Abstract: A wireless device handles area update reports. The wireless device initiates a radio network area update, RNAU, responsive to detecting that the wireless device has entered a cell not belonging to a radio network area, RNA, configured for the wireless device. The wireless device receives, from the wireless network, a message indicating that the wireless device's attempt to perform the RNAU has been rejected. The message includes or is accompanied by an indication that a wait time value is applicable. Responsive to the message, the wireless device sets a reject wait timer to the wait time value and performs the RNAU upon expiry of the reject wait timer. In some embodiments, the wireless device sets a periodic RNAU timer to the wait time value, responsive to the message, and performs the RNAU upon expiry of the reject wait timer and the periodic RNAU timer.

Abstract: A method and a first network node of a wireless network, for handling paging of a wireless device. A Radio Access Network Area, RANA, which is supported by the first network node, is registered in a database by network nodes supporting the RANA, including the first network node. The network nodes that support the RANA are then identified in the database. When it is detected that a wireless device needs to be paged in the RANA, e.g. for receiving data, a paging message is distributed to the identified set of network nodes as an instruction to perform radio transmission of the paging message. Further, which is available to the network nodes throughout the wireless network. Thereby, any network node in the wireless network, such as the first network node, is able to perform distribution of a paging message to all network nodes that support a particular RANA, as registered in the database.

Abstract: Embodiments includes methods for a centralized unit (CU) in an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network. Such methods include determining a first identifier of a first backhaul radio link control (BH RLC) channel between first and second nodes in the IAB network. The second node is a child node of the first node. Such methods include sending, to the second node, a second request to setup a second BH RLC channel between the second node and a third node in the IAB network. The third node is a child node of the second node, and the second request includes the first identifier for association with the second BH RLC channel. In some embodiments, at least one data radio bearer between a user equipment (UE) and the CU is associated with both the first and second BH RLC channels. Other embodiments include complementary methods for an intermediate node in the IAB network.

Abstract: A wireless device (14) transmits, to a radio network node (12), a radio resource control (RRC) connection request (18) that requests the establishment, re-establishment, or resumption of an RRC connection (16). The RRC connection request (18) indicates a type of core network to which the wireless device (14) selects to connect. The wireless device (14) in some embodiments receives a response to the RRC connection request (18), based on the type of core network to which the wireless device (14) selects to connect. For example, the wireless device (14) may receive the response using a protocol stack determined based on the type of core network to which the wireless device (14) selects to connect.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for updating stored User Equipment (UE) context information upon re-suspend of the UE in response to a resume request from the UE. In some embodiments, a method in a UE comprises transmitting a Radio Resource Control (RRC) resume request message and, in response to the RRC resume request message, receiving an RRC connection release message with an indication for suspend. The method further comprises, in response to receiving the RRC connection release message with an indication for suspend, replacing information in a stored Access Stratum (AS) context of the UE with new information.

Abstract: A wireless device configured to acquire network support information associated with a neighbor cell, wherein the network support information indicates that the neighbor cell supports a Stand-Alone (SA) mode of operation and/or a Non-Stand-Alone (NSA) mode of operation; and transmit to a serving network node a report comprising identification information associated with the neighbour cell and the network support information indicating that the neighbor cell supports a SA mode of operation and/or a NSA mode of operation. A serving network node configured to receive a report transmitted by a wireless device, wherein the report comprises identification information associated with the neighbor cell and network support information indicating that the neighbor cell supports a Stand-Alone (SA) mode of operation and/or a Non-Stand-Alone (NSA) mode of operation; and determine, based on the report, a type of interface to establish between the serving network node and the neighbor network node.

Abstract: A communication system including a host computer is provided herein. The host computer may include processing circuitry configured to provide user data and a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE). The cellular network comprises a base station having a radio interface and base station processing circuitry. The base station processing circuitry configured to store a previously active security context for the UE, receive from the UE an RRCResumeRequest message including a security token, generate a temporary security context for the UE, use the temporary security context to verify the security token, send an RRC message to the UE, if no response to the RRC message is received from the UE, discard the temporary security context and retrieve the previously active security context. Thereafter, the base station transmits the user data for a host application.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method for use in a user equipment (UE) of resuming a radio bearer in a wireless communication network comprises: establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection with a first network node; receiving a connection suspend message from the first network node; storing a configuration of a radio bearer associated with the RRC connection; suspending the radio bearer associated with the RRC connection; receiving a connection resume message; determining whether the connection resume message includes configuration information for NR packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) for the suspended radio bearer; upon determining the connection resume message includes configuration information for a NR PDCP, configuring the suspended radio bearer with the configuration information; and resuming the suspended radio bearer.

Abstract: Methods and devices of enabling paging of a wireless communication device. In an aspect, a method of a node configured to provide core network user plane functionality in a communications network is provided to enable paging of a wireless communication device being in an idle state.

