Methods for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, base node in a wireless communication system and network node in a wireless communication system

Abstract

A method for exchanging data in a wireless communication system includes transmitting, by a base node (106) in the wireless communication system to a network node (204) in the wireless communication system, a configuration indication (222) for configuring the network node (204) as an intermediate node (104) of the wireless communication system. The method further includes transmitting, by the base node (106) to the intermediate node (104), resource pool parameters (312) that define a resource pool. The resource pool may include at least one of a frequency-domain resource and a time-domain resource that is available for communication between the intermediate node and at least one other node in the wireless communication system.

Description

METHODS FOR EXCHANGING DATA IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, BASE NODE IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND NETWORK NODE IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Various embodiments relate to methods for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, where in particular, a base node in a wireless communication system, and a network node in a wireless communication system. In particular, but not necessarily, the wireless communication system may be an ambient internet-of-things (loT) system.BACKGROUND

[0002] In a wireless communication system, such as an ambient-IoT system, there may be a topology where an intermediate node serves as a reader to exchange data with other nodes in the wireless communication system, such as an ambient loT device. The intermediate node may be a relay node, an integrated and access backhaul (IAB) node, a user equipment (UE), a repeater node, among others. The intermediate node may require time-frequency resources for transmitting to the other nodes. When a plurality of readers communicate with the other nodes, their communications may be degraded due to interference from one another or from other devices in the wireless communication system.SUMMARY

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for exchanging data in a wireless communication system. The method includes transmitting, by a base node in the wireless communication system to a network node in the wireless communication system, a configuration indication for configuring the network node as an intermediate node of the wireless communication system. The method further includes transmitting, by the base node 106 to the intermediate node, resource pool parameters that define a resource pool. The resource pool includes at least one of a frequency- domain resource and a time-domain resource that is availablefor communication between the intermediate node and at least one other node in the wireless communication system.

[0004] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for exchanging data in a wireless communication system. The method includes configuring a network node in the wireless communication system as an intermediate node of the wireless communication system, based on the network node receiving a configuration indication from a base node 106 in the wireless communication system. The method further includes receiving, by the intermediate node, resource pool parameters that define a resource pool. The resource pool includes at least one of a frequency-domain resource and a time-domain resource that is available for communication between the intermediate node and at least one other node in the wireless communication system.

[0005] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a base node for use in a wireless communication system. The base node includes a base transceiver. The base transceiver may be configured to transmit a configuration indication to a network node in the wireless communication system. The configuration indication may be used to configure the network node as an intermediate node of the wireless communication system. The base transceiver may be further configured to transmit to the intermediate node, resource pool parameters that define a resource pool. The resource pool includes at least one of a frequency-domain resource and a time-domain resource that is available for communication between the intermediate node 104 and at least one other node in the wireless communication system.

[0006] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network node for use in a wireless communication system. The network node includes a network transceiver and a network node processor. The network transceiver is configured to receive a configuration indication from a base node in the wireless communication system. The network node processor is configured to the configure the network node as an intermediate node of the wireless communication system, based on the network transceiver receiving the configuration indication. The network transceiver is further configured to receive resource pool parameters from the base node. The resource pool includes at least one of a frequency- domain resource and a time-domain resource that is available for communication between the intermediate node and at least one other node in the wireless communication system.

[0007] Additional features for advantageous embodiments are provided in the dependent claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 shows an ambient loT (A-IoT) network according to various embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 2 shows the process of configuring a network node as an intermediate node, according to various embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 3 shows the process of providing information on an A-IoT resource pool to the intermediate node according to various embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 4 shows the process of allocating resources to the intermediate node according to various embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 5 shows an example of a resource pool, presented in a configuration diagram.

[0014] FIG. 6A shows a flow diagram of a method for exchanging data in an A-IoT network, according to various embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 6B shows a flow diagram of a method for exchanging data in an A-IoT network, according to various embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 7A shows a flow diagram of a method for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, according to various embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 7B shows a flow diagram of a method for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, according to various embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a base node for use in a wireless communication system, according to various embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a network node for use in a wireless communication system, according to various embodiments.DESCRIPTION

[0020] Embodiments described below in context of the devices are analogously valid for the respective methods, and vice versa. Furthermore, it will be understood that the embodimentsdescribed below may be combined, for example, a part of one embodiment may be combined with a part of another embodiment.

