Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a RAN node (12), for managing communication on a first network slice in a communications network (1). The communications network (1) comprises partitioned sets of functionalities. A first set of functionalities belongs to the first network slice. The first set of functionalities is at least 5 partly separated from another set of functionalities out of a total set of functionalities in the communications network (1). The RAN node (12) receives, from a CN node (16), information regarding requested resources for a first network slice identified by a network slice identifier. The RAN node (12) determines that the received information does not correspond to a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the first network slice.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to selection of user plane functions in a core network and a radio access network of a cellular communications network that take into consideration information related to application server selection are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a network node in a cellular communications network that comprises a radio access network and a core network comprises selecting a user plane function for a protocol data unit session for a wireless device based on information related to application server selection such that the protocol data unit session for the wireless device utilizes the selected user plane function. In this manner, optimal user plane connectivity between an application client in the wireless device and an application server is provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for coordinated selection of a User Plane Function (UPF) in a core network and a Packet Processing Function (PPF) in a radio access network. In some embodiments, a method of operation of network node of a cellular communications network to enable coordinated UPF and PPF selection comprises receiving information indicative of a UPF selected for a protocol data unit session of a wireless device, where the UPF is part of a core network of the cellular communications network. The method further comprises selecting a PPF for the protocol data unit session of the wireless device based on the information indicative of the UPF selected for the protocol data unit session of the wireless device, where the PPF is part of a radio access network of the cellular communications network. In this manner, an optimal routing of user data traffic can be achieved.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for coordinated selection of a User Plane Function (UPF) in a core network and a Packet Processing Function (PPF) in a radio access network. In some embodiments, a method of operation of network node of a cellular communications network to enable coordinated UPF and PPF selection comprises receiving information indicative of a UPF selected for a protocol data unit session of a wireless device, where the UPF is part of a core network of the cellular communications network. The method further comprises selecting a PPF for the protocol data unit session of the wireless device based on the information indicative of the UPF selected for the protocol data unit session of the wireless device, where the PPF is part of a radio access network of the cellular communications network. In this manner, an optimal routing of user data traffic can be achieved.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a determining module, for managing dual connectivity, DC, in a communications network. The communications network comprises a first and a second Radio Access Network, RAN, node. The first RAN node manages a first user plane bearer for a User Equipment, UE. The DC comprises communicating with the UE over the first RAN node and the second RAN node simultaneously. The determining module obtains information about characteristics of the UE and/or information about characteristics of a transport network between the first RAN node and the second RAN node. The determining module determines, based on the retrieved information, to adapt DC for the first user plane bearer via the second RAN node for communication with the UE.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a network node for enabling communication between the network node and a radio network node comprised in a communication network. The network node supports a first set of functionalities out of a total set of functionalities in the communication network, which first set of functionalities is separated from a different set of functionalities out of the total set of functionalities in the communication network. The network node initiates a transmission of an indication to the radio network node, which indication indicates the supported first set of functionalities.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a RAN node (12), for managing communication on a first network slice in a communications network (1). The communications network (1) comprises partitioned sets of functionalities. A first set of functionalities belongs to the first network slice. The first set of functionalities is at least 5 partly separated from another set of functionalities out of a total set of functionalities in the communications network (1). The RAN node (12) receives, from a CN node (16), information regarding requested resources for a first network slice identified by a network slice identifier. The RAN node (12) determines that the received information does not correspond to a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the first network slice.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to selection of user plane functions in a core network and a radio access network of a cellular communications network that take into consideration information related to application server selection are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a network node in a cellular communications network that comprises a radio access network and a core network comprises selecting a user plane function for a protocol data unit session for a wireless device based on information related to application server selection such that the protocol data unit session for the wireless device utilizes the selected user plane function. In this manner, optimal user plane connectivity between an application client in the wireless device and an application server is provided.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a determining module, for managing dual connectivity, DC, in a communications network. The communications network comprises a first and a second Radio Access Network, RAN, node. The first RAN node manages a first user plane bearer for a User Equipment, UE. The DC comprises communicating with the UE over the first RAN node and the second RAN node simultaneously. The determining module obtains information about characteristics of the UE and/or information about characteristics of a transport network between the first RAN node and the second RAN node. The determining module determines, based on the retrieved information, to adapt DC for the first user plane bearer via the second RAN node for communication with the UE.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for coordinated selection of a User Plane Function (UPF) in a core network and a Packet Processing Function (PPF) in a radio access network. In some embodiments, a method of operation of network node of a cellular communications network to enable coordinated UPF and PPF selection comprises receiving information indicative of a UPF selected for a protocol data unit session of a wireless device, where the UPF is part of a core network of the cellular communications network. The method further comprises selecting a PPF for the protocol data unit session of the wireless device based on the information indicative of the UPF selected for the protocol data unit session of the wireless device, where the PPF is part of a radio access network of the cellular communications network. In this manner, an optimal routing of user data traffic can be achieved.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a network node for enabling communication between the network node and a radio network node comprised in a communication network. The network node supports a first set of functionalities out of a total set of functionalities in the communication network, which first set of functionalities is separated from a different set of functionalities out of the total set of functionalities in the communication network. The network node initiates a transmission of an indication to the radio network node, which indication indicates the supported first set of functionalities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in a reporting communications node (12, 14) for detecting usage of a resource within a radio access network. The reporting communication node (12, 14) is comprised within a radio communications network (1), in which radio communications network (1) a user equipment (12) is served. The reporting communications node monitors a performance measurement per user equipment of the user equipment (12), which performance measurement indicates usage of resources within a radio access network. The reporting communication node detects when the performance measurement per user equipment of the user equipment (12) goes beyond a threshold value over a preset period of time. In addition, the reporting communication node reports to a different communication node (14, 15) or within the communication node (12, 14), the performance measurement per user equipment when the performance measurement per user equipment goes beyond the threshold value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing mobile station transaction information at a serving control node in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The serving control node may be a base station, such as an eNodeB in an LTE/SAE wireless communication system. The transaction information, which may include, for example, mobility-related transaction information and traffic-related transaction information for a given mobile station, may be passed between controlling control nodes as the corresponding mobile station is handed over, so that a controlling control node has access to information characterizing the past activities of the mobile station. This information may be used in some embodiments for selecting a target control node for handover or for allocating link resources.

