Repeater handover decision based on end-to-end link quality

A network node, comprising:

• a processing system that includes processor circuitry and memory circuitry coupled with the processor circuitry, the processing system configured to cause the network node to:
• receive, from a network-controlled repeater (NCR) node, one or more parameters related to an end-to-end link quality between a neighbor cell in communication with the NCR node and a user equipment (UE) in communication with the NCR node;
• estimate the end-to-end link quality between the neighbor cell and the UE in accordance with the one or more parameters;
• transmit, to the NCR node, control information to trigger a handover of the UE to the neighbor cell responsive to the estimated end-to-end link quality between the neighbor cell and the UE;
• and
• send, to the neighbor cell, a handover request message that includes one or more of a gain of the NCR node or a transmit power of the NCR node.

A method for wireless communication by a network node, comprising:

• receiving, from a network-controlled repeater (NCR) node, information that indicates an end-to-end link quality between a neighbor cell in communication with the NCR node and a user equipment (UE) in communication with the NCR node;
• transmitting, to the NCR node, control information to trigger a handover of the UE to the neighbor cell responsive to the information that indicates the end-to-end link quality between the neighbor cell and the UE;
• and
• sending, to the neighbor cell, a handover request message that includes one or more of a gain of the NCR node or a transmit power of the NCR node.