NCR, network node, UE and methods for handling DTX configurations in a communication network

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method performed by an NCR (105) for handling DTX configurations in a communication network (100). The NCR (105) is arranged to communicate with a UE (103) and a network node (101) via links (108, 110, 113). The links (108, 110, 113) comprise a first link (108) between the NCR (105) and the UE (103) and a second link (110, 113) between the NCR (105) and the network node (101). The NCR (105) receives one or multiple NCR DTX configurations from a network node (101). The one or multiple NCR DTX configuration is associated with the NCR's transmission to the UE (103) and / or to the network node (101). The NCR (105) transmits a signal on at least one of the links (108, 110, 113) according to the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations.

Description

[0001] NCR, NETWORK NODE, UE AND METHODS FOR HANDLING DTX CONFIGURATIONS IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), a method performed by the NCR, a User Equipment (UE), a method performed by the UE, a network node and a method performed by the network node. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to handling Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) configurations in a communication network.

[0004] BACKGROUND NCR

[0005] Repeaters are devices which may be used to improve the coverage of a communication network. The repeater will listen to the incoming signal on a frequency and send the same signal but amplified, hence improving the coverage.

[0006] The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is in Release 18 (Rel-18) undertaking the work of introducing so called Network Controlled Repeaters (NCR). Network controlled repeaters are, as the name suggests, allowing the network to control the operation of the repeater. Example aspects of the NCR which are discussed to be controllable by the network comprise:

[0007] • when the NCR is turned on and turned off, and

[0008] • which radio beams the NCR is to repeat and not.

[0009] The example model that 3GPP is assuming at the moment is depicted in fig. 1 . Fig. 1 is a schematic example of how an NCR may communicate with the network in a communication network 100. On the left side of fig. 1 , a network node 101 is shown. The network node 101 may be for example a New Radio (NR) base station, a gNB, just to mention some examples. The User Equipment (UE) 103 is to the right. In the middle is the NCR 105. The NCR 105 comprises two main parts, a forwarding part 105a, e.g. referred to as NCR-Fwd or repeater-Fwd, which is doing the forwarding operation of taking the signal from the network node 101 on the so called backhaul link 110 or UE 103 on the so-called access link 108, and forwarding an amplified version of it that then can be received by the UE 103 on the access link 108 or network node 101 on the backhaul link 110. The other main part is the mobile termination part 105b, e.g. referred to as NCR-MT or repeater-MT. MT is short for mobile termination. This part is what makes the NCR 105 network controllable and allows the network node 101 to communicate with the NCR 105; the mobile termination part 105b terminates a control link 113 as a UE 103 would do. The link over which the network node 101 and the NCR 105 communicate is shown as control link 113 in fig. 1.

[0010] Since the forwarding part 105a only amplifies and analogously beamforms the signal, no advanced receiver or transmitter chains are required, which reduce the cost and energy consumption compared to, for example, a normal Transmission and Reception Point (TRP). In its simplest and, practical architecture, different antenna modules are used for the network node- and UE-sides, i.e. , the antennas targeting the network doe 101 and UEs 103, respectively, whereas a more complex architecture, including selfinterference cancellation, would allow for using the same antenna modules for both sides.

[0011] How an NCR 105 will be designed and how it will communicate with the network node 101 is still unclear. Fig. 2 illustrates one schematic example of how it might look. Fig. 2 is a schematic example of building blocks of an NCR 105, and how it may communicate with the network node 101. Note that this is an estimation of the possible NCR structure, while the exact structure is still to-be-decided. In the example of fig. 2, the NCR 105 comprises three principal building blocks, the modem 201 , the controller 203, and the repeater 205. The modem 201 may be referred to as a modem module, the controller 203 may be referred to as a controller module and the repeater 205 may be referred to as a repeater module. The repeater 205 is depicted as the two amplifiers in fig. 2. The NCR 105 is equipped with an antenna configuration, where a signal is first received in downlink (DL) or uplink (UL), and, e.g., after power amplification, transmitted further in downlink or uplink. Since the repeater 205, also referred to as forwarding part 104a, only amplifies and analogously beamforms the signal, no advanced receiver or transmitter chains are required, which reduce the cost and energy consumption compared to for example a normal TRP. In its simplest architecture, different antenna modules are used for the donor and service sides, i.e., the antennas targeting the network node 101 and UEs 103, respectively, whereas a more complex architecture, including self-interference cancellation, would allow for using the same antenna modules for both sides.

[0012] The modem 201 is used to exchange control and status signaling with a network node 101 that is controlling the NCR 105. For this, the modem 201 supports at least a sub-set of UE functions. NCR control and status information is further exchanged between the modem 201 and the controller 203. The modem 201 might be equipped with antennas separated from the antennas used by the repeater 205; but in most configurations, the modem 201 and repeater 205 will share antenna configurations.

[0013] The controller 203 is used to control the repeater 205, by for example providing beamforming information, power control information etc. The controller 203 is connected to the network node 101 through the modem 201 such that the network node 101 can control the controller 203 and, in that way, control the repeater 205.

[0014] Both the modem 201 and the controller 203 can be assumed to be part of building up a Mobile Termination (MT) function in the NCR 105.

[0015] The repeater’s amplify-and-forward operation is controlled by the controller 203. The controller 203 could also be directly responsible for the beamforming control on the service antenna side, i.e., to / from served UEs 103. In an alternative, the beamforming on the service antenna side is operated by the repeater 205 under control of the controller 203. On the donor antenna side, i.e., to / from the controlling network node 101 , the modem 201 could be directly responsible for the beamforming control. In an alternative, the beamforming on the service antenna side is operated by the repeater 205 under control of the controller 230 and / or modem 201 .

[0016] In one configuration, the modem 201 and the repeater 205 do not only share an antenna configuration but also parts of the analog transmitter and / or receiver, such as power transmit amplifier and / or receiver amplifiers and / or filters.

[0017] The modem 201 and the repeater 205 could be operating at the same or different frequencies. For example, the repeater 205 could operate at a high frequency band (FR2) and the modem 201 could be operating at a low frequency band (FR1). FR1 may be in the range of for example 410 MHz to 7125 MHz. FR2 may be in the range of, for example 24.25 GHz to 71 .0 GHz.

[0018] Cell DRX / DTX

[0019] Energy consumption is a major challenge of the Fifth Generation (5G) system today. Most of the energy consumption comes from Radio Units (RUs) of the Radio Access Networks (RAN). The network energy consumption is said to be less for NR compared to Long Term Evolution (LTE) because of the lean NR design. In the current implementation, however, NR will most likely consume more energy compared to LTE, e.g., due to denser network deployment, larger number of antennas, larger bandwidths, more carriers, and other new and performance-enhancing features that cause additional energy consumption.

[0020] Moreover, today’s RAN is typically deployed in a layered fashion. The RAN capabilities are enhanced by adding carriers or spectrum to macro sites and deploying micro and indoor sites to complement the macro layers to boost indoor coverage, absorb hotspot traffic, and improve user experience, especially during peak traffic hours. These RAN deployments will, however, lead to excess network capacity at times of low traffic, i.e. demand, which will thus result in unnecessarily high energy consumption if not counteracted with suitable energy saving techniques.

[0021] Cell deactivation is a known and conventional energy saving technique in the spatial domain that takes advantage of the opportunity to offload UEs and thus the associated traffic in a layered RAN structure with overlapping coverage areas to reduce the RAN energy consumption. However, cell deactivation comes at the price of long cell reactivation delays in case the additional network capacity is needed to provide a certain user experience or opportune for other reasons, which significantly limits the opportunities or amount of time for employing this energy saving technique. More granular energy saving techniques in time, frequency, spatial, and power domains are foreseen. An example of UE energy saving techniques in the time domain is Discontinuous Reception (DRX). NR comprises techniques supporting DRX for the UE to reduce the UE energy consumption. DRX can be used in both Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connected mode (C-DRX) and RRC Idle / lnactive mode (DRX). It resembles an agreement between network and UE that, regardless of downlink traffic, the network will only attempt to contact the UE 103 during on-times of the configured DRX cycle or pattern. Thus, the UE 103 must monitor and / or decode the downlink channels only as configured and can sleep, i.e. , be in a low power state and / or low energy state, otherwise, i.e., during off-times. In case of uplink traffic, however, the UE 103 may initiate transmission regardless of the DRX configuration. Simply put, the network node 101 , e.g. the gNB, must be prepared to receive uplink traffic at any time.

[0022] However, DTX / DRX for the network, it also is termed as Cell DTX / DRX interchangeably, is a promising approach enabling the network to introduce certain off-times in which transmission and / or reception is suspended and / or interrupted. In other words, Cell DTX / DRX enables the network to operate on a certain duty cycle by which the available network capacity is scaled accordingly, i.e. scaled up or down. In such a way, the available network capacity can dynamically be adjusted to the required network capacity, e.g., with regards to current traffic demand.

[0023] The characteristics of Cell DTX / DRX at the least comprises one or more of the below aspects:

[0024] • A periodic cell DTX / DRX configuration is explicitly signaled to the UEs 103.

[0025] • A periodic cell DTX / DRX pattern is configured by UE specific RRC signaling.

[0026] • The Cell DTX / DRX configuration comprises one or more of: periodicity, start slot / offset, on duration.

[0027] • As a baseline Cell DTX / DRX is activated and / or deactivated implicitly by RRC signaling, i.e., activated immediately once configured by RRC and deactivated once the RRC configuration is released.

[0028] As mentioned earlier, the NCR 105 is being introduced into 3GPP Rel-18, where the NCR 105 can be deployed in a network-controlled manner to increase coverage of the network node 101.

[0029] Whenever an NCR 105 is deployed by the network in a certain spot, the NCR 105 operates according to the configuration received from the network node 101 , e.g. the gNB. The surrounding UEs 103 will read downlink (DL) signaling transmitted by the network node 101 and forwarded by the NCR 105. After that, the UE 103 will setup a connection to the network node 101 via the NCR 105 in a blind manner. The NCR 105 would be always active, and it will be enabled for continuous transmission towards the network node 101 or UE 103. This is not energy efficient for the NCR 105, also considering the fact that the NCR 105 may be a battery powered device and may not be always directly connected to the electricity grid.

[0030] Further, existing mechanisms imply that the NCR 105 only relies on explicit indication signaling by the network on when the forwarding part 105a of the NCR 105 should be ON or OFF. However, this has two major drawbacks i) it is only the forwarding part 105a of the NCR 105 that can be switched ON or OFF and not the whole NCR 105 and ii) the forwarding part 105a of the NCR 105 is forced to always monitor reception signals and forward it immediately to the next node.

[0031] Given cell DRX is introduced in 3GPP Rel-18, meaning that the network node 101 , e.g. the RAN node, gNB etc, with cell DRX will only be active for data reception during configured occasions according to its cell DRX configurations, it is not necessary for the forwarding part 105a of the NCR 105 to be always on / active towards the network node 101. Given a UE 103 may support DRX, the UE 103 would be only active for reception during configured occasions according to its DRX configurations, the NCR 105 may be only needed to be active for its transmission towards the UE 103.

[0032] Therefore, it is necessary to develop enable energy saving mechanism for the NCR 105 specific to transmission feature of the NCR 105.

[0033] In view of the above, there is a strive to develop further improved technology relating to energy saving mechanisms for the NCR 105.

[0034] SUMMARY

[0035] An objective is to obviate at least one of the above disadvantages and to provide an improved energy saving mechanism for the NCR.

[0036] According to a first aspect, the object is achieved by a method performed by an NCR for handling DTX configurations in a communication network. The NCR is arranged to communicate with a UE and a network node via links. The links comprise a first link between the NCR and the UE, and a second link between the NCR and the network node. The NCR receives one or multiple NCR DTX configurations from a network node. The one or multiple NCR DTX configuration is associated with the NCR’s transmission to the UE and / or to the network node. The NCR transmits a signal on at least one of the links according to the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations.

[0037] According to a second aspect, the object is achieved by a method performed by a UE for handling DTX configurations in a communication network. The UE is arranged to communicate with an NCR via a first link. The UE receives one or multiple UE DTX configurations from the NCR. The one or multiple UE DTX configuration are associated with the UE’s transmission to the NCR. The UE transmits a signal to the NCR (105) on the first link and according to the one or multiple UE DTX configurations.

[0038] According to a third aspect, the object is achieved by a method performed by a network node for handling DTX configurations in a communication network. The network node is arranged to communicate with an NCR via a second link. The network node determines one or multiple NCR DTX configurations for the NCR. The one or multiple NCR DTX configuration is associated with the NCR’s transmission of signals to the UE and / or the network node. The network node transmits the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations to the NCR.

[0039] According to a fourth aspect, the object is achieved by an NCR for handling DTX configurations in a communication network. The NCR is arranged to communicate with a UE and a network node via links. The links comprise a first link between the NCR and the UE, and a second link between the NCR and the network node. The NCR is arranged to receive one or multiple NCR DTX configurations from a network node. The one or multiple NCR DTX configuration is associated with the NCR’s transmission to the UE and / or to the network node. The NCR is arranged to transmit a signal on at least one of the links according to the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations.

[0040] According to a fifth aspect, the object is achieved by a UE for handling DTX configurations in a communication network. The UE is arranged to communicate with an NCR via a first link. The UE is arranged to receive one or multiple UE DTX configurations from the NCR. The one or multiple UE DTX configuration are associated with the UE’s transmission to the NCR. The UE is arranged to transmit a signal to the NCR on the first link and according to the one or multiple UE DTX configurations.

[0041] According to a sixth aspect, the object is achieved by a network node for handling DTX configurations in a communication network. The network node is arranged to communicate with an NCR via a second link. The network node is arranged to determine one or multiple NCR DTX configurations for the NCR. The one or multiple NCR DTX configuration is associated with the NCR’s transmission of signals to the UE and / or the network node. The network node is arranged to transmit the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations to the NCR.

