WO2023199229A1

WO2023199229A1 - Power saving modes of operation for network-controlled repeaters

Info

Publication number: WO2023199229A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/053710
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ali Ramadan ALI; Karthikeyan Ganesan; Majid GHANBARINEJAD
Original assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd
Current assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2022-04-11
Filing date: 2023-04-11
Publication date: 2023-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-11

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to controlling the power states of repeaters of a communications network. For example, a network can communicate power state instructions (e.g., ON/OFF patterns for various components of the repeaters) to manage their power states when transmitting control information that is utilized by the repeaters. Thus, the network can expand its coverage by deploying network-controlled repeaters that are high performing, cost-effective, and energy efficient, among other benefits.

Description

POWER SAVING MODES OF OPERATION FOR NETWORK-CONTROLLED REPEATERS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/329,802 filed on April 11, 2022, entitled POWER SAVING MODES OF OPERATION FOR NETWORK-CONTROLLED REPERATERS, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and more specifically to controlling power states of network-controlled receivers.

BACKGROUND

[0003] A wireless communications system may include one or multiple network communication devices, such as base stations, which may be otherwise known as an eNodeB (eNB), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), or other suitable terminology. Each network communication device, such as a base station, may support wireless communications for one or multiple user communication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE), or other suitable terminology. The wireless communications system may support wireless communications with one or multiple user communication devices by utilizing resources of the wireless communication system (e.g., time resources (e.g., symbols, slots, subframes, frames, or the like) or frequency resources (e.g., subcarriers, carriers). Additionally, the wireless communications system may support wireless communications across various radio access technologies including third generation (3G) radio access technology, fourth generation (4G) radio access technology, fifth generation (5G) radio access technology, among other suitable radio access technologies beyond 5G.

[0004] In some cases, a wireless communication system may deploy one or more repeaters, which function to extend coverage of a wireless network. Being transparent to the user communications devices, the repeaters can extend the coverage of both downlink and uplink communications between the user communication devices and devices of the wireless communication system, such as base stations or other network entities.

SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure relates to methods, apparatuses, and systems that support controlling the power states of repeaters of a communications network. For example, a network can communicate power state instructions (e.g., ON/OFF patterns for various components of the repeaters) to manage their power states when transmitting control information that is utilized by the repeaters. Thus, the network can expand its coverage by deploying network-controlled repeaters that are high performing, cost-effective, and energy efficient, among other benefits.

[0006] Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include a network entity that transmits power state configuration information to a repeater device that indicates control information monitoring occasions for a control receiver of the repeater device and transmits control information to the repeater device during one or more of the indicated control information monitoring occasions.

[0007] In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the power state configuration information includes a first ON/OFF pattern configured to control power state of a radio-frequency (RF) unit of the control receiver of the repeater device and a second ON/OFF pattern configured to control a power state of a baseband (BB) unit of the control receiver of the repeater device.

[0008] In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the power state configuration information includes an ON/OFF configuration pattern for the control receiver of the repeater device.

[0009] In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the power state configuration information includes control information monitoring occasions when the repeater device monitors radio resource channel (RRC) signaling or repeater common downlink control information (DCI) signaling for repeater specific control resource set (CORESET) information.

[0010] In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the network entity transmits the control information via a Uu interface between the network entity and the repeater device.

[0011] In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the network entity transmits the power state configuration information via a Uu interface between the network entity and the repeater device.

[0012] In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the power state configuration information includes a power state pattern based on a discontinuous reception (DRX) pattern of a user equipment (UE) associated with the repeater device.

[0013] In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the network entity transmits a discontinuous reception (DRX) pattern configuration associated with a user equipment (UE) served by the repeater device.

[0014] In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the power state configuration information includes an indication to the repeater device to utilize a mapping to apply a power state pattern to control operation of a receiver chain of the repeater devi ce based on a control resource set (CORESET) configuration of the repeater device, a carrier frequency of a signal forwarded by the repeater device, a sub-carrier spacing of the signal forwarded by the repeater device, hardware capabilities of the repeater device, or combinations thereof.

[0015] In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the power state configuration information includes: an ON/OFF pattern that controls operation of the control receiver of the repeater device, an ON/OFF pattern that controls operation of a downlink transmitter of the repeater device, and/or ON/OFF pattern based on a discontinuous reception (DRX) pattern of a user equipment (UE) associated with the repeater device. [0016] In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the power state configuration information indicates to the repeater device to operate in an energy-saving mode based on the network entity switching to an energy-saving mode.

