Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems using Enhanced Dedicated Core Network (DCN) selection are disclosed. One representative method includes receiving, by the core network entity from another core network entity, information indicating that a DCN type is new or has change for a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU); and sending a message, by the core network entity to the WTRU, including a new or a changed DCN type.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for managing a connection state of a Wireless Transmit/Receive Unit (WTRU) that is in Mobile Initiated Communication Only (MICO) mode are disclosed. One representative method may include the WTRU obtaining information indicating that the WTRU is to initiate registration prior to sending a Service Request (SR). The representative method may further include the WTRU sending a registration request in accordance with the obtained information and sending a SR after registering with a Network Entity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for processing service layer detach commands and attach notifications. A services capability server (SCS) may request a core network to perform a network initiated detach of a device. This procedure may be used when the SCS knows that the device will not be needed for a long time or when the SCS detects some event that may warrant a detach, (e.g., theft, disallowed location, integrity validation failure). The SCS may be asked if the device may be allowed to attach at this time. If the SCS indicates that the attach may be rejected, the device may not be allowed to attach until a later time, thus avoiding additional activity on control and user planes. The SCS may be informed when a device is attached based on various subscription fields stored in a home subscriber server (HSS).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments for Machine Type Communication (MTC). The techniques disclosed may reduce signaling by transmitting MTC data over control planes and avoiding a full cycle of connection procedures typically required for transmission. MTC data may be directly appended to a control plane message. In addition, in order to reduce the signaling load, a WTRU may autonomously release the connection without being told by the network. Techniques may be used to indicate a network provider's machine type communication (MTC) capability. The MTC services or capabilities that may be provided by a respective network operator may be communicated to a WTRU.

Abstract: Procedures, mechanisms, methods, and techniques are provided that trigger power saving mode (PSM) functionality in the at least one wireless transmit receive units, group of WTRUs or subset of the group of WTRUs. The trigger may be in response to an application layer request to set one or more predetermined PSM settings, wherein the trigger originates from one or more application servers (APs) directed to a core network by way of an interface such as an SCEF that may be included on a device (e.g., a gateway, computing device, and/or the like) and may be configured for enabling the application server to request enabling and disabling PSM functionality.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for redirecting a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to a dedicated core network (CN) node are described. An apparatus is configured to initiate a Service Request with a non-dedicated network node. The apparatus is configured to receive a special identifier in response to the Service Request, which indicates the apparatus should be redirected to a dedicated CN node based on subscription information. Radio access network resources associated with the apparatus may be released and the apparatus may then perform a tracking area update (TAU) request which is then forwarded to the dedicated CN node.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for delivering triggers and small data. In an embodiment, a receiver may be configured to receive a trigger or small data packet, and a transmitter may be configured to transmit a subscriber information request to see whether a subscriber is present. The receiver may be further configured to receive an identity of a second node on a condition that the subscriber is present.

Abstract: Procedures, mechanisms, methods, and techniques are provided that trigger power saving mode (PSM) functionality in the at least one wireless transmit receive units, group of WTRUs or subset of the group of WTRUs. The trigger may be in response to an application layer request to set one or more predetermined PSM settings, wherein the trigger originates from one or more application servers (APs) directed to a core network by way of an interface such as an SCEF that may be included on a device (e.g., a gateway, computing device, and/or the like) and may be configured for enabling the application server to request enabling and disabling PSM functionality.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods and apparatuses for providing access to a network slice in a communication system. In an embodiment, a network server that implements a Control Plane (CP) Network Function (NF) may receive a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message from a wireless transmit and receive unit (WTRU). The NAS message comprises a Mobility Management (MM) message for registration and a Session Management (SM) messages for a specific service provided by the network slice. After selecting the network slice, the network server may transmit the SM message to another CP NF in the network slice to establish a communication link between the WTRU and the network slice.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for redirecting a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to a dedicated core network (CN) node are described. An apparatus is configured to initiate a Service Request with a non-dedicated network node. The apparatus is configured to receive a special identifier in response to the Service Request, which indicates the apparatus should be redirected to a dedicated CN node based on subscription information. Radio access network resources associated with the apparatus may be released and the apparatus may then perform a tracking area update (TAU) request which is then forwarded to the dedicated CN node.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for delivering triggers and small data. In an embodiment, a receiver may be configured to receive a trigger or small data packet, and a transmitter may be configured to transmit a subscriber information request to see whether a subscriber is present. The receiver may be further configured to receive an identity of a second node on a condition that the subscriber is present. The transmitter may be further configured to transmit the trigger or small data packet to the second node over an interface, the second node configured to create an Internet Protocol (IP) packet with an IP address containing the trigger or small data packet and deliver the IP packet to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) using the IP address and a default or dedicated bearer of the WTRU.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for transmitting and receiving data by a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) over the control plane. The methods may receive data without the use of an Internet Protocol (IP) address. In an example method, a WTRU may enter an evolved packet system (EPS) mobility management (EMM)-registered control plane only (CPO) state after receiving an attach accepted message for CPO operation, and enter an EMM-deregistered state after receiving a detach message, a tracking area update (TAU) reject message or an attach reject message. In another method, a WTRU may switch between operational modes that use an IP address and a user plane to transmit and receive data, and the CPO mode.