[0042] Thanks to the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations being determined by the network node, the NCR’s transmission of signals towards the network node and / or the UE may be controlled by the network in an energy saving optimized fashion. Thus, the energy saving mechanism for the NCR is improved.

[0043] The present disclosure herein affords many advantages, of which a non-exhaustive list of examples follows:

[0044] The NCR applies one or multiple DTX configurations controlling transmission towards the network node and / or the UE. With the one or multiple DTX configurations applied by the NCR, the present disclosure provides the advantage of that the NCR achieves efficient energy saving. This is useful as the NCR will be assisting the UE which may typically be the applied DRX configuration. The network node may configure a suitable DTX configuration of an NCR based on one or multiple DRX configurations of the UE. In this way, the configured NCR DTX configurations for the NCR are aligned with DRX configuration of UEs. UEs and the NCR perform communications in a coordinated fashion to achieve efficient energy saving.

[0045] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that, for most power saving, the network node can configure both DTX and DRX for the NCR, and these features can be configured or aligned to each other for cohesive operation. An additional advantage may be that networks DTX and DRX are already supported in 3GPP Rel-18, hence, NCR would be a combination of both NW entity and UE entity.

[0046] The present disclosure is not limited to the features and advantages mentioned above. A person skilled in the art will recognize additional features and advantages upon reading the following detailed description.

[0047] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The present disclosure will now be described in more detail by way of example only in the following detailed description by reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0049] Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating an example of a communication network.

[0050] Fig. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating an example of a communication network.

[0051] Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating an example of a communication network.

[0052] Fig. 4 is a signaling diagram illustrating a method.

[0053] Fig. 5 is a schematic drawing illustrating a DTX configuration.

[0054] Fig. 6 is a signaling diagram illustrating a method performed by the NCR.

[0055] Fig. 7 is a signaling diagram illustrating a method performed by the UE.

[0056] Fig. 8 is a signaling diagram illustrating a method performed by the network node.

[0057] Fig. 9a is a schematic drawing illustrating an NCR.

[0058] Fig. 9b is a schematic drawing illustrating an NCR.

[0059] Fig. 10a is a schematic drawing illustrating a UE.

[0060] Fig. 10b is a schematic drawing illustrating a UE.

[0061] Fig. 11a is a schematic drawing illustrating a network node.

[0062] Fig. 11 b is a schematic drawing illustrating a network node.

[0063] Fig. 12 is a schematic drawing illustrating an example of a communication network.

[0064] Fig. 13 is a schematic drawing illustrating an example of a UE.

[0065] Fig. 14 is a schematic drawing illustrating an example of a network node.

[0066] Fig. 15 is a schematic drawing illustrating an example of a host.

[0067] Fig. 16 is a schematic drawing illustrating an example of a virtualization environment.

[0068] Fig. 17 is a communication diagram of a host communicating via a network node with a UE. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and the dimensions of certain features may have been exaggerated for the sake of clarity. Emphasis is instead placed upon illustrating the principle.

[0069] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] The present disclosure introduces a DTX mechanism for the NCR 105 to control transmissions of the NCR 105 in order to achieve energy saving. The DTX mechanism may affect different build blocks and / or entities of the NCR 105. The present disclosure refers to the term NCR without further differentiation between different build blocks and / or entities. However, certain parts may be only applicable to the build block / entity which is responsible for transmission towards the network node 101 , while other parts may be only applicable to the build block / entity which is responsible for transmission towards the UE 103.

[0071] The present disclosure relates to the NCR 105 being configured with one or multiple NCR DTX configurations for controlling its transmission towards the network node 101 and / or the UEs 103. The NCR 105 may be configured with different NCR DTX configurations for the each of the links 108, 110, 113, e.g. the control link, the backhaul link or the access link. The NCR 105 may be configured with the same NCR DTX configuration for all links 108, 110, 113, e.g. the control link, access inks and backhaul links.

[0072] The NCR 105 may measure receiving activities for each first link 108, e.g. the access link. The measurements may be for example channel measurements, number of UEs 103 connected, number of beams where there is a UL / DL transmission. Based on these measurements, the NCR 105 may recommend a preferred NCR DTX configuration to the network node 101. Alternatively, the NCR 105 may send the measurement results for the first link 108, e.g. the access link, to the network node 101 , based on which the network node 101 may determine and provide a suitable NCR DTX configuration for the corresponding first link 108, e.g. the access link, to the UE 103.

[0073] In order to improve energy saving for each UE 103, which accesses an NCR 105, whenever the NCR 105 receives a signaling from the network node 101 indicating that the NCR activity level needs to be changed, the NCR 105 may forward and / or broadcast the signaling to all UEs 103 served by the NCR 105 on all the available beams. Upon reception of the signaling, each UE 103 adjusts its UE DRX configuration accordingly. The NCR 105 may adjust its NCR DTX configuration confirming or compatible to UE’s DRX configuration.

[0074] The DTX at NCR 105 applies to transmission of one or more of the following non-limiting options, e.g.:

[0075] • third link signaling, e.g. control link signaling,

[0076] • second link signaling / transmissions, e.g. backhaul link signal / transmissions,

[0077] • first link signaling / transmissions, e.g. access link signaling / transmissions,

[0078] • data transmissions

[0079] In the present disclosure, the term network, RAN node, gNB or base station are used inter-changeably without losing any meaning.

[0080] Fig. 3 is a non-limiting example of a communication network 100, which may be a wireless communication system, sometimes also referred to as a wireless communication network, cellular radio system, or cellular network, in which the present disclosure may be implemented. The communication network 100 may be a 5G system, 5G network, NR-U or Next Gen system or network. The communication network 100 may alternatively be a younger system or older system than a 5G system, such as e.g. a 2G system, a 3G system, a 4G system, a 6G system a 7G system etc. The communication network 100 may support other technologies such as, for example, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced / LTE-Advanced Pro, e.g. LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), LTE Half-Duplex Frequency Division Duplex (HD-FDD), LTE operating in an unlicensed band, NB-loT. Thus, although terminology from 5G / NR and LTE may be used in this disclosure to exemplify, this should not be seen as limiting to only the aforementioned systems.

[0081] The communication network 100 comprises one or a plurality of network nodes, whereof one network node 101 is depicted in the non-limiting example of fig. 3. The network node 101 may be a radio network node, such as a radio base station, or any other network node with similar features capable of serving a user equipment, such as a wireless device or a machine type communication device, in the communication network 100. The network node 101 may be an eNB, a gNB, a MeNB, just to mention some examples.

[0082] The communication network 100 covers a geographical area which may be divided into cell areas, wherein each cell area may be served by a network node, although, one network node may serve one or several cells. A cell is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the network node at a network node site. Each cell is identified by an identity within the local network node area, which is broadcast in the cell. The network node 101 may be of a certain class, such as, e.g., macro base station (BS), home BS or pico BS, based on transmission power and thereby also cell size. The network node 101 may be directly connected to one or more core networks, which are not depicted in fig. 3 for the sake of simplicity. The network node 101 may be a distributed node, such as a virtual node in the cloud, and it may perform its functions entirely on the cloud, or partially, in collaboration with another network node.

[0083] One or a plurality of UEs 103 is comprised in the communication network 100. Only one UE 103 is exemplified in fig. 3 for the sake of simplicity. A UE 103 may also be referred to simply as a device. The UE 103, e.g. an LTE UE or a 5G / NR UE, may be a wireless communication device which may also be known as e.g., a wireless device, a mobile terminal, wireless terminal and / or mobile station, a mobile telephone, cellular telephone, or laptop with wireless capability, just to mention some examples. The UE 103 may be a device by which a subscriber may access services offered by an operator’s network and services outside operator’s network to which the operator’s radio access network and core network provide access, e.g. access to the Internet. The UE 103 may be any device, mobile or stationary, enabled to communicate over a radio channel in the communication network 100, for instance but not limited to e.g. UE, mobile phone, smart phone, sensors, meters, vehicles, household appliances, medical appliances, media players, cameras, Machine to Machine (M2M) device, Internet of Things (IOT) device, terminal device, communication device or any type of consumer electronic, for instance but not limited to television, radio, lighting arrangements, tablet computer, laptop or Personal Computer (PC). The UE 103 may be portable, pocket storable, hand held, computer comprised, or vehicle mounted devices, enabled to communicate voice and / or data, via the radio access network, with another entity, such as another UE, a server, a laptop, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or a tablet, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) device, device equipped with a wireless interface, such as a printer or a file storage device, modem, or any other radio network unit capable of communicating over a radio link in the communication network 100.

[0084] The UE 103 is enabled to communicate wirelessly within the communication network 100. The communication may be performed e.g. between two UEs 103, between a UE 103 and a regular telephone, between the UE 103 and a network node 101 , between network nodes, and / or between the UE 103 and a server via the radio access network and possibly one or more core networks and possibly the internet.

[0085] An NCR 105 is comprised in the communication network 100. The NCR is arranged between the network node 101 and the UE 103. The NCR 105 is arranged to be controlled by the network, e.g. the network node 101. In short, the NCR 105 is arranged to monitor incoming signals on a frequency and send the same signal but amplified, hence improving the coverage.

[0086] The communication network 100 comprises links, also referred to as communication links, radio links etc. A first link 108 is arranged between the UE 103 and the NCR 105. A second link 110, 113 is arranged between the network node 101 and the NCR 105. A third link 113 may be arranged between the network node 101 and the NCR. Thus, there may be one or two links between the network node 101 and the NCR 105, e.g. a second link 110 and optionally also a third link 113.

[0087] The NCR 105 may be connected to one or multiple UEs 103, and there may be one or multiple first links 108 arranged between the NCR 105 and each of the UEs 103. This means that if there are multiple UEs 103, then the communication network 100 may comprise multiple first links 108, one for each UE 103 or multiple first links 108 for each UE 103. As another alternative, multiple UEs 103 may share the same first link 108.

[0088] The network node 101 and the NCR 105 are arranged to communicate with each other via the second link 110, and possibly also the third link 113. The UE 103 and the NCR 105 are arranged to communicate with each other over the first link 108. The first link 108 may be an access link. The second link 110 may be a backhaul link or a control link. The third link 113 may be a control link. In an example, the network node 101 sends a signal on the second link 110, 113 to the NCR 105, the NCR 105 amplifies the signal and forwards the amplified version of the signal to the UE 103 on the first link 108. In another example, the UE 103 sends a signal on the first link 110, 113 to the NCR 105, the NCR 105 amplifies the signal and forwards the amplified version of the signal to the network node 101 on the second link 110, 113. In yet another example, the NCR 105 may send a signal to the network node 101 on the second link 110, 113 without amplifying the signal. Thus, the communication network 100 may comprise one or more of the following links 108, 110, 113:

[0089] First link 108, e.g. access link, and / or

[0090] Second link 110, 113, e.g. backhaul link, control link etc, and / or Third link 113, e.g. control link.

[0091] The signal transmitted on the links 108, 110, 113 may be amplified or not amplified. For example, the signal transmitted on the first link 108, e.g. the access link 108, and the second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link 110, may be amplified. The signal transmitted on the second link 110, 113 and the third link 113, e.g. the control link 113, may not be amplified. The signal transmitted on the control link 113 may be referred to as a control signal.

[0092] The communication network 100 in fig. 3 is illustrated with two links only as an example. The communication network 100 may comprise any n number of links, where n is a positive integer. The number of links between the network node 101 and the NCR 105 may be the same as or it may be different than the number of links between the UE 103 and the NCR 105.

[0093] It should be noted that the links in the communication network 100 may be of any suitable kind comprising either a wired or wireless link. The link may use any suitable protocol depending on type and level of layer (e.g. as indicated by the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model) as understood by the person skilled in the art.

[0094] The method for handling DTX configurations in a communication network 100 will now be described with reference to the signaling diagram in fig. 4. The method comprises at least one of the following steps, which steps may as well be carried out in another suitable order than described below: Step 400

[0095] The NCR 105 may monitor signals and / or transmissions on the first link 108, e.g. the access link, and / or the second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link, for a configured time period.

[0096] At the same time, or at a different time instance, the UE 103 may perform measurements on the first link 108, e.g. the access link. The UE 103 may send a measurement report to the NCR 105 indicating a result of the measurement on the first link 108.

[0097] Step 401

[0098] After the monitoring has been performed in step 400, the NCR 105 may send a measurement report for the first link 108, e.g. the access link, and / or the second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link, to the network 101. The measurement report comprises at least one of the below information parts:

[0099] • Information indicating how often the NCR 105 transmits any signal towards a UE 103 over a beam on the first link 108, e.g. the access link,

[0100] • Information indicating how often the NCR 105 transmits any signal towards the network node 101 over a beam on the third link 113, e.g. the control link, or the second link 1103, 113, e.g. the backhaul link.

[0101] • Information indicating the frequency region where measurements are collected: o The frequency region may be expressed as one of the below formats:

[0102] ■ A bandwidth region comprising a start frequency location and an end frequency location.

[0103] ■ A bandwidth region comprising a center frequency and a bandwidth around the center frequency.

[0104] ■ A bandwidth region comprising a range of Physical Resources Blocks (PRBs).

[0105] ■ A bandwidth region is a Bandwidth Part (BWP).

[0106] ■ A bandwidth region is a carrier. o The measurement report may comprise a frequency region where most measurements / signals are detected / collected. o The measurement report may comprise a measured frequency region for each measurement sample. • The time region where measurements are collected. o The time region may be expressed as one of the below formats:

[0107] ■ A time region comprising a start time location and an end time location.

[0108] ■ A time region comprising a range of slots.

[0109] ■ A time region comprising a range of Orthogonal Frequency- Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. o The measurement report may comprise a time region where most measurements / signals are detected / collected. o The measurement report may comprise measured time region for each measurement sample.

[0110] • Information indicating whether the transmission over the first link 108, e.g. the access link, was an Uplink or Downlink transmission.

