Abstract: An apparatus for a Next Generation Node-B (gNB) includes processing circuitry coupled to memory. To configure the gNB for QoS monitoring in an NG-RAN with a control plane (CP)-user plane (UP) separation, the processing circuitry is to decode assistance information data received at a gNB Central Unit (gNB-CU) node of the gNB from a gNB Distributed Unit (gNB-DU) node of the gNB. The gNB-CU node is hosting an NR PDCP. The gNB-DU node is configured as a corresponding node of the gNB. The assistance information data includes delay information of a communication link of the NG-RAN measured by the corresponding node. A delay associated with the communication link is determined at the gNB-CU node of the gNB, based on the delay information measured by the corresponding node.

Abstract: Devices, methods, user equipment (UE), base stations, storage media, and other embodiments are provided for managing associations in a communication network. In one example embodiment, a Next Generation (NG) core network device is configured for an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) with an NG-Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) node. The network device may be configured to access a plurality of Transport Network Link (TNL) associations and generate an AMF configuration update using the TNL associations, the AMF configuration update comprising AMF transport layer address information for the plurality of TNL associations. The network device may then initiate transmission of the AMF configuration update comprising the AMF transport layer address information to the NG-RAN node. Additional embodiments may involve binding updates or setup response messaging for managing associations, along with additional operations.

Abstract: The present application relates to user equipment (UE) aggregation. For instance, a UE aggregation group is defined based on a subscription of multiple UEs with a network. Configuration information identifying the UE aggregation group, its member UEs, the role of each UE (e.g., whether a group leader or, otherwise, a group member), and/or radio access capability signaling (RACS) is stored. Upon a registration of a UE, the UE aggregation group is indicated to the network. The network then enables an aggregated communication capability to the UEs of the UE aggregation group based on the configuration information.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for the harmonization of a spectrum access tier and a core network architecture. One example includes a method implemented for the harmonization of a spectrum access tier and a core network architecture. An access and mobility management function (AMF) of a first network can receive a first request message, including a spectrum inquiry request from a base station to an automated frequency coordinator of the first network. The automated frequency coordinator can use an AMF interface and an automated frequency coordinator interface to determine a spectrum inquiry response. The spectrum inquiry response can describe an available frequency band of a spectrum access tier of a second network for the base station. The AMF can transmit the spectrum inquiry response to the base station.

Abstract: A 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) user equipment (UE) includes a wireless transceiver and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, via the wireless transceiver, a measurement configuration including a measurement object and a reporting configuration. The measurement object identifies at least one shared spectrum resource. The processor is also configured to monitor the at least one shared spectrum resource, via the wireless transceiver, for use by non-3GPP radio technology devices; and transmit, in accord with the reporting configuration and via the wireless transceiver, a report on the use of the at least one shared spectrum resource by non-3GPP radio technology devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing feedback when a specific PDU is successfully delivered or transmitted are described. The node hosting PDCP entity indicates triggering of a DDDS frame from the remote corresponding node. Rather than immediately triggering transmission of a DDDS frame, the node hosting PDCP entity indicates triggering based on successful delivery of a PDU having a specific SN, as long as in-sequence delivery or transmission of PDUs up to the specific SN was successful. The DDDS frame is transmitted once the corresponding node determines that the PDU having the SN was successfully delivered or transmitted. After reporting by the DDDS frame, the QoS flow associated with the PDUs is remapped from a source DRB to a target DRB.

Abstract: Systems and methods of setting up an E1 interface for a gNB are described, A transmitting entity of the gNB-CU-CP and gNB-CU-UP initiates the first TNL association between the gNB-CU-CP and gNB-CU-UP, and is also limited to initiating the E1 Setup procedure. The transmitting entity sends an E1 SETUP REQUEST message to set up the E1 interface. Afterwards, a message is received from the receiving entity. The transmitting entity determines that the setup of the E1 interface is successful if the message contains IEs of an E1 SETUP RESPONSE message. The types of IEs include a message type IE and a name of the transmitting entity.

Abstract: Embodiments of a Next Generation Node B (gNB) are described herein. The gNB may be configured with logical nodes, including a gNB central unit (gNB-CU) and a gNB distributed unit (gNB-DU). The gNB-CU may include a gNB-CU control plane (gNB-CU-CP) for control-plane functionality, and a gNB-CU user plane (gNB-CU-UP) for user-plane functionality. The gNB may initiate an E1 interface setup procedure, a bearer context setup procedure, and a UE context setup procedure to establish a UE context that includes a signaling radio bearer (SRB) and a data radio bearer (DRB) configuration. The UE context setup request message may be configured to include quality-of-service parameters for the DRB configuration.

