Abstract: A system for managing a network comprising an Operator Domain. The system comprises a hierarchical system of management functions; and a respective service catalogue associated with each management function. The service catalogue storing information of services that can be provided by the management function to at least one higher level management function.

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure provides a method of admitting a session from a user device subscribed to a service with a virtual network operator. The method includes receiving a service request from said user device at an Access Point and selecting a network function Authentication and Authorization (AA) function (AAF) to confirm the user device is authorized for the requested service, and transmitting the request to the selected network function AAA function. The AAAF which processes the request may reside with the virtual network operator (VNO). However, the VNO may share its AAA database with other network entities (for example, Telecom Connectivity Service Providers (TCSPs) or InPs), and allow those entities to perform the AAA functions.

Abstract: A system for managing a network comprising at least one network slice instance including at least one network slice subnet instance. The system comprises a network slice management function associated with each network slice instance, the network slice management function configured to expose one or more management functions to a customer such that the customer can effect limited management of its associated network slice instance; and a network slice subnet management function associated with each network slice subnet instance, the network slice management function configured to expose one or more management functions to a customer such that the customer can effect limited management of its associated network slice subnet instance.

Abstract: Upon receiving a request for a virtual network and before admitting the requested virtual network, a virtual service provider controller may assess the ability of the virtual service provider network to meet conditions specified in the request. In particular, the virtual service provider controller may consider details of the traffic expected in the requested virtual network in the context of existing traffic on the virtual service provider network. Consideration may be given to geographic distribution of traffic, type of traffic, and key performance indices. Indeed, traffic of different types may be homogenized through the use of weighting factors to simplify the assessment. Upon determining that the virtual service provider network may not be able to meet the conditions, the virtual service provider controller may attempt to obtain additional resources from an infra-structure provider network or may attempt to adjust resources allocated to already admitted virtual networks.

Abstract: A system for managing a network comprising at least one network slice instance including at least one network slice subnet instance. The system comprises a network slice management function associated with each network slice instance, the network slice management function configured to manage its associated network slice instance; and a network slice subnet management function associated with each network slice subnet instance, the network slice management function configured to manage its associated network slice subnet instance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for management of network slices in a communication network such as a 5th generation wireless communication network are provided. Management planes may be provided which are separate from the plurality of network slices. A connection manager residing in a management plane receives an indication that a mobile device is to be associated with the communication network. The connection manager may reside at an access node or in the core network. A network slice is determined, and the connection manager transmits instructions, to one or more network nodes, to associate the mobile device with the network slice. The instructions may be provided to a local connection manager. The slice may be requested explicitly by the mobile device, or determined based on device and/or network requirements.

Abstract: A method of controlling a service instance in a virtual network, the method comprising providing a Service Management Function entity in a control plane of the virtual network, the Service Management Function being configured to process requirements of a Service Level Agreement and generate corresponding control plane requests for physical resources to satisfy the Service Level Agreement.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for a method of estimating an effective bandwidth of a traffic source includes obtaining a first traffic pattern from a first traffic source. Also, the method includes setting a first effective bandwidth between a mean data rate of the first traffic source and a peak data rate of the first traffic source. Additionally, the method includes determining a first outage rate of the first traffic source in accordance with the first traffic pattern and the first effective bandwidth.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for transmitting data to users. The system includes nodes interconnected by at least one data network. The nodes are organized hierarchically to comprise a root node and at least two child nodes. The data transmission characteristics of communication with each of the child nodes are different. The root node is configured to: receive data transmission preferences of a particular user; receive data to be transmitted to the particular user; and transmit a selected subset of the data to at least one of the child nodes. The subset selected based on at least the received data transmission preferences and the data transmission characteristics, to permit the particular user to obtain data from the child nodes according to the data transmission preferences. The at least one of the child nodes being configured to: receive data from the root node; and transmit at least part of the received data to the user.

