Abstract: A base station can operate a first serving cell on a licensed carrier frequency and a second serving cell on an unlicensed carrier frequency. The base station can perform a listen before talk (LBT) on the unlicensed carrier frequency for a first time duration. The base station can determine that the unlicensed carrier frequency is free. The base station can transmit an activation command on the first serving cell for receipt by a UE, the activation command being configured to activate the UE to receive transmissions from the base station on the second serving cell. The base station can transmit after determining that the unlicensed carrier frequency is free, a reserve transmission on the unlicensed carrier frequency at least until the base station begins transmission of the activation command on the first serving cell.

Abstract: Embodiments of a virtualized radio-access network (RAN) node configured to implement functions including an O-RAN Distributed Unit (DU), an O-RAN Radio Unit (RU), an O-RAN Central Unit-Control Plane (CU-CP), and an O-RAN Central Unit-User Plane (CU-UP), are described herein. In some embodiments, a reliability enhancement strategy is determined according to measurement reports collected from user equipment (UEs), the DU and the CU-UP.

Abstract: Systems, method, and devices provide for recovery from backhaul failures for Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) communication systems with multi-hop routing.

Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions for execution by one or more processors of a UE. The instructions to configure the UE for a streamlined transmission during low latency communications in a wireless network and to cause the UE to decode configuration signaling from a base station. The configuration signaling configures SR occasions for the UE. The UE detects availability of a UL data packet from an application layer, a size of the UL data packet being higher than a size of a TTI associated with a pre-defined slot boundary. An SR is encoded for transmission during one of the SR occasions, the SR including an indication based on the size. Control information is decoded in response to the SR, the control information including a scheduling grant based on the size of the UL data packet. The UL data packet is encoded for transmission using the scheduling grant.

Abstract: Embodiments of an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) donor, IAB node, and methods of communication are generally described herein. An IAB network may comprise a plurality of IAB nodes to operate as relays between the IAB donor and one or more User Equipment (UE). The IAB donor may, for each of the IAB nodes, allocate a plurality of subframes to the IAB node. Each allocated subframe may have a subframe type that is one of: a downlink subframe, an uplink subframe, a flexible subframe or a not available subframe. The IAB donor may transmit, from a central unit (CU) of the IAB donor to a distributed unit (DU) an IAB node over an F1 interface, a resource coordination request message that indicates the subframe types of the plurality of subframes.

Abstract: Technology for an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node in an IAB network is disclosed. The IAB node can decode, at a distributed unit (DU) of the IAB node, a first resource request received from one of a user equipment (UE) or a child IAB node, wherein the first resource request is associated with the UE. The IAB node can encode, at a mobile terminal (MT) of the IAB node, a second resource request for transmission to the parent IAB node or the IAB donor triggered by receipt of the first resource request, wherein the second resource request is transmitted prior to a receipt of a protocol data unit (PDU) at the DU of the IAB node.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide flow control for uplink traffic in an integrated access and backhaul network. A first relay node determines that its uplink buffer has reached an occupancy level higher than a pre-determined level. In response, the first relay node transmits, to a second relay node associated with the first relay node, a message indicating a buffer occupancy status of the uplink buffer of the first relay node.

Abstract: A network controller may configure one or more channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) configurations for transmitting RSs to user equipments (UEs) for tracking. A CSI-RS configuration may specify a set of CSI-RS resources for transmitting RSs in two consecutive slots. The set of CSI-RS resources may include a plurality of one-port CSI-RS resources configured according to the CSI-RS configuration. The CSI-RS configuration may specify a quasi co-location (QCL) configuration including a set of QCL parameters, where a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) has a QCL relationship with the RS with respect to the set of QCL parameters. The network controller may signal the one or more CSI-RS configurations to UEs.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus and a method for congestion handling in RAN. The disclosure provides an apparatus for a relay node in a RAN including the relay node and a donor node providing an interface to a core network and a backhaul link to the relay node. The apparatus includes a RF interface to receive and transmit downlink data for one or more UEs or UE bearers; and a processing circuitry coupled with the RF interface. The processing circuitry is to determine a downlink congestion occurs at the relay node; and generate a downlink congestion indication to identify a UE or a UE bearer or a backhaul RLC channel affected by the downlink congestion. The RF interface is to transmit the downlink congestion indication to the donor node. In addition to the downlink congestion handling, the relay node can also be to handle uplink congestion in a similar way.

Abstract: A network controller may configure one or more channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) configurations for transmitting RSs to user equipments (UEs) for tracking. A CSI-RS configuration may specify a set of CSI-RS resources for transmitting RSs in two consecutive slots. The set of CSI-RS resources may include a plurality of one-port CSI-RS resources configured according to the CSI-RS configuration. The CSI-RS configuration may specify a quasi co-location (QCL) configuration including a set of QCL parameters, where a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) has a QCL relationship with the RS with respect to the set of QCL parameters. The network controller may signal the one or more CSI-RS configurations to UEs.