[0021] It will be understood that any property described herein for a specific device may also hold for any device described herein. It will be understood that any property described herein for a specific method may also hold for any method described herein. Furthermore, it will be understood that for any device or method described herein, not necessarily all the components or steps described must be enclosed in the device or method, but only some (but not all) components or steps may be enclosed.

[0022] In this context, the device as described in this description may include a memory which is for example used in the processing carried out in the device. A memory used in the embodiments may be a volatile memory, for example a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or a nonvolatile memory, for example a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable PROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), or a flash memory, e.g., a floating gate memory, a charge trapping memory, an MRAM (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory) or a PCRAM (Phase Change Random Access Memory).

[0023] Some portions of the description which follows are explicitly or implicitly presented in terms of algorithms and functional or symbolic representations of operations on data within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and functional or symbolic representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to convey most effectively the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities, such as electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated.

[0024] The present specification also discloses apparatus for performing the operations of the methods. Such apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or may comprise a computer or other device selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various machines may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein. Alternatively, the construction of more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps may be appropriate. The structure of a computer will appear from the description below.

[0025] In addition, the present specification also implicitly discloses a computer program, in that it would be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the individual steps of the method described herein may be put into effect by computer code. The computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular programming language and implementation thereof. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages and coding thereof may be used to implement the teachings of the disclosure contained herein. Moreover, the computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular control flow. There are many other variants of the computer program, which can use different control flows without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

[0026] Furthermore, one or more of the steps of the computer program may be performed in parallel rather than sequentially. Such a computer program may be stored on any computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include storage devices such as magnetic or optical disks, memory chips, or other storage devices suitable for interfacing with a computer. The computer readable medium may also include a hard-wired medium such as exemplified in the Internet system, or wireless medium such as exemplified in the mobile telephone system. The computer program when loaded and executed on such a computer effectively results in an apparatus that implements the steps of the preferred method.

[0027] The present disclosure generally contemplates resource allocation in a network (for example in association with 3GPP based standard / specifi cation etc.). More specifically, the present disclosure contemplates the possibility of having a series of information exchange steps between a base node and an intermediate node, where the base node provides the resource configuration to the intermediate node for its communication with devices in the network. In the context of an A- loT network, the base node may be a gNodeB base station, the intermediate node may be any one of a relay, an IAB node, a UE, a repeater etc., and the intermediate node may communicate bidirectionally with ambient loT devices.

[0028] In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, various embodiments will now be described by way of examples and not limitations, and with reference to the figures.

[0029] FIG. 1 shows an ambient loT (A-IoT) network 100 according to various embodiments. The A-IoT network 100 may have a topology where an intermediate node 104 may communicate bidirectionally with an loT device 102, as well as with a base node 106. The intermediate node 104 may transmit and receive, A-IoT communication 110, including A-IoT data and / or signaling,to and from the A-IoT device 102. The intermediate node 104 may transfer the A-IoT data and / or signaling between the base node 106 and the A-IoT device 102. The intermediate node 104 may be, for example, a relay, an IAB node, a UE, or a repeater node. The intermediate node 104 may serve as a reader to exchange data with the A-IoT device 102 using the A-IoT communication 110. The base node 106 may be a next Generation Node B (gNB).