Abstract: A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is configured to receive at least three sets of parameters associated with power saving. A first set of the parameters is associated with an idle state. A second set of the parameters is associated with a connected state. A third set of the parameters is associated with not being in a connected state and remains registered with a network and maintains a packet data network (PDN) connection. The WTRU is configured to enter active times based on the third set of parameters on a condition that the WTRU is not in the connected state and remains registered with the network. During the active times, the WTRU is configured to monitor physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs) for paging messages.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed for enhancements to NAS Protocol to transmit user data over a signaling plane. A wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) may send a first NAS message to a network device that may include a request to send user data via a control plane. The network device may establish the control plane for the WTRU. The control plane may be established without establishing a user plane connection. The network device may determine a maximum transmission rate for the WTRU to send user data via the control plane. The network device may send a second NAS message to the WTRU. The second NAS message may indicate that the control plane has been established for the WTRU and the maximum transmission rate.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are provided to determine routing associated with a short message. A SMS-SC may send a first routing request to a home subscriber server (HSS). The first routing request may be associated with the short message. The SMS-SC may receive a first routing reply. The first routing reply may include one of an indication that the short message is associated with a service capability server (SCS) or a first control plane routing associated with the short message. The SMS-SC may send the short message to an SCS serving node. The first routing reply may include the indication that the short message is associated with a service capability server (SCS). The SMS-SC may send a second routing request to a SCS subscription database. The SMS-SC may receive a second routing reply from the SCS subscription database, which may indicate a second control plane routing for the short message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for machine type communication (MTC) authentication and triggering may be performed by an MTC interworking function (MTC-IWF). On a condition an Internet protocol (IP) connection does not exist between a services capability server (SCS) and an MTC device, a device trigger message may be received by the MTC device over a Tsp interface. The device trigger message may include a cryptographic key and may have an associated level of urgency. The method may further comprise determining a level of network congestion and transmitting the device trigger, including the received cryptographic key, to the MTC device in accordance with the associated level of urgency. A report may be sent to the SCS, associated with the determined level of network congestion, to indicate either success or failure of the device triggering procedure. The received cryptographic key may be used to secure an IP connection.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems using Enhanced Dedicated Core Network (DCN) selection are disclosed. One representative method includes receiving, by the core network entity from another core network entity, information indicating that a DCN type is new or has change for a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU); and sending a message, by the core network entity to the WTRU, including a new or a changed DCN type.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus may be used for selecting power saving mechanisms in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). For example, a WTRU may support at least power saving mode (PSM) and/or extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) mode. The WTRU may send a request message including parameters associated with the supported power saving mechanisms, such as an active time for PSM and a preferred DRX value for eDRX mode. The WTRU may receive an accept message including at least one selected parameter indicating the power saving mechanism for the WTRU selected by the network (NW). The WTRU may activate the selected power saving mechanism, and may start a validity timer to define the duration of use of the selected power saving mechanism. In another example, a WTRU configured to use eDRX may receive paging signals for system information (SI) change over a prolonged Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) modification period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting machine-type communications (MTC) are disclosed. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may configure itself to operate in a mobile-originated-only mode. The WTRU may perform no, or a subset of, radio resource control (RRC) idle and/or non-access stratum (NAS) idle/standby state procedures in the mobile-originated-only mode. For example, the WTRU may perform cell reselection but not paging monitoring in the mobile-originated-only mode. Alternatively, the WTRU may perform paging monitoring but not cell reselection and location update. The operation in the mobile-originated-only mode may be triggered explicitly or implicitly. For example, the WTRU may operate in the mobile-originated-only mode if an inactivity timer expires. The WTRU may switch the mode in accordance with a pre-configured schedule. After transition of the operation mode, the WTRU may send a message to the network indicating such mode switch.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for redirecting a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to a dedicated core network (CN) node are described. An apparatus is configured to initiate a Service Request with a non-dedicated network node. The apparatus is configured to receive a special identifier in response to the Service Request, which indicates the apparatus should be redirected to a dedicated CN node based on subscription information. Radio access network resources associated with the apparatus may be released and the apparatus may then perform a tracking area update (TAU) request which is then forwarded to the dedicated CN node.