Method for establishing local links between network-controlled repeaters (NCRS) participating in a multi-hop transmission of a communication session

Abstract

Embodiments herein may relate to method performed by a first NCR (14) for handling communication in a wireless communications network. The first NCR obtains a configuration to establish one or more control links and / or one or more backhaul links with a radio network node (12) and / or with one or more NCRs (16) that are participating in a multi-hop transmission of a communication session of a UE. The first NCR (14) transmits an indication of the configuration to at least one second NCR out of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE. The first NCR (14) establishes a local control link out of the one or more control links and / or a local backhaul link out of the one or more backhaul links with the at least one second NCR and / or the radio network node (12) based on the configuration.

Description

[0001] METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING LOCAL LINKS BETWEEN NETWORK-CONTROLLED REPEATERS (NCRS)

[0002] PARTICIPATING IN A MULTI-HOP TRANSMISSION OF A COMMUNICATION SESSION

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments herein relate to a radio network node, network controlled repeaters (NCR), and methods performed therein regarding wireless communication. Furthermore, a computer program and a computer readable storage medium are also provided herein. In particular, embodiments herein relate to handling communication in a wireless communications network.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] In a typical wireless communications network, user equipments (UE), also known as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (STA) and / or wireless devices, communicate via a Radio Access Network (RAN) with one or more core networks (CN). The RAN covers a geographical area which is divided into service areas or cells, with each service area or cell being served by a radio network node such as an access node, e.g., a Wi-Fi access point or a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks may also be called, for example, a NodeB, a gNodeB, or an eNodeB. The service area or cell is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio network node. The radio network node operates on radio frequencies to communicate over an air interface with the UEs within range of the radio network node. The radio network node communicates over a downlink (DL) to the UE and the UE communicates over an uplink (UL) to the radio network node.

[0006] A Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a third generation (3G) telecommunication network, which evolved from the second generation (2G) Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). The UMTS terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) is essentially a RAN using wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) and / or High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) for communication with user equipment. In a forum known as the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), telecommunications suppliers propose and agree upon standards for present and future generation networks and investigate, e.g., enhanced data rate and radio capacity. In some RANs, e.g., as in UMTS, several radio network nodes may be connected, e.g., by landlines or microwave, to a controller node, such as a radio network controller (RNC) or a base station controller (BSC), which supervises and coordinates various activities of the plural radio network nodes connected thereto. The RNCs are typically connected to one or more core networks.

[0007] Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS) have been completed within the 3GPP and coming 3GPP releases, such as New Radio (NR) and 6G, are worked on. The EPS comprises the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), also known as the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) radio access network, and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), also known as System Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network. E- UTRAN / LTE is a 3GPP radio access technology wherein the radio network nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network. As such, the Radio Access Network (RAN) of an EPS has an essentially “flat” architecture comprising radio network nodes connected directly to one or more core networks.

[0008] With the emerging 5G technologies such as NR, the use of very many transmit- and receive-antenna elements may be of great interest as it makes it possible to utilize beamforming, such as transmit-side and receive-side beamforming. Transmit-side beamforming means that the transmitter can amplify the transmitted signals in a selected direction or directions, while suppressing the transmitted signals in other directions. Similarly, on the receive-side, a receiver can amplify signals from a selected direction or directions, while suppressing unwanted signals from other directions.

[0009] Repeaters or relays are devices which can be used to improve the radio coverage of a network. The repeater will listen to the incoming signal on a frequency and send the same signal but amplified, hence improving the coverage.

[0010] 3GPP is in Release 18 (Rel-18) undertaking the work of introducing so called "Network Controlled Repeaters". Network controlled repeaters (NCR) are, as the name suggests, allowing the network to control the operation of the repeater. Example aspects of the repeater which are discussed to be controllable by the network comprise

[0011] • when the repeater is turned on and turned off, and

[0012] • which radio beams the repeater is to repeat and not.

[0013] The example model that 3GPP is assuming at the moment is depicted in Fig. 1. On the left the NR base station (gNB) is shown. The UE is to the right. In the middle is the Network Controlled Repeater. The Network Controlled Repeater consists of two main parts, a forwarding part (NCR-Fwd or repeater-Fwd), which is doing the forwarding operation of taking the signal from the gNB on the so called backhaul link, or UE on the so-called access link, and forwarding an amplified version of it that then can be received by the UE on the access link, or gNB on the backhaul link. The other main part is the mobile termination part, NCR- mobile termination (MT) or repeater-MT. This part is what makes the repeater network controllable and allows the gNB to communicate with the repeater; the NCR-MT terminates the control link as a UE would do. The link over which the gNB and the repeater communicate is shown as a control link in the Fig. 1 .

[0014] Fig. 1 shows a schematic example of how a NCR could communicate with the network.

[0015] Since the repeater-Fwd module only amplifies and, analogously, beamforms the signal, no advanced receiver or transmitter chains are required, which reduce the cost and energy consumption compared to, for example, a normal Transmission and Reception Point (TRP). In its simplest, and, practical, architecture, different antenna modules are used for the base station (BS)- and UE-sides, i.e., the antennas targeting the gNB and UEs, respectively, whereas a more complex architecture, including selfinterference cancellation, would allow for using the same antenna modules for both sides.

[0016] How an NCR will be designed and how it will communicate with the network is still unclear. Fig. 2 illustrates one schematic example of how it might look. In this example, the NCR consists of three principal building blocks, the Modem, the Controller module, and the Repeater module, depicted as the two amplifiers in Fig. 2. The NCR is equipped with an antenna configuration, where a signal is first received in downlink (or uplink), and, e.g., after power amplification, transmitted further in downlink, or uplink. Since the Repeater module, also referred to as NCR-Fwd, only amplifies and analogously beamforms the signal, no advanced receiver or transmitter chains are required, which reduces the cost and energy consumption compared to for example a normal TRP. In its simplest architecture, different antenna modules are used for the donor and service sides, i.e., the antennas targeting the gNB and UEs, respectively, whereas a more complex architecture, including self-interference cancellation, would allow for using the same antenna modules for both sides.

[0017] The Modem module is used to exchange control and status signalling with a gNB that is controlling the NCR. For this, the Modem module supports at least a sub-set of UE functions. NCR control and status information is further exchanged between the Modem module and the Controller module. The Modem module might be equipped with antennas separated from the antennas used by the Repeater module; but in most configurations, the Modem module and Repeater module will share antenna configurations.

[0018] The Controller module is used to control the Repeater module, by for example providing beamforming information, power control information etc. The Controller module is connected to the network through the Modem module such that the network can control the Controller module and, in that way, control the Repeater module.

[0019] Both, the Modem and Controller module, can be assumed to be part of building up an MT function in the network-controlled repeater.

[0020] The Repeater modules’ amplify-and-forward operation is controlled by the Controller module. The Controller module could also be directly responsible for the beamforming control on the service antenna side, i.e., to and / or from served UEs. In an alternative, the beamforming on the service antenna side is operated by the Repeater module under control of the Controller module. On the donor antenna side, i.e., to and / or from the controlling gNB, the Modem module may be directly responsible for the beamforming control. In an alternative, the beamforming on the service antenna side is operated by the Repeater module under control of the Controller module and / or Modem module.

[0021] In one configuration, the Modem module and the Repeater module do not only share an antenna configuration but also parts of the analog transmitter and / or receiver, such as power (transmit) amplifier and / or receiver amplifiers and / or filters.

[0022] The Modem module and the Repeater module could be operating at the same or different frequencies. For example, the Repeater module could operate at a high frequency band, such as frequency range two (FR2), and the Modem module could be operating at a low frequency band, such as frequency range one (FR1).

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a schematic example of building blocks of a network-controlled repeater, and how the NCR may communicate with the network. Note that this is an estimation of the possible network-controlled repeater structure, while the exact structure is still to-be-decided (TBD).

[0024] SUMMARY

[0025] As part of developing embodiments herein one or more problems were first identified.

[0026] The repeater is being considered as a cost-effective means to increase the coverage for the UEs, simply by amplifying and forwarding the transmissions to / from radio network node. However, a single repeater may not be sufficient to extend the coverage if the distance between UE and radio network node is large. The communication may require forwarding of transmissions using multiple repeaters over multi-hops. Embodiments herein focus on a multi-hop scenario using repeaters for coverage extension. This would require addressing multiple issues, for instance how the radio network node can signal ON and OFF information to an NCR-MT which is not directly connected to the radio network node and having no end-to-end connection between the NCR-MT and the radio network node. This may become important considering that an NCR-MT may have an radio resource control (RRC) state that can be RRCJDLE or RRCJNACTIVE. In these two cases, there is no active connection between the NCR- MT and the network and thus is not clear how the network, fore example, the radio network node or an NCR, indicates the ON or OFF information to the next node. Another issue is that how to devise a functionality which enable an NCR to control another NCR which enables multi-hop of control signalling, given that the feature being introduced in this release is limited to radio network node controlling an NCR over single hop. Further due to multiple hops, the beamforming parameters should be implemented differently by repeaters conforming to channel conditions between the nodes. This poses an issue of how a radio network node can send or how a repeater can retrieve and / or derive such parameters.

[0027] There are many scenarios where repeaters, especially multi-path repeaters, can be prospective solutions due to their cost and simplicity, for instance:

[0028] • During ongoing 3GPP discussions, operators are interested in repeaters to boost the coverage. This is very cost-effective solution compared to using expensive Integrated access and backhauls (IAB).

[0029] • Repeaters are simple nodes, which basically forwards or amplifies the data, compared to other relaying technologies, such as lABs or sidelink (SL) relays, which require enormous configurations or special capabilities at UE, in case of SL. The repeaters are basically transparent to the end UE and do not add complexities.

[0030] • For internet over things (loT) and ambient loT use cases, the UL is extremely power limited due to limited battery or no battery, relaying on harvesting, then boosting UL with repeaters is a good solution. It is not advisable to utilize expensive UL boosting solutions, e.g., by densifying radio network nodes or lABs, as it would defeat the purpose of utilizing cheap or inexpensive ambient loT devices, akin to Radio-frequency identifications (RFID).

[0031] • If there are some coverage holes, repeaters can be effectively used to provide spotty coverage due to their inexpensive nature. • Repeaters can be used in stadiums, concerts or sporting events, on demand coverage, to improve the coverage temporary; it does not make sense to deploy radio network nodes in the short time.

[0032] • During rush hours, e.g., in malls or offices, repeaters can be utilized to provide enhanced coverage. Again, radio network nodes can be used if demand is high all the or majority of the time but if it’s for few hours, repeaters can be considered as a cost-effective solution instead.

[0033] An object herein is to provide a mechanism to handle communication of UEs in an efficient manner in the wireless communications network.

[0034] According to an aspect the object is achieved, according to embodiments herein, by providing a method performed by a first NCR for handling communication in a wireless communications network. The first NCR obtains a configuration to establish one or more control links and / or one or more backhaul links with a radio network node and / or with one or more NCRs that are participating in a multi-hop transmission of a communication session of a UE. The first NCR transmits an indication of the configuration to at least one second NCR out of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE. The first NCR further establishes a local control link out of the one or more control links and / or a local backhaul link out of the one or more backhaul links with the at least one second NCR and / or the radio network node based on the configuration.

