Setup and configuration of a tethering group for transmission of data

Abstract

A method provided that includes receiving a setup request message at a radio access node from a user equipment to form a tethering group including the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, including an indication of one or more supported communication modes of the tethering group. The method also includes selecting at least one communication mode from the one or more supported communication modes, and transmitting a configuration message to the tethering group including an indication of at least one configuration for communication with the tethering group. The method additionally includes scheduling one or more resources for transmission of data to the tethering group over links between the radio access node and respective ones of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment that are configured to detect and decode the data based on one of the at least one communication mode.

Description

SETUP AND CONFIGURATION OF A TETHERING GROUP FOR TRANSMISSION OF DATATECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to telecommunications and, in particular, to the setup and configuration of a tethering group for transmission of data to multiple devices.BACKGROUND

[0002] A telecommunications system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as user terminals, base stations and / or other nodes by providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communications path. A telecommunications system can be provided for example by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. The communication sessions may comprise, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, video, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and / or content data and so on. Non-limiting examples of services provided comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services and access to a data network system, such as the Internet.

[0003] In a wireless telecommunications system at least a part of a communication session between at least two stations occurs over a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems comprise public land mobile networks (PLMN), satellite based communication systems and different wireless local networks, for example wireless local area networks (WLAN). Some wireless systems can be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

[0004] A user can access the telecommunications system by means of an appropriate communication device or terminal. A communication device of a user may be referred to as user equipment (UE) or user device. A communication device is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, forexample enabling access to a communication network or communications directly with other users. The communication device may access a carrier provided by a station, for example a base station of a cell, and transmit and / or receive communications on the carrier.

[0005] The telecommunications system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and / or parameters which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. One example of a telecommunications system is the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). Other examples of telecommunications systems are Long-Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced and the so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) networks. NR is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP).BRIEF SUMMARY

[0006] Example implementations of the present disclosure are directed to telecommunications, and in particular, to the setup and configuration of communication between a radio access node and a tethering group of multiple user equipments (UEs). The formation of the tethering group enables simultaneous data transmission to the UEs over respective links. The present disclosure thus includes, without limitation, the following example implementations.

[0007] Some example implementations of the present disclosure provide an apparatus comprising: means for receiving a setup request message at the apparatus as a radio access node from a user equipment, the setup request message to form a tethering group including the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, the setup request message including an indication of one or more supported communication modes of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; means for selecting at least one communication mode from the one or more supported communication modes, the at least one communication mode including at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group; means for transmitting a configuration message to at least the user equipment of the tethering group, the configuration messageincluding an indication of the at least one communication mode as selected; and means for scheduling one or more resources for transmission of data to the tethering group over links between the radio access node and respective ones of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment that are configured to detect and decode the data based on one of the at least one communication mode.

[0008] Some example implementations of the present disclosure provide a method comprising: receiving a setup request message at a radio access node from a user equipment, the setup request message to form a tethering group including the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, the setup request message including an indication of one or more supported communication modes of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; selecting at least one communication mode from the one or more supported communication modes, the at least one communication mode including at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group; transmitting a configuration message to at least the user equipment of the tethering group, the configuration message including an indication of the at least one communication mode as selected; and scheduling one or more resources for transmission of data to the tethering group over links between the radio access node and respective ones of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment that are configured to detect and decode the data based on one of the at least one communication mode.

[0009] Some example implementations of the present disclosure provide an apparatus comprising: means for transmitting a setup request message from the apparatus as a user equipment to a radio access node, the setup request message to form a tethering group including the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, the setup request message including an indication of one or more supported communication modes of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; means for receiving a configuration message from the radio access node including an indication of at least one communication mode of the one or more supported communication modes, the at least one communication mode including at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group; means for receiving a transmission of data at the user equipment from the radio access node, based on a scheduling of one or more resources for the transmission of data over links between the radio access node andrespective ones of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; and means for detecting and decoding the data based on one of the at least one communication mode.

[0010] Some example implementations of the present disclosure provide a method comprising: transmitting a setup request message from a user equipment to a radio access node, the setup request message to form a tethering group including the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, the setup request message including an indication of one or more supported communication modes of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; receiving a configuration message from the radio access node including an indication of at least one communication mode of the one or more supported communication modes, the at least one communication mode including at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group; receiving a transmission of data at the user equipment from the radio access node, based on a scheduling of one or more resources for the transmission of data over links between the radio access node and respective ones of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; and detecting and decoding the data based on one of the at least one communication mode.

[0011] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description together with the accompanying figures, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four or more features or elements set forth in this disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combined or otherwise recited in a specific example implementation described herein. This disclosure is intended to be read holistically such that any separable features or elements of the disclosure, in any of its aspects and example implementations, should be viewed as combinable unless the context of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise.

[0012] It will therefore be appreciated that this Brief Summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example implementations so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above described example implementations are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. Other exampleimplementations, aspects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of some described example implementations.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE(S)

[0013] Having thus described example implementations of the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a telecommunications system that includes one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs) coupled to one or more external data networks, according to some example implementations of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a deployment of a PLMN including a user equipment (UE), according to some example implementations;

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a deployment of a PLMN including multiple UEs, at least one of which may be an extended reality (XR) device, according to some example implementations;

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a signaling chart for setup and configuration of a tethering group, according to some example implementations;

[0018] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are flowcharts illustrating various steps in a method that may be implemented at a radio access node, according to various example implementations;

[0019] FIGS. 6 A, 6B, 6C and 6D are flowcharts illustrating various steps in a method that may be implemented at a user equipment, according to various example implementations; and

[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates an apparatus according to some example implementations.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Some implementations of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which some, but not all implementations of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various implementations of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed aslimited to the implementations set forth herein; rather, these example implementations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0022] Unless specified otherwise or clear from context, references to first, second or the like should not be construed to imply a particular order. A feature described as being above another feature (unless specified otherwise or clear from context) may instead be below, and vice versa; and similarly, features described as being to the left of another feature else may instead be to the right, and vice versa. Also, while reference may be made herein to quantitative measures, values, geometric relationships or the like, unless otherwise stated, any one or more if not all of these may be absolute or approximate to account for acceptable variations that may occur, such as those due to engineering tolerances or the like.

[0023] As used herein, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, the “or” of a set of operands is the “inclusive or” and thereby true if and only if one or more of the operands is true, as opposed to the “exclusive or” which is false when all of the operands are true. Thus, for example, “[A] or [B]” is true if [A] is true, or if [B] is true, or if both [A] and [B] are true. Further, the articles “a” and “an” mean “one or more,” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. Furthermore, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified, the terms “data,” “content,” “digital content,” “information,” and similar terms may be at times used interchangeably. The term “network” may refer to a group of interconnected computers including clients and servers; and within a network, these computers may be interconnected directly or indirectly by various means including via one or more switches, routers, gateways, access points or the like.

[0024] Reference may be made herein to terms specific to a particular system, architecture or the like, but it should be understood that example implementations of the present disclosure may be equally applicable to any of a number of systems, architectures and the like. For example, reference may be made to 3 GPP technologies such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), UMTS, LTE, LTE Advanced, 5GNR, 5G Advanced and 6G; however, it should be understood that example implementations of thepresent disclosure may be equally applicable to non-3GPP technologies such as IEEE 802, Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy.

[0025] Further, as used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions); or (c) hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0026] The above definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a telecommunications system 100 according to various example implementations of the present disclosure. The telecommunications system generally includes one or more telecommunications networks. As shown, for example, the system includes one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs) 102 coupled to one or more other external data networks 104 - notably including a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. Each of the PLMNs includes a core network(CN) 106 backbone such as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) of LTE, the 5G core network (5GC) or the like; and each of the core networks and the Internet are coupled to one or more radio access networks (RANs) 108, air interfaces or the like that implement one or more radio access technologies (RATs). As used herein, a “network device” refers to anysuitable device at a network side of a telecommunications network. Examples of suitable network devices are described in greater detail below.

[0028] In addition, the system includes one or more radio units that may be varyingly known as user equipment (UE) 110, terminal device, terminal equipment, mobile station or the like. The UE is generally a device configured to communicate with a network device or a further UE in a telecommunication network. The UE may be a portable computer (e.g., laptop, notebook, tablet computer), mobile phone (e.g., cell phone, smartphone), wearable computer (e.g., smartwatch), an extended reality (XR) device or the like. In other examples, the UE may be an Internet of things (loT) device, an industrial loT (IIoT device), a vehicle equipped with a vehicle-to- everything (V2X) communication technology, or the like. In some of these examples, as referenced by 3 GPP, the UE may be a reduced capability (RedCaP) device.

