-point (multi-TRP) system may allow signals to bypass obstacles and extend the range that the transmitting device can reach. Multiple repeaters may relay one or more signals to one or more receiving devices. Each link in the communication path between the transmitting device and the receiving device may be called a hop. For example, there may be hops between the transmitting device and the repeater, between intermediate repeaters, and between the repeater and the receiving device.

[0036] In a multi-TRP system, a transmitting device (e.g., a base station) may send a signal at a first hop to one or more repeaters, which amplify the signal at a second hop and redirect the signal to one or more receiving devices (e.g., a UE or another repeater). The amplification of the signal may result in an amplification of noise associated with the received signal and an internal feedback loop of the repeater. The noise of the signal may reduce the end-to-end SNR and thus cause errors in the signal transmission, which may increase latency and inefficiency for the system. Each hop in a wireless communication system may affect the end-to-end SNR of a communication path by a different magnitude. Specifically, the first hop in a communication path may have a larger impact on the end-to-end SNR than the other hops. Thus, a transmitter may consider the SNR of each hop in a communication path to optimize signal transmission for different communication types.

[0037] In some cases, the base station may select different communication paths for uplink and downlink communications based on the end-to-end SNR of the communication paths, the SNR values ​​of one or more hops within each communication path, or both. In some examples, the base station may select different communication paths for different types of communications (e.g., data signals, control signals, broadcast signals, etc.).

[0038] Aspects of the present disclosure are first described in the context of a wireless communication system. Aspects of the present disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to a wireless communication system, a baseline architecture, and process flows. Aspects of the present disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flow charts relating to techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters.

[0039] 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 100 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters according to aspects of the disclosure. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more base stations 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, a LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, a LTE-A Pro network, or a New Radio (NR) network. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support enhanced broadband communications, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission-critical) communications, low latency communications, communications with low-cost and low-complexity devices, or any combination thereof.

[0040] The base stations 105 may be distributed throughout a geographic area to form a wireless communication system 100 and may be devices in different forms or with different capabilities. The base stations 105 and the UEs 115 may communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125. Each base station 105 may provide a coverage area 110 over which the UEs 115 and the base stations 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area over which the base stations 105 and the UEs 115 may support communication of signals via one or more radio access technologies.

[0041] The UEs 115 may be distributed throughout the coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be fixed or mobile or both at different times. The UEs 115 may be devices in different forms or with different capabilities. Some example UEs 115 are shown in FIG. 1. The UEs 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, base stations 105, or network equipment (e.g., core network nodes, relay devices, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, or other network equipment) as shown in FIG. 1.

[0042] The base stations 105 may communicate with the core network 130, with each other, or both. For example, the base stations 105 may interface with the core network 130 through one or more backhaul links 120 (e.g., via an S1, N2, N3, or other interface). The base stations 105 may communicate with each other over the backhaul links 120 (e.g., via an X2, Xn, or other interface), either directly (e.g., directly between the base stations 105), or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130), or both. In some examples, the backhaul links 120 may be or include one or more wireless links.

[0043] One or more of the base stations 105 described herein may include or be referred to as a base transceiver station, radio base station, access point, radio transceiver, Node B, eNode B (eNB), Next Generation Node B or Giga Node B (any of which may be referred to as a gNB), Home Node B, Home eNode B, or other suitable terminology by those skilled in the art.

[0044] The UE 115 may include or be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology, where a "device" may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. 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, among other examples, which may be implemented in various articles, such as an appliance, a vehicle, or a meter, among other examples.

[0045] The UEs 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, which may act as relays, as well as base stations 105 and network equipment, including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations, among other examples, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0046] The UE 115 and the base station 105 may wirelessly communicate with each other via one or more communication links 125 on one or more carriers. The term “carrier” may refer to a set of radio frequency spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure to support the communication link 125. For example, a carrier used for the communication link 125 may include a portion (e.g., a bandwidth part (BWP)) of a radio frequency 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 collection signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling that coordinates operation on the carrier, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communication system 100 may support communication with the UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. The UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used with both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) component carriers.

[0047] In some examples (e.g., carrier aggregation configurations), a carrier may also have collection signaling or control signaling to coordinate operation with respect to other carriers. A carrier may be associated with a frequency channel (e.g., an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (EARFCN)) and may be arranged according to a channel raster for discovery by the UE 115. A carrier may operate in a standalone mode where initial collection and connection may be made by the UE 115 via the carrier, or the carrier may operate in a non-standalone mode where a connection is anchored using a different carrier (e.g., of the same or different radio access technology).

[0048] The communication links 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include uplink transmissions from the UE 115 to the base station 105 or downlink transmissions from the base station 105 to the UE 115. A carrier may carry downlink or uplink communications (e.g., in FDD mode) or may be configured to carry downlink and uplink communications (e.g., in TDD mode).

[0049] A carrier may be associated with a bandwidth of the radio frequency spectrum, and in some examples, a carrier bandwidth may be referred to as a carrier or a “system bandwidth” of the wireless communication system 100. For example, a carrier bandwidth may be one of several determined bandwidths for a carrier of a radio access technology (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 megahertz (MHz)). A device of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., a base station 105, a UE 115, or both) may have a hardware configuration that supports communication on the carrier bandwidth or may be configurable to support communication on one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include a base station 105 or a UE 115 that supports simultaneous communication via a carrier associated with multiple carrier bandwidths. In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured to operate on a portion (e.g., a sub-band, BWP) or all of the carrier bandwidth.

[0050] A signal waveform transmitted on a carrier may be composed of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using a multicarrier modulation (MCM) technique 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 consist of one symbol period (e.g., the duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, where the symbol period and the subcarrier spacing are inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both). Thus, the more resource elements and the higher the order of the modulation scheme that the UE 115 receives, the higher the data rate of the UE 115 may be. Wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of radio frequency spectrum resources, time resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers or beams), and the use of multiple spatial layers may further increase the data rate or data integrity for communication with the UE 115.

[0051] One or more numerologies for a carrier may be supported, where the numerology may include a subcarrier spacing (Δf) and a cyclic prefix. A carrier may be divided into one or more BWPs having the same or different numerologies. In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured with multiple BWPs. In some examples, a single BWP for a carrier may be active at a given time, and communication for the UE 115 may be limited to one or more active BWPs.

[0052] The time interval for the base station 105 or the UE 115 may be, for example, T s =1 / (Δf max N f ) seconds, where Δf max may represent the maximum supported subcarrier spacing, and N fmay represent the maximum supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size. The communication resource time intervals may be organized according to radio frames, each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0053] Each frame may include multiple consecutively numbered subframes or slots, and each subframe or 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 be further divided into several slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable number of slots, and the number of slots may depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each slot may include several symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of a cyclic prefix prepended to each symbol period). In some wireless communications systems 100, a slot may be further divided into multiple minislots containing one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may include one or more (e.g., N f The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or the frequency band of operation.

[0054] A subframe, slot, minislot, or symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communications system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., the number of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communications system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., in a burst of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).

[0055] The physical channels may be multiplexed on the carriers according to various techniques. The physical control channels and the physical data channels may be multiplexed on the downlink carriers using, for example, one or more of a time division multiplexing (TDM), a frequency division multiplexing (FDM), or a hybrid TDM-FDM technique. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) for the physical control channel may be defined by a number of symbol periods and may span the system bandwidth of the carrier or a subset of the system bandwidth. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESET) may be configured for a set of UEs 115. For example, one or more of the UEs 115 may monitor or search the control region for control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set may include one or more control channel candidates at one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. The aggregation level for the control channel candidates may refer to the number 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 search space sets may include a common search space set configured for sending control information to multiple UEs 115 and a UE-specific search space set for sending control information to a particular UE 115.

[0056] Each base station 105 may provide communication coverage via one or more cells, e.g., macro cells, small cells, hot spots, or other types of cells, or any combination thereof. The term "cell" may refer to a logical communication entity used for communication with the base station 105 (e.g., on a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier (VCID), or other) to distinguish neighboring cells. In some examples, a cell may also refer to a geographic coverage area 110 or a portion (e.g., a sector) of the geographic coverage area 110 in which the logical communication entity operates. Such a cell may range from a smaller area (e.g., a structure, a subset of a structure) to a larger area depending on various factors such as the capabilities of the base station 105. For example, a cell may be or include a building, a subset of a building, or an outside space between or overlapping with the geographic coverage area 110, among other examples.

[0057] A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs 115 subscribing to the service of a network provider supporting the macro cell. A small cell may be associated with a lower power base station 105 compared to a macro cell, and the small cell may operate at the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed) frequency as the macro cell. A small cell may provide unrestricted access to UEs 115 subscribing to the service of a network provider, or may provide restricted access to UEs 115 that have an association with the small cell (e.g., UEs 115 in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs 115 associated with a user in a home or office). A base station 105 may support one or more cells and may also support communication on one or more cells using one or more component carriers.

[0058] In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., MTC, Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB)) that may provide access to different types of devices.

[0059] In some examples, the base stations 105 may be mobile and thus provide communication coverage to moving geographic coverage areas 110. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but the different geographic coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same base station 105. In other examples, overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different base stations 105. The wireless communication system 100 may include heterogeneous networks, for example, where different types of base stations 105 provide coverage to various geographic coverage areas 110 using the same or different radio access technologies.

[0060] The wireless communications system 100 may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, the base stations 105 may have similar frame timing and transmissions from different base stations 105 may be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, the base stations 105 may have different frame timing and transmissions from different base stations 105 may not be aligned in time, in some examples. The techniques described herein may be used for either synchronous or asynchronous operation.

[0061] Some UEs 115, such as MTC devices or IoT devices, may be low-cost or low-complexity devices and may provide automated communication between machines (e.g., via machine-to-machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC may refer to data communication technologies that allow devices to communicate with each other or with the base station 105 without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC may include communication from devices that incorporate sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay that information to a central server or application program that utilizes such information or presents the information to a human interacting with the application program. Some UEs 115 may be designed to collect information or enable automated behavior of machines or other devices. Examples of applications for 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 billing.

[0062] Some UEs 115 may be configured to employ operating modes that reduce power consumption, such as half-duplex communication (e.g., a mode that supports one-way communication via transmission or reception, but not simultaneous transmission and reception). In some examples, the half-duplex communication may be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other power conservation techniques for the UE 115 include entering a power-saving deep sleep mode when not engaged in active communication, operating over a limited bandwidth (e.g., in accordance with narrowband communication), or a combination of these techniques. For example, some UEs 115 may be configured for operation 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 the carrier, or outside of the carrier.

[0063] The wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable or low latency communications, or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) or mission-critical communications. The UE 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable, low latency, or critical functions (e.g., mission-critical functionality). Ultra-reliable communications may include private or group communications and may be supported by one or more mission-critical services, such as mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT), mission-critical video (MCVideo), or mission-critical data (MCData). Support for mission-critical functionality may include service prioritization, and the mission-critical services may be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low latency, mission-critical, and ultra-reliable low latency may be used interchangeably herein.

