Uplink-centric handover in a wireless multi-hop network

A method of wireless communication performed by a neighbor node in a wireless multi-hop network, comprising:

• receiving a configuration for reception of an uplink reference signal for a handover procedure;
• monitoring for the uplink reference signal according to the configuration;
• and
• transmitting a measurement report to a control node in the wireless multi-hop network or modifying a transmission mode for a downlink reference signal for the handover procedure based at least in part on receiving the uplink reference signal.

A method of wireless communication performed by a control node in a wireless multi-hop network, comprising:

• transmitting, to a child node in the wireless multi-hop network, a transmission configuration for transmission of an uplink reference signal for a handover procedure;
• transmitting, to a neighbor node in the wireless multi-hop network, a reception configuration for reception of the uplink reference signal for the handover procedure;
• receiving a measurement report based at least in part on the uplink reference signal for the handover procedure;
• and
• initiating the handover procedure based at least in part on receiving the measurement report.

A child node in a wireless multi-hop network for wireless communication, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory, the memory and the one or more processors configured to:
• receive a configuration for transmission of an uplink reference signal for a handover procedure;
• transmit the uplink reference signal according to the configuration;
• and
• receive a handover command or monitor for a downlink reference signal for the handover procedure based at least in part on transmitting the uplink reference signal.