[0111] • Information indicating whether the transmission over the third link 113, e.g. the control link, was an Uplink or Downlink transmission.

[0112] • Information indicating whether the transmission over the second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link, was an Uplink or Downlink transmission.

[0113] • Information indicating the number of transmissions over the first link 108, e.g. the access link, the second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link, and / or the third link 113, e.g. the control link, over a certain period of time.

[0114] The measurement done by the UE 103 over the first link 108, e.g. the access link, and the measurements done by the NCR 105 over the second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link, and / or the third link 113, e.g. the control link, may be reported in a perbeam format, per frequency, or per cell. In the per-beam format this means that all the measurements are related to a single beam and in each measurement report it may be included in one beam or a list of beams. Similar framework may be adopted if the granularity of the measurement report would be per-frequency or per-cell.

[0115] The NCR 105 may send the measurement report for the associated first link 108, e.g. the access link, and / or the second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link, to the network node 101 , for example via a RRC signaling, a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) or a L1 signaling carried on physical channels including Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) etc. If the NCR 105 may apply multiple first link 108, e.g. the access link, the NCR 105 may send measurement reports to the network node 101 for each first link 108, e.g. access link, respectively. In this case, the measurement report may also comprise an index of the associated first link 108, e.g. access link.

[0116] Ste 402

[0117] The network node 101 may provide information to the NCR 10. The information may indicate one or more of the following:

[0118] • Information indicating that the NCR 105 may go to DTX inactive / sleep mode, optionally for a configured time period.

[0119] • Information indicating that the NCR 105 may go to DTX full active mode, optionally with a time when the NCR 105 goes to full active mode.

[0120] • Information indicating that the NCR 105 may apply a DTX configuration for at least one of the links 108, 110, 113, i.e., one or multiple of a control link, a backhaul link or an access link.

[0121] • Information indicating that the NCR 105 may be de-configured with an NCR DTX configuration for at least one of the links 108, 110, 113, i.e., one or multiple of a control link, a backhaul link or an access link.

[0122] • Information indicating that the NCR 105 may be updated with a new NCR DTX configuration for at least one of the links 108, 110, 113, i.e., one or multiple of a control link, a backhaul link or an access link. The new NCR DTX configuration may be different than a current NCR DTX configuration of the NCR 105.

[0123] Step 403

[0124] Upon receiving the information in step 402, the NCR 105 may broadcast at least one of following information to UEs 105 on at last one of the first links 108, e.g. the access links:

[0125] • An indicator indicating that the information and / or signaling is broadcasted by an NCR 105 rather than the network node 101.

[0126] • The information and / or signaling may carry an index of the NCR 105.

[0127] • Information indicating that the NCR 105 may soon become active or inactive, optionally for a configured time period.

[0128] • Information indicating that the NCR 105 may soon applies an NCR DTX configuration. The detailed NCR DTX configuration may also be signaled to the UE 103. Herein, the term broadcast may mean that the NCR 105 may use a common channel to deliver the information to the UEs 103, or it may decide to deliver the information one-by-one to each UE 103. For this latter case, the NCR 105 may simply use the same beam and / or direction over which some signaling was previously received. For instance, if NCR 105 has received signaling over beam 1 , beam 2, and beam 3 over the access link, the NCR 105 will forward the information over beam 1 , beam 2, and beam 3 because it is assumed there is ongoing activity on those beams. Alternatively, the NCR 105 may forward on all available beam over the access link, control link, or backhaul link, regardless of a transmission on that link has been received or transmitted.

[0129] Step 404

[0130] Upon reception of the information and / or signaling in step 402, the UE 103 may apply one of the below actions:

[0131] • Change from a current NCR 105 to a different NCR 105. The change may be because NCR’s DTX operation may not be compatible with UE’s DRX in DL or UE’s DTX in UL

[0132] • Change from a current cell to a different cell.

[0133] • Recommend a UE DTX configuration for the UE’s transmission towards the network node 101 and / or the NCR 105, or a UE DRX configuration for the UE’s reception from the network node 101 and / or the NCR 104 which is corresponding to and / or is aligned with the received UE DTX configuration from the NCR 105. o Two DTX configurations are aligned between each other mean that, the two DTX configurations give the same or overlapping, e.g. full or partial overlapping, active durations. o The UE 103 may send the recommended / preferred UE DRX / DTX configuration to the network node 101. After the reception of this recommended / preferred UE DRX / DTX configuration, the network node 101 may accept, reject, or suggest UE DRX / DTXC settings for the UE 103.

[0134] Step 405

[0135] The network node 101 determines one or multiple NCR DTX configurations.

[0136] The NCR DTX configurations may be described as DTX configurations for the NCR 105, DTX configurations to be applied by the NCR 105. DTX is a power-saving feature for communication networks to reduce power consumption in e.g. network nodes 101 , UEs 103, etc., by periodically turning their transmitter or transceiver. This way, the battery consumption of the particular entity is lowered when there is no UL or DL data to be transmitted and / or received. A DTX configuration may be described as a configuration, setting or method enabling the entity to turn its transmitter or transceiver off during periods of inactivity. Using other words, the DTX configuration is a mechanism enabling the entity to enter sleep mode, i.e. off, for a certain time period and to wake up, i.e. on, for another time period.

[0137] The network node 101 may have received a measurement report from the NCR 105 in step 401. The network node 101 may determine the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations based on this measurement report. The measurement report may be regarding transmitting activities on at least one of the links 108, 110, 113.

[0138] Instead of or in addition to determining the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations based on this measurement report, the network node 101 may determine the one or multiple DTX configurations based on information and measurements performed by the network node 101 itself.

[0139] The NCR 105 may determine and provide one or multiple recommended preferred NCR DTX configurations to the network node 101 , for example via a RRC signaling or a MAC CE. The network node 101 may accept the one or multiple preferred NCR DTX configurations, reject the one or multiple preferred NCR DTX configurations, or reply with another one or multiple NCR DTX configuration which is different than the one or multiple preferred NCR DTX configuration.

[0140] Based on the received measurement report in step 401 for the first link 108, e.g. access link, or second link 110, 113, e.g. backhaul links, the network node 101 may determine and provide an NCR DTX configuration to the NCR 105 for the first link 108, e.g. the access link, and / or the second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link, which the measurement report is measured.

[0141] The NCR 105 may determine and recommend a preferred NCR DTX configurations for each first link 108, e.g. access link, or the second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link, to the network node via a RRC signaling or a MAC CE. Upon reception of the signaling, the network node 101 may accept, reject, or replies with suggested settings for the NCR DTX configurations.

[0142] Step 406

[0143] The network node 101 sends the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations to the NCR 105. In other words, the network node 101 configures the NCR 105 with one or multiple NCR DTX configurations. The one or multiple NCR DTX configurations may be sent using the second link 110 or the third link 113. The NCR 105 may receive the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations from the network node 101.

[0144] The NCR 105 is configured with one or multiple NCR DTX configurations. Each NCR DTX configuration comprises at least one DTX cycle which comprises an ON-duration (active period / window) and an OFF-duration (sleep period). During each ON-duration, the NCR 105 determines to be ON and thus able to transmit over:

[0145] • control link,

[0146] • backhaul link,

[0147] • access link, or

[0148] • any above combination, e.g., control and backhaul link.

[0149] An NCR DTX configuration received by the NCR 105 may apply to the third link 113, e.g. the control link, between the NCR 105 and the network node 101 , but not the second link 110, e.g. the backhaul link. This means that during the ON-duration the NCR 150 is active for transmissions on the third link 113, e.g. the control link, towards the network node 101. Meanwhile, during an OFF-duration, the NCR 105 is not required to perform transmissions towards the network node 101 .

[0150] An NCR DTX configuration received by the NCR 105 may apply only to the second link 110, e.g. the backhaul link, between the NCR 105 and the network node 101 , but not third link 113, e.g. the control link.

[0151] An NCR DTX configuration received by the NCR 105 may apply to both the second link 110 and the third link 113, e.g. the backhaul link and the control link, between the NCR 105 and the network node 101. The NCR 105 may be configured with an NCR DTX configuration for the third link 110, e.g. the control link. The NCR 105 may only transmit over the third link 113, e.g. the control link, towards the network node 101 when the NCR 105 is active according to the NCR DTX configuration. The NCR 105 is active when it is in an on-period according to the NCR DTX configuration.

[0152] The NCR 105 may be configured with an NCR DTX configuration for the second link 110, e.g. the backhaul link. The NCR 105 may only transmit over the second link 110, e.g. the backhaul link, towards the network node 101 when the NCR 105 is active according to the NCR DTX configuration. The NCR 105 is active when it is in an on- period according to the NCR DTX configuration.

[0153] The NCR DTX configuration for the second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link, or the first link 108, e.g. the access link, may be controlled by the third link 113, e.g. the control link, of the NCR 105, i.e. the network node 101 indicates / provides NCR DTX configuration related signaling to the third link 113, e.g. the control link, of the NCR 105 which applies NCR DTX cycles over the second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link, or the first link 108, e.g. the access link.

[0154] The NCR 105 may be configured with a common DTX configuration for both the third link 113, e.g. the control link, and the second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link. The NCR 105 may only transmit over both links when the NCR 105 is active according to the NCR DTX configuration.

[0155] The NCR 105 may be configured with a common NCR DTX configuration for all links 108, 110, 113 including the third link 113, e.g. the control link, the second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link, and the first link 108, e.g. the access link. The NCR 105 may only transmit over all links 108, 110, 113 when the NCR 105 is active according to the NCR DTX configuration.

[0156] The NCR DTX configuration applied by the NCR 105 at the second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link, and the first link 108, e.g. the access link, may be different in such a manner that an ON-duration (DTX ON) timer at the second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link, overlaps with sleep (DTX OFF) timer at the first link 108, e.g. the access link, and vice-versa. This is illustrated in fig. 5. This may occur especially when the NCR 105 is forwarding and / or transmitting over the first link 108, e.g. the access link, it does not need to forward and / or transmit over the second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link, and vice-versa.

[0157] The top part of fig. 5 represents the NCR DTX configuration applied to the second link 110 and the bottom part of fig. 5 represents the NCR DTX configuration applied to the first link 108. Fig. 5 illustrates an example of an NCR DTX configuration applied at the second link 110 and another NCR DRX configuration applied at the first link 108. The shaded parts represent the ON-duration, and the blank or white parts represent a sleep period or sleep timer. The ON-duration of an NCR DTX configuration corresponds to OFF / sleep duration of another NCR DTX configuration.

[0158] The NCR DTX configurations are configured to the NCR 105 by the network node 101.

[0159] The NCR 105 may be configured with and / or applies an NCR DTX configuration on the first link 108, e.g. the access link. The NCR DTX configuration may be aligned with one or multiple UE DRX configurations of UEs 103 served by this NCR 105.

[0160] The NCR 105 may be configured with and / or applies an NCR DTX configuration on a second link 110, 113, e.g. the backhaul link. The NCR DTX configuration may be aligned with one or multiple network node DRX configurations of the network node 101.

[0161] The NCR 105 may be configured with and / or applies an NCR DTX configuration on a third link 113, e.g. the control link. The NCR DTX configuration may be aligned with one or multiple network node DRX configurations of the network node 101.

[0162] Now returning to fig. 4.

[0163] Step 407

[0164] The network node 101 may send the one or multiple UE DTX configurations to the NCR 105, for further transmission to the UE 103. In other words, the network node 101 configures the UE 103 with one or multiple UE DTX configurations. The one or multiple UE DTX configurations may be sent using the second link 110 or the third link 113 from the network node 101 to the NCR 105 and using the first link 108 from the NCR 105 to the UE 103. The NCR 105 may receive the one or multiple UE DTX configurations from the network node 101 , and the UE 103 may receive the one or multiple UE DTX configurations from the NCR 105.

[0165] The one or multiple UE DTX configurations may be determined for example based on the measurement report from the NCR 105, from information and / or measurements performed by the network node 101 , a one or multiple preferred UE DTX configurations received from the NCR 105 etc.

[0166] Step 408

[0167] The NCR 105 may transmit a signal to the network node 101 according to the NCR DTX configuration, and the network node 101 may receive the signal from the NCR 105. Using other words, the NCR 105 applies the NCR DTX configuration when transmitting the signal to the network node 101. The signal transmitted from the NCR 105 to the network node 101 may be transmitted over the second link 110, 113 or the third link 113. The signal may be an amplified signal or a non-amplified signal, with respect to another signal.

[0168] The signal may be an amplified signal, e.g. received from a UE 103, or a signal, e.g. a control signaling or UP transmission, generated by the NCR 105 itself.

[0169] The signal may be transmitted by the UE 103, to the NCR 105, and the signal may be transmitted by the NCR 105 to the network node 101. Thus, the signal may originate from the UE 103.

[0170] Transmission of the signal may be referred to as a transmission, for the sake of simplicity.

[0171] Whenever the NCR 105 has received a signal from the UE 103 on the first link 108, e.g. the access link, the NCR 105 may forward an amplified version of it over the second link 110, e.g. the backhaul link, towards the network node 101 only during the ON-duration of its NCR DTX configurations on the second link 110, e.g. the backhaul link.

[0172] The NCR 105 may be configured with an NCR DTX configuration for the first link 108, e.g. the access link. The NCR 105 may only transmit over the first link 108, e.g. the access link, towards a UE 103 when the NCR 105 is active according to the NCR DTX configuration. Whenever the NCR 105 has received any signal from a network node 101 on the second link 110, e.g. the backhaul link, the NCR 105 may then forward an amplified version of it to UE 103 over the first link 108, e.g. the access link, during the active period, e.g. ON-duration, of its NCR DTX configurations on the first link 108, e.g. access link.