[0064] In some examples, the UE 115 may also be able to communicate directly with other UEs 115 over a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., using a peer-to-peer (P2P) or D2D protocol). One or more UEs 115 utilizing D2D communication may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 105. Other UEs 115 in such a group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 105 or may not otherwise be able to receive transmissions from the base station 105. In some examples, a group of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE 115 transmits to every other UE 115 in the group. In some examples, the base station 105 facilitates scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication occurs between UEs 115 without the involvement of the base station 105.

[0065] In some systems, the D2D communication link 135 may be an example of a communication channel between vehicles (e.g., UE 115), such as a sidelink communication channel. In some examples, the vehicles may communicate using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or some combination thereof. The vehicles may signal information regarding traffic conditions, signal scheduling, weather, safety, emergency situations, or any other information related to the V2X system. In some examples, the vehicles in the V2X system may communicate with roadside infrastructure, such as roadside units, and / or with a network via one or more network nodes (e.g., base stations 105) using vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication.

[0066] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or 5G core (5GC), which may include at least one control plane entity (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF)) that manages access and mobility, and at least one user plane entity (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)) that routes packets or interconnects with external networks. The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for the UEs 115 served by the base stations 105 associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be forwarded through the user plane entity, which may provide IP address allocation as well as other functions. The user plane entities may be connected to network operator IP services 150. Operator IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched streaming services.

[0067] Some of the network devices, such as the base station 105, may include subcomponents, such as an access network entity 140, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC). Each access network entity 140 may communicate with the UE 115 through one or more other access network transmitting entities 145, which may be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, or a transmit / receive point (TRP). Each access network transmitting entity 145 may include one or more antenna panels. In some configurations, various functions of each access network entity 140 or base station 105 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., radio heads and ANCs) or integrated into a single network device (e.g., the base station 105).

[0068] The wireless communication system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands, typically within the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). In some examples, the 300 MHz to 3 GHz region is known as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelengths range in length from approximately 1 decimeter to 1 meter. Although UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features, these waves may penetrate structures sufficiently for a macrocell to serve UEs 115 located indoors. Transmission of UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter distances (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) compared to transmissions using lower frequencies and longer waves in the shortwave (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0069] The wireless communication system 100 may also operate in the centimeter wave (SHF) region, using a frequency band from 3 GHz to 30 GHz, also known as the centimeter band, or in the millimeter wave (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) communications between the UE 115 and the base station 105, and the EHF antennas of the respective devices may be smaller and more closely spaced than UHF antennas. In some examples, this may facilitate the use of antenna arrays within the devices. However, propagation of EHF transmissions may experience more atmospheric attenuation and shorter distances than SHF or UHF transmissions. The techniques disclosed herein may be employed across transmissions using one or more different frequency regions, and the designated use of the bands across these frequency regions may vary by country or regulatory body.

[0070] The wireless communication system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may employ Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), LTE Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology in an unlicensed band, such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band. When operating in an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, devices such as the base station 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 conjunction with component carriers operating in a licensed band (e.g., LAA). Operation in an unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, among other examples.

[0071] The base station 105 or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas that may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, or beamforming. The antennas of the base station 105 or UE 115 may be located in one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels that may support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located in an antenna assembly such as an antenna tower. In some examples, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with the base station 105 may be located in diverse geographic locations. The base station 105 may have an antenna array with several rows and columns of antenna ports that the base station 105 may use to support beamforming of communications 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 panels may support radio frequency beamforming for signals transmitted through the antenna ports.

[0072] A base station 105 or UE 115 may use MIMO communications to exploit multipath signal propagation and increase 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 by a transmitting device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas, for example. 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 bits associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). The different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports used for channel measurements 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.

[0073] Beamforming, sometimes referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signal processing technique that may be used in a transmitting or receiving device (e.g., base station 105, UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., transmit beam, receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting and receiving devices. Beamforming may be achieved by combining signals communicated through antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating in some orientations relative to the antenna array are subject to constructive interference and other signals are subject to destructive interference. Adjustment of signals communicated through antenna elements may include the transmitting or receiving device applying an amplitude offset, a phase offset, or both to signals conveyed through an antenna element associated with the device. The adjustment associated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with an orientation (e.g., relative to the transmitting or receiving device's antenna array or to some other orientation).

[0074] The base station 105 or the UE 115 may use beam sweeping techniques as part of a beamforming operation. For example, the base station 105 may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to perform a beamforming operation for directional communication with the UE 115. Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted multiple times by the base station 105 in different directions. For example, the base station 105 may transmit signals according to different beamforming weight sets associated with different directions of transmission. The transmissions in different beam directions may be used (e.g., by a transmitting device such as the base station 105 or by a receiving device such as the UE 115) to identify beam directions for subsequent transmissions or receptions by the base station 105.

[0075] Some signals, such as data signals associated with a receiving device, may be transmitted by the base station 105 in a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with a receiving device, such as the UE 115). In some examples, a beam direction associated with a transmission along a single beam direction may be determined based on signals transmitted in one or more beam directions. For example, the UE 115 may receive one or more of the signals transmitted by the base station 105 in different directions and may report to the base station 105 an indication of the signal that the UE 115 received with the best signal quality or an otherwise acceptable signal quality.

[0076] In some examples, transmission by a device (e.g., by the base station 105 or the UE 115) may be performed using multiple beam directions, and the device may use a combination of digital precoding or radio frequency beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from the base station 105 to the UE 115). The UE 115 may report feedback indicating precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and the feedback may correspond to a configured number of beams across the system bandwidth or one or more subbands. The base station 105 may transmit a reference signal (e.g., a cell-specific reference signal (CRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)) that may be precoded or amplicoded. The UE 115 may provide feedback for beam selection, which may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., a multi-panel type codebook, a linear combination type codebook, a port selection type codebook). These techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted in one or more directions by the base station 105, although the UE 115 may employ similar techniques for transmitting a signal multiple times in different directions (e.g., to identify a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by the UE 115) or for transmitting a signal in a single direction (e.g., to transmit data to a receiving device).

[0077] A receiving device (e.g., UE 115) may attempt multiple receive configurations (e.g., directional listening) when receiving various signals, such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals, from the base station 105. For example, the receiving device may attempt multiple receive directions by receiving via different antenna subarrays, by processing signals received according to different antenna subarrays, by receiving according to different receive beamforming weight sets (e.g., different directional listening weight sets) applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of the antenna array, or by processing signals received according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of the antenna array, any of which may be referred to as "listening" according to different receive configurations or receive directions. In some examples, the receiving device may use a single receive configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). A single receiving configuration may be aligned to a beam direction determined based on listening along different receiving configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or otherwise acceptable signal quality based on listening along multiple beam directions).

[0078] The wireless communication system 100 may be a packet-based network that operates according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communication at the bearer or Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer may be IP-based. The Radio Link Control (RLC) layer may perform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicate on logical channels. The Medium Access Control (MAC) layer may perform priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer may also use error detection techniques, error correction techniques, or both to support retransmissions at the MAC layer to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer may establish, configure, and maintain an RRC connection between the UE 115 and the base station 105 or core network 130, which supports radio bearers for user plane data. In the physical layer, the transport channels may be mapped to physical channels.

[0079] The UE 115 and the base station 105 may support retransmission of data to increase the likelihood of successful reception of the data. Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback is one technique for increasing the likelihood that data is correctly received on the communication link 125. HARQ may include a combination of error detection (e.g., using a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ)). HARQ may improve throughput at the MAC layer in poor radio conditions (e.g., low signal-to-noise conditions). In some examples, a device may support same-slot HARQ feedback, in which the device may provide HARQ feedback in a particular slot for data received in a previous symbol in that slot. In other cases, the device may provide HARQ feedback in a subsequent slot or according to some other time interval.

[0080] The wireless communication system 100 may include a repeater 106 to extend the coverage of the base station 105. The repeater 106 may reduce the effects of propagation loss and signal jamming in a cell by filling in coverage holes, especially for mmW communications or other shortwave applications. The repeater 106 may be configured to receive a signal (e.g., an analog signal, a mmW signal, etc.) from a first wireless device (e.g., a base station 105 or a UE 115), amplify the power of the received signal, and transmit the amplified signal to a second wireless device (e.g., a UE 115 or a base station 105). The repeater 106 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such as beamforming.

[0081] Each repeater 106 may provide a coverage area 111 over which the UE and the repeater 106 may establish one or more communication links 125. The coverage area 111 may be an example of a geographic area over which the repeater 106 and the UE 115 may support communication of signals over one or more radio access technologies. The repeater 106 may communicate with the base station 105, for example, via a wireless backhaul link 120, to extend the coverage of the base station 105 to include the coverage area 111 and facilitate communication between the UE 115 and the base station 105 within the coverage area 111.

[0082] The repeater 106 may include a control interface for receiving and processing control signals from the base station 105. In some examples, the repeater 106 may receive control signals via out-of-band transmissions that may be transmitted using a different wireless technology (e.g., Bluetooth) or frequency (e.g., NB-IoT, frequencies below 6 GHz, etc.) than the wireless technology or frequency used to receive and transmit the signals (e.g., mmW communications). In some examples, the repeater 106 may receive control signals via in-band transmissions, for example, using a BWP that is smaller than the bandwidth used to receive and transmit the signals.

[0083] The wireless communication system 100 may include devices (e.g., base station 105, repeater 106, and UE 115) that may be capable of multi-TRP operation. Multi-TRP operation may increase the capacity or reliability of the system. An example of operation may include base station 105 transmitting one or more signals to repeater 106. Repeater 106 may then amplify the signal and redirect the signal to UE 115. The path used to send a signal from base station 105 to UE 115 may be referred to as a communication path. Base station 105 may be capable of selecting which communication path to use for different types of signals. Base station 105 may compare one or more SNR ratios, including end-to-end SNR and first hop SNR of the communication path to select the communication path.

[0084] By selecting a communication path based on the SNR of individual hops as well as the SNR of the entire path, the base station 105 may select a communication path for a particular type of transmission to increase the efficiency of the wireless communication system. For example, the base station 105 may transmit control information on a communication path having a lower SNR than another communication path over which data may be transmitted, thereby efficiently utilizing available resources in the wireless communication system.

[0085] 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 200 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters according to aspects of the disclosure. In some examples, the wireless communication system 200 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. For example, the wireless communication system 200 may include a base station 205, one or more repeaters 206, and one or more UEs 215, which may be examples of corresponding devices described with reference to FIG. 1. The wireless communication system 200 may include features for improved repeater operation, among other benefits.

[0086] In the wireless communication system 200, a base station 205 may serve one or more UEs 215 located within a geographic coverage area 210. The UEs 215 within the geographic coverage area 210 may transmit and receive communications as scheduled by the base station 205. Devices in the wireless communication system 200 may use beamforming techniques to transmit using a transmit beam 225 and receive transmissions using a receive beam 230. The base station 205 may transmit in the mmW spectrum band, although the techniques described herein may apply to transmissions in other frequency bands or using other RATs.

