Abstract: A method performed by a wireless device is described herein. The wireless device operates in a wireless communications network. The wireless device provides a message to be sent to a network node operating in the wireless communications network. The message is a first scheduled message to be sent to the network node in a random access procedure. The message comprises a first indicator of a type of the message. The type of message has: a) a fixed size SDU, and b) a one byte header comprising the first indicator and lacking a second indicator of a length of a payload. The wireless device also initiates sending the provided message to the network node. Also described is a method performed by the network node receiving and initiating processing the message, based on the first indicator.

Abstract: A method performed by a wireless device is described herein. The wireless device operates in a wireless communications network. The wireless device provides a message to be sent to a network node operating in the wireless communications network. The message is a first scheduled message to be sent to the network node in a random access procedure. The message comprises a first indicator of a type of the message. The type of message has: a) a fixed size SDU, and b) a one byte header comprising the first indicator and lacking a second indicator of a length of a payload. The wireless device also initiates sending the provided message to the network node. Also described is a method performed by the network node receiving and initiating processing the message, based on the first indicator.

Abstract: Methods and devices for redefining a time alignment timer of a wireless communication network include determining that a Radio Resource Control, RRC, connection from the UE to a network node is operating in Connected Discontinuous Reception, CDRX, mode. In response to determining that the RRC connection is operating in CDRX mode, an initial message include a Protocol Feature Type, PFT, and a User Equipment Type and Software Version Number, UE-TSVN is transmitted, to the network node. In response to the initial message, a handshake message including the PFT, a downlink Protocol Message Type, PMT, indicating a Time Alignment Timer Definition, TATDEF, message type, and a Protocol Message Body, PMB, associated with the TATDEF message type that including one or more values for redefining a time alignment timer is received from the network node.

Abstract: A method in a first node of a wireless communications network comprises: inspecting a data packet or message to determine a characteristic of the data packet or message; and selectively activating integrity protection for onward transmission of the data packet or message to a second node of the wireless communications network based on the determined characteristic.

Abstract: A method performed by a wireless device is described herein. The wireless device operates in a wireless communications network. The wireless device provides a message to be sent to a network node operating in the wireless communications network. The message is a first scheduled message to be sent to the network node in a random access procedure. The message comprises a first indicator of a type of the message. The type of message has: a) a fixed size SDU, and b) a one byte header comprising the first indicator and lacking a second indicator of a length of a payload. The wireless device also initiates sending the provided message to the network node. Also described is a method performed by the network node receiving and initiating processing the message, based on the first indicator.

Abstract: Methods and devices for announcement messages for application aware scheduling in a wireless communication network include receiving, from the network node, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message including an announcement message indicating a Network Type and Software Version Number, N-TSVN for an extended protocol. It may be determined that a UE Software Version Number, UE-SVN, is compatible with the N-TSVN received in the announcement message. The UE may transmit to the network node, an initial message including the UE-SVN, in response to the determining that the UE-SVN is compatible with the N-TSVN.

Abstract: A method performed by a wireless device is described herein. The wireless device operates in a wireless communications network. The wireless device provides a message to be sent to a network node operating in the wireless communications network. The message is a first scheduled message to be sent to the network node in a random access procedure. The message comprises a first indicator of a type of the message. The type of message has: a) a fixed size SDU, and b) a one byte header comprising the first indicator and lacking a second indicator of a length of a payload. The wireless device also initiates sending the provided message to the network node. Also described is a method performed by the network node receiving and initiating processing the message, based on the first indicator.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for semi-dynamic configuration for mobile systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, a wireless device is configured to receive (S140) a first radio resource control, RRC, configuration profile associated with a cell, the first RRC configuration profile including a plurality of first RRC configuration parameters; and a second RRC configuration profile associated with the cell, the second RRC configuration profile including a plurality of second RRC configuration parameters; and responsive (S142) to at least one of receiving an RRC profile indicator comprised in a downlink control information, DCI, and a timer expiring, switch from communicating in the cell according to the first RRC configuration profile to communicating in the cell according to the second RRC configuration profile, the RRC profile indicator directly indicating the second RRC configuration profile.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods for handling data units in a communication protocol layer (e.g., PDCP) of a network node for a wireless communications network. Such methods include receiving, from a lower protocol layer, one or more first data units with corresponding first sequence numbers. Such methods include, upon expiration of a first timer, forwarding the first data units to a higher protocol layer without receiving one or more second data units, from the lower protocol layer, with corresponding second sequence numbers that are lower than the first sequence numbers. Such methods include forwarding, to the higher protocol layer, any of the second data units that were received from the lower protocol layer during a second time period after expiration of the first timer. Other embodiments include network nodes (e.g., base stations, UEs) configured to perform such methods, as well as computer-readable media containing instructions that embody such methods.