[0029] In operation, these UEs 110 may be configured to connect to one or more of the RANs 108 according to their particular radio access technologies to thereby access a particular CN 106 of a PLMN 102, or to access one or more of the external data networks 104 (e.g., the Internet). The external data network may be configured to provide Internet access, operator services, 3rd party services, etc. For example, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has classified 5G mobile network services into three categories: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra- reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine type communications (mMTC) or massive internet of things (MIoT).

[0030] Examples of radio access technologies include 3 GPP radio access technologies such as GSM, UMTS, LTE, LTE Advanced, 5GNR, 5G Advanced, and 6G. Other examples of radio access technologies include IEEE 802 technologies such as IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.15 (including 802.15.1 (WPAN / Bluetooth), 802.15.4 (Zigbee) and 802.15.6 (WBAN)), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), ultra wideband (UWB), and the like. Generally, a radio access technology may refer to any 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G or higher generation mobile communication technology and their different versions, as well as to any other wireless radio access technology that may be arranged to interwork with such a mobile communication technology to provide access to the CN 106 of a mobile network operator (MNO).

[0031] In various example, a RAN 108 may be configured as one or more macrocells, microcells, picocells, femtocells or the like. The RAN may generally include one or more radio access nodes that are configured to interact with UEs 110. In various examples, a radio access node may be referred to as a base station (BS), access point (AP), base transceiver station (BTS), Node B (NB), evolved NB (eNB), macro BS, NB (MNB) or eNB (MeNB), home BS, NB (HNB) or eNB (HeNB), next generation NB (gNB), enhanced gNB (en-gNB), next generation eNB (ng-eNB), or the like. Some type of network controlling / governing entity responsible for control of the radio access nodes. The network controlling / governing entity and radio access node may be separate or integrated into a single apparatus. The network controlling / governing entity may include processing circuity configured to carry out various management functions, etc. The processing circuity may be associated with a computer-readable storage medium or database for maintaining information required in the management functions.

[0032] A RAN 108 may be centralized or distributed. In various examples, components of a RAN may be interconnected by Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), optical fiber, dark fiber, passive wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), WDM passive optical network (WDM-PON), optical transport network (OTN), time sensitive networking (TSN) and / or any other data link layer network, possibly including radio links. The RAN may be connected to a CN 106 through one or more gateways, network functions or the like.

[0033] As will be appreciated, a PLMN 102 may be deployed in a number of different manners. FIG. 2 illustrates a deployment 200 of a PLMN, such as a 4G LTE or 5G deployment, according to some example implementations. As shown, the deployment includes a CN 106, and RAN 108 with one or more radio access nodes 202 configured to interact with UEs 110. In a 4G LTE deployment, the EPC is the CN, and the evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) is the RAN; and the E-UTRAN includes one or more eNBs (radio access nodes) configured connect UEs to the E- UTRAN to thereby access the EPC. Similarly, in a 5G deployment, the 5GC is the CN 106, and the next generation (NG) radio access network (NG-RAN) is the RAN 108; and the NG-RAN includes one or more gNBs (radio access nodes 202) configured connectUEs 110 to the NG-RAN to thereby access the 5GC. The term ‘gNB’ in 5G may correspond to the eNB in 4G LTE.

[0034] Some deployments of 4G LTE and 5G in particular are considered standalone (SA) deployments. Other deployments combine 4G LTE and 5G technologies, and are referred to as non-standalone (NSA) deployments. In some deployments, the E-UTRAN includes one or more ng-eNBs that are configured to communicate with the 5GC, and that may also be configured to communicate with one or more gNBs. Similarly, in another deployment, the NG-RAN may include one or more en-gNBs that are configured to communicate with the EPC, and that may also be configured to communicate with one or more eNBs. In various instances, a single UE 110, a dual-mode or multimode UE, may support multiple (two or more) RANs — thereby being configured to connect to multiple RANs, such as 4G LTE and 5G.

[0035] Networks including 5G are now starting to support interactive media services such as extended reality (XR), which encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). In the next few years, these XR devices will include standalone devices with direct network connectivity, as well as “viewer” devices that can connect to the network through a local connection (e.g., Wi-Fi) with a nearby UE 110 that has direct network connectivity.

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a deployment 300 of a PLMN including multiple UEs 110, at least one of which may be an XR device, according to some example implementations.As shown, for example, the deployment may include a UE1 110A and a UE2 110B, and UE2 may be an XR device. According to some example implementations, UE2 may be designed to operate in a standalone mode and a viewer mode. In standalone mode, UE2 may be configured to connect to the RAN 108 directly through a cellular radio link 302B between UE2 and the radio access node 202 (referred to at times as a direct link). In the viewer mode, UE2 may be configured to connect to the RAN indirectly via UE1 (at times referred to as a tethering device) using a local (wireless) connection / link 304 between UE2 and UE1, and a cellular radio link 302A between the UE1 and the radio access node (referred to at times as a tethered or indirect link). Examples of a suitable local (wireless) connection / link include sidelink communication using PC5, as well as non-3GPP technologies such as IEEE 802, Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy.

[0037] In an example, UE1 110A is a non-RedCap device (i.e., non-RedCap UE), and UE2 HOB is a RedCap device (i.e., RedCap UE). As indicated above, RedCap devices may be defined in one or more 3GPP specifications. For example, compared with non- RedCap devices, a RedCap device may have reduced number of receive (Rx) branches (e.g., 1 Rx branch or 2 Rx branches). Additionally or alternatively, a RedCap device may support limited maximum bandwidth(s) compared with the non-RedCap devices. For example, a RedCap device may support 20 MHz bandwidth during and after initial access on frequency range 1 (FR1) and 100MHz bandwidth during and after initial access on frequency range 2 (FR2). In essence, a RedCap device may have one more capabilities reduced compared with non-RedCap devices. For example, hence, RedCap device may be one option to implement the explained XR device.

[0038] In some examples, cellular radio link 302B (direct link) between UE2 HOB and the radio access node 202, and cellular radio link 302A (tethered link) between UE1 110A and the radio access node, may be on the same carrier frequency (co-channel) or on different carrier frequencies. Also, in some examples, data delivery may be dynamically switched between the direct link and the tethered link, or delivered simultaneously via both the direct and tethered links to increase reliability (via transmit / receive diversity or data duplication) or data throughput (via carrier aggregation or spatial multiplexing).

[0039] Dynamic data switching between the direct and tethered links 302B, 302A can be supported with existing standardized solutions, such as by tearing down and establishing a new communication session when switching between data delivery via the direct link and the tethered link. In another example, multipath-path techniques such as multi-path transmission control protocol (TCP) may be used. In this case, at least two communication sessions may be established, one towards UE1 110A (the tethering device), and another towards UE2 HOB (the XR device). Based on transport- level decision policies, application data may be transmitted via either of the two communication sessions and further routed to a single destination endpoint.

[0040] Simultaneous data delivery via the direct and tethered links 302B, 302A can also in principle be supported with current specifications by using multipath techniques such as multi-path TCP. Also in this case, at least two communication sessions may be established towards respective ones of UE1 110A and UE2 110B. Based on transport-level decision policies, application data can be transmitted via both communication sessions.

[0041] In addition to the above-mentioned multi-path TCP techniques, there are other multi-path techniques currently standardized in 3GPP with control in the RAN 108 / CN 106. These include, for example, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) duplication, as well as dual- connectivity (DC) and carrier aggregation (CA).

[0042] PDCP duplication is a multipath technique specifically designed to increase the reliability of transmission of ultra-reliable and low latency communication (URLLC) data with a number of limitations. It is not possible to establish different radio link control (RLC) entities (RLC Tegs’) towards different UEs, data from different RLC entities is transmitted over different carriers / cells, and PDCP duplication does not support data aggregation. CA and DC have similar drawbacks as PDCP duplication with the exception that these techniques also support data aggregation.

