Abstract: A method comprises communicating a specification of a network slice instance (NSI) that identifies a network function (NF), and operating the identified NF in accordance with the specification.

Abstract: A method for execution by a mobile station (MS) in a mobile communications network, the method comprising: receiving a first MS identifier from the network during a ranging operation involving the MS; using the first MS identifier to extract the contents of at least one message received from the network during said ranging operation; using a second MS identifier, different from the first MS identifier, to extract the contents of at least one message received from the network after said ranging operation is complete. Also, a method for execution by the base station, comprising: outputting a first message destined for the MS, the first message including a first identifier for use by the MS during a ranging operation; determining that said ranging operation is complete; outputting a second message destined for the MS, the second message including a second identifier for use by the MS in subsequent communication with the network.

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: A mobile terminal in a wireless communication network may be one of several modes of operation. When in an idle mode, the mobile terminal may avoid a lengthy random access procedure normally associated with responding to a page from a base station, if the base station includes in the page an indication of a resource that the mobile terminal may utilize when responding to the page. Additionally, the mobile terminal may transmit an efficient location update MAC header to a base station, whether prompted to by a page from the base station or not. Furthermore, without leaving the idle mode or a sleep mode, the mobile terminal may exchange short data burst messages with a base station.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for implementing control plane functionality to configure a data plane at a plurality of network nodes. A software defined topology (SDT) component is configured to determine a data plane logical topology indicating a plurality of selected nodes and a logical architecture connecting the selected nodes. The data plane logical topology enables traffic delivery for a service or virtual network for an end-customer or operator. A software defined networking (SDN) component is configured to interact with the SDT component and map the data plane logical topology to a physical network. The mapping includes allocating network nodes including the selected nodes and network resources which enable communications for the service or virtual network and meet QoS requirement. A software defined protocol (SDP) component is configured to interact with the SDN and define data plane protocol and process functionality for the network nodes.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a foldable housing, a flexible display module, a first adhesive structure, and a second adhesive structure. The foldable housing may include a hinge structure, a first housing structure, and a second housing structure. The flexible display module may be extended from the first surface to the third surface, and include a fifth surface facing the first surface, and a sixth surface facing the third surface. The first adhesive structure may be disposed between the first surface and the fifth surface, and include a first substrate, a first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer. The second adhesive structure may be disposed between the third surface and the sixth surface, and include a second substrate, a third adhesive layer, and a fourth adhesive layer.

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: Methods and systems are provided that enable an OFDM transmitter to be used for transmitting conventional OFDM or a form of transformed OFDM. A technique is provided for transforming a coded and modulated sequence of samples prior to an IFFT that enables the transformed sequence of samples to be transmitted using conventional OFDM or transformed OFDM. The selection of a transform function for transforming the coded and modulated sequence of samples may be based on optimizing the transform function for particular operating conditions between the transmitter and receiver. In some embodiments of the invention OFDM and time transformed OFDM are multiplexed in time and/or frequency in a transmission frame. In some embodiments of the invention a pilot pattern is provided in which the pilot are sent using OFDM and data is sent using OFDM and/or transformed OFDM.

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: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems to support QoS for unicast and groupcast casting types using sidelink radio bearers over the NR PC5 interface. Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems to configure and activate sidelink radio bearers using AS-level signaling between the Tx UE and Rx UEs over the NR PC5 interface. Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems to perform resource allocation and resource reservation in a platoon for sidelink transmissions.

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: 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 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: 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: 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 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 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: 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: 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.