Abstract: Device to device (D2D) communication can be performed with packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) based encapsulation without internet protocol (IP) addressing. The non-IP D2D PDCP-encapsulated communication can further include two forms of secure data transfer. A first non-IP D2D PDCP-encapsulated communication can be a negotiated non-IP D2D PDCP-encapsulated communication. A second non-IP D2D PDCP-encapsulated communication can be a non-negotiated non-IP D2D communication. The non-negotiated non-IP D2D PDCP-encapsulated communication can include a common key management server (KMS) version and a distributed KMS version. The encapsulated communication can be used with various protocols, including a PC5 protocol (such as the PC5 Signaling Protocol) and wireless access in vehicular environments (WAVE) protocols.

Abstract: The techniques introduced here provide for network assisted device-to-device communication for peer-to-peer applications. The techniques include registering a user's peer-to-peer application identifier with a peer-to-peer application server, registering a peer-to-peer application with a device-to-device server, sending a peer-to-peer service request to the peer-to-peer application server, and receiving network assistance in discovering a peer with the desired P2P content/service and establishing a device-to-device communication arrangement for exchange of peer-to-peer services.

Abstract: Device to device (D2D) communication can be performed with packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) based encapsulation without internet protocol (IP) addressing. The non-IP D2D PDCP-encapsulated communication can further include two forms of secure data transfer. A first non-IP D2D PDCP-encapsulated communication can be a negotiated non-IP D2D PDCP-encapsulated communication. A second non-IP D2D PDCP-encapsulated communication can be a non-negotiated non-IP D2D communication. The non-negotiated non-IP D2D PDCP-encapsulated communication can include a common key management server (KMS) version and a distributed KMS version. The encapsulated communication can be used with various protocols, including a PC5 protocol (such as the PC5 Signaling Protocol) and wireless access in vehicular environments (WAVE) protocols.

Abstract: Technology described herein relates to systems, methods, and computer readable media to implement extended Discontinuous Reception (eDRX) for user equipments (UEs). A Mobility Management Entity (MME) can be aware of the starting time and length of an eDRX cycle of a UE so that the MME can send a paging message for the UE to an evolved Node B (eNB) shortly ahead of a Paging Occasion (PO). In some examples, more than one PO can be included within an eDRX cycle. An eDRX timer can be used to control the duration of waking times and, if desired, to maintain legacy compatibility. Additional examples provide a way for the MME to update calculations regarding the starting time and length of eDRX cycle of the UE such that the MME will continue to be apprised of when the UE will be reachable when the UE moves between cells.

Abstract: Techniques described herein may be used to enable User Equipment (UE) to switch between Radio Access Technologies (RATs) while transitioning from an inactive state to an active state. For example. a UE may connect to a base station via one type of RAT (e.g., Long-Term Evolution (LTE) RAT), enter an inactive state, and later, while transitioning from the inactive state to an active state, connect to another base station via another type of RAT (e.g., a New Radio (NR) or 5th Generation (5G) RAT). The UE may transition from one RAT to another RAT without increasing signaling between the UE and the network beyond minimal signaling involved in a transition of the UE from the inactive state to an active state. The network may further minimize signaling by determining and communicating minimized connection configuration information to the UE.

Abstract: Technology for a radio access network (RAN) node that is operable to report user plane congestion (UPCON) is disclosed. The RAN node may include computer circuitry configured to receive, from a Core Network (CN), an information element (IE) including UPCON related Policy and Control Charging (PCC) information. The RAN node may identify a location of an UPCON event, at the RAN node, based on an UPCON event trigger included in the UPCON related PCC information. The RAN node may report Radio Access Network Congestion Information (RCI) about the UPCON event to one or more network elements in the CN.

Abstract: Technology for transcoding avoidance is disclosed. A mobile switching center (MSC) server can decode a single radio voice call continuity (SRVCC) packet switch (PS) to circuit switched (CS) request message received from a mobility management entity (MME) that includes selected CODEC information for a selected CODEC used for a user equipment (UE) in an internet protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) over long term evolution (LTE) system. The MSC server can encode the selected CODEC information for transmission to a target MSC to enable the target MSC to identify the selected CODEC for the UE to allow the selected CODEC to be used in the CS domain.

Abstract: Technology for transcoding avoidance during a single radio voice call continuity (SRVCC) procedure is disclosed. In an example, a mobile switching center (MSC) can include circuitry configured to: receive from a mobility management entity (MME) in a SRVCC packet switch (PS) to circuit switched (CS) request message, selected CODEC information for a selected CODEC used for a user equipment (UE) in an internet protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) over long term evolution (LTE) system; and communicate the selected CODEC information to a target MSC to enable the target MSC to identify the selected CODEC for the UE to allow the selected CODEC to be used in the CS domain.

Abstract: An integrated WLAN/WWAN architecture is described, in which signaling used to control the integration of the WLAN/WWAN architecture is performed over the Radio Resource Control (“RRC”) plane. The integrated architecture may provide a network-controlled framework for performing traffic steering and radio resource management. Additionally, according to the disclosure provided herein, the integrated architecture may interwork with legacy systems (e.g., architectures that do not support the integrated WLAN/WWAN architecture).