[0043] In addition to PDCP duplication, DC and CA, support of multi-path relay, where a remote UE is connected to the network via direct and indirect paths, is being considered. This multi-path relay solution can also be utilized for UE aggregation where a UE is connected to the RAN via direct path and via another UE using a nonstandardized UE-UE interconnection. UE aggregation aims to provide applications requiring high uplink bitrates on UEs, in cases when normal UEs are too limited by uplink UE transmission power to achieve required bitrate, especially at the edge of a cell. Additionally, UE aggregation can improve the reliability, stability and reduce delay of services as well, that is, if the channel condition of a terminal is deteriorating, another terminal can be used to make up for the traffic performance unsteadiness caused by channel condition variation. Solutions based on multi-path relay, however, may necessitate intra-radio bearer user plane data split between direct and indirect path.

[0044] Despite enhancements to congestion control mechanisms being studied that target faster adaptation at the application layer, multipath techniques such as multi-path TCP suffer drawbacks. In particular, for example, these techniques are too slow to react to rapidly changing radio and traffic conditions as there is no control in the RAN / CN. Drawbacks of multi-path TCP and similar techniques are well known from the specification of dual connectivity in both LTE and NR. Example implementations of thepresent disclosure therefore provides a solution that addresses how to make use of multilink connectivity most effectively between the RAN 108 and UE2 HOB (the XR device) by overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks of traditional multi-path techniques such as multi / path TCP. The solution of example implementations also does not require intraradio bearer user plane data split between the direct path and the indirect path (with associated complexity and limitations).

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3 and described further in FIG. 4, some example implementations provide a signaling procedure for setup and configuration of communication between a radio access node 202 and a tethering group 306 including a UE (e.g., UE1 110A) and at least one other UE (e.g., UE2 HOB). The tethering group enables simultaneous data transmission via (and / or dynamic switching between) cellular radio link 302B (direct link) and cellular radio link 302A (tethered link), without necessarily requiring intra-radio bearer data split between the direct path of the direct link, and an indirect path including the tethered link and the local (wireless) connection / link 304. As explained below, in some examples, the radio access node may communicate with UE1 and UE2 using one Uu interface, such as the Uu interface between UE1 and the radio access node.

[0046] According to some example implementations of the present disclosure, UE1 110A may be configured to transmit a (tethering group) setup request message to the radio access node 202. The setup request message may be to form a tethering group 306 including UE1 and UE2 110B, and the setup request message may include an indication of one or more supported communication modes of UE1 and UE2. The radio access node may be configured to receive the setup request message, and select at least one communication mode from the supported communication mode(s), and the communication mode(s) may include at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group 306.

[0047] The radio access node 202 may be configured to transmit a configuration message to at least UE1 110A of the tethering group 306. The configuration message may include an indication of at least one configuration for communication with the tethering group, including the at least one communication mode as selected by the radio access node. The radio access node may then be configured to schedule one or more resourcesfor transmission of data to the tethering group over links 302A, 302B between the radio access node and respective ones of UE1 and UE2. In some examples, the transmission of data includes data from a radio bearer that is the same for UE1 and UE2.

[0048] In some examples, the links 302A, 302B include link 302A established between radio access node 202 and UE1 110A based on one or more capabilities of UE1. In some of these examples, the setup request message may indicate corresponding one or more capabilities of UE2 HOB, and the radio access node may be configured to schedule the resource(s) based on the one or more capabilities of UE1 and the corresponding one or more capabilities of UE2.

[0049] UE1 110A and UE2 HOB may be configured to receive the transmission of data from the radio access node 202 on the scheduled resource(s), and detect and decode the data based on one of the communication mode(s). This may include, for example, communication between UE1 and UE2, independent of the radio access node, over one or more links 304 between UE1 and UE2.

[0050] In some examples, either or both UE1 110A or UE2 HOB may be configured to transmit feedback information to the radio access node 202, based on the one of the communication mode(s), and a respective one of the configuration(s). In some of these examples, the radio access node may be configured to receive the feedback information, and schedule the resource(s) based on the feedback information.

[0051] In some examples, either or both UE1 110A or UE2 HOB may be configured to detect a change in at least one of the link(s) 304 between UE1 and UE2. In some of these examples, either UE1 or UE2 may be configured to transmit a reconfiguration request message to the radio access node 202, and the reconfiguration request message may include a request to reconfigure the tethering group 306 based on the change in the link(s). The radio access node may be configured to receive the reconfiguration request message, and reconfigure the tethering group based on the request. In this regard, the radio access node may be configured to activate or deactivate one or more links 302A, 302B for the transmission of data based on at least one UE added to or removed from the tethering group 306. Additionally or alternatively, the radio access node may be configured to add or remove one of the communication mode(s) as selected by the radio access node for the tethering group.

[0052] To further illustrate the solution of some example implementations, FIG. 4 is a signaling chart for setup and configuration of a tethering group, according to some example implementations. The signaling chart illustrates setup and configuration of the tethering group for downlink communication, but it should be understood that example implementations are equally applicable to uplink communication or bidirectional communication. Also, although UE1 and UE2 are described above as respectively the tethering device and the XR device, example implementations are equally applicable to cases in which UE1 is the XR device, and UE2 is the tethering device.

[0053] As shown at step 401, UE1 110A performs initial access and authentication, and connects to the CN 106 (e.g., 5GNR) via the radio access node 202. As shown at steps 402 and 403, UE1 signals its capabilities to the radio access node and receives a radio resource control (RRC) configuration from the radio access node (by a RRC configuration message). In this regard, the capabilities of the UE1 may include, for example, supported communication modes, transmission rate, and / or RRC configurations.

[0054] As shown at step 404, UE1 110A transmits a tethering group setup request message to the radio access node 202 to indicate UE1 ’s intention to form a tethering group 306 with UE2 HOB. The tethering group setup request message may include, for example, capability information of UE2, which UE1 may receive via the local (wireless) connection / link 304. In this regard, the tethering group may include a UE having the capability to establish a link 302B with the radio access node, but without access to the CN 106 (e.g., 5GNR) via the radio access node 202. In other examples in which UE2 has established access to the CN via the radio access node and provided its capabilities to the radio access node, the tethering group setup request message may instead more simply include an identifier of UE2, which the radio access node may use to identify UE2’s capabilities.

[0055] The tethering group setup request message may include tethering group capability information (e.g., communication mode capabilities, whether the tethering group can perform independent detection and decoding of multiple data streams received at different UEs). Even further, additionally or alternatively, the tethering group setup request message may include a measurement report indicating the quality of the link302B between UE2 and the radio access node, such as by a synchronization signal reference signal received power (SS-RSRP), secondary SS reference signal received quality (SS-RSRQ), and / or SS signal-to-noise and interference ratio (SS-SINR).

[0056] The tethering group setup request message may include an indication of one or more supported communication modes of UE1 110A and UE2 HOB, and thereby the tethering group 306, and / or a preferred communication mode among the supported communication mode(s). The supported communication mode(s) may include at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme. In some more particular examples, the supported communication mode(s) may include receive (Rx) diversity implemented through maximal ratio combining (MRC), soft combining, or selection diversity. As explained in greater detail below, for example, the tethering group may perform MRC of signals at different devices of the tethering group (UE1 and UE2), soft combining of information bits received at the different devices of the tethering group, and / or selection diversity between signals received at the different devices of the tethering group.

[0057] Other examples of supported communication mode(s) include single user multiple-input-multiple-output (SU-MIMO), multiple users multiple-input-multiple- output (MU-MIMO) or the like. Again, as explained in greater detail below, for example, the tethering group may implement SU-MIMO-based spatial multiplexing in which the tethering group performs decoding based on joint detection and combining of multiple data streams received at the different devices of the tethering group (UE1 llOAand UE2 110B) In another example, the tethering group may implement MU-MIMO-based spatial multiplexing in which the tethering group performs independent detection and decoding of multiple data streams received at the different devices of the tethering group.

[0058] As shown in step 405, the radio access node 202 transmits a configuration message confirming the setup of the tethering group 306 to UE1 110A, the configuration message also referred to as a tethering group setup confirmation message. The tethering group setup confirmation message may include an indication (or confirmation) of at least one communication mode including at least one of antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme to be used at the tethering group, the at least one communication mode selected by the radio access node 202 from the supported communication modes. That is, the message of step 405 may indicate one or more communication modes andcorresponding RRC parameter(s) or RRC configuration for each of the indicated communication modes.