[0035] According to another aspect the object is achieved, according to embodiments herein, by providing a method performed by a second NCR for handling communication in a wireless communications network. The second NCR receives an indication of a configuration to establish one or more control links and / or one or more backhaul links with a radio network node and / or with one or more NCRs that are participating in a multi-hop transmission of a communication session of a UE. The second NCR establishes a local control link out of the one or more control links and / or a local backhaul link out of the one or more backhaul links with one or more NCRs and / or the radio network node based on the configuration.

[0036] According to yet another aspect the object is achieved, according to embodiments herein, by providing a method performed by a radio network node for handling communication in a wireless communications network. The radio network node transmits a configuration to a first NCR, wherein the configuration is to establish one or more control links and / or one or more backhaul links with the radio network node and / or one or more NCRs that are participating in a multi-hop transmission of a communication session of a UE.

[0037] It is furthermore provided herein a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out any of the methods herein, as performed by the NCRs and the radio network node, respectively. It is additionally provided herein a computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out any of the methods herein, as performed by the NCRs and the radio network node, respectively.

[0038] Embodiments herein improve the coverage with multiple hops over NCRs if no direct link between the UE and the radio network node can be established. Embodiments are cost effective compared to an IAB deployment, which can be expensive. Further, since multi-hop transmissions are not available for sidelink, this makes NCR based multihop transmissions a much more attractive option. Thus, embodiments herein handle communication of UEs in an efficient manner in the wireless communications network.

[0039] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Embodiments will now be described in more detail in relation to the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0041] Fig. 1 is a schematic overview depicting an architecture according to prior art;

[0042] Fig. 2 illustrates one schematic example according to prior art;

[0043] Fig. 3 is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communications network according to embodiments herein;

[0044] Fig. 4 is a schematic combined flowchart and signalling scheme according to embodiments herein;

[0045] Fig. 5 is a schematic overview depicting a flowchart of a method performed by a first NCR according to some embodiments herein;

[0046] Fig. 6 is a schematic overview depicting a flowchart of a method performed by a second NCR according to some embodiments herein;

[0047] Fig. 7 is a schematic overview depicting a flowchart of a method performed by a radio network node according to some embodiments herein;

[0048] Fig. 8 shows a setup according to some embodiments herein;

[0049] Fig. 9 shows a setup according to some embodiments herein;

[0050] Fig. 10 shows a setup according to some embodiments herein; Fig. 11 shows a setup according to some embodiments herein;

[0051] Fig. 12 is a block diagram depicting a first NCR according to some embodiments herein; Fig. 13 is a block diagram depicting a second NCR according to some embodiments herein;

[0052] Fig. 14 is a block diagram depicting a radio network node according to some embodiments herein;

[0053] Fig. 15 shows an example of a communication system QQ100 in accordance with some embodiments;

[0054] Fig. 16 shows a UE QQ200 in accordance with some embodiments;

[0055] Fig. 17 shows a network node QQ300 in accordance with some embodiments;

[0056] Fig. 18 is a block diagram of a host QQ400, which may be an embodiment of the host QQ116 of Fig. 15, in accordance with various aspects described herein;

[0057] Fig. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment QQ500 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized; and

[0058] Fig. 20 shows a communication diagram of a host QQ602 communicating via a network node QQ604 with a UE QQ606 over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments.

[0059] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Embodiments herein are described in the context of 5G / NR but the same concept can also be applied to other wireless communication system such as 4G / LTE. Embodiments herein may be described within the context of 3GPP NR radio technology (3GPP TS 38.300 V15.2.0 (2018-06)), e.g., using gNB as the radio network node. It is understood that the problems and solutions described herein are equally applicable to wireless access networks and UEs implementing other access technologies and standards. NR is used as an example technology where embodiments are suitable, and using NR in the description therefore is particularly useful for understanding the problem and solutions solving the problem. In particular, embodiments are applicable also to 3GPP LTE, or 3GPP LTE and NR integration, also denoted as non-standalone NR.

[0061] Embodiments herein relate to wireless communications networks in general. Fig. 3 is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communications network 1 . The wireless communications network 1 comprises, e.g., one or more RANs and one or more CNs. The wireless communications network 1 may use one or a number of different technologies, such as Wi-Fi, LTE, LTE-Advanced, NR, WCDMA, Global System for Mobile communications / enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (GSM / EDGE), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), just to mention a few possible implementations. Embodiments herein relate to recent technology trends that are of particular interest in 5G systems, however, embodiments are also applicable in further development of the existing communication systems such as, e.g., a WCDMA or an LTE system.

[0062] In the wireless communications network 1 , wireless devices, e.g., a UE 10, such as a mobile station, a non-access point (non-AP) station (ST A), a STA, a user equipment and / or a wireless terminal, communicate via one or more Access Networks (AN), e.g. RAN, to one or more CNs. It should be understood by the skilled in the art that “UE” is a non-limiting term which means any terminal, wireless communication terminal, user equipment, Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, Device to Device (D2D) terminal, internet of things (loT) operable device, or node e.g. smart phone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablets or even a small base station capable of communicating using radio communication with a network node within an area served by the network node.

[0063] The wireless communications network 1 comprises a radio network node 12 providing e.g. radio coverage over a geographical area, a first service area 11 i.e. a first cell, of a radio access technology (RAT), such as NR, LTE, Wi-Fi, WiMAX or similar. The radio network node 12 may be a transmission and reception point, a computational server, a base station e.g. a network node such as a satellite, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or an Access Point Station (AP STA), an access node, an access controller, a radio base station such as a NodeB, an evolved Node B (eNB, eNodeB), a gNodeB (gNB), a base transceiver station, a baseband unit, an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or any other network unit or node depending e.g. on the radio access technology and terminology used. The radio network node 12 may be a distributed node comprising a baseband unit and one or more remote radio units.

[0064] The wireless communications network 1 comprises a first NCR 14 providing e.g. radio coverage over a geographical area, a second service area 15 i.e. a second cell, of a RAT, such as NR, LTE, Wi-Fi, WiMAX or similar. The first NCR 14 may be a UE or a node comprising a MT entity and a forwarding entity.

[0065] The wireless communications network 1 comprises a second NCR 16 providing e.g. radio coverage over a geographical area, a third service area 17 i.e. a third cell, of a RAT, such as NR, LTE, Wi-Fi, WiMAX or similar. The second NCR 16 may be a UE or a node comprising a MT entity and a forwarding entity. It should be noted that a service area may be denoted as cell, beam, beam group or similar to define an area of radio coverage.

[0066] Embodiments herein disclose methods to enable the establishment of a multi-hop setup using NCRs. The NCRs are using a configuration for establishing one or more control links and / or one or more backhaul links with the radio network node 12 and / or with one or more NCRs that are participating in a multi-hop transmission of a communication session of the UE 10.

[0067] Embodiments herein improve the coverage with multiple hops over NCRs if no direct link between the UE 10 and the radio network node 12 can be established. Embodiments are cost effective compared to an IAB deployment which can be expensive. Furthermore, since multi-hop transmissions are not available for sidelink, this makes NCR based multi-hop transmissions a much more attractive option.

[0068] It is further herein disclosed methods for the radio network node 12 or the first NCR 14 such as an NCR-MT, to transmit to the second NCR 16, an operation indication of whether the second NCR 16, and thus its functionalities, should be switched on or off.

[0069] Thus, the second NCR 16 may receive from the first NCR 14 the operation indication that the second NCR 16 (and its functionalities) should be switched on or off. Hence, the radio network node 12 may indicate to the second NCR 16, which has not a direct connection with the radio network node 12, whether the second NCR 16 should be in an on- or off-state.

[0070] Thus, the radio network node 12 or an NCR may control another NCR, or at least an NCR-Fwd entity of another NCR, by switching it on and off even when the NCR-MT is in RRCJDLE or RRCJNACTIVE and there is no active connection between the NCR-MT of this NCR and the radio network node 12.

[0071] Embodiments herein may result in one or more of the following benefits:

[0072] • coverage is improved with multiple hops over NCRs if no direct link between UE and radio network node can be established;

[0073] • cost effective compared to an IAB deployment, which may be expensive. Further, since multi-hop transmissions are not available for sidelink, this makes NCR based multi-hop transmissions a more attractive option; and

[0074] • energy consumption is improved at the network and NCR and one may also avoid interference that the NCR may create with neighbors UEs and radio network nodes. It is herein referred to methods performed by a NCR, but these methods may also be applied without any loss of generality also to a UE or the NCR-MT of the NCR. This is because effectively the NCR-MT part of the NCR can be considered as a UE.

[0075] It is herein also described how to signal to an NCR that does not have a direct connection with the network how to switch to an on- or off-state. It should be understood that an off-state of the NCR may not mean that the NCR is completely turned off. When for example only the NCR-Fwd of the NCR should be switched on or off, it should be understood that the NCR-Fwd should be switched on or off while the NCR-MT should not change on / off-state. However, there may be associated functionality / entities of the NCR which can or should be switched off when the NCR-Fwd is switched off. This formulation of “only” switching on or off the NCR-Fwd should therefore be understood as the NCR-MT is unaffected.

[0076] Note, an NCR-MT may be able to operate as, and communicate with the network as if it is, a normal UE, i.e., not an entity within the NCR. When it herein says that the NCR-MT should be turned on or off, it may only impact the device from acting as an NCR- MT. The NCR-MT may for example connect to the network to acquire configurations, or download updates, etc. and when it does so it may act towards the network as if it is not an NCR-MT. The operation indications may not impact the device’s operation with regards to connecting to the network for such other purposes.

[0077] Fig. 4 shows a combined flowchart and signalling scheme according to embodiments herein.

[0078] Action 401 . The radio network node 12 may configure NCRs for a multi-hop communication for the UE 10.

[0079] The radio network node 12 transmits to the first NCR 14 a configuration to establish one or more control links and / or one or more backhaul links with the radio network node 12 and / or one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE 10. Thus, the first NCR 14 may receive the configuration and may forward an indication, such as the configuration or a part of the configuration, to the second NCR 16.

[0080] Action 402. The first NCR 14 then establishes a local control link and / or a local backhaul link with the second NCR 16 and / or the radio network node 12 based on the configuration. Furthermore, the second NCR 16 establishes a local control link and / or a local backhaul link with one or more NCRs and / or the radio network node 12 based on the configuration. Action 403. The radio network node 12 may transmit to the first NCR 14 an operation indication of activating or deactivating one or more NCR functionalities on one or more of the NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE 10.

[0081] Action 404. The first NCR 14 may forward to the second NCR 16, the operation indication of activating or deactivating the one or more NCR functionalities.

[0082] Action 405. The first NCR 14 and / or the second NCR 16 may then activate or deactivate one or more NCR functionalities based on the received operation indication.

[0083] Action 406. The radio network node 12 may then transmit data to the UE over the multi-hop connection. It should be understood that the UE 10 may establish an access link to the second NCR 16.