[0017] Some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein may further include a network-controlled repeater device that receives power state configuration information from an associated network entity, periodically switches a control receiver of the repeater device to a monitoring state of operation based on the power state configuration information and receives control information from the associated network entity during the monitoring state of operation.

[0018] In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the power state configuration information includes a first power state pattern that controls operation of a radio-frequency (RF) unit of the control receiver of the repeater device to receive the control information and a second power state pattern that controls operation of a baseband (BB) unit of the control receiver to decode the received control information.

[0019] In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the power state configuration information causes the repeater device to switch off the control receiver when the power state configuration information indicates a time period within which no repeater specific Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) information is to be transmitted to the repeater device.

[0020] In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the power state configuration information indicates a time gap between switching on a radiofrequency (RF) unit of the control receiver and switching on a baseband (BB) unit of the control receiver.

[0021] In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the network-controlled repeater device includes a controller that is configured to transmit, based on the power state configuration information, an ON signal to a radio-frequency (RF) unit of the control receiver and a baseband (BB) unit of the control receiver during the monitoring state of operation of the repeater device. [0022] In some implementations of the method and apparatuses described herein, the network-controlled repeater device includes a controller that is configured to transmit, based on the power state configuration information, an OFF signal to a downlink transmitter of the repeater device during the monitoring state of operation of the repeater device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system that supports controlling power states of network-controlled repeaters in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a block diagram that includes components of a network-controlled repeater in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method that supports controlling the power state of a network-controlled repeater in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a diagram that depicts a power state command pattern sent to a repeater in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a diagram that depicts a downlink transmission power state command pattern sent to a repeater in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method that supports controlling the power state of different components of a network-controlled repeater in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a block diagram of a device that supports controlling power states of network-controlled repeaters in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] While repeaters can be effective at extending the coverage of a network to different geographical areas not covered by base stations or other network communication devices or entities, deployment efficiency issues and/or power consumption issues can arise. To enhance their capabilities, a network can provide the repeaters with control information (e.g., side control information), which informs the repeaters of time/spatial information of associated communication interfaces, such as Uu links.

[0031] Using the side control information (e.g., timing information, power control information, UE spatial information, TDD (time division duplex) switching information, and so on), the repeaters can efficiently amplify and/or forward communications between user devices and the network, extending the network coverage for both uplink and downlink communications.

[0032] Regardless of the type of channel via which the side control information is communicated, a network can realize deployment and cost efficiencies when utilizing repeaters to extend its coverage by controlling the power states of the repeaters. For example, the network can communicate power state instructions (e.g., ON/OFF patterns for various components of the repeaters) to manage their power states when transmitting the control information that is utilized by the repeater (e.g., such as via the Uu link). Thus, the network can expand its coverage by deploying network-controlled repeaters that are high performing, cost-effective, and energy efficient, among other benefits.

[0033] Aspects of the present disclosure are described in the context of a wireless communications system. Aspects of the present disclosure are further illustrated and described with reference to the following device diagrams and flowcharts that relate to controlling power states of network-controlled repeaters of a wireless communications network.

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 100 that supports controlling the power states of network-controlled repeaters in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system 100 may include one or more base stations 102, one or more UEs 104, and a core network 106. The wireless communications system 100 may support various radio access technologies. In some implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a 4G network, such as an LTE network or an LTE- Advanced (LTE-A) network. In some other implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a 5G network, such as an NR network. In other implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a combination of a 4G network and a 5G network. The wireless communications system 100 may support radio access technologies beyond 5G. Additionally, the wireless communications system 100 may support technologies, such as time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), or code division multiple access (CDMA), etc.

[0035] The one or more base stations 102 may be dispersed throughout a geographic region to form the wireless communications system 100. One or more of the base stations 102 described herein may be or include or may be referred to as a base transceiver station, an access point, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), or other suitable terminology. A base station 102 and a UE 104 may communicate via a communication link 108, which may be a wireless or wired connection. For example, a base station 102 and a UE 104 may wirelessly communicate over a Uu interface.

