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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 ‘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: 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: 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: 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: 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 ‘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: 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: 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: 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: 3GPP's 5th generation mobile network (5G) standards provide a service-based architecture by widely distributing control functions as virtualized network functions (VNFs). However, the equipment and software vendors control these control plane functions in a closed-box manner. This invention provides a new control plane function called Open Control Plane Function (OCPF), which allows various control applications of operators or third parties to register to certain control functions so that they can receive and process signaling/control messages outside those control functions. With this invention, new 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 new and innovative services that are not part of standard operator offerings.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a wireless network node for deployment at the intersection points of a plurality of electromagnetically shielded regions, and methods for its configuration and placement to provide wireless access and transmission using minimal amount of network data cables.