[0084] Action 407. The UE 10 may transmit data to the radio network node 12 over the multi-hop connection.

[0085] Embodiments of a method performed by the first NCR 14 for handling communication in the wireless communications network will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 5. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below, but may be taken in any suitable order. Dashed boxes are optional features. The first NCR 14 may comprise a NCR forwarding entity and a NCR MT.

[0086] Action 501 . The first NCR 14 may determine that the first NCR 14 is to connect to the second NCR 16. The first NCR 14 may comprise a neighbour relation table comprising information of at least one second NCR, such as the second NCR 12, out of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE 10. The connection may be requested by the radio network node 12, a core network node, or an upper layer, e.g., application layer. The first NCR 14 may receive a request message from a UE or another NCR node to connect to the second NCR 16. The first NCR 14 may observe transmission or reception failures from UEs, and the first NCR 14 may realize that those UEs coverage need to be further extended towards the radio network node or the second NCR 14.

[0087] Action 502. The first NCR 14 may transmit a request to the radio network node 12 to establish a multi-hop connection with the second NCR 16.

[0088] Action 503. The first NCR 14 obtains a configuration to establish one or more control links and / or one or more backhaul links with the radio network node 12 and / or with one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE 10. The configuration may comprise information, such as one or more fields and / or parameters, to be used to establish the multi-hop transmission. The one or more control links may be between NCR MTs of different NCRs, between the NCR MT of the first NCR 14 and an NCR forwarding entity of the second NCR 16, and / or between the NCR MT of the first NCR 14 and the radio network node 12. The one or more backhaul links may be between NCR forwarding entities of different NCRs, and / or between the NCR forwarding entity of the first NCR 14 and the radio network node 12. The configuration may be received from the radio network node 12 and may comprise information to connect to the second NCR 16 such as a field and / or a parameter. The first NCR 14 may obtain the configuration by retrieving information, such as one or more fields and / or parameters, to connect to the second NCR 16, within the first NCR 14.

[0089] Action 504. The first NCR 14 transmits an indication of the configuration to at least one second NCR out of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE 10. The indication may be indicating at least a part of the configuration obtained and may comprise an index, a value, an information element indicating the at least part of the configuration.

[0090] Action 505. The first NCR 14 establishes a local control link out of the one or more control links and / or a local backhaul link out of the one or more backhaul links with the at least one second NCR 16 and / or the radio network node 12 based on the configuration. This may be performed before, after and / or in parallel with action 504.

[0091] Action 506. The first NCR 14 may, after establishing the local control link to the radio network node 12, transmit information, such as a field and / or a parameter, to the radio network node 12, wherein the information comprises one or more of the following: o an identity of the second NCR; o an identity of an NCR-MT of the second NCR; o an identity of an NCR forwarding entity of the second NCR; o an indication of a frequency, carrier, beam, the control link and / or backhaul link with the second NCR is operating on.

[0092] Action 507. The first NCR 14 may obtain an operation indication of activating or deactivating one or more NCR functionalities on one or more of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE 10.

[0093] Action 508. The first NCR 14 may forward, to the at least one second NCR out of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE, the operation indication of activating or deactivating the one or more NCR functionalities.

[0094] Action 509. The first NCR 14 may activate or deactivate the one or more NCR functionalities based on the received operation indication.

[0095] Action 510. The first NCR 14 may then perform communication related to the UE 10 using the established local control link and / or the local backhaul link. The first NCR 14 may be part of the communication between the radio network node 12 and the UE 10.

[0096] It should be noted that the first NCR 14 may comprise an NCR-MT performing the methods herein.

[0097] Embodiments of a method performed by the second NCR 16 for handling communication in the wireless communications network 1 will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 6. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below, but may be taken in any suitable order. Dashed boxes are optional features. The second NCR 16 may comprise an NCR forwarding entity and an NCR MT.

[0098] Action 601. The second NCR 16 receives the indication of the configuration to establish one or more control links and / or one or more backhaul links with the radio network node 12 and / or with one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE 10. The one or more control links may be between NCR MTs of different NCRs, between an NCR MT of the second NCR 16 and a forwarding entity of another NCR and / or between the NCR MT of the second NCR 16 and the radio network node 12. The one or more backhaul links may be between NCR forwarding entities of different NCRs.

[0099] Action 602. The second NCR 16 establishes a local control link out of the one or more control links and / or a local backhaul link out of the one or more backhaul links with one or more NCRs and / or the radio network node 12 based on the configuration.

[0100] Action 603. The second NCR 16 may obtain the operation indication of activating or deactivating one or more NCR functionalities on one or more of the NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE 10.

[0101] Action 604. The second NCR 16 may activate or deactivate the one or more NCR functionalities based on the received operation indication.

[0102] Action 605. The second NCR 16 may then perform communication related to the UE using the established local control link and / or the local backhaul link. The second NCR may be part of the communication between the radio network node 12 and the UE 10. It should be understood that the UE 10 may establish an access link to the second NCR 16. Embodiments of a method performed by the radio network node 12 for handling communication in the wireless communications network 1 will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 7. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below, but may be taken in any suitable order. Dashed boxes are optional features.

[0103] Action 701 . The radio network node 12 may receive from the first NCR 14, information indicating that the first NCR 14 has established connection to the second NCR 16, wherein the information may comprise one or more of the following: o an identity of the second NCR 16; o an identity of an NCR MT of the second NCR 16; o an identity of an NCR forwarding entity of the second NCR 16; o an indication of a frequency, carrier, beam, the control link and / or backhaul link with the second NCR 16 is operating on.

[0104] Action 702. The radio network node 12 may receive a request from the first NCR 14 to establish a multi-hop connection with the second NCR 16.

[0105] Action 703. The radio network node 12 may determine that the first NCR 14 is to connect to one or more NCRs. The radio network node 12 may decide to connect to one or more NCRs when one of the below conditions is met, e.g.,

[0106] 1 . The radio network node 12 has determined to further extend its coverage area

[0107] 2. One or more UEs or NCRs (e.g., NCR#1) have requested the radio network node 12 to extend the network coverage

[0108] 3. The radio network node 12 has observed certain UL transmission failures from certain UEs, or NCRs

[0109] 4. It is requested by a core network node, e.g., Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), or an upper layer, e.g., application layer, to extend the coverage. Action 704. The radio network node 12 transmits the to the first NCR 14 the configuration, wherein the configuration is to establish the one or more control links and / or the one or more backhaul links with the radio network node 12 and / or one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE. The information of the configuration may comprise one or more of the following: o an identifier of the one or more NCRs; o an identifier of an NCR-MT of the one or more NCRs; o indication on how the first NCR should connect to the one or more NCRs; and o indication on when and for how long the first NCR should connect to the one or more NCRs.

[0110] The configuration may comprise information to connect to the second NCR 16.

[0111] Action 705. The radio network node 12 may transmit to the first NCR 14, the operation indication of activating or deactivating one or more NCR functionalities on one or more of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE 10.

[0112] Action 706. The radio network node 12 may perform communication related to the UE 10 using the one or more control links and / or the one or more backhaul links.

[0113] In the following the terminology NCR#1 and NCR#2 is used for the first NCR 14 and the second NCR, respectively, but the embodiments and methods described can be used interchangeably among NCR#1 , NCR#2 or any another NCRX node.

[0114] As stated above, embodiments herein disclose methods for one or more NCRs to be configured to establish a multi-hop transmission with another NCR node.

[0115] The respective NCR may receive a control signalling comprising one or more of the following:

[0116] ■ a configuration to establish a control link and / or a backhaul link with another NCR node; and

[0117] ■ a configuration, i.e., the operation indication, to turn on or off the full or a subset of the NCR functionalities on an NCR node that is part of the multihop transmission.

[0118] The first NCR 14 may transmit or forward a signalling to another NCR node, which signalling comprises one or more of the following:

[0119] ■ a configuration to establish a control link and a backhaul link with another NCR node; and

[0120] ■ a configuration, i.e., the operation indication, to turn on or off the full or a subset of the NCR functionalities on an NCR node that is part of the multihop transmission.

[0121] Furthermore, it is herein disclosed a method for the radio network node 12, to configure an NCR to establish a multi-hop transmission with another NCR node. The radio network node 12 may transmit a signalling to the first NCR 14. The signalling may comprise one or more of the following:

[0122] ■ a configuration to establish a control link and a backhaul link with another NCR node; and

[0123] ■ a configuration to turn on or off the full or a subset of the NCR functionalities on an NCR node that is part of the multi-hop transmission.

[0124] According to some embodiments herein, the NCR#1 is configured to establish a connection with another NCR#2. In this case, the connection between NCR may regard or relate to a control link between NCR-MTs, or a backhaul link between NCR-Fwd entities, or both, or a combination of both. From an architecture perspective, allowing an NCR#1 to be connected to an NCR#2, this can translate into, for example, one or more of the following options:

[0125] • Fig. 8 shows a schematic example of how an NCR may communicate with another NCR according to OPTION A. Backhaul link is established between NCR-Fwds, and control link is established between NCR-MTs. As shown in Fig. 8, the radio network node 12, exemplified as an gNB, establishes a control link with the NCR-MT of NCR#1 and a backhaul link with the NCR-Fwd of NCR#1. In turn, the NCR-MT of NCR#1 establishes a control link with the NCR-MT of NCR#2 and the NCR-Fwd of NCR#1 establishes a backhaul link with the NCR-Fwd of NCR#2.

[0126] - With this option, all the control functions and signalling remain within the NCR-MT entities.

[0127] Further, the control link between two NCRs may serve two different purposes. In one purpose, the control link carries per hop control signalling / information, i.e., the control signalling only affects the two NCRs. As the second purpose, the control link carries end to end (E2E) control signalling, i.e., the control signalling sent by the radio network node 12 or the UE 10. An NCR-MT entity can forward a control message which is received from the radio network node 12 or another NCR-MT entity from a previous hop to the NCR-MT on the next hop.

[0128] • Fig. 9 shows a schematic example of how an NCR may communicate with another NCR according to OPTION B. Backhaul link is established between NCR-Fwds, and control link is established between NCR-Fwd and NCR-MT. As shown in Fig. 9, the radio network node 12 establishes a control link with the NCR-MT of NCR#1 and a backhaul link with the NCR-Fwd of NCR#1 . In turn, the NCR-Fwd of NCR#1 establishes a control link with the NCR-MT of NCR#2 and a backhaul link with the NCR-Fwd of NCR#2.

[0129] - With this option, an NCR-Fwd entity may be enhanced to include some basic control functions. For example, the NCR-Fwd may be able to identify the type of the received signal, i.e., data or control signalling. Based on this, the NCR-Fwd can forward the received signalling to the right entity of the next NCR.

[0130] • Fig. 10 shows an example of control links established between the radio network node 12 and multiple NCR-MTs according to OPTION C. As shown in Fig. 10, the radio network node 12 establishes a control link with the NCR-MT of NCR#1 and a backhaul link with the NCR-Fwd of NCR#1 . At the same time, the same radio network node 12 also establishes a control link with the NCR- MT of NCR#2. In this option, the NCR-Fwd of NCR#1 establishes a backhaul link with the NCR-Fwd of NCR#2.