[0059] At least one RRC reconfiguration (e.g., one or more configurations and / or parameters to be used by UE1 110A and UE2 HOB in the tethering group 306 when a specific communication mode is applied to the tethering group) may also be triggered by the tethering group setup confirmation message. For example, the radio access node 202 may configure alternative physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) configurations and / or PUCCH resources for the UE1 and UE2 to use for feedback to the radio access node. The radio access node may configure different PUCCH configurations for each of the configured communication modes (e.g., the UE uses a first PUCCH configuration when using selection diversity and uses a second PUCCH configuration when using MRC). In some examples, the radio access node may use the RRC reconfiguration to configure a dedicated cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RTNI) to be used for tethering group transmissions towards a specific UE of the tethering group.

[0060] As shown in step 406, the radio access node 202 schedules physical data shared channel (PDSCH) resource(s) for (downlink) transmission of data towards UE1 110A and UE2 110B of the tethering group 306 based on at least one of the tethering group capabilities (including the capabilities UE1 and UE2), and / or feedback information. Scheduling may include selecting one of the at least one communication modes previously configured for the tethering group.

[0061] In some examples, the radio access node 202 may schedule the resource(s) based on feedback information from either or both UE1 110A or UE2 110B, based on the scheduled communication mode and corresponding configuration (e.g., PUCCH configuration). When scheduling resources to the tethering group for transmission or reception of data from a common radio bearer, the radio access node may use one or more downlink control information (DCI) addressed to a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) of UE1. In another example, there may be at least two DCI(s), one addressed to the C-RNTI of UE1, and another addressed a C-RNTI of UE2.

[0062] As shown in step 407, one or more of UE1 110A and UE2 110B perform detecting and decoding of the data from the radio access node 202, where the detection may be performed on the scheduled resources. In some examples in which the sametransmission of data, such as the same data stream or transport block (TB), is scheduled for both UE1 and UE2, the tethering group may apply an antenna combining scheme. In another example in which two or more TBs from a common radio bearer are scheduled to the tethering group, the tethering group may apply a spatial multiplexing scheme between UE1 and UE2.

[0063] Certain communication modes may also have different levels of information exchange between UE1 110A and UE2 HOB via the local (wireless) connection / link 304. In some examples, MRC and SU-MIMO communication modes may involve an exchange of in-phase and quadrature (I / Q) samples, whereas soft combining may only include an exchange of “soft” (information) bits received at UE1 and UE2.

[0064] As shown in steps 408A and 408B, either or both UE1 110A or UE2 HOB transmit feedback information to the radio access node 202 based on their detecting and / or decoding of the data and / or signals from the radio access node. This feedback information may include, for example, channel state information (CSI), which is based on reference signal detection. In another example, the feedback information may include hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement / negative acknowledgment (HARQ A / N) feedback. The CSI or HARQ A / N feedback may be reported depending on at least one radio access node configuration (e.g., whether one or multiple PUCCH configurations and / or resource sets are configured to tethering group), whether the same TB or different TBs are scheduled to the tethering group, or which communication mode is applied at the tethering group.

[0065] In some examples in which the same data stream or TB is received at UE1 110A and UE2 110B, and MRC or soft combining is applied, the tethering group 306 may transmit one CSI feedback using one PUCCH configuration. The CSI feedback may be determined based on combined information from CSI-RS received at both UEs. In another example, the tethering group may transmit one CSI feedback using one PUCCH configuration, where the CSI feedback is determined based on CSI-RS received at one of the UEs (the one corresponding to the used PUCCH configuration). In another example, the tethering group 306 may transmit separate CSI feedback using separate PUCCH configurations, where each CSI feedback is determined based on CSI-RS received at the corresponding UE of the tethering group.

[0066] In another example, the tethering group 306 may transmit one HARQ A / N feedback using one PUCCH configuration. The HARQ A / N feedback is determined based on decoding of the TB after MRC or soft combining. In yet another example, the tethering group may transmit one HARQ A / N feedback using one PUCCH configuration, where the HARQ A / N feedback is determined based on decoding at one of the UEs 110A, 110B prior to MRC / soft combining (the one corresponding to the used PUCCH configuration). In another example, the tethering group may transmit separate HARQ A / N feedback using separate PUCCH configurations, where each HARQ A / N feedback is determined based on decoding at the corresponding UE of the tethering group prior to MRC / soft combining.

[0067] In some examples in which the same data stream or TB is received at UE1 110A and UE2 110B, and selection diversity is applied, the tethering group 306 may transmit one CSI feedback using one PUCCH configuration. The CSI feedback may be determined based on CSI-RS received at one of the UEs (e.g., the best CSI among the CSI estimated by the UEs in the tethering group). In another example, the tethering group may transmit separate CSI feedback using separate PUCCH configurations, where each CSI feedback is determined based on CSI-RS received at the corresponding UE.

[0068] In another example, the tethering group 306 may transmit one HARQ A / N feedback using one PUCCH configuration, where the HARQ A / N feedback is determined based on decoding of the TB after selection diversity. In yet another example, the tethering group may transmit one HARQ A / N feedback using one PUCCH configuration, where the HARQ A / N feedback is determined based on decoding at one of the UEs prior to selection diversity. In another example, the tethering group may transmit separate HARQ A / N feedback using separate PUCCH configurations, where each HARQ A / N feedback is determined based on decoding at the corresponding UE prior to selection diversity.

[0069] In some examples in which the different data streams or TBs are received at UE1 110A and UE2 110B, and spatial multiplexing based on SU-MIMO is applied, the tethering group 306 may transmit one CSI feedback using one PUCCH configuration. The CSI feedback may be determined based on combined information from CSI-RS received at both UE1 and UE2. In another example, the tethering group may transmit oneHARQ A / N feedback per TB using one PUCCH configuration. In this example, the HARQ A / N feedback may be determined based on decoding of the different TBs after joint detection and combining at the UEs.

[0070] In some examples in which the different data streams or TBs are received at UE1 110A and UE2 HOB, and spatial multiplexing based on MU-MIMO is applied, the tethering group 306 may transmit separate CSI feedback using separate PUCCH configurations. Each CSI feedback may be determined based on CSI-RS received at the corresponding UE of the tethering group. In another example, the tethering group may transmit one HARQ A / N feedback per TB using one or separate PUCCH configurations. In this example, the HARQ A / N feedback may be determined based on decoding of the different TBs performed independently at each of the UEs in the tethering group.

[0071] As shown in step 409, either or both UE1 110A or UE2 110B detect a change in one or more links or link conditions (e.g., local (wireless) connection / link 304) between the UEs of the tethering group 306. This change may trigger the addition or removal of a UE from the tethering group, or a change in link conditions that suggests another supported communication mode may be better.

[0072] As shown at step 410, either or both UE1 110A or UE2 110B sends a reconfiguration request message to the radio access node 202 to reconfigure the tethering group 306. In response, the radio access node may activate or deactivate one or more of the links 302A, 302B for the transmission of data based on at least one UE added to or removed from the tethering group. Additionally or alternatively, the radio access node may add or remove one of the communication mod(s) selected for the tethering group. In examples in which a UE is added to or removed from the tethering group, the reconfiguration may resemble the setup procedure for the tethering group. The radio access node may then at step 411 transmit a reconfiguration message to the tethering group including, as appropriate, RRC configurations for the tethering group to apply, as shown at step 412.

[0073] In some examples, the radio access node 202 may transmit the reconfiguration request message to the either or both UE1 110A or UE2 110B to trigger a reconfiguration of the tethering group 306. In some of these examples, the reconfiguration request message may indicate activation or deactivation of the links 302A, 302B for thetransmission of data based on at least one UE added to or removed from the tethering group. Additionally or alternatively, the reconfiguration request message may indicate addition or removal one of the communication mod(s) selected for the tethering group.

[0074] In some examples, a tethering group reconfiguration may determine an explicit or implicit RRC reconfiguration. In examples in which the RRC configuration is explicit, the reconfiguration message may include a new RRC configuration. In examples in which the RRC configuration is implicit, the tethering group may apply the specific RRC configuration among those signaled in a tethering group setup confirmation message that corresponds to the communication mode indicated in the reconfiguration request message.