[0036] A base station 102 may provide a geographic coverage area 110 for which the base station 102 may support services (e.g., voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc.) for one or more UEs 104 within the geographic coverage area 110. For example, a base station 102 and a UE 104 may support wireless communication of signals related to services (e.g., voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc.) according to one or multiple radio access technologies. In some implementations, a base station 102 may be moveable, for example, a satellite associated with a non-terrestrial network. In some implementations, different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with the same or different radio access technologies may overlap, but the different geographic coverage areas 110 may be associated with different base stations 102. Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0037] In some cases, a repeater 120, or repeater device, communicates with a base station 102 to provide an expanded geographic coverage area 122 for which the base station 102, via the repeater 120, may support services (e.g., voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc.) for one or more UEs 104 within the expanded geographic coverage area 122. The repeater 120, transparent to the one or more UEs 104, can facilitate the uplink and/or downlink communications between the UEs 104 and the base station 102, even though the UEs are located outside of the geographic coverage area 110 provided by the base station 102. The base station 102 can control aspects of the repeater 120, such as by sending control information to the repeater 120 via wireless communication over a Uu interface or Uu link.

[0038] The one or more UEs 104 may be dispersed throughout a geographic region of the wireless communications system 100. A UE 104 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology. In some implementations, the UE 104 may be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE 104 may be referred to as an Internet- of- Things (loT) device, an Internet-of-Everything (loE) device, or machine-type communication (MTC) device, among other examples. In some implementations, a UE 104 may be stationary in the wireless communications system 100. In some other implementations, a UE 104 may be mobile in the wireless communications system 100.

[0039] The one or more UEs 104 may be devices in different forms or having different capabilities. Some examples of UEs 104 are illustrated in FIG. 1. A UE 104 may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as the base stations 102, other UEs 104, or network equipment (e.g., the core network 106, a relay device, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, or another network equipment), as shown in FIG. 1.

Additionally, or alternatively, a UE 104 may support communication with other base stations 102 or UEs 104, which may act as relays in the wireless communications system 100. [0040] A UE 104 may also be able to support wireless communication directly with other UEs 104 over a communication link 112. For example, a UE 104 may support wireless communication directly with another UE 104 over a device-to-device (D2D) communication link. In some implementations, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) deployments, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) deployments, or cellular-V2X deployments, the communication link 112 may be referred to as a sidelink. For example, a UE 104 may support wireless communication directly with another UE 104 over a PC5 interface.

[0041] A base station 102 may support communications with the core network 106, or with another base station 102, or both. For example, a base station 102 may interface with the core network 106 through one or more backhaul links 114 (e.g., via an SI, N2, N2, or another network interface). The base stations 102 may communication with each other over the backhaul links 114 (e.g., via an X2, Xn, or another network interface). In some implementations, the base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly (e.g., between the base stations 102). In some other implementations, the base stations 102 may communicate with each other or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 106). In some implementations, one or more base stations 102 may include subcomponents, such as an access network entity, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC). An ANC may communication with the one or more UEs 104 through one or more other access network transmission entities, which may be referred to as a radio heads, smart radio heads, or transmission-reception points (TRPs).

[0042] The core network 106 may support user authentication, access authorization, tracking, connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 106 may be an evolved packet core (EPC), or a 5G core (5GC), which may include a control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management functions (AMF)) and a user plane entity that routes packets or interconnects to external networks (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)). In some implementations, the control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for the one or more UEs 104 served by the one or more base stations 102 associated with the core network 106. [0043] As described herein, various types of network nodes can offer blanket coverage or coverage flexibility for a network. For example, Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) nodes do not utilize a wired backhaul, and repeaters (e.g., RF repeaters) act to amplify and forward received signals to other nodes, entities, or devices of the network, such as the UEs 104 within the coverage area 122.

[0044] While RF repeaters extend the coverage of a network via amplify-and-forward operations, in some cases they can be limited without knowledge of certain information for the network, such as information associated with a semi-static and/or dynamic downlink/uplink configuration of the network, adaptive transmitter/receiver spatial beamforming for the network, power state modes, and so on.

[0045] Thus, deployment of network-controlled repeaters (NCRs), which can function to receive and process side control information from the network, can enhance the coverage of the network by performing amplify-and-forward operations in a more efficient manner. Further, the NCRs can provide other benefits to the network, including mitigation of unnecessary noise amplification, enhanced spatial directivity of communications, a simplified network integration, and so on.