[0131] The decision on whether NCR#1 needs to connect to NCR#2 may be taken by the radio network node 12 and communicated to NCR#1 (and potentially also to NCR#2) or may be taken by the NCR#1 itself.

[0132] • In case the radio network node 12 decides that NCR#1 needs to connect to NCR#2, the radio network node 12 may send a configuration over the control link to the NCR-MT of NCR#1 and this configuration may include one or more of the following:

[0133] - An identifier of the NCR#2

[0134] - An identifier of the NCR-MT of NCR#2

[0135] - How the NCR#1 should connect to the NCR#2 (e.g., OPTION A, OPTION B, or OPTION C).

[0136] - A configuration that indicates when and for how long the NCR#2 should be on or off, only the NCR-Fwd, only the NCR-MT, or both. Eventually, this configuration may have different parameters / fields / values for the NCR-MT and NCR-Fwd of NCR#2.

[0137] • In case is the NCR#1 itself that decides to connect to the NCR#2, the NCR#1 may pursue one out of different behaviors on how to achieve this. In a first option, the NCR#1 may first send a request indication to the radio network node 12, requesting to establish a multi-hop connection with the NCR#2 and the radio network node 12 may send to the NCR#1 the configuration necessary to connect to the NCR#2, e.g., values and parameter to establish a control link with the NCR-MT of NCR#2.

[0138] In a second option, the NCR#1 may decide by itself a best configuration in order to establish a control link with the NCR-MT of NCR#2 and, after that a control link has been established, the NCR#1 may inform the radio network node 12 that a multi-hop repeater connection has been established with NCR#2. When sending a connection indication, the NCR#1 may also send relevant information about NCR#2 such as: o the NCR#2 ID o an ID of the NCR-MT of NCR#2 o an ID of the NCR-Fwd of NCR#2 o On what frequency, carrier, beam, the control link and backhaul link with the NCR#2 are operating.

[0139] Once a multi-hop NCR transmission has been established, an NCR, either NCR#1 or NCR#2, can be switched on or off, either by the radio network node 12 or by another NCR, according to one or more of the following:

[0140] • Option 1 : the NCR#1 may receive the operation indication such as a command from the radio network node 12 on when to be switched on or off. In this case, the NCR#1 interprets this command as common for all the NCRs involved in the multi-hop connection and may regenerate a similar logic / command to be sent to the next NCR, e.g., NCR#2. For instance, if the radio network node 12 sends ‘ON’ command to NCR#1 , then NCR#1 also sends ‘ON’ command to NCR#2.

[0141] • Option 2: the NCR#1 may receive a command from the radio network node 12 on when to be switched on or off and, at the same time, it receives another command that is for the NCR#2. Here, the NCR#1 does not need to receive two separate commands, but when the NCR#1 and NCR#2 should be on or off can be received in the same message. Once received this info, the NCR#1 may forward the command received by the radio network node 12 to NCR#2. For either of the above options, in addition to the “ON / OFF” information, the command may comprise at least one of the following information:

[0142] - an indicator indicating that the command is intended for NCR#2, e.g., ID of NCR#2;

[0143] - an indicator indicating that the command is generated by the radio network node 12;

[0144] - a number of hops that the command can be forwarded at maximum; and / or

[0145] - a maximum delay within which the command is allowed to be forwarded.

[0146] • Option 3: When and for how long the NCR#1 and / or NCR#2 should be on or off may be decided a priori by the radio network node 12 and this information may be provisioned at the NCR#1 and NCR#2. This means that the radio network node 12 may pre-configure the NCR#1 and NCR#2 and this information may be provided either when an NCR establishes a connection with the radio network node 12 or with another NCR. Further, in this option when and for how long an NCR should be on or off may be the same for all the NCRs that are part of the multi-hop transmission or may be different for each NCR.

[0147] An NCR, e.g., NCR#2, may receive a message from another NCR node, e.g., NCR#1 , to switch on / off the NCR, e.g., NCR2.

[0148] An NCR, e.g., NCR#2, may transmit a message to another NCR node, e.g., NCR#1 , indicating (providing feedback) that it, e.g., NCR#2, has switched on / off.

[0149] An NCR can indicate to the radio network node 12 or another NCR that the NCR possesses multi-hop capability over NCRs, or in other words, an NCR may control another NCR.

[0150] The NCR may be radio resource control (RRC) active, idle, or inactive state.

[0151] An NCR may be connected to multiple NCRs based on Figs. 8-10 architecture design.

[0152] Fig. 11 shows an NCR connected to multiple NCRs such as the NCR#2 and a third NCR, NCR#3. If an NCR-Fwd in an NCR is used to send signalling pertinent to control link and backhaul link, see Fig. 9, then radio network node 12 may configure NCR with functionalities or policies which enable NCR to distinguish between such signalling.

[0153] NCR-Fwd may be enhanced to understand the traffic or pattern, where specific traffic / pattern is associated with the control link signalling and other traffic or traffic pattern.

[0154] Signalling may contain special or physical layer (PHY) or Layer 1 sequences or bit strings or downlink control information (DCI), which can indicate that the intended signalling should be treated as control signalling for control link, to control another NCR- MT.

[0155] The control and backhaul signalling may be differentiated based on their:

[0156] Power level o For e.g., control link based signalling can have higher power or power spectral density (PSD) than the signalling sent over backhaul link

[0157] Time-frequency resources

[0158] Spatial or multiple input multiple output (MIMO) resources

[0159] The NCR-Fwd may differentiate control and backhaul signalling using intermodule communication. It means NCR-MT of the same NCR-Fwd may indicate to the NCR-Fwd which signalling is associated with control part and which is associated with backhaul part.

[0160] NCR-Fwd and NCR-MT may be one entity and therefore control and backhaul parts may be distinguished by NCR-MT functionality within the same entity.

[0161] There can IP tags or headers for helping to distinguish backhaul link traffic and control link traffic, e.g., control link may (a) not have IP tags or headers, or (b) gave special headers.

[0162] The signalling received at the NCR-Fwd may be one or more of the following:

[0163] - Can both be control signalling and backhaul signalling, where NCR-Fwd may process, identify and transmit the control part over control link to a next NCR-MT and backhaul part to a next NCR-Fwd

[0164] Be control or backhaul signalling but both such signalling are not contained in the same signalling The command indicating to switch ON / OFF, sent from a node, such as the radio network node 12, the first NCR 14, to multiple NCRs may be in

[0165] Unicast manner, commands can be different for NCR#2 and another NCR such as a NCR #3;

[0166] Broadcast / groupcast manner, same command for NCR#2 and NCR#3.

[0167] Each NCR in a multi-hop E2E connection comprising multiple NCRs may maintain a neighbour relation table. Based on the table the NCR may perform one or more of the following functions:

[0168] Find the neighbour nodes in a previous hop and in a next hop, based on such information from the neighbour table, the NCR may be involved in a procedure to update the multi-hop path, e.g., a new neighbour NCR may be added into the path, a neighbour NCR may be removed from the path, a neighbour NCR may be upgraded with new functions etc;

[0169] Route a packet or a command which is received from a previous hop NCR to the next hop NCR

[0170] The neighbour relation table may comprise one or multiple entries, wherein each entry may comprise one or more of the following information:

[0171] ID of the neighbour NCR in the previous hop;

[0172] ID(s) of a control / data connection between this NCR and the NCR on the previous hop;

[0173] ID of the neighbour NCR in the next hop;

[0174] ID(s) of a control / data connection between this NCR and the NCR on the next hop

[0175] Each entry in the neighbour relation table may serve one multi-hop path.

[0176] For an NCR, which is one hop away from the radio network node 12, there may be only one neighbour NCR on a path, while the radio network node 12 may be another neighbour on the path for the NCR.

[0177] The neighbour relation table may be configured for an NCR by the radio network node 12 or a controlling neighbour NCR.

[0178] The control and backhaul links between NCRs may be a radio link such as a Uu link or a PC5 (sidelink) link. Fig. 12 is a block diagram depicting the first NCR 14 according to embodiments herein for handling communication in the wireless communications network.

[0179] The first NCR 14 may comprise an NCR forwarding entity and an NCR MT.

[0180] The first NCR 14 may comprise a respective processing circuitry 1001 , e.g., one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein, respectively.

[0181] The first NCR 14 and / or the processing circuitry 1001 may be configured to determine that the first NCR 14 is to connect to the second NCR 16. The first NCR 14 may comprise the neighbour relation table comprising information of at least one second NCR, such as the second NCR 12, out of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE 10.

[0182] The first NCR 14 and / or the processing circuitry 1001 may be configured to transmit a request to the radio network node 12 to establish a multi-hop connection with the second NCR 16.

[0183] The first NCR 14 and / or the processing circuitry 1001 is configured to obtain the configuration to establish the one or more control links and / or the one or more backhaul links with the radio network node 12 and / or with one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE 10. The configuration may comprise information such as one or more fields and / or parameters to be used to establish the multi-hop transmission. The one or more control links may be between NCR MTs of different NCRs, between the NCR MT of the first NCR 14 and an NCR forwarding entity of the second NCR 16, and / or between the NCR MT of the first NCR 14 and the radio network node 12. The one or more backhaul links may be between NCR forwarding entities of different NCRs, and / or between the NCR forwarding entity of the first NCR 14 and the radio network node 12. The configuration may be received from the radio network node 12 and may comprise information to connect to the second NCR 16 such as one or more fields and / or parameters. The first NCR 14 and / or the processing circuitry 1001 may be configured to obtain the configuration by retrieving information, such as one or more fields and / or parameters to connect to the second NCR 16, within the first NCR 14.

[0184] The first NCR 14 and / or the processing circuitry 1001 is configured to transmit the indication of the configuration to at least one second NCR out of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE 10. The indication may be indicating at least a part of the configuration obtained and may comprise an index, a value, an information element indicating the at least part of the configuration.

[0185] The first NCR 14 and / or the processing circuitry 1001 is configured to establish the local control link out of the one or more control links and / or the local backhaul link out of the one or more backhaul links with the at least one second NCR and / or the radio network node 12 based on the configuration.

[0186] The first NCR 14 and / or the processing circuitry 1001 may be configured to, after establishing the local control link to the radio network node 12, transmit information, such as one or more fields and / or parameters, to the radio network node 12, wherein the information comprises one or more of the following: o an identity of the second NCR 16; o an identity of an NCR-MT of the second NCR 16; o an identity of an NCR forwarding entity of the second NCR 16; o an indication of a frequency, carrier, beam, the control link and / or backhaul link with the second NCR 16 is operating on.

[0187] The first NCR 14 and / or the processing circuitry 1001 may be configured to obtain the operation indication of activating or deactivating one or more NCR functionalities on one or more of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE 10.

[0188] The first NCR 14 and / or the processing circuitry 1001 may be configured to forward, to the at least one second NCR out of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE 10, the operation indication of activating or deactivating the one or more NCR functionalities.

[0189] The first NCR 14 and / or the processing circuitry 1001 may be configured to activate or deactivate the one or more NCR functionalities based on the received operation indication.

