# US 12,604,350 B2 · RRC timer for layer 2 UE-to-network relay

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,604,350 B2
- Document ID: US12604350B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/533,082
- Filed: 2023-12-07
- Published: 2024-04-18
- Granted: 2026-04-14
- Earliest claimed: 2021-09-16
- Assignees: QUALCOMM Incorporated
- Applicants: QUALCOMM Incorporated
- Inventors: Peng Cheng; Karthika Paladugu; Ozcan Ozturk
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12604350B2

## CPC

- H04W 76/14: Direct-mode setup
- H04W 76/19: Connection re-establishment
- H04W 76/27: Transitions between radio resource control [RRC] states
- H04W 76/38: triggered by timers
- H04L 69/28: Timers or timing mechanisms used in protocols
- H04W 72/231: the control data signalling from the layers above the physical layer, e.g. RRC or MAC-CE signalling
- H04W 88/04: adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)

## Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE) is provided. The UE receives an indication of one or more timers associated with a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or an RRC connection re-establishment procedure with a network entity via a relay. The UE transmits a request associated with an RRC connection to a second UE to be relayed to the network entity and monitors for a response from the network entity based on the one or more timers associated with the RRC connection establishment procedure or the RRC connection re-establishment procedure via the second UE as the relay.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), comprising:
memory; and
one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to cause the first UE to:
receive a message that indicates a path switch for the first UE between two indirect paths to a network entity and a timer associated with the path switch, wherein the path switch for the first UE is from a first indirect path to the network entity via a second UE as a relay to a second indirect path to the network entity via a third UE as the relay;
start the timer in response to reception of the message that indicates the path switch; and
stop the timer in response to at least one of:
a successful transmission of a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration complete message,
reception of a radio link control (RLC) acknowledgement from the third UE as a target relay,
a successful completion of an SRBO configuration,
reception of a first acknowledgment of an RRC reconfiguration complete message, or
reception of a second acknowledgment of the RRC reconfiguration complete message from the network entity.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the first UE to stop the timer associated with the path switch in response to the successful transmission of the RRC reconfiguration complete message.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the first UE to stop the timer associated with the path switch in response to the reception of the RLC acknowledgement from the third UE.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the first UE to:
communicate with the network entity, prior to the path switch, via the first indirect path with the second UE as the relay.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the first UE to:
perform the path switch to the third UE as the relay to the network entity.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the first UE to:
communicate with the network entity, after the path switch, via the second indirect path with the third UE.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the message is a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message that indicates the path switch from the first indirect path to the second indirect path.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first indirect path to the network entity includes a sidelink between the first UE and the second UE as the relay between the first UE and the network entity.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more antennas coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the first UE to receive the message via the one or more antennas.

### Claim 10

An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising:
memory; and
one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to cause the network entity to:
output a message to a first user equipment (UE), wherein the message indicates a path switch between two indirect paths between the network entity and the first UE, wherein the path switch between the two indirect paths is from a first indirect path between the network entity and the first UE via a second UE as a relay to a second indirect path between the network entity and the first UE via a third UE as a target relay; and
indicate a timer associated with the path switch between the two indirect paths.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a start time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on the message, and wherein a stop time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration complete message.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a start time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on the message, and wherein a stop time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on a radio link control (RLC) acknowledgement from the third UE as the target relay.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the network entity to:
communicate with the first UE, prior to the path switch, via the first indirect path with the second UE as the relay.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the network entity to:
communicate with the first UE, after the path switch, via the second indirect path with the third UE as the target relay.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the message is a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message that indicates the path switch from the first indirect path to the second indirect path.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first indirect path with the network entity includes a sidelink between the first UE and the second UE as the relay.

### Claim 17 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:
one or more antennas coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the network entity to output the message via the one or more antennas.