[0087] In some examples, as shown and described with respect to FIG. 2, the base station 205 may not be able to communicate directly with the UE 215-a or UE 215-b. For example, the obstacles 235-a and 235-b may block a direct communication path to one or more UEs 215. In some examples, the obstacles 235-a and 235-b may represent intervening buildings or other objects. To fill the coverage holes, the base station 205 may communicate with the UE 215 through the repeater 206. For example, the base station 205 may communicate with the UE 215-a through the repeater 206-a, and the base station 205-a may communicate with the UE 215-b through the repeater 206-b. Alternatively, although not shown in FIG. 2, the base station 205 may communicate with the UE 215-b or other UEs 215 via repeaters 206-a and 206-c, where the repeaters 206-a and 206-c may be configured as a chain to extend the coverage of the base station 205.

[0088] In some cases, the repeater 206 may be an amplify-forward repeater. An amplify-forward repeater may receive a signal from a transmitting entity (e.g., a base station 205 or a UE 215), amplify the signal, and redirect the beam toward the receiving entity (e.g., a base station 205 or a UE 215). The process of sending a signal through the repeater 206 may introduce noise into the system. The noise may be reflected in one or more quality metrics for the communication path (e.g., the SNR of the communication path). The SNR may be used to compare the level of a desired signal to the level of background noise in the system. Thus, a higher SNR may be desirable for applications that require a stronger signal.

[0089] There may be an SNR value associated with the transmission of a signal to each device. A transmission of a signal from one device to another may be referred to as a hop. For example, a transmission from a base station 205 to a UE 215-b, including a repeater 206-b, has two hops. The first hop is from the base station 205 to the repeater 206-b. The second hop is from the repeater 206-b to the UE 215-b. Each hop in the communication path may have an SNR value that may affect the end-to-end SNR value by a different amount based on the noise added to the system per hop.

[0090] In one example, a signal may travel from a source (e.g., base station 205 or UE 215) to a destination (e.g., base station 205 or UE 215) through a repeater 206. The end-to-end SNR may be calculated based on the noise from each hop in the path. The first hop may be between the source and the repeater 206. The SNR value of the first hop, or SNR1, may be calculated based on the power of the transmitted signal from the source and factors that affect the noise, such as channel variations (e.g., path loss) and additive noise. The second hop may be between the repeater 206 and the destination. The SNR value of the second hop, or SNR2, may be calculated based on the power of the transmitted signal leaving the repeater, channel variations, and additive noise. The values ​​of SNR1 and SNR2 may not be the only factors in the end-to-end SNR.

[0091] The repeater may introduce noise that may affect the end-to-end SNR and power output of the repeater. The repeater may operate at maximum efficiency, in which case it may receive a signal and immediately modify and transmit the signal. This process may result in a feedback loop that may leak an attenuated output signal to one or more input ports, introducing noise in the repeater. The repeater may also have internal noise, sometimes referred to as a noise figure, represented by F. Thus, the input SNR to the repeater 206 may be greater than the output SNR from the repeater 206. The internal noise and feedback loop of the repeater 206 may reduce the power input to the repeater 206, resulting in a lower power output. This reduction in power may result in a lower value of SNR2, sometimes referred to as SNR'2.

[0092] Taking the above factors into account, the end-to-end SNR of a two-hop path including the source, one amplify-and-forward repeater 206, and the destination is expressed as SNR AF It can be expressed as:

[0093]

number

[0094] In Equation 1, the first term in the denominator reduces the SNR by a factor of F.

[0095]

number

[0096] can be much smaller than 1. In this case, the second term in the denominator becomes

[0097]

number

[0098] Therefore, the value of SNR1 may be reduced by a factor of F, but the value of SNR'2 may not. This phenomenon may be called the noise boost effect. The noise boost effect takes into account the case where a repeater may boost the noise from the first hop and then transmit a signal with the boosted noise in the second hop. The SNR values ​​of the first and second hops may not be symmetrical. For example, when SNR1 is a large value, the factor F is reduced by the term

[0099]

number

[0100] does not decrease to the same extent as when SNR1 is small, but when SNR is large AF As a result, it may be beneficial to determine which hop has a larger SNR value and then choose that hop as the first hop when sending data.

[0101] In some examples, the base station 205 may communicate with the UEs 215-a and 215-b. Due to obstacles 235-a and 235-b, the base station 205 may not be able to communicate directly with the UEs 215-a and 215-b, respectively. Instead, the base station 205 may decide to communicate through the repeater 206. The base station 205 may transmit a signal including repeater configuration information, data, control information, etc. to the repeater 206-a using a transmit beam 225-a, and the repeater 206-a may receive the signal using a receive beam 230-a. In some examples, the repeater 206-a may receive the signal, obtain any configuration information related to the repeater 206-a, and forward the data transmission, control transmission, or a portion of the configuration information to the repeater 206-c using a transmit beam 225-e. The repeater 206-c may receive the forwarded message using a receive beam 230-e. In some cases, when a base station 205 uses a chain of repeaters 206 including repeater 206-a and repeater 206-b to communicate with another UE 215, repeater 206-c may relay a received signal to a subsequent repeater 206 in the chain or directly to another UE 215 (not shown). Similarly, the base station 205 may transmit a signal to repeater 206-b using transmit beam 225-b, which may receive the signal using receive beam 230-b. Repeater 206-b may relay a signal to UE 215-b using transmit beam 225-d, which may receive the relayed signal using receive beam 230-d.

[0102] The signal from the base station 205 may include configuration information for communicating with the UEs 215-a and 215-b. For example, the base station 205 may configure the repeater 206-a to send one type of signal to the UE 215-a using a transmit beam 225-c, and the UE 215-a may receive the signal using a receive beam 230-c. Similarly, the base station 205 may configure the repeater 206-b to send a different type of signal to the UE 215-b using a transmit beam 225-d, and the UE 215-b may receive the signal using a receive beam 230-d.

[0103] In some cases, the base station 205 may configure the repeater 206 for uplink signaling or downlink signaling. For example, the base station 205 may configure the repeater 206-a for downlink signaling. In such a case, the repeater 206-a may receive a downlink transmission from the base station 205 using a receive beam 230-a and may relay the signal to another device (e.g., repeater 206-c) using a transmit beam 225-e. In some examples, the base station 205 may configure the repeater 206-a for uplink signaling. In such a case, the repeater 206-a may receive an uplink signal from a downstream device (e.g., repeater 206-c) using one or more receive beams 230. The repeater 206-a may relay the uplink transmission to the base station 205 using one or more transmit beams 225.

[0104] 3 illustrates an example of a baseline architecture 300 that supports techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters according to aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the baseline architecture 300 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100.

[0105] The baseline architecture 300 for a repeater 306 (e.g., a millimeter wave repeater) may be part of a multi-TRP operation. The repeater 306 may be a layer 1 repeater. A layer 1 repeater may have limited capabilities when compared to higher layer repeaters, but may reduce cost and power requirements. The repeater 306 may not perform digital processing, so the transmitting entity may perform control and scheduling operations for the repeater 306 remotely. The repeater 306 may have a control interface 305. The control interface 305 may be out-of-band or in-band. The out-of-band control interface 305 may use a different RAT (e.g., NR and Bluetooth) or different frequency resources (e.g., LTE-M, NB-IoT) than the transmitting entity. The in-band control interface 305 may use a portion of the same carrier frequency as the transmission signal, with a smaller bandwidth. The transmitting entity may send a signal to the control interface 305 of the repeater 306. The signal may be an analog signal. In some cases, the signal may include control information, configuration information, or both. The transmitting entity may send the beamforming configuration to the control interface 305 (e.g., via a separate modem or in-band control).

[0106] The control interface 305 may communicate signal information with the controller 310 via a communication link. The controller 310 may then amplify the power of the received analog signal by using a variable gain amplifier 315. In some cases, the controller 310 may receive control information to direct the signal to one of the phased arrays 320 or 325 instead of passing through the variable gain amplifier 315. The phased arrays 320 and 325 may use beamforming configurations from the transmitting entity to redirect the beam. In some cases, the signal may pass through the variable gain amplifier 315 before continuing to the phased arrays 320 and 325. The control interface 305 may receive configuration information from the transmitting entity that enables the repeater 306 to perform beamforming for both transmitting and receiving signals.

[0107] The repeater 306 may be able to communicate with the transmitting entity via a backhaul link. The repeater 306 may be able to talk to the receiving entity via an access link. The controller 310 may use these links when processing information from the control interface 305. The repeater 306 may have different beams for transmitting and receiving.

[0108] As described with reference to FIG. 2, a transmitting entity (e.g., a base station) may select a communication path, which may include one or more repeaters 306, for a particular type of communication (e.g., uplink, downlink, control, data, broadcast, etc.) based on the SNR of the communication path, the SNR of one or more hops of the communication path, or some combination of these SNR values.

[0109] 4 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 400 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters according to aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the wireless communication system 400 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100.

[0110] The wireless communication system 400 may include a base station 405 and repeaters 406-a, 406-b, and 406-c having respective geographic coverage areas 410, and UEs 415-a and 415-b. While FIG. 4 shows a single base station 405, the wireless communication system 400 may include one or more additional base stations 405, repeaters 406, and UEs 415. The base station 405 may be an example of a base station 105 described with reference to FIG. 1. The repeaters 406-a, 406-b, and 406-c may be examples of a repeater 106 described with reference to FIG. 1. The UEs 415-a and 415-b may be examples of a UE 115 described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0111] The base station 405 may establish one or more communication paths for communicating with one or more UEs 415. A communication path, as used herein, may refer to a directional communication path from a transmitting entity (e.g., the base station 405) to a receiving entity (e.g., the UEs 415-a, 415-b). Each communication path may include one repeater 406, multiple repeaters 406, or no repeaters 406 between the transmitting entity and the receiving entity. Each link in a communication path may be referred to as a hop. For example, a first hop in a communication path may be from a transmitting entity to a repeater 406. A second hop in a communication path may be from a repeater 406 to another repeater 406 or to a receiving entity. The base station 405 may select a communication path for signal transmission based on the SNR of one or more of the hops, the SNR of the entire communication link (e.g., end-to-end SNR), or a combination or ratio of these SNR values.

[0112] In some cases, the base station 405 may detect and establish a direct communication path to the UE 415. For example, the base station 405 may communicate with the UE 415-a via the first communication path 440. In such an example, the base station 405 may send a downlink signal to the UE 415-a via the beam 420-a, and the UE 415-a may receive the downlink signal via the beam 420-b. Or, the UE 115-a may send an uplink transmission via the beam 420-b, and the base station 405 may receive the uplink transmission via the beam 420-a. Thus, the beam 420 may carry a signal from the base station 405 to the UE 415 or vice versa along the first communication path 440. The first communication path may be an example of a direct communication path.