[0190] The first NCR 14 and / or the processing circuitry 1001 may be configured to perform communication related to the UE 10 using the established local control link and / or the local backhaul link. The first NCR 14 may be part of the communication between the radio network node 12 and the UE 10.

[0191] It should be noted that the first NCR 14 may comprise an NCR-MT performing the methods herein.

[0192] The first NCR 14 may comprise a memory 1006. The memory comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as data packets, signals, configuration, connections, tables, estimations, channels, processing time, configurations, measured parameters, data storage, data structures, indications, events and applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. Furthermore, the first NCR 14 may comprise a communication interface 1007 such as comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver and / or one or more antennas.

[0193] The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the first NCR 14 are respectively implemented by means of e.g., a computer program product 1008 or a computer program, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first NCR 14. The computer program product 1008 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1009, e.g., a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 1009 having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first NCR 14. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a transitory or a non- transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, embodiments herein may disclose the first NCR 14 for handling communication in a wireless communications network, wherein first NCR 14 comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said first NCR 14 is operative to perform any of the methods herein.

[0194] Fig. 13 is a block diagram depicting the second NCR 16 according to embodiments herein for handling communication in the wireless communications network.

[0195] The second NCR 16 may comprise an NCR forwarding entity and an NCR MT.

[0196] The second NCR 16 may comprise a respective processing circuitry 1101 , e.g., one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein, respectively.

[0197] The second NCR 16 and / or the processing circuitry 1101 is configured to receive the indication of the configuration to establish one or more control links and / or one or more backhaul links with the radio network node 12 and / or with one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE 10. The one or more control links may be between NCR MTs of different NCRs, between an NCR MT of the second NCR 16 and a forwarding entity of another NCR and / or between the NCR MT of the second NCR 16 and the radio network node 12. The one or more backhaul links may be between NCR forwarding entities of different NCRs. The second NCR 16 and / or the processing circuitry 1101 is configured to establish the local control link out of the one or more control links and / or the local backhaul link out of the one or more backhaul links with one or more NCRs and / or the radio network node 12 based on the configuration.

[0198] The second NCR 16 and / or the processing circuitry 1101 may be configured to obtain the operation indication of activating or deactivating one or more NCR functionalities on one or more of the NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE 10.

[0199] The second NCR 16 and / or the processing circuitry 1101 may be configured to activate or deactivate the one or more NCR functionalities based on the received operation indication.

[0200] The second NCR 16 and / or the processing circuitry 1101 may be configured to perform communication related to the UE using the established local control link and / or the local backhaul link. The second NCR 16 may be part of the communication between the radio network node 12 and the UE 10.

[0201] The second NCR 16 may comprise a memory 1106. The memory comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as data packets, signals, configuration, connections, tables, estimations, channels, processing time, configurations, measured parameters, data storage, data structures, indications, events and applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. Furthermore, second NCR 16 may comprise a communication interface 1107 such as comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver and / or one or more antennas.

[0202] The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the second NCR 16 are respectively implemented by means of e.g., a computer program product 1108 or a computer program, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the second NCR 16. The computer program product 1108 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1109, e.g., a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 1109 having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the second NCR 16. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a transitory or a non- transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, embodiments herein may disclose a second NCR 16 for handling communication in a wireless communications network, wherein the second NCR 16 comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said second NCR 16 is operative to perform any of the methods herein.

[0203] Fig. 14 is a block diagram depicting the radio network node 12 according to embodiments herein for handling communication in the wireless communications network.

[0204] The radio network node 12 may comprise a respective processing circuitry 1201 , e.g., one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein, respectively.

[0205] The radio network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 1201 is configured to transmit the configuration to the first NCR 14, wherein the configuration is to establish one or more control links and / or one or more backhaul links with the radio network node 12 and / or one or more network controlled repeaters that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE.

[0206] The radio network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 1201 may be configured to determine that the first NCR 14 is to connect to one or more NCRs, and wherein information of the configuration comprises one or more of the following: o an identifier of the one or more network controlled repeaters; o an identifier of an NCR-mobile termination of the one or more network controlled repeaters; o indication on how the first NCR should connect to the one or more network controlled repeaters; and o indication on when and for how long the first NCR should connect to the one or more network controlled repeaters.

[0207] The radio network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 1201 may be configured to receive the request from the first NCR 14 to establish the multi-hop connection with the second NCR; and the configuration may comprise information to connect to the second NCR.

[0208] The radio network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 1201 may be configured to receive from the first NCR 14 information indicating that the first NCR has established connection to a second NCR, wherein the information may comprise one or more of the following: o an identity of the second NCR; o an identity of an NCR-mobile termination of the second NCR; o an identity of an NCR forwarding entity of the second NCR; o an indication of a frequency, carrier, beam, the control link and / or backhaul link with the second NCR is operating on.

[0209] The radio network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 1201 may be configured to transmit to the first NCR, the operation indication of activating or deactivating one or more NCR functionalities on one or more of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE.

[0210] The radio network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 1201 may be configured to perform communication related to the UE using the one or more control links and / or the one or more backhaul links.

[0211] The radio network node 12 may comprise a memory 1206. The memory comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as data packets, signals, configuration, connections, tables, estimations, channels, processing time, configurations, measured parameters, data storage, data structures, indications, events and applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. Furthermore, radio network node 12 may comprise a communication interface 1207 such as comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver and / or one or more antennas.

[0212] The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the radio network node 12 are respectively implemented by means of e.g., a computer program product 1208 or a computer program, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the radio network node 12. The computer program product 1208 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1209, e.g., a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 1209 having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the radio network node 12. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a transitory or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, embodiments herein may disclose a radio network node 12 for handling communication in a wireless communications network, wherein the radio network node 12 comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said radio network node 12 is operative to perform any of the methods herein. As will be readily understood by those familiar with communications design, that functions means or modules may be implemented using digital logic and / or one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other digital hardware. In some embodiments, several or all of the various functions may be implemented together, such as in a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or in two or more separate devices with appropriate hardware and / or software interfaces between them. Several of the functions may be implemented on a processor shared with other functional components of a wireless device or network node, for example.

[0213] Alternatively, several of the functional elements of the processing means discussed may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware, while others are provided with hardware for executing software, in association with the appropriate software or firmware. Thus, the term “processor” or “controller” as used herein does not exclusively refer to hardware capable of executing software and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM) for storing software, random-access memory for storing software and / or program or application data, and non-volatile memory. Other hardware, conventional and / or custom, may also be included. Designers of communications devices will appreciate the cost, performance, and maintenance trade-offs inherent in these design choices.

[0214] Fig. 15 shows an example of a communication system QQ100 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0215] In the example, the communication system QQ100 includes a telecommunication network QQ102 that includes an access network QQ104, such as a radio access network (RAN), and a core network QQ106, which includes one or more core network nodes QQ108. The access network QQ104 includes one or more access network nodes, such as network nodes QQ110a and QQ110b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as network nodes QQ110 or radio network node 12), or any other similar 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) access nodes or non- 3GPP access points. Moreover, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, a network node, being examples of the entities herein, is not necessarily limited to an implementation in which a radio portion and a baseband portion are supplied and integrated by a single vendor. Thus, it will be understood that network nodes include disaggregated implementations or portions thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the telecommunication network QQ102 includes one or more Open-RAN (ORAN) network nodes. An ORAN network node is a node in the telecommunication network QQ102 that supports an ORAN specification (e.g., a specification published by the O-RAN Alliance, or any similar organization) and may operate alone or together with other nodes to implement one or more functionalities of any node in the telecommunication network QQ102, including one or more network nodes QQ110 and / or core network nodes QQ108.

[0216] Examples of an ORAN network node include an open radio unit (O-RU), an open distributed unit (O-DU), an open central unit (O-CU), including an O-CU control plane (O-CU-CP) or an O-CU user plane (O-CU-UP), a RAN intelligent controller (near- real time or non-real time) hosting software or software plug-ins, such as a near-real time control application (e.g., xApp) or a non-real time control application (e.g., rApp), or any combination thereof (the adjective “open” designating support of an ORAN specification). The network node may support a specification by, for example, supporting an interface defined by the ORAN specification, such as an A1 , F1 , W1 , E1 , E2, X2, Xn interface, an open fronthaul user plane interface, or an open fronthaul management plane interface. Moreover, an ORAN access node may be a logical node in a physical node. Furthermore, an ORAN network node may be implemented in a virtualization environment (described further below) in which one or more network functions are virtualized. For example, the virtualization environment may include an O-Cloud computing platform orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an 0-2 interface defined by the O-RAN Alliance or comparable technologies. The network nodes QQ110 facilitate direct or indirect connection of user equipment (UE), such as by connecting UEs QQ112a, QQ112b, QQ112c, and QQ112d (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs QQ112) to the core network QQ106 over one or more wireless connections.

[0217] Example wireless communications over a wireless connection include transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information without the use of wires, cables, or other material conductors. Moreover, in different embodiments, the communication system QQ100 may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, UEs, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals whether via wired or wireless connections. The communication system QQ100 may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and / or other similar type of system.

[0218] The UEs QQ112 may be any of a wide variety of communication devices, including wireless devices arranged, configured, and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with the network nodes QQ110 and other communication devices. Similarly, the network nodes QQ110 are arranged, capable, configured, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with the UEs QQ112 and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the telecommunication network QQ102 to enable and / or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and / or to perform other functions, such as administration in the telecommunication network QQ102.

[0219] In the depicted example, the core network QQ106 connects the network nodes QQ110 to one or more hosts, such as host QQ116. These connections may be direct or indirect via one or more intermediary networks or devices. In other examples, network nodes may be directly coupled to hosts. The core network QQ106 includes one more core network nodes (e.g., core network node QQ108) that are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the UEs, network nodes, and / or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node QQ108. Example core network nodes include functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0220] The host QQ116 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of the access network QQ 104 and / or the telecommunication network QQ102, and may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The host QQ116 may host a variety of applications to provide one or more service. Examples of such applications include live and prerecorded audio / video content, data collection services such as retrieving and compiling data on various ambient conditions detected by a plurality of UEs, analytics functionality, social media, functions for controlling or otherwise interacting with remote devices, functions for an alarm and surveillance center, or any other such function performed by a server. As a whole, the communication system QQ100 of Fig. 15 enables connectivity between the UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system may be configured to operate according to predefined rules or procedures, such as specific standards that include, but are not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G standards, or any applicable future generation standard (e.g., 6G); wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards (WiFi); and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC) ZigBee, LiFi, and / or any low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox.

[0221] In some examples, the telecommunication network QQ102 is a cellular network that implements 3GPP standardized features. Accordingly, the telecommunications network QQ102 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to the telecommunication network QQ102. For example, the telecommunications network QQ102 may provide Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services to some UEs, while providing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services to other UEs, and / or Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC)ZMassive loT services to yet further UEs.