[0046] In some embodiments, the network controls a repeater or repeater device, such as the repeater 120, by sending power state configuration information to the repeater 120, which can function to configure the power state of the repeater 120 during reception and/or processing of control information transmitted by a network entity, such as the base station 102.

[0047] The network, in such cases, can consider and/or interact with the repeater 120 as a new or different device category within the network. For example, when the network signals power state (e.g., ON/OFF) configuration for the repeater 120, the network can utilize a Uu link to the repeater 120 (or an associated UE 104). When sending control signals, the network can consider the repeater 120 as being of low complexity and having a subset of UE capabilities for decoding Uu link channel information, such as capabilities for detecting synchronization signals, decoding master information block (MIB) information, system information block (SIB) information, and/or decoding Physical Downlink Control Channels (PDCCHs) that carry side control information to the repeater 120 from the network.

[0048] Thus, the network benefits from controlling the power state of the repeater 120, such that the repeater 120 only switches on certain components (e.g., a control receiver that includes a radio-frequency (RF) unit and a base band (BB) unit) when monitoring for, receiving, and/or decoding control information (e.g., in-band side control information) sent to the receiver. Further, the network can control other components, such as components (e.g., a power amplifier of a forward link transmitter) that perform the forward-and-amplify functions of the receiver, when there are signals (e.g., uplink or downlink signals) to be forwarded to the UEs 104 or the base station 102 of the network.

[0049] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a block diagram that includes components of the network-controlled repeater 120 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The repeater 120 includes a control receiver 210 that decodes control information sent to the repeater 120 by the network, and a controller 220 that receives power state configuration information (e.g., various ON/OFF configuration patterns) from the network and controls the power state of the control receiver 210 (e.g., when the control receiver 210 is turned on or off ) to monitor for, receive, and/or decode control information.

[0050] The control receiver 210 includes an RF transceiver 217, which can have an analog or digital down converter (DDC), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) or a chain of converters (an RF chain or RF unit) that synchronizes signals (e.g., having control information) received from the network and a base band unit (BB unit) 215 that decodes the received control information. Thus, the controller 220 can send ON/OFF commands to the RF unit 217 and/or the BB unit 215 of the control receiver 210 based on a power state configuration for the repeater that was provided by the network.

[0051] For example, the repeater 120 (e.g., repeater device or repeater node) can be configured (e.g., pre-configured) by the network with semi-static power state configuration information (e.g., ON/OFF configuration patterns) to effect reduced power consumption by the control receiver 210. For example, the power state configuration information can cause the controller 220 to control the power state of the control receiver 210 to monitor common DCI (downlink control information) and decode information identifying locations and/or periodicity of a repeater specific CORESET (control resource set) carrying side control information in repeater specific DCI. For example, the locations of the repeater specific CORESET can be in a same bandwidth partition (BWP) or a different BWP of a forward link of the repeater 120.

[0052] In some cases, the power state configuration information is based on the locations and the periodicity of the repeater CORESET. For example, a network entity (e.g., the gNB) transmits the power state information as a combination of ON/OFF configuration patterns along with the semi-static configuration for monitoring the control channel.

[0053] As another example, the network entity can transmit power state configuration information that causes the controller 220 to implement the ON/OFF configuration patterns to match or follow defined monitoring occasions within which the control receiver 210 monitors the PDCCH for control information. Following the example, the controller 220 switches on the control receiver 210 during the monitoring occasions (e.g., to receive and decode the control information on slots used to transmit the control information from the gNB to the repeater 120) and switches off the control receiver 210 outside of the monitoring occasions, such as when no control information is expected in a repeater specific PDCCH.

[0054] In some embodiments, the power state configuration information can include time gap patterns. Since RF components (e.g., the RF unit 217) can take some time to ramp up to be fully operational, the ON/OFF configuration patterns can include time gaps, which cause the controller 210 to switch the RF unit 217 on before receiving control information via the PDCCH. The time gap, or delay, can be based on the hardware capabilities of the repeater 120, as well as the cyclic prefix (CP) length and/or the sub-carrier spacing used for the control channel. In some cases, the power state configuration information can include a table or other data structure that maps time gap information and carrier frequency, subcarrier spacing, CP length, and/or other parameters. [0055] Further, the configuration information can also indicate gaps or differences in the timing of the RF unit 217 and the BB unit 215, where the controller 210 switches off the BB unit 215 after switching off the RF unit 217, due to the BB unit 215 completing processing operations after the RF unit 217. Thus, the power state configuration information can include two different power state patterns, an ON/OFF pattern for the RF unit 217 (or RF circuit) and an ON/OFF pattern for the BB unit 215, based on the processing capabilities of the repeater 120 or its components.

