Abstract: Embodiments provide high reliability and responsiveness by dedicating resources both at the RAN and the core to provide high throughput, low latency communication for a critical communication service. Radio resources can be allocated to the machines in the ambulance as and where needed to guarantee the required QoS. Further, as the route an ambulance will follow to the hospital is known or can be predicted, this information is exploited by embodiments to further reduce communication delay by instantiating VNFs closer to the edge where and when they are needed. Further, end-to-end paths can be configured in advance between each access point and a hospital. In some embodiments, core network functions can be isolated from other traffic in the network so that the performance of the critical communication service is not impacted by other services. Low latency can be further enhanced by customized processing of the traffic.

Abstract: A hierarchical link scheduling system and method is provided. A central controller gathers network information, including global parameters and long term demands, and determines an initial schedule for link activation based on these variables. A scheduler receives the initial schedule and modifies the initial schedule based on local parameters, inter-schedule negotiation, or other short term or localized requests. The scheduler activates the links according to the modified schedule. Accordingly, the scheduler can be responsible for modifying the initial schedule provided by central controller with localized or short term requests or demands, and providing the necessary parameters to enable link activation between nodes according to the modified schedule.

Abstract: A spectrum channel sharing system may coordinate a shared usage of one or more spectrum channels between a first communication system and a second communication system. The first communication system may transmit a request to the second communication system to clear communication traffic associated with the second communication system from a spectrum channel. The first communication system may then initiate a communication session on the spectrum channel after the communication traffic associated with the second communication system has been at least partially cleared from the spectrum channel.

Abstract: A communication network providing database functionality and associated method are provided. The network implements Software Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualization. In response to a database query, the network instantiates a set of database functions as Virtual Functions of the communication network. The Virtual Functions correspond to a query execution plan, which can be generated by elements in the network. The query execution plan may instantiate virtual functions of the network in an efficient manner to draw from database tables distributed through the network and process same in order to execute the query. This may include instantiating new processing nodes at desired locations for performing database operations.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data in a multiple-input-multiple-output space-time coded communication using a mapping table mapping a plurality of symbols defining the communication to respective antennae from amongst a plurality of transmission antennae and to at least one other transmission resource. The mapping table may comprise Alamouti-coded primary segments and may also comprise secondary segments, comprising primary segments. The primary segments in the secondary segments may be defined in accordance to an to Alamouti based code pattern applied at the segment level to define a segment-level Alamouti based code.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is to provide a Connectivity Management (CM) function for use in networks such as a wireless network. The CM function can support both User Equipment (UE) and Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices in the network. In one embodiment of the first aspect, there is provided methods and systems for CM for a plurality of different types of devices that may evaluate tracking criteria to determine where and when wireless resources will need to be allocated to a wireless device. In some embodiments, these tracking criteria include location tracking and/or activity tracking. Another aspect provides for the instantiation of virtual CM functions established at appropriate physical nodes to provide device specific or service specific CM.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for virtual infrastructure management and in some embodiments for virtual infrastructure management between operator networks. According to embodiments, there is provided a system and a method for the requesting and provisioning of network resources including infrastructure resources, spectrum resources or both, between network operators.

Abstract: A telecom connectivity service provider (TCSP) and a method for allocating an infrastructure resource to a virtual network operator (VNO). A TCSP control element sends to a downstream control element, a request for a portion of the infrastructure to be allocated to the TCSP by an infrastructure provider (InP) and receives a response from the downstream control element providing access to and control of the allocated infrastructure. The TCSP control element can pool the allocated infrastructure with other resources allocated to the TCSP and/or communicate with an upstream control element for providing access to and control of the allocated infrastructure to the VNO. The downstream control element is a local InP control element or a downstream TCSP control element. The upstream control element is a VNO control element or an upstream TCSP control element.

Abstract: There is provided systems and methods for Network Function Virtualization (NFV) in a control plane. The NFV framework is be used to define a plurality of virtual network functions (VNFs), each of which can correspond to a function enabling operation of a communication network. There is provided a method and system for managing a plurality of network slices in a communication network, the method comprising: instantiating a Global Control Plane set apart from the plurality of network slices, the Global Control Plane configured to at least partially manage each of the plurality of network slices.

Abstract: A method for managing network slice enabled traffic on a communications network is disclosed. The network slice is instantiated on the communications network for providing connectivity resources to a network operator using the communications network. The method comprises measuring a traffic level indicative of the traffic enabled by the network slice; and adjusting the traffic enabled by the network slice in accordance with the traffic level and a network operator enabled function associated with the network slice.