[0222] In some examples, the UEs QQ112 are configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a UE may be designed to transmit information to the access network QQ104 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the access network QQ104. Additionally, a UE may be configured for operating in single- or multi- RAT or multi-standard mode. For example, a UE may operate with any one or combination of Wi-Fi, NR (New Radio) and LTE, i.e. being configured for multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC), such as E-UTRAN (Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) New Radio - Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

[0223] In the example, the hub QQ114 communicates with the access network QQ104 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., UE QQ112c and / or QQ112d) and network nodes (e.g., network node QQ110b). In some examples, the hub QQ114 may be a controller, router, content source and analytics, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, the hub QQ114 may be a broadband router enabling access to the core network QQ106 for the UEs. As another example, the hub QQ114 may be a controller that sends commands or instructions to one or more actuators in the UEs. Commands or instructions may be received from the UEs, network nodes QQ110, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in the hub QQ114. As another example, the hub QQ114 may be a data collector that acts as temporary storage for UE data and, in some embodiments, may perform analysis or other processing of the data. As another example, the hub QQ114 may be a content source. For example, for a UE that is a VR headset, display, loudspeaker or other media delivery device, the hub QQ114 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which the hub QQ114 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and / or after adding additional local content. In still another example, the hub QQ114 acts as a proxy server or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular if one or more of the UEs are low energy loT devices.

[0224] The hub QQ114 may have a constant / persistent or intermittent connection to the network node QQ110b. The hub QQ114 may also allow for a different communication scheme and / or schedule between the hub QQ114 and UEs (e.g., UE QQ112c and / or QQ112d), and between the hub QQ114 and the core network QQ106. In other examples, the hub QQ114 is connected to the core network QQ106 and / or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, the hub QQ114 may be configured to connect to an M2M service provider over the access network QQ104 and / or to another UE over a direct connection. In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with the network nodes QQ110 while still connected via the hub QQ114 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the hub QQ114 may be a dedicated hub - that is, a hub whose primary function is to route communications to / from the UEs from / to the network node QQ110b. In other embodiments, the hub QQ114 may be a non-dedicated hub - that is, a device which is capable of operating to route communications between the UEs and network node QQ110b, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and / or end point for certain data channels.

[0225] Figure 16 shows a UE QQ200 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, a UE refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and / or other UEs. Examples of a UE include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, mobile phone, cell phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phone, wireless local loop phone, desktop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless cameras, gaming console or device, music storage device, playback appliance, wearable terminal device, wireless endpoint, mobile station, tablet, laptop, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), smart device, wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), vehicle, vehicle-mounted or vehicle embedded / integrated wireless device, etc. Other examples include any UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a narrow band internet of things (NB-loT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

[0226] A UE may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), or vehicle-to-everything (V2X). In other examples, a UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the relevant device. Instead, a UE may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter).

[0227] The UE QQ200 includes processing circuitry QQ202 that is operatively coupled via a bus QQ204 to an input / output interface QQ206, a power source QQ208, a memory QQ210, a communication interface QQ212, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain UEs may utilize all or a subset of the components shown in Figure 16. The level of integration between the components may vary from one UE to another UE. Further, certain UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0228] The processing circuitry QQ202 is configured to process instructions and data and may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory QQ210. The processing circuitry QQ202 may be implemented as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored computer programs, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry QQ202 may include multiple central processing units (CPUs).

[0229] In the example, the input / output interface QQ206 may be configured to provide an interface or interfaces to an input device, output device, or one or more input and / or output devices. Examples of an output device include a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. An input device may allow a user to capture information into the UE QQ200. Examples of an input device include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, etc., or any combination thereof. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port may be used to provide an input device and an output device.

[0230] In some embodiments, the power source QQ208 is structured as a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic device, or power cell, may be used. The power source QQ208 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from the power source QQ208 itself, and / or an external power source, to the various parts of the UE QQ200 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Delivering power may be, for example, for charging of the power source QQ208. Power circuitry may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from the power source QQ208 to make the power suitable for the respective components of the UE QQ200 to which power is supplied.

[0231] The memory QQ210 may be or be configured to include memory such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash drives, and so forth. In one example, the memory QQ210 includes one or more application programs QQ214, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data QQ216. The memory QQ210 may store, for use by the UE QQ200, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

[0232] The memory QQ210 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual inline memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as tamper resistant module in the form of a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) including one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as a USIM and / or ISIM, other memory, or any combination thereof. The UICC may for example be an embedded UICC (eUlCC), integrated UICC (iUICC) or a removable UICC commonly known as ‘SIM card.’ The memory QQ210 may allow the UE QQ200 to access instructions, application programs and the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied as or in the memory QQ210, which may be or comprise a device-readable storage medium.

[0233] The processing circuitry QQ202 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network using the communication interface QQ212. The communication interface QQ212 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or be communicatively coupled to an antenna QQ222. The communication interface QQ212 may include one or more transceivers used to communicate, such as by communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another UE or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter QQ218 and / or a receiver QQ220 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, the transmitter QQ218 and receiver QQ220 may be coupled to one or more antennas (e.g., antenna QQ222) and may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

[0234] In the illustrated embodiment, communication functions of the communication interface QQ212 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, LPWAN communication, data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. Communications may be implemented in according to one or more communication protocols and / or standards, such as IEEE 802.11 , Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), GSM, LTE, New Radio (NR), UMTS, WiMax, Ethernet, transmission control protocol / internet protocol (TCP / IP), synchronous optical networking (SONET), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), QUIC, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and so forth.

[0235] Regardless of the type of sensor, a UE may provide an output of data captured by its sensors, through its communication interface QQ212, via a wireless connection to a network node. Data captured by sensors of a UE can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another UE. The output may be periodic (e.g., once every 15 minutes if it reports the sensed temperature), random (e.g., to even out the load from reporting from several sensors), in response to a triggering event (e.g., when moisture is detected an alert is sent), in response to a request (e.g., a user initiated request), or a continuous stream (e.g., a live video feed of a patient).

[0236] As another example, a UE comprises an actuator, a motor, or a switch, related to a communication interface configured to receive wireless input from a network node via a wireless connection. In response to the received wireless input the states of the actuator, the motor, or the switch may change. For example, the UE may comprise a motor that adjusts the control surfaces or rotors of a drone in flight according to the received input or to a robotic arm performing a medical procedure according to the received input.

[0237] A UE, when in the form of an Internet of Things (loT) device, may be a device for use in one or more application domains, these domains comprising, but not limited to, city wearable technology, extended industrial application and healthcare. Nonlimiting examples of such an loT device are a device which is or which is embedded in: a connected refrigerator or freezer, a TV, a connected lighting device, an electricity meter, a robot vacuum cleaner, a voice controlled smart speaker, a home security camera, a motion detector, a thermostat, a smoke detector, a door / window sensor, a flood / moisture sensor, an electrical door lock, a connected doorbell, an air conditioning system like a heat pump, an autonomous vehicle, a surveillance system, a weather monitoring device, a vehicle parking monitoring device, an electric vehicle charging station, a smart watch, a fitness tracker, a head-mounted display for Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR), a wearable for tactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or item-tracking device, a sensor for monitoring a plant or animal, an industrial robot, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and any kind of medical device, like a heart rate monitor or a remote controlled surgical robot. A UE in the form of an loT device comprises circuitry and / or software in dependence of the intended application of the loT device in addition to other components as described in relation to the UE QQ200 shown in Figure 16.

[0238] As yet another specific example, in an loT scenario, a UE may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurements to another UE and / or a network node. The UE may in this case be an M2M device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, the UE may implement the 3GPP NB-loT standard. In other scenarios, a UE may represent a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a truck, a ship and an airplane, or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and / or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.

[0239] In practice, any number of UEs may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first UE might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second UE that is a remote controller operating the drone. When the user makes changes from the remote controller, the first UE may adjust the throttle on the drone (e.g. by controlling an actuator) to increase or decrease the drone’s speed. The first and / or the second UE can also include more than one of the functionalities described above. For example, a UE might comprise the sensor and the actuator, and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

[0240] Figure 17 shows a network node QQ300 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and / or with other network nodes or equipment, in a telecommunication network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)), O-RAN nodes or components of an O-RAN node (e.g., O-RU, O-DU, O-CU).

[0241] Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and so, depending on the provided amount of coverage, may be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units, distributed units (e.g., in an O-RAN access node) and / or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS).

[0242] Other examples of network nodes include multiple transmission point (multi- TRP) 5G access nodes, multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell / multicast coordination entities (MCEs), Operation and Maintenance (O&M) nodes, Operations Support System (OSS) nodes, Self-Organizing Network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centers (E-SMLCs)), and / or Minimization of Drive Tests (MDTs).

[0243] The network node QQ300 includes a processing circuitry QQ302, a memory QQ304, a communication interface QQ306, and a power source QQ308. The network node QQ300 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeB component and a RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which the network node QQ300 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, the network node QQ300 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memory QQ304 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna QQ310 may be shared by different RATs). The network node QQ300 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node QQ300, for example GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, Zigbee, Z-wave, LoRaWAN, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node QQ300.

[0244] The processing circuitry QQ302 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node QQ300 components, such as the memory QQ304, to provide network node QQ300 functionality.

[0245] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry QQ302 includes a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry QQ302 includes one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry QQ312 and baseband processing circuitry QQ314. In some embodiments, the radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry QQ312 and the baseband processing circuitry QQ314 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry QQ312 and baseband processing circuitry QQ314 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

[0246] The memory QQ304 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry QQ302. The memory QQ304 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and / or other instructions capable of being executed by the processing circuitry QQ302 and utilized by the network node QQ300. The memory QQ304 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry QQ302 and / or any data received via the communication interface QQ306. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry QQ302 and memory QQ304 is integrated.

[0247] The communication interface QQ306 is used in wired or wireless communication of signalling and / or data between a network node, access network, and / or UE. As illustrated, the communication interface QQ306 comprises port(s) / terminal(s) QQ316 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. The communication interface QQ306 also includes radio frontend circuitry QQ318 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, the antenna QQ310. Radio front-end circuitry QQ318 comprises filters QQ320 and amplifiers QQ322. The radio front-end circuitry QQ318 may be connected to an antenna QQ310 and processing circuitry QQ302. The radio front-end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna QQ310 and processing circuitry QQ302. The radio front-end circuitry QQ318 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or UEs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuitry QQ318 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters QQ320 and / or amplifiers QQ322. The radio signal may then be transmitted via the antenna QQ310. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna QQ310 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry QQ318. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry QQ302. In other embodiments, the communication interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0248] In certain alternative embodiments, the network node QQ300 does not include separate radio front-end circuitry QQ318, instead, the processing circuitry QQ302 includes radio front-end circuitry and is connected to the antenna QQ310. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry QQ312 is part of the communication interface QQ306. In still other embodiments, the communication interface QQ306 includes one or more ports or terminals QQ316, the radio front-end circuitry QQ318, and the RF transceiver circuitry QQ312, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the communication interface QQ306 communicates with the baseband processing circuitry QQ314, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0249] The antenna QQ310 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. The antenna QQ310 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuitry QQ318 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and / or signals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, the antenna QQ310 is separate from the network node QQ300 and connectable to the network node QQ300 through an interface or port.