Abstract: A method performed by a user equipment includes receiving, via a radio access network (RAN), a radio resource control (RRC) message indicating to transition from RRC_CONNECTED to RRC_INACTIVE. The RRC message includes a resume identifier. The user equipment performs a connection resume procedure that includes transmitting, to the RAN, an RRC connection resume request that includes the resume identifier and transmitting, to the RAN, an RRC resume complete message that includes an index of a selected public land mobile network (PLMN) identity.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a wireless device, operating in a wireless network, handles transitions from Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state to an RRC inactive state. The wireless device receives, from the wireless network, a message indicating either that the wireless device is to enter the RRC inactive state or that the wireless device is to remain in the RRC inactive state. The wireless device, responsive to the message, uses, for inactive state operation, at least one previously stored inactive state parameter corresponding to a parameter omitted from the message.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for updating a wait timer as a result of receiving one of a release message and a suspend message and/or configuring a wireless device (WD) to update a wait timer by determining the one of the release message and the suspend message to be communicated to the WD.

Abstract: A wireless device is configured for wirelessly communicating with one or more types of Radio Access Networks (RANs) providing control-plane connectivity to one or both of a first type of core network and a second type of core network. The device configures a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) at the device, e.g., at least for initial control-plane signaling, in dependence on whether the device is connected, or connecting, to the first type or the second type of core network. In at least one embodiment, the device configures PDCP for the second type of core network as a default choice, when control-plane connectivity to the second core network is available. In an example arrangement, the RAN types are LTE and 5G New Radio (NR), and the core network types are Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and 5G New Generation Core Network (NGCN).

Abstract: Certain embodiments disclose systems, methods, and apparatus for establishing and using multiple Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) associations. An example method includes a network node establishing a first SCTP association and a second SCTP association for an application protocol connection with a core network node. The network node moves a user equipment (UE) associated signaling stream from the first SCTP association to the second SCTP association.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for a user equipment. An example method performed by a user equipment includes establishing a connection to a Radio Access Network (RAN) via a first network node. Communications are provided over the connection using Signaling Radio Bearer 1 (SRB1) configured with a New Radio (NR) Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP). After the connection is suspended, the user equipment receives a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection re-establishment message from a second network node. The connection re-establishment message includes a radioResourceConfigDedicated information element (IE). The user equipment re-establishes the connection to the RAN by applying a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) PDCP configuration to SRB1, performing a radio resource configuration procedure in accordance with the radioResourceConfigDedicated IE, and sending an RRC connection re-establishment complete message to the second network node.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided. In an example aspect, a method in a User Equipment (UE) of performing a RRC re-establishment procedure is provided. The method comprises receiving an instruction from a network node to perform a RRC re-establishment procedure, and transmitting a RRC re-establishment request.

Abstract: A wireless device handles area update reports. The wireless device initiates a radio network area update, RNAU, responsive to detecting that the wireless device has entered a cell not belonging to a radio network area, RNA, configured for the wireless device. The wireless device receives, from the wireless network, a message indicating that the wireless device's attempt to perform the RNAU has been rejected. The message includes or is accompanied by an indication that a wait time value is applicable. Responsive to the message, the wireless device sets a reject wait timer to the wait time value and performs the RNAU upon expiry of the reject wait timer. In some embodiments, the wireless device sets a periodic RNAU timer to the wait time value, responsive to the message, and performs the RNAU upon expiry of the reject wait timer and the periodic RNAU timer.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for handling communications relating to suspending a user equipment in a radio access network (RAN) are disclosed. An example method includes the user equipment receiving a radio resource control (RRC) release message from a network node. The user equipment determines that the RRC release message includes a suspend configuration field. The user equipment applies delta signalling corresponding to a suspend configuration indicated by the suspend configuration field and transitions to an inactive state.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods performed by a radio access network (RAN) node of a wireless communication system. Such methods include receiving, from a wireless device via a cell, a request to resume an RRC connected state with the wireless communication network. The request includes a cause indicator that indicates mobility signaling as a cause for resuming the RRC connected state. Such methods include, based on the cause indicator, requesting an access and mobility management function (AMF) of the wireless communication system to perform a tracking area update (TAU) for the wireless device. Such methods include receiving from the AMF an indication that the TAU for the wireless device is complete and in response to the received indication, initiating an access-stratum (AS) procedure for the wireless device. Other embodiments include complementary methods for AMFs as well as RAN node and AMFs configured to perform such methods.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a target network node for communicating with a user equipment (UE) that was previously in communication with a source network node, comprises an interface operably coupled to processing circuitry. The interface is configured to receive a connection resume request from the user equipment, wherein the connection resume request comprises a resume identification associated with the source network node. The processing circuitry is configured to determine that the UE was previously in communication with the source network node. The interface is further configured to transmit the connection resume request to the source network node, receive a radio resource control (RRC) response from the source network node, and forward the RRC response to the UE.