[0173] Step 409

[0174] The NCR 105 may transmit a signal to the UE 103 according to the NCR DTX configuration, and the UE 103 may receive the signal from the NCR 105. Using other words, the NCR 105 applies the NCR DTX configuration when transmitting the signal to the UE 103. The signal transmitted from the NCR 105 to the UE 103 may be transmitted over the first link 108. The signal may be an amplified signal or a non-amplified signal, with respect to another signal.

[0175] The signal may be transmitted by the network node 101 , to the NCR 105, and the signal may be transmitted by the NCR 105 to the UE 103. Thus, the signal may originate from the network node 101.

[0176] Transmission of the signal may be referred to as a transmission, for the sake of simplicity.

[0177] The NCR hardware is equipped with memory so that it retained / buffered / stored transmissions received at backhaul link and forward it only during active period of DTX configurations over access link.

[0178] The NCR 105 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of a memory and / or buffer, retain and / or buffer and / or store signals received at the first link 108, e.g. the access link, and forward the signal only during active period of the NCR DTX cycle over the second link 110, e.g. the backhaul link.

[0179] The network node 101 may configure and define a maximum waiting time in the memory and / or buffer between the transmissions received and the forwarding during active period of the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations.

[0180] The NCR 105 may be arranged to send a size related capability indication to the network node 101. The size related capability indication indicates the size of the memory and / or buffer. With this, the network node 101 may be able to know how many signals and how long the NCR 105 may store or buffer the transmitted signals.

[0181] If NCR’s buffer is full, then if it receives a new transmission, then it can trigger one or more of the following non-limiting events:

[0182] • Drop the new transmission as the buffer is full.

[0183] • Save the new transmission and drop the oldest one in the buffer.

[0184] • Drop the least prioritized transmission and save the new one accordingly.

[0185] • Indicate to the network node 101 or the UE(s) 103, that the NCR’s buffer is full, and that it cannot handle more receptions.

[0186] The method described above will now be described seen from the perspective of the NCR 105. Fig. 6 is a flowchart describing the present method in the NCR 105 for handling DTX configurations in a communication network 100. The NCR 105 is arranged to communicate with a UE 103 and a network node 101 via links 108, 110, 113.

[0187] The links 108, 110, 113 comprise: a first link 108 between the NCR 105 and the UE 103, and a second link 110, 113 between the NCR 105 and the network node 101.

[0188] The links 108, 110, 113 may comprise:

[0189] • the first link 108 between the NCR 105 and the UE 103, and

[0190] • the second link 110 between the NCR 105 and the network node 101 , and

[0191] • a third link 113 between the NCR 105 and the network node 101

[0192] The communication network 100 may comprise at least two UEs 103, and the links 108, 110, 113 may comprise at least two first links 108 each connected to a respective UE 103.

[0193] The method in fig. 6 comprises at least one of the following steps to be performed by the NCR 105, which steps may be performed in any suitable order than described below:

[0194] Step 601 This step corresponds to step 400 in fig. 4. The NCR 105 may monitor at least one of the links 108, 110, 113. The NCR 105 may obtain a measurement report from the UE 103 indicating a result of measurements over the first link 108, e.g. the access link, performed by the UE 103.

[0195] Step 602

[0196] This step corresponds to step 401 in fig. 4. The NCR 105 may transmit a measurement report indicating a result of the monitoring to the network node 101. The measurement report may comprise information indicating the result of the measurement performed by the UE 103.

[0197] 603

[0198] The NCR 105 may determine one or multiple preferred NCR DTX configurations for at least one of the links 108, 110, 113 based on the result of the monitoring in step 601.

[0199] Step 604

[0200] The NCR 105 may transmit information indicating the one or multiple preferred NCR

[0201] DTX configuration to the network node 101 .

[0202] Step 605

[0203] This step corresponds to step 402 in fig. 4. The NCR 105 may receive, from the network node 101 , information related to the one or multiple NCR DTX configuration. The information may be one or more of the ones listed earlier with respect to step 402 in fig. 4, and will not be repeated here for the sake of simplicity.

[0204] 606

[0205] This step corresponds to step 403 in fig. 4. The NCR 105 may, triggered by the received information, transmit, to the UE 103, information related to transmission by the NCR 105. The information may be one or more of the ones listed earlier with respect to step 403 in fig. 4, and will not be repeated here for the sake of simplicity.

[0206] 607

[0207] This step corresponds to step 406 in fig. 4. The NCR 105 receives one or multiple NCR

[0208] DTX configurations from a network node 101 . The one or multiple NCR DTX configuration is associated with the NCR’s transmission to the UE 103 and / or to the network node 101.

[0209] Multiple NCR DTX configurations may be received, and different NCR DTX configurations may be applied to each of the links 108, 110, 113.

[0210] One NCR DTX configuration may be received, and the one NCR DTX configuration may be common for all links 108, 110, 113.

[0211] One NCR DTX configuration may be received, and the one NCR DTX configuration may be common for at least two of the links 108, 110, 113

[0212] Multiple NCR DTX configurations may be received, and different NCR DTX configurations may be applied to the first link 108 and the second link 110, 113. The NCR DTX configurations may be different in such a manner that an on-period at the first link 108 overlaps with an off-period at the second link 110, 113.

[0213] The one or multiple NCR DTX configurations may be aligned with one or multiple UE DRX configurations applied by the UE 103 and / or one or multiple network DRX configurations applied by the network node 101.

[0214] Each NCR DTX configuration of the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations may comprise an on-period during which the NCR 105 is on and transmission over at least one of the links 108, 110, 113 is enabled. Each NCR DTX configuration of the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations may comprise an off-period during which the NCR (105) is off and transmission over at least one of the links 108, 110, 113 is disabled.

[0215] The NCR 105 may receive a signal from the UE 103 and / or the network node 101.

[0216] Step 609

[0217] The NCR 105 may buffer the received signal in a buffer when the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations indicates that the NCR 105 is currently in an off-period in which transmission over at least one of the links 108, 110, 113 is disabled. The signal may be buffered until the NCR 105 enters an on-period in which transmission over at least one of the links 108, 110, 113 is enabled.

[0218] Step 610

[0219] The NCR 105 may transmit a buffer indication to the network node 101. The buffer indication may indicate a size of the buffer and / or a duration of buffering.

[0220] Step 611

[0221] The NCR 105 may determine if a capacity of the buffer has been reached or exceeded.

[0222] Step 612

[0223] The NCR 105 may trigger one or more actions if the signal is received when and / or after the capacity has been reached or exceeded.

[0224] Step 613

[0225] The NCR 105 may amplify the received signal.

[0226] Step 614

[0227] This step corresponds to step 408 and 409 in fig. 4. The NCR 105 transmits a signal on at least one of the links 108, 110, 113 according to the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations.

[0228] The transmitted signal may be the amplified signal transmitted to the UE 103 and / or the network node 101 , or it may be a non-amplified version of the signal received in step 608.

[0229] The signal may be transmitted after a waiting time started from the receipt of the signal has expired.

[0230] Step 615

[0231] The NCR 105 may receive information from the network node 101 indicating change of the NCR’s activity level.

[0232] 616 Based on the change of the NCR’s activity level, the NCR 105 may transmit information indicating adjustment of one or multiple UE DRX configurations to all UEs 105 served by the NCR 105. There may be one, two or more UEs 105 served by the NCR 105.

[0233] The method described above will now be described seen from the perspective of the UE 103. Fig. 7 is a flowchart describing the present method in the UE 103 for handling DTX configurations in a communication network 100. The UE 103 is arranged to communicate with an NCR 105 via a first link 108. The method in fig. 7 comprises at least one of the following steps to be performed by the UE 103, which steps may be performed in any suitable order than described below:

[0234] Step 700

[0235] The UE 103 may perform measurements on the first link 108, e.g. the access link. The UE 103 may transmit a measurement report to the NCR 105 indicating a result of the measurement on the first link 108.

[0236] Step 701

[0237] This step corresponds to step 407 in fig. 4. The UE 103 receives one or multiple UE DTX configurations from the NCR 105. The one or multiple UE DTX configuration are associated with the UE’s transmission to the NCR 105.

[0238] The one or multiple UE DTX configurations may be aligned with one or multiple NCR DRX configurations applied by the NCR 105 and / or one or multiple network DRX configurations applied by the network node 101.

[0239] Step 702

[0240] The UE 103 transmits a signal to the NCR 105 on the first link 108 and according to the one or multiple UE DTX configurations.

[0241] Step 703

[0242] The UE 103 may receive, from the NCR 105, information indicating adjustment of the one or multiple UE DRX configurations.

[0243] 704 The UE 103 may adjust the one or multiple UE DRX configurations according to the received information from step 703.

[0244] Step 705

[0245] This step corresponds to step 403 in fig. 4. The UE 103 may receive, from the NCR 105, information related to transmission by the NCR 105. The information may be one or more of the ones listed earlier with respect to step 403 in fig. 4, and will not be repeated here for the sake of simplicity.

[0246] Step 706

[0247] Upon reception of the information from the NCR 105, the UE 103 may perform one or more actions.

[0248] The one or more actions comprise one or more of:

[0249] • determining to change from a current NCR to another NCR; and / or

[0250] • determining to change from a current serving cell to another serving cell; and / or

[0251] • determining a recommended UE DTX configuration for signal transmission to the network node 101 and / or the NCR 105, wherein the recommended UE DTX configuration is based on the NCR DTX configuration.

[0252] The method described above will now be described seen from the perspective of the network node 101. Fig. 8 is a flowchart describing the present method in the network node for handling DTX configurations in a communication network 100. The network node 101 is arranged to communicate with an NCR 105 via a second link 110. The method in fig. 8 comprises at least one of the following steps to be performed by the network node 101 , which steps may be performed in any suitable order than described below:

[0253] Step 801

[0254] This step corresponds to step 401 in fig. 4. The network node 101 may receive a measurement report indicating a result of a monitoring at least one of the links 108, 110, 113 from the NCR 105. The measurement report may comprise information indicating a result of measurements performed by the UE 103 over the first link 108, e.g. the access link. Step 802

[0255] The network node 101 may receive information indicating one or multiple preferred NCR DTX configurations from to the NCR 105. The one or multiple preferred NCR DTX configurations are determined and suggested by the NCR 105.

[0256] Step 803

[0257] This step corresponds to step 400 in fig. 4. The network node 101 determines one or multiple NCR DTX configurations for the NCR 105. The one or multiple NCR DTX configuration is associated with the NCR’s transmission of signals to the UE 103 and / or the network node 101.

[0258] One NCR DTX configuration may be determined and transmitted, and the one NCR DTX configuration may be common for all links 108, 110, 113.

[0259] One NCR DTX configuration may be determined and transmitted, and the one NCR DTX configuration may be common for at least two of the links 108, 110, 113.

[0260] Multiple NCR DTX configurations may be determined and transmitted, and there may be different NCR DTX configurations for the first link 108 and the second link 110, 113. The NCR DTX configurations may be different in such a manner that an on-period at the first link 108 may overlap with an off-period at the second link 110, 113.

[0261] The one or multiple NCR DTX configurations may be aligned with one or multiple UE DRX configurations applied by the UE 103 and / or one or multiple network DRX configurations applied by the network node 101.

[0262] The one or multiple NCR DTX configurations may be determined based on the measurement report from step 801 .

[0263] Step 804

[0264] This step corresponds to step 401 in fig. 4. The network node 101 transmits the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations to the NCR 105. Step 805

[0265] This step corresponds to step 402 in fig. 4. The network node 101 may transmit, to the NCR 105, information related to the one or multiple NCR DTX configuration. The information may be one or more of the ones listed earlier with respect to step 402 in fig. 4, and will not be repeated here for the sake of simplicity.

[0266] Step 806

[0267] The network node 101 may determine one or multiple UE DTX configurations for the UE 103 and / or one or multiple network DTX configurations for the network node 101. The one or multiple UE DTX configuration may be associated with the UE’s transmission of signals. The one or multiple network DTX configurations may be associated with the network node’s transmission of signals.

[0268] Step 807

[0269] The network node 101 may transmit the one or multiple UE DTX configurations to the NCR 105 for further transmission to the UE 103.

[0270] Step 808

[0271] The network node 101 may transmit a signal to the NCR 105 according to one or multiple network DTX configurations.

[0272] Step 809

[0273] The network node 101 may receive a signal from the NCR 105. The signal may be an amplified signal, e.g. an amplified version of a signal received by the NCR 105 from the UE 103, or the signal may be a non-amplified signal.

[0274] Fig. 9a and fig. 9b depict two different examples in panels a) and b), respectively, of the arrangement that the NCR 105 may comprise.

[0275] To perform the method steps shown in fig. 6 for handling DTX configurations in a communication network 100, the NCR 105 may comprise an arrangement as shown in fig. 9a. The NCR 105 is arranged to communicate with a UE 103 and a network node 101 via links 108, 110, 113. The links 108, 110, 113 comprise a first link 108 between the NCR 105 and the UE 103 and a second link 110, 113 between the NCR 105 and the network node 101.

[0276] The links 108, 110, 113 may comprise:

[0277] • the first link 108 between the NCR 105 and the UE 103) and

[0278] • the second link 110 between the NCR 105 and the network node 101 ; and

[0279] • a third link 113 between the NCR 105 and the network node 101

[0280] The communication network 100 may comprise at least two UEs 103, and the links 108, 110, 113 may comprise at least two first links 108 each connected to a respective UE 103.

[0281] The NCR 105 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of a monitoring module 901, monitor at least one of the links 108, 110, 113. The monitoring module 901 may also be referred to as a monitoring unit, a monitoring means, a monitoring circuit, means for monitoring etc. The monitoring module 901 may be a processor 903 of the NCR 105 or comprised in the processor 901 of the NCR 105.

[0282] The NCR 105 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of a transmitting module 905, transmit a measurement report indicating a result of the monitoring to the network node 101.