[0250] The antenna QQ310, communication interface QQ306, and / or the processing circuitry QQ302 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and / or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be received from a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, the antenna QQ310, the communication interface QQ306, and / or the processing circuitry QQ302 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment.

[0251] The power source QQ308 provides power to the various components of network node QQ300 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source QQ308 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node QQ300 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node QQ300 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid, an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of the power source QQ308. As a further example, the power source QQ308 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.

[0252] Embodiments of the network node QQ300 may include additional components beyond those shown in Figure 10 for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node QQ300 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node QQ300 and to allow output of information from the network node QQ300. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node QQ300.

[0253] Figure 18 is a block diagram of a host QQ400, which may be an embodiment of the host QQ116 of Figure 15, in accordance with various aspects described herein. As used herein, the host QQ400 may be or comprise various combinations hardware and / or software, including a standalone server, a blade server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, a virtual machine, container, or processing resources in a server farm. The host QQ400 may provide one or more services to one or more UEs.

[0254] The host QQ400 includes processing circuitry QQ402 that is operatively coupled via a bus QQ404 to an input / output interface QQ406, a network interface QQ408, a power source QQ410, and a memory QQ412. Other components may be included in other embodiments. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the devices of previous figures, such as Figures 16 and 17, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of host QQ400.

[0255] The memory QQ412 may include one or more computer programs including one or more host application programs QQ414 and data QQ416, which may include user data, e.g., data generated by a UE for the host QQ400 or data generated by the host QQ400 for a UE. Embodiments of the host QQ400 may utilize only a subset or all of the components shown. The host application programs QQ414 may be implemented in a container-based architecture and may provide support for video codecs (e.g., Versatile Video Coding (WC), High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), Advanced Video Coding (AVC), MPEG, VP9) and audio codecs (e.g., FLAC, Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), MPEG, G.711), including transcoding for multiple different classes, types, or implementations of UEs (e.g., handsets, desktop computers, wearable display systems, heads-up display systems). The host application programs QQ414 may also provide for user authentication and licensing checks and may periodically report health, routes, and content availability to a central node, such as a device in or on the edge of a core network. Accordingly, the host QQ400 may select and / or indicate a different host for over-the-top services for a UE. The host application programs QQ414 may support various protocols, such as the HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) protocol, Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP), Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (MPEG-DASH), etc.

[0256] Figure 19 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment QQ500 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to any device described herein, or components thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components. Some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines (VMs) implemented in one or more virtual environments QQ500 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes, such as a hardware computing device that operates as a network node, UE, core network node, or host. Further, in embodiments in which the virtual node does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node or host), then the node may be entirely virtualized. In some embodiments, the virtualization environment QQ500 includes components defined by the O-RAN Alliance, such as an O-Cloud environment orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an 0-2 interface.

[0257] Applications QQ502 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) are run in the virtualization environment Q400 to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0258] Hardware QQ504 includes processing circuitry, memory that stores software and / or instructions executable by hardware processing circuitry, and / or other hardware devices as described herein, such as a network interface, input / output interface, and so forth. Software may be executed by the processing circuitry to instantiate one or more virtualization layers QQ506 (also referred to as hypervisors or virtual machine monitors (VMMs)), provide VMs QQ508a and QQ508b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as VMs QQ508), and / or perform any of the functions, features and / or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein. The virtualization layer QQ506 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to the VMs QQ508.

[0259] The VMs QQ508 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by a corresponding virtualization layer QQ506. Different embodiments of the instance of a virtual appliance QQ502 may be implemented on one or more of VMs QQ508, and the implementations may be made in different ways. Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.

[0260] In the context of NFV, a VM QQ508 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, nonvirtualized machine. Each of the VMs QQ508, and that part of hardware QQ504 that executes that VM, be it hardware dedicated to that VM and / or hardware shared by that VM with others of the VMs, forms separate virtual network elements. Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more VMs QQ508 on top of the hardware QQ504 and corresponds to the application QQ502. Hardware QQ504 may be implemented in a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware QQ504 may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware QQ504 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g. such as in a data center or CPE) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration QQ510, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications QQ502. In some embodiments, hardware QQ504 is coupled to one or more radio units that each include one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that may be coupled to one or more antennas. Radio units may communicate directly with other hardware nodes via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station. In some embodiments, some signalling can be provided with the use of a control system QQ512 which may alternatively be used for communication between hardware nodes and radio units.

[0261] Figure 20 shows a communication diagram of a host QQ602 communicating via a network node QQ604 with a UE QQ606 over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments. Example implementations, in accordance with various embodiments, of the UE (such as a UE QQ112a of Figure 15 and / or UE QQ200 of Figure 16), network node (such as network node QQ110a of Figure 15 and / or network node QQ300 of Figure 17), and host (such as host QQ116 of Figure 15 and / or host QQ400 of Figure 18) discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to Figure 20.

[0262] Like host QQ400, embodiments of host QQ602 include hardware, such as a communication interface, processing circuitry, and memory. The host QQ602 also includes software, which is stored in or accessible by the host QQ602 and executable by the processing circuitry. The software includes a host application that may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as the UE QQ606 connecting via an over-the-top (OTT) connection QQ650 extending between the UE QQ606 and host QQ602. In providing the service to the remote user, a host application may provide user data which is transmitted using the OTT connection QQ650.

[0263] The network node QQ604 includes hardware enabling it to communicate with the host QQ602 and UE QQ606. The connection QQ660 may be direct or pass through a core network (like core network QQ106 of Figure 15) and / or one or more other intermediate networks, such as one or more public, private, or hosted networks. For example, an intermediate network may be a backbone network or the Internet. The UE QQ606 includes hardware and software, which is stored in or accessible by UE QQ606 and executable by the UE’s processing circuitry. The software includes a client application, such as a web browser or operator-specific “app” that may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via UE QQ606 with the support of the host QQ602. In the host QQ602, an executing host application may communicate with the executing client application via the OTT connection QQ650 terminating at the UE QQ606 and host QQ602. In providing the service to the user, the UE's client application may receive request data from the host's host application and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection QQ650 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The UE's client application may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides to the host application through the OTT connection QQ650.

[0264] The OTT connection QQ650 may extend via a connection QQ660 between the host QQ602 and the network node QQ604 and via a wireless connection QQ670 between the network node QQ604 and the UE QQ606 to provide the connection between the host QQ602 and the UE QQ606. The connection QQ660 and wireless connection QQ670, over which the OTT connection QQ650 may be provided, have been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host QQ602 and the UE QQ606 via the network node QQ604, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices.

[0265] As an example of transmitting data via the OTT connection QQ650, in step QQ608, the host QQ602 provides user data, which may be performed by executing a host application. In some embodiments, the user data is associated with a particular human user interacting with the UE QQ606. In other embodiments, the user data is associated with a UE QQ606 that shares data with the host QQ602 without explicit human interaction. In step QQ610, the host QQ602 initiates a transmission carrying the user data towards the UE QQ606. The host QQ602 may initiate the transmission responsive to a request transmitted by the UE QQ606. The request may be caused by human interaction with the UE QQ606 or by operation of the client application executing on the UE QQ606. The transmission may pass via the network node QQ604, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. Accordingly, in step QQ612, the network node QQ604 transmits to the UE QQ606 the user data that was carried in the transmission that the host QQ602 initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step QQ614, the UE QQ606 receives the user data carried in the transmission, which may be performed by a client application executed on the UE QQ606 associated with the host application executed by the host QQ602.

[0266] In some examples, the UE QQ606 executes a client application which provides user data to the host QQ602. The user data may be provided in reaction or response to the data received from the host QQ602. Accordingly, in step QQ616, the UE QQ606 may provide user data, which may be performed by executing the client application. In providing the user data, the client application may further consider user input received from the user via an input / output interface of the UE QQ606. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE QQ606 initiates, in step QQ618, transmission of the user data towards the host QQ602 via the network node QQ604. In step QQ620, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the network node QQ604 receives user data from the UE QQ606 and initiates transmission of the received user data towards the host QQ602. In step QQ622, the host QQ602 receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the UE QQ606.

[0267] One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the UE QQ606 using the OTT connection QQ650, in which the wireless connection QQ670 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the channel estimation and thereby provide benefits such as reduced user waiting time, better energy savings, better responsiveness or similar.

[0268] In an example scenario, factory status information may be collected and analyzed by the host QQ602. As another example, the host QQ602 may process audio and video data which may have been retrieved from a UE for use in creating maps. As another example, the host QQ602 may collect and analyze real-time data to assist in controlling vehicle congestion (e.g., controlling traffic lights). As another example, the host QQ602 may store surveillance video uploaded by a UE. As another example, the host QQ602 may store or control access to media content such as video, audio, VR or AR which it can broadcast, multicast or unicast to UEs. As other examples, the host QQ602 may be used for energy pricing, remote control of non-time critical electrical load to balance power generation needs, location services, presentation services (such as compiling diagrams etc. from data collected from remote devices), or any other function of collecting, retrieving, storing, analyzing and / or transmitting data.

[0269] In some examples, a measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection QQ650 between the host QQ602 and UE QQ606, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and / or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection may be implemented in software and hardware of the host QQ602 and / or UE QQ606. In some embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with other devices through which the OTT connection QQ650 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of the OTT connection QQ650 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not directly alter the operation of the network node QQ604. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signalling that facilitates measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like, by the host QQ602. The measurements may be implemented in that software causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using the OTT connection QQ650 while monitoring propagation times, errors, etc.

[0270] Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes, hosts) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and / or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination. Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality may be partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and / or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0271] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non- transitory computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device, but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and / or by end users and a wireless network generally.

[0272] It will be appreciated that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings represent non-limiting examples of the methods and apparatus taught herein. As such, the apparatus and techniques taught herein are not limited by the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Instead, the embodiments herein are limited only by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

[0273] REFERENCES

[0274] 1 . RP-222673, “New WID on NR network-controlled repeaters”, ZTE, Sanechips, RAN#97-e, September 2022

[0275] 2. TS 38.331 , “Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol specification”, V17.1.0, 3GPP, June 2022

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A method performed by a first network controlled repeater, NCR, (14) for handling communication in a wireless communications network, the method comprising- obtaining (503) a configuration to establish one or more control links and / or one or more backhaul links with a radio network node (12) and / or with one or more network controlled repeaters (16) that are participating in a multi-hop transmission of a communication session of a user equipment, UE;- transmitting (504) an indication of the configuration to at least one second NCR out of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE; and- establishing (505) a local control link out of the one or more control links and / or a local backhaul link out of the one or more backhaul links with the at least one second network controlled repeater and / or the radio network node (12) based on the configuration.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more control links are between NCR mobile terminations of different NCRs, between a NCR mobile termination of the first NCR (14) and a NCR forwarding entity of a second NCR, and / or between the NCR mobile termination of the first NCR (14) and the radio network node (12).

3. The method according to any of the claims 1-2, wherein the one or more backhaul links are between NCR forwarding entities of different NCRs, and / or between an NCR forwarding entity of the first NCR (14) and the radio network node (12).

