Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a wireless device (101) and a network node (102, 103, 104, 110, 111, 115), and corresponding methods therein, for prescheduling uplink communications in a wireless network. Such prescheduling is performed prior to the time the uplink communication is needed. According to the example embodiments, the prescheduling is performed with the network node having knowledge of a communication pattern of the wireless device via at least one prescheduling parameter obtained by the network node (the base station, or a core network node), either transmitted by the wireless device or else retrieved by the network node from subscription or historical data. The prescheduling parameter may relate to the application or service that has been activated, and a prescheduling cancellation is sent when it is halted.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that relate to configuration of a periodic updating timer for, e.g., a Radio Access Network (RAN)-controlled inactive state. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a RAN node in a cellular communications network comprises configuring a User Equipment (UE) with a timer value T for a periodic updating timer. In this manner, the RAN node is able to configure the UE with a time value T, e.g., for use by the UE for providing periodic update messages while the UE is operating in an inactive state such as, e.g., a RAN-controlled inactive state.

Abstract: Handling of UE capability information in a mobile telecommunications network wherein an eNodeB receives information regarding the UE capability information from the UE and stores the information. The eNodeB sends the UE capability information to the EPC, i.e., to an MME, which receives and stores the UE capability information. When the UE transits from idle to active state, does an initial attach, or when a part of the UE capabilities have changed, it sends a message to the eNodeB regarding the update. The eNodeB forwards the message to the MME, which sends a response associated with the previously stored UE capability information to the eNodeB. The eNodeB decides whether the UE capabilities stored in the MME is up-to-date based on the message from the UE and the response from the MME. If the UE holds updated UE capabilities the eNodeB can request updated UE capability information from the UE.

Abstract: A method in a User Equipment (UE) of an Evolved Packet System (EPS) establishes a security key (K_eNB) for protecting Radio Resource Control/User Plane (RRC/UP) traffic exchanged with a serving eNodeB. The method comprises sending a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) Service Request to a Mobility Management Entity (MME), the request indicating a NAS uplink sequence number (NAS_U_SEQ). The method further comprises receiving an indication of the NAS_U_SEQ of the NAS Service Request sent to the MME, back from the MME via the eNodeB. The method further comprises deriving the K_eNB from at least the received indication of the NAS_U_SEQ and from a stored Access Security Management Entity-key (K_ASME) shared with said MME.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method in a wireless device for transmitting an uplink signalling message in a wireless communication network. The wireless device is connected to a first network element over at least a first and a second wireless link. The method comprises determining a transmission mode among alternative transmission modes for transmitting the uplink signalling message. The alternative transmission modes comprise: transmitting on the first wireless link; transmitting on the second wireless link; and transmitting on both the first and the second wireless links. The method also comprises transmitting the uplink signalling message according to the determined transmission mode. The disclosure also relates to a corresponding method performed in the network element, and to the corresponding apparatus.

Abstract: New Radio (NR) RRC includes an RRC_INACTIVE state, which introduces ambiguities in the network's knowledge of UE behavior. A mechanism is introduced for handling parameters received when a UE enters RRC_INACTIVE or RRC_IDLE upon the UE attempting to resume an RRC connection and, as a response, receiving a Release or Suspend message. The timer associated to the mobilityControlInfo (equivalent to T320) is stopped and associated parameters are discarded upon receiving RRC Release or Suspend. Information received in a Release or Suspend message is discarded upon receiving RRC Release or RRC Suspend.

Abstract: A wireless device is configured to operate in first and second access networks. The first and second access networks respectively provide access to first and second core networks of different types. A first wireless communication network includes the first access network and the first core network. A second wireless communication network includes the second access network and the second core network. The wireless device is configured to receive, from the first access network, control signaling indicating that the wireless device is to suspend a connection with the first access network and indicating a notification area within which the wireless device is allowed to move without notifying either the first and second wireless communication networks. The control signaling indicates the notification area includes one or more areas of the first wireless communication network and one or more areas of the second wireless communication network.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a user equipment, UE, in a suspended state in a Radio Access Network, RAN, in response to expiration of a first timer, transmits an RRCResumeRequest message. The UE receives a reject message in response to the RRCResumeRequest message. In response to the reject message, the UE starts a second timer and subsequently transmits a further RRCResumeRequest message. The further RRCResumeRequest message is received by the network during a period bounded approximately by the lesser of a duration of the second timer and a period of the periodic UE event and the greater of the duration of the second timer and the period of the periodic UE event.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a wireless device sends, while in an RRC inactive state, a message requesting resumption of an RRC connected state. Upon sending the message, the wireless device starts a timer according to a predetermined value. While the timer is running, the wireless device attempts decryption and integrity check handling for packets subsequently received from the wireless network.

Abstract: A wireless device and a method for re-establishing a connection in a wireless communications network comprising a first RAT and a different second RAT. The wireless device operates in a first cell of the first RAT. When a connection failure with the first cell is detected, the device performs a cell selection and selects a second cell of the second RAT. Further, the device determines a first set of parameters associated with the first cell and comprising at least one parameter identifying the wireless device or the first cell. Furthermore, the device receives a second set of parameters associated with the second cell and comprising at least one parameter identifying the wireless device or the second cell. The device determines a security token based on the first and second sets, and transmits a re-establishment request message comprising the security token to the second cell.

Abstract: A technique for a device (100) to manage a data flow (608; 618) in a wireless communication system is described. As to a method aspect of the technique, a time period for which the data flow (608; 618) has been inactive is obtained. The data flow (608; 618) is defined by a Quality of Service, QoS, requirement of data associated with the data flow (608; 618). Based on the time period, it is determined to release a mapping between the data flow (608; 618) and a radio bearer (610).

Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided a method of operating a mobile device that is configured for use in a first radio access network that uses a first radio access technology and a second radio access network that uses a second, different, radio access technology, the mobile device aggregating a plurality of carriers in the first radio access network, the method comprising obtaining information for, or pertaining to, one or more of the plurality of carriers in the first radio access network; and processing the obtained information for a single carrier to determine an action for the mobile device to take with respect to the second radio access network.

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: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, a child IAB node is configured to communicate with a first parent IAB node and a descendant IAB node over a backhaul network. The child IAB node includes processing circuitry configured to: detect a backhaul link failure between the child IAB node and the first parent IAB node; in response to the detected backhaul link failure, cause transmission of a radio link failure indication to the descendant IAB node; receive signaling indicating for the child IAB node to connect to a second parent IAB node; and modify network topology at least in part by connecting to the second parent IAB node.

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: 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 (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: 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.