Abstract: A method of operating a session management function SMF entity of a wireless communication network may be provided. An Ethernet context for a wireless terminal may be received from a first user plane function UPF entity, wherein the Ethernet context is provided for an Ethernet Protocol Data Unit PDU Session for the wireless terminal using the first UPF entity, and wherein the Ethernet context includes a Medium Access Control MAC address for the wireless terminal. The Ethernet context including the MAC address for the wireless terminal may be transmitted to a second UPF entity. Related methods of operating user plane function UPF entities of a wireless communication network may also be provided.

Abstract: A method for establishing a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session(s) is disclosed. In examples disclosed herein, a device (e.g., a wireless device) uses a unique Port Number(s) (e.g., an internal physical or logical Port Number) to search for a matching User Equipment (UE) Route Selection Policies (URSP) rule(s) having a Traffic Descriptor(s) that matches the unique Port Number(s). The device then determines whether there exists a matching PDU Session(s) associated with a Route Selection Descriptor(s) of the matching URSP rule(s). Accordingly, the device can reuse the matching PDU Session(s) in a presence of the matching PDU Session(s) or establish a new PDU Session(s) in an absence of the matching PDU Session(s). By using the unique Port Number(s) as the Traffic Descriptor(s) in the URSP rule(s), it is possible to simplify configuration of the device, especially for redundant traffic handling.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that relate to actions performed by a Radio Access Network (RAN) when redundancy is not available. In this regard, embodiments of a method performed by a RAN node are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method performed by a RAN node for RAN action when redundancy is not available comprises receiving, from a core network node, a request for a set of User Plane (UP) resources in the RAN. The method further comprises determining whether the request for the set of UP resources in the RAN can be met and sending, to the core network node, a response to the request for the set of UP resources that is based on whether the request for the set of UP resources in the RAN can be met.

Abstract: Avoiding jitter in a communication network. A method for avoiding jitter includes receiving, an ingress point of the communication network, a packet, wherein the packet is received at the ingress point at a time within a particular time slot. The method also includes the ingress point creating a modified packet that includes the received packet and a slot identifier indicating the particular time slot in which the packet was received, the ingress point transmitting (s406) the modified packet towards an egress point of the communication network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that relate to a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual Ethernet bridge(s). Embodiments of a User Equipment (UE) for a cellular communications system and corresponding methods of operation of a UE are disclosed. In some embodiments, a UE for a cellular communications system, where the cellular communications system operates as multiple Ethernet network virtual bridges, comprises one or more transmitters, one or more receivers, and processing circuitry associated with the one or more transmitters and one or more receivers. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the UE to establish a first Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session to an Ethernet network via a first User Plane Function (UPF), wherein PDU sessions that connect to the Ethernet network via the first UPF are grouped into a first Ethernet network virtual bridge. In this manner, shared media in the Ethernet network can be avoided.

Abstract: A method may be provided to operate a core network entity of a wireless communication network. A session establishment request may be received from a wireless terminal through a base station node. Responsive to receiving the session establishment request, the core network entity may determine that a breakout protocol data unit session is to be established for the wireless terminal. Responsive to determining that the breakout PDU session is to be established for the wireless terminal, a request may be transmitted to the base station node, and the request may include an indication that the breakout PDU session is to be established for the wireless terminal. Related methods may be provided for base station nodes, wireless terminals, and central controllers.

Abstract: A method of operating a session management function SMF entity of a wireless communication network may be provided. An Ethernet context for a wireless terminal may be received from a first user plane function UPF entity, wherein the Ethernet context is provided for an Ethernet Protocol Data Unit PDU Session for the wireless terminal using the first UPF entity, and wherein the Ethernet context includes a Medium Access Control MAC address for the wireless terminal. The Ethernet context including the MAC address for the wireless terminal may be transmitted to a second UPF entity. Related methods of operating user plane function UPF entities of a wireless communication network may also be provided.

Abstract: A method of detecting race conditions in a service based communication architecture network (600) comprising a Message Broker, MB, function (210) mediating messages, relating to service procedures, between one or more services available to a User Equipment, UE, (11) communicating within the service based communication architecture network (600). The method comprising receiving, by the MB (210), from the services, a message relating to at least one of start and end of a service procedure. Determining, by the MB (210), based on the received message, that the service procedure causes a race condition, and intervening, upon detection of a race condition, in executing the service procedures. There is also provided a Message Broker, MB, function (210) arranged for detecting and handling race conditions, a communication network (600) comprising an integrated message broker and race condition handler (210) and a computer program product.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for filtering Ethernet device source addresses for loop avoidance in a cellular communications system. Embodiments of a method performed by a User Plane Function (UPF) in a core network of a cellular communications system and corresponding embodiments of a UPF are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method performed by a UPF in a core network of a cellular communications system comprises obtaining a Medium Access Control (MAC) address that is reachable over a particular Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session. The method further comprises installing, at the UPF, a filtering rule that prevents Ethernet frames having the MAC address as a source address from being delivered by the UPF via downlink on the particular PDU session. In this manner, loopback of Ethernet frames on the PDU session is avoided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that relate to reporting a multicast Medium Access Control (MAC) address used by a particular Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session in a cellular communications system. In some embodiments, a method performed in a core network of a cellular communications system comprises, at a User Plane Function (UPF), obtaining multicast MAC address information comprising a multicast MAC address to be used on a particular PDU session and information that identifies either or both of a User Equipment (UE) associated with the particular PDU session and the particular PDU session and reporting, to a Session Management Function (SMF), use of the multicast MAC address on the particular PDU session. The method further comprises, at the SMF, receiving the report from the UPF, and using the multicast MAC address to perform one or more operational tasks.

