Techniques and configurations associated with operation of an evolved node B at multiple coverage enhancement levels

A method of operating an evolved node B comprising:

• initiating, by the evolved node B (eNB), an operational mode to provide a first coverage enhancement level for user equipments (UEs) that have established communication with the eNB or a preconfigured minimum coverage enhancement level;
• and
• switching, by the eNB, in response to detection of an event, from the operational mode to a discovery mode, wherein the discovery mode provides a second coverage enhancement level for UEs that are to establish communication with the eNB;
• and
• sending, by the eNB, downlink transmissions at a first repetition level associated with the first coverage enhancement level while the eNB is in the operational mode and a second repetition level associated with the second coverage enhancement level while the eNB is in the discovery mode.

One or more computer-readable non-transitory media, having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, in response to execution by an evolved node B (eNB), to cause the eNB to:

• initiate an operational mode to provide a first coverage enhancement level for user equipments (UEs) that have established communication with the eNB or a preconfigured minimum coverage enhancement level;
• and
• switch from the operational mode to a discovery mode, in response to detection of an event, wherein the discovery mode provides a second coverage enhancement level for UEs that are to establish communication with the eNB;
• and
• send downlink transmissions at a first repetition level associated with the first coverage enhancement level while the eNB is in the operational mode and a second repetition level associated with the second coverage enhancement level while the eNB is in the discovery mode.

A user equipment (UE) comprising:

• transceiver circuitry to:
• receive downlink transmissions from an evolved node B (eNB) during a discovery time period in which the eNB is to be operated in a discovery mode, wherein the downlink transmissions identify a first coverage enhancement level associated with a first repetition level, and wherein the downlink transmissions are received at a second repetition level associated with a second coverage enhancement level;
• logic circuitry coupled with the transceiver circuitry to:
• determine whether the first coverage enhancement level is sufficient for the UE to establish communication with the eNB.