Embodiments include methods for downlink (DL) transmission by a network node in an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network. Such methods include receiving, from an upstream node in the network, first timing offset information related to communications between the network node and the upstream node. Such methods include transmitting a DL signal or channel, to one or more downstream nodes, based on a DL transmission timing for the network node. The DL transmission timing is determined from the network node's DL reception timing of signals or channels transmitted by the upstream node and a second function of the first timing offset information, which is determined based on a first function of the first timing offset information (when the first function is greater than a threshold) or on an alternate timing offset (when the first function is not greater than the threshold). Embodiments also include network nodes configured to perform such methods.