[0075] In some examples, the radio access node 202 may communicate with UE1 110A and UE2 HOB using one Uu interface (e.g., the Uu interface between UE1 and the radio access node). In some of these examples, UE2 may be equipped with NR radio and able to perform reception and / or transmission from / to the radio access node using the Uu interface between UE1 and the radio access node. In some examples, transmissions between the RAN 108 and UE1 , and between the RAN and UE2 may be on the same carrier frequency / cell, although example implementations may be equally applicable to cases in which transmissions are on different carrier frequencies / cells. In the latter case, the radio access node may apply a CA scheme instead of the antenna combining or spatial multiplexing schemes described herein.

[0076] FIGS. 5A - 5C are flowcharts illustrating various steps in a method 500 that may be implemented at a radio access node, according to various example implementations. The method includes receiving a setup request message at a radio access node from a user equipment, as shown at block 502 of FIG. 5 A. The setup request message is to form a tethering group including the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, and the setup request message includes an indication of one or more supported communication modes of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment. The method includes selecting at least one communication mode from the one or more supported communication modes, the at least one communication mode including at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group, as shown at block 504. The method includes transmitting a configuration messageto at least the user equipment of the tethering group, as shown at block 506. The configuration message includes an indication of the at least one communication mode as selected. And the method includes scheduling one or more resources for transmission of data to the tethering group over links between the radio access node and respective ones of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment that are configured to detect and decode the data based on one of the at least one communication mode, as shown at block 508.

[0077] In some examples, the transmission of data includes data from a radio bearer that is the same for the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

[0078] In some examples, the method 500 further includes receiving feedback information related to the transmission of data, from one or more of the user equipment or the at least one other user equipment, as shown at block 510 of FIG. 5B. In some of these examples, the feedback information is received based on the one of the at least one communication mode, and a respective one of the at least one configuration. Also in some of these examples, the one or more resources are scheduled at block 508 based on the feedback information.

[0079] In some examples, the method 500 further includes receiving a reconfiguration request message at the radio access node from one of the user equipment or the at least one other user equipment, the reconfiguration request message including a request to reconfigure the tethering group, as shown at block 512 of FIG. 5C. In some of these examples, the method also includes reconfiguring the tethering group based on the request, including at least one of activating or deactivating one or more links for the transmission of data based on at least one user equipment added to or removed from the tethering group, or adding or removing one of the at least one communication mode as selected, as shown at block 514.

[0080] In some examples, the setup request message includes a measurement report indicating a quality of a link between the radio access node and the at least one other user equipment.

[0081] In some examples, one of the links is a link established between radio access node and the user equipment based on one or more capabilities of the user equipment. In some of these examples, the setup request message indicates corresponding one or morecapabilities of the at least one other user equipment, and the one or more resources are scheduled at block 508 based on the one or more capabilities of the user equipment and the corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment.

[0082] FIGS. 6A - 6D are flowcharts illustrating various steps in a method 600 that may be implemented at a user equipmenet, according to various example implementations. The method includes transmitting a setup request message from a user equipment to a radio access node, as shown at block 602 of FIG. 6A. The setup request message is to form a tethering group including the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, and the setup request message includes an indication of one or more supported communication modes of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment. The method includes receiving a configuration message from the radio access node, as shown at block 604. The configuration message includes an indication of at least one communication mode of the one or more supported communication modes, and the at least one communication mode includes at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group. The method includes receiving a transmission of data at the user equipment from the radio access node, based on a scheduling of one or more resources for the transmission of data over links between the radio access node and respective ones of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment, as shown at block 606. And the method includes detecting and decoding the databased on one of the at least one communication mode, as shown at block 608.

[0083] In some examples, the transmission of data includes data from a radio bearer that is the same for the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

[0084] In some examples, the method 600 further includes transmitting feedback information related to the transmission of data, from the user equipment to the radio access node, based on the one of the at least one communication mode, and a respective one of the at least one configuration, as shown at block 610 of FIG. 6B. In some of these examples, the one or more resources are scheduled based on the feedback information.

[0085] In some examples, detecting and decoding the data at block 608 includes communicating between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment, independent of the radio access node, over one or more links between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment, as shown at block 612 of FIG. 6C.

[0086] In some examples, the method 600 further includes detecting a change in at least one of the one or more links between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment, as shown at block 614 of FIG. 6D. In some of these examples, the method also includes transmitting a reconfiguration request message from the user equipment to the radio access node, the reconfiguration request message including a request to reconfigure the tethering group based on the change in the at least one of the one or more links, transmitted to the radio access node for reconfiguring the tethering group based on the request, as shown at block 616.

[0087] In some examples, the setup request message includes a measurement report indicating a quality of a link between the radio access node and the at least one other user equipment.

[0088] In some examples, one of the links is a link established between radio access node and the user equipment based on one or more capabilities of the user equipment. In some of these examples, the setup request message indicates corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment, and the one or more resources are scheduled based on the one or more capabilities of the user equipment and the corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment.

[0089] According to example implementations of the present disclosure, a telecommunications system 100 or PLMN 102, and its components such as a UE 110, CN 106, RAN 108, radio access node 202, UE1 110A, and UE2 HOB may be implemented by various means. Means for implementing the system and its components may include hardware, firmware, software, or combinations thereof. In some examples, one or more apparatuses may be configured to function as or otherwise implement the system and its components shown and described herein. In examples involving more than one apparatus, the respective apparatuses may be connected to or otherwise in communication with one another in a number of different manners, such as directly or indirectly via a wired or wireless network or the like.

[0090] According to some example implementations, at least some of the method 500 described with respect to FIGS. 5A- 5C may be carried out by an apparatus comprising means for performing functions corresponding steps of the method. Similarly, at least some of the method 600 described with respect to FIGS. 6A - 6D may be carried out byan apparatus comprising means for performing functions corresponding steps of the method. Examples of a suitable apparatus may include a gNB (e.g., gNB-DU, gNB-CU), ng-eNB or any suitable apparatus, such as a server, host or node. Other examples of a suitable apparatus may include a user equipment (UE), user device, user terminal or the like.

[0091] FIG. 7 illustrates an apparatus 700 in which means for performing various functions includes hardware, alone or under direction of one or more computer programs from a computer-readable storage medium, such as computer memory (or more simply “memory”), according to some example implementations of the present disclosure. Generally, an apparatus of example implementations of the present disclosure may comprise, include or be embodied in one or more fixed or portable electronic devices. Examples of suitable electronic devices include a wearable computer, mobile phone, portable computer, desktop computer, workstation computer, server (server computer) or the like. The apparatus may include one or more of each of a number of components such as, for example, processing circuitry 702 connected to computer-readable storage medium 704.

[0092] The processing circuitry 702 may be composed of one or more processors alone or in combination with one or more computer-readable storage media. The processing circuitry is generally any piece of computer hardware that is capable of processing information such as, for example, data, computer programs and / or other suitable electronic information. The processing circuitry is composed of a collection of electronic circuits some of which may be packaged as an integrated circuit or multiple interconnected integrated circuits (an integrated circuit at times more commonly referred to as a “chip”). The processing circuitry may be configured to execute computer programs, which may be stored onboard the processing circuitry or otherwise stored in the computer-readable storage medium 704 (of the same or another apparatus).

[0093] The processing circuitry 702 may be a number of processors, a multi-core processor or some other type of processor, depending on the particular implementation. Further, the processing circuitry may be implemented using a number of heterogeneous processor systems in which a main processor is present with one or more secondary processors on a single chip. As another illustrative example, the processing circuitry maybe a symmetric multi-processor system containing multiple processors of the same type. In yet another example, the processing circuitry may be embodied as or otherwise include one or more ASICs, FPGAs or the like. Thus, although the processing circuitry may be capable of executing a computer program to perform one or more functions, the processing circuitry of various examples may be capable of performing one or more functions without the aid of a computer program. In either instance, the processing circuitry may be appropriately programmed to perform functions or operations according to example implementations of the present disclosure.

[0094] The computer-readable storage medium 704 is generally any piece of computer hardware that is capable of storing information such as, for example, data, computer programs (e.g., computer-readable program code 706, simply instructions) and / or other suitable information either on a temporary basis and / or a permanent basis. The computer-readable storage medium may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, and may be fixed or removable. Examples of suitable memory include recording media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a hard drive, a flash memory, a thumb drive, a removable computer diskette, an optical disk or some combination thereof.