[0283] The transmitting module 905 may also be referred to as a transmitting unit, a transmitting means, a transmitting circuit, means for transmitting, output unit etc. The transmitting module 905 may be a transmitter, a transceiver etc. The transmitting module 905 may be a wireless transmitter of the NCR 105 of a wireless or fixed communication system.

[0284] The NCR 105 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of a determining module 908, determine one or multiple preferred NCR DTX configurations for at least one of the links 108, 110, 113 based on the result of the monitoring. The determining module 908 may also be referred to as a determining unit, a determining means, a determining circuit, means for determining etc. The determining module 908 may be the processor 903 of the NCR 105 or comprised in the processor 903 of the NCR 105. The NCR 105 may be arranged, to, e.g. by means of the transmitting module 905, transmit information indicating the one or multiple preferred NCR DTX configuration to the network node 101.

[0285] The NCR 105 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of a receiving module 910, receive, from the network node 101 , information related to the one or multiple NCR DTX configuration. The receiving module 910 may also be referred to as a receiving unit, a receiving means, a receiving circuit, means for receiving, input unit etc. The receiving module 910 may be a receiver, a transceiver etc. The receiving module 910 may be a wireless receiver of the NCR 105 of a wireless or fixed communication system.

[0286] The NCR 105 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the transmitting module 905, triggered by the received information, transmit, to the UE 103, information related to transmission by the NCR 105.

[0287] NCR 105 is arranged to, e.g. by means of the receiving module 910, receive one or multiple NCR DTX configurations from a network node 101. The one or multiple NCR DTX configuration is associated with the NCR’s transmission to the UE 103 and / or to the network node 101.

[0288] Multiple NCR DTX configurations may be received, and different NCR DTX configurations may be applied to each of the links 108, 110, 113.

[0289] One NCR DTX configuration may be received, and the one NCR DTX configuration may be common for all links 108, 110, 113.

[0290] One NCR DTX configuration may be received, and the one NCR DTX configuration may be common for at least two of the links 108, 110, 113

[0291] Multiple NCR DTX configurations may be received, and different NCR DTX configurations may be applied to the first link 108 and the second link 110, 113. The NCR DTX configurations may be different in such a manner that an on-period at the first link 108 overlaps with an off-period at the second link 110, 113. The one or multiple NCR DTX configurations may be aligned with one or multiple UE DRX configurations applied by the UE 103 and / or one or multiple network DRX configurations applied by the network node 101.

[0292] Each NCR DTX configuration of the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations may comprise an on-period during which the NCR 105 is on and transmission over at least one of the links 108, 110, 113 is enabled. Each NCR DTX configuration of the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations may comprise an off-period during which the NCR (105) is off and transmission over at least one of the links 108, 110, 113 is disabled.

[0293] The NCR 105 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the receiving module 910, receive a signal from the UE 103 and / or the network node 101.

[0294] The NCR 105 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of a buffering module 913, buffer the received signal in a buffer when the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations indicates that the NCR 105 is currently in an off-period in which transmission over at least one of the links 108, 110, 113 is disabled. The signal may be buffered until the NCR 105 enters an on-period in which transmission over at least one of the links 108, 110, 113 is enabled. The buffering module 913 may also be referred to as a buffering unit, a buffering means, a buffering circuit, means for buffering etc. The buffering module 913 may be the processor 903 of the NCR 105 or comprised in the processor 903 of the NCR 105.

[0295] The NCR 105 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the transmitting module 905, transmit a buffer indication to the network node 101. The buffer indication may indicate a size of the buffer and / or a duration of buffering.

[0296] The NCR 105 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the determining module 908, determine if a capacity of the buffer has been reached or exceeded.

[0297] The NCR 105 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of a triggering module 915, trigger one or more actions if the signal is received when and / or after the capacity has been reached or exceeded. The triggering module 915 may also be referred to as a triggering unit, a triggering means, a triggering circuit, means for triggering etc. The triggering module 915 may be the processor 903 of the NCR 105 or comprised in the processor 903 of the NCR 105.

[0298] The NCR 105 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of an amplifying module 918, amplify the received signal. The amplifying module 918 may also be referred to as an amplifying unit, an amplifying means, an amplifying circuit, means for amplifying etc. The amplifying module 918 may be the processor 903 of the NCR 105 or comprised in the processor 903 of the NCR 105.

[0299] The NCR 105 is arranged to, e.g. by means of the transmitting module 908, transmits a signal on at least one of the links 108, 110, 113 according to the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations.

[0300] The transmitted signal may be the amplified signal transmitted to the UE 103 and / or the network node 101 , or it may be a non-amplified version of the signal received in step 608.

[0301] The signal may be transmitted after a waiting time started from the receipt of the signal has expired.

[0302] The NCR 105 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the receiving module 910, receive information from the network node 101 indicating change of the NCR’s activity level.

[0303] Based on the change of the NCR’s activity level, the NCR 105 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the transmitting module 908, transmit information indicating adjustment of one or multiple UE DRX configurations to all UEs 105 served by the NCR 105. There may be one, two or more UEs 105 served by the NCR 105.

[0304] The present disclosure related to the NCR 105 may be implemented through one or more processors, such as the processor 903 in the NCR 105 depicted in fig. 9a, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions described herein. A processor, as used herein, may be understood to be a hardware component. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the present disclosure when being loaded into the NCR 105. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the NCR 105.

[0305] The NCR 105 may comprise a memory 920 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1003 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the NCR 105.

[0306] The NCR 105 may receive information from, e.g. the network node 101 and / or the UE 103, through a receiving port 923. The receiving port 923 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in NCR 105. The NCR 105 may receive information from another structure in the communication network 100 through the receiving port 923. Since the receiving port 923 may be in communication with the processor 903, the receiving port 923 may then send the received information to the processor 903. The receiving port 923 may also be configured to receive other information.

[0307] The processor 903 in the NCR 105 may be configured to transmit or send information to e.g. network node 101 , the UE 103 or another structure in the communication network 100, through a sending port 925, which may be in communication with the processor 903, and the memory 920.

[0308] The NCR 105 may comprise the monitoring module 901 , the transmitting module 905, the determining module 908, the receiving module 910, the buffering module 913, the triggering module 915, the amplifying module 918, other module(s) 919 etc.

[0309] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the monitoring module 901 , the transmitting module 905, the determining module 908, the receiving module 910, the buffering module 913, the triggering module 915, the amplifying module 918, other module(s) 919 etc. described above may refer to a combination of analogue and digital circuits, and / or one or more processors configured with software and / or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor 903, perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be comprised in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

[0310] The different units 901-919 described above may be implemented as one or more applications running on one or more processors such as the processor 903.

[0311] Thus, the methods described herein for the NCR 105 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program 930 product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor 903, cause the at least one processor 903 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the NCR 105. The computer program 930 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 933. The computer-readable storage medium 933, having stored thereon the computer program 930, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor 903, cause the at least one processor 903 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the NCR 105. The computer-readable storage medium 933 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, or a memory stick. The computer program 930 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program 930 just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the first computer-readable storage medium 933, as described above.

[0312] The NCR 105 may comprise a communication interface configured to facilitate communications between the NCR 105 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the network node 101 , the UE 103 or another structure. The interface may comprise a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

[0313] The NCR 105 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in fig. 9b. The NCR 105 may comprise a processing circuitry 935, e.g., one or more processors such as the processor 903, in the NCR 105 and the memory 920. The NCR 105 may also comprise a radio circuitry 938, which may comprise e.g., the receiving port 923 and the sending port 925. The processing circuitry 935 may be configured to, or operable to, perform the method actions according to figs. 4-6, in a similar manner as that described in relation to fig. 9a. The radio circuitry 938 may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with the NCR 105. Circuitry may be understood herein as a hardware component.

[0314] Hence, the present disclosure also relates to the NCR 105 operative to operate in the communication network 100. The NCR 105 may comprise the processing circuitry 935 and the memory 920. The memory 920 comprises instructions executable by said processing circuitry 935. The NCR 105 is operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the NCR 105, e.g., in figs. 4-6.

[0315] A computer program product comprises program code for performing, when executed by the processing circuitry, the method herein in relation to the NR 105, e.g., in figs. 4-6.

[0316] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform the method herein in relation to the NCR 105, e.g., in figs. 4-6.

[0317] Figs. 10a and fig. 10b depict two different examples in panels a) and b), respectively, of the arrangement that the UE 103 may comprise. The UE 103 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in fig. 10a. To perform the method steps shown in fig. 7 for handling DTX configurations in a communication network 100, the UE 103 may comprise an arrangement as shown in fig. 10a. The UE 103 is arranged to communicate with an NCR 105 via a first link 108.

[0318] The UE 103 is arranged to, e.g. by means of a receiving module 1001, receives one or multiple UE DTX configurations from the NCR 105. The one or multiple UE DTX configuration are associated with the UE’s transmission to the NCR 105. The receiving module 1001 may also be referred to as a receiving unit, a receiving means, a receiving circuit, means for receiving, input unit etc. The receiving module 1001 may be a receiver, a transceiver etc. The receiving module 1001 may be a wireless receiver of the UE 103 of a wireless or fixed communication system. The one or multiple UE DTX configurations may be aligned with one or multiple NCR DRX configurations applied by the NCR 105 and / or one or multiple network DRX configurations applied by the network node 101.

[0319] The UE 103 is arranged to, e.g. by means of a transmitting module 1003, transmits a signal to the NCR 105 on the first link 108 and according to the one or multiple UE DTX configurations.

[0320] The transmitting module 1003 may also be referred to as a transmitting unit, a transmitting means, a transmitting circuit, means for transmitting, output unit etc. The transmitting module 1003 may be a transmitter, a transceiver etc. The transmitting module 1003 may be a wireless transmitter of the UE 103 of a wireless or fixed communication system.

[0321] The UE 103 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the receiving module 1001 , receive, from the NCR 105, information indicating adjustment of the one or multiple UE DRX configurations.

[0322] The UE 103 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of an adjusting module 1005, adjust the one or multiple UE DRX configurations according to the received information from step 703. The adjusting module 1005 may also be referred to as an adjusting unit, an adjusting means, an adjusting circuit, means for adjusting etc. The adjusting module 1005 may be a processor 1008 of the UE 103 or comprised in the processor 1008 of the UE 103.

[0323] The UE 103 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the receiving module, 1001 , receive, from the NCR 105, information related to transmission by the NCR 105.

[0324] Upon reception of the information from the NCR 105, the UE 103 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of a performing module 1010, perform one or more actions. The performing module 1010 may also be referred to as a performing unit, a performing means, a performing circuit, means for performing etc. The performing module 1010 may be the processor 1008 of the UE 103 or comprised in the processor 1008 of the UE 103. The one or more actions comprise one or more of:

[0325] • determining to change from a current NCR to another NCR; and / or

[0326] • determining to change from a current serving cell to another serving cell; and / or

[0327] • determining a recommended UE DTX configuration for signal transmission to the network node 101 and / or the NCR 105, wherein the recommended UE DTX configuration is based on the NCR DTX configuration.

[0328] The present disclosure associated with the UE 103 may be implemented through one or more processors, such as the processor 1008 in the UE 103 depicted in fig. 10a, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions described herein. A processor, as used herein, may be understood to be a hardware component. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the present disclosure when being loaded into the UE 103. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the UE 103.

[0329] The UE 103 may comprise a memory 1013 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1013 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the UE 103.

[0330] The UE 103 may receive information from, e.g., the network node 101 , the NCR 105, through a receiving port 1015. The receiving port 1015 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in UE 103. The UE 103 may receive information from another structure in the communication network 100 through the receiving port 1015. Since the receiving port 1015 may be in communication with the processor 1008, the receiving port 1015 may then send the received information to the processor 1008. The receiving port 1015 may also be configured to receive other information.

[0331] The processor 1008 in the UE 103 may be configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the network node 101 , the NCR 105, or another structure in the communication network 100, through a sending port 1018, which may be in communication with the processor 1008, and the memory 1013.

[0332] The UE 103 may comprise the receiving module 1001 , the transmitting module 1003, the adjusting module 1005, the performing module 1010, other module(s) 1011 etc.

[0333] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that receiving module 1001 , the transmitting module 1003, the adjusting module 1005, the performing module 1010, other module(s) 1011 etc. described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and / or one or more processors configured with software and / or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor 1008, perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be comprised in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

[0334] Also, the different units 1001-1011 described above may be implemented as one or more applications running on one or more processors such as the processor 1008.

[0335] Thus, the methods described herein for the UE 103 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program 1020 product, comprising instructions, i.e. , software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor 1008, cause the at least one processor 1008 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the UE 103. The computer program 1020 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1023. The computer-readable storage medium 1023, having stored thereon the computer program 1020, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor 1008, cause the at least one processor 1008 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the UE 103. The computer-readable storage medium 1023 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, or a memory stick. The computer program 1020 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program 1020 just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the second computer-readable storage medium 1023, as described above. The UE 103 may comprise a communication interface configured to facilitate communications between the UE 103 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the network node 101 , the NCR 105, or another structure. The interface may, for example, comprise a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

[0336] The UE 103 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in fig. 10b. The UE 103 may comprise a processing circuitry 1025, e.g., one or more processors such as the processor 1008, in the UE 103 and the memory 1013. The UE 103 may also comprise a radio circuitry 1028, which may comprise e.g., the receiving port 1015 and the sending port 1018. The processing circuitry 1025 may be configured to, or operable to, perform the method actions according to figs. 4-5 and 7 in a similar manner as that described in relation to fig. 10a. The radio circuitry 1028 may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with the UE 103. Circuitry may be understood herein as a hardware component.

[0337] The UE 103 may be operative to operate in the communication network 100. The UE 103 may comprise the processing circuitry 1025 and the memory 1013. The memory 1013 comprises instructions executable by the processing circuitry 1025. The UE 103 is operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the UE 103, e.g., in figs. 4-5 and 7.