Abstract: System and method embodiments are provided for providing customized virtual networks based on SONAC. In an embodiment, a network management entity for providing a customized VN includes a SONAC module executed by a computing device that is connected to a wireless network, the SONAC module configured to receive service requirement data from the wireless network and create a service customized VN according to the service requirement data, the service requirement data describing one or more service requirements, wherein the SONAC module comprises an interface to interact with: an SDT component, the SDT component used by the SONAC module to determine a service customized logical topology; an SDRA component that maps the logical topology to physical network resources within the wireless network; and a SDP component that determines an end-to-end data transport protocol for communication between a first device and a second device via the wireless network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting customer charging in 5G networks are provided. Monitoring functions are instantiated at selected network locations for tracking access to network services. The monitoring functions provide charging information for use in customer billing. A customer can enter a service level agreement with a particular customized method of charging for service usage, and the monitoring functions can be customized to provide charging information according to the service level agreement. Charging can vary based on factors such as time of day, network congestion, service traffic characteristics, and geographic location. Charging can be reduced by a customer voluntarily reducing service quality, and/or if access is through a Wi-Fi network. Customers can dynamically control traffic to control charging. Charging rates under high-demand conditions can be negotiated via bidding. User-in-the-loop charging can be performed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for management of network slices in a communication network such as a 5th generation wireless communication network are provided. Management planes may be provided which are separate from the plurality of network slices. A connection manager residing in a management plane receives an indication that a mobile device is to be associated with the communication network. The connection manager may reside at an access node or in the core network. A network slice is determined, and the connection manager transmits instructions, to one or more network nodes, to associate the mobile device with the network slice. The instructions may be provided to a local connection manager. The slice may be requested explicitly by the mobile device, or determined based on device and/or network requirements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting customer charging in 5G networks are provided. Monitoring functions are instantiated at selected network locations for tracking access to network services. The monitoring functions provide charging information for use in customer billing. A customer can enter a service level agreement with a particular customized method of charging for service usage, and the monitoring functions can be customized to provide charging information according to the service level agreement. Charging can vary based on factors such as time of day, network congestion, service traffic characteristics, and geographic location.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting customer charging in 5G networks are provided. Monitoring functions are instantiated at selected network locations for tracking access to network services. The monitoring functions provide charging information for use in customer billing. A customer can enter a service level agreement with a particular customized method of charging for service usage, and the monitoring functions can be customized to provide charging information according to the service level agreement. Charging can vary based on factors such as time of day, network congestion, service traffic characteristics, and geographic location.

Abstract: Upon receiving a request for a virtual network and before admitting the requested virtual network, a virtual service provider controller may assess the ability of the virtual service provider network to meet conditions specified in the request. In particular, the virtual service provider controller may consider details of the traffic expected in the requested virtual network in the context of existing traffic on the virtual service provider network. Consideration may be given to geographic distribution of traffic, type of traffic, and key performance indices. Indeed, traffic of different types may be homogenized through the use of weighting factors to simplify the assessment. Upon determining that the virtual service provider network may not be able to meet the conditions, the virtual service provider controller may attempt to obtain additional resources from an infra-structure provider network or may attempt to adjust resources allocated to already admitted virtual networks.

Abstract: An embodiment method includes receiving service parameters for a service and locating logical network nodes for a service-specific data plane logical topology at respective physical network nodes among a plurality of physical network nodes according to the service parameters, a service-level topology, and a physical infrastructure of the plurality of physical network nodes. The method also includes defining connections among the logical network nodes according to the service parameters, the service-level topology, and the physical infrastructure, and defining respective connections for a plurality of UEs to at least one of the logical network nodes according to the service parameters, the service-level topology, and the physical infrastructure. The method further includes defining respective functionalities for the logical network nodes.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for uplink measurement based mechanism and control using user equipment (UE) centric sounding signals. The mechanism provides an alternative to DL-measurement dominated system control. Based on UL-measurements at TPs, the network obtains knowledge of users' channel and timing information, traffic, and interference, and is thus able to perform better control, including TP and UE clustering and optimization, and power control and link adaptation. In an embodiment method, a TP receives one-to-one mapping information indicating a plurality of UE IDs and a plurality of sounding channels assigned to the corresponding UE IDs. When the TP detects a sounding reference signal (SRS) from a UE, the TP is able to identify the UE using the detected SRS and the one-to-one mapping information. The TP then obtains measurement information for the identified UE, enabling better control and communications for uplink and downlink transmissions between multiple TPs and the UE.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing joint power control (PC) and scheduling in a wireless network are provided. In one example, a method includes generating a near-optimal power pattern for PC and scheduling in accordance with long term channel statistics. The near-optimal PC solution may be generated by first generating a set of possible power patterns in accordance with likely scheduling scenarios, then statistically narrowing the set of possible power patterns to identify the most commonly used power patterns, and finally selecting one of the most commonly used power patterns as the near-optimal power pattern. In another example, a table of optimal PC solutions are provided for performing distributed PC and scheduling in an adaptive and/or dynamic manner.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for link level communication between a user equipment and plurality of network devices are described. A user equipment can include at least one processor configured to: after broadcasting a first data message to the plurality of base stations, receive one or more acknowledgements, corresponding to the first data message, from at least one of the plurality of base stations; and upon receipt of at least one acknowledgement, broadcast an indicator to the plurality of base stations, the indicator providing an indication of at least one of the at least one received acknowledgement.

Abstract: Methods for configuring user plane functions associated with a network slice. The methods include: creating a user plane configuration profile specific to at least one of an access technology and a user plane function; associating the user plane configuration profile with a network slice instance; selecting the network slice in response to a service request; and communicating the user plane configuration profile associated with the selected network slice instance to a control plane function.