[0095] The computer-readable storage medium 704 is a non-transitory device capable of storing information, and is distinguishable from a computer-readable transmission medium capable of carrying information from one location to another. Examples of suitable computer-readable transmission media comprise electronic carrier signals, telecommunications signals, software distribution packages, or some combination thereof. As used herein, the term “non-transitory” is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM versus ROM). A computer-readable medium as described herein generally refers to a computer-readable storage medium or computer-readable transmission medium. A computer-readable medium is any entity or device capable in which information, such as one or more computer programs or portions thereof, may be stored and carried.

[0096] In addition to the computer-readable storage medium 704, the processing circuitry 702 may also be connected to one or more interfaces for displaying, transmitting and / or receiving information. The interfaces may include a communications interface 708and / or one or more user interfaces. The communications interface may be configured to transmit and / or receive information, such as to and / or from other apparatus(es), network(s) or the like. The communications interface may be configured to transmit and / or receive information by physical (wired) and / or wireless communications links. Examples of suitable communication interfaces include a network interface controller (NIC), wireless NIC (WNIC) or the like.

[0097] The user interfaces may include a display 710 and / or one or more user input interfaces 712. The display may be configured to present or otherwise display information to a user, suitable examples of which include a liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED) display, organic LED (OLED) display, active-matrix OLED (AMOLED) or the like. The user input interfaces may be wired or wireless, and may be configured to receive information from a user into the apparatus, such as for processing, storage and / or display. Suitable examples of user input interfaces include a microphone, image or video capture device, keyboard or keypad, joystick, touch-sensitive surface (separate from or integrated into a touchscreen), biometric sensor or the like. The user interfaces may further include one or more interfaces for communicating with peripherals such as printers, scanners or the like.

[0098] Execution of the computer-readable program code 706 by the processing circuitry 702, or storage of the computer- readable program code in the computer- readable storage medium 704, supports combinations of operations for implementing example implementations of the present disclosure. In this manner, an apparatus 700 may comprise at least one processing circuitry and at least one computer-readable storage medium coupled to the at least one processing circuitry, where the at least one processing circuitry is configured to execute computer-readable program code stored in the at least one computer-readable storage medium. It will also be understood that one or more functions, and combinations of functions, may be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems and / or processing circuitry which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and program code instructions.

[0099] Some example implementations of the present disclosure may also be carried out in the form of a computer process defined by one or more computer programs orportions thereof. Example implementations of the present disclosure may be carried out by executing at least one portion of a computer program comprising computer-readable program code. The computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form. The computer program may be stored in a computer-readable medium that is readable by a computer, processing circuitry or other suitable apparatus. As indicated above, for example, the computer program may be stored in a computer- readable storage medium. Additionally or alternatively, for example, the computer program may be stored in a computer-readable transmission medium. The coding of software for carrying out example implementations of the present disclosure is well within the scope of a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0100] As will be appreciated, any suitable computer-readable program code may be loaded onto a computer, a processing circuitry or other programmable apparatus from a computer-readable medium (e.g., computer-readable storage medium, computer-readable transmission medium) to produce a particular machine, such that the particular machine becomes a means for implementing the functions specified herein. The computer- readable program code may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer, a processing circuitry or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner to thereby generate a particular machine or particular article of manufacture. In some examples, the computer-readable program code stored in the computer-readable medium may produce an article of manufacture, where the article of manufacture becomes a means for implementing functions described herein. The computer-readable program code may be retrieved from a computer-readable medium and loaded into a computer, processing circuitry or other programmable apparatus to configure the computer, processing circuitry or other programmable apparatus to execute operations to be performed on or by the computer, processing circuitry or other programmable apparatus.

[0101] Retrieval, loading and execution of computer-readable program code comprising program code instructions may be performed sequentially such that one instruction is retrieved, loaded and executed at a time. In some example implementations, retrieval, loading and / or execution may be performed in parallel such that multiple instructions are retrieved, loaded, and / or executed together. Execution of the programcode instructions may produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions executed by the computer, processing circuitry or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing functions described herein.

[0102] In an example implementation, an apparatus carrying out at least some of the example implementations described comprises at least one processor and at least one memory including instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to carry out the functionalities according to any one of the example implementations described. According to an aspect, when the at least one processor executes the instructions, the instructions cause the apparatus to carry out the functionalities according to any one of the example implementations described.According to another example implementation, the apparatus carrying out at least some of the example implementations comprises the at least one processor and at least one memory including instructions, wherein the at least one processor and the instructions perform at least some of the functionalities according to any one of the example implementations described. Accordingly, the at least one processor, the memory, and the instructions form processing means for carrying out at least some of the example implementations described. According to yet another example implementation, the apparatus carrying out at least some of the example implementations comprises a circuitry including at least one processor and at least one memory including instructions. When activated, the circuitry causes the apparatus to perform the at least some of the functionalities according to any one of the example implementations described. In some example implementations, the apparatus is a user equipment or comprised in a user equipment (e.g. as in method 600). In some example implementations, the apparatus is a radio access node or comprised in a radio access node (e.g. as in method 500).

[0103] As explained above and reiterated below, the present disclosure includes, without limitation, the following example implementations.

[0104] Clause 1. An apparatus comprising: at least one memory configured to store computer-readable program code; and at least one processing circuitry configured to access the at least one memory, and execute the computer-readable program code to cause the apparatus to at least: receive a setup request message at the apparatus as a radio access node from a user equipment, the setup request message to form a tethering groupincluding the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, the setup request message including an indication of one or more supported communication modes of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; select at least one communication mode from the one or more supported communication modes, the at least one communication mode including at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group; transmit a configuration message to at least the user equipment of the tethering group, the configuration message including an indication of the at least one communication mode as selected; and schedule one or more resources for transmission of data to the tethering group over links between the radio access node and respective ones of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment that are configured to detect and decode the data based on one of the at least one communication mode.

[0105] Clause 2. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the transmission of data includes data from a radio bearer that is the same for the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

[0106] Clause 3. The apparatus of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the at least one processing circuitry is configured to execute the computer-readable program code to cause the apparatus to further receive feedback information related to the transmission of data, from one or more of the user equipment or the at least one other user equipment, based on the one of the at least one communication mode, and a respecti ve one of the at least one configuration, and wherein the one or more resources are scheduled based on the feedback information.

[0107] Clause 4. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the at least one processing circuitry is configured to execute the computer-readable program code to cause the apparatus to further at least: receive a reconfiguration request message at the radio access node from one of the user equipment or the at least one other user equipment, the reconfiguration request message including a request to reconfigure the tethering group; and reconfigure the tethering group based on the request, including at least one of activate or deactivate one or more links for the transmission of data based on at least one user equipment added to or removed from the tethering group, or add or remove one of the at least one communication mode as selected.

[0108] Clause 5. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the setup request message includes a measurement report indicating a quality of a link between the radio access node and the at least one other user equipment.

[0109] Clause 6. The apparatus of any of clauses 1 to 5, wherein one of the links is a link established between radio access node and the user equipment based on one or more capabilities of the user equipment, and wherein the setup request message indicates corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment, and the one or more resources are scheduled based on the one or more capabilities of the user equipment and the corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment.

[0110] Clause 7. A method comprising: receiving a setup request message at a radio access node from a user equipment, the setup request message to form a tethering group including the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, the setup request message including an indication of one or more supported communicati on modes of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; selecting at least one communication mode from the one or more supported communication modes, the at least one communication mode including at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group; transmitting a configuration message to at least the user equipment of the tethering group, the configuration message including an indication of the at least one communication mode as selected; and scheduling one or more resources for transmission of data to the tethering group over links between the radio access node and respective ones of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment that are configured to detect and decode the data based on one of the at least one communication mode.

[0111] Clause 8. The method of clause 7, wherein the transmission of data includes data from a radio bearer that is the same for the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

[0112] Clause 9. The method of clause 7 or clause 8, wherein the method further comprises receiving feedback information related to the transmission of data, from one or more of the user equipment or the at least one other user equipment, based on the one of the at least one communication mode, and a respective one of the at least oneconfiguration, and wherein the one or more resources are scheduled based on the feedback information.