Abstract: Systems and method are disclosed herein that relate to support for virtual Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) bridge management, Quality of Service (QoS) mapping, and TSN related scheduling in a cellular communications system. In some embodiments, a method performed by one or more network nodes of a cellular communications system operating as a virtual TSN bridge of a TSN network comprises providing, to a controller associated with the TSN network, parameters that relate to capabilities of the virtual TSN bridge. The parameters that relate to the capabilities of the virtual TSN bridge comprise a first parameter that defines a clock accuracy of an entity in the cellular communications system that operates gating control for the virtual TSN bridge and a second parameter that informs the controller associated with the TSN network that the virtual TSN bridge or a particular egress port of the virtual TSN bridge is restricted to exclusive gating.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a method performed by a first RAN node for handling dual connectivity in redundancy transmission in a wireless communications network, wherein a first PDU session and/or QoS flow is established from a UE to a CN via the first RAN node. The first RAN node determines to set up a second PDU session and/or QoS flow between the UE and the CN via a second RAN node, and further sends, to the second RAN node, a request for setup of the second PDU session and/or QoS flow, wherein the request comprises an indication that the second PDU session and/or QoS flow are setup for redundancy transmission.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for output pacing in a cellular communications system that serves as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) node in a TSN network. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a boundary node associated with a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN network comprises receiving user plane traffic from a node in the cellular communications system. The user plane traffic is user plane traffic received by the cellular communications system from a previous hop TSN node. The method further comprises performing output pacing for the user plane traffic when outputting the user plane traffic to a next hop TSN node such that the user plane traffic is output to the next hop TSN node at a rate that matches a desired rate at the next hop TSN node. Corresponding embodiments of a boundary node are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method performed by a core network node for a wireless communication network is provided. The method comprises: receiving a configuration message via an interface with a configuring node associated with a wired communication network, the configuration message comprising settings for a plurality of paths between a first node coupled to the wired communication network and a second node coupled to the wireless communication network, the plurality of paths carrying a plurality of data streams between the first and second nodes, the plurality of data streams comprising at least one redundant data stream; and configuring the plurality of paths within the wireless communication network according to the settings.

Abstract: A Virtual Endpoint and a method therein for enabling end-to-end connectivity between a wireless communication network and a wired communication network are disclosed. A Virtual Endpoint is implemented in the wireless communication network and certain user and control plane features used in the wired communication network are implemented in the VEP. The VEP maps data traffic between a device in the wireless communication network and a device in the wired communication network based on Quality-of-Service (QoS) and performs required actions defined by the features used in the wired communication network.

Abstract: A method for handling a service discovery request for a service provided by a service based architecture communications network. The service discovery request is received from a client, the received service discovery request has a plurality of service related parameters. A service identifier is assigned to the service discovery request, the identifier linking the received service discovery request to the plurality of service related parameters. The plurality of service related parameters are stored. A service discovery response is transmitted to the client in response to the received service discovery request. A subsequent request related to the service is received. The plurality of service related parameters for the subsequent request based on the received service identifier present in the subsequent request and the stored plurality of service related parameters is determined. A list of processing entities capable of handling the subsequent request related to the service is determined.

Abstract: A technique for monitoring a redundancy status of a connection established between a User Equipment, UE, and a cellular network is disclosed, wherein the connection is established using redundant communication paths between the UE and the cellular network. A method implementation of the technique is performed by a first node of the cellular network and comprises triggering determining a current redundancy status of the connection, the current redundancy status indicating whether or not the redundant communication paths are fully disjoint on at least a portion of the redundant communication paths, and triggering sending a redundancy notification to a second node of the cellular network, the redundancy notification including an indication of the determined current redundancy status.

Abstract: In response to a transition from a previous operational state to a current operational state of a given network partition of a plurality of network partitions of a core of a cellular network, a respective entry of a registry of the plurality of network partitions is updated. Network partition selection for a terminal is effected by participating in a communication of at least one selection control message corresponding to at least one entry of the registry.

Abstract: A wireless communication network (12) includes one or more nodes (10, 40) that individually or cooperatively prevent affiliated communication modules (14) from being handed over at the same time. Affiliated communication modules (14) provide a machine, device, or other entity (16) with redundant access to the network (12) and preventing the simultaneous handover of affiliated communication modules (14) within the network (12) reduces the chance that the involved entity (16) will lose radio connectivity or experience an interruption in its communications. Although not limited to Critical Machine Type Communication, C-MTC, applications, such operations improve connection redundancy and reliability for C-MTC entities that use two or more communication modules (14) for redundant access to a wireless communication network (12).

Abstract: A method of operating a session management function SMF entity of a wireless communication network may be provided. An Ethernet context for a wireless terminal may be received from a first user plane function UPF entity, wherein the Ethernet context is provided for an Ethernet Protocol Data Unit PDU Session for the wireless terminal using the first UPF entity, and wherein the Ethernet context includes a Medium Access Control MAC address for the wireless terminal. The Ethernet context including the MAC address for the wireless terminal may be transmitted to a second UPF entity. Related methods of operating user plane function UPF entities of a wireless communication network may also be provided.