[0056] The repeater 120 can operate as follows. To decode the control information, the repeater 120 receives, via a downlink Uu signal, the in-band control information using an RF chain (e.g., the RF unit 217) and the base band unit 215. The controller 220 generates the ON/OFF commands based on the power state configuration provided by the network.

[0057] The main components 230 of the repeater 120 receive a signal from the base station 120. The DL signal can be split into two parts after being received by a low noise amplifier (LNA) using a power splitter 232, where one part is forwarded to a power amplifier 234 to be transmitted to the UE 104, and the second part is down converted by the RF unit 217 and processed by the BB unit 215 for decoding the received side control information. As depicted, the components 230 of the repeater 120 (e.g., a dual-band repeater) include power amplifiers (e.g., the UL power amplifier 234 and a DL power amplifier 236) and duplex filters 238, among other components (not shown).

[0058] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method 300 that supports controlling the power state of a network-controlled repeater in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 300 may be implemented by a device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 300 may be performed by the repeater 120 as described with reference to FIG. 7. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

[0059] At operation 310, the method 300 may include receiving power state configuration information from an associate network entity, such as the base station 102. For example, the controller 220 of the repeater 120 can receive power state patterns (e.g., ON/OFF patterns) for the control receiver 210 of the repeater 120. The operations of step 310 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of step 310 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0060] At operation 320, the method 300 may include switching a control receiver of the repeater device to a monitoring state of operation based on the power state configuration information. The operations of step 320 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of step 320 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0061] At operation 330, the method 300 may include receiving control information from the associated network entity during the monitoring state of operation. The operations of step 330 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of step 330 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0062] Thus, as described herein, the controller 210 can switch on/off the control receiver 220 based on the power state configuration instructions. FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a diagram that depicts a power state command pattern 400 sent to a repeater in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0063] Based on a semi-static power state configuration, which indicates locations of repeater control information, the controller sends a power state command pattern 420 to the repeater 120. For example, the power state command pattern 420 includes a sleep command 410 that is sent to the RF circuit 217 and the base band unit 215 to switch off when there is no control information expected (e.g., indicated by the configuration 420). The power state command pattern also includes a wakeup command 415, which causes the RF circuit 217 and the BB unit 215 to switch on to monitor for the repeater specific CORESET 425 (e.g., during monitoring occasions).

[0064] As described herein, the wakeup command 415 can indicate a time gap between when the RF unit 217 is switched on (and off) and when the BB unit 215 is switched on (and then off). Thus, in some embodiments, the power state configuration information includes an ON/OFF pattern that includes a receiver sleep period for the repeater 120 and a monitoring wake up period for the repeater 120.

[0065] In some embodiments, the power state configuration information (e.g., semistatic ON/OFF configuration information) includes power state configuration for a forward link transmitter of the repeater 120, such as a power state configuration to switch on/off the power amplifier 234. The ON/OFF configuration information can be based on the in-based control information and/or based on the configuration of a UE associated with the repeater 120.

[0066] For example, given the low complexity of the repeater 120, it can have limited capabilities to synchronize with the network and decode physical channels to monitor for side control information. The network can configure the repeater 120 via radio resource channel (RRC) signaling or repeater common downlink control information (DCI) signaling for repeater specific (CORESET) information. The locations of the repeater specific CORESET can be in a same bandwidth partition (BWP) or a different BWP of a forward link of the repeater 120.

[0067] As depicted in FIG. 2, the repeater 120 can receive a signal from the base station 120. The DL signal can be split into two parts after being received by the low noise amplifier (LNA) using the power splitter 232, where one part is forwarded to a power amplifier 234 to be transmitted to the UE 104, and the second part is down converted by the RF unit 217 and processed by the BB unit 215 for decoding the received side control information.