[0113] In some cases, the base station 405 may include a repeater 406 in the communication path, as shown with respect to the second communication path 445, the third communication path 450, and the fourth communication path 455. A transmitting entity (e.g., the base station 405 or the UE 415-a) may communicate with a receiving entity using a beam 425 along the second communication path 445. For example, the base station 405 may send a signal to the repeater 406-a via beams 425-a and 425-b. The repeater 406-a may then amplify the signal and redirect the signal to the UE 415-a via beams 425-c and 425-d. In another example, the UE 415-a may transmit a signal to the base station 405. The UE 415-a may send a signal to the repeater 406-a using beams 425-d and 425-c. The repeater 406-a may then relay the signal to the base station 405 using beams 425-b and 425-a.

[0114] In some cases, the base station 405 may select one or more of the multiple available communication paths to communicate with a single UE 415. For example, the base station 405 may select the third communication path 450 or the fourth communication path 455. Upon selecting the communication path 450, the base station 405 may communicate (e.g., uplink or downlink communications) with the UE 415-a via the beams 430-a, 430-b, 430-c, and 430-d. Upon selecting the fourth communication path 455, the base station 405 may communicate (e.g., uplink or downlink communications) with the UE 415-b via the beams 435-a, 435-b, 435-c, and 435-d.

[0115] The base station 405 may utilize multiple available communication paths to increase the communication reliability or capacity of the system. The base station 405 may send configuration information to the repeater 406 based on the desired benefit or utilization of resources. In some cases, the transmitting entity may send the same signal on multiple paths. For example, the base station 405 may send a signal to the repeaters 406-b and 406-c via the third communication path 450 and the fourth communication path 455, respectively. If there is an obstacle blocking one of the beams 430-a or 430-c, or if the signal quality of the third communication path 450 is poor, the signal may not reach the UE 415-b via the third communication path 450. However, because the base station 405 sent the same signal on the fourth communication path 455, the UE 415-b may successfully receive the signal despite the obstruction on the third communication path 450. The base station 405 may use any number of communication paths to send the same signal. Therefore, sending the same signal on multiple beams can improve communication reliability through spatial diversity.

[0116] In some examples, a transmitting entity may send multiple signals on multiple paths. In such an example, the base station 405 may send a first signal to the UE 415-b via the third communication path 450 and a second signal to the UE 415-b using the fourth communication path 455. Thus, the UE 415-b may efficiently receive multiple signals and increase the capacity of the wireless communication system by utilizing multiple communication paths in parallel.

[0117] In some examples, the base station 405 may send a signal using one communication path while the second communication path is in standby mode. For example, the base station 405 may send one or more signals via the third communication path 450 and keep the fourth communication path 455 in reserve (e.g., in standby mode). In such examples, an obstacle may prevent a signal from reaching the UE 415-b via the third communication path 450 using the repeater 406-b. If this occurs, the base station 405 may decide to activate the repeater 406-c and use the fourth communication path 455 to send the signal to the UE 415-b. Using the communication path in standby mode may improve communication reliability in addition to the benefit of saving power when the repeater 406 is in standby mode.

[0118] In still other cases, the base station 405 may decide to use one communication path for downlink signaling and another communication path for uplink signaling, as described in more detail with respect to FIG. 6. In some examples, the base station 405 may use one communication path for one type of signal and another communication path for a second type of signal, as described in more detail with respect to FIG. 7. The base station 405 may select a communication type or uplink or downlink configuration based on the end-to-end SNR of the communication path, the hop SNR for each (e.g., one or more) hop of the communication path, the ratio of one or more hop SNRs to the end-to-end SNR of the communication path, or any combination thereof. Selecting a communication path based on such considerations can increase system capacity, improve efficiency, improve reliability, and improve user experience.

[0119] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 500 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater according to aspects of the disclosure. In some examples, the wireless communication system 500 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 500 may include a base station 505 that may serve one or more UEs 515 within a geographic coverage area 510. The system may also include repeaters 506-a, 506-b, 506-c, and 506-d, and UEs 515-a and 515-b. Although FIG. 5 illustrates a single base station 505, the wireless communication system 500 may include one or more additional base stations 505, repeaters 506, and UEs 515, among other components. The base station 505 may be an example of the base station 105 described with reference to FIG. 1 and the base station 205 described with reference to FIG. 2. Relays 506-a, 506-b, 506-c, and 506-d may be examples of relay 106 described with reference to Figure 1 and relay 206 described with reference to Figure 2. UEs 515-a and 515-b may be examples of UE 115 described with reference to Figure 1 and UE 215 described with reference to Figure 2.

[0120] The UE 515 may receive signals sent on one or more communication paths using one or more receive beams 530. Although each communication path illustrated with respect to FIG. 5 shows one repeater 506, a communication path may include one repeater 506, multiple repeaters 506, or no repeaters 506. The base station 505 may communicate with one or more UEs 515 using one or more communication paths, as described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2-4.

[0121] The UE 515 may receive signals from the base station 505 using a single receive beam 535 for each communication path. For example, the base station 505 may send a signal on a first communication path using a repeater 506-a. In such an example, the base station 505 may send a downlink message (e.g., data, control signaling, configuration information, etc.) on a transmit beam 525-a. The repeater 506-a may receive the downlink message using a receive beam 530-a and may relay the message to the UE 515-a using a transmit beam 525-e. Similarly, the base station 505 may send another signal on a second communication path using a repeater 506-b. In such a case, the base station 505 may send a downlink message (e.g., data, control signaling, configuration information, etc.) on a transmit beam 525-b. The repeater 506-b may receive the downlink message using a receive beam 530-b and may relay the message to the UE 515-a using a transmit beam 525-f. The UE 515-a may receive messages from either communication path using the same receive beam 535. In some examples, the receive beam 535 may be coarse (e.g., spatially wide) enough to receive downlink messages or relayed messages from various spatial directions. Thus, the receive beam 535 may receive signals from both communication paths. The receive beam 535 may be referred to as a composite beam. In some cases, the UE 515-a may receive different messages from each communication path without determining any differences between the communication paths. That is, the UE 515-a may be unaware of the multiple communication paths and may receive messages from multiple devices (e.g., repeater 506-a, repeater 506-b, etc.) regardless of the source of the signal. Similarly, the UE 515-a may send an uplink message via a coarse transmit beam such that multiple devices (e.g., repeater 506-a, repeater 506-b, etc.) may receive the uplink transmission and relay the uplink transmission to the base station 505.

[0122] The UE 515 may receive signals from the base station 505 using different receive beams 530 for each communication path. For example, the base station 505 may send a signal on a first communication path using a repeater 506-c. For example, the base station 505 may send a downlink message (e.g., data, control signaling, configuration information, etc.) on a transmit beam 525-c. The repeater 506-c may receive the downlink message using a receive beam 530-c and may relay the message to the UE 515-b using a transmit beam 525-g. Similarly, the base station 505 may send another signal on a second communication path using a repeater 506-d. In such an example, the base station 505 may send a downlink message (e.g., data, control signaling, configuration information, etc.) on a transmit beam 525-d. The repeater 506-d may receive the downlink message using a receive beam 530-d and may relay the message to the UE 515-b using a transmit beam 525-h. UE 515-b may receive a downlink message via a first communications path using receive beam 530-e and another downlink message via a second communications path using receive beam 530-f. Similarly, in some examples, UE 515-a may send an uplink message via a first communications path using repeater 506-c using a first transmit beam and another uplink message via a second communications path using repeater 506-d using a second transmit beam.

[0123] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 600 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater according to aspects of the disclosure. In some examples, the wireless communication system 600 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 600 may include a base station 605 having a respective geographic coverage area 610. The system may also include repeaters 606-a and 606-b and a UE 615. Although FIG. 6 illustrates a single base station 605, the wireless communication system 600 may include one or more additional base stations 605, repeaters 606, and UEs 615, among other components. The base station 605, repeaters 606, and UEs 615 may be examples of corresponding devices described with reference to FIGS. 1-5.

[0124] In some cases, the base station 605 may select one or more communication paths 635 for uplink and downlink communications based on one or more SNR values ​​of the communication paths 635. The repeaters 606 of the communication paths 635 may amplify noise in the process of amplifying the signal. As a result, one or more determined SNR values ​​and ratios of the communication paths 635 may be used to determine the signal quality of the communication paths 635. The communication path 635-a may have a different end-to-end SNR than the communication path 635-b. The communication path 635-a may have a first hop 640-a and a second hop 640-b. The communication path 635-b may have a first hop 640-c and a second hop 640-d. The difference in end-to-end SNR of the communication paths 635-a and 635-b may be directly related to the SNR of the first hop 640-a, the SNR of the second hop 640-b, the SNR of the first hop 640-c, and the SNR of the second hop 640-d. In some examples, due to the amplified noise of each repeater 606 of the communication path, the SNR of the first hop 640-a and the first hop 640-c of the first communication path 635-a and the second communication path 635-b may have a greater impact on the respective communication path 635 than the second hop 640-b and the second hop 640-d. The base station 605 may use this information to configure the repeater 606 to select the communication path 635 having a stronger SNR for the first hop 640. The base station 605 may use a first communication path 635-a for one type of communication and a second communication path 635-b for a second type of communication based on the end-to-end SNR value and the first hop SNR value for each communication path 635.

[0125] The base station 605 may select a communication path 635 for uplink communication and another communication path 635 for downlink communication based on the SNR value and the SNR ratio. For example, the base station 605 may select a communication path 635-a for downlink communication and a communication path 635-b for uplink communication, where the selection may be based on the first hop SNR for each communication path 635. In a first hop 640-a on the communication path 635-a, the base station 605 may send a downlink signal on a transmit beam 625-a, and the repeater 606-a may receive the downlink signal using a receive beam 630-a. The repeater 606-a may then amplify and redirect the signal on a transmit beam 625-b in a second hop 640-b according to configuration information from the base station 605. The UE 615 may then receive the signal on a receive beam 630-b. The base station 605 may select the communication path 635-b for uplink communication. In the first hop 640-c on the second communication path 635-b, the UE 615 may send an uplink signal on a transmit beam 625-c, and the repeater 606-b may receive the uplink signal using the receive beam 630-c. The repeater 606-b may then amplify and redirect the uplink signal on a transmit beam 625-d in the second hop 640-d according to configuration information from the base station 605. The base station 605 may then receive the uplink signal on the receive beam 630-d.

[0126] In some cases, the base station 605 may take the first hop SNR into consideration when determining which communication path 645 to use for uplink signaling and downlink signaling. Many factors, including proximity, may affect the first hop SNR. For example, the base station 605 may select the communication path 635-a for downlink signaling to the UE 615. The first hop 640-a of the communication path 635-a may have a higher SNR than the second hop 640-b (e.g., because the repeater 606-b may be closer to the base station 605 than the UE 615). Similarly, the base station 605 may select the communication path 635-b for uplink signaling from the UE 615. The first hop 640-c of the communication path 635-b may have a higher SNR than the second hop 640-d (e.g., because the repeater 606-b may be closer to the UE 615 than the base station 605). Once the base station 605 selects the communication path 635 based on the first hop SNR, it may send configuration information to each repeater 606-a and 606-b. The configuration information may indicate the selection to the repeaters 606 and may configure the repeaters 606 for downlink and uplink communications, respectively.

