Activation/deactivation of direct link in dual/multi-connectivity with ue relays

An apparatus for wireless communication at a second user equipment (UE), comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
• communicate with a base station using a second direct link and a first UE using a relay link, wherein the relay link comprises a sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and the second direct link between the second UE and the base station;
• receive a request to deactivate a first direct link between the first UE and the base station, wherein the request to deactivate the first direct link comprises layer 1 (L1) or layer 2 (L2) signaling;
• relay, to the first UE or the base station, the request to deactivate the first direct link between the base station and the first UE;
• and
• relay, to the first UE, a deactivation command to deactivate the first direct link.

An apparatus for wireless communication at a base station, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
• communicate with a first user equipment (UE) using a first direct link and using a relay link, wherein the relay link comprises a sidelink between the first UE and a second UE and a second direct link between the second UE and the base station;
• transmit or receive a request to deactivate the first direct link, based on a determination by at least one of the base station, the first UE, or the second UE that the first direct link is to be deactivated, wherein the request to deactivate the first direct link comprises layer 1 (L1) or layer 2 (L2) signaling;
• and
• transmit a deactivation command to deactivate the first direct link.

A method of wireless communication at a first user equipment (UE), comprising:

• communicating with a base station using a direct link and using a relay link, wherein the relay link comprises a sidelink between the first UE and a second UE and a second direct link between the second UE and the base station;
• transmitting or receiving a request to deactivate the direct link based on a determination by at least one of the base station, the first UE, or the second UE that the direct link between the first UE and the base station is to be deactivated, wherein the request to deactivate the direct link comprises layer 1 (L1) or layer 2 (L2) signaling;
• and
• receiving a deactivation command to deactivate the direct link.