Uplink timing maintenance for communication paths including multiple legs involving a relay entity

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided, in which a service link path delay relative to a first leg of a communication path of a communication between the user equipment and a network entity via a relay entity is estimated (), where the first leg corresponds to a portion of the communication path between the user equipment and the relay entity. A feeder link path delay relative to a second leg of the communication path is determined (), where the second leg corresponds to a portion of the communication path between the relay entity and the network entity, based upon at least a received signaling indication. A timing advance value is calculated (), based upon the service link path delay and the feeder link path delay. An uplink transmission timing of the user equipment is adjusted (), based upon the calculated timing advance value.