[0127] In some cases, the base station 605 may determine multi-TRP operation to avoid maximum permissible exposure (MPE) restrictions. For example, the base station 605 may not be able to use a direct communication path for downlink with the UE 615 because the device or user is too close to the UE 615. Communicating directly with the UE 615 may exceed the MPE restrictions. Instead, the base station 605 may determine the exposure limit of the downlink communication path 635-a by using an indirect repeater 606-a, which may therefore be acceptable under the MPE restrictions.

[0128] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 700 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater according to aspects of the disclosure. In some examples, the wireless communication system 700 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 700 may include a base station 705 having a respective geographic coverage area 710. The system may also include a repeater 706 and UEs 715-a and 715-b. Although FIG. 7 illustrates a single base station 705, the wireless communication system 700 may include one or more additional base stations 705, repeaters 706, and UEs 715, among other components. The base station 705, repeaters 706, and UEs 715 may be examples of corresponding devices described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0129] The base station 705 may identify multiple communication paths 735, 740, and 745 with one or more UEs 715. In some cases, the base station 705 may select the communication path 735, 740, or 745 based on the type of signal (e.g., data, broadcast signaling, control signaling, etc.). The base station 705 may establish a direct communication path 735 with the UE 715-a. When using the communication path 735, the base station 705 may send a signal using a transmit beam 725-a. The UE 715-a may receive a signal using a receive beam 730-a. In the second communication path 740, the base station 705 may communicate with the UE 715-a through the repeater 706. The base station 705 may transmit a signal on a transmit beam 725-b. The repeater 706 may receive a signal using a receive beam 730-b. The repeater 706 may amplify the signal and redirect the signal to the UE 715-a using a transmit beam 725-c. The UE 715-a may receive the signal using a receive beam 730-c. In the third communication path 745, the base station 705 may be able to send signals (e.g., control information) to multiple UEs 715-a and 715-b. The base station 705 may transmit signals on the same transmit beam 725-b. For example, the base station 705 may multiplex (e.g., OFDM) the signals and send the signals via the transmit beam 725-b simultaneously or at different times (e.g., via TDM). The UE 715-b and the repeater 706 may be able to receive independent signals that the base station has combined into the same OFDM symbol. The UE 715-b may receive one or more of the signals via the receive beam 730-d. The repeater 706 may receive the signal via receive beam 730-b and may relay the signal to the UE 715-a via transmit beam 725-c.

[0130] In one example, the base station 705 may select different communication paths for different types of communication. For example, the base station 705 may determine that the communication path 735 may be a strong communication path directly to the UE 715-a. The base station 705 may also determine that the communication path 740 using the repeater 706 may be weaker than the communication path 735 (i.e., the SNR value of the communication path 735 may be greater than the communication path 740). In some examples, different types of communication may depend on a greater SNR, more available frequency resources, or both (e.g., data communication). Thus, the base station 705 may determine that such types of communication should be sent via a communication path having a stronger link (e.g., a higher SNR or more available frequency resources). In such an example, the base station 705 may use the communication path 735 having the stronger link to send a data signal. The base station 705 may use a communication path 740 having a weaker link than the first communication path 735 to send broadcast or control signals (which may not rely on such a high SNR or use as many frequency resources).

[0131] In some examples, the base station 705 may communicate with multiple UEs via different communication paths via a single transmit beam 725. For example, the base station 705 may use the communication path 745 to send a signal (e.g., control information) to the UE 715-b using the same transmit beam 725-b as for the communication path 740. That is, the base station 705 may determine which communication path has a weaker or stronger link with the UE 715 to enable more efficient resource utilization. For example, the base station 705 may determine to send one or more signals (e.g., control information for both the UE 715-a and the UE 715-b) to multiple UEs 715. The base station 705 may transmit the control information using the transmit beam 725-b. The UE 715-b may receive the control information via the communication path 745, and the UE 715-a may receive the control information via the communication path 740.

[0132] 8 illustrates an example of a process flow 800 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater according to aspects of the disclosure. In some examples, the process flow 800 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. The process flow 800 may be an example of multi-TRP operation between a base station 805, a repeater 806, and a receiving entity (e.g., 815) in conjunction with a directional communication link 820.

[0133] The base station 805 may identify several communication paths for communicating with the UE 815. In one illustrative example, the communication paths may include a repeater 806. In other examples, there may be multiple repeaters 806 in a single communication path. In some examples, the base station 805 may communicate with the UE 815 directly on one communication path and through a repeater 806 to the UE 815 on a different communication path. The process flow 800 may illustrate any combination of these examples. As described with respect to FIG. 8, the base station 805 may send downlink communications to the UE 815, or the UE 815 may send uplink communications to the base station 805, or both.

[0134] At 820, the base station 805 and the repeater 806 may communicate via a directional communication link (e.g., via one or more directional beams). The repeater 806 and the UE 815 may communicate via another directional communication link (e.g., via one or more directional beams). In some examples, the base station 805 may communicate directly with one or more UEs 815 without communicating with the repeater 806. In some examples, the base station 805 may select a first communication path for a first type of communication and a second communication path for a second type of communication (as described in more detail with respect to FIG. 6). In some examples, the base station 805 may communicate certain types of signals (e.g., signals having low SNR requirements) through the repeater 806 and communicate other types of signals (e.g., signals having high SNR requirements) through the direct link, even if a direct communication signal is available for transmission.

[0135] At 825, the base station 805 may identify a first communication path with the UE 815 and a second communication path with the UE 815. Each communication path may have one repeater 806, multiple repeaters 806, or no repeaters 806. At least one communication path (e.g., the first communication path or the second communication path) may include at least one repeater 806. For example, with respect to process flow 800, if there are two communication paths, the second communication path may include a repeater 806 if the first communication path does not include a repeater 806, and vice versa.

[0136] At 830, the base station 805 may determine end-to-end SNR values ​​for the first communication path and the second communication path. The base station 805 may also determine an SNR for a first hop in the first communication path and a first hop in the second communication path. The end-to-end SNR may be correlated with the first hop SNR.

[0137] At 835, the base station 805 may select a first communication path for the first communication type and a second communication path for the second communication type. The selection of the first communication path and the second communication path may be based on the SNR value of the first hop determined at 830, the SNR value of the second hop determined at 830, the end-to-end SNR determined at 830, a ratio of one or more of the hop SNRs determined at 830 to the end-to-end SNR, or any combination thereof. In some cases, the base station 805 may determine the communication path based on a magnitude of the SNR of the first hop. For example, the base station 805 may select the first communication path for uplink communication and select the second communication path for downlink communication. The downlink communication path may have a higher SNR value of the first hop between the base station 805 and the repeater 806. The uplink communication path may have a higher SNR value of the first hop between the UE 815 and the repeater 806. The base station 805 may determine the downlink and uplink communication paths before sending or receiving a signal.

[0138] In some cases, the base station 805 may configure a first communication path for a first type of downlink signal and configure a second communication path for another type of downlink signal. The base station 805 may select the first communication path based on determining that the first end-to-end SNR or first ratio is higher than the second end-to-end SNR or second ratio. In some examples, the base station 805 may determine to send a data signal within the downlink signal on the communication path having the higher end-to-end SNR or first hop SNR. In such a case, after selecting the path, the base station 805 may transmit the first type of downlink signal on the first communication path and transmit the second type of downlink signal on the second communication path. The first type of communication signal may be a data signal and the second type of communication signal may be a broadcast signal or a control signal. In some cases, the first communication path may be a direct link between the base station 805 and the UE 815 and the second communication path may utilize one or more repeaters.

[0139] In some cases, the base station 805 may select a first communication path for a first set of signals. The first communication type may include a first communication stream (e.g., including a first set of one or more signals). The base station 805 may select a second communication path for a second set of signals. The second communication type may include a second communication stream (e.g., including a second set of one or more signals that are different from the first set of signals).

[0140] In another example, the base station 805 may select a first communication path with the UE 815, which includes the repeater 806. The repeater 806 may be in an active communication mode. The base station 805 may reserve a second communication path with the second repeater 806 for backup communication. The second repeater 806 may be in a backup communication mode as long as the first communication path does not fail. For example, if an obstacle blocks the first communication path, the base station 805 may decide to activate the second repeater 806 and open the second communication path for sending signals until the first communication path is clear.

[0141] At 840, after selecting the communication paths, the base station 805 may generate a configuration message for the repeater 806. The configuration message may include information regarding which communication paths correspond to which communication types. The communication paths may be determined based on an SNR ratio of the first hop SNR and the end-to-end SNR of each path.

[0142] At 845, the base station 805 may send a configuration message to the repeater 806. The repeater 806 may receive the configuration message 845 (e.g., in the first communication path). The configuration message may indicate to the repeater 806 how to adjust its configuration. Based on the configuration information, the repeater 806 may monitor, receive, amplify, and redirect (e.g., at 860) one or more signals to a desired destination device. In some examples, the configuration information may be applied to multiple repeaters 806 in a chain of repeaters 806. In such examples, one or more repeaters 806 in a chain of repeaters 806 may receive the configuration message and relay the configuration message to a subsequent repeater 806.

[0143] At 850 , the repeater 806 may adjust its configuration based on the configuration message received at 845 from the base station 805 for subsequent communication at 860 .

[0144] At 860, the base station 805 may communicate with the UE 815 via the repeater 806. For example, the communication type may be an uplink signal, in which case the repeater 806 may relay the communication from the UE 815 to the base station 805 based on the configuration message received at 845. The communication type may be a downlink signal, in which case the repeater 806 may relay the message from the base station 805 to the UE 815. The configuration message may indicate that the repeater 806 should relay a certain type of downlink message (e.g., a broadcast signal, a control signal, or a data signal). Based on the configuration information, the repeater 806 may relay a first copy of the signal or a first set of signals between the UE 815 and the base station 805. In some examples, the repeater 806 may relay information between the base station 805 and the UE 815 in an active communication mode. If the base station 805 fails to transmit a signal on a different communication path, the repeater 806, which was in a backup communication mode, may be activated (e.g., via a configuration message 845) to relay information between the UE 815 and the base station 805.

