Content for &nbsp; TS 38.300 &nbsp; Word version:&nbsp; 18.0.0

The Uu measurement configuration and measurement report signalling procedures are performed to evaluate both relay link measurement and Uu link measurement. The measurement results from L2 U2N Remote UE are reported when configured measurement reporting criteria are met. The sidelink relay measurement report shall include at least L2 U2N Relay UE's source L2 ID, serving cell ID (i.e., NCGI/NCI), and sidelink measurement quantity result. The sidelink measurement quantity can be SL-RSRP of the serving L2 U2N Relay UE, and if SL-RSRP is not available, SD-RSRP is used.

The gNB decides to switch the L2 U2N Remote UE onto direct Uu path.

The gNB sends the RRCReconfiguration message to the L2 U2N Remote UE. The L2 U2N Remote UE stops User Plane and Control Plane transmission via the L2 U2N Relay UE after reception of the RRCReconfiguration message with the path switch configuration.

The L2 U2N Remote UE synchronizes with the gNB and performs Random Access.

The UE (i.e., L2 U2N Remote UE in previous steps) sends the RRCReconfigurationComplete message to the gNB via the direct path, using the configuration provided in the RRCReconfiguration message. From this step, the UE (i.e., L2 U2N Remote UE in previous steps) uses the RRC connection via the direct path to the gNB.

Figure 16.12.6.1-2: Procedure for L2 U2N Remote UE inter-gNB switching from indirect to direct path

The gNB sends the RRCReconfiguration message to the L2 U2N Relay UE to reconfigure the connection between the L2 U2N Relay UE and the gNB. The RRCReconfiguration message to the L2 U2N Relay UE can be sent any time after step 3 based on gNB implementation (e.g., to release Uu Relay RLC Channel and PC5 Relay RLC channel configuration for relaying, and bearer mapping configuration related to the L2 U2N Remote UE).

Step 7.

Either L2 U2N Relay UE or L2 U2N Remote UE's AS layer indicates upper layers to release PC5 unicast link after receiving the RRCReconfiguration message from the gNB. The timing to execute link release is up to UE implementation.

Step 8.

The data path is switched from indirect path to direct path between the UE (i.e., previous L2 U2N Remote UE) and the gNB. The PDCP re-establishment or PDCP data recovery in uplink is performed by the UE (i.e., previous L2 U2N Remote UE) for lossless delivery during path switch if gNB configures it.

For service continuity of L2 U2N Relay, the following procedure is used, in case of L2 U2N Remote UE switching from indirect to direct path under another gNB:

Reproduction of 3GPP TS 38.300, Fig. 16.12.6.1-2: Procedure for L2 U2N Remote UE inter-gNB switching from indirect to direct path

The Uu measurement configuration is configured by the source gNB, and measurement report signalling procedures are performed by the L2 U2N Remote UE to evaluate both relay link measurement and Uu link measurement. The measurement results from L2 U2N Remote UE are reported when configured measurement reporting criteria are met. The sidelink relay measurement report shall include at least L2 U2N Relay UE's source L2 ID, serving cell ID (i.e., NCGI/NCI), and sidelink measurement quantity result. The sidelink measurement quantity can be SL-RSRP of the serving L2 U2N Relay UE, and if SL-RSRP is not available, SD-RSRP is used.

The source gNB decides to trigger path switch for the L2 U2N Remote UE, onto direct path.

The source gNB sends the HANDOVER REQUEST message to the target gNB with necessary information to prepare the handover at the target side.

Admission Control may be performed by the target gNB.

The target gNB sends the HANDOVER REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE message to the source gNB, which contains new RRC configuration for the L2 U2N Remote UE.

Figure 16.12.6.2-1: Procedure for L2 U2N Remote UE intra-gNB switching from direct to indirect path via a L2 U2N Relay UE in RRC_CONNECTED

The source gNB triggers the path switch by sending an RRCReconfiguration message to the L2 U2N Remote UE, containing at least cell ID and the information required to access the target cell. The L2 U2N Remote UE stops User Plane and Control Plane transmission via the L2 U2N Relay UE after reception of the RRCReconfiguration message.

Step 7.

The source gNB sends the SN STATUS TRANSFER message to the target gNB to convey the uplink PDCP SN receiver status and the downlink PDCP SN transmitter status of the L2 U2N Remote UE's DRBs for which PDCP status preservation applies (i.e. for RLC AM).

Step 8.

The L2 U2N Remote UE synchronizes with the target gNB and performs Random Access.

Step 9.

The L2 U2N Remote UE sends RRCReconfigurationComplete message to target gNB via the direct path.

Step 10.

The target gNB sends the UE CONTEXT RELEASE message to inform the source gNB about the success of the path switch.

Step 11.

The source gNB sends RRCReconfiguration message to the L2 U2N Relay UE to reconfigure the connection between the L2 U2N Relay UE and the source gNB. The RRCReconfiguration message to the L2 U2N Relay UE can be sent any time after step 6 based on source gNB implementation (e.g., to release Uu Relay RLC channel and PC5 Relay RLC channel configuration for relaying, and bearer mapping configuration related to the L2 U2N Remote UE).

Step 12.