[0030] The A-IoT network 100 may include a plurality of intermediate nodes 104 and a plurality of A-IoT devices 102. Each intermediate node 104 may communicate with one or more A-IoT device 102. Each A-IoT device 102 may also communicate with one or more intermediate devices 104. Consequently, there may be multiple A-IoT communications 110 occurring concurrently at any one time. To avoid interference between the multiple A-IoT communications 110, the base node 106 may pre-configure an A-IoT resource pool for the intermediate node 104 with essential parameters, for the intermediate node 104 to correctly identify the time-frequency resources that may be used for A-IoT communication 110. The base node 106 may flexibly allocate resources to multiple intermediate nodes 104, to optimize data bandwidth and / or to minimize interference.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows the process of configuring a network node 204 as an intermediate node 104, according to various embodiments. The network node 204 may be a typical network node such as a UE, an IAB node or a relay node carrying out operations that are not related to communication with A-IoT devices 102. The network node 204 may have software and / or hardware capability to transmit to, or process signals from A-IoT devices 102. In other words, the network node 204 may have the capability to support A-IoT operations. The network node 204 may indicate its capability of supporting A-IoT operations to its serving base node 106, using a capability information 212. The network node 204 may transmit the capability information 212 to the base node 106 via a radio resource control (RRC) indication or configuration message 210. The capability information 212 may be 1 -bit message. In response to receiving the capability information 212, the base node 106 may assign the role of intermediate node 104 to the network node 204, by sending a configuration indication 222 to the network node 204 via another RRC message 220. In response to receiving the configuration indication 222, the network node 204 may configure itself to function as an intermediate node 104 in the A-IoT network 100.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows the process of providing information on an A-IoT resource pool to the intermediate node 104 according to various embodiments. The network node 204 that is configured to function as an intermediate node 104 is referred hereinafter as the intermediate node 104. TheA-IoT resource pool may refer to data transfer resources, such as time and frequency resource blocks, that may be used for reader-to-device (R2D) transmission and device-to-reader (D2R) transmission between the intermediate node 104 and A-IoT devices 102 within an uplink / downlink carrier or in the guard bands around a carrier.

[0033] In the time-domain, the A-IoT resource pool may include a set of time slots which are periodically repeated over a certain specified time. In the frequency domain, the resource pool may include a set of subchannels 512, where a subchannel 512 includes several consecutive resource blocks. The set of subchannels 512 may also be repeated over a specified frequency interval. The base node 106 may modify the size of the resource pool based on additional information provided by the intermediate node 104, for example, information on the number of A-IoT devices 102 in proximity to the intermediate node 104. The A-IoT devices 102 may be considered to be in proximity to the intermediate node 104, either in terms of geographical distance of in terms of radio coverage, depending on specification of the A-IoT network, or as defined by the base node 106.

[0034] The base node 106 may transmit resource pool parameters 312 to the intermediate node 104. The resource pool parameters 312 may include essential parameters that define the A-IoT resource pool. The base node 106 may transfer the resource pool parameters 312 to the intermediate node 104 via a downlink message 310. The downlink message 310 may be the RRC message 220, or may be a separate message that is sent after the RRC message 220.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows the process of allocating resources to the intermediate node 104 according to various embodiments. To exchange data with an A-IoT device 102, the intermediate node 104 may request for resources from the base node 106. The intermediate node 104 may transmit a scheduling request 412 to the base node 106 to request for the resources. The scheduling request 412 may be sent via a RRC message 410. In response to the scheduling request 412, the base node 106 may allocate one or more resource within the resource pool, to the intermediate node 104. The base node 106 may transmit information on the allocation 422 to the intermediate node 104 via a downlink control information (DCI) signal.

[0036] The base node 106 may allocate the one or more resource to the intermediate node 104 based on factors such as, information about the quantity of A-IoT devices 102 in proximity to the intermediate node 104, quantity of readers reachable by the base node 106 etc.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows an example of a resource pool, presented in a configuration diagram 500. The configuration diagram 500 includes a horizontal axis 520 that represents the time domain, and a vertical axis 510 that represents the frequency domain. The time domain resources include a plurality of time slots 522. Each time slot 522 correspond to a time window. The frequency domain resources include a plurality of subchannels 512, also referred to as physical resource blocks. Each subchannel 512 correspond to a frequency range. The resources that are part of the resource pool, hereinafter referred to as “resource pool resources 502”, are represented by shaded squares. All other resources, hereinafter referred to as “non-resource pool resources 504” are represented by unshaded squares.

[0038] The time domain resource may include a set of continuous time slots 522, in other words, a plurality of time slots 522 that are consecutive. In the example of FIG. 5, the set of continuous time slots 522 include two consecutive time slots 522, and the set repeats with a time-domain periodicity of three time slots 522. In other words, the resource pool resources 502 include a set of two consecutive time slots 522 that repeat every three time slots 522. In other words, in every three consecutive time slots 522, two consecutive time slots 522 are resource pool resources 502. To define a set of continuous slots 522, the resource pool parameters 312 may include the time period of the time slots 522 and / or the index range of the time slots 522. In addition, the resource pool parameters 312 may include the time domain periodicity 524. In the example of FIG. 5, the time period may be two time slots 522, while the index range may be k = [1 :2], and the periodicity 524 may be three time slots 522.