Abstract: A technique for handling radio link failure in a communication network (10) is provided. A method implementation of this technique comprises the steps of maintaining radio link failure information including the identifier of a user equipment (UE) effected by the radio link failure together with at least one of a time stamp of when the radio link failure was detected and a reference to a cell (C1) which was serving the user equipment (UE) before the radio link failure was detected, receiving reconnection information including an identifier of a reconnected user equipment (UE) effected by a radio link failure after the user equipment (UE) is reconnected to the communication network and correlating the radio link failure information with the reconnection information to obtain a correlation result.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a packet data network gateway (PDN-GW) receives a UE congestion status message originating from an eNodeB indicating a UE is congested. In one embodiment, the PDN-GW receives a request message from a policy charging and rules function (PCRF) to create a new policy and charging control (PCC) rule for the UE. The PDN-GW discards the request message to prevent a request to create/modify a bearer for the UE from being sent by the PDN-GW, and prevent a response message denying the request message to create/modify the bearer for the UE from being sent by the eNodeB, reducing the number of bearer creation or modification messages being exchanged in the EPS. According to one embodiment, an Evolved Node B (eNodeB) determines that a UE communicatively coupled to the eNodeB is congested, and sends a UE congestion status message destined for the PDN-GW.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a subscription-based measurement concept where the detailed parameters for a certain measurement report are set by a measurement provider, i.e. a radio base station, instead of the measurement requester. For this purpose the measurement provider “publishes” a certain set of measurements that controller units for radio resource management (RRM) can subscribe to. According to the present invention parameters of measurements are defined in detail in the measuring entity, i.e. the target radio base station, as opposed to being defined by the requesting entity, i. e. the RRM controller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing mobile station transaction information at a serving control node in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The serving control node may be a base station, such as an eNodeB in an LTE/SAE wireless communication system. The transaction information, which may include, for example, mobility-related transaction information and traffic-related transaction information for a given mobile station, may be passed between controlling control nodes as the corresponding mobile station is handed over, so that a controlling control node has access to information characterizing the past activities of the mobile station. This information may be used in some embodiments for selecting a target control node for handover or for allocating link resources.

Abstract: A traffic plane entity (e.g., user plane entity (UPE), serving gateway (S-GW)) and method are described herein for allocating a unique identifier (e.g., UPE/S-GW UE-Context-Id) which identifies and unifies a set of bearers within a UE context that is associated with a given UE. In operation, the traffic plane entity can then send the allocated unique identifier to another entity (e.g., mobility management entity (MME)) which at a subsequent time re-sends the unique identifier back to the traffic plane entity along with a request to have the traffic plane entity perform a specific operation or procedure on the bearers associated with the UE context of the given UE. Upon receiving the request, the traffic plane entity uses the unique identifier to perform the requested operation or procedure simultaneously on all of the bearers associated with the UE context of the given UE.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing mobile station transaction information at a serving control node in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The serving control node may be a base station, such as an eNodeB in an LTE/SAE wireless communication system. The transaction information, which may include, for example, mobility-related transaction information and traffic-related transaction information for a given mobile station, may be passed between controlling control nodes as the corresponding mobile station is handed over, so that a controlling control node has access to information characterizing the past activities of the mobile station. This information may be used in some embodiments for selecting a target control node for handover or for allocating link resources.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in a reporting communications node (12, 14) for detecting usage of a resource within a radio access network. The reporting communication node (12, 14) is comprised within a radio communications network (1) in which radio communications network (1) a user equipment (12) is served. The reporting communications node monitors a performance measurement per user equipment of the user equipment (12), which performance measurement indicates usage of resources within a radio access network. The reporting communication node detects when the performance measurement per user equipment of the user equipment (12) goes beyond a threshold value over a preset period of time. In addition, the reporting communication node reports to a different communication node (14, 15) or within the communication node (12, 14), the performance measurement per user equipment when the performance measurement per user equipment goes beyond the threshold value.