Either L2 U2N Relay UE or L2 U2N Remote UE's AS layer indicates upper layer to release PC5 unicast link after receiving the RRCReconfiguration message from the source gNB. The timing to execute link release is up to UE implementation.

16.12.6.2 Switching from direct to indirect path p. 197

The gNB can select a L2 U2N Relay UE in any RRC state i.e., RRC_IDLE, RRC_INACTIVE, or RRC_CONNECTED, as a target L2 U2N Relay UE for direct to indirect path switch.

For service continuity of L2 U2N Remote UE, the following procedure is used, in case of the L2 U2N Remote UE switching from direct to indirect path under the same gNB via a L2 U2N Relay UE in RRC_CONNECTED:

Reproduction of 3GPP TS 38.300, Fig. 16.12.6.2-1: Procedure for L2 U2N Remote UE intra-gNB switching from direct to indirect path via a L2 U2N Relay UE in RRC_CONNECTED

The L2 U2N Remote UE reports one or multiple candidate L2 U2N Relay UE(s) and Uu measurements, after it measures/discovers the candidate L2 U2N Relay UE(s):

The L2 U2N Remote UE filters the appropriate L2 U2N Relay UE(s) according to relay selection criteria before reporting. The L2 U2N Remote UE shall report only the L2 U2N Relay UE candidate(s) that fulfil the higher layer criteria;
The reporting includes at least a L2 U2N Relay UE ID, a L2 U2N Relay UE' s serving cell ID, and a sidelink measurement quantity information. SD-RSRP is used as sidelink measurement quantity.

The gNB decides to switch the L2 U2N Remote UE to a target L2 U2N Relay UE. Then the gNB sends an RRCReconfiguration message to the target L2 U2N Relay UE, which includes at least the L2 U2N Remote UE's local ID and L2 ID, Uu Relay RLC channel and PC5 Relay RLC channel configuration for relaying, and bearer mapping configuration.

The gNB sends the RRCReconfiguration message to the L2 U2N Remote UE. The RRCReconfiguration message includes at least the L2 U2N Relay UE ID, Remote UE's local ID, PC5 Relay RLC channel configuration for relay traffic and the associated end-to-end Uu radio bearer(s). The L2 U2N Remote UE stops User Plane and Control Plane transmission over the direct path after reception of the RRCReconfiguration message from the gNB.

The L2 U2N Remote UE establishes PC5-RRC connection with target L2 U2N Relay UE.

The L2 U2N Remote UE completes the path switch procedure by sending the RRCReconfigurationComplete message to the gNB via the L2 U2N Relay UE.

Figure 16.12.6.2-2: Procedure for L2 U2N Remote UE inter-gNB switching from direct to indirect path via a L2 U2N Relay UE in RRC_CONNECTED

The data path is switched from direct path to indirect path between the L2 U2N Remote UE and the gNB.

In case the selected L2 U2N Relay UE for direct to indirect path switch is in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE, after receiving the path switch command, the L2 U2N Remote UE establishes a PC5 link with the L2 U2N Relay UE and sends the RRCReconfigurationComplete message via the L2 U2N Relay UE, which triggers the L2 U2N Relay UE to enter RRC_CONNECTED state. The procedure for L2 U2N Remote UE switching to indirect path in Figure 16.12.6.2-1 can be also applied for the case that the selected L2 U2N Relay UE for direct to indirect path switch is in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE with the exception that the RRCReconfiguration message is sent from the gNB to the L2 U2N Relay UE after the L2 U2N Relay UE enters RRC_CONNECTED state, which happens during step 5.

For service continuity of L2 U2N Remote UE, the following procedure is used, in case of the L2 U2N Remote UE switching from direct to indirect path via a L2 U2N Relay UE in RRC_CONNECTED under another gNB:

Reproduction of 3GPP TS 38.300, Fig. 16.12.6.2-2: Procedure for L2 U2N Remote UE inter-gNB switching from direct to indirect path via a L2 U2N Relay UE in RRC_CONNECTED

The L2 U2N Remote UE reports one or multiple candidate L2 U2N Relay UE(s) and Uu measurements to the source gNB, after it measures/discovers the candidate L2 U2N Relay UE(s):

The L2 U2N Remote UE filters the appropriate L2 U2N Relay UE(s) according to relay selection criteria before reporting. The L2 U2N Remote UE shall report only the L2 U2N Relay UE candidate(s) that fulfil the higher layer criteria;
The reporting includes at least a L2 U2N Relay UE ID, a L2 U2N Relay UE's serving cell ID, and a sidelink measurement quantity information. SD-RSRP is used as sidelink measurement quantity.

The source gNB decides to trigger path switch for the L2 U2N Remote UE onto indirect path of the target gNB, based on MeasurementReport and RRM information.

The source gNB sends a HANDOVER REQUEST message to the target gNB to prepare the path switch at the target side. The HANDOVER REQUEST message includes Remote UE L2 ID and a list of candidate target relay UE IDs belonging to one cell.

Admission Control may be performed by the target gNB.

The target gNB selects one target Relay UE from the list of candidate Relay UEs provided by the source gNB, and sends the RRCReconfiguration message to L2 U2N Relay UE for relaying configuration, which includes at least the L2 U2N Remote UE's local ID and L2 ID, Uu Relay RLC channel and PC5 Relay RLC channel configuration for relaying, and bearer mapping configuration.