### Claim 18

An apparatus for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), comprising:
memory; and
one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to cause the first UE to:
receive an indication of one or more timers associated with one of a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or an RRC connection re-establishment procedure with a network entity via a relay;
transmit a request associated with an RRC connection to a second UE to be relayed to the network entity; and
monitor for a response from the network entity based on the one or more timers associated with the one of the RRC connection establishment procedure or the RRC connection re-establishment procedure via the second UE as the relay.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the first UE to:
receive, from the network entity, an RRC reconfiguration message that indicates an additional timer associated with a path switch, wherein the path switch includes one of:
a first change between an indirect path to the network entity via the second UE and a direct path to the network entity, or
a second change from the indirect path to the network entity via the second UE as the relay to a different indirect path to the network entity via a different relay; and
perform the path switch based on the additional timer.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the additional timer is associated with the path switch to the different relay.

### Claim 21

An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising:
memory; and
one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to cause the network entity to:
output system information that indicates one or more timers associated with one of a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or an RRC connection re-establishment procedure of a first user equipment (UE) via a relay; and
obtain a relayed request associated with an RRC connection for the first UE.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the network entity to:
provide an RRC reconfiguration message for the first UE, wherein the RRC reconfiguration message indicates an additional timer associated with a path switch, wherein the path switch includes one of:
a first change between an indirect path with the network entity and a direct path with the network entity, or
a second change from the indirect path with the network entity via a second UE as the relay to a different indirect path with the network entity via a different relay for the first UE.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the additional timer is associated with the path switch to the different relay.

### Claim 24

A method of wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), comprising:
receiving a message that indicates a path switch for the first UE between two indirect paths to a network entity and a timer associated with the path switch, wherein the path switch for the first UE is from a first indirect path to the network entity via a second UE as a relay to a second indirect path to the network entity via a third UE as the relay;
starting the timer in response to reception of the message that indicates the path switch; and
stopping the timer in response to at least one of:
successfully sending a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration complete message,
receiving a radio link control (RLC) acknowledgement from the third UE as a target relay,
a successful completion of an SRBO configuration,
receiving a first acknowledgment of an RRC reconfiguration complete message, or
receiving a second acknowledgment of the RRC reconfiguration complete message from the network entity.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, wherein stopping the timer associated with the path switch includes stopping the timer in response to successfully sending the RRC reconfiguration complete message.

### Claim 26 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, wherein stopping the timer associated with the path switch includes stopping the timer in response to receiving the RLC acknowledgement from the third UE.

### Claim 27 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, further comprising:
communicating with the network entity, prior to the path switch, via the first indirect path with the second UE as the relay.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27, further comprising:
performing the path switch to the third UE as the relay to the network entity.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The method of claim 28, further comprising:
communicating with the network entity, after the path switch, via the second indirect path with the third UE.

### Claim 30 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, wherein the message is a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message that indicates the path switch from the first indirect path to the second indirect path.

### Claim 31 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, wherein the first indirect path to the network entity includes a sidelink between the first UE and the second UE as the relay between the first UE and the network entity.

### Claim 32

A method of wireless communication at a network entity, comprising:
outputting a message to a first user equipment (UE), wherein the message indicates a path switch between two indirect paths between the network entity and the first UE, wherein the path switch between the two indirect paths is from a first indirect path between the network entity and the first UE via a second UE as a relay to a second indirect path between the network entity and the first UE via a third UE as a target relay; and
indicating a timer associated with the path switch between the two indirect paths.

### Claim 33 (depends on 32)

The method of claim 32, wherein a start time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on the message, and wherein a stop time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration complete message.

### Claim 34 (depends on 32)

The method of claim 32, wherein a start time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on the message, and wherein a stop time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on a radio link control (RLC) acknowledgement from the third UE as the target relay.

### Claim 35 (depends on 32)

The method of claim 32, further comprising:
communicating with the first UE, prior to the path switch, via the first indirect path with the second UE as the relay.

### Claim 36 (depends on 35)

The method of claim 35, further comprising:
communicating with the first UE, after the path switch, via the second indirect path with the third UE as the target relay.

### Claim 37 (depends on 32)

The method of claim 32, wherein the message is a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message that indicates the path switch from the first indirect path to the second indirect path.

### Claim 38 (depends on 32)

The method of claim 32, wherein the first indirect path with the network entity includes a sidelink between the first UE and the second UE as the relay.