[0068] Thus, the controller 220 of the repeater 120 can switch on/off the DL transmitter based on the power state configuration instructions. FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a diagram that depicts a downlink transmission power state command pattern 500 sent to a repeater in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0069] Based on the semi-static power state configuration, which indicates locations and/or periodicity of the repeater CORESET 425, the controller 220 sends a power state command pattern 420 to the repeater 120. For example, the power state command pattern 420 includes an off command 510 for the DL transmitter during slots used to transmit the control information from the network to the repeater 120, which can assist in reducing power consumption by the repeater 120 and reduce interference, among other benefits.

[0070] The controller 220 can switch the DL transmitter on via a transmitter on command 515 when the repeater 120 is not within a PDCCH monitoring occasion, as depicted in FIG. 4. Thus, the power state configuration information can include a period when the DL transmitter is turned off (e.g., during monitoring occasions for the control receiver 220) and when the DL transmitter is turned on (e.g., to perform forward-and- amplify functions via the forward link.

[0071] In some embodiments, the network can configure the repeater 120 to control the power state of the DL transmitter based on a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration of an associated UE or UEs. For example, the gNB or other network entity can identify the UEs 104 served by the repeater, and transmit an indication to the repeater 120 to apply an ON/OFF pattern using the DRX configuration of the UEs 104 (e.g., an ON/OFF pattern based on a drx-Config message and the related DRX cycles, ON durations and timers, and so on). Using the DRX information, the repeater 120 switches off DL transmission during a sleep period or other inactive time period of the UEs 104, and switches on DL transmission during the ON durations when the UEs 104 receive wake up signals from the gNB or are otherwise active.

[0072] In some cases, the network entity sends the wakeup command to the repeater 120 to switch on DL transmission before sending the wakeup command to the UE, in order to compensate for any ramp up time for the RF unit 217 of the repeater 120. Also, when the repeater 120 applies an ON/OFF pattern for specific slots (and not the whole band), the ON/OFF configuration is sent to the repeater 120 when the UEs are scheduled in time, or when the UEs, scheduled in frequency in the same slot, have the same DRX configuration.

[0073] In some embodiments, a network entity, such as the gNB, can enter a network energy saving mode (e.g., a mode that includes reduced carrier, beam/antenna panels, SSB sweeping period) depending on the traffic load. During the energy saving mode, the network entity can transmit a signaling pattern or message to instruct the repeater 120 to enter the energy saving mode along with the network entity.

[0074] As described herein, the network controls the repeater 120 to follow a scheduled set of wakeup periods when monitoring for control information. The network sends power state configuration information to indicate the schedule wakeup period, which may or may not instruct the repeater 120 to switch on when receiving synchronization signals. Thus, in some embodiments, the network entity sends synchronization signals processed by the repeater 120, so the repeater 120 maintains synchronization with the network entity.

[0075] For example, the repeater 120 can be configured to turn on synchronization signal processing, to maintain synchronization for enhanced wakeup performance when synchronized with the network entity. In some cases, a frequency/periodicity of processing synchronization signals is based on the accuracy (ppm) of an internal oscillator of the repeater 120. The network entity can assist the repeater 120 by indicating a suitable synchronization signal, or a subset of suitable synchronization signals to the repeater 120, and/or scheduling the repeater specific CORESETs next to the synchronization signals, such that the repeater 120 does not separately perform a power state operation to perform synchronization and/or receive the signals.

[0076] As described herein, the network entity, such as the base station 102, controls the repeater 120 by sending power state configuration to the repeater 120. FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method 600 that supports controlling the power state of different components of a network-controlled repeater in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0077] The operations of the method 600 may be implemented by a device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 600 may be performed by the base station 102 as described with reference to FIG. 7. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware. [0078] At operation 610, the method 600 may include transmitting power state configuration information to a repeater device that indicates control information monitoring occasions for a control receiver of the repeater device. The operations of step 610 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of step 610 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0079] For example, the power state configuration information can include an ON/OFF pattern that controls operation of the control receiver of the repeater device, an ON/OFF pattern that controls operation of a downlink transmitter of the repeater device, and/or an ON/OFF pattern based on a discontinuous reception (DRX) pattern of a user equipment (UE) associated with the repeater device.

