Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that relate to Dual Connectivity (DC) for a wireless device is a wireless communication network. In some embodiments, a method in a secondary node for providing, along with a master node, DC for a wireless device such that the wireless device is configured to utilize resources provided by both the master node and the secondary node in a wireless communication network is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, from the master node, a release request. The release request is a request to release a wireless device context of the wireless device or to release resources for the wireless device. The method further comprises sending a release reject to the master node. The release reject is an indication that the secondary node rejects the release request.

Abstract: An exemplary method is performed by a distributed unit of a base station. The base station further comprises a centralized unit. The method comprises: determining (1302) inactivity of one or more data radio bearers, established between the distributed unit and a user equipment, for carrying user data; determining (1304) a level of activity of one or more signalling radio bearers, established between the distributed unit and the user equipment, for carrying control data; and determining (1306), based on the level of activity of the one or more signalling radio bearers, whether to transmit, to the centralized unit, a report message comprising an indication of the activity of the one or more data radio bearers.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a second radio network node (15) for enabling communication for a wireless device (10) in a communication network (1). The communication network (1) comprises a first network and a second network, which second radio network node (15) is associated with the second network and a first radio network node (12) is associated with the first network and the first radio network node (12) and the second radio network node (15) are serving or are to serve the wireless device (10) jointly. The first network comprises partitioned sets of functionalities where in a first set of functionalities belongs to a first network slice supporting the wireless device (10), and which first set of functionalities is separated from another set of functionalities out of a total set of functionalities in the first network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that relate to Dual Connectivity (DC) for a wireless device is a wireless communication network. In some embodiments, a method in a secondary node for providing, along with a master node, DC for a wireless device such that the wireless device is configured to utilize resources provided by both the master node and the secondary node in a wireless communication network is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, from the master node, a release request. The release request is a request to release a wireless device context of the wireless device or to release resources for the wireless device. The method further comprises sending a release reject to the master node. The release reject is an indication that the secondary node rejects the release request.

Abstract: A User Equipment context is transferred from a source secondary network node to a target secondary network node. The UE is served by a master network node and the source secondary network node. The source secondary network node transmits, to the target secondary network node, a first message comprising a handover request, and receives a second message comprising configuration data of the target secondary network. After receiving the second message, the source secondary network node transmits, to the master network node, a third message comprising the configuration data of the target secondary network node.

Abstract: A network node (300a) receives, over an interface between the network node (300a) and a further network node (300b), a message comprising paired user equipment (UE) identifiers for UE identification over the interface to the network node (300a) and further network node (300b), respectively. Responsive to determining that the identifier for UE identification to the network node (300a) uniquely identifies a UE (150) to the network node (300a), the network node (300a) validates the message irrespective of whether the identifier for UE identification to the further network node (300b) uniquely identifies the UE (150) to the further network node(300b).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for handling Quality of Service (QoS) mobility and dual connectivity. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a network node in a cellular communications network includes deciding to split an existing Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session that includes a current uplink tunnel information; and setting up resources for the split PDU session. In this way, it may be possible to support QoS mobility in the different tunnel during dual connectivity. In some embodiments, the network node is a Master Next Generation—Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) node, and setting up resources for the split PDU session includes sending an S-Node Addition/Modification Request including the current uplink tunnel information for the split PDU session to a Secondary NG-RAN node in the cellular communications network; and receiving a newly added additional downlink tunnel information from the Secondary NG-RAN node.

Abstract: The invention refers to a transfer of a User Equipment context from a source secondary network node (110A) to a target secondary network node (110B) that is different than the source secondary network node, wherein the UE (105) is served by a master network node (120) and the source secondary network node (110A), the source secondary network node (110A): transmitting a first message to the target secondary network node (110B), the first message comprising a handover request, receiving a second message comprising configuration data of the target secondary network, and after receiving the second message, transmitting to the master network node a third message comprising the configuration data of the target secondary network node; the invention further referring to a master network node (120): receiving a first message from the source secondary network node, the first message comprising a request to initiate a transfer of the UE context from the source secondary network node to the target secondary network node,

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, performed by a first radio network node (RNN) in a wireless network, to establish a communications interface with a second RNN in the wireless network. Such methods include receiving, from a third RNN in the wireless network, a Transport Network Layer (TNL) address associated with the second RNN. The first and third RNNs are configured for wireless communication with wireless devices via an E-UTRA radio access technology (RAT), and the second RNN is configured for wireless communication via an NR RAT. The third RNN can be a proxy node for discovery of TNL addresses associated with a plurality RNNs configured for wireless communication via the NR RAT. Such methods include establishing the communications interface with the second RNN based on the TNL address received from the third RNN. Other embodiments include complementary methods performed by a second RNN, and RNNs configured to perform such methods.

Abstract: In one aspect, one or more network nodes are configured to manage bitrates for dedicated radio bearers (DRBs) for a UE served by two or more distributed transmission units, where the DRBs include at least one DRB terminating at a first control unit and at least one DRB terminating at a second control unit. The network nodes determine at least a first UL AMBR value for the UE for the first control unit and at least a second UL AMBR value for the UE for the second control unit. The network nodes then signal the first UL AMBR to the first control unit and the second UL AMBR to the second control unit, for enforcement by the first and second control units.