### Claim 39

A method of wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), comprising:
receiving an indication of one or more timers associated with one of a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or an RRC connection re-establishment procedure with a network entity via a relay;
transmitting a request associated with an RRC connection to a second UE to be relayed to the network entity; and
monitoring for a response from the network entity based on the one or more timers associated with the one of the RRC connection establishment procedure or the RRC connection re-establishment procedure via the second UE as the relay.

### Claim 40 (depends on 39)

The method of claim 39, further comprising:
receiving, from the network entity, an RRC reconfiguration message that indicates an additional timer associated with a path switch, wherein the path switch includes one of:
a first change between an indirect path to the network entity via the second UE and a direct path to the network entity, or
a second change from the indirect path to the network entity via the second UE as the relay to a different indirect path to the network entity via a different relay; and
performing the path switch based on the additional timer.

### Claim 41 (depends on 40)

The method of claim 40, wherein the additional timer is associated with the path switch to the different relay.

### Claim 42

A method of wireless communication at a network entity, comprising:
outputting system information that indicates one or more timers associated with one of a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or an RRC connection re-establishment procedure of a first user equipment (UE) via a relay; and
obtaining a relayed request associated with an RRC connection for the first UE.

### Claim 43 (depends on 42)

The method of claim 42, further comprising:
providing an RRC reconfiguration message for the first UE, wherein the RRC reconfiguration message indicates an additional timer associated with a path switch, wherein the path switch includes one of:
a first change between an indirect path with the network entity and a direct path with the network entity, or
a second change from the indirect path with the network entity via a second UE as the relay to a different indirect path with the network entity via a different relay for the first UE.

### Claim 44 (depends on 43)

The method of claim 43, wherein the additional timer is associated with the path switch to the different relay.

### Claim 45

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable code for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), the code when executed by one or more processors causes the first UE to:
receive a message that indicates a path switch for the first UE between two indirect paths to a network entity and a timer associated with the path switch, wherein the path switch for the first UE is from a first indirect path to the network entity via a second UE as a relay to a second indirect path to the network entity via a third UE as the relay;
start the timer in response to reception of the message that indicates the path switch; and
stop the timer in response to at least one of:
a successful transmission of a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration complete message,
reception of a radio link control (RLC) acknowledgement from the third UE as a target relay,
a successful completion of an SRBO configuration,
reception of a first acknowledgment of an RRC reconfiguration complete message, or
reception of a second acknowledgment of the RRC reconfiguration complete message from the network entity.

### Claim 46 (depends on 45)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 45, wherein the code when executed by the one or more processors causes the first UE to stop the timer associated with the path switch in response to the successful transmission of the RRC reconfiguration complete message.

### Claim 47 (depends on 45)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 45, wherein the code when executed by the one or more processors causes the first UE to stop the timer associated with the path switch in response to the reception of the RLC acknowledgement from the third UE.

### Claim 48 (depends on 45)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 45, wherein the code when executed by the one or more processors further causes the first UE to:
communicate with the network entity, prior to the path switch, via the first indirect path with the second UE as the relay;
perform the path switch to the third UE as the relay to the network entity; and
communicate with the network entity, after the path switch, via the second indirect path with the third UE.

### Claim 49 (depends on 45)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 45, wherein the first indirect path to the network entity includes a sidelink between the first UE and the second UE as the relay between the first UE and the network entity.

### Claim 50

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable code for wireless communication at a network entity, the code when executed by one or more processors causes the network entity to:
output a message to a first user equipment (UE), wherein the message indicates a path switch between two indirect paths between the network entity and the first UE, wherein the path switch between the two indirect paths is from a first indirect path between the network entity and the first UE via a second UE as a relay to a second indirect path between the network entity and the first UE via a third UE as a target relay; and
indicate a timer associated with the path switch between the two indirect paths.

### Claim 51 (depends on 50)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 50, wherein a start time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on the message, and wherein a stop time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration complete message.

### Claim 52 (depends on 50)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 50, wherein a start time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on the message, and wherein a stop time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on a radio link control (RLC) acknowledgement from the third UE as the target relay.

### Claim 53 (depends on 50)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 50, wherein the code when executed by the one or more processors further causes the network entity to:
communicate with the first UE, prior to the path switch, via the first indirect path with the second UE as the relay; and
communicate with the first UE, after the path switch, via the second indirect path with the third UE as the target relay.

