Abstract: A wireless communication device receives an indication of timing alignment of a discontinuous reception (DRX) duration, determines a timing alignment for a reception/transmission (RX/TX) switching pattern of the wireless communication device based on the timing alignment of the DRX duration, and performs half-duplex (HD) communication with a radio access node according to the RX/TX switching pattern having the determined timing alignment.

Abstract: A network node obtains capability information indicating whether neighbor network nodes support special user equipments (UEs), receives a measurement report for the neighbor network nodes from a special UE, and selects one of the network nodes as a target node for handover of the special UE based on the received measurement report and the obtained capability information.

Abstract: A network node may identify a location to be allocated for a multicast message within a transmission subframe based on at least information identifying the transmission subframe, and then transmit the multicast message at the identified location in the transmission subframe. A network node may also identify a transmission subframe in which to transmit a multicast message, allocate transmission resources in the transmission subframe for the multicast message, and transmit information indicating a location of the allocated transmission resources in the transmission subframe in a control signal message having a transmission power adjusted based on at least one of information identifying the transmission subframe and a code redundancy version of the multicast message.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS), and in particular to a method, system and network entity for configuring transmission parameters for providing MBMS service(s). In one embodiment, a network entity in communication with a plurality of network nodes within a geographical area is provided. The network entity includes a communication interface configured to receive a representation of signal quality measurement data associated with a plurality of non-Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service, non-MBMS, user equipments, UEs. Each UE is served by at least one of the plurality network nodes. The network entity includes a processor communicatively coupled to the communication interface. The processor is configured to determine a combined signal quality data of a plurality of MBMS UEs based at least in part on the received representation of signal quality measurement data associated with the plurality of non-MBMS UEs.

Abstract: A network node identifies a fixed periodic pattern to be used for scheduling a half-duplex (HD) user equipment (UE), the fixed periodic pattern defining a sequence of at least one downlink (DL) subframe, then at least one guard period, and then at least one uplink (UL) subframe. The network node then performs DL assignments for the network node according to the fixed periodic pattern and transmits UL grants to the UE according to the fixed periodic pattern.

Abstract: A node and method for extending a wake up time of a wireless user equipment (UE) are provided. The node includes a memory. The memory is configured to store data to be transmitted to the UE. The node includes a processor configured to determine if the memory is storing data to be transmitted to the UE, determine if the wake up time of the UE coincides with a periodic subframe, the periodic subframe occurring with a periodicity and cause transmission of a message for a grant to the UE if the determination is made that the memory is storing data to be transmitted to the UE and the wake up time of the UE coincides with the periodic subframe.

Abstract: A network node identifies a fixed periodic pattern to be used for scheduling a half-duplex (HD) user equipment (UE), the fixed periodic pattern defining a sequence of at least one downlink (DL) subframe, then at least one guard period, and then at least one uplink (UL) subframe. The network node then performs DL assignments for the network node according to the fixed periodic pattern and transmits UL grants to the UE according to the fixed periodic pattern.

Abstract: A network node may identify a location to be allocated for a multicast message within a transmission subframe based on at least information identifying the transmission subframe, and then transmit the multicast message at the identified location in the transmission subframe. A network node may also identify a transmission subframe in which to transmit a multicast message, allocate transmission resources in the transmission subframe for the multicast message, and transmit information indicating a location of the allocated transmission resources in the transmission subframe in a control signal message having a transmission power adjusted based on at least one of information identifying the transmission subframe and a code redundancy version of the multicast message.

Abstract: A network node obtains capability information indicating whether neighbor network nodes support special user equipments (UEs), receives a measurement report for the neighbor network nodes from a special UE, and selects one of the network nodes as a target node for handover of the special UE based on the received measurement report and the obtained capability information.

Abstract: A wireless communication device receives an indication of timing alignment of a discontinuous reception (DRX) duration, determines a timing alignment for a reception/transmission (RX/TX) switching pattern of the wireless communication device based on the timing alignment of the DRX duration, and performs half-duplex (HD) communication with a radio access node according to the RX/TX switching pattern having the determined timing alignment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coexistence of Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS) and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of operation of a network node in a cellular communications network is provided. The method includes determining a number of MBMS subframes for an MBMS allocation period. The method also includes, for each MBMS subframe of the number of MBMS subframes, assigning a frame number and a subframe number for the MBMS subframe such that a probability of a VoIP packet transmission during the MBMS subframe is mitigated. By mitigating the probability that a VoIP packet transmission occurs during a scheduled MBMS subframe, a VoIP user equipment (UE) may miss fewer packets and/or experience reduced battery drain.