[0338] A computer program product comprises program code for performing, when executed by the processing circuitry, the method herein in relation to the UE 103, e.g., in figs. 4-5 and 7.

[0339] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform the method herein in relation to the UE 103, e.g., in figs. 4-5 and 7.

[0340] Figs. 11a and fig. 11b depict two different examples in panels a) and b), respectively, of the arrangement that the network node 101 may comprise. The network node 101 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in fig. 11a. To perform the method steps shown in fig. 8 for handling DTX configurations in a communication network 100, the network node 101 may comprise an arrangement as shown in fig. 11a. The network node 101 is arranged to communicate with the NCR 105 via a second link 110.

[0341] The network node 101 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of a receiving module 1101, receive a measurement report indicating a result of a monitoring at least one of the links 108, 110, 113 from the NCR 105. The receiving module 1101 may also be referred to as a receiving unit, a receiving means, a receiving circuit, means for receiving, input unit etc. The receiving module 1101 may be a receiver, a transceiver etc. The receiving module 1101 may be a wireless receiver of the network node 101 of a wireless or fixed communications system.

[0342] The network node 101 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the receiving module 1101 , receive information indicating one or multiple preferred NCR DTX configurations from to the NCR 105.

[0343] The network node 101 is arranged to, e.g. by means of a determining module 1103, determines one or multiple NCR DTX configurations for the NCR 105. The one or multiple NCR DTX configuration is associated with the NCR’s transmission of signals to the UE 103 and / or the network node 101. The determining module 1103 may also be referred to as a determining unit, a determining means, a determining circuit, means for determining etc. The determining module 1103 may be a processor 1105 of the network node 101 or comprised in the processor 1105 of the network node 101.

[0344] One NCR DTX configuration may be determined and transmitted, and the one NCR DTX configuration may be common for all links 108, 110, 113.

[0345] One NCR DTX configuration may be determined and transmitted, and the one NCR DTX configuration may be common for at least two of the links 108, 110, 113.

[0346] Multiple NCR DTX configurations may be determined and transmitted, and there may be different NCR DTX configurations for the first link 108 and the second link 110, 113. The NCR DTX configurations may be different in such a manner that an on-period at the first link 108 may overlap with an off-period at the second link 110, 113. The one or multiple NCR DTX configurations may be aligned with one or multiple UE DRX configurations applied by the UE 103 and / or one or multiple network DRX configurations applied by the network node 101.

[0347] The one or multiple NCR DTX configurations may be determined based on the measurement report from step 801 .

[0348] The network node 101 is arranged to, e.g. by means of a transmitting module 1108, transmit the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations to the NCR 105. The transmitting module 1108 may also be referred to as a transmitting unit, a transmitting means, a transmitting circuit, means for transmitting, output unit etc. The transmitting module 1108 may be a transmitter, a transceiver etc. The transmitting module 1108 may be a wireless transmitter of the network node 101 of a wireless or fixed communications system.

[0349] The network node 101 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the transmitting module 1108, transmit, to the NCR 105, information related to the one or multiple NCR DTX configuration.

[0350] The network node 101 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the determining module 1103, determine one or multiple UE DTX configurations for the UE 103 and / or one or multiple network DTX configurations for the network node 101. The one or multiple UE DTX configuration may be associated with the UE’s transmission of signals. The one or multiple network DTX configurations may be associated with the network node’s transmission of signals.

[0351] The network node 101 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the transmitting module 1108, transmit the one or multiple UE DTX configurations to the NCR 105 for further transmission to the UE 103.

[0352] The network node 101 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the transmitting module 1108, transmit a signal to the NCR 105 according to one or multiple network DTX configurations. The network node 101 may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the receiving module 1101 , receive a signal from the NCR 105.

[0353] The present disclosure associated with the network node 101 may be implemented through one or more processors, such as the processor 1105 in the network node 101 depicted in fig. 11a, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions described herein. A processor, as used herein, may be understood to be a hardware component. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the present disclosure when being loaded into the network node 101 . One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the network node 101 .

[0354] The network node 101 may comprise a memory 1110 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1110 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the network node 101.

[0355] The network node 101 may receive information from, e.g., the UE 103, the NCR 105, through a receiving port 1113. The receiving port 1113 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in network node 101. The network node 101 may receive information from another structure in the communication network 100 through the receiving port 1113. Since the receiving port 1113 may be in communication with the processor 1105, the receiving port 1113 may then send the received information to the processor 1105. The receiving port 1113 may also be configured to receive other information.

[0356] The processor 1105 in the network node 101 may be configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the UE 103, the NCR 105, or another structure in the communication network 100, through a sending port 1115, which may be in communication with the processor 1105, and the memory 1110. The network node 101 may comprise the receiving module 1101 , the determining module 1103, the transmitting module 1108, other module(s) 1109 etc.

[0357] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the receiving module 1101 , the determining module 1103, the transmitting module 1108, other module(s) 1109 etc. described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and / or one or more processors configured with software and / or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor 1105, perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be comprised in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

[0358] Also, the different units 1101-1109 described above may be implemented as one or more applications running on one or more processors such as the processor 1105.

[0359] Thus, the methods described herein for the network node 101 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program 1120 product, comprising instructions, i.e. , software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor 1008, cause the at least one processor 1105 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the network node 101 . The computer program 1120 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1123. The computer-readable storage medium 1023, having stored thereon the computer program 1120, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor 1105, cause the at least one processor 1105 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the network node 101. The computer-readable storage medium 1123 may be a non- transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, or a memory stick. The computer program 1120 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program 1120 just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the second computer-readable storage medium 1123, as described above. The network node 101 may comprise a communication interface configured to facilitate communications between the network node 101 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the UE 103, the NCR 105, or another structure. The interface may, for example, comprise a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

[0360] The network node 101 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in fig. 11 b. The network node 101 may comprise a processing circuitry 1025, e.g., one or more processors such as the processor 1105, in the network node 101 and the memory 1110. The network node 101 may also comprise a radio circuitry 1128, which may comprise e.g., the receiving port 1113 and the sending port 1115. The processing circuitry 1125 may be configured to, or operable to, perform the method actions according to figs. 4-5 and 8 in a similar manner as that described in relation to fig. 11a. The radio circuitry 1128 may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with the network node 101. Circuitry may be understood herein as a hardware component.

[0361] The network node 101 may be operative to operate in the communication network 100. The network node 101 may comprise the processing circuitry 1125 and the memory 1110. The memory 1110 comprises instructions executable by the processing circuitry 1125. The network node 101 is operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the network node 101 , e.g., in figs. 4-5 and 8.

[0362] A computer program product comprises program code for performing, when executed by the processing circuitry, the method herein in relation to the network node 101 , e.g., in figs. 4-5 and 8.

[0363] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform the method herein in relation to the network node 101 , e.g., in figs. 4-5 and 8.

[0364] Fig. 12 shows an example of a communication system 1200 in accordance with some embodiments. In the example, the communication system QQ100 includes a telecommunication network 1202 that includes an access network 1204, such as a radio access network (RAN), and a core network 1206, which includes one or more core network nodes 1208. The access network 1204 includes one or more access network nodes, such as network nodes 1210a and 1210b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as network nodes 1210), or any other similar 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) access nodes or non-3GPP access points. Moreover, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, a network node is not necessarily limited to an implementation in which a radio portion and a baseband portion are supplied and integrated by a single vendor. Thus, it will be understood that network nodes include disaggregated implementations or portions thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the telecommunication network 1202 includes one or more Open-RAN (ORAN) network nodes. An ORAN network node is a node in the telecommunication network 1202 that supports an ORAN specification (e.g., a specification published by the O-RAN Alliance, or any similar organization) and may operate alone or together with other nodes to implement one or more functionalities of any node in the telecommunication network 1202, including one or more network nodes 1210 and / or core network nodes 1208.

[0365] Examples of an ORAN network node include an open radio unit (O-RU), an open distributed unit (O-DU), an open central unit (O-CU), including an O-CU control plane (O- CU-CP) or an O-CU user plane (O-CU-UP), a RAN intelligent controller (near-real time or non-real time) hosting software or software plug-ins, such as a near-real time control application (e.g., xApp) or a non-real time control application (e.g., rApp), or any combination thereof (the adjective “open” designating support of an ORAN specification). The network node may support a specification by, for example, supporting an interface defined by the ORAN specification, such as an A1 , F1 , W1 , E1 , E2, X2, Xn interface, an open fronthaul user plane interface, or an open fronthaul management plane interface. Moreover, an ORAN access node may be a logical node in a physical node. Furthermore, an ORAN network node may be implemented in a virtualization environment (described further below) in which one or more network functions are virtualized. For example, the virtualization environment may include an O-Cloud computing platform orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an O-2 interface defined by the O-RAN Alliance or comparable technologies. The network nodes 1210 facilitate direct or indirect connection of user equipment (UE), such as by connecting UEs 1212a, 1212b, 1212c, and 1212d (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs 1212) to the core network 1206 over one or more wireless connections.

[0366] Example wireless communications over a wireless connection include transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information without the use of wires, cables, or other material conductors. Moreover, in different embodiments, the communication system 1200 may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, UEs, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals whether via wired or wireless connections. The communication system 1200 may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and / or other similar type of system.

[0367] The UEs 1212 may be any of a wide variety of communication devices, including wireless devices arranged, configured, and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with the network nodes 1210 and other communication devices. Similarly, the network nodes 1210 are arranged, capable, configured, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with the UEs 1212 and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the telecommunication network 1202 to enable and / or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and / or to perform other functions, such as administration in the telecommunication network 1202.

[0368] In the depicted example, the core network 1206 connects the network nodes 1210 to one or more hosts, such as host 1216. These connections may be direct or indirect via one or more intermediary networks or devices. In other examples, network nodes may be directly coupled to hosts. The core network 1206 includes one more core network nodes (e.g., core network node 1208) that are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the UEs, network nodes, and / or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node 1208. Example core network nodes include functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0369] The host 1216 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of the access network 1204 and / or the telecommunication network 1202, and may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The host 1216 may host a variety of applications to provide one or more service. Examples of such applications include live and pre-recorded audio / video content, data collection services such as retrieving and compiling data on various ambient conditions detected by a plurality of UEs, analytics functionality, social media, functions for controlling or otherwise interacting with remote devices, functions for an alarm and surveillance center, or any other such function performed by a server.

[0370] As a whole, the communication system 1200 of fig. 12 enables connectivity between the UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system may be configured to operate according to predefined rules or procedures, such as specific standards that include, but are not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G standards, or any applicable future generation standard (e.g., 6G); wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards (WiFi); and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC) ZigBee, LiFi, and / or any low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox.

[0371] In some examples, the telecommunication network 1202 is a cellular network that implements 3GPP standardized features. Accordingly, the telecommunications network 1202 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to the telecommunication network 1202. For example, the telecommunications network 1202 may provide Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services to some UEs, while providing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services to other UEs, and / or Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC)ZMassive loT services to yet further UEs.

[0372] In some examples, the UEs 1212 are configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a UE may be designed to transmit information to the access network 1204 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the access network 1204. Additionally, a UE may be configured for operating in single- or multi-RAT or multistandard mode. For example, a UE may operate with any one or combination of Wi-Fi, NR (New Radio) and LTE, i.e. being configured for multi-radio dual connectivity (MR- DC), such as E-UTRAN (Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) New Radio - Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

[0373] In the example, the hub 1214 communicates with the access network 1204 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., UE 1212c and / or 1212d) and network nodes (e.g., network node 1210b). In some examples, the hub 1214 may be a controller, router, content source and analytics, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, the hub 1214 may be a broadband router enabling access to the core network 1206 for the UEs. As another example, the hub 1214 may be a controller that sends commands or instructions to one or more actuators in the UEs. Commands or instructions may be received from the UEs, network nodes 1210, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in the hub 1214. As another example, the hub 1214 may be a data collector that acts as temporary storage for UE data and, in some embodiments, may perform analysis or other processing of the data. As another example, the hub 1214 may be a content source. For example, for a UE that is a VR headset, display, loudspeaker or other media delivery device, the hub 1214 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which the hub 1214 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and / or after adding additional local content. In still another example, the hub 1214 acts as a proxy server or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular if one or more of the UEs are low energy loT devices. The hub 1214 may have a constant / persistent or intermittent connection to the network node 1210b. The hub 1214 may also allow for a different communication scheme and / or schedule between the hub 1214 and UEs (e.g., UE 1212c and / or 1212d), and between the hub 1214 and the core network 1206. In other examples, the hub 1214 is connected to the core network 1206 and / or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, the hub 1214 may be configured to connect to an M2M service provider over the access network 1204 and / or to another UE over a direct connection. In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with the network nodes 1210 while still connected via the hub 1214 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the hub 1214 may be a dedicated hub - that is, a hub whose primary function is to route communications to / from the UEs from / to the network node 1210b. In other embodiments, the hub 1214 may be a non-dedicated hub - that is, a device which is capable of operating to route communications between the UEs and network node 1210b, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and / or end point for certain data channels.

[0374] Fig. 13 shows a UE 1300 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, a UE refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and / or other UEs. Examples of a UE include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, mobile phone, cell phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phone, wireless local loop phone, desktop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless cameras, gaming console or device, music storage device, playback appliance, wearable terminal device, wireless endpoint, mobile station, tablet, laptop, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), smart device, wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), vehicle, vehicle-mounted or vehicle embedded / integrated wireless device, etc. Other examples include any UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a narrow band internet of things (NB-loT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

[0375] A UE may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), or vehicle-to-everything (V2X). In other examples, a UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the relevant device. Instead, a UE may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter).