Abstract: A method performed for side-link (SL) configuration of a plurality of user equipment (UEs), the method comprising: sending, to a transmitting UE (Tx UE) and a receiving UE (Rx UE), a request for sidelink (SL) positioning reference signal (PRS) capabilities data; receiving, from each of the Tx UE and the Rx UE, respective SL PRS capabilities data; configuring a SL positioning reference signal (PRS) that is based on the SL PRS capabilities data for each of the Tx UE and the Rx UE; sending data specifying a selected SL PRS configuration to the Tx UE; receiving an acknowledgement signal from the Tx UE indicating a Tx UE SL PRS configuration that is based on the selected SL PRS configuration; and providing, to the Rx UE, the Tx UE SL PRS configuration.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein provide techniques for small data transmission of a user equipment (UE) in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state. The techniques may be used with a next generation Node B (gNB) that employs a distributed unit (DU)/centralized unit (CU) split. The DU receives, from the UE in the RRC inactive state, data and processing information for processing for the data, processes the data based on a radio link control (RLC) bearer, and sends the processed data to the CU.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards devices and methods for identifying preferred access networks based at least in part on access network information including access network assistance information, steering policies, or access commands. In some embodiments, conflicts between access network information and access network discovery and selection function (ANDSF) policies may be rectified in identifying a preferred access network.

Abstract: The present application relates to devices and components including apparatus, systems, and methods for transmission of variable-size data bursts. Applications to uplink data transmissions and applications to downlink data transmissions are described.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer programs for enhancing UE handover. In one aspect, the method can include obtaining a request for a handover event from a UE, wherein the request includes at least (i) a request for access to a primary cell group and (ii) data indicating capabilities of the UE, determining, based on the UE capabilities, that the UE is capable of maintaining communication with a secondary cell group of a base station during handover of the UE to the primary cell group of the first base station, generating based on the determined UE capability, a handover command that instructs the UE to maintain communication with the secondary cell group of the base station during handover of the UE to the primary cell group, encoding the generated handover command for transmission to the UE, and transmitting the generated handover command to the UE.

Abstract: The present application relates to devices and components including apparatus, systems, and methods for control-plane signaling for UE associations in wireless networks.

Abstract: Sidelink positioning for wireless communications may be achieved by extending the current LCS (LoCation Services) architecture, ProSe (PROximity based SErvices) architecture, and V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) architecture to include sidelink positioning, e.g., during New Radio (NR) wireless communications. The existing architecture infrastructures of LCS, ProSe and V2X may be expanded to include additional signaling and/or they may be modified to incorporate communication of sidelink positioning information into existing signaling, and/or modify existing signaling to carry instructions between user equipment devices (UEs) as well as between UEs and relevant network functions either directly or via base stations when applicable.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for synchronizing data transmission activity by user equipment (UE). In one aspect, the method comprises determining, by the UE and based on current usage of resources, that alignment of subsequent usage of resources is to be adjusted, generating, by the UE, data that indicates a plurality of activity alignment parameters that are to be adjusted in order to cause the adjusted alignment of subsequent usage of resources, encoding, by the UE, the generated data for transmission to a base station, and transmitting, by the UE, the encoded data to the base station.

Abstract: Embodiments of a Next Generation Node B (gNB) are described herein. The gNB may be configured with logical nodes, including a gNB central unit (gNB-CU) and a gNB distributed unit (gNB-DU). The gNB-CU may include a gNB-CU control plane (gNB-CU-CP) for control-plane functionality, and a gNB-CU user plane (gNB-CU-UP) for user-plane functionality. The gNB may initiate an El interface setup procedure, a bearer context setup procedure, and a UE context setup procedure to establish a UE context that includes a signaling radio bearer (SRB) and a data radio bearer (DRB) configuration. The UE context setup request message may be configured to include quality-of-service parameters for the DRB configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus of a next generation NodeB (gNB) comprises one or more baseband processors to interconnect a gNB Central Unit control-plane entity (gNB-CU-CP) with a gNB Central Unit user-plane entity (gNB-CU-UP) via an E1 control plane interface and a gNB Distributed Unit (gNB-DU) via an F1 control plane interface. Rather than relying on multiple class-1 procedures initiated by gNB-CU-CP toward gNB-CU-UP and gNB-DU, the one or more baseband processors are configured to establish or modify a bearer context and to communicate data transport tunneling and/or packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) preservation status information for a specific user equipment (UE), utilizing the direct F1 user plane interface between gNB-DU and gNB-CU-UP to avoid relaying delay. The gNB can include a memory to store the bearer context and data transport tunneling information.

Abstract: The present application relates to devices and components including apparatus, systems, and methods for control-plane signaling for UE associations in wireless networks.

Abstract: Embodiments of a Next Generation Node-B (gNB) and methods of communication are disclosed herein. The gNB may be configured with a gNB-CU and a gNB-DU. A first paging message for paging of the UE may be received at the gNB-CU from an access management function (AMF) entity. The first paging message may include: a paging identity of the UE; and a paging origin information element (IE) that indicates whether the paging of the UE is originated due to a protocol data unit (PDU) session from non-3GPP access. A second paging message to page the UE may be transmitted from the gNB-DU to the UE. The second paging message may include: the paging identity of the UE; and an access type parameter that indicates whether the paging of the UE is originated due to the PDU session from the non-3GPP access.