[0080] In operation 620, the method 600 may include transmitting control information to the repeater device during one or more of the indicated control information monitoring occasions. The operations of step 620 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of step 620 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0081] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a block diagram 700 of a device 702, which supports controlling power states of repeaters in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 702 may be an example of the base station 102, as described herein. The device 702 may support wireless communication with one or more base stations 102, UEs 104, or any combination thereof. The device 702 may include components for bidirectional communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communications manager 704, a processor 706, a memory 707, a receiver 710, transmitter 712, and an I/O controller 714. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses).

[0082] The communications manager 704, the receiver 710, the transmitter 712, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of the present disclosure as described herein. For example, the communications manager 704, the receiver 710, the transmitter 712, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0083] In some implementations, the communications manager 704, the receiver 710, the transmitter 712, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry). The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some implementations, the processor 706 and the memory 708 coupled with the processor 706 may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing, by the processor 706, instructions stored in the memory 708).

[0084] Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the communications manager 704, the receiver 710, the transmitter 712, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e.g., as communications management software or firmware) executed by the processor 706. If implemented in code executed by the processor 706, the functions of the communications manager 704, the receiver 710, the transmitter 712, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general- purpose processor, a DSP, a central processing unit (CPU), an ASIC, an FPGA, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure).

[0085] In some implementations, the communications manager 704 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 710, the transmitter 712, or both. For example, the communications manager 704 may receive information from the receiver 710, send information to the transmitter 712, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 710, the transmitter 712, or both to receive information, transmit information, or perform various other operations as described herein. Although the communications manager 704 is illustrated as a separate component, in some implementations, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 704 may be supported by or performed by the processor 706, the memory 708, or any combination thereof. For example, the memory 708 may store code, which may include instructions executable by the processor 706 to cause the device 702 to perform various aspects of the present disclosure as described herein, or the processor 706 and the memory 708 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0086] For example, the communications manager 704 may support wireless communication at a first device (e.g., the device 702) in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The communications manager 704 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for controlling the repeater 120 for power saving operations. For example, the communications manager can: transmit power state configuration information to a repeater device that indicates control information monitoring occasions for a control receiver of the repeater device and transmit control information to the repeater device during one or more of the indicated control information monitoring occasions.

[0087] The processor 706 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general- purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some implementations, the processor 706 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other implementations, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor 706. The processor 706 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 708) to cause the device 702 to perform various functions of the present disclosure.

[0088] The memory 708 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The memory 708 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 706 cause the device 702 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some implementations, the code may not be directly executable by the processor 706 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some implementations, the memory 708 may include, among other things, a basic I/O system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0089] The I/O controller 714 may manage input and output signals for the device 702. The I/O controller 714 may also manage peripherals not integrated into the device 702. In some implementations, the I/O controller 714 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral. In some implementations, the I/O controller 714 may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS/2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system. In some implementations, the I/O controller 714 may be implemented as part of a processor, such as the processor 706. In some implementations, a user may interact with the device 702 via the I/O controller 714 or via hardware components controlled by the I/O controller 714.

[0090] In some implementations, the device 702 may include a single antenna 716. However, in some other implementations, the device 702 may have more than one antenna 716, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The receiver 710 and the transmitter 712 may communicate bi-directionally, via the one or more antennas 716, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, the receiver 710 and the transmitter 712 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver may also include a modem to modulate the packets, to provide the modulated packets to one or more antennas 716 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one or more antennas 716.

[0091] In addition to supporting wireless communication at a first device, such as the UE 104, the communications manager 704, when implemented as part of the repeater 120, can support wireless communication at a second device (e.g., the device 702) in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The communications manager 704 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for operating various components of the repeater 120, as described herein. For example, the communications manager 704 can: receive power state configuration information from an associated network entity, switch on a control receiver to a monitoring state of operation of the repeater device based on the power state configuration information and receive control information from the associated network entity during the monitoring state of operation.

[0092] The various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0093] The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0094] Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor.

[0095] Any connection may be properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer- readable media.

[0096] As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of’ or “one or more of’) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on. Further, as used herein, including in the claims, a “set” may include one or more elements.

[0097] The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “example” used herein means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.” The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described example.

[0098] The description herein is provided to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A network entity, comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled with the processor, the processor configured to: transmit power state configuration information to a repeater device that indicates control information monitoring occasions for a control receiver of the repeater device; and transmit control information to the repeater device during one or more of the indicated control information monitoring occasions.

