Signaling to support scheduling in an integrated access and backhaul system

An apparatus, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory including computer-program code, the at least one memory and the computer-program code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to perform:
• allocate a physical uplink channel between at least one integrated access and backhaul node user equipment function and a parent distributed unit;
• and
• send at least one message via the physical uplink channel, wherein the at least one message includes at least:
• a destination queue depth scheduled on a downlink by at least one integrated access and backhaul node distributed unit.

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium bearing computer program code embodied therein for use with a computer, the computer program code comprising code for performing:

• allocating a physical uplink channel between at least one integrated access and backhaul node user equipment function and a parent distributed unit;
• and
• sending at least one message via the physical uplink channel, wherein the at least one message includes at least:
• a destination queue depth scheduled on a downlink by at least one integrated access and backhaul node distributed unit.