[0145] 9 illustrates a block diagram 900 of a device 905 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The device 905 may be an example of an embodiment of a base station 105 as described herein. The device 905 may include a receiver 910, a communications manager 915, and a transmitter 920. The device 905 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0146] The receiver 910 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., information regarding control channels, data channels, and techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of the device 905. The receiver 910 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1220 described with reference to FIG. 12. The receiver 910 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0147] The communications manager 915 performs the following steps: identifying a first communications path with the UE and a second communications path with the UE, where the first communications path, the second communications path, or both include one or more relays; determining a first end-to-end quality of the first communications path and a second end-to-end quality of the second communications path, where the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each include at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communications path and the second communications path; determining a first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, a first end-to-end quality, a second end-to-end quality, a select a first communication path for a first communication type for communication with the UE based on a first hop quality of an end-to-end quality of the first hop quality and a first ratio of the first end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof, select a second communication path for a second communication type for communication with the UE based on the first hop quality of a second end-to-end quality, the second end-to-end quality, a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof, and communicate with the UE via the first communication path, the second communication path, or both based on the selection. Communications manager 915 may be an example of an aspect of communications manager 1210 described herein.

[0148] Communications manager 915, or subcomponents thereof, may be implemented in hardware, code executed by a processor (e.g., software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of communications manager 915, or subcomponents thereof, may be performed by a general purpose processor, a DSP, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure.

[0149] The communications manager 915 or its subcomponents may be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functionality are implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, the communications manager 915 or its subcomponents may be separate and distinct components according to various aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the communications manager 915 or its subcomponents may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including, but not limited to, an input / output (I / O) component, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or more other components described in this disclosure, or combinations thereof according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0150] The transmitter 920 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device 905. In some examples, the transmitter 920 may be co-located with the receiver 910 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 920 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1220 described with reference to FIG. 12. The transmitter 920 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0151] 10 illustrates a block diagram 1000 of a device 1005 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The device 1005 may be an example of an embodiment of a device 905 or a base station 105 as described herein. The device 1005 may include a receiver 1010, a communications manager 1015, and a transmitter 1040. The device 1005 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0152] The receiver 1010 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., information regarding control channels, data channels, and techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of the device 1005. The receiver 1010 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1220 described with reference to FIG. 12. The receiver 1010 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0153] The communications manager 1015 may be an example of an aspect of the communications manager 915 as described herein. The communications manager 1015 may include a communications path identification manager 1020, a communications path quality manager 1025, a communications path selection manager 1030, and a communications manager 1035. The communications manager 1015 may be an example of an aspect of the communications manager 1210 as described herein.

[0154] The communication path identification manager 1020 may identify a first communication path with the UE and a second communication path with the UE, where the first communication path, the second communication path, or both, include one or more relays.

[0155] The communication path quality manager 1025 may determine a first end-to-end quality of the first communication path and a second end-to-end quality of the second communication path, where the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each include at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communication path and the second communication path.

[0156] The communication path selection manager 1030 may select a first communication path for a first communication type for communication with the UE based on a first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, the first end-to-end quality, a first ratio of the first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality to the first end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof, and select a second communication path for a second communication type for communication with the UE based on a first hop quality of a second end-to-end quality, the second end-to-end quality, a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof.

[0157] Based on the selection, the communications manager 1035 may communicate with the UE via the first communications path, the second communications path, or both.

[0158] The transmitter 1040 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device 1005. In some examples, the transmitter 1040 may be co-located with the receiver 1010 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 1040 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1220 described with reference to FIG. 12. The transmitter 1040 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0159] 11 illustrates a block diagram 1100 of a communication manager 1105 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater according to an aspect of the disclosure. The communication manager 1105 may be an example of an aspect of a communication manager 915, a communication manager 1015, or a communication manager 1210 described herein. The communication manager 1105 may include a communication path identification manager 1110, a communication path quality manager 1115, a communication path selection manager 1120, a communication manager 1125, a communication type manager 1130, and a repeater configuration manager 1135. Each of these modules may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0160] The communication path identification manager 1110 may identify a first communication path with the UE and a second communication path with the UE, where the first communication path, the second communication path, or both include one or more relays. In some cases, the second communication path includes one or more relays and the first communication path includes a direct link between the base station and the UE.

[0161] The communications path quality manager 1115 may determine a first end-to-end quality of the first communications path and a second end-to-end quality of the second communications path, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each including at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communications path and the second communications path. In some examples, the communications path quality manager 1115 may determine that the first end-to-end quality, the first ratio, or a combination thereof is higher than the second end-to-end quality, the second ratio, or a combination thereof, and selecting the first communications path for the first type of downlink signal and selecting the second communications path for the second type of downlink signal are based on the determining. In some examples, determining a first end-to-end quality of the first communication path includes determining a first SNR of the first communication path, and determining a second end-to-end quality of the second communication path includes determining a second SNR of the second communication path, and the first hop quality includes the first hop SNR.

[0162] The communication path selection manager 1120 may select a first communication path for a first communication type for communication with the UE based on a first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, a first end-to-end quality, a first ratio of the first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality to the first end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the communication path selection manager 1120 may select a second communication path for a second communication type for communication with the UE based on a first hop quality of a second end-to-end quality, a second end-to-end quality, a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof.

[0163] Based on the selection, the communications manager 1125 may communicate with the UE via the first communications path, the second communications path, or both. In some examples, the communications manager 1125 may transmit a first type of downlink signal via the first communications path. In some examples, the communications manager 1125 may transmit a second type of downlink signal via the second communications path.

[0164] The communication type manager 1130 may select a first communication path for uplink communications, the first communication type including uplink communications. In some examples, selecting a second communication path for downlink communications, the second communication type including downlink communications. In some examples, selecting a first communication path for a first type of downlink signal, the first communication type including a first type of downlink signal. In some examples, selecting a second communication path for a second type of downlink signal, the second communication type including a second type of downlink signal. In some examples, selecting a first communication path for a first signal, the first communication type including a first copy of the first signal. In some examples, selecting a second communication path for the first signal, the second communication type including a second copy of the first signal. In some examples, selecting a first communication path for a first set of signals, the first communication type including a first communication stream. In some examples, selecting a second communication path for a second set of signals different from the first set of signals, the second communication type including a second communication stream. In some examples, selecting a first communication path for communicating with a UE, the first communication type including an active communication mode. In some examples, selecting a second communication path for backup communication when communication via the first communication path fails, the second communication type including a backup communication mode. In some cases, the first type of downlink signal includes data signaling. In some cases, the second type of downlink signal includes broadcast signaling or control signaling.

[0165] The repeater configuration manager 1135 may configure one or more repeaters of the first communication path to receive one or more uplink signals from the UE and communicate the one or more uplink signals to the base station based on the selection of the first communication path for uplink communications. In some examples, the repeater configuration manager 1135 may configure one or more repeaters of the second communication path to receive one or more downlink signals from the base station and communicate the one or more downlink signals to the UE based on the selection of the second communication path for downlink communications.

[0166] 12 illustrates a diagram of a system 1200 including a device 1205 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The device 1205 may be an example of or may include components of a device 905, a device 1005, a repeater 106, or a base station 105 as described herein. The device 1205 may include components for two-way voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a communications manager 1210, a network communications manager 1215, a transceiver 1220, an antenna 1225, a memory 1230, a processor 1240, and an inter-station communications manager 1245. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 1250).

[0167] The communications manager 1210 performs the following steps: identifying a first communication path with the UE and a second communication path with the UE, where the first communication path, the second communication path, or both include one or more relays; determining a first end-to-end quality of the first communication path and a second end-to-end quality of the second communication path, where the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each include at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communication path and the second communication path; determining a first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, the first end-to-end quality, the first the first communication path for a first communication type for communicating with the UE based on a first hop quality of an end-to-end quality to a first ratio of the first end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof; selecting a second communication path for a second communication type for communicating with the UE based on the first hop quality of a second end-to-end quality, the second end-to-end quality, a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof; and communicating with the UE via the first communication path, the second communication path, or both based on the selection.

[0168] The network communications manager 1215 may manage communications with the core network (e.g., via one or more wired backhaul links). For example, the network communications manager 1215 may manage forwarding of data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115, relays 106, etc. The communications manager 1215 as described herein may be implemented to realize one or more potential advantages. One implementation may enable the device 1205 to increase device efficiency, reduce the likelihood of failed transmissions and latency, and improve overall system efficiency. For example, the device 1205 may reduce signaling overhead in communications with the relays 106 because the device 1205 may be capable of transmitting a single multicast control message to the relays 106 rather than transmitting multiple individual control messages to the relays 106.

[0169] The transceiver 1220 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired links, or wireless links, as described above. For example, the transceiver 1220 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1220 may also include a modem for modulating packets and providing the modulated packets to an antenna for transmission, and for demodulating packets received from the antenna.

[0170] In some cases, a wireless device may include a single antenna 1225. However, in some cases, the device may have two or more antennas 1225 that may be capable of simultaneously transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

[0171] The memory 1230 may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. The memory 1230 may store computer readable code 1235 including instructions that, when executed by a processor (e.g., processor 1240), cause the device to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 1230 may include a BIOS that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices, among other things.

[0172] The processor 1240 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 1240 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some cases, the memory controller may be incorporated into the processor 1240. The processor 1240 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 1230) to cause the device 1205 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters).

[0173] The inter-station communications manager 1245 may manage communications with other base stations 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with the UE 115 in cooperation with the other base stations 105. For example, the inter-station communications manager 1245 may coordinate scheduling for transmissions to the UE 115 for various interference mitigation techniques, such as beamforming or joint transmission. In some examples, the inter-station communications manager 1245 may provide an X2 interface in LTE / LTE-A wireless communications network technology to communicate between the base stations 105.

[0174] Code 1235 may include instructions for implementing aspects of the disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communication. Code 1235 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a system memory or other type of memory. In some cases, code 1235 may not be directly executable by processor 1240, but may (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause a computer to perform functions described herein.

[0175] 13 illustrates a block diagram 1300 of a device 1305 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The device 1305 may be an example of an embodiment of a device as described herein. The device 1305 may include a receiver 1310, a communications manager 1315, and a transmitter 1320. The device 1305 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0176] The receiver 1310 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., information regarding control channels, data channels, and techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of the device 1305. The receiver 1310 may be an example of an aspect of a transceiver 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16. The receiver 1310 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0177] The communications manager 1315 may further include a step of: communicating between the base station and the UE via a first communications path including the repeater, the first communications path corresponding to a first end-to-end quality, and a second communications path between the base station and the UE not including the repeater corresponding to a second end-to-end quality, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each including at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communications path and the second communications path; relaying one or more signals between the UE and the base station according to a communications type based on the adjustment; and, within the first communications path at the repeater, transmitting a signal from the base station to the UE according to the communications type. and receiving a configuration message based on any combination of a first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, a first end-to-end quality, a first ratio of the first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality to the first end-to-end quality, a first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality, a second end-to-end quality, and a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality, and adjusting a configuration status of the repeater based on the configuration message to perform a communication type corresponding to communication between the UE and the base station. The communications manager 1315 may be an example of an aspect of a communications manager 1610 described herein.