[0039] The time domain resources may also include a set of discontinuous time slots 522, in other words, a plurality of time slots 522 that are not consecutive. As an example, a set of discontinuous time slots 522 may include T = 1, T = 3, and T = 5 where time slots T = 2 and T = 4 are skipped, where T is an index of the time slot 522. To define a set of discontinuous slots 522, the resource pool parameters 312 may include the respective indices of each time slot in the set, and / or the relation between the indices of the time slots. In the above example, the resource pool parameters 312 may include the indices (T = 1, 3, 5), or the relation between the indices (T + 2). In addition, the resource pool parameters 312 may include the time domain periodicity 524, which indicates the time interval at which the set of time slots 522 repeat.

[0040] The frequency domain resource may include a set of subchannels 512 which may correspond to a set of X resource blocks, where X can take on one among a set of values that maybe pre- configured. The set of subchannels 512 may be contiguous, in other words, having adjacent subchannels 512. In the example of FIG. 5, the set of contiguous subchannels 512 include two adjacent subchannels 512, and the set repeats with a frequency domain periodicity 514 of four subchannels 512. In other words, the resource pool resources 502 include a set of two subchannels 512 that repeat every four subchannels 512. In other words, in every four adjacent subchannels 512, two adjacent subchannels 512 are resource pool resources 502. To define a set of contiguous subchannels 512, the resource pool parameters 312 may include the frequency range of the set of subchannels 512 and / or the index range of the set of subchannels 512. In addition, the resource pool parameters 312 may include the frequency domain periodicity 514.

[0041] The frequency domain resources may also include a set of non-contiguous subchannels 512, in other words, a plurality of subchannels 512 that are spaced apart. To define a set of noncontiguous subchannels 512, the resource pool parameters 312 may include the respective indices of each subchannel 512 in the set, and / or the relation between the indices of the subchannels 512. In the above example, the resource pool parameters 312 may include the indices (T = 1, 3, 5), or the relation between the indices (T + 2). In addition, the resource pool parameters 312 may include the frequency domain periodicity 514, which indicates the frequency interval at which the set subchannels 512 repeat.

[0042] FIG. 6A shows a flow diagram of a method 600A for exchanging data in an A-IoT network, according to various embodiments. The method 600A may be performed by the base node 106. The method 600A may include method steps 602, 604, 606, 608 and 610. Step 602 may include receiving, in the base node 106, capability information 212 from a NR node supporting A-IoT operations. The NR node may be the network node 204 shown in FIG. 2. Step 604 may include assigning the NR node as an intermediate node 104 for exchanging data with A-IoT devices 102. Steps 602 and 604 may be part of the process described with respect to FIG. 2. Step 606 may include pre-configuring the intermediate node 104 with A-IoT resource pool parameters 312. Step 606 may be part of the process described with respect to FIG. 3. Step 608 may include receiving, in the base node 106, a schedule request from the intermediate node 104. Step 610 may include providing and / or activating grant within the resource pool for transmission between the intermediate node 104 and the A-IoT devices 102. Steps 608 and 610 may be part of the process described with respect to FIG. 4.

[0043] FIG. 6B shows a flow diagram of a method 600B for exchanging data in an A-IoT network, according to various embodiments. The method 600B may be performed by a network node 204. The method 600B may include method steps 612, 614, 616, 618 and 620. Step 612 may include transmitting capability information 212 to a gNB. The gNB may be the base node 106 shown in FIG. 2. The capability information 212 may indicate the network node 204’ s ability to support A- loT communications. Step 614 may include receiving an assignment to become an intermediate node 104, from the base node 106. The assignment may be received in RRC configuration. Steps 612 and 614 may be part of the process described with respect to FIG. 2. Step 616 may include receiving A-IoT resource pool(s) configuration or activation signaling from the gNB. Step 616 may be part of the process described with respect to FIG. 3. Step 618 may include sending a scheduling request 412 to the gNB to obtain resource allocation for communication with A-IoT devices 102. Step 620 may include receiving resource allocation grant and / or grant activation from the gNB for communication with A-IoT devices 102. Steps 618 and 620 may be part of the process described with respect to FIG. 4.