Abstract: An efficient random access procedure is provided for reduced control overhead of connections in random access systems. A base station transmits one or more synchronization signal (SS) blocks. A UE detects and determines a preferred SS block. The UE transmits multiple random access signals (e.g., PRACH signals) in a RACH occasion. Each PRACH signal is transmitted on a different beam and includes a RACH preamble. The base station receives one or more of the PRACH signals. The RACH occasion and optionally the RACH preamble identify the preferred SS block. The base station determines a preferred PRACH signal. The base station sends a RAR to the UE using the transmit beam of the preferred SS block. The RAR indicates the preferred PRACH signal and an uplink resource allocation. The UE receives the RAR and transmits a message using the transmit beam of the preferred PRACH signal and the uplink resource allocation.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein provide techniques for integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes. For example, embodiments include techniques associated with: rate-proportional routing for network coding; utilizing multiple routes in IAB networks; user equipment (UE) and parent selection for efficient topology in IAB networks; establishing efficient IAB topologies; and/or adaptive coded-forwarding for network coding. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein provide techniques for integrated access and backhaul (IAB) networks. For example, embodiments include techniques for network coding and/or establishing delay-efficient IAB network topologies. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: First aperiodic zero power channel state information reference signal configuration information of a serving cell can be transmitted. Second aperiodic zero power channel state information reference signal configuration information of the serving cell can be transmitted. Downlink control information can be transmitted on a physical control channel in a subframe of the serving cell. The downlink control information can include an aperiodic zero power channel state information reference signal indicator bit field that indicates a selection of one of at least the first aperiodic zero power channel state information reference signal configuration, the second aperiodic zero power channel state information reference signal configuration, and no aperiodic zero power channel state information reference signal in the subframe.

Abstract: A network controller may configure one or more channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) configurations for transmitting RSs to user equipments (UEs) for tracking. A CSI-RS configuration may specify a set of CSI-RS resources for transmitting RSs in two consecutive slots. The set of CSI-RS resources may include a plurality of one-port CSI-RS resources configured according to the CSI-RS configuration. The CSI-RS configuration may specify a quasi co-location (QCL) configuration including a set of QCL parameters, where a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) has a QCL relationship with the RS with respect to the set of QCL parameters. The network controller may signal the one or more CSI-RS configurations to UEs.

Abstract: User Equipments (UEs) may be assigned a set of aggregated component carriers for downlink carrier aggregation and/or carrier selection. Some UEs may be incapable of transmitting uplink signals over all component carriers in their assigned set of aggregated component carriers. In such scenarios, a UE may need to perform SRS switching in order to transmit SRS symbols over all of the component carriers. Embodiments of this disclosure provide various techniques for facilitating SRS switching. For example, a radio resource control (RRC) message may be used to signal a periodic SRS configuration parameter. As another example, a downlink control indication (DCI) message may be used to signal an aperiodic SRS configuration parameter. Many other examples are also provided.

Abstract: A method for operating a user equipment with multi-beam communication capability includes performing measurements in accordance with received reference signals, and determining that at least one antenna panel is unused, wherein the determining is in accordance with the measurements, and based thereon, reporting an availability of the at least one antenna panel.

Abstract: A network controller may configure one or more channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) configurations for transmitting RSs to user equipments (UEs) for tracking. A CSI-RS configuration may specify a set of CSI-RS resources for transmitting RSs in two consecutive slots. The set of CSI-RS resources may include a plurality of one-port CSI-RS resources configured according to the CSI-RS configuration. The CSI-RS configuration may specify a quasi co-location (QCL) configuration including a set of QCL parameters, where a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) has a QCL relationship with the RS with respect to the set of QCL parameters. The network controller may signal the one or more CSI-RS configurations to UEs.

Abstract: First aperiodic zero power channel state information reference signal configuration information of a serving cell can be received. Second aperiodic zero power channel state information reference signal configuration information of the serving cell can be received. Downlink control information can be received on a physical control channel in a subframe of the serving cell. The downlink control information can include an aperiodic zero power channel state information reference signal indicator bit field that indicates a selection of one of at least the first aperiodic zero power channel state information reference signal configuration, the second aperiodic zero power channel state information reference signal configuration, and no aperiodic zero power channel state information reference signal in the subframe.

Abstract: A method for a base station can create a subframe structure used in communication between the base station and a UE. The subframe structure can include a plurality of subframes each having a subframe duration. The method can include operating a serving cell on a carrier frequency. The method can include performing a LBT on the carrier frequency for a time duration that at least partially overlaps a terminal portion of a subframe duration of a first subframe of the plurality of subframes. The method can include determining a position of a starting OFDM symbol for transmitting a control channel in a second subframe of the plurality of subframes based on the time duration of the LBT. The subframe duration of the second subframe can occur immediately after the subframe duration of the first subframe.