Relay node connection techniques in wireless backhaul systems

An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

• a processor;
• memory in electronic communication with the processor;
• and
• instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
• transmit, from a first relay node seeking to join a backhaul network, a first synchronization signal, wherein the first relay node is seeking to establish a wireless link between the first relay node and one or more other nodes of the backhaul network, wherein the first synchronization signal includes an indication that the first relay node is a relay node seeking to join the backhaul network and wherein the first relay node transmits the first synchronization signal in response to failing to detect a synchronization signal from the second relay node or another relay node of the backhaul network in a pre-determined time period;
• receive, at the first relay node, a response signal from a second relay node that is established in the backhaul network;
• and
• establish the wireless link with the second relay node based at least in part on the response signal from the second relay node.

A first relay node comprising:

• means for transmitting, from the first relay node seeking to join a backhaul network, a first synchronization signal, wherein the first relay node is seeking to establish a wireless link between the first relay node and one or more relay nodes established in the backhaul network, wherein the first synchronization signal includes an indication that the first relay node is a relay node seeking to join the backhaul network, and wherein the first relay node transmits the first synchronization signal in response to failing to detect a synchronization signal from the second relay node or another relay node of the backhaul network in a pre-determined time period;
• means for receiving, at the first relay node, a response signal from a second relay node that is established in the backhaul network;
• and
• means for establishing the wireless link with the second relay node based at least in part on the response signal from the second relay node.