### Claim 54 (depends on 50)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 50, wherein the message is a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message that indicates the path switch from the first indirect path to the second indirect path.

### Claim 55 (depends on 50)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 50, wherein the first indirect path with the network entity includes a sidelink between the first UE and the second UE as the relay.

### Claim 56

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable code for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), the code when executed by one or more processors causes the first UE to:
receive an indication of one or more timers associated with one of a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or an RRC connection re-establishment procedure with a network entity via a relay;
transmit a request associated with an RRC connection to a second UE to be relayed to the network entity; and
monitor for a response from the network entity based on the one or more timers associated with the one of the RRC connection establishment procedure or the RRC connection re-establishment procedure via the second UE as the relay.

### Claim 57 (depends on 56)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 56, wherein the code when executed by the one or more processors further causes the first UE to:
receive, from the network entity, an RRC reconfiguration message that indicates an additional timer associated with a path switch, wherein the path switch includes one of
a first change between an indirect path to the network entity via the second UE and a direct path to the network entity, or
a second change from the indirect path to the network entity via the second UE as the relay to a different indirect path to the network entity via a different relay; and
perform the path switch based on the additional timer.

### Claim 58

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable code for wireless communication at a network entity, the code when executed by one or more processors causes the network entity to:
output system information that indicates one or more timers associated with one of a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or an RRC connection re-establishment procedure of a first user equipment (UE) via a relay; and
obtain a relayed request associated with an RRC connection for the first UE.

### Claim 59 (depends on 58)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 58, wherein the code when executed by the one or more processors further causes the network entity to:
provide an RRC reconfiguration message for the first UE, wherein the RRC reconfiguration message indicates an additional timer associated with a path switch, wherein the path switch includes one of:
a first change between an indirect path with the network entity and a direct path with the network entity, or
a second change from the indirect path with the network entity via a second UE as the relay to a different indirect path with the network entity via a different relay for the first UE.

### Claim 60

An apparatus for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), comprising:
means for receiving a message that indicates a path switch for the first UE between two indirect paths to a network entity and a timer associated with the path switch, wherein the path switch for the first UE is from a first indirect path to the network entity via a second UE as a relay to a second indirect path to the network entity via a third UE as the relay;
means for starting the timer in response to reception of the message that indicates the path switch; and
means for stopping the timer in response to at least one of:
successfully sending a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration complete message,
receiving a radio link control (RLC) acknowledgement from the third UE as a target relay,
a successful completion of an SRBO configuration,
receiving a first acknowledgment of an RRC reconfiguration complete message, or
receiving a second acknowledgment of the RRC reconfiguration complete message from the network entity.

### Claim 61 (depends on 60)

The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the means for stopping the timer associated with the path switch is configured to stop the timer in response to successfully sending the RRC reconfiguration complete message.

### Claim 62 (depends on 60)

The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the means for stopping the timer associated with the path switch is configured to stop the timer in response to reception of the RLC acknowledgement from the third UE.

### Claim 63 (depends on 60)

The apparatus of claim 60, further comprising:
means for communicating with the network entity, prior to the path switch, via the first indirect path with the second UE as the relay;
means for performing the path switch to the third UE as the relay to the network entity; and
means for communicating with the network entity, after the path switch, via the second indirect path with the third UE.

### Claim 64 (depends on 60)

The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the first indirect path to the network entity includes a sidelink between the first UE and the second UE as the relay between the first UE and the network entity.

### Claim 65

An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising:
means for outputting a message to a first user equipment (UE), wherein the message indicates a path switch between two indirect paths between the network entity and the first UE, wherein the path switch between the two indirect paths is from a first indirect path between the network entity and the first UE via a second UE as a relay to a second indirect path between the network entity and the first UE via a third UE as a target relay; and
means for indicating a timer associated with the path switch between the two indirect paths.

### Claim 66 (depends on 65)

The apparatus of claim 65, wherein a start time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on the message, and wherein a stop time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration complete message.

### Claim 67 (depends on 65)

The apparatus of claim 65, wherein a start time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on the message, and wherein a stop time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on a radio link control (RLC) acknowledgement from the third UE as the target relay.

