Abstract: A method is provided by a central-unit-control plane (CU-CP) of a network node for exchanging information with a central-unit user plane (CU-UP) of the network node to manage Quality of Service (QoS) flows for the optimization of radio resources. The method includes transmitting, to the CU-UP, a request for flow information for at least one QoS flow and receiving, from the CU-UP of the network node, the flow information for the at least one QoS flow. Based on the flow information for the at least one QoS flow, at least one action is taken.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include methods performed by a central unit, CU, of a base station, for selecting a special cell, SpCell, to be used by a first distributed unit, DU, of the base station for serving a user equipment, UE. Such embodiments can include sending, to the first DU, a first request comprising an identity of a first cell, served by the first DU, as a preferred SpCell for the UE; and identities of one or more second cells served by the first DU. Such embodiments can also include receiving, from the first DU, a first response comprising a first indication that the first DU cannot configure the first cell as an SpCell for the UE, and a second indication that the first DU can configure zero or more third cells as an SpCell for the UE.

Abstract: A technique for a device (100) to manage a data flow (608; 618) in a wireless communication system is described. As to a method aspect of the technique, a time period for which the data flow (608; 618) has been inactive is obtained. The data flow (608; 618) is defined by a Quality of Service, QoS, requirement of data associated with the data flow (608; 618). Based on the time period, it is determined to release a mapping between the data flow (608; 618) and a radio bearer (610).

Abstract: In a process for adding a base station as a secondary base station, and for example in 5 response to a UE Context Setup Request or a UE Context Modification Request, a distributed unit of a base station selects a feature set, and informs a central unit of the base station of the selected feature set.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method for use in a wireless device of acquiring system information associated with a core network comprises receiving system information from a network node. The network node is connected to one or more core networks. The system information includes an indication of a network type (e.g., enhanced packet system (EPS), fifth generation system (5GS), etc.) for each core network. The method further comprises determining a capability of the wireless device for connecting to the plurality of network types, and determining whether to connect to a core network based on the network type and the capability of the wireless device. In particular embodiments, the indication of the network type comprises a list of public land mobile networks (PLMNs) connected to the network node and an indication of network types supported by each PLMN.

Abstract: A radio network node in a radio access network (RAN) and a method therein for Paging Policy Differentiation (PPD). The radio network node receives from a core network a Downlink (DL) Protocol Data Unit (PDU) associated with a wireless device. The DL PDU is comprised in a Quality of Service (QoS)-flow, is originated from a respective service, and comprises a Paging Policy Indicator (PPI) associated with the respective service. The radio network node extracts the PPI by means of a Central Unit User Plane (CU-UP). By means of the CU-UP, the radio network node informs a Central Unit Control Plane (CU-CP) about the PPI. Further, by means of the CU-CP, the radio network node triggers paging of the wireless device. Furthermore, the radio network node pages the wireless device according to the PPI associated with the respective service.

Abstract: A radio network equipment central unit (20, 1700) receives a message (15) that indicates an update to a transport layer address of a radio network equipment distributed unit (10, 1600) from an old transport layer address (12A) to a new transport layer address (12B). The message (15) indicates the old transport layer address (12A) and indicates the new transport layer address (12B). The message (15) may be received from the radio network equipment distributed unit (10, 1600), or from a distributed unit of an integrated access backhaul donor. Regardless, for each of multiple user plane bearers or transport layer tunnels that are associated with the old transport layer address (12A), the radio network equipment central unit (20, 1700) may update a transport layer address of that bearer or tunnel from the old transport layer address (12A) to the new transport layer address (12B).

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatuses for synchronizing radio link control re-establishment between a user equipment (UE) and a base station distributed unit (DU) with Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) data recovery. A method performed by a Control Plane data processing apparatus comprises: obtaining an indication that an uplink and/or downlink outage has occurred between the base station DU and the UE; and transmitting a request to a user plane (UP) data processing apparatus to instruct the UP data processing apparatus to retransmit any data protocol units previously transmitted to the UE which were unacknowledged by the UE.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a method for allocating TEIDs by a CU-CP of a network node includes receiving, from a CU-UP, at least one uplink TEID (UL TEID) associated with a DRB. The at least one UL TEID is sent to a distributed unit (DU). At least one downlink TEID (DL TEID) associated with the DRB is received from the DU. The at least one DL TEID associated with the DRB is then sent to the CU-UP.

Abstract: A radio network equipment central unit (20, 1700) receives a message (15) that indicates an update to a transport layer address of a radio network equipment distributed unit (10, 1600) from an old transport layer address (12A) to a new transport layer address (12B). The message (15) indicates the old transport layer address (12A) and indicates the new transport layer address (12B). The message (15) may be received from the radio network equipment distributed unit (10, 1600), or from a distributed unit of an integrated access backhaul donor. Regardless, for each of multiple user plane bearers or transport layer tunnels that are associated with the old transport layer address (12A), the radio network equipment central unit (20, 1700) may update a transport layer address of that bearer or tunnel from the old transport layer address (12A) to the new transport layer address (12B).

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatuses for synchronizing radio link control re-establishment between a user equipment (UE) and a base station distributed unit (DU) with Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDCP data recovery. A method performed by a Control Plane data processing apparatus comprises: obtaining an indication that an uplink and/or downlink outage has occurred between the base station DU and the UE; and transmitting a request to a user plane, UP, data processing apparatus to instruct the UP data processing apparatus to retransmit any data protocol units previously transmitted to the UE which were unacknowledged by the UE.