Abstract: According to a first exemplary embodiment a method is performed by a first network node for monitoring the QoS of a flow. A session setup message comprising a QoS configuration for the flow and an indication that the flow is subject to QoS notification control is received (1710) from a core network node. Based on the QoS configuration, radio resources to be used for the flow are determined (1720) and a resource setup message comprising an identification of the radio resources and an indication that the flow and/or the radio resources are subject to QoS notification control is sent (1730) to a second network node. A first notification control indication that the QoS configuration the flow and/or the radio resources cannot be fulfilled is received (1740) from the second network node and a resource notification message indicating that the QoS configuration for the flow cannot be fulfilled is sent (1750) to the core network node.

Abstract: A method of operating a network node to provide dual connectivity in a new radio telecommunications system. The method allocates two tunnel endpoint identifiers (TEIDs). The method sends the allocated TEIDs to at least one other network node for transporting a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session that can be split. The method receives two TEIDs for a master node and a secondary node (SN). A related method of operating a master node provides dual connectivity. The method sends a SN addition request message to a SN. The method sends a SN add/modify completion indication to the SN that informs the SN that the operations to add/modify are complete.

Abstract: The generation and use of a modified DDDS, suitable for RLC AM and RLC UM, is disclosed herein. The modified DDDS optionally includes an IE specifying a highest sequence number of a packet successfully delivered to a wireless terminal. Node B, which is in wireless communication with a wireless terminal, sends the modified DDDS to Node A, where Node A sends DL data packets to Node B for transmission to the wireless terminal responsive to the received modified DDDS.

Abstract: A first radio network node (208) and a method for establishing a communications interface between the first radio network node (208) and a second radio network node (210). The first radio network node is configured to provide one or more Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) resources and the second radio network node is configured to provide one or more New Radio (NR) resources. Further, the first and second radio network nodes are operating in a wireless communications network (200). The first radio network node obtains a Transport Network Layer (TNL) address of the second radio network node from one out of a first core network node (204); and another first radio network node (208) acting as a proxy. Furthermore, the first radio network node established a communications interface between the first and second radio network nodes based on the obtained TNL address.

Abstract: An exemplary central unit (CU) network node manages resources associated with a radio link serving a UE. The CU network node can configure (1502) distributed unit (DU) network nodes, coupled to the CU network node and the UE, with one or more criteria relating to reporting quality metrics pertaining to the radio link. The CU network node can receive (1504) one or more quality metric reports, from a reporting DU network node, in accordance with the one or more criteria. The CU network node can determine (1506) a change in resources associated with the radio link based on the one or more quality metric reports and information identifying whether the radio link is a single-connectivity link or a multi-connectivity link. Other exemplary embodiments include a DU network node, methods performed by the CU network node or the DU network node, and computer program products or computer-readable media embodying instructions corresponding to these methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that relate to Dual Connectivity (DC) for a wireless device is a wireless communication network. In some embodiments, a method in a secondary node for providing, along with a master node, DC for a wireless device such that the wireless device is configured to utilize resources provided by both the master node and the secondary node in a wireless communication network is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, from the master node, a release request. The release request is a request to release a wireless device context of the wireless device or to release resources for the wireless device. The method further comprises sending a release reject to the master node. The release reject is an indication that the secondary node rejects the release request.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method for use in a network node of performing handover of a wireless device comprises: receiving a handover request from a source network node; receiving, from the source network node, a quality of service (QoS) flow to data radio bearer (DRB) mapping that was used by the source network node prior to the handover; receiving buffered Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) protocol data units (PDUs) from the source network node; transmitting the received PDCP PDUs using the received QoS flow to DRB mapping; obtaining an indication that handover is complete; determining a new QoS flow to DRB mapping; and activating the new QoS flow to DRB mapping for transmission of PDCP PDUs. Particular embodiments may include sending the new QoS flow to DRB mapping to the source network node, and/or receiving PDCP status reporting from the wireless device.

Abstract: An exemplary central unit (CU) network node manages resources associated with a radio link serving a UE. The CU network node can configure (1502) distributed unit (DU) network nodes, coupled to the CU network node and the UE, with one or more criteria relating to reporting quality metrics pertaining to the radio link. The CU network node can receive (1504) one or more quality metric reports, from a reporting DU network node, in accordance with the one or more criteria. The CU network node can determine (1506) a change in resources associated with the radio link based on the one or more quality metric reports and information identifying whether the radio link is a single-connectivity link or a multi-connectivity link. Other exemplary embodiments include a DU network node, methods performed by the CU network node or the DU network node, and computer program products or computer-readable media embodying instructions corresponding to these methods.

Abstract: An exemplary method is performed by a distributed unit of a base station. The base station further comprises a centralized unit. The method comprises: determining (1302) inactivity of one or more data radio bearers, established between the distributed unit and a user equipment, for carrying user data; determining (1304) a level of activity of one or more signalling radio bearers, established between the distributed unit and the user equipment, for carrying control data; and determining (1306), based on the level of activity of the one or more signalling radio bearers, whether to transmit, to the centralized unit, a report message comprising an indication of the activity of the one or more data radio bearers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for transferring management of one or more wireless devices from being managed by a first core network node, to instead be managed by a second core network node. The method comprises obtaining information identifying the one or more wireless devices, wherein the information comprises a first group identifier identifying a first group associated with the one or more wireless devices; and transferring context data from the first core network node to the second core network node, wherein the context data relates to the one or more wireless devices for use in managing the one or more wireless devices.