Abstract: Embodiments include methods, for a first centralized unit (CU) in a radio access network (RAN), to configure a user equipment (UE) to communicate via first and second distributed units (DUs). Such methods include initiating a first radio resource control (RRC) entity to communicate with the UE via a first RRC connection through the first DU, and selecting the second DU to communicate with the UE in a dual-connectivity (DC) configuration with the first DU. Such methods include performing one or more of the following based on determining the second DU is associated with the first CU: initiating a second RRC entity within the first CU to communicate with the UE via a second RRC connection through the second DU; and establishing one or more further radio bearers with the UE via the second DU. Other embodiments include methods for a UE, and CUs and UEs configured to perform such methods.

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: 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: Methods, User Equipment (UE), and source network node for resuming a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection to a target cell in a wireless communications network. The UE generates a security token using a set of input parameters and sends a resuming request with the security token to a target network node serving the target cell. When receiving the resuming request, the source network node generates a security token using a set of input parameters in the same manner as the UE. If the received security token is successfully verified when compared with the generated security token, the source network node provides to the target network node a UE context of the UE, to enable the target network node to resume the RRC connection.

Abstract: A method for establishing a BH RLC channel between a node and a DU. The method includes a CU detecting (s402) a need to establish the BH RLC channel between the node and the DU; and in response to detecting the need to establish the BH RLC channel, the CU sending (s404) to the DU an AP message requesting the DU to setup the BH RLC channel. The AP message comprises: i) a list identifying one or more BH RLC channels to be setup, wherein the list comprises at least one item containing a BH RLC Channel identifier, ID, information element, IE, containing a BH RLC Channel ID identifying the BH RLC channel, or ii) a DRB ID IE containing the BH RLC Channel ID identifying the BH RLC channel.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method for use in a network node of providing a radio resource control (RRC) state of a user equipment (UE) to a core network node comprises: receiving, from the core network node, a request to receive a notification of a transition of the UE between a first and second RRC state; determining the UE transitioned between the first and second RRC state; and sending the notification of the transition to the core network node. A method for use in a core network node of receiving RRC state information of a UE comprises: sending, to the network node, a subscription request to receive a notification of a transition of the UE between a first and second RRC state; and upon the network node determining the UE transitioned between the first and second RRC state, receiving the notification from the network node.

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: Systems and methods are disclosed for a host providing an over-the-top service. An example host includes processing circuitry to provide user data associated with the service and a network interface to initiate transmission of the user data from a network node in a cellular network. The network node is configured to provide a Radio Resource Control connection re-establishment message to a user equipment (UE) previously connected to the RAN via Signaling Radio Bearer 1 (SRB1). SRB1 is configured with a New Radio Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) configuration. After the UE receives the RRC connection re-establishment message, the UE derives security keys. The network node is further configured to re-establish the UE's connection to the RAN, by applying a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) PDCP configuration to SRB1 and applying ciphering using the plurality of derived security keys, and to transmit the user data over the re-established connection.

Abstract: A method by a first network node in an Integrated Access and Wireless Access Backhaul (IAB) network is provided. The method includes, in the absence of an New Radio (NR) link between the first network node and a second network in the IAB network, sending, to the second network node over Long Term Evolution, LTE, radio, one or more Stream Control Transmission Protocol/Internet Protocol (SCTP/IP) packets. The one or more SCTP/IP packets includes F1-Application Protocol (F1-AP) signaling.

Abstract: A wireless device for resuming a connection in a communication network. The wireless device comprises a communication interface; and one or more processing circuits communicatively connected to the communication interface, the one or more processing circuits comprising at least one processor and memory, the memory containing instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to: send to a network node a request to resume a connection in a communication network; receive a resume response message from the network node, the message comprising an indication to perform a full configuration; and apply the full configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods for a user equipment (UE) operating in a radio access network (RAN) coupled to a core network (CN). Such methods include receiving, from the RAN or the CN, one or more frequency selection policy parameters (P) related to a protocol data unit (PDU) 5 session for the UE and/or a network slice associated with a PDU session for the UE. Such methods also include, based on the frequency selection policy parameters, determining one or more preferred frequencies or frequency layers for one or more mobility operations. Such methods also include performing a first one of the mobility operations on a first one of the determined preferred frequencies or frequency layers. Other embodiments include complementary methods for a 0 wireless network, and UEs and wireless networks configured to perform such methods.

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 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: Methods, donor DU nodes and donor CU nodes, and computer programs are provided for allocating internet protocol, IP, addresses. A request is received at a donor DU node to allocate an IP address for a wireless node. The IP address is allocated for the wireless node by the donor DU node and the IP address is transmitted towards the wireless node. The donor CU node receives a message from a wireless node requesting an IP address. Responsive to receiving the message from the wireless node requesting an IP address, the donor CU node transmits an allocation message to a donor DU node to request IP address allocation for the wireless node.

Abstract: A wireless device is configured to support connections to one or more serving cells in a first radio access network (RAN), using a first radio access technology (RAT) and to one or more serving cells in a second RAN, using a second RAT that differs from the first RAT. The wireless device receives one or more handover commands as part of a handover of the wireless device to a base station in the first RAN, and determines, based on the one or more handover commands, that the wireless device is to revert from a currently configured Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) configuration to a PDCP configuration associated with the first RAT. The wireless device then reverts to the PDCP configuration associated with the first RAT, in response to said determining.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a network node is operable to change a general packet radio service (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP) tunneling endpoint identifier (TEID) when a user equipment (UE) resumes a connection to a core network. The network node comprises processing circuitry operable to receive a resume request from a UE; determine that the UE was previously connected to the network node prior to the resume; obtain one or more GTP TEIDs that are different than GTP TEIDs that were used when the UE was previously connected to the network node; and transmit an indication of the one or more GTP TEIDs to the core network. Transmitting the indication to the core network may comprise a path switch procedure, a UE context resume procedure, or a radio access bearer modification procedure.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include methods and/or procedures performed by a first intermediate node of a multi-hop, integrated access backhaul communication network. Embodiments include receiving a data packet destined for a target node of the communication network, the first intermediate node being configured to communicate with the target node via a second intermediate node of the network. Embodiments include determining an address for the data packet based on a mapping function associated with the target node, and forming a packet header, including the previously-determined address, for the data packet. Forming the packet header can include at least one of the following operations: excluding one or more higher-layer protocol headers related to the second intermediate node; and incorporating without modification a portion, associated with the target node, of an existing header of the data packet.

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: In an example, a method performed by central unit control plane, CU-CP, of a base station for providing Integrated Access and Backhaul, IAB, bearer mapping information is disclosed. The base station is configured as a donor base station for one or more IAB nodes. The method comprises transmitting, to a distributed unit DU of the base station which is configured as a donor DU for one or more IAB nodes, mapping information to map one or more field values to one or more backhaul radio link control BH RLC channels between the DU and a first IAB node on a downlink path.

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 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).