Abstract: Drone base stations (DBSs) create a radio access network (DRAN) that provides a quick on-demand coverage in areas either for lost coverage due to disasters (providing an emergency communications network (ECN)) or for specific military, governmental and IoT application needs. DRAN Control Functions may be modeled as Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs) to operate and control a flying DRAN that comprises a plurality of DBSs, providing near real-time configuration control functions. These unique functions apply to the combined drone and base station sub-components of each DBS. Unique configuration control actions are determining the number of drones, optimal 3D drone positioning, and the inter-drone graph topology by maximizing served cellular user clusters, while factoring in user slices, remaining drone flight times and RF interference.

Abstract: The embodiments in this invention extend distributed unit (DU), central unit (CU) and control plane of F1 (F1-C) capabilities so that differentiated DRBs of F1-U are placed on differentiated transport network components of equivalent QoS. This is achieved by a transport-aware DU and CU that can map each F1-U DRB into appropriate OSI layer 2-4 headers and can, subsequently, store such mappings. The F1-C interface is extended to distribute the layer 2-4 headers acquired from the transport network controller to the DUs and CU. A new control interface TN-C is defined between transport network controller and CU/DU. Furthermore, a trivial mapping of those embodiments is applicable for the N3 interface as well, which solves the same problem on the backhaul transport network.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for slice assurance within a mobile network. In some examples, a method includes obtaining, by a slice assurance function (SAF) executed by a device, key performance indicator (KPI) values for a first slice of a plurality of slices implemented by a plurality of base stations serving a tracking area of a mobile network; determining, by the SAF, based in part on the KPI values for the first slice, a service level agreement (SLA) for the first slice has not been met; re-allocating, by the SAF in response to the determining, slice resources associated with any of the plurality of slices to compute a new slice configuration parameter for the first slice; and reconfiguring, by the SAF, at least one of the plurality of base stations to implement the new slice configuration parameter for the first slice.

Abstract: A hybrid access configuration function (HACF) is deployed as a virtual or physical network function (V/PNF) that can reconfigure the capacity of access network devices based on HCPE usage demands, and/or perform traffic engineering by switching to best access paths based on packet flow's service requirements or by shifting traffic from one sub-flow to another. This is achieved by HACF's direct interfaces to various device control functions, including control and management functions of RAN, SON, PON, and SMF, as well as the control function of HAG/HCPE to manage resources. Furthermore, HACF can create new instances of virtual HAGs at the access network closer to the user clusters when extra HAG capacity is needed.

Abstract: An application service provider (ASP) subscribes to a slice of the network of the mobile operator to offer its users on mobile devices a better-quality transport service. For example, the ASP subscribes to and pays for, say, a premium network slice dedicated for the use of its premium users that are on mobile devices. When a premium user accesses the application (and gets authorized by it), the application sends identifiers of the application/user to the Slice Identifier Function (SIF) of the mobile operator, which in turn directs the configuration of the core network components as well as the RAN attached to said user's mobile device according to the application's slice policies. As another example, the ASP subscribes to and pays for the default network slice for a differentiated treatment. When SIF identifies the application, it gives its users a higher QoS/priority than other users within the same slice.

Abstract: An ‘open control network’ is described, wherein the control plane functions within the Radio Access Network (such as eNodeB and gNodeB) and Core Network (such as MME, AMF and SMF) provide an interface towards the operator and 3rd party control applications. Applications are allowed to securely register to signaling protocols within the control plane, specifically to the RAN or the Core Network control functions to view, intercept and intervene certain types of control messages or procedures. Innovative applications can be developed to view and modify control plane behavior utilizing both traditional methods as well as upcoming Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence algorithms to provide services that are not part of standard operator offerings.

Abstract: A new control function is defined for the control plane of a 5G mobile network to enable the operator's mobile user, who is using a premium network slice, to access application services on the public Internet, by operator sign-on only when accessing the application on said slice. This unique single sign-on capability allows the user to bypass the service authentication after operator authenticates the mobile device by the user session establishment procedure. The new function registers a plurality of service applications, which sign-up for single sign-on capability. It also coordinates the mapping and storage of credentials of the user across the mobile operator's service and the service provider's application for each of said plurality of service applications, and transfers user credentials to the application so that the user's sign-in step is bypassed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to enable a so-called ‘unified slice’, wherein the unified slice is technology-independent, i.e., constructed from different networking technologies, and spans multiple operators. The method provides an abstraction of a network slice and its segments, and a way to coordinate the end-to-end slice information collection, slice segment configuration and activation across multiple types of networks and operators. The system of invention has the task of coordinating configuration of an end-to-end slice, with user-specified slice parameters, by communicating with the respective slice managers; It receives information to generate an abstract model of each slice segment, and sends the required slice segment attributes to these slice managers so that they can activate the segment after translating them according to capabilities of their network technology.

Abstract: Software Defined Networking concepts apply to access, fronthaul, backhaul and core networks of 5G mobile networks and beyond. Such network components currently have individual/segmented control planes and associated controllers to provide configurability, provisioning, and network slicing. This is because of technology disparity between these network components: access is wireless/cellular, backhaul and fronthaul are optical/fiber, and core is electrical/wire-line.

Abstract: Using a Radio Access Network (RAN) capacity exchange (or RANxChange), mobile operators can advertise slices/partitions of available unused base station capacity, and auction and lease it. A member-operator can advertise their unused base station capacity availability or lease capacity from another member-operator for a specific time period. The bidding operators can bid for the full auctioned capacity or portion of the auctioned capacity. The users start attaching the leased slice transparently without any configuration changes on their mobile devices.

