Abstract: The present invention relates to a series of substituted compounds having the general formula (I), including their stereoisomers and/or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are as defined herein. This invention also relates to methods of making these compounds including intermediates. The compounds of this invention are effective at the kappa (?) opioid receptor (KOR) site. Therefore, the compounds of this invention are useful as pharmaceutical agents, especially in the treatment and/or prevention of a variety of central nervous system disorders (CNS), including but not limited to acute and chronic pain, and associated disorders, particularly functioning peripherally at the CNS.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is to provide a Connectivity Management (CM) function for use in networks such as a wireless network. The CM function can support both User Equipment (UE) and Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices in the network. In one embodiment of the first aspect, there is provided methods and systems for CM for a plurality of different types of devices that may evaluate tracking criteria to determine where and when wireless resources will need to be allocated to a wireless device. In some embodiments, these tracking criteria include location tracking and/or activity tracking. Another aspect provides for the instantiation of virtual CM functions established at appropriate physical nodes to provide device specific or service specific CM.

Abstract: Physical layer structures and access schemes for use in such networks are described and in particular initial access channel (IACH) structures are proposed. A spectrum efficient downlink (DL) IACH design supports different types of User Equipment (UE) capabilities and different system bandwidths. An IACH includes the synchronization channel (SCH) and broadcast-control channel (BCH). A non-uniform SCH for all system bandwidths is provided, as well as scalable bandwidth BCH depending on system bandwidth. An initial access procedure is provided, as well as an access procedure.

Abstract: An embodiment method of managing a wireless network includes managing an infrastructure topology for the wireless network. The wireless network includes a plurality of network nodes. The method further includes managing a connection of a user equipment (UE) to the wireless network. The method further includes managing a customer service provided to the UE over the connection. The method also includes managing analytics for the wireless network and the service.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining placement of a virtual serving gateway. The method includes obtaining a set of input information. The input information includes network information and configuration information providing one or more parameters for placing the virtual serving gateway, and includes at least one mobility insensitivity criterion. Placement of the virtual serving gateway at one or more physical hosts is determined in accordance with the network information and the configuration information. The virtual serving gateway is distributively placeable across physical hosts. A set of output information is generated. The output information includes information identifying placement of the virtual serving gateway at the physical hosts, and a hosting percentage for each physical host.

Abstract: Predicting mobile station migration between geographical locations of a wireless network can be achieved using a migration probability database. The database can be generated based on statistical information relating to the wireless network, such as historical migration patterns and associated mobility information (e.g., velocities, bin location, etc.). The migration probability database consolidates the statistical information into mobility prediction functions for estimating migration probabilities/trajectories based on dynamically reported mobility parameters. By example, mobility prediction functions can compute a likelihood that a mobile station will migrate between geographic regions based on a velocity of the mobile station. Accurate mobility prediction may improve resource provisioning efficiency during admission control and path selection, and can also be used to dynamically adjust handover margins.

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 pulsed voltage bias method and/or pulsed light bias method may be used to reduce, minimize, and/or eliminate external quantum efficiency measurement artifacts of multi-junction solar cells, for example artifacts caused by the shunt effect. In this manner, multi-junction solar cells may be designed and constructed with improved performance, efficiency, and the like.

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure provides a method of admitting a session from a user device subscribed to a service with a virtual network operator. The method includes receiving a service request from said user device at an Access Point and selecting a network function Authentication and Authorization (AA) function (AAF) to confirm the user device is authorized for the requested service, and transmitting the request to the selected network function AAA function. The AAAF which processes the request may reside with the virtual network operator (VNO). However, the VNO may share its AAA database with other network entities (for example, Telecom Connectivity Service Providers (TCSPs) or InPs), and allow those entities to perform the AAA functions.

