BACKGROUND

Field

Various communication systems may benefit from improved network signaling. For example, certain embodiments may benefit from an improved connection between relay nodes and network entities.

Description of the Related Art

Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) New Radio (NR) or 5thGeneration (5G) technology include functions that allow for minimal manual effort to be performed when deploying a network using NR or 5G technology. For example, one function provided for is automated self-configuration. When utilizing higher frequency bands, NR or 5G technology also provides for easy coverage extension with minimized or no requirements of network planning or re-planning in a fast and cost-efficient manner. To help facilitate the above, a wireless backhaul is used to connect relay nodes, which are also referred to as Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) nodes, to each other and to base stations with a fixed connection.

As discussed above, a relay node (RN) or IAB node is included as part of a communication system that utilizes NR or 5G technology. One or more RN or IAB nodes are connected to one another. The RN or IAB node also has a wireless backhaul connection, instead of a wired connection, which connects the RN or IAB node to a donor 5G or NR NodeB (DgNB) or another IAB node. DgNB is a base station with a fixed connection to the network backhaul. A serving DgNB controls the usage of the radio resources in the communication system, and considers both access and backhaul links as part of the radio resource allocation.

SUMMARY

One example embodiment is directed to a method, which may include receiving at a user equipment part of an integrated access and backhaul node downlink information from a donor node, the downlink information comprising at least F1 application protocol information. The method may also include forwarding the downlink information comprising at least the F1 application protocol information from the user equipment part of the integrated access and backhaul node to a radio access network part of the integrated access and backhaul node.

Another example embodiment is directed to an apparatus, which may include at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to receive at a user equipment part of an integrated access and backhaul node downlink information from a donor node, the downlink information comprising at least F1 application protocol information. The apparatus may also be caused to forward the downlink information comprising at least the F1 application protocol information from the user equipment part of the integrated access and backhaul node to a radio access network part of the integrated access and backhaul node.

In an example embodiment, the donor node may include a donor node central unit for the downlink information. In another example embodiment, downlink information may be aggregated with other data on a backhaul link. According to a further example embodiment, a signaling radio bearer may be passed over the backhaul link, and the downlink information at the user equipment part of the integrated access and backhaul node may be received via the signaling radio bearer.

In another example embodiment, the downlink information may be received at the user equipment part of the integrated access and backhaul node as a radio resource control message or signal. According to an example embodiment, the signaling radio bearer may include an identifier, and the identifier may be a logical channel identifier. In an example embodiment the method may include identifying, based on an identifier within the radio resource control message or the logical channel identifier used for the signaling radio bearer, that the received downlink information should be forwarded to the radio access network part of the integrated access and backhaul node.

According to an example embodiment, the downlink information forwarded from the user equipment part of the integrated access and backhaul node to the radio network part of the integrated access and backhaul node updates a configuration of the radio access network part of the integrated access and backhaul node. In an example embodiment, the backhaul link may be used when the integrated access and backhaul node is in a radio link control acknowledged mode. According to an example embodiment, the backhaul link may include at least one of a radio link control layer, a medium access control layer, or an adaptation layer.

In a further example embodiment, the donor node central unit may include an internal user plane function. In yet another example embodiment, a signal of at least one of a non-access stratum service or a protocol data unit service may be transmitted via the integrated access and backhaul node. According to an example embodiment, the signaling radio bearer may terminate at the user equipment part of the integrated access and backhaul node.

Another example embodiment may be directed to an apparatus, which may include receiving means for receiving, at a user equipment part of an integrated access and backhaul node downlink information from a donor node, the downlink information comprising F1 application protocol information. The apparatus may also include forwarding means for forwarding the downlink information comprising at least the F1 application protocol information from the user equipment part of the integrated access and backhaul node to a radio access network part of the integrated access and backhaul node.

Another example embodiment may be directed to a method, which may include creating at a donor node, downlink information for an integrated access and backhaul node, wherein the downlink information comprises at least F1 application protocol information. The method may also include transmitting the downlink information comprising at least the F1 application protocol information from the donor node to a user equipment part of the integrated access and backhaul node.

Another example embodiment may be directed to an apparatus, which may include at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to create at a donor node, downlink information for an integrated access and backhaul node, wherein the downlink information comprises at least F1 application protocol information. The apparatus may also be caused to transmit the downlink information comprising at least the F1 application protocol information from the donor node to a user equipment part of the integrated access and backhaul node.

In certain example embodiments, the donor node may include a donor node central unit for creating the downlink information. In another example embodiment, the downlink information may be aggregated with other data on a backhaul link. In an example embodiment, the downlink information created at the donor node central unit for the radio access network part of the integrated access and backhaul node may be at least F1 application protocol information encapsulated into radio resource control protocol information.

In another example embodiment, a signaling radio bearer may be passed over a backhaul link, and the downlink information transmitted to the user equipment part of the integrated access and backhaul node may be transmitted via the signaling radio bearer. According to another example embodiment, the downlink information is transmitted from the donor node central unit to the user equipment part of the integrated access and backhaul node as a radio resource control message or signal. In a further example embodiment, the signaling radio bearer may be identified by an identifier, and the identifier may be a logical channel identifier.

According to an example embodiment, the downlink information created at the donor node central unit for the radio access network part of the integrated access and backhaul node may be configured to update a configuration of the radio access network part of the integrated access and backhaul node. In another example embodiment, the backhaul link may be used when the integrated access and backhaul node is in a radio link control acknowledged mode.

According to another example embodiment, the backhaul link may include at least one of a radio link control layer, a medium access control layer, or an adaptation layer. According to a further example embodiment, the donor node central unit may include an internal user plane function. In another example embodiment, the signaling radio bearer may terminate at the user equipment part of the integrated access and backhaul node.

Another example embodiment may be directed to an apparatus that may include creating means for creating, at a donor node, downlink information for an integrated access and backhaul node, wherein the downlink information comprises at least F1 application protocol information. The apparatus may also include transmitting means for transmitting the downlink information comprising at least the F1 application protocol information from the donor node to a user equipment part of the integrated access and backhaul node.