[0044] According to various embodiments, the intermediate node 104 may be configured to work with more than one A-IoT resource pool, in other words, the intermediate node 104 may receive resource pool parameters 312 of more than one A-IoT resource pools. The base node 106 may send specific configuration information of the time slots 522 and / or the subchannels 512 within a resource pool for periodic or aperiodic A-IoT transmissions, to the intermediate node 104. The base node 106 may activate the specific configuration via DCI signaling to the intermediate node 104.

[0045] While FIGS. 1 to 6B are described in relation to A-IoT networks, it should be understood that the present disclosure is applicable to other types of wireless systems, for example, all 3 GPP networks.

[0046] FIG. 7A shows a flow diagram of a method 700 A for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, according to various embodiments. The method 700A may include method steps 702 and 704. Step 702 may include transmitting, by a base node 106 in a wireless communication system to a network node 204 in the wireless communication system, a configuration indication 222 for configuring the network node 204 as an intermediate node 104 of the wireless communication system. Step 704 may include transmitting, by the base node 106 to the intermediate node 104, resource pool parameters 312 that define a resource pool. The resourcepool may include at least one of a frequency- domain resource and a time-domain resource that is available for communication between the intermediate node and at least one other node in the wireless communication system. The method 700A may be carried out by the base node 106.

[0047] FIG. 7B shows a flow diagram of a method 700B for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, according to various embodiments. The method 700B may include method steps 712 and 714. Step 712 may include configuring a network node 204 in the wireless communication system as an intermediate node 104 of the wireless communication system, based on the network node 204 receiving a configuration indication 222 from a base node 106 in the wireless communication system. Step 714 may include receiving, by the intermediate node 104, resource pool parameters 312 that define a resource pool. The resource pool may include at least one of a frequency-domain resource and a time-domain resource that is available for communication between the intermediate node 104 and at least one other node in the wireless communication system. The method 700B may be carried out by the network node 204 which is then configured to be the intermediate node 104.

[0048] It will be understood that any property described herein for the method 700A may also hold for the method 700B, and vice-versa.

[0049] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, the configuration indication 222 is transmitted via one of the X2 interface and Uu interface. For example, the intermediate node 104 may be an IAB node, the base node may be a gNB and the configuration indication 222 may be sent via the X2 interface. For example, the intermediate node 104 may be UE and the base node may be a gNB, and the configuration indication 222 may be sent via the Uu interface.

[0050] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, the method 700A or 700B may further include receiving, by the base node 106 from the network node 204, capability information 212 indicating that the network node 204 is capable of communicating with the at least one other node in the wireless communication system.

[0051] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, configuring the network node 204 as the intermediate node 104 is based on receiving the capability information 212 from the network node 204.

[0052] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, the capability information 212 is received via a general control information message.

[0053] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, the capability information 212 includes information on other nodes in the wireless communication system that are in proximity to the network node 204. The other nodes may be considered to be in proximity to the intermediate node 104, either in terms of geographical distance of in terms of radio coverage, depending on specification of the wireless communication system, or as defined by the base node 106.

[0054] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, the information on the other nodes includes at least one of: (i) quantity of nodes in the wireless communication system that are in proximity to the network node 204, (ii) quantity of nodes in the wireless communication system that are within communication range with the base node 106, and (iii) data transmission requirements of the other nodes.

[0055] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, the method 700A or 700B may further include generating, by the base node 106, the resource pool parameters 312 based on the capability information 212.

[0056] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, the resource pool parameters 312 are transmitted via a RRC message.

[0057] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, the time-domain resource in the resource pool includes a set of time slots 522 that repeats over a specific time interval. The specific time interval may be the time domain periodicity 524 described with respect to FIG. 5.

[0058] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, the set of time slots 522 are discontinuous, and the resource pool parameters 312 includes the specific time interval and at least one of: (i) respective indices of each time slot of the set of time slots 522, and (ii) a relation between the indices of the time slots 522.

[0059] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, the set of time slots 522 are continuous and the resource pool parameters 312 includes the specific time interval and at least one of: (i) a time period of the time slots 522, and (ii) an index range of the time slots 522.

[0060] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, the frequency- domain resource in the resource pool includes a set of subchannels 512 that repeats over a specific frequency interval. The specific frequency interval may be the frequency domain periodicity 514 described with respect to FIG. 5.