Abstract: A method and system for providing Customer Service Management (CSM) a communication network, such as a 5G wireless communication network. The communication network provides at least one service involving one or more terminals serviced by the communication network. A CSM function is defined which is based upon said at least one service and customized to said at least one service, to provide service-customized CSM. CSM may provide service-based charging/billing, service-based context management, service-customized QoE control, service-customized network topology.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating network slices in a communication network such as a 5th generation wireless communication network are provided. Mobile device attach requests can be handled in which an appropriate network slice is selected for attaching the mobile device to. Customer service requests can be handled using existing network slices or by instantiating new network slices as needed. Mobile devices can be associated to new network slices due to roaming. Network slices can be monitored and scaled as required to maintain performance. Cloud resource assignment, mobile device power management, traffic engineering and flow management operations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for User Equipment (UE) power management in a wireless communication system is provided. A connection manager of the communication system receives a power management policy from a third party entity. The policy directs setting of a power management scheme according to status information of the UE. The third party entity is functionally separate from the UE and a network domain associated with the connection manager. Status information is received from the UE. A power management instruction is transmitted towards the UE to modify power management parameters stored in the UE.

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure provides a method for session admission at a node in an infrastructure provider network. The method includes receiving a connection request from a user equipment not associated with a network with which the infrastructure provider network is associated and obtaining from the user equipment, an identification of a service provider with which the infrastructure provider network is associated. Access authorization is then requested from the identified service provider. Embodiments allow such a process to provide government mandated free access, or for some other service provider to pay for the service.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for management of network slices in a communication network such as a 5th generation wireless communication network are provided. Management planes may be provided which are separate from the plurality of network slices. A connection manager residing in a management plane receives an indication that a mobile device is to be associated with the communication network. The connection manager may reside at an access node or in the core network. A network slice is determined, and the connection manager transmits instructions, to one or more network nodes, to associate the mobile device with the network slice. The instructions may be provided to a local connection manager. The slice may be requested explicitly by the mobile device, or determined based on device and/or network requirements.

Abstract: There is provided systems and methods for Network Function Virtualization (NFV) in a control plane. The NFV framework is be used to define a plurality of virtual network functions (VNFs), each of which can correspond to a function enabling operation of a communication network. There is provided a method and system for managing a plurality of network slices in a communication network, the method comprising: instantiating a Global Control Plane set apart from the plurality of network slices, the Global Control Plane configured to at least partially manage each of the plurality of network slices.

Abstract: A method and system for responding to demand-based charging in a communication network, such as a 5G wireless communication network. Service providers and/or infrastructure providers adjust network usage pricing dynamically based on demand. Customers such as Virtual Network operators respond to pricing adjustments by adjusting their network usage, service requirements, and/or by re-negotiating the pricing structure. Network usage can be adjusted by controlling network traffic generated in response to activity of end-user devices of the Virtual Network.

Abstract: A method for managing network slice enabled traffic on a communications network is disclosed. The network slice is instantiated on the communications network for providing connectivity resources to a network operator using the communications network. The method comprises measuring a traffic level indicative of the traffic enabled by the network slice; and adjusting the traffic enabled by the network slice in accordance with the traffic level and a network operator enabled function associated with the network slice.

Abstract: An embodiment method of traffic engineering (TE) in a software defined radio access network (SD-RAN) includes determining, by a radio resource manager (RRM) at a wireless radio node, respective data rates for paths of a plurality of user equipments (UEs) wirelessly coupled to the wireless radio node. The RRM computes respective supported wireless rates for the paths of the plurality of UEs according to the respective data rates. The TE module receives respective allocated data rates for the paths of the plurality of UEs. The method also includes repeating the determining and the computing using the respective allocated data rates.

Abstract: Security in wireless communication networks that employ relay stations to facilitate communications between base stations and mobile stations is enhanced. In one embodiment, resource information provided to one or more relay stations from a base station or another relay station is encrypted prior to being delivered to the one or more relay stations. Only authorized relay stations are allocated an appropriate key necessary to decrypt the resource information. As such, only appropriate relay stations are able to access and use the resource information to effect communications directly or indirectly between the base stations and the mobile stations. In certain embodiments, the resource information is delivered between the various base and relay stations using either unicast or multicast delivery techniques.

Abstract: A system and method for communications in communications systems with relay nodes are provided. A communications controller includes a communications control unit, a bearer control unit coupled to the communications control unit, and a mapping unit coupled to the bearer control unit. The communications control unit manages resources and schedules transmission opportunities, the bearer control unit manages radio bearers for relay nodes coupled to the communications controller, and the mapping unit provides a mapping of user bearers to radio bearers.