Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting node-level tunneling for mobile user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication network such as a 5th generation network.

Abstract: A software designed protocol (SDP) network node includes a receiver, and a processor operatively coupled to the receiver. The receiver receives instructions, and receives packets. The processor updates a configuration of the SDP network node in accordance with the received instructions, and processes the received packets.

Abstract: Systems and methods for management of network slices in a communication network such as a 5th generation wireless communication network are provided. Network slicing formats of varying degrees of specificity are defined. An appropriate format may be selected for definition of a network slice. Different segments of a slice can be defined using different formats. Slice scoping, purposing, granularity, and resource usage are described. Slice creation and adaptation, and cloud resource management are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for an enhanced Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) in a wireless communications network. In one embodiment, a number of base stations in a MBMS zone, or broadcast region, accommodate both Spatial Multiplexing (SM) enabled user elements and non-SM enabled user elements. In another embodiment, a number of base stations form a MBMS zone, or broadcast region, where the MBMS zone is sub-divided into an SM zone and a non-SM zone. In another embodiment, the wireless communications network includes multiple MBMS zones. For each MBMS zone, base stations serving the MBMS zone transmit an MBMS zone identifier (ID) for the MBMS zone. The MBMS zone ID may be used by a user element for decoding and/or to determine when to perform a handoff from one MBMS zone to another.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a user equipment (UE) to a wireless communication network such as a 5th generation network. The network supports node-level tunneling. Node-level tunnels can be pre-configured prior to receipt of UE attach requests. The tunnels can be shared by plural UEs, flows, or services. A policy function is connected to a network management function and performs tasks such as applying constraints to the node-level tunnels. A session management function pre-establishes node-level tunnels based on policy information from the policy function. Operations of network elements such as the access network node and user plane function to handle UE attachment, session establishment, and handling of mobile-originated and mobile-terminated traffic are described. Also described is a method and apparatus for packet transmission in which packets are processed according to an identified tunnel type. The tunnel type can be identified using a field in the tunnel encapsulation header.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing packets to a destination end point over a virtual network (VN) pre-configured on a network. The routing is performed by a VN virtual router (v-router) associated with a node of the VN. The v-router receives a data packet, obtains an indication of location of the destination end point from a connection management (CM) entity tracking the end point, and selects a logical tunnel or next VN node to forward the data packet to. The CM entity tracks end points upon registration and provides updates upon a request or other trigger.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the invention, OFDM symbols are transmitted as a plurality of clusters. A cluster includes a plurality of OFDM sub-carriers in frequency, over a plurality of OFDM symbol durations in time. Each cluster includes data as well as pilot information as a reference signal for channel estimation. In some embodiments, a plurality of clusters collectively occupy the available sub-carrier set in the frequency domain that is used for transmission. In some embodiments of the invention data and/or pilots are spread within each cluster using code division multiplexing (CDM). In some embodiments pilots and data are separated by distributing data on a particular number of the plurality of OFDM symbol durations and pilots on a remainder of the OFDM symbol durations. CDM spreading can be performed in time and/or frequency directions.

Abstract: Wireless network specific (WN-specific) key can be used to provide access protection over the radio access link. A WN-specific key may be associated with (or assigned to) a wireless network, and distributed to access points of the wireless network, as well as to user equipments (UEs) following UE authentication. The WN-specific key is then used to encrypt/decrypt data transported over the radio access link. The WN-specific key can be used in conjunction with the UE-specific keys to provide multi-level access protection. In some embodiments, WN-specific kays are shared between neighboring wireless networks to reduce the frequency of key exchanges during handovers. Service-specific keys may be used to provide access protection to machine to machine (M2M) services. Group-specific keys may be used to provide access protection to traffic communicated between members of a private social network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enabling H-ARQ communication between a base station and one or more wireless terminals. Methods for enabling incremental redundancy (IR) based H-ARQ, Chase based H-ARQ and Space-Time Code combining (STC) based H-ARQ between devices for down?link and up-link direction transmissions are provided in the form of an information element (IE) for use with a Normal MAP convention as currently accepted in the draft version standard of IEEE 802.16. In addition, embodiments of the invention provide a resource management scheme to protect a network from abuse of resources from a wireless terminal not registered with the network. Components of the down-link and up-link mapping components of a data frame transmitted from the base station to one or more wireless terminals included messages that are readable by all wireless terminals as well as some messages that are encrypted and only readable by wireless terminals that are authenticated as being registered with the network.