Abstract: Systems and methods for redirecting Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages in a wireless system that uses Central Unit (CU)/Distributed Unit (DU) splitting and either network sharing or network slicing are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method performed by a shared Distributed Unit (DU) comprises receiving a RRC message from a User Equipment (UE) and sending a first DU-to-Central Unit (CU) message to a first CU, where the first DU-to-CU message comprises the RRC message. The method further comprises either obtaining an indication that the first CU is a wrong CU for the RRC message or determining that the first CU is a wrong CU for the RRC message. The method further comprises sending another DU-to-CU message to a second CU, where the other DU-to-CU message comprises the RRC message or a RRC message related to the RRC message.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, performed by a master node (MN) in a radio access network, for establishing radio resources between a secondary node (SN) and a user equipment (UE). Such embodiments include sending, to the SN, a request identifying one or more QoS flows to be setup between the SN and the UE; and receiving, from the SN, a response including identification of one or more radio bearers that were admitted by the SN in association with the requested QoS flows. Such embodiments also include sending, to the SN, identifiers of one or more tunnels for forwarding downlink user-plane (DL UP) data over an interface between the SN and the MN. Each tunnel identifier is associated with a respective admitted radio bearer. Embodiments also include complementary methods performed by a SN, as well as network nodes configured to perform the various methods.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include methods performed by a central unit, CU, of a base station, for selecting a special cell, SpCell, to be used by a first distributed unit, DU, of the base station for serving a user equipment, UE. Such embodiments can include sending, to the first DU, a first request comprising an identity of a first cell, served by the first DU, as a preferred SpCell for the UE; and identities of one or more second cells served by the first DU. Such embodiments can also include receiving, from the first DU, a first response comprising a first indication that the first DU cannot configure the first cell as an SpCell for the UE, and a second indication that the first DU can configure zero or more third cells as an SpCell for the UE.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatus and systems are disclosed related to the detection and reporting of UE inactivity. One exemplary method is performed by a distributed unit of a base station. The base station further comprises a centralized unit. The method comprises: monitoring the activity of one or more data radio bearers, established between the distributed unit and a user equipment, for carrying user data; and transmitting, to the centralized unit, a report message comprising an indication of the activity of the one or more data radio bearers.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, for a first centralized unit (CU) in a radio access network (RAN), to configure a user equipment (UE) to communicate via first and second distributed units (DUs). Such methods include initiating a first radio resource control (RRC) entity to communicate with the UE via a first RRC connection through the first DU, and selecting the second DU to communicate with the UE in a dual-connectivity (DC) configuration with the first DU. Such methods include performing one or more of the following based on determining the second DU is associated with the first CU: initiating a second RRC entity within the first CU to communicate with the UE via a second RRC connection through the second DU; and establishing one or more further radio bearers with the UE via the second DU. Other embodiments include methods for a UE, and CUs and UEs configured to perform such methods.

Abstract: A method performed by a first unit for handling a connection between the first unit and multiple second units in a wireless communications network is provided. The first unit obtains from each of the multiple second units a respective indication of which one or more version of NR User plane protocol (NR-U) it supports. The first unit decides which version of NR-U that is possible to use for the connection based on the indications received from the multiple second units.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include methods performed by a central unit, CU, of a base station, for selecting a special cell, SpCell, to be used by a first distributed unit, DU, of the base station for serving a user equipment, UE. Such embodiments can include sending, to the first DU, a first request comprising an identity of a first cell, served by the first DU, as a preferred SpCell for the UE; and identities of one or more second cells served by the first DU. Such embodiments can also include receiving, from the first DU, a first response comprising a first indication that the first DU cannot configure the first cell as an SpCell for the UE, and a second indication that the first DU can configure zero or more third cells as an SpCell for the UE.

Abstract: A radio network node (12) in a radio access network (RAN1) and a method therein for Paging Policy Differentiation (PPD). The radio network node receives from a core network (CN1) a Downlink (DL) Protocol Data Unit (PDU) associated with a wireless device (10). The DL PDU is comprised in a Quality of Service (QoS)-flow, is originated from a respective service and comprises a Paging Policy Indicator (PPI) associated with the respective service. The radio network node extracts the PPI by means of a Central Unit User Plane (CU-UP) (12b). By means of the CU-UP (12b), the radio network node informs a Central Unit Control Plane (CU-CP) (12a) about the PPI. Further, by means of the CU-CP, the radio network node triggers paging of the wireless device. Furthermore, the radio network node pages the wireless device (10) according to the PPI associated with the respective service.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method for use in a wireless device of acquiring system information associated with a core network comprises receiving system information from a network node. The network node is connected to one or more core networks. The system information includes an indication of a network type (e.g., enhanced packet system (EPS), fifth generation system (5GS), etc.) for each core network. The method further comprises determining a capability of the wireless device for connecting to the plurality of network types, and determining whether to connect to a core network based on the network type and the capability of the wireless device. In particular embodiments, the indication of the network type comprises a list of public land mobile networks (PLMNs) connected to the network node and an indication of network types supported by each PLMN.