[0113] Clause 10. The method of any of clauses 7 to 9, wherein the method further comprises: receiving a reconfiguration request message at the radio access node from one of the user equipment or the at least one other user equipment, the reconfiguration request message including a request to reconfigure the tethering group; and reconfiguring the tethering group based on the request, including at least one of activating or deactivating one or more links for the transmission of data based on at least one user equipment added to or removed from the tethering group, or adding or removing one of the at least one communication mode as selected.

[0114] Clause 11. The method of any of clauses 7 to 10, wherein the setup request message includes a measurement report indicating a quality of a link between the radio access node and the at least one other user equipment.

[0115] Clause 12. The method of any of clauses 7 to 11, wherein one of the links is a link established between radio access node and the user equipment based on one or more capabilities of the user equipment, and wherein the setup request message indicates corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment, and the one or more resources are scheduled based on the one or more capabilities of the user equipment and the corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment.

[0116] Clause 13. A computer-readable storage medium that is non-transitory and has computer-readable program code stored therein that, in response to execution by at least one processing circuitry, causes an apparatus to at least: receive a setup request message at the apparatus as a radio access node from a user equipment, the setup request message to form a tethering group including the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, the setup request message including an indication of one or more supported communication modes of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; select at least one communication mode from the one or more supported communication modes, the at least one communication mode including at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group; transmit a configuration message to at least the user equipment of the tethering group, the configuration message including anindication of the at least one communication mode as selected; and schedule one or more resources for transmission of data to the tethering group over links between the radio access node and respective ones of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment that are configured to detect and decode the data based on one of the at least one communication mode.

[0117] Clause 14. The computer-readable storage medium of clause 13, wherein the transmission of data includes data from a radio bearer that is the same for the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

[0118] Clause 15. The computer-readable storage medium of clause 13 or clause 14, wherein the computer-readable storage medium has further computer-readable program code stored therein that, in response to execution by the at least one processing circuitry, causes the apparatus to further receive feedback information related to the transmission of data, from one or more of the user equipment or the at least one other user equipment, based on the one of the at least one communication mode, and a respective one of the at least one configuration, and wherein the one or more resources are scheduled based on the feedback information.

[0119] Clause 16. The computer-readable storage medium of any of clauses 13 to 15, wherein the computer-readable storage medium has further computer-readable program code stored therein that, in response to execution by the at least one processing circuitry, causes the apparatus to further at least: receive a reconfiguration request message at the radio access node from one of the user equipment or the at least one other user equipment, the reconfiguration request message including a request to reconfigure the tethering group; and reconfigure the tethering group based on the request, including at least one of activate or deactivate one or more links for the transmission of data based on at least one user equipment added to or removed from the tethering group, or add or remove one of the at least one communication mode as selected.

[0120] Clause 17. The computer-readable storage medium of any of clauses 13 to 16, wherein the setup request message includes a measurement report indicating a quality of a link between the radio access node and the at least one other user equipment.

[0121] Clause 18. The computer-readable storage medium of any of clauses 13 to 14, wherein one of the links is a link established between radio access node and the userequipment based on one or more capabilities of the user equipment, and wherein the setup request message indicates corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment, and the one or more resources are scheduled based on the one or more capabil ities of the user equipment and the corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment.

[0122] Clause 19. An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of clauses 7 to 12.

[0123] Clause 20. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable program code that, in response to execution by at least one processing circuitry, causes an apparatus to perform the method of any of clauses 7 to 12.

[0124] Clause 21. A computer-readable storage medium comprising computer- readable program code that, in response to execution by at least one processing circuitry, causes an apparatus to perform the method of any of clauses 7 to 12.

[0125] Clause 22. A computer program comprising computer-readable program code that, in response to execution by at least one processing circuitry, causes an apparatus to perform the method of any of clauses 7 to 12.

[0126] Clause 23. An apparatus comprising: at least one memory configured to store computer-readable program code; and at least one processing circuitry configured to access the at least one memory, and execute the computer-readable program code to cause the apparatus to at least: transmit a setup request message from the apparatus as a user equipment to a radio access node, the setup request message to form a tethering group including the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, the setup request message including an indication of one or more supported communication modes of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; receive a configuration message from the radio access node including an indication of at least one communication mode of the one or more supported communication modes, the at least one communication mode including at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group; receive a transmission of data at the user equipment from the radio access node, based on a scheduling of one or more resources for the transmission of data over links between the radio access node and respective onesof the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; and detect and decode the data based on one of the at least one communication mode.

[0127] Clause 24. The apparatus of clause 23, wherein the transmission of data includes data from a radio bearer that is the same for the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

[0128] Clause 25. The apparatus of clause 23 or clause 24, wherein the at least one processing circuitry is configured to execute the computer-readable program code to cause the apparatus to further transmit feedback information related to the transmission of data, from the user equipment to the radio access node, based on the one of the at least one communication mode, and a respective one of the at least one configuration, wherein the one or more resources are scheduled based on the feedback information.

[0129] Clause 26. The apparatus of any of clauses 23 to 25, wherein the apparatus caused to detect and decode the data includes the apparatus caused to communicate between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment, independent of the radio access node, over one or more links between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

[0130] Clause 27. The apparatus of clause 26, wherein the at least one processing circuitry is configured to execute the computer-readable program code to cause the apparatus to further at least: detect a change in at least one of the one or more links between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; and transmit a reconfiguration request message from the user equipment to the radio access node, the reconfiguration request message including a request to reconfigure the tethering group based on the change in the at least one of the one or more links, transmitted to the radio access node for reconfiguring the tethering group based on the request.

[0131] Clause 28. The apparatus of any of clauses 23 to 27, wherein the setup request message includes a measurement report indicating a quality of a link between the radio access node and the at least one other user equipment.

[0132] Clause 29. The apparatus of any of clauses 23 to 28, wherein one of the links is a link established between radio access node and the user equipment based on one or more capabilities of the user equipment, and wherein the setup request message indicates corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment, and theone or more resources are scheduled based on the one or more capabilities of the user equipment and the corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment.

[0133] Clause 30. A method comprising: transmitting a setup request message from a user equipment to a radio access node, the setup request message to form a tethering group including the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, the setup request message including an indication of one or more supported communication modes of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; receiving a configuration message from the radio access node including an indication of at least one communication mode of the one or more supported communication modes, the at least one communication mode including at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group; receiving a transmission of data at the user equipment from the radio access node, based on a scheduling of one or more resources for the transmission of data over links between the radio access node and respective ones of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; and detecting and decoding the data based on one of the at least one communication mode.

[0134] Clause 31. The method of clause 30, wherein the transmission of data includes data from a radio bearer that is the same for the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

[0135] Clause 32. The method of clause 30 or clause 31, wherein the method further comprises transmitting feedback information related to the transmission of data, from the user equipment to the radio access node, based on the one of the at least one communication mode, and a respective one of the at least one configuration, wherein the one or more resources are scheduled based on the feedback information.

[0136] Clause 33. The method of any of clauses 30 to 32, wherein detecting and decoding the data includes communicating between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment, independent of the radio access node, over one or more links between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

[0137] Clause 34. The method of clause 33, wherein the method further comprises: detecting a change in at least one of the one or more links between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; and transmitting a reconfiguration requestmessage from the user equipment to the radio access node, the reconfiguration request message including a request to reconfigure the tethering group based on the change in the at least one of the one or more links, transmitted to the radio access node for reconfiguring the tethering group based on the request.

[0138] Clause 35. The apparatus of any of clauses 30 to 34, wherein the setup request message includes a measurement report indicating a quality of a link between the radio access node and the at least one other user equipment.

[0139] Clause 36. The method of any of clauses 30 to 35, wherein one of the links is a link established between radio access node and the user equipment based on one or more capabilities of the user equipment, and wherein the setup request message indicates corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment, and the one or more resources are scheduled based on the one or more capabilities of the user equipment and the corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment.

[0140] Clause 37. A computer-readable storage medium that is non-transitory and has computer-readable program code stored therein that, in response to execution by at least one processing circuitry, causes an apparatus to at least: transmit a setup request message from the apparatus as a user equipment to a radio access node, the setup request message to form a tethering group including the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, the setup request message including an indication of one or more supported communication modes of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; receive a configuration message from the radio access node including an indication of at least one communication mode of the one or more supported communication modes, the at least one communication mode including at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group; receive a transmission of data at the user equipment from the radio access node, based on a scheduling of one or more resources for the transmission of data over links between the radio access node and respective ones of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; and detect and decode the data based on one of the at least one communication mode.