[0178] The communications manager 1315 or its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware, code executed by a processor (e.g., software or firmware), or any combination thereof. When implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communications manager 1315 or its subcomponents may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure. The communications manager 1315 or its subcomponents may be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functions are implemented in different physical locations by one or more physical components. In some examples, the communications manager 1315 or its subcomponents may be separate and distinct components according to various aspects of the disclosure. In some examples, the communications manager 1315 or its subcomponents may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including, but not limited to, an input / output (I / O) component, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or more other components described in this disclosure, or combinations thereof according to various aspects of the disclosure.

[0179] The transmitter 1320 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device 1305. In some examples, the transmitter 1320 may be co-located with the receiver 1310 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 1320 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16. The transmitter 1320 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0180] 14 illustrates a block diagram 1400 of a device 1405 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The device 1405 may be an example of an embodiment of the device 1305 or the device 115 as described herein. The device 1405 may include a receiver 1410, a communications manager 1415, and a transmitter 1430. The device 1405 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0181] The receiver 1410 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., information regarding control channels, data channels, and techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of the device 1405. The receiver 1410 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16. The receiver 1410 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0182] The communications manager 1415 may be an example of an aspect of the communications manager 1315 as described herein. The communications manager 1415 may include a communications manager 1420 and a repeater configuration manager 1425. The communications manager 1415 may be an example of an aspect of the communications manager 1610 as described herein.

[0183] The communications manager 1420 may communicate between the base station and the UE via a first communications path that includes a repeater, where the first communications path corresponds to a first end-to-end quality and a second communications path between the base station and the UE that does not include the repeater corresponds to a second end-to-end quality, where the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each include at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communications path and the second communications path, and relay one or more signals between the UE and the base station according to the communications type based on the adjustment.

[0184] The repeater configuration manager 1425 may receive a configuration message from the base station at the repeater in a first communication path, where the receiving of the configuration message is based on any combination of a first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, a first end-to-end quality, a first ratio of the first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality to the first end-to-end quality, a first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality, a second end-to-end quality, and a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality, and adjust a configuration status of the repeater based on the configuration message to perform a communication type corresponding to communication between the UE and the base station.

[0185] The transmitter 1430 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device 1405. In some examples, the transmitter 1430 may be co-located with the receiver 1410 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 1430 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16. The transmitter 1430 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0186] 15 illustrates a block diagram 1500 of a communications manager 1505 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The communications manager 1505 may be an example of an embodiment of the communications manager 1315, the communications manager 1415, or the communications manager 1610 described herein. The communications manager 1505 may include a communications manager 1510, a repeater configuration manager 1515, a communications type manager 1520, and a communications path quality manager 1525. Each of these modules may communicate with one another directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0187] The communications manager 1510 may communicate between the base station and the UE via a first communications path including the repeater, the first communications path corresponding to a first end-to-end quality, and a second communications path between the base station and the UE not including the repeater corresponding to a second end-to-end quality, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each including at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communications path and the second communications path. In some examples, the communications manager 1510 may relay one or more signals between the UE and the base station according to a communications type based on the adjustment. In some examples, relaying a first copy of a signal between the UE and the base station, the communications type including the first copy of the signal.

[0188] The repeater configuration manager 1515 may receive a configuration message from the base station in the first communication path at the repeater, where receiving the configuration message is based on any combination of a first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, a first end-to-end quality, a first ratio of the first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality to the first end-to-end quality, a first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality, a second end-to-end quality, and a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality. In some examples, the repeater configuration manager 1515 may adjust a configuration status of the repeater based on the configuration message to perform a communication type corresponding to communication between the UE and the base station.

[0189] The communication type manager 1520 may relay one or more uplink messages from the UE to the base station, the communication type including uplink communication. In some examples, relaying one or more downlink messages from the base station to the UE, the communication type including downlink communication. In some examples, relaying a downlink broadcast signal, a downlink control signal, or a downlink data signal from the base station to the UE, the communication type including a type of downlink signal. In some examples, relaying a first set of signals between the UE and the base station, the communication type including a first communication stream. In some examples, relaying a set of one or more signals between the UE and the base station, the communication type including an active communication mode. In some examples, relaying a subset of the set of one or more signals between the UE and the base station, the subset having failed to transmit over a different communication path not including a repeater, the communication type including a backup communication mode. In some cases, the first end-to-end quality of the first communication path includes a first SNR of the first communication path, the second end-to-end quality of the second communication path includes a second SNR of the second communication path, and the first hop quality includes a first hop SNR.

[0190] 16 illustrates a diagram of a system 1600 including a device 1605 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The device 1605 may be or include a device 1305, a device 1405, a repeater 106, or an example of a component of a device as described herein. The device 1605 may include components for two-way voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a communications manager 1610, an I / O controller 1615, a transceiver 1620, an antenna 1625, a memory 1630, a processor 1640, and a coding manager 1650. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1645).

[0191] The communications manager 1610 may further include a step of: communicating between the base station and the UE via a first communications path including a repeater, the first communications path corresponding to a first end-to-end quality, and a second communications path between the base station and the UE not including the repeater corresponding to a second end-to-end quality, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each including at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communications path and the second communications path; relaying one or more signals between the UE and the base station according to a communications type based on the adjustment; and, within the first communications path at the repeater, relaying one or more signals from the base station to the UE according to a communications type. and receiving a configuration message based on any combination of a first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, a first end-to-end quality, a first ratio of the first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality to the first end-to-end quality, a first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality, a second end-to-end quality, and a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality; and adjusting a configuration status of the repeater based on the configuration message to perform a communication type corresponding to communication between the UE and the base station.

[0192] The I / O controller 1615 may manage input and output signals for the device 1605. The I / O controller 1615 may also manage peripheral devices that are not built into the device 1605. In some cases, the I / O controller 1615 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, the I / O controller 1615 may utilize an operating system, such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS / 2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system. In other cases, the I / O controller 1615 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 1615 may be implemented as part of a processor. In some cases, a user may interact with the device 1605 through the I / O controller 1615 or through hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 1615.

[0193] The transceiver 1620 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired links, or wireless links, as described above. For example, the transceiver 1620 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1620 may also include a modem for modulating packets and providing the modulated packets to an antenna for transmission, and for demodulating packets received from the antenna.

[0194] In some cases, a wireless device may include a single antenna 1625. However, in some cases, the device may have two or more antennas 1625 that may be capable of simultaneously transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

[0195] The memory 1630 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 1630 may store computer-readable computer-executable code 1635 that includes instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 1630 may include a BIOS that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices, among other things.

[0196] The processor 1640 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 1640 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, the memory controller may be incorporated into the processor 1640. The processor 1640 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 1630) to cause the device 1605 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via repeaters).

[0197] The processor 1640 of the device 1605 (e.g., controlling the receiver 1310, the transmitter 1320, or the transmitter 920) can increase signaling reliability, improve system efficiency, and reduce the likelihood of system latency based on selecting the most efficient communication path. In some examples, the processor 1640 of the device 1605 may receive configuration information from the base station 105 and communicate with the base station 105 and the UE 115. The improved signaling reliability and increased system efficiency may further increase power efficiency at the device 1605 (e.g., by reducing or eliminating unnecessary or failed processing of transmissions, etc.).

[0198] The code 1635 may include instructions for implementing aspects of the disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communication. The code 1635 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a system memory or other type of memory. In some cases, the code 1635 may not be directly executable by the processor 1640, but may (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause a computer to perform functions described herein.

[0199] FIG. 17 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method 1700 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater according to an aspect of the disclosure. The operations of the method 1700 may be implemented by a base station 105 or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1700 may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12. In some examples, the base station may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the base station to perform functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described below.

[0200] At 1705, the base station may identify a first communication path with the UE and a second communication path with the UE, where the first communication path, the second communication path, or both include one or more relays. The operations of 1705 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1705 may be performed by a communication path identification manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0201] At 1710, the base station may determine a first end-to-end quality of the first communication path and a second end-to-end quality of the second communication path, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each including at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communication path and the second communication path. The operations of 1710 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1710 may be performed by a communication path quality manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0202] At 1715, the base station may select a first communication path for a first communication type for communication with the UE based on the first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, the first end-to-end quality, a first ratio of the first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality to the first end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof. The operations of 1715 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1715 may be performed by a communication path selection manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0203] At 1720, the base station may select a second communication path for a second communication type for communication with the UE based on the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality, the second end-to-end quality, a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof. The operations of 1720 may be performed in accordance with methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1720 may be performed by a communication path selection manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0204] At 1725, the base station may communicate with the UE via the first communications path, the second communications path, or both based on the selection. The operations of 1725 may be performed in accordance with methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1725 may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0205] FIG. 18 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method 1800 for supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater according to an aspect of the disclosure. The operations of the method 1800 may be implemented by a base station 105 or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1800 may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12. In some examples, the base station may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the base station to perform functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described below.

[0206] At 1805, the base station may identify a first communication path with the UE and a second communication path with the UE, where the first communication path, the second communication path, or both include one or more relays. The operations of 1805 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1805 may be performed by a communication path identification manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0207] At 1810, the base station may determine a first end-to-end quality of the first communication path and a second end-to-end quality of the second communication path, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each including at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communication path and the second communication path. The operations of 1810 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1810 may be performed by a communication path quality manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0208] At 1815, the base station may select a first communications path for uplink communications with the UE based on the first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, the first end-to-end quality, a first ratio of the first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality to the first end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof. The operations of 1815 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1815 may be performed by a communications path selection manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0209] At 1820, the base station may select a second communications path for downlink communications with the UE based on the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality, the second end-to-end quality, a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof. The operations of 1820 may be performed in accordance with methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1820 may be performed by a communications path selection manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0210] At 1825, the base station may configure one or more repeaters of the first communication path to receive one or more uplink signals from the UE and convey the one or more uplink signals to the base station based on the selection of the first communication path for uplink communications. The operations of 1825 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1825 may be performed by a repeater configuration manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0211] At 1830, the base station may configure one or more repeaters of the second communication path to receive one or more downlink signals from the base station and convey the one or more downlink signals to the UE based on the selection of the second communication path for downlink communications. The operations of 1830 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1830 may be performed by a repeater configuration manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0212] At 1835, the base station may communicate with the UE via the first communications path, the second communications path, or both based on the selection. The operations of 1835 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1835 may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0213] FIG. 19 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method 1900 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater according to an aspect of the disclosure. The operations of the method 1900 may be implemented by a base station 105 or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1900 may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12. In some examples, the base station may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the base station to perform functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described below.