### Claim 68 (depends on 65)

The apparatus of claim 65, further comprising:
means for communicating with the first UE, prior to the path switch, via the first indirect path with the second UE as the relay; and
means for communicating with the first UE, after the path switch, via the second indirect path with the third UE as the target relay.

### Claim 69 (depends on 65)

The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the message is a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message that indicates the path switch from the first indirect path to the second indirect path.

### Claim 70 (depends on 65)

The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the first indirect path with the network entity includes a sidelink between the first UE and the second UE as the relay.

### Claim 71

An apparatus for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), comprising:
means for receiving an indication of one or more timers associated with one of a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or an RRC connection re-establishment procedure with a network entity via a relay;
means for transmitting a request associated with an RRC connection to a second UE to be relayed to the network entity; and
means for monitoring for a response from the network entity based on the one or more timers associated with the one of the RRC connection establishment procedure or the RRC connection re-establishment procedure via the second UE as the relay.

### Claim 72 (depends on 71)

The apparatus of claim 71, further comprising:
means for receiving, from the network entity, an RRC reconfiguration message that indicates an additional timer associated with a path switch, wherein the path switch includes one of:
a first change between an indirect path to the network entity via the second UE and a direct path to the network entity, or
a second change from the indirect path to the network entity via the second UE as the relay to a different indirect path to the network entity via a different relay; and
means for performing the path switch based on the additional timer.

### Claim 73

An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising:
means for outputting system information that indicates one or more timers associated with one of a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or an RRC connection re-establishment procedure of a first user equipment (UE) via a relay; and
means for obtaining a relayed request associated with an RRC connection for the first UE.

### Claim 74 (depends on 73)

The apparatus of claim 73, further comprising:
means for providing an RRC reconfiguration message for the first UE, wherein the RRC reconfiguration message indicates an additional timer associated with a path switch, wherein the path switch includes one of:
a first change between an indirect path with the network entity and a direct path with the network entity, or
a second change from the indirect path with the network entity via a second UE as the relay to a different indirect path with the network entity via a different relay for the first UE.

### Claim 75

An apparatus for wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), comprising:
memory; and
one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to cause the first UE to:
receive, in system information from a network entity, an indication of one or more timers associated with one of a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or an RRC connection re-establishment procedure with the network entity via a relay;
transmit a request associated with an RRC connection to a second UE to be relayed via the relay to the network entity;
start the one or more timers based on transmission of the request from the first UE to the network entity via the relay;
monitor for a response from the network entity based on the one or more timers associated with the one of the RRC connection establishment procedure or the RRC connection re-establishment procedure via the second UE as the relay;
receive an RRC reconfiguration message that indicates a path switch and a timer associated with the path switch, wherein the path switch for the first UE is from a first indirect path to the network entity via the second UE as the relay to a second indirect path to the network entity via a third UE as the relay;
start the timer associated with the path switch in response to reception of the RRC reconfiguration message that indicates the path switch; and
stop the timer associated with the path switch in response to at least one of:
a successful transmission of an RRC reconfiguration complete message,
reception of a radio link control (RLC) acknowledgement from the third UE as a target relay,
a successful completion of an SRBO configuration, reception of a first acknowledgment of the RRC reconfiguration complete message, or
reception of a second acknowledgment of the RRC reconfiguration complete message from the network entity.

### Claim 76 (depends on 75)

The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the first UE to stop the timer associated with the path switch in response to the successful transmission of the RRC reconfiguration complete message.

### Claim 77 (depends on 75)

The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the first UE to stop the timer associated with the path switch in response to the reception of the RLC acknowledgement from the third UE.

### Claim 78 (depends on 75)

The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the first UE to:
communicate with the network entity, prior to the path switch, via the first indirect path with the second UE as the relay.

### Claim 79 (depends on 78)

The apparatus of claim 78, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the first UE to:
perform the path switch to the third UE as the relay to the network entity.

### Claim 80 (depends on 75)

The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the first indirect path to the network entity includes a sidelink between the first UE and the second UE as the relay between the first UE and the network entity.