Abstract: Technology described herein relates to systems, methods, and computer readable media to implement extended Discontinuous Reception (eDRX) for user equipments (UEs). A Mobility Management Entity (MME) can be aware of the starting time and length of an eDRX cycle of a UE so that the MME can send a paging message for the UE to an evolved Node B (eNB) shortly ahead of a Paging Occasion (PO). In some examples, more than one PO can be included within an eDRX cycle. An eDRX timer can be used to control the duration of waking times and, if desired, to maintain legacy compatibility. Additional examples provide a way for the MME to update calculations regarding the starting time and length of eDRX cycle of the UE such that the MME will continue to be apprised of when the UE will be reachable when the UE moves between cells.

Abstract: An architecture, for a cellular communications system, is described herein in which a “bearer-less” model is used for both the radio interface and the network core. Instead of using an individual Layer 2 bearer for each Quality of Service (QoS) class, in the architecture described herein, a common Layer 2 connection (e.g., a Layer 2 “fat pipe”) may be used to handle traffic flows between a User Equipment (UE) device and an external Packet Data Network (PDN). Additionally, a bearer-less architecture may be used in the radio interface (i.e., between User Equipment (UE) and the eNB).

Abstract: Techniques described herein may enable Evolved Packet Core (EPC) devices (e.g., Mobility Management Entities (MMEs), Serving Gateways (SGWs), or Packet Data Network Gateways (PGWs)) to transfer a connection with a User Equipment (UE) from one EPC device to another EPC device without a break in service for the UE. The transfer may occur in response to an EPC device being overloaded, an EPC device being added or removed from a logical group of EPC devices, or in response one EPC device becoming more appropriate for the UE than another EPC device (e.g., due to a change in the geographic location of the UE). EPC devices may be implemented as virtual network functions, and the transfer of the UE may occur while the UE is in an active mode or an idle mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe apparatuses for public safety discovery and communication with a user equipment (UE)-to-UE relay. Various embodiments may include processing circuitry to execute instructions to determine a list of UEs with which an apparatus may communicate using device-to-device (D2D) communication and generate an announcement message that indicates the apparatus can serve as a relay based at least in part on the list. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Device to device (D2D) communication can be performed with packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) based encapsulation without internet protocol (IP) addressing. The non-IP D2D PDCP-encapsulated communication can further include two forms of secure data transfer. A first non-IP D2D PDCP-encapsulated communication can be a negotiated non-IP D2D PDCP-encapsulated communication. A second non-IP D2D PDCP-encapsulated communication can be a non-negotiated non-IP D2D communication. The non-negotiated non-IP D2D PDCP-encapsulated communication can include a common key management server (KMS) version and a distributed KMS version. The encapsulated communication can be used with various protocols, including a PC5 protocol (such as the PC5 Signaling Protocol) and wireless access in vehicular environments (WAVE) protocols.

Abstract: An integrated WLAN/WWAN Radio Access Technology (“RAT”) architecture is described, in which signaling used to control the integration of the WLAN/WWAN architecture is performed over the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (“PDCP”) layer, and/or at other layers (e.g., a layer between the PDCP layer and the Internet Protocol (“IP”) layer). When involving the PDCP layer, non-standard PDCP packets, including variable length PDCP packets, may be used. The integrated architecture may provide a network controlled framework for performing traffic steering and radio resource management.

Abstract: Wireless communication devices may directly communicate within groups of wireless communication devices using Layer-2 communications to implement “push-to-talk” type applications. In one implementation, a method may include generating a floor request signaling message to take control of a communication channel for a group. After transmitting data relating to the communications, a floor release signaling message may be generated and transmitted a number of times.

Abstract: A user equipment (UE) is configured to send a request to use an enhanced power saving mode (ePSM) to a mobility management entity (MME) of a mobile communications network. The UE is configured to receive configuration parameters from the MME including a time length for an idle mode and a time length for a power saving mode. The UE is configured to cycle between the idle mode and the power saving mode based on the power saving mode parameters, wherein the UE is available to receive transmissions during the idle mode and unavailable to receive transmissions during the power saving mode.

Abstract: Wireless communication devices may directly communicate within groups of wireless communication devices using Layer-2 communications to implement “push-to-talk” type applications. In one implementation, a method may include generating a floor request signaling message to take control of a communication channel for a group. After transmitting data relating to the communications, a floor release signaling message may be generated and transmitted a number of times.

Abstract: A user equipment (UE) is configured to send a request to use an enhanced power saving mode (ePSM) to a mobility management entity (MME) of a mobile communications network. The UE is configured to receive configuration parameters from the MME including a time length for an idle mode and a time length for a power saving mode. The UE is configured to cycle between the idle mode and the power saving mode based on the power saving mode parameters, wherein the UE is available to receive transmissions during the idle mode and unavailable to receive transmissions during the power saving mode.

Abstract: Session continuity may be maintained when communication devices transition from communicating through network infrastructure (e.g., through a cellular network) to direct mode communications (e.g., a communication path directly between two communication devices). For example, in switching from an infrastructure mode communication path to a direct mode communication path, a method may include: determining a public-facing address corresponding to the infrastructure path; replacing, for a packet that is to be transmitted over the direct mode communication path to a second communication device, a source address field of the packet with the determined public-facing address; and encapsulating the packet with source and destination address fields corresponding to the first and second communication device through the direct mode communication path respectively.