[0061] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, the set of subchannels 512 are noncontiguous and the resource pool parameters 312 include the specific frequency interval and at least one of: (i) respective indices of each subchannel 512 of the set of subchannels 512, and (ii) a relation between the indices of the subchannels 512.

[0062] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, the method 700A or 700B may further include receiving, in the base node 106, a scheduling require from the intermediate node 104, wherein the scheduling request 412 indicates a need for resource for the intermediate node 104 to communicate with another node in the wireless communication system.

[0063] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, the method 700A or 700B may further include dynamically allocating, by the base node 106, a portion of the resources defined in the resource pool data to fulfil the need for resource for the intermediate node 104 to communicate with another node, based on the scheduling request 412. The method 700A or 700B may further include transmitting information on the allocation 422 to the intermediate node 104.

[0064] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, information on the allocation 422 is transmitted via at least one of RRC message and DCI signal.

[0065] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, the wireless communication systemincludes an A-IoT network, and the at least one other node of the wireless communication system includes an A-IoT device 102.

[0066] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a base node 106 for use in a wireless communication system, according to various embodiments. The base node 106 may include a base transceiver 802. The base transceiver 802 may be configured to transmit a configuration indication 222 to a network node 204 in the wireless communication system. The configuration indication 222 may be used to configure the network node 204 as an intermediate node 104 of the wireless communication system. The base transceiver 802 may be further configured to transmit to the intermediate node 104, resource pool parameters 312 that define a resource pool. The resource pool may include at least one of a frequency-domain resource and a time-domain resource that is available for communication between the intermediate node 104 and at least one other node in the wireless communication system.

[0067] According to an embodiment which may be combined with any of the above-described embodiment or with any below described further embodiment, the base node 106 may further include a base processor 804. The base processor 804 may be configured to generate the resource pool parameters 312. The base transceiver 802 and the base processor 804 may be coupled to one another, for example, electrically, communicatively, or mechanically, via the coupling line 810.

[0068] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a network node 204 for use in a wireless communication system, according to various embodiments. The network node 204 may include a network transceiver 902 and a network node processor 904. The network transceiver 902 may be configured to receive a configuration indication 222 from a base node 106 in the wireless communication system. The network node processor 904 may be configured to the configure the network node 204 as an intermediate node 104 of the wireless communication system, based on the network transceiver 902 receiving the configuration indication 222. The network transceiver 902 may be further configured to receive resource pool parameters 312 from the base node 106. The resource pool may include at least one of a frequency- domain resource and a time-domain resource that is available for communication between the intermediate node 104 and at least one other node in the wireless communication system. The network transceiver 902 and the network node processor 904 may be coupled to one another, for example, electrically, communicatively, or mechanically, via the coupling line 910.

[0069] It will be understood that any property described herein for the methods 700A and 700B may also hold for the base node 106 and the network node 204.

[0070] While embodiments of the invention have been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced. It will be appreciated that common numerals, used in the relevant drawings, refer to components that serve a similar or the same purpose.

[0071] It will be appreciated to a person skilled in the art that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0072] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes / flowcharts disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes / flowcharts may be rearranged. Further, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various blocks in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0073] The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more ofA, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof’ include any combination of A, B, and / or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A,B, C, or any combination thereof’ may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, where any such combinations may contain one or more member or members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method (700A) for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: transmitting, by a base node (106) in the wireless communication system to a network node (204) in the wireless communication system, a configuration indication (222) for configuring the network node (204) as an intermediate node (104) of the wireless communication system; and transmitting, by the base node (106) to the intermediate node (104), resource pool parameters (312) defining a resource pool, wherein the resource pool comprises at least one of a frequency-domain resource and a time-domain resource available for communication between the intermediate node (104) and at least one other node in the wireless communication system.

2. The method (700 A) of claim 1, wherein the configuration indication is transmitted via one of X2 interface and Uu interface.

3. The method (700 A) of any preceding claim, further comprising: receiving, by the base node (106) from the network node (204), capability information (212) indicating that the network node (204) is capable of communicating with the at least one other node in the wireless communication system.

4. The method (700A) of claim 3, wherein configuring the network node (204) as the intermediate node (104) is based on receiving the capability information (212) from the network node (204).

5. The method (700A) of any one of claims 3 to 4, wherein the capability information (212) is received via a general control information message.

6. The method (700A) of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the capability information (212) comprises information on other nodes in the wireless communication system, which are in proximity to the network node (204).