4. The method according to any of the claims 1-3, further comprising- determining (501) that the first NCR (14) is to connect to a second NCR (16),- transmitting (502) a request to the radio network node (12) to establish a multi-hop connection with the second NCR (16); and the configuration is received from the radio network node (12) and comprises information to connect to the second NCR.

5. The method according to any of the claims 1-3, further comprising- determining (501) that the first NCR (14) is to connect to a second NCR,and obtaining the configuration comprises retrieving information within the first NCR (14); and after establishing the local control link to the radio network node (12),- transmitting (506) information to the radio network node (12), wherein the information comprises one or more of the following: o an identity of the second NCR; o an identity of an NCR-mobile termination of the second NCR; o an identity of an NCR forwarding entity of the second NCR; o an indication of a frequency, carrier, beam, the control link and / or backhaul link with the second NCR is operating on.

6. The method according to any of the claims 1-5, further comprising- obtaining (507) an operation indication of activating or deactivating one or more NCR functionalities on one or more of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE (10).

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprisingForwarding (508), to the at least one second NCR out of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE, the operation indication of activating or deactivating the one or more NCR functionalities.

8. The method according to any of the claims 6-7, further comprising- activating or deactivating (509) the one or more NCR functionalities based on the received operation indication.

9. The method according to any of the claims 1-8, wherein the first NCR comprises a neighbour relation table comprising information of the at least one second NCR out of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE.

10. The method according to any of the claims 1-9, further comprising Performing (510) communication related to the UE using the established local control link and / or the local backhaul link.

11. The method according to any of the claims 1-10, wherein the first NCR comprises an NCR-mobile termination performing the method according to any of the claims 1-10.

12. A method performed by a second network controlled repeater, NCR, (16) for handling communication in a wireless communications network, the method comprising receiving (601) an indication of a configuration to establish one or more control links and / or one or more backhaul links with a radio network node (12) and / or with one or more network controlled repeaters (14) that are participating in a multi-hop transmission of a communication session of a user equipment, UE; and- establishing (602) a local control link out of the one or more control links and / or a local backhaul link out of the one or more backhaul links with the one or more network controlled repeaters (14) and / or the radio network node (12) based on the configuration.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the one or more control links are between NCR mobile terminations of different NCRs, between a NCR mobile termination of the second NCR (16) and a forwarding entity of another NCR and / or between the NCR mobile termination of the second NCR (16) and the radio network node (12).

14. The method according to any of the claims 12-13, wherein the one or more backhaul links are between NCR forwarding entities of different NCRs.

15. The method according to any of the claims 12-14, further comprising- obtaining (603) an operation indication of activating or deactivating one or more NCR functionalities on one or more of the NCRs that are participating in the multihop transmission of the communication session of the UE.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising- activating or deactivating (604) the one or more NCR functionalities based on the received operation indication.

17. The method according to any of the claims 12-16, further comprisingperforming (605) communication related to the UE using the established local control link and / or the local backhaul link.

18. The method according to any of the claims 12-17, wherein the second NCR comprises an NCR-mobile termination performing the method according to any of the claims 12-17.

19. A method performed by a radio network node (12) for handling communication in a wireless communications network, the method comprising:- transmitting (704) configuration to a first network controlled repeater, NCR, (14), wherein the configuration is to establish one or more control links and / or one or more backhaul links with the radio network node (12) and / or one or more network controlled repeaters (16) that are participating in a multi-hop transmission of a communication session of a user equipment, UE.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising- determining (703) that the first NCR (14) is to connect to one or more network controlled repeaters, wherein information of the configuration comprises one or more of the following: o an identifier of the one or more network controlled repeaters (16); o an identifier of an NCR-mobile termination of the one or more network controlled repeaters (16) o indication on how the first NCR should connect to the one or more network controlled repeaters (16); and o indication on when and for how long the first NCR should connect to the one or more network controlled repeaters (16).21 . The method according to any of the claims 19-20, further comprising receiving (702) a request from the first NCR (14) to establish a multi-hop connection with a second NCR; and the configuration comprises information to connect to the second NCR.

22. The method according to any of the claims 19-21 , further comprisingreceiving (701) from the first NCR (14) information indicating that the first NCR has established connection to a second NCR, wherein the information comprises one or more of the following: o an identity of the second NCR; o an identity of an NCR-mobile termination of the second NCR; o an identity of an NCR forwarding entity of the second NCR; o an indication of a frequency, carrier, beam, the control link and / or backhaul link with the second NCR is operating on.

23. The method according to any of the claims 19-22, further comprising- transmitting (705) to the first NCR, an operation indication of activating or deactivating one or more NCR functionalities on one or more of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE.

24. The method according to any of the claims 19-23, further comprising performing (706) communication related to the UE using the one or more control links and / or the one or more backhaul links.

25. A first network controlled repeater, NCR, (14) for handling communication in a wireless communications network, wherein the first NCR is configured to: obtain a configuration to establish one or more control links and / or one or more backhaul links with a radio network node (12) and / or with one or more network controlled repeaters (16) that are participating in a multi-hop transmission of a communication session of a user equipment, UE; transmit an indication of the configuration to at least one second NCR out of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE; and establish a local control link out of the one or more control links and / or a local backhaul link out of the one or more backhaul links with the at least one second network controlled repeater and / or the radio network node (12) based on the configuration.

26. The first NCR according to claim 25, wherein the one or more control links are between NCR mobile terminations of different NCRs, between a NCR mobiletermination of the first NCR (14) and a NCR forwarding entity of a second NCR, and / or between the NCR mobile termination of the first NCR (14) and the radio network node (12).

27. The first NCR according to any of the claims 25-26, wherein the one or more backhaul links are between NCR forwarding entities of different NCRs, and / or between an NCR forwarding entity of the first NCR (14) and the radio network node (12).

28. The first NCR according to any of the claims 25-27, wherein the first NCR is configured to determine that the first NCR (14) is to connect to a second NCR (16); transmit a request to the radio network node (12) to establish a multi-hop connection with the second NCR; and the configuration is received from the radio network node (12) and comprises information to connect to the second NCR.

29. The first NCR according to any of the claims 25-28, wherein the first NCR is configured to determine that the first NCR (14) is to connect to a second NCR, and wherein the first NCR is configured to obtain the configuration by retrieving information within the first NCR (14); and after establishing the local control link to the radio network node (12), the first NCR is configured to transmit information to the radio network node (12), and wherein the information comprises one or more of the following: o an identity of the second NCR; o an identity of an NCR-mobile termination of the second NCR; o an identity of an NCR forwarding entity of the second NCR; o an indication of a frequency, carrier, beam, the control link and / or backhaul link with the second NCR is operating on.

30. The first NCR according to any of the claims 25-29, wherein the first NCR is configured toobtain an operation indication of activating or deactivating one or more NCR functionalities on one or more of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE (10).31 . The first NCR according to claim 30, wherein the first NCR is configured to forward, to the at least one second NCR out of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE, the operation indication of activating or deactivating the one or more NCR functionalities.

32. The first NCR according to any of the claims 30-31 , wherein the first NCR is configured to activate or deactivate the one or more NCR functionalities based on the received operation indication.

33. The first NCR according to any of the claims 25-32, wherein the first NCR comprises a neighbour relation table comprising information of the at least one second NCR out of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE.

34. The first NCR according to any of the claims 25-33, wherein the first NCR is configured to perform communication related to the UE using the established local control link and / or the local backhaul link.

35. The first NCR according to any of the claims 25-34, wherein the first NCR comprises an NCR-mobile termination performing the method according to any of the claims 1-10.

36. A second network controlled repeater, NCR, (16) for handling communication in a wireless communications network, wherein the second NCR is configured to receive an indication of a configuration to establish one or more control links and / or one or more backhaul links with a radio network node (12) and / or with one or more network controlled repeaters (14) that are participating in a multi-hop transmission of a communication session of a user equipment, UE; andestablish a local control link out of the one or more control links and / or a local backhaul link out of the one or more backhaul links with the one or more network controlled repeaters (14) and / or the radio network node (12) based on the configuration.

37. The second NCR according to claim 36, wherein the one or more control links are between NCR mobile terminations of different NCRs, between a NCR mobile termination of the second NCR (16) and a forwarding entity of another NCR and / or between the NCR mobile termination of the second NCR (16) and the radio network node (12).

38. The second NCR according to any of the claims 36-37, wherein the one or more backhaul links are between NCR forwarding entities of different NCRs.

39. The second NCR according to any of the claims 36-38, wherein the second NCR is configured to obtain an operation indication of activating or deactivating one or more NCR functionalities on one or more of the NCRs that are participating in the multihop transmission of the communication session of the UE.

40. The second NCR according to claim 39, wherein the second NCR is configured to activate or deactivate the one or more NCR functionalities based on the received operation indication.

41. The second NCR according to any of the claims 36-40, wherein the second NCR is configured to perform communication related to the UE using the established local control link and / or the local backhaul link.

42. The second NCR according to any of the claims 36-41 , wherein the second NCR comprises an NCR-mobile termination performing the method according to any of the claims 12-17.

43. A radio network node (12) for handling communication in a wireless communications network, wherein the radio network node is configured to:transmit configuration to a first network controlled repeater, NCR, (14), wherein the configuration is to establish one or more control links and / or one or more backhaul links with the radio network node (12) and / or one or more network controlled repeaters (16) that are participating in a multi-hop transmission of a communication session of a user equipment, UE.

44. The radio network node according to claim 43, wherein the radio network node is configured to: determine that the first NCR (14) is to connect to one or more network controlled repeaters, wherein information of the configuration comprises one or more of the following: o an identifier of the one or more network controlled repeaters (16); o an identifier of an NCR-mobile termination of the one or more network controlled repeaters (16) o indication on how the first NCR should connect to the one or more network controlled repeaters (16); and o indication on when and for how long the first NCR should connect to the one or more network controlled repeaters (16).

45. The radio network node according to any of the claims 43-44, wherein the radio network node is configured to: receive a request from the first NCR (14) to establish a multi-hop connection with a second NCR; and the configuration comprises information to connect to the second NCR.

46. The radio network node according to any of the claims 43-45, wherein the radio network node is configured to: receive from the first NCR (14) information indicating that the first NCR has established connection to a second NCR, wherein the information comprises one or more of the following: o an identity of the second NCR; o an identity of an NCR-mobile termination of the second NCR; o an identity of an NCR forwarding entity of the second NCR; o an indication of a frequency, carrier, beam, the control link and / or backhaul link with the second NCR is operating on.

47. The radio network node according to any of the claims 43-46, wherein the radio network node is configured to: transmit to the first NCR, an operation indication of activating or deactivating one or more NCR functionalities on one or more of the one or more NCRs that are participating in the multi-hop transmission of the communication session of the UE.

48. The radio network node according to any of the claims 43-47, wherein the radio network node is configured to: perform communication related to the UE using the one or more control links and / or the one or more backhaul links.

49. A computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the claims 1-24, as performed by the NCRs and the radio network node, respectively.

50. A computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the claims 1-24, as performed herein, as performed by the NCRs and the radio network node, respectively.

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