### Claim 81 (depends on 75)

The apparatus of claim 75, further comprising:
at least one antenna; and
a transceiver coupled to the at least one antenna and the one or more processors, wherein the one or more timers include an RRC connection resume timer.

### Claim 82 (depends on 75)

The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the system information further includes an additional set of the one or more timers for the RRC connection establishment procedure or the RRC connection re-establishment procedure for UEs that do not support the RRC connection procedure via the relay, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the first UE to refrain from applying the additional set of the one or more timers for the RRC connection establishment procedure or the RRC connection re-establishment procedure.

### Claim 83 (depends on 75)

The apparatus of claim 75, wherein to monitor for the response, the one or more processors are further configured to:
start the one or more timers in response to the transmission of the request; and
stop the one or more timers in response to one of:
an RRC setup message from the network entity,
an RRC reject message from the network entity,
a cell reselection,
a relay reselection, or
stopping connection establishment by an upper layer.

### Claim 84 (depends on 75)

The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
perform recovery or entering an RRC idle state in response to the one or more timers expiring.

### Claim 85 (depends on 75)

The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the request comprises an RRC resume request, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
start an RRC connection resume timer in response to the transmission of the RRC resume request; and
stop the one or more timers in response to one of:
an RRC resume response from the network entity,
an RRC setup message from the network entity,
an RRC release message from the network entity,
a message to suspend a configuration from the network entity,
an RRC reject message from the network entity,
a cell reselection,
a relay reselection, or
stopping connection establishment by an upper layer.

### Claim 86 (depends on 75)

The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the request comprises an RRC re-establishment request, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
start an RRC connection re-establishment timer in response to the transmission of the RRC re-establishment request; and
stop the one or more timers in response to one of:
an RRC re-establishment response from the network entity,
an RRC setup message from the network entity, or
a cell metric for the network entity dropping below a threshold.

### Claim 87 (depends on 75)

The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the request comprises an RRC re-establishment request, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
start an RRC connection re-establishment timer in response to initiation of an RRC re-establishment procedure; and
stop the one or more timers in response to selection of at least one of a first cell meeting a cell selection criteria, the first UE meeting a relay criteria, or a second cell with a different radio access technology RAT.

### Claim 88 (depends on 75)

The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the one or more timers are indicated in the system information from the network entity that includes a first timer for use when the second UE is in an RRC connected state and a second timer for use when the second UE is in an RRC idle or RRC inactive state.

### Claim 89 (depends on 75)

The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the one or more timers are independent of a connection state of the second UE.

### Claim 90 (depends on 75)

The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the indication is received in a sidelink message from the second UE, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
add the one or more timers as an additional amount of time for an additional timer indicated by the network entity.

### Claim 91 (depends on 75)

The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
initiate, while in an RRC connected state, a procedure to re-establish the RRC connection with at least one of a different network entity or a different relay;
receive an RRC setup message in response to initiating the procedure; and
enter an RRC idle state.

### Claim 92 (depends on 75)

The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
initiate, while in an RRC inactive state, a procedure to resume the RRC connection with at least one of a different network entity or a different relay;
receive an RRC setup message in response to initiating the procedure; and
enter an RRC idle state.

### Claim 93

An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising:
memory; and
one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to cause the network entity to:
transmit system information that indicates one or more timers associated with one of a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or an RRC connection re-establishment procedure of a first user equipment (UE) via a relay;
receive a request associated with an RRC connection from the first UE via a second UE as the relay for the first UE; and
transmit an RRC reconfiguration message that indicates a path switch and a timer associated with the path switch, wherein the path switch for the first UE is from a first indirect path to the network entity via the second UE as the relay to a second indirect path to the network entity via a third UE as the relay.

### Claim 94 (depends on 93)

The apparatus of claim 93, wherein a start time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on the RRC reconfiguration message, and wherein a stop time for the timer that the network entity indicates for the path switch is based on an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

### Claim 95 (depends on 93)

The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the first indirect path with the network entity includes a sidelink between the first UE and the second UE as the relay.

### Claim 96 (depends on 93)

The apparatus of claim 93, further comprising:
at least one antenna; and
a transceiver coupled to the at least one antenna and the one or more processors, wherein the one or more timers include an RRC connection resume timer.