[0376] The UE 1300 includes processing circuitry 1302 that is operatively coupled via a bus 1304 to an input / output interface 1306, a power source 1308, a memory 1310, a communication interface 1312, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain UEs may utilize all or a subset of the components shown in fig. 13. The level of integration between the components may vary from one UE to another UE. Further, certain UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0377] The processing circuitry 1302 is configured to process instructions and data and may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory 1310. The processing circuitry 1302 may be implemented as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored computer programs, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry 1302 may include multiple central processing units (CPUs).

[0378] In the example, the input / output interface 1306 may be configured to provide an interface or interfaces to an input device, output device, or one or more input and / or output devices. Examples of an output device include a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. An input device may allow a user to capture information into the UE 1300. Examples of an input device include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, etc., or any combination thereof. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port may be used to provide an input device and an output device.

[0379] In some embodiments, the power source 1308 is structured as a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic device, or power cell, may be used. The power source 1308 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from the power source 1308 itself, and / or an external power source, to the various parts of the UE 1300 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Delivering power may be, for example, for charging of the power source 1308. Power circuitry may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from the power source 1308 to make the power suitable for the respective components of the UE 1300 to which power is supplied.

[0380] The memory 1310 may be or be configured to include memory such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash drives, and so forth. In one example, the memory 1310 includes one or more application programs 1314, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data 1316. The memory 1310 may store, for use by the UE 1300, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

[0381] The memory 1310 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD- DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as tamper resistant module in the form of a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) including one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as a USIM and / or ISIM, other memory, or any combination thereof. The UICC may for example be an embedded UICC (eUlCC), integrated UICC (iUICC) or a removable UICC commonly known as ‘SIM card.’ The memory 1310 may allow the UE 1300 to access instructions, application programs and the like, stored on transitory or non- transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied as or in the memory 1310, which may be or comprise a device-readable storage medium.

[0382] The processing circuitry 1302 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network using the communication interface 1312. The communication interface 1312 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or be communicatively coupled to an antenna 1322. The communication interface 1312 may include one or more transceivers used to communicate, such as by communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another UE or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter 1318 and / or a receiver 1320 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, the transmitter 1318 and receiver 1320 may be coupled to one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 1322) and may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

[0383] In the illustrated embodiment, communication functions of the communication interface 1312 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, LPWAN communication, data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, locationbased communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. Communications may be implemented in according to one or more communication protocols and / or standards, such as IEEE 802.11 , Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), GSM, LTE, New Radio (NR), UMTS, WiMax, Ethernet, transmission control protocol / internet protocol (TCP / IP), synchronous optical networking (SONET), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), QUIC, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and so forth. Regardless of the type of sensor, a UE may provide an output of data captured by its sensors, through its communication interface 1312, via a wireless connection to a network node. Data captured by sensors of a UE can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another UE. The output may be periodic (e.g., once every 15 minutes if it reports the sensed temperature), random (e.g., to even out the load from reporting from several sensors), in response to a triggering event (e.g., when moisture is detected an alert is sent), in response to a request (e.g., a user initiated request), or a continuous stream (e.g., a live video feed of a patient).

[0384] As another example, a UE comprises an actuator, a motor, or a switch, related to a communication interface configured to receive wireless input from a network node via a wireless connection. In response to the received wireless input the states of the actuator, the motor, or the switch may change. For example, the UE may comprise a motor that adjusts the control surfaces or rotors of a drone in flight according to the received input or to a robotic arm performing a medical procedure according to the received input.

[0385] A UE, when in the form of an Internet of Things (loT) device, may be a device for use in one or more application domains, these domains comprising, but not limited to, city wearable technology, extended industrial application and healthcare. Non-limiting examples of such an loT device are a device which is or which is embedded in: a connected refrigerator or freezer, a TV, a connected lighting device, an electricity meter, a robot vacuum cleaner, a voice controlled smart speaker, a home security camera, a motion detector, a thermostat, a smoke detector, a door / window sensor, a flood / moisture sensor, an electrical door lock, a connected doorbell, an air conditioning system like a heat pump, an autonomous vehicle, a surveillance system, a weather monitoring device, a vehicle parking monitoring device, an electric vehicle charging station, a smart watch, a fitness tracker, a head-mounted display for Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR), a wearable for tactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or item-tracking device, a sensor for monitoring a plant or animal, an industrial robot, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and any kind of medical device, like a heart rate monitor or a remote controlled surgical robot. A UE in the form of an loT device comprises circuitry and / or software in dependence of the intended application of the loT device in addition to other components as described in relation to the UE 1300 shown in fig. 13.

[0386] As yet another specific example, in an loT scenario, a UE may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurements to another UE and / or a network node. The UE may in this case be an M2M device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, the UE may implement the 3GPP NB-loT standard. In other scenarios, a UE may represent a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a truck, a ship and an airplane, or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and / or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.

[0387] In practice, any number of UEs may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first UE might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second UE that is a remote controller operating the drone. When the user makes changes from the remote controller, the first UE may adjust the throttle on the drone (e.g. by controlling an actuator) to increase or decrease the drone’s speed. The first and / or the second UE can also include more than one of the functionalities described above. For example, a UE might comprise the sensor and the actuator, and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

[0388] Fig. 14 shows a network node 1400 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and / or with other network nodes or equipment, in a telecommunication network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)), O-RAN nodes or components of an O-RAN node (e.g., O-RU, O-DU, O-CU).

[0389] Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and so, depending on the provided amount of coverage, may be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units, distributed units (e.g., in an O-RAN access node) and / or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS).

[0390] Other examples of network nodes include multiple transmission point (multi-TRP) 5G access nodes, multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi- cell / multicast coordination entities (MCEs), Operation and Maintenance (O&M) nodes, Operations Support System (OSS) nodes, Self-Organizing Network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centers (E-SMLCs)), and / or Minimization of Drive Tests (MDTs).

[0391] The network node 1400 includes a processing circuitry 1402, a memory 1404, a communication interface 1406, and a power source 1408. The network node 1400 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeB component and a RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which the network node 1400 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, the network node 1400 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memory 1404 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna 1410 may be shared by different RATs). The network node 1400 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 1400, for example GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, Zigbee, Z-wave, LoRaWAN, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node 1400.

[0392] The processing circuitry 1402 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node 1400 components, such as the memory 1404, to provide network node 1400 functionality.

[0393] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1402 includes a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1402 includes one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 1412 and baseband processing circuitry 1414. In some embodiments, the radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 1412 and the baseband processing circuitry 1414 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 1412 and baseband processing circuitry 1414 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

[0394] The memory 1404 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), readonly memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computerexecutable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry 1402. The memory 1404 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and / or other instructions capable of being executed by the processing circuitry 1402 and utilized by the network node 1400. The memory 1404 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry 1402 and / or any data received via the communication interface 1406. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1402 and memory 1404 is integrated. The communication interface 1406 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data between a network node, access network, and / or UE. As illustrated, the communication interface 1406 comprises port(s) / terminal(s) 1416 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. The communication interface 1406 also includes radio front-end circuitry 1418 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, the antenna 1410. Radio front-end circuitry 1418 comprises filters 1420 and amplifiers 1422. The radio front-end circuitry 1418 may be connected to an antenna 1410 and processing circuitry 1402. The radio front-end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 1410 and processing circuitry 1402. The radio front-end circuitry 1418 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or UEs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuitry 1418 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 1420 and / or amplifiers 1422. The radio signal may then be transmitted via the antenna 1410. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 1410 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry 1418. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry 1402. In other embodiments, the communication interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0395] In certain alternative embodiments, the network node 1400 does not include separate radio front-end circuitry 1418, instead, the processing circuitry 1402 includes radio frontend circuitry and is connected to the antenna 1410. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry 1412 is part of the communication interface 1406. In still other embodiments, the communication interface 1406 includes one or more ports or terminals 1416, the radio front-end circuitry 1418, and the RF transceiver circuitry 1412, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the communication interface 1406 communicates with the baseband processing circuitry 1414, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0396] The antenna 1410 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. The antenna 1410 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuitry 1418 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and / or signals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, the antenna 1410 is separate from the network node 1400 and connectable to the network node 1400 through an interface or port.

[0397] The antenna 1410, communication interface 1406, and / or the processing circuitry 1402 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and / or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be received from a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, the antenna 1410, the communication interface 1406, and / or the processing circuitry 1402 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment.

[0398] The power source 1408 provides power to the various components of network node 1400 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source 1408 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node 1400 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node 1400 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid, an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of the power source 1408. As a further example, the power source 1408 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.

[0399] Embodiments of the network node 1400 may include additional components beyond those shown in fig. 14 for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node 1400 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node 1400 and to allow output of information from the network node 1400. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node 1400.

[0400] Fig. 15 is a block diagram of a host 1500, which may be an embodiment of the host 1216 of fig. 12, in accordance with various aspects described herein. As used herein, the host 1500 may be or comprise various combinations hardware and / or software, including a standalone server, a blade server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, a virtual machine, container, or processing resources in a server farm. The host 1500 may provide one or more services to one or more UEs.

[0401] The host 1500 includes processing circuitry 1502 that is operatively coupled via a bus 1504 to an input / output interface 1506, a network interface 1508, a power source 1510, and a memory 1512. Other components may be included in other embodiments. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the devices of previous figures, such as fig. 13 and fig. 14, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of host 1500.

[0402] The memory 1512 may include one or more computer programs including one or more host application programs 1514 and data 1516, which may include user data, e.g., data generated by a UE for the host 1500 or data generated by the host 1500 for a UE. Embodiments of the host 1500 may utilize only a subset or all of the components shown. The host application programs 1514 may be implemented in a container-based architecture and may provide support for video codecs (e.g., Versatile Video Coding (VVC), High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), Advanced Video Coding (A VC), MPEG, VP9) and audio codecs (e.g., FLAG, Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), MPEG, G.711), including transcoding for multiple different classes, types, or implementations of UEs (e.g., handsets, desktop computers, wearable display systems, heads-up display systems). The host application programs 1514 may also provide for user authentication and licensing checks and may periodically report health, routes, and content availability to a central node, such as a device in or on the edge of a core network. Accordingly, the host 1500 may select and / or indicate a different host for over-the-top services for a UE. The host application programs 1514 may support various protocols, such as the HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) protocol, Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP), Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (MPEG-DASH), etc.

[0403] Fig. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 1600 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to any device described herein, or components thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components. Some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines (VMs) implemented in one or more virtual environments 1600 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes, such as a hardware computing device that operates as a network node, UE, core network node, or host. Further, in embodiments in which the virtual node does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node or host), then the node may be entirely virtualized. In some embodiments, the virtualization environment 1600 includes components defined by the O-RAN Alliance, such as an O- Cloud environment orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an O-2 interface.

[0404] Applications 1602 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) are run in the virtualization environment Q400 to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0405] Hardware 1604 includes processing circuitry, memory that stores software and / or instructions executable by hardware processing circuitry, and / or other hardware devices as described herein, such as a network interface, input / output interface, and so forth. Software may be executed by the processing circuitry to instantiate one or more virtualization layers 1606 (also referred to as hypervisors or virtual machine monitors (VMMs)), provide VMs 1608a and 1608b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as VMs 1608), and / or perform any of the functions, features and / or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein. The virtualization layer 1606 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to the VMs 1608.

[0406] The VMs 1608 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by a corresponding virtualization layer 1606. Different embodiments of the instance of a virtual appliance 1602 may be implemented on one or more of VMs 1608, and the implementations may be made in different ways. Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.

[0407] In the context of NFV, a VM 1608 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of the VMs 1608, and that part of hardware 1604 that executes that VM, be it hardware dedicated to that VM and / or hardware shared by that VM with others of the VMs, forms separate virtual network elements. Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more VMs 1608 on top of the hardware 1604 and corresponds to the application 1602.

[0408] Hardware 1604 may be implemented in a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware 1604 may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware 1604 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g. such as in a data center or CPE) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration 1610, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications 1602. In some embodiments, hardware 1604 is coupled to one or more radio units that each include one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that may be coupled to one or more antennas. Radio units may communicate directly with other hardware nodes via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station. In some embodiments, some signaling can be provided with the use of a control system 1612 which may alternatively be used for communication between hardware nodes and radio units. Fig. 17 shows a communication diagram of a host 1702 communicating via a network node 1704 with a UE 1706 over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments. Example implementations, in accordance with various embodiments, of the UE (such as a UE 1212a of fig. 12 and / or UE 1300 of fig. 13), network node (such as network node 1210a of fig. 12 and / or network node 1400 of fig. 14), and host (such as host 1216 of fig. 12 and / or host 1500 of fig. 15) discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to fig. 17.

[0409] Like host 1500, embodiments of host 1702 include hardware, such as a communication interface, processing circuitry, and memory. The host 1702 also includes software, which is stored in or accessible by the host 1702 and executable by the processing circuitry. The software includes a host application that may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as the UE 1706 connecting via an over-the-top (OTT) connection 1750 extending between the UE 1706 and host 1702. In providing the service to the remote user, a host application may provide user data which is transmitted using the OTT connection 1750.

[0410] The network node 1704 includes hardware enabling it to communicate with the host 1702 and UE 1706. The connection 1760 may be direct or pass through a core network (like core network 1206 of fig. 12) and / or one or more other intermediate networks, such as one or more public, private, or hosted networks. For example, an intermediate network may be a backbone network or the Internet.

[0411] The UE 1706 includes hardware and software, which is stored in or accessible by UE 1706 and executable by the UE’s processing circuitry. The software includes a client application, such as a web browser or operator-specific “app” that may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via UE 1706 with the support of the host 1702. In the host 1702, an executing host application may communicate with the executing client application via the OTT connection 1750 terminating at the UE 1706 and host 1702. In providing the service to the user, the UE's client application may receive request data from the host's host application and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 1750 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The UE's client application may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides to the host application through the OTT connection 1750.

[0412] The OTT connection 1750 may extend via a connection 1760 between the host 1702 and the network node 1704 and via a wireless connection 1770 between the network node 1704 and the UE 1706 to provide the connection between the host 1702 and the UE 1706. The connection 1760 and wireless connection 1770, over which the OTT connection 1750 may be provided, have been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host 1702 and the UE 1706 via the network node 1704, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices.