[0214] At 1905, the base station may identify a first communication path with the UE and a second communication path with the UE, where the first communication path, the second communication path, or both include one or more relays. The operations of 1905 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1905 may be performed by a communication path identification manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0215] At 1910, the base station may determine a first end-to-end quality of the first communication path and a second end-to-end quality of the second communication path, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each including at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communication path and the second communication path. The operations of 1910 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1910 may be performed by a communication path quality manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0216] At 1915, the base station may select a first communications path for the first type of downlink signal based on a first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality, the first end-to-end quality, a first ratio of the first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality to the first end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof. The operations of 1915 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1915 may be performed by a communications path selection manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0217] At 1920, the base station may select a second communications path for the second type of downlink signal based on the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality, the second end-to-end quality, a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof. The operations of 1920 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1920 may be performed by a communications path selection manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0218] At 1925, the base station may transmit a first type of downlink signal over the first communications path. The operations of 1925 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1925 may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference to FIGS.

[0219] At 1930, the base station may transmit a second type of downlink signal over the second communications path. The operations of 1930 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1930 may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

[0220] FIG. 20 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method 2000 supporting techniques for multi-TRP operation via a repeater according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The operations of method 2000 may be implemented by a device or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of method 2000 may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 13-16. In some examples, the device may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the device to perform functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the device may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described below.

[0221] At 2005, the device may communicate between a base station and a UE via a first communication path that includes a repeater, the first communication path corresponding to a first end-to-end quality, and a second communication path between the base station and the UE that does not include the repeater corresponding to a second end-to-end quality, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each including at least a first hop quality associated with a first hop of the first communication path and the second communication path. The operations of 2005 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2005 may be performed by a communications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 13-16.

[0222] At 2010, the device may receive a configuration message from a base station in a first communication path at a repeater, where receiving the configuration message is based on any combination of a first hop quality of a first end-to-end quality, a first end-to-end quality, a first ratio of the first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality to the first end-to-end quality, a first hop quality of a second end-to-end quality, a second end-to-end quality, and a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality. The operations of 2010 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2010 may be performed by a repeater configuration manager as described with reference to FIGS. 13-16.

[0223] At 2015, the device may adjust a configuration status of the repeater based on the configuration message to perform a communication type corresponding to communication between the UE and the base station. The operations of 2015 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2015 may be performed by a repeater configuration manager as described with reference to FIGS. 13-16.

[0224] At 2020, the device may relay one or more signals between the UE and the base station according to the communication type based on the adjustment. The operations of 2020 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2020 may be performed by a communications manager such as described with reference to FIGS. 13-16.

[0225] It should be noted that the methods described herein represent possible implementations, that the acts and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified, and that other implementations are possible. Additionally, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

[0226] Aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described by way of example, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used throughout much of the description, although the techniques described herein may be applicable to other than LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the techniques described may be applicable to various other wireless communications systems, such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0227] The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0228] The various example blocks and components described with respect to the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed using a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0229] The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions may also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that parts of the functions are implemented in different physical locations.

[0230] Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Non-transitory storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), Flash memory, Compact Disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or a general purpose or special purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included within the definition of computer readable media. As used herein, disk and disc include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media.

[0231] As used herein, including in the claims, "or" as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items ending with a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list, such as, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, the phrase "based on" as used herein is not to be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In other words, the phrase "based on" as used herein is to be construed similarly to the phrase "based at least in part on."

[0232] In the accompanying figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Furthermore, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a dash and a second label that distinguishes the similar components. If only a first reference label is used herein, the description is applicable to any of the similar components having the same first reference label, regardless of the second reference label, or any other subsequent reference label.

[0233] The description set forth herein with respect to the accompanying drawings describes exemplary configurations and does not represent every example that may be implemented or fall within the scope of the claims. The term "example" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration" and does not mean "preferred" or "advantageous over other examples." The detailed description includes specific details for the purposes of providing an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0234] The description herein is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0235] 100 Wireless communication system 105 Base station 106 Repeater 110 Coverage Area 111 Coverage Area 115 UE 120 backhaul links, wireless backhaul links 125 Communication Links 130 Core Network 135 Device-to-Device (D2D) Communication Links, D2D Communication Links 140 Access Network Entity 145 Access Network Transmission Entity 150 Network operator IP services, operator IP services 200 Wireless Communication System 205 Base Station 206, 206-a, 206-b, 206-c repeaters 210 Geographic Coverage Areas 215, 215-a, 215-b UE 225, 225-a, 225-b, 225-c, 225-d, 225-e Transmit beam 230, 230-a, 230-b, 230-c, 230-d, 230-e receiving beam 235-a, 235-b Obstacles 300 Baseline Architecture 305 Control Interface, Out-of-Band Control Interface, In-Band Control Interface 306 Repeater 310 Controller 315 Variable Gain Amplifier 320 Phased Array 325 Phased Array 400 Wireless Communication System 405 Base Station 406, 406-a, 406-b, 406-c repeaters 410 Geographic Coverage Area 415, 415-a, 415-b UE 420, 420-a, 420-b Beam 425, 425-a, 425-b, 425-c, 425-d Beam 435-a, 435-b, 435-c, 435-d Beam 440 First communication path 445 Second Communication Path 450 Third Communication Path 455 The fourth communication channel 500 Wireless Communication System 505 base station 506, 506-a, 506-b, 506-c, 506-d repeaters 510 Geographic Coverage Area 515, 515-a, 515-b UE 525-a, 525-b, 525-c, 525-d, 525-e, 525-f, 525-g, 525-h Transmit Beam 530, 530-a, 530-b, 530-c, 530-d, 530-e, 530-f receive beam 535 receiving beam 600 Wireless Communication System 605 base station 606, 606-a, 606-b repeaters 610 Geographic Coverage Area 615UE 625-a, 625-b, 625-c, 625-d Transmit Beam 630-a, 630-b, 630-c, 630-d receive beams 635 Communication Path 635-a Communication Path, First Communication Path 635-b Communication Path, Second Communication Path 640-a First Hop 640-b 2nd hop 640-c First Hop 640-d Second Hop 700 Wireless Communication System 705 base station 706 Repeater 710 Geographic Coverage Area 715, 715-a, 715-b UE 725, 725-a, 725-b, 725-c Transmit Beam 730-a, 730-b, 730-c, 730-d receive beams 735 Communication Path 740 Communication Paths 745 Communication Path 800 Process Flow 805 base station 806 Repeater 815 UE 820 Directional Communications Link 845 Configuration Messages 900 Block Diagram 905 Devices 910 Receiver 915 Communications Manager 920 Transmitter 1000 Block Diagram 1005 Devices 1010 Receiver 1015 Communications Manager 1020 Communication Path Identification Manager 1025 Communication Path Quality Manager 1030 Communication Routing Manager 1035 Communications Manager 1040 Transmitter 1100 Block Diagram 1105 Communications Manager 1110 Communication Path Identification Manager 1115 Communication Path Quality Manager 1120 Communication Routing Manager 1125 Communications Manager 1130 Communication Type Manager 1135 Repeater Configuration Manager 1200 System 1205 Devices 1210 Communications Manager 1215 Network Communications Manager 1220 Transceiver 1225 Antenna 1230 Memory 1235 Computer readable code, code 1240 Processor 1245 Inter-Station Communication Manager 1250 Bus 1300 Block Diagram 1305 Devices 1310 Receiver 1315 Communications Manager 1320 Transmitter 1400 Block Diagram 1405 Devices 1410 Receiver 1415 Communications Manager 1420 Communications Manager 1425 Repeater Configuration Manager 1430 Transmitter 1500 Block Diagram 1505 Communications Manager 1510 Communications Manager 1515 Repeater Configuration Manager 1520 Communication Type Manager 1525 Communication Path Quality Manager 1600 System 1605 Devices 1610 Communications Manager 1615 I / O Controller 1620 Transceiver 1625 Antenna 1630 Memory 1635 Computer-readable computer-executable code, code 1640 processor 1645 Bus 1650 Coding Manager 1700 methods 1800 methods 1900 method 2000 methods

Claims

1. A method for wireless communications performed by a base station, comprising: identifying a first communication path with a user equipment (UE) and a second communication path with the UE, the first communication path, the second communication path, or both, comprising one or more relays; determining a first end-to-end quality of the first communication path and a second end-to-end quality of the second communication path, the first end-to-end quality and the second end-to-end quality each comprising at least a respective first hop quality; determining that one of the first end-to-end quality, a first ratio of the first hop quality of the first end-to-end quality to the first end-to-end quality, or a combination thereof is higher than the second end-to-end quality, a second ratio of the first hop quality of the second end-to-end quality to the second end-to-end quality, or one of a combination thereof; selecting the first communication path for a first communication type for communication with the UE based on a determination that one of the first end-to-end quality, the first ratio, or a combination thereof is higher than one of the second end-to-end quality, the second ratio, or a combination thereof; selecting the second communication path for a second communication type for communication with the UE based on the first hop quality, the second ratio, or a combination thereof of the second end-to-end quality, wherein selecting the second communication path for the second communication type is based on a determination that one of the first end-to-end quality, the first ratio, or a combination thereof is higher than one of the second end-to-end quality, the second ratio, or a combination thereof, and the second communication type is different from the first communication type; communicating with the UE via the first communication path, the second communication path, or both based on the selecting; A method for providing the above.

2. selecting the first communication path for uplink communication, the first communication type comprising uplink communication; selecting the second communication path for downlink communication, the second communication type comprising downlink communication; The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

3. both the first communication path and the second communication path include the one or more repeaters, and the method further comprises: configuring the one or more repeaters of the first communication path to receive one or more uplink signals from the UE and convey the one or more uplink signals to an access network entity based on selecting the first communication path for uplink communication; configuring the one or more repeaters of the second communication path to receive one or more downlink signals from the access network entity and to convey the one or more downlink signals to the UE based on selecting the second communication path for downlink communication; The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

4. selecting the first communication path for a first type of downlink signal, the first communication type comprising the first type of downlink signal; selecting the second communication path for a second type of downlink signal, the second communication type comprising the second type of downlink signal; The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

5. transmitting the first type of downlink signal over the first communication path; transmitting the second type of downlink signal over the second communication path; The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the first type of downlink signal comprises data signaling.

7. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second type of downlink signal comprises broadcast signaling or control signaling.

8. The method of claim 4 , wherein the second communication path comprises the one or more repeaters and the first communication path comprises a direct link between an access network entity and the UE.

9. selecting the first communication path for a first signal, the first communication type comprising a first copy of the first signal; selecting the second communication path for the first signal, the second communication type comprising a second copy of the first signal; The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

10. selecting the first communication path for a first set of signals, the first communication type comprising a first communication stream; selecting the second communication path for a second set of signals different from the first set of signals, the second communication type comprising a second communication stream; The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

11. selecting the first communication path for communicating with the UE, the first communication type comprising an active communication mode; selecting the second communication path for backup communication when communication via the first communication path fails, the second communication type comprising a backup communication mode; The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

12. determining the first end-to-end quality of the first communication path comprises determining a first signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the first communication path, determining the second end-to-end quality of the second communication path comprises determining a second SNR of the second communication path, and the first hop quality comprises a first hop SNR. The method of claim 1.

13. 1. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: A processor; a memory coupled to the processor; instructions stored in said memory and executable by said processor to cause said apparatus to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 12; An apparatus comprising:

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