Abstract: A node (260) of a cellular network node sends data units to a group of base stations (200). Each data unit is configured for conveying multicast data to be sent by the base stations (200) in a synchronized manner at a starting time indicated in the data unit. For each of the data units, the node (260) determines the starting time as the sum of the time of sending the data unit from the node and an offset value. Further, the node (260) obtains feedback information from the base stations (200) of the group. The feedback information indicates a deviation of the starting time indicated in one of the data units (411) from an earliest possible time of sending the multicast data from the data unit (411) by the base stations (200) of the group. Depending on the feedback information, the node (260) adapts the offset value.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS), and in particular to a method, system and network entity for configuring transmission parameters for providing MBMS service(s). In one embodiment, a network entity in communication with a plurality of network nodes within a geographical area is provided. The network entity includes a communication interface configured to receive a representation of signal quality measurement data associated with a plurality of non-Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service, non-MBMS, user equipments, UEs. Each UE is served by at least one of the plurality network nodes. The network entity includes a processor communicatively coupled to the communication interface. The processor is configured to determine a combined signal quality data of a plurality of MBMS UEs based at least in part on the received representation of signal quality measurement data associated with the plurality of non-MBMS UEs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coexistence of Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS) and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of operation of a network node in a cellular communications network is provided. The method includes determining a number of MBMS subframes for an MBMS allocation period. The method also includes, for each MBMS subframe of the number of MBMS subframes, assigning a frame number and a subframe number for the MBMS subframe such that a probability of a VoIP packet transmission during the MBMS subframe is mitigated. By mitigating the probability that a VoIP packet transmission occurs during a scheduled MBMS subframe, a VoIP user equipment (UE) may miss fewer packets and/or experience reduced battery drain.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing muting of ongoing services when a new multicast traffic channel, MTCH, is to be started or stopped are disclosed. According to one aspect, embodiments provide a method that includes sending an indication of service start to trigger sending of a multicast control channel, MCCH, update during a first MCCH modification period to inform the base station of the new MTCH to be started during a second MCCH modification period at a time determined at the base station. The method further includes sending control packet data units, PDUs, during an MCCH modification period preceding the second MCCH modification period, the PDUs arranged to avoid muting of the ongoing services.

Abstract: A node and method for extending a wake up time of a wireless user equipment (UE) are provided. The node includes a memory. The memory is configured to store data to be transmitted to the UE. The node includes a processor configured to determine if the memory is storing data to be transmitted to the UE, determine if the wake up time of the UE coincides with a periodic subframe, the periodic subframe occurring with a periodicity and cause transmission of a message for a grant to the UE if the determination is made that the memory is storing data to be transmitted to the UE and the wake up time of the UE coincides with the periodic subframe.

Abstract: A method in communications network. Downlink transmissions to a user equipment, UE, are scheduled with reserved subframes for one or more specified services. An amount of overlap between wake periods of a default discontinuous reception, DRX, configuration for the UE and said reserved subframes is determined, and it is then determined that the amount of overlap exceeds a threshold. In response a configuration signal is sent to the UE, the configuration signal configuring the UE to use an extended DRX configuration having wake periods of greater duration than the wake periods of the default DRX configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing faults at the tail end of the user plane associated with an MBMS bearer. A fault detection time interval associated with the MBMS bearer can be defined and monitored. A fault can be detected in response to determining that the defined time interval has elapsed without receipt of a synchronization packet. Mechanisms for detecting, indicating, localizing and repairing MBMS bearer faults are described.

Abstract: A method and system for determining whether to apply an inter-cell coordination procedure for a UE in the presence of inter-cell interference from cells, the cells including a serving cell and a plurality of interfering cells, are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes receiving measurements of uplink signal quality of the UE from the cells. The method also includes calculating a combined metric based on the received uplink signal quality measurements. The combined metric is compared to a serving cell threshold to determine whether to implement the inter-cell coordination procedure.

Abstract: A method and device for determining whether to send a measurement report to a serving cell and determining when an inter-cell coordination procedure is likely to achieve coordination gain are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes performing received signal quality measurements of the serving cell and a plurality of neighboring cells. The method also includes calculating a UE metric based on the received signal quality measurements of a plurality of interfering cells and based on a scaling parameter. The method further includes comparing the calculated UE metric to a threshold to determine whether to send the measurement report to the serving cell.