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure provides a method for session admission at a node in an infrastructure provider network. The method includes receiving a connection request from a user equipment not associated with a network with which the infrastructure provider network is associated and obtaining from the user equipment, an identification of a service provider with which the infrastructure provider network is associated. Access authorization is then requested from the identified service provider. Embodiments allow such a process to provide government mandated free access, or for some other service provider to pay for the service.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for management of network slices in a communication network such as a 5th generation wireless communication network are provided. Management planes may be provided which are separate from the plurality of network slices. A connection manager residing in a management plane receives an indication that a mobile device is to be associated with the communication network. The connection manager may reside at an access node or in the core network. A network slice is determined, and the connection manager transmits instructions, to one or more network nodes, to associate the mobile device with the network slice. The instructions may be provided to a local connection manager. The slice may be requested explicitly by the mobile device, or determined based on device and/or network requirements.

Abstract: A method and system for providing Customer Service Management (CSM) a communication network, such as a 5G wireless communication network. The communication network provides at least one service involving one or more terminals serviced by the communication network. A CSM function is defined which is based upon said at least one service and customized to said at least one service, to provide service-customized CSM. CSM may provide service-based charging/billing, service-based context management, service-customized QoE control, service-customized network topology.

Abstract: A method and system for machine type communication (MTC) service management using network function virtualization (NFV) is disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for a machine type communication (MTC) service management using a virtual network function (VNF) includes receiving, by a virtual serving gateway (v-s-SGW), a request for an MTC service from a MTC device through a radio node associated with the MTC device; sending, by the v-s-SGW, an authentication request to an MTC server to authenticate the MTC device; receiving, by the v-s-SGW, an authentication response from the MTC server; and establishing, by the v-s-SGW, an MTC bearer between the v-s-SGW and the radio node if the authentication is successful; wherein the v-s-SGW comprises a virtual connection management (v-CM) and a serving gateway (s-SGW).

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure provides a method of admitting a session from a user device subscribed to a service with a virtual network operator. The method includes receiving a service request from said user device at an Access Point and selecting a network function Authentication and Authorization (AA) function (AAF) to confirm the user device is authorized for the requested service, and transmitting the request to the selected network function AAA function. The AAAF which processes the request may reside with the virtual network operator (VNO). However, the VNO may share its AAA database with other network entities (for example, Telecom Connectivity Service Providers (TCSPs) or InPs), and allow those entities to perform the AAA functions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating network slices in a communication network such as a 5th generation wireless communication network are provided. Mobile device attach requests can be handled in which an appropriate network slice is selected for attaching the mobile device to. Customer service requests can be handled using existing network slices or by instantiating new network slices as needed. Mobile devices can be associated to new network slices due to roaming. Network slices can be monitored and scaled as required to maintain performance. Cloud resource assignment, mobile device power management, traffic engineering and flow management operations are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for management of Machine Type Communication (MTC) events. The system and method enables the detection of a state of the MTC event, correlating the state of MTC event with a Virtual Network Function (VNF) state of a VNF configured to mitigate the MTC event and transitioning the VNF to the VNF state which correlates with the MTC state. In this manner, the VNF can be in a configured and active state in advance of the MTC event reaching a critical state, thereby enabling mitigation of the MTC event prior to reaching the critical state.

Abstract: A method and system for responding to demand-based charging in a communication network, such as a 5G wireless communication network. Service providers and/or infrastructure providers adjust network usage pricing dynamically based on demand. Customers such as Virtual Network operators respond to pricing adjustments by adjusting their network usage, service requirements, and/or by re-negotiating the pricing structure. Network usage can be adjusted by controlling network traffic generated in response to activity of end-user devices of the Virtual Network.

Abstract: A method for User Equipment (UE) power management in a wireless communication system is provided. A connection manager of the communication system receives a power management policy from a third party entity. The policy directs setting of a power management scheme according to status information of the UE. The third party entity is functionally separate from the UE and a network domain associated with the connection manager. Status information is received from the UE. A power management instruction is transmitted towards the UE to modify power management parameters stored in the UE.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data in a multiple-input-multiple-output space-time coded communication using a mapping table mapping a plurality of symbols defining the communication to respective antennae from amongst a plurality of transmission antennae and to at least one other transmission resource. The mapping table may comprise Alamouti-coded primary segments and may also comprise secondary segments, comprising primary segments. The primary segments in the secondary segments may be defined in accordance to an to Alamouti based code pattern applied at the segment level to define a segment-level Alamouti based code.