Abstract: A method may be provided to operate a wireless terminal in a Radio Access Network RAN. A plurality of Logical Channel Groups LCGs may be configured for the wireless terminal, and data may be buffered for more than one of the plurality of LCGs for the wireless terminal. A buffer status report BSR may be transmitted to a base station of the RAN, wherein the BSR indicates a size of an aggregation of data buffered for at least two of the plurality of LCGs for the wireless terminal. Related wireless terminals are also discussed.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides a method for a terminal device in a wireless communications network, wherein the terminal device is configurable with a plurality of logical channel groups. The method comprises generating buffer status information and transmitting a message to a network node operative in the wireless communications network. The message comprises a buffer status report comprising the buffer status information. The buffer status report comprises respective indications, for each of the plurality of logical channel groups, of the availability of data to transmit in the terminal device for the logical channel group. The buffer status report further comprises respective buffer size fields, for one or more of the logical channel groups for which data is available to transmit, indicating an amount of data which is available to transmit.

Abstract: Methods and devices for redefining a time alignment timer of a wireless communication network include determining that a Radio Resource Control, RRC, connection from the UE to a network node is operating in Connected Discontinuous Reception, CDRX, mode. In response to determining that the RRC connection is operating in CDRX mode, an initial message include a Protocol Feature Type, PFT, and a User Equipment Type and Software Version Number, UE-TSVN is transmitted, to the network node. In response to the initial message, a handshake message including the PFT, a downlink Protocol Message Type, PMT, indicating a Time Alignment Timer Definition, TATDEF, message type, and a Protocol Message Body, PMB, associated with the TATDEF message type that including one or more values for redefining a time alignment timer is received from the network node.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for a wireless device and an access node connected with each other over a wireless connection that has a configured packet delay budget and that transports a packet flow established between the wireless device and another device. In response to determining that the packet delay budget of the wireless connection should be adjusted based on end-to-end packet delay measurement performed by the wireless device communication, the wireless device sends an adjustment indication to the access node, where the adjustment indication includes an adjustment value to be applied by the access node in order to change the packet delay budget of the wireless connection. The adjustment value is provided for power saving operation or coverage enhancement of the wireless device.

Abstract: A method may be provided to operate a wireless terminal in a Radio Access Network RAN. A plurality of Logical Channel Groups LCGs may be configured for the wireless terminal, and data may be buffered for more than one of the plurality of LCGs for the wireless terminal. A buffer status report BSR may be transmitted to a base station of the RAN, wherein the BSR indicates a size of an aggregation of data buffered for at least two of the plurality of LCGs for the wireless terminal. Related wireless terminals are also discussed.

Abstract: A method at a first communication node may provide communication with a second communication node in a wireless communication network. A radio bearer is provided for communication between the first and second communication nodes over a radio interface. A plurality of packets are communicated over the radio bearer between the first and second communication nodes using selective integrity protection so that at least a first packet of the plurality of packets is communicated over the radio bearer with integrity protection and so that at least a second packet of the plurality of packets is communicated over the radio bearer without integrity protection. Related mobile devices and base stations are also discussed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for announcement messages for application aware scheduling in a wireless communication network include receiving, from the network node, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message including an announcement message indicating a Network Type and Software Version Number, N-TSVN for an extended protocol. It may be determined that a UE Software Version Number, UE-SVN, is compatible with the N-TSVN received in the announcement message. The UE may transmit to the network node, an initial message including the UE-SVN, in response to the determining that the UE-SVN is compatible with the N-TSVN.

Abstract: Methods and devices for redefining a time alignment timer of a wireless communication network include determining that a Radio Resource Control, RRC, connection from the UE to a network node is operating in Connected Discontinuous Reception, CDRX, mode. In response to determining that the RRC connection is operating in CDRX mode, an initial message include a Protocol Feature Type, PFT, and a User Equipment Type and Software Version Number, UE-TSVN is transmitted, to the network node. In response to the initial message, a handshake message including the PFT, a downlink Protocol Message Type, PMT, indicating a Time Alignment Timer Definition, TATDEF, message type, and a Protocol Message Body, PMB, associated with the TATDEF message type that including one or more values for redefining a time alignment timer is received from the network node.

Abstract: A method in a first node of a wireless communications network comprises: inspecting a data packet or message to determine a characteristic of the data packet or message; and selectively activating integrity protection for onward transmission of the data packet or message to a second node of the wireless communications network based on the determined characteristic.

Abstract: Methods and devices for monitoring a radio link control, RLC, communication path for transmitting/receiving data units, DUs are disclosed. The methods/devices including or triggering determining a decline of the RLC communication path based on a timer for one or more unacknowledged/outstanding DUs transmitted/received on the RLC communication path.

Abstract: Methods and devices for application aware scheduling in a wireless communication network include a Radio Resource Control, RRC, Connection Reconfiguration message that includes an announcement message indicating a Network Type and Software Version Number, N-TSVN, for an extended protocol. The RRC Connection Reconfiguration message is transmitted from the network node to a user equipment, UE. The UE may then determine that a UE Software Version Number, UE-SVN, is compatible with the N-TSVN received in the announcement message. The UE may then transmit, and the network may receive, an initial message including the UE-SVN.