[0413] As an example of transmitting data via the OTT connection 1750, in step 1708, the host 1702 provides user data, which may be performed by executing a host application. In some embodiments, the user data is associated with a particular human user interacting with the UE 1706. In other embodiments, the user data is associated with a UE 1706 that shares data with the host 1702 without explicit human interaction. In step 1710, the host 1702 initiates a transmission carrying the user data towards the UE 1706. The host 1702 may initiate the transmission responsive to a request transmitted by the UE 1706. The request may be caused by human interaction with the UE 1706 or by operation of the client application executing on the UE 1706. The transmission may pass via the network node 1704, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. Accordingly, in step 1712, the network node 1704 transmits to the UE 1706 the user data that was carried in the transmission that the host 1702 initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1714, the UE 1706 receives the user data carried in the transmission, which may be performed by a client application executed on the UE 1706 associated with the host application executed by the host 1702.

[0414] In some examples, the UE 1706 executes a client application which provides user data to the host 1702. The user data may be provided in reaction or response to the data received from the host 1702. Accordingly, in step 1716, the UE 1706 may provide user data, which may be performed by executing the client application. In providing the user data, the client application may further consider user input received from the user via an input / output interface of the UE 1706. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE 1706 initiates, in step 1718, transmission of the user data towards the host 1702 via the network node 1704. In step 1720, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the network node 1704 receives user data from the UE 1706 and initiates transmission of the received user data towards the host 1702. In step 1722, the host 1702 receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the UE 1706.

[0415] One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the UE 1706 using the OTT connection 1750, in which the wireless connection 1770 forms the last segment.

[0416] In an example scenario, factory status information may be collected and analyzed by the host 1702. As another example, the host 1702 may process audio and video data which may have been retrieved from a UE for use in creating maps. As another example, the host 1702 may collect and analyze real-time data to assist in controlling vehicle congestion (e.g., controlling traffic lights). As another example, the host 1702 may store surveillance video uploaded by a UE. As another example, the host 1702 may store or control access to media content such as video, audio, VR or AR which it can broadcast, multicast or unicast to UEs. As other examples, the host 1702 may be used for energy pricing, remote control of non-time critical electrical load to balance power generation needs, location services, presentation services (such as compiling diagrams etc. from data collected from remote devices), or any other function of collecting, retrieving, storing, analyzing and / or transmitting data.

[0417] In some examples, a measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 1750 between the host 1702 and UE 1706, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and / or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection may be implemented in software and hardware of the host 1702 and / or UE 1706. In some embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with other devices through which the OTT connection 1750 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of the OTT connection 1750 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not directly alter the operation of the network node 1704. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling that facilitates measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like, by the host 1702. The measurements may be implemented in that software causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using the OTT connection 1750 while monitoring propagation times, errors, etc.

[0418] Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes, hosts) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and / or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination.

[0419] Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality may be partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and / or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non- computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware. In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hardwired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device, but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and / or by end users and a wireless network generally.

[0420] Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and / or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and / or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step.

[0421] In general, the usage of “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, and / or “fifth” herein may be understood to be an arbitrary way to denote different elements or entities, and may be understood to not confer a cumulative or chronological character to the nouns they modify, unless otherwise noted, based on context.

[0422] The present disclosure is not limited to the above. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, disclosure herein should not be taken as limiting the scope. A feature may be combined with one or more other features.

[0423] The term “at least one of A and B” should be understood to mean “only A, only B, or both A and B.”, where A and B are any parameter, number, indication used herein etc. It should be emphasized that the term “comprises / comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. It should also be noted that the words “a” or “an” preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

[0424] The term “configured to” used herein may also be referred to as “arranged to”, “adapted to”, “capable of” or “operative to”.

[0425] The steps of the methods may be performed in another order than the order in which they appear herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method performed by a Network Controlled Repeater, NCR, (105) for handling Discontinuous transmission, DTX, configurations in a communication network (100), wherein the NCR (105) is arranged to communicate with a User Equipment, UE (103) and a network node (101) via links (108, 110, 113), wherein the links (108, 110, 113) comprise a first link (108) between the NCR (105) and the UE (103) and a second link (110, 113) between the NCR (105) and the network node (101), wherein the method comprises: receiving (406, 607) one or multiple NCR DTX configurations from a network node (101), wherein the one or multiple NCR DTX configuration is associated with the NCR’s transmission to the UE (103) and / or to the network node (101); and transmitting (408, 409, 614) a signal on at least one of the links (108, 110, 113) according to the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein multiple NCR DTX configurations are received, and wherein different NCR DTX configurations are applied to each of the links (108, 110, 113).

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein one NCR DTX configuration is received, and wherein the one NCR DTX configuration is common for all links (108, 110, 113).

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein one NCR DTX configuration is received, and wherein the one NCR DTX configuration is common for at least two of the links (108, 110, 113).

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein multiple NCR DTX configurations are received, wherein different NCR DTX configurations are applied to the first link (108) and the second link (110, 113), and wherein the NCR DTX configurations are different in such a manner that an on-period at the first link (108) overlaps with an off-period at the second link (110, 113).

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations are aligned with one or multiple UE Discontinuous reception, DRX, configurations applied by the UE (103) and / or one or multiple network DRX configurations applied by the network node (101).

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: monitoring (400, 601) at least one of the links (108, 110, 113); and transmitting (401 , 602) a measurement report indicating a result of the monitoring to the network node (101).

8. The method according to claim 7, comprising: determining (603) one or multiple preferred NCR DTX configurations for at least one of the links (108, 110, 113) based on the result of the monitoring; and transmitting (604) information indicating the one or multiple preferred NCR DTX configuration to the network node (101).

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: receiving (402, 605), from the network node (101), information related to the one or multiple NCR DTX configuration; and triggered by the received information, transmitting (403, 606), to the UE (103), information related to transmission by the NCR (105).

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising receiving (608) a signal from the UE (103) and / or the network node (101).11 . The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: amplifying (613) the received signal; and wherein the transmitted signal (408, 409) is the amplified signal transmitted to the UE (103) and / or the network node (101).

12. The method according to any of claims 10-11 , comprising: buffering (609) the received signal in a buffer when the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations indicates that the NCR (105) is currently in an off-period in which transmission over at least one of the links (108, 110, 113) is disabled; andwherein the signal is buffered until the NCR (105) enters an on-period in which transmission over at least one of the links (108, 110, 113) is enabled.

13. The method according to any of claims 10-12, wherein the signal is transmitted after a waiting time started from the receipt of the signal has expired.

14. The method according any of claims 12-13, comprising: transmitting (610) a buffer indication to the network node (101), wherein the buffer indication indicates a size of the buffer and / or a duration of buffering.

15. The method according to any of claims 12-14, comprising: determining (611) if a capacity of the buffer has been reached or exceeded; and triggering (612) one or more actions if the signal is received when and / or after the capacity has been reached or exceeded.

16. The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: receiving (615) information from the network node (101) indicating change of the NCR’s activity level; and based on the change of the NCR’s activity level, transmitting (616) information indicating adjustment of one or multiple UE Discontinuous reception, DRX, configurations to all UEs (105) served by the NCR (105).

17. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each NCR DTX configuration of the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations comprises an on-period during which the NCR (105) is on and transmission over at least one of the links (108, 110, 113) is enabled; and wherein each NCR DTX configuration of the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations comprises an off-period during which the NCR (105) is off and transmission over at least one of the links (108, 110, 113) is disabled.

18. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication network (100) comprises at least two UEs (103), and wherein the links (108, 110, 113) comprise at least two first links (108) each connected to a respective UE (103).

19. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the links (108, 110, 113) comprises:• the first link (108) between the NCR (105) and the UE (103); and• the second link (110) between the NCR (105) and the network node (101); and• a third link (113) between the NCR (105) and the network node (101).

20. A method performed by a User Equipment, UE, (103) for handling Discontinuous Transmission, DTX, configurations in a communication network (100), wherein the UE (103) is arranged to communicate with a Network Controlled Repeater, NCR, (105) via a first link (108), wherein the method comprises: receiving (407, 701) one or multiple UE DTX configurations from the NCR (105), wherein the one or multiple UE DTX configuration are associated with the UE’s transmission to the NCR (105); and transmitting (702) a signal to the NCR (105) on the first link (108) and according to the one or multiple UE DTX configurations.21 . The method according to claim 20, comprising: receiving (703), from the NCR (105), information indicating adjustment of the one or multiple UE Discontinuous reception. DRX, configurations; and adjusting (704) the one or multiple UE DRX configurations according to the received information.

22. The method according to any of claims 20-21 , comprising: receiving (403, 705), from the NCR (105), information related to transmission by the NCR (105); and upon reception of the information from the NCR (105), performing (404, 706) one or more actions.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the one or more actions comprise one or more of: determining to change from a current NCR to another NCR; and / or determining to change from a current serving cell to another serving cell; and / ordetermining a recommended UE DTX configuration for signal transmission to the network node (101) and / or the NCR (105), wherein the recommended UE DTX configuration is based on the NCR DTX configuration.

24. The method according to any of claims 20-23, wherein the one or multiple UE DTX configurations are aligned with one or multiple NCR Discontinuous reception, DRX, configurations applied by the NCR (105) and / or one or multiple network DRX configurations applied by the network node (101).

25. A method performed by a network node (101) for handling Discontinuous transmission, DTX, configurations in a communication network (100), wherein the network node (101) is arranged to communicate with a Network Controlled Repeater, NCR, (105) via a second link (110), wherein the method comprises: determining (400, 803) one or multiple NCR DTX configurations for the NCR (105), wherein the one or multiple NCR DTX configuration is associated with the NCR’s transmission of signals to the UE (103) and / or the network node (101); and transmitting (401 , 804) the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations to the NCR (105).

26. The method according to any of claim 25, comprising: transmitting (808) a signal to the NCR (105) according to one or multiple network DTX configurations.

27. The method according to any of claims 25-26, comprising: receiving (809) a signal from the NCR (105).

28. The method according to any of claims 25-27, wherein one NCR DTX configuration is determined and transmitted, and wherein the one NCR DTX configuration is common for all links (108, 110, 113).

29. The method according to any of claims 25-27, wherein one NCR DTX configuration is determined and transmitted, and wherein the one NCR DTX configuration is common for at least two of the links (108, 110, 113).

30. The method according to any of claims 25-27, wherein multiple NCR DTX configurations are determined and transmitted, wherein there are different NCR DTX configurations for the first link (108) and the second link (110, 113), and wherein the NCR DTX configurations are different in such a manner that an on-period at the first link (108) overlaps with an off-period at the second link (110, 113).31 . The method according to any of claims 25-30, wherein the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations are aligned with one or multiple UE Discontinuous reception, DRX, configurations applied by the UE (103) and / or one or multiple network DRX configurations applied by the network node (101).

32. The method according to any of claims 25-31 , comprising: receiving (401 , 801) a measurement report indicating a result of a monitoring at least one of the links (108, 110, 113) from the NCR (105), and wherein the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations is determined based on the measurement report.

33. The method according to any of claims 25-32, comprising: receiving (802) information indicating one or multiple preferred NCR DTX configurations from to the NCR (105).

34. The method according to any of claims 25-33, comprising: transmitting (402, 805), to the NCR (105), information related to the one or multiple NCR DTX configuration.

35. The method according to any of claims 25-34, comprising: determining (806) one or multiple UE DTX configurations for the UE (103) and / or one or multiple network DTX configurations for the network node (101), wherein the one or multiple UE DTX configuration is associated with the UE’s transmission of signals; and wherein the one or multiple network DTX configurations is associated with the network node’s transmission of signals.

36. The method according to any of claims 25-35, comprising: transmitting (807) the one or multiple UE DTX configurations to the NCR (105) for further transmission to the UE (105).

37. A Network Controlled Repeater, NCR, (105) for handling Discontinuous transmission, DTX, configurations in a communication network (100), wherein the NCR (105) is arranged to communicate with a User Equipment, UE (103) and a network node (101) via links (108, 110, 113), wherein the links (108, 110, 113) comprise a first link (108) between the NCR (105) and the UE (103) and a second link (110, 113) between the NCR (105) and the network node (101), wherein the NCR (105) is arranged to: receive one or multiple NCR DTX configurations from a network node (101), wherein the one or multiple NCR DTX configuration is associated with the NCR’s transmission to the UE (103) and / or to the network node (101); and to transmit a signal on at least one of the links (108, 110, 113) according to the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations.

38. A User Equipment, UE, (103) for handling Discontinuous Transmission, DTX, configurations in a communication network (100), wherein the UE (103) is arranged to communicate with a Network Controlled Repeater, NCR, (105) via a first link (108), wherein the UE (103) is arranged to: receive one or multiple UE DTX configurations from the NCR (105), wherein the one or multiple UE DTX configuration is associated with the UE’s transmission to the NCR (105); and to transmit a signal to the NCR (105) on the first link (108) and according to the one or multiple UE DTX configurations.

39. A network node (101) for handling Discontinuous transmission, DTX, configurations in a communication network (100), wherein the network node (101) is arranged to communicate with a Network Controlled Repeater, NCR, (105) via a second link (110), wherein the network node (101) is arranged to: determine one or multiple NCR DTX configurations for the NCR (105), wherein the one or multiple NCR DTX configuration is associated with the NCR’s transmission of signals to the UE (103) and / or the network node (101); and totransmit the one or multiple NCR DTX configurations to the NCR (105).

40. A computer program product comprising program code for performing, when executed by the processing circuitry, the method of any of claims 1-19 and / or 20-24 and / or 25-36.41 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform the method of any of claims 1-19 and / or 20-24 and / or 25-36.

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