Dual-connectivity architecture and setup procedures

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

• detecting one or more relay UEs for a dual connectivity configuration for communication with a first network entity and a second network entity, the dual connectivity configuration including a primary connection with the first network entity and a secondary connection with the second network entity;
• receiving, from the first network entity, a configuration for establishing the secondary connection via one of the one or more relay UEs;
• establishing the secondary connection via the one of the one or more relay UEs for communication with the second network entity;
• and
• configuring one or more second bearers for the secondary connection via the one of the one or more relay UEs, the one or more second bearers supporting data transmission via the secondary connection.

An apparatus for wireless communication at a first network entity, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
• receive, from a remote user equipment (UE), an indication of one or more relay UEs for a secondary connection with a second network entity in a dual connectivity configuration for communication with the first network entity and the second network entity, the dual connectivity configuration including a primary connection with the first network entity and the secondary connection with the second network entity;
• select, based at least on the received indication, one of the one or more relay UEs for the secondary connection;
• transmit, to the second network entity, an indication to prepare the second network entity for the secondary connection with the remote UE via the one of the one or more relay UEs;
• and
• transmit, to the remote UE, a configuration for establishing the secondary connection with the second network entity via the one of the one or more relay UEs.

A method of wireless communication at a first network entity, comprising:

• receiving, from a remote user equipment (UE), an indication of one or more relay UEs for a dual connectivity configuration for communication with the first network entity and a second network entity, the dual connectivity configuration including a primary connection with the first network entity and a secondary connection with the second network entity;
• selecting, based at least on the received indication, one of the one or more relay UEs for the secondary connection;
• preparing the secondary connection with the second network entity for connectivity with the remote UE via the one of the one or more relay UEs;
• and
• transmitting, to the remote UE, a configuration for establishing the secondary connection with the second network entity via the one of the one or more relay UEs.