2. The network entity of claim 1, wherein the power state configuration information includes: a first ON/OFF pattern configured to control power state of a radio-frequency (RF) unit of the control receiver of the repeater device; and a second ON/OFF pattern configured to control a power state of a baseband (BB) unit of the control receiver of the repeater device.

3. The network entity of claim 1, wherein the power state configuration information includes an ON/OFF configuration pattern for the control receiver of the repeater device.

4. The network entity of claim 1, wherein the power state configuration information includes control information monitoring occasions when the repeater device monitors radio resource channel (RRC) signaling or repeater common downlink control information (DCI) signaling for repeater specific control resource set (CORESET) information.

5. The network entity of claim 1, wherein, to transmit the power state configuration information, the processor is configured to transmit the control information via a Uu interface between the network entity and the repeater device.

6. The network entity of claim 1, wherein, to transmit the power state configuration information, the processor is configured to transmit the power state configuration information via a Uu interface between the network entity and the repeater device.

7. The network entity of claim 1, wherein the power state configuration information includes a power state pattern based on a discontinuous reception (DRX) pattern of a user equipment (UE) associated with the repeater device.

8. The network entity of claim 1, wherein the power state configuration information includes a power-off pattern that overlaps with a discontinuous reception (DRX) pattern of a user equipment (UE) associated with the repeater device in a time domain.

9. The network entity of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit, to the repeater device, a discontinuous reception (DRX) pattern configuration associated with a user equipment (UE) served by the repeater device.

10. The network entity of claim 1 , wherein the power state configuration information includes an indication to the repeater device to utilize a mapping to apply a power state pattern to control operation of a receiver chain of the repeater device based on a control resource set (CORESET) configuration of the repeater device, a carrier frequency of a signal forwarded by the repeater device, a sub-carrier spacing of the signal forwarded by the repeater device, hardware capabilities of the repeater device, or combinations thereof.

11. The network entity of claim 1 , wherein the power state configuration information indicates to the repeater device to operate in an energy-saving mode based on the network entity switching to an energy-saving mode.

12. A method performed by a network entity, the method comprising: transmitting power state configuration information to a repeater device that indicates control information monitoring occasions for a control receiver of the repeater device; and transmitting control information to the repeater device during one or more of the indicated control information monitoring occasions.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the power state configuration information includes: an ON/OFF pattern that controls operation of the control receiver of the repeater device; an ON/OFF pattern that controls operation of a downlink transmitter of the repeater device; or an ON/OFF pattern based on a discontinuous reception (DRX) pattern of a user equipment (UE) associated with the repeater device.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the power state configuration information includes: a first ON/OFF pattern configured to control power state of a radio-frequency (RF) unit of the control receiver of the repeater device; and a second ON/OFF pattern configured to control a power state of a baseband (BB) unit of the control receiver of the repeater device.

15. A network-controlled repeater device, comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled with the processor, the processor configured to: receive power state configuration information from an associated network entity; periodically switch a control receiver of the repeater device to a monitoring state of operation based on the power state configuration information; and receive control information from the associated network entity during the monitoring state of operation.

16. The network-controlled repeater device of claim 15, wherein the power state configuration information includes: a first power state pattern that controls operation of a radio-frequency (RF) unit of the control receiver of the repeater device to receive the control information; and a second power state pattern that controls operation of a baseband (BB) unit of the control receiver to decode the received control information.

17. The network-controlled repeater device of claim 15, wherein the power state configuration information causes the repeater device to switch off the control receiver when the power state configuration information indicates a time period within which no repeater specific Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) information is to be transmitted to the repeater device.

18. The network-controlled repeater device of claim 15, wherein the power state configuration information indicates a time gap between switching on a radio-frequency (RF) unit of the control receiver and switching on a baseband (BB) unit of the control receiver.

19. The network-controlled repeater device of claim 15, wherein the processor is part of a controller of the receiver device that is configured to transmit, based on the power state configuration information, an ON signal to a radio-frequency (RF) unit of the control receiver and a baseband (BB) unit of the control receiver during the monitoring state of operation of the repeater device.

20. The network-controlled repeater device of claim 15, wherein the processor is part of a controller of the receiver device that is configured to transmit, based on the power state configuration information, an OFF signal to a downlink transmitter of the repeater device during the monitoring state of operation of the repeater device.