7. The method (700 A) of claim 6, wherein the information on the other nodes comprises at least one of: quantity of nodes in the wireless communication system that are in proximity to the network node (204), quantity of nodes in the wireless communication system that are within communication range with the base node (106), and data transmission requirements of the other nodes.

8. The method (700 A) of any one of claims 3 to 7, further comprising: generating, by the base node (106), the resource pool parameters (312) based on the capability information (212).

9. The method (700 A) of any preceding claim, wherein the resource pool parameters (312) are transmitted via a radio resource control message.

10. The method (700 A) of any preceding claim, wherein the time-domain resource in the resource pool comprises a set of time slots (522) that repeats over a specific time interval.

11. The method (700 A) of claim 10, wherein the set of time slots (522) are discontinuous, and wherein the resource pool parameters (312) comprises the specific time interval and at least one of: respective indices of each time slot (522) of the set of time slots (522), and a relation between the indices of the time slots (522).

12. The method (700 A) of claim 10, wherein the set of time slots (522) are continuous, and wherein the resource pool parameters (312) comprises the specific time interval and at least one of: a time period of the time slots (522), andan index range of the time slots (522).

13. The method (700 A) of any preceding claim, wherein the frequency-domain resource in the resource pool comprises a set of subchannels (512), wherein the set of subchannels (512) repeats over a specific frequency interval.

14. The method (700A) of claim 13, wherein the set of subchannels (512) are noncontiguous, and wherein the resource pool parameters (312) comprise the specific frequency interval and at least one of: respective indices of each subchannel (512) of the set of subchannels (512), and a relation between the indices of the subchannels (512).

15. The method (700A) of claim 13, wherein the set of subchannels (512) are contiguous, and wherein the resource pool parameters (312) comprises the specific frequency interval and at least one of: a frequency range of the set of subchannels (512), and an index range of the set of subchannels (512).

16. The method (700 A) of any preceding claim, further comprising: receiving, in the base node (106), a scheduling request from the intermediate node (104), wherein the scheduling request (412) indicates a need for resource for the intermediate node (104) to communicate with another node in the wireless communication system.

17. The method (700 A) of claim 16, further comprising: dynamically allocating, by the base node (106), a portion of the resources defined in the resource pool parameters (312) to fulfil the need for resource for the intermediate node (104) to communicate with another node, based on the scheduling request (412); and transmitting information on the allocation (422) to the intermediate node (104).

18. The method (700 A) of claim 17, wherein information on the allocation (422) is transmitted via at least one of radio resource control message and downlink control information signal.

19. The method (700 A) of any preceding claim, wherein the wireless communication system comprises an ambient loT network, and wherein the at least one other node comprises an ambient loT device (102).

20. A method (700B) for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, the method (700B) comprising: configuring a network node (204) in the wireless communication system as an intermediate node (104) of the wireless communication system, based on the network node (204) receiving a configuration indication (222) from a base node (106) in the wireless communication system; and receiving, by the intermediate node (104), resource pool parameters (312) defining a resource pool, wherein the resource pool comprises at least one of a frequency-domain resource and a time-domain resource available for communication between the intermediate node (104) and at least one other node in the wireless communication system.

21. A base node (800) for use in a wireless communication system, the base node (800) comprising: a base transceiver (802) configured to transmit a configuration indication (212) to a network node (204) in the wireless communication system, for configuring the network node (204) as an intermediate node (104) of the wireless communication system, wherein the base transceiver (802) is further configured to transmit to the intermediate node (104), resource pool parameters (312) defining a resource pool, wherein the resource pool comprises at least one of a frequency-domain resource and a time-domain resource available for communication between the intermediate node (104) and at least one other node in the wireless communication system.

22. A network node (900) for use in a wireless communication system, the network node (900) comprising:a network transceiver (902) configured to receive a configuration indication (222) from a base node (106) in the wireless communication system; a network node processor (904) configured to configure the network node (902) as an intermediate node (104) of the wireless communication system, based on the network transceiver (902) receiving the configuration indication (222), wherein the network transceiver (902) is further configured to receive resource pool parameters (312) from the base node (106), wherein the resource pool parameters (312) define at least one of a frequency-domain resource and a time-domain resource available for communication between the intermediate node (104) and at least one other node in the wireless communication system.

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