Abstract: The present application provides a method for routing traffic from a user equipment (UE) to a service available on a network. In the method, a virtual router entity that services a virtual network available on the network receives a packet from the UE, the received packet including at least a destination ID and payload. The virtual router then forwards a location resolution request including the received destination ID to an associated connectivity manager operating on the network. The virtual router receives a location resolution response from the connectivity manager including at least a destination network node ID. The virtual router may then forward the packet to the destination network node ID.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering both PMP communications, for example standard cellular communications via a base station, and also delivering P2P communications, for example, communications between two mobile stations, using the same spectral resources for both types of communication.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for data transmission using shared radio bearer in order to simplify the operation of RAN access node by reducing signalling overhead related to mobility and simplifying per UE RBs setup/release operation. Using the shared radio bearer, UE mobility operation becomes transparent to access node (e.g. edge cell) and to UE. There is also provided a method and apparatus for simplifying the operation of UE for RBs setup/release and to make the Layer 2 (L2) operation independent from mobility (e.g. independent from handover).

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide additional MAC functionality to support the PHY features of a wireless communication system framework. The additional MAC functionality aids in enabling feedback from wireless terminals to base stations. In some aspects of the invention the feedback is provided on an allocated feedback channel. In other aspects of the invention the feedback is provided by MAC protocol data units (PDU) in a header, mini-header, or subheader. The feedback may be transmitted from the wireless terminal to the base station autonomously by the wireless terminal or in response to an indication from the base station that feedback is requested. Aspects of the invention also provide for allocating feedback resources to form a dedicated feedback channel. One or more of these enhancements is included in a given implementation. Base stations and wireless terminals are also described upon which methods described herein can be implemented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving channel estimation within an OFDM communication system. Channel estimation in OFDM is usually performed with the aid of pilot symbols. The pilot symbols are typically spaced in time and frequency. The set of frequencies and times at which pilot symbols are inserted is referred to as a pilot pattern. In some cases, the pilot pattern is a diagonal-shaped lattice, either regular or irregular. The method first interpolates in the direction of larger coherence (time or frequency). Using these measurements, the density of pilot symbols in the direction of faster change will be increased thereby improving channel estimation without increasing overhead. As such, the results of the first interpolating step can then be used to assist the interpolation in the dimension of smaller coherence (time or frequency).

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure provides for a method for user equipment (UE) internet protocol (IP) address management. The method includes sending by an application function (AF), a request to a policy control function (PCF), the request including information identifying traffic and an indication that a UE IP address associated with the traffic should be preserved. The method further includes sending by the PCF, to a session management function (SMF) being responsible for managing a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session associated with the traffic, a policy and charging control (PCC) rule including the indication. In some embodiments, the request is sent by the AF to the PCF via a network exposure function (NEF). In some embodiments, the method further includes managing, by the SMF, the UE IP address according to the PCC rule. In some embodiments, the managing includes preserving the UE IP address for a PDU session associated with the traffic.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods and apparatuses for enabling private communication between user equipments (UEs) in a (LAN) UE group. The UEs in the (LAN) UE group can communicate with each other using IP and/or non-IP type communication services. The communications between these UEs may take place in the form of point to point (e.g. UE to UE) communication or point to multi-point communication (e.g. UE to multiple UEs) as opposed to UE to Data Network (DN) communication.

Abstract: Systems and methods described for providing capacity and coverage hole analysis in next generation wireless networks (e.g. 5G networks). Provided is a network function comprising a network interface for receiving data from, and transmitting data to, a plurality of network functions connected to a within a communication network; a processor; and a non-transient memory for storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the network function to receive a request for capacity and coverage hole (CCH) information from a capacity and coverage hole analysis (CCHA) consumer, collect the CCH information responsive to the request; and determine a capacity and coverage hole profile that is indicative of at least one of a network coverage sufficiency and coverage service quality based at least in part on the CCH information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-configuring a communication network to support delivery of a service to an end point associated with the service is provided. A virtual network (VN) having a plurality of VN nodes is provided and associated with a respective plurality of physical network nodes of the communication network. Logical tunnels communicatively interconnect the VN nodes. VN virtual routers (v-routers) associated with the VN nodes are provided and configured to route packets between the VN nodes via the logical tunnels. Edge nodes of the communication network are configured to monitor for a packet associated with the service, and to submit the packet to the VN for handling thereby.

Abstract: Systems and methods for OFDM channelization are provided that allow for the coexistence of sub-band channels and diversity channels. Methods of defining diversity sub-channels and sub-band sub-channels are provided and systematic channel definition and labeling schemes are provided.

Abstract: A communication service manager (CSM) apparatus for monitoring a communication network is provided. The CSM receives configuration instruction message from a higher-level device, and creates or modifies a set of tasks based on the configuration instruction message. The CSM is thus configured to interact with data provider devices to obtain specific information, process the information, and report the results of the processing operations toward a specified device or database. The data provider devices monitor network operations and may include network functions and data analytics manager (DAM) functions. A format for configuration instruction messages, for configuring the CSM, is also provided.