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: Techniques are disclosed for a user interface for displaying a topology representation of infrastructure of a 5G Radio Access Network (RAN), such as an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) 5G infrastructure. For example, a computing system displays, via a user interface, first icons, each icon of the first icons representing first components providing Level-1 functionality for the O-RAN 5G infrastructure, such as non-real-time RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs). The computing system receives, via the user interface, a selection of a first icon of the first icons. In response to the selection, the computing system displays, via the user interface, second icons, each icon of the second icons representing second components managed by a component of the first components corresponding to the selected first icon. The second components provide Level-2 functionality for the O-RAN 5G infrastructure, such as near-real-time RICs.

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: An example network system includes In one example, a network system includes a service orchestrator for managing a mobile network. The service orchestrator is configured to: receive, from a centralized network controller (CNC) for a time sensitive networking (TSN) application, TSN configuration data for a TSN flow between two end station devices for the TSN application; generate, based on the TSN configuration data, an intent to create a network slice in the mobile network to transport packets for the TSN flow; provision the network with the network slice based on the intent, wherein the network slice is associated with slice identification data; and output the slice identification data to cause a user equipment (UE) device attached to the mobile network to map packets for the TSN flow, received from one of the two end station devices, to the network slice.

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: An example device includes one or more processors; an image capture device coupled to the one or more processors and configured to generate image capture data representative of a three-dimensional (3D) physical environment; an electronic display coupled to the one or more processors; and a memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory storing instructions to cause the one or more processors to: obtain characteristics of a network associated with the device, generate overlay image data indicative of the one or more characteristics of the network, augment the image capture data with the overlay image data to create augmented image capture data, and output, to the electronic display, the augmented image capture data.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for defining a network slice template (NST) for provisioning a network slice based on one or more network slice subnet templates (NSSTs). For example, a network provisioning system obtains one or more NSSTs. The one or more NSSTs may include a domain-level NSST for a domain-specific network service or a root-level NSST for an end-to-end network service. The network provisioning system defines an NST based on the one or more NSSTs. The network provisioning system deploys a network slice in accordance with the NST. In some examples, the network slice is a 5G communications network slice.

Abstract: An example network provisioning system displays a user interface comprising a first plurality of icons, each icon of the first plurality of icons representing a cloud provider or a data center associated with a network slice. The network provisioning system receives, via the user interface, a selection of a first icon of the first plurality of icons. Responsive to the selection of the first icon, the network provisioning system displays a second plurality of icons via the user interface. Each icon of the second plurality of icons represents a resource group hosted by a cloud provider or data center represented by the first icon. In some examples, the network slice is a 5G communication 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: Aspects of the disclosure relate to controlling a vehicle having an autonomous driving mode. This may include receiving, by one or more processors of the vehicle, first information identifying a current relative humidity measurement within a sensor housing of a vehicle having an autonomous driving mode. The relative humidity measurement and pre-stored environmental map information may be used by the one or more processors to estimate a condition of a sensor within the sensor housing at a future time. This estimated condition may be used by the one or more processors to control the vehicle.

Abstract: An example network provisioning system includes a provisioning portal that is configured to: receive, from a client device, a selection of a service template specifying network service attributes for a communication service, receive a selection of one or more tracking areas, receive a selection of one or more subscribers, and generate a service order based on the network service attributes for the communication service, the one or more tracking areas, and the one or more subscriber. The network provisioning system is configured to provision the communication service in accordance with the service order.

Abstract: A computing device is configured to: obtain information of tracking areas including a first and second tracking area, the first tracking area comprising first cells and the second tracking area comprising second cells; generate a user interface with a visualization of the tracking areas, the user interface comprising first cell user interface elements visually representing the first cells and second cell user interface elements visually representing the second cells; output the user interface for display at a display device; receive user input indicative of filtering criteria; generate a modified user interface by modifying at least one of the first cell user interface elements or the second user interface elements to visually indicate the first tracking area satisfies the filtering criteria and the second tracking area does not satisfy the filtering criteria; and output the modified user interface for display at the display device.

Abstract: In an example, a method comprises executing, by an access network user plane function (ANUP) for a mobile network, an access network protocol to implement a connection with a user equipment (UE); implementing, by the ANUP, based on session data received from a control plane function of a mobile core network for the mobile network, an interface with a data network; and routing or switching, by the ANUP, packets between the connection with the UE and the interface with the data network.

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: 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: An example system includes an access network intelligent controller comprising processing circuitry configured to communicate with a 3GPP access network control function and a non-3GPP access network control function. The non-3GPP access network control function comprises a first plurality of controllable functions. The 3GPP access network control function comprises a second plurality of controllable functions. The access network intelligent controller is configured to execute one or more applications, each application of the one or more applications configured to: issue a subscription request for a subscription to a first controllable function of the first plurality of controllable functions of the non-3GPP access network control function or a second controllable function of the second plurality of controllable functions of the 3GPP access network control function, and exchange messages with the first controllable function or the second controllable function in accordance with the subscription.

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: 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.