[0141] Clause 38. The computer-readable storage medium of clause 37, wherein the transmission of data includes data from a radio bearer that is the same for the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

[0142] Clause 39. The computer-readable storage medium of clause 37 or clause 38, wherein the computer-readable storage medium has further computer-readable program code stored therein that, in response to execution by the at least one processing circuitry, causes the apparatus to further transmit feedback information related to the transmission of data, from the user equipment to the radio access node, based on the one of the at least one communication mode, and a respective one of the at least one configuration, wherein the one or more resources are scheduled based on the feedback information.

[0143] Clause 40. The computer-readable storage medium of any of clauses 37 to 39, wherein the apparatus caused to detect and decode the data includes the apparatus caused to communicate between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment, independent of the radio access node, over one or more links between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

[0144] Clause 41. The computer-readable storage medium of clause 40, wherein the computer-readable storage medium has further computer-readable program code stored therein that, in response to execution by the at least one processing circuitry, causes the apparatus to further at least: detect a change in at least one of the one or more links between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; and transmit a reconfiguration request message from the user equipment to the radio access node, the reconfiguration request message including a request to reconfigure the tethering group based on the change in the at least one of the one or more links, transmitted to the radio access node for reconfiguring the tethering group based on the request.

[0145] Clause 42. The apparatus of any of clauses 37 to 41, wherein the setup request message includes a measurement report indicating a quality of a link between the radio access node and the at least one other user equipment.

[0146] Clause 43. The computer-readable storage medium of any of clauses 37 to 42, wherein one of the links is a link established between radio access node and the user equipment based on one or more capabilities of the user equipment, and wherein the setup request message indicates corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least oneother user equipment, and the one or more resources are scheduled based on the one or more capabilities of the user equipment and the corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment.

[0147] Clause 44. An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of clauses 30 to 36.

[0148] Clause 45. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable program code that, in response to execution by at least one processing circuitry, causes an apparatus to perform the method of any of clauses 320 to 36.

[0149] Clause 46. A computer-readable storage medium comprising computer- readable program code that, in response to execution by at least one processing circuitry, causes an apparatus to perform the method of any of clauses 30 to 36.

[0150] Clause 47. A computer program comprising computer-readable program code that, in response to execution by at least one processing circuitry, causes an apparatus to perform the method of any of clauses 30 to 36.

[0151] Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated figures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific implementations disclosed and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and the associated figures describe example implementations in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving a setup request message at the apparatus as a radio access node from a user equipment, the setup request message to form a tethering group including the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, the setup request message including an indication of one or more supported communication modes of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; means for selecting at least one communication mode from the one or more supported communication modes, the at least one communication mode including at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group; means for transmitting a configuration message to at least the user equipment of the tethering group, the configuration message including an indication of the at least one communication mode as selected; and means for scheduling one or more resources for transmission of data to the tethering group over links between the radio access node and respective ones of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment that are configured to detect and decode the data based on one of the at least one communication mode.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmission of data includes data from a radio bearer that is the same for the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for receiving feedback information related to the transmission of data, from one or more of the user equipment or the at least one other user equipment, based on the one of the at least one communication mode, and a respective one of the at least one configuration, and wherein the one or more resources are scheduled based on the feedback information.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for receiving a reconfiguration request message at the radio access node from one of the user equipment or the at least one other user equipment, the reconfiguration request message including a request to reconfigure the tethering group; and means for reconfiguring the tethering group based on the request, including at least one of activating or deactivating one or more links for the transmission of data based on at least one user equipment added to or removed from the tethering group, or adding or removing one of the at least one communication mode as selected.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the setup request message includes a measurement report indicating a quality of a link between the radio access node and the at least one other user equipment.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein one of the links is a link established between radio access node and the user equipment based on one or more capabilities of the user equipment, and wherein the setup request message indicates corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment, and the one or more resources are scheduled based on the one or more capabilities of the user equipment and the corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment.

7. A method comprising: receiving a setup request message at a radio access node from a user equipment, the setup request message to form a tethering group including the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, the setup request message including an indication of one or more supported communication modes of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment;selecting at least one communication mode from the one or more supported communication modes, the at least one communication mode including at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group; transmitting a configuration message to at least the user equipment of the tethering group, the configuration message including an indication of the at least one communication mode as selected; and scheduling one or more resources for transmission of data to the tethering group over links between the radio access node and respective ones of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment that are configured to detect and decode the data based on one of the at least one communication mode.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the transmission of data includes data from a radio bearer that is the same for the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

9. The method of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the method further comprises receiving feedback information related to the transmission of data, from one or more of the user equipment or the at least one other user equipment, based on the one of the at least one communication mode, and a respective one of the at least one configuration, and wherein the one or more resources are scheduled based on the feedback information.

10. The method of any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the method further comprises: receiving a reconfiguration request message at the radio access node from one of the user equipment or the at least one other user equipment, the reconfiguration request message including a request to reconfigure the tethering group; and reconfiguring the tethering group based on the request, including at least one of activating or deactivating one or more links for the transmission of data based on at least one user equipment added to or removed from the tethering group, or adding or removing one of the at least one communication mode as selected.

11. The method of any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the setup request message includes a measurement report indicating a quality of a link between the radio access node and the at least one other user equipment.

12. The method of any of claims 7 to 11, wherein one of the links is a link established between radio access node and the user equipment based on one or more capabilities of the user equipment, and wherein the setup request message indicates corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment, and the one or more resources are scheduled based on the one or more capabilities of the user equipment and the corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment.

13. An apparatus comprising: means for transmitting a setup request message from the apparatus as a user equipment to a radio access node, the setup request message to form a tethering group including the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, the setup request message including an indication of one or more supported communication modes of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; means for receiving a configuration message from the radio access node including an indication of at least one communication mode of the one or more supported communication modes, the at least one communication mode including at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group; means for receiving a transmission of data at the user equipment from the radio access node, based on a scheduling of one or more resources for the transmission of data over links between the radio access node and respective ones of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; and means for detecting and decoding the data based on one of the at least one communication mode.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the transmission of data includes data from a radio bearer that is the same for the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for transmitting feedback information related to the transmission of data, from the user equipment to the radio access node, based on the one of the at least one communication mode, and a respective one of the at least one configuration, wherein the one or more resources are scheduled based on the feedback information.

16. The apparatus of any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the means for detecting and decoding the data includes means for communicating between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment, independent of the radio access node, over one or more links between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for detecting a change in at least one of the one or more links between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; and means for transmitting a reconfiguration request message from the user equipment to the radio access node, the reconfiguration request message including a request to reconfigure the tethering group based on the change in the at least one of the one or more links, transmitted to the radio access node for reconfiguring the tethering group based on the request.

18. The apparatus of any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the setup request message includes a measurement report indicating a quality of a link between the radio access node and the at least one other user equipment.

19. The apparatus of any of claims 13 to 18, wherein one of the links is a link established between radio access node and the user equipment based on one or more capabilities of the user equipment, andwherein the setup request message indicates corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment, and the one or more resources are scheduled based on the one or more capabilities of the user equipment and the corresponding one or more capabilities of the at least one other user equipment.

20. A method comprising: transmitting a setup request message from a user equipment to a radio access node, the setup request message to form a tethering group including the user equipment and at least one other user equipment, the setup request message including an indication of one or more supported communication modes of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; receiving a configuration message from the radio access node including an indication of at least one communication mode of the one or more supported communication modes, the at least one communication mode including at least one antenna combining or spatial multiplexing scheme for the tethering group; receiving a transmission of data at the user equipment from the radio access node, based on a scheduling of one or more resources for the transmission of data over links between the radio access node and respective ones of the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment; and detecting and decoding the data based on one of the at least one communication mode.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the transmission of data includes data from a radio bearer that is the same for the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

22. The method of claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the method further comprises transmitting feedback information related to the transmission of data, from the user equipment to the radio access node, based on the one of the at least one communication mode, and a respective one of the at least one configuration, wherein the one or more resources are scheduled based on the feedback information.

23. The method of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein detecting and decoding the data includes communicating between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment, independent of the radio access node, over one or more links between the user equipment and the at least one other user equipment.

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