Abstract: A system and method for reliable and secure record keeping for Radio Access Network (RAN) capacity sharing amongst a plurality of operators using slicing methods according to 3GPP 5G specifications, wherein slicing is controlled by a RAN controller is disclosed. The record keeping system is a distributed Blockchain ledger in which a block specifies information pertaining to available, leased or purchased base station slice(s). The ledger is immutable and available to all operators through a distributed database hosted by each participant wherein each base station owner advertises its leased as well as unused base station capacity at a specific time using blocks in the Blockchain. In an embodiment, the RAN controller directly feeds the information needed to form a new block into the ledger whenever the slicing profile of a RAN changes, thereby making the ledger in complete synchronicity with the network.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for slice assurance within a mobile network. In some examples, a method includes obtaining, by a slice assurance function (SAF) executed by a device, key performance indicator (KPI) values for a first slice of a plurality of slices implemented by a plurality of base stations serving a tracking area of a mobile network; determining, by the SAF, based in part on the KPI values for the first slice, a service level agreement (SLA) for the first slice has not been met; re-allocating, by the SAF in response to the determining, slice resources associated with any of the plurality of slices to compute a new slice configuration parameter for the first slice; and reconfiguring, by the SAF, at least one of the plurality of base stations to implement the new slice configuration parameter for the first slice.

Abstract: The embodiments in this invention extend distributed unit (DU), central unit (CU) and control plane of F1 (F1-C) capabilities so that differentiated DRBs of F1-U are placed on differentiated transport network components of equivalent QoS. This is achieved by a transport-aware DU and CU that can map each F1-U DRB into appropriate OSI layer 2-4 headers and can, subsequently, store such mappings. The F1-C interface is extended to distribute the layer 2-4 headers acquired from the transport network controller to the DUs and CU. A new control interface TN-C is defined between transport network controller and CU/DU. Furthermore, a trivial mapping of those embodiments is applicable for the N3 interface as well, which solves the same problem on the backhaul transport network.

Abstract: A hybrid access configuration function (HACF) is deployed as a virtual or physical network function (V/PNF) that can reconfigure the capacity of access network devices based on HCPE usage demands, and/or perform traffic engineering by switching to best access paths based on packet flow's service requirements or by shifting traffic from one sub-flow to another. This is achieved by HACF's direct interfaces to various device control functions, including control and management functions of RAN, SON, PON, and SMF, as well as the control function of HAG/HCPE to manage resources. Furthermore, HACF can create new instances of virtual HAGs at the access network closer to the user clusters when extra HAG capacity is needed.

Abstract: An ‘open control network’ is described, wherein the control plane functions within the Radio Access Network (such as eNodeB and gNodeB) and Core Network (such as MME, AMF and SMF) provide an interface towards the operator and 3rd party control applications. Applications are allowed to securely register to signaling protocols within the control plane, specifically to the RAN or the Core Network control functions to view, intercept and intervene certain types of control messages or procedures. Innovative applications can be developed to view and modify control plane behavior utilizing both traditional methods as well as upcoming Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence algorithms to provide services that are not part of standard operator offerings.

Abstract: Using a Radio Access Network (RAN) capacity exchange (or RANxChange), mobile operators can advertise slices/partitions of available unused base station capacity, and auction and lease it. A member-operator can advertise their unused base station capacity availability or lease capacity from another member-operator for a specific time period. The bidding operators can bid for the full auctioned capacity or portion of the auctioned capacity. The users start attaching the leased slice transparently without any configuration changes on their mobile devices.

Abstract: Software Defined Networking concepts apply to access, fronthaul, backhaul and core networks of 5G mobile networks and beyond. Such network components currently have individual/segmented control planes and associated controllers to provide configurability, provisioning, and network slicing. This is because of technology disparity between these network components: access is wireless/cellular, backhaul and fronthaul are optical/fiber, and core is electrical/wire-line.

Abstract: A system and method for reliable and secure record keeping for Radio Access Network (RAN) capacity sharing amongst a plurality of operators using slicing methods according to 3GPP 5G specifications, wherein slicing is controlled by a RAN controller is disclosed. The record keeping system is a distributed Blockchain ledger in which a block specifies information pertaining to available, leased or purchased base station slice(s). The ledger is immutable and available to all operators through a distributed database hosted by each participant wherein each base station owner advertises its leased as well as unused base station capacity at a specific time using blocks in the Blockchain. In an embodiment, the RAN controller directly feeds the information needed to form a new block into the ledger whenever the slicing profile of a RAN changes, thereby making the ledger in complete synchronicity with the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to enable a so-called ‘unified slice’, wherein the unified slice is technology-independent, i.e., constructed from different networking technologies, and spans multiple operators. The method provides an abstraction of a network slice and its segments, and a way to coordinate the end-to-end slice information collection, slice segment configuration and activation across multiple types of networks and operators. The system of invention has the task of coordinating configuration of an end-to-end slice, with user-specified slice parameters, by communicating with the respective slice managers; It receives information to generate an abstract model of each slice segment, and sends the required slice segment attributes to these slice managers so that they can activate the segment after translating them according to capabilities of their network technology.

Abstract: A method as implemented in a controller in a SDN: (a) receiving service function chain orders of packet flows comprising a service function chain; (b) receiving, in real-time, delay measurements from either one of the virtual network functions and/or one of the network switches; (c) determining a plurality of realizations of the service function chain orders of (a) in order to minimize a total delay; (d) choosing an optimal realization corresponding to a least delay; and (e) determining one or more flow rules for the one or more network switches, the determining based on the optimal realization in (d). A controller and an article of manufacture implementing such a method are also described.