Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that enable Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) network or Deterministic Networking (DetNet) network replication function fallback. In some embodiments, a method comprises, at a primary replication function, obtaining a packet in a particular stream, obtaining a sequence number for the packet, generating M copies of the packet each comprising the sequence number, transmitting the M copies, and providing, to a redundancy controller, the sequence number or a next sequence number of a next packet to be transmitted for the particular stream. The method further comprises, at the redundancy controller, receiving the sequence number or the next sequence number and providing the sequence number or the next sequence number to a secondary replication function. The method further comprises, at the secondary replication function, receiving the sequence number or the next sequence number and configuring a sequence generation function with the next sequence number.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods performed by a time-sensitive network (TSN) node configured for frame replication and elimination for reliability (FRER). Such methods include receiving a plurality of member streams via a corresponding plurality (n) of disjoint paths in the TSN. Each member stream includes a replication of packets comprising a stream. Such methods include performing the following diagnostics on the received member streams: a first group of diagnostics related to member stream failures, a second group of diagnostics related to packets received out-of-window, a third group of diagnostics related to stream outages, and a fourth group of diagnostics related to recovery timeouts for the TSN node. Other embodiments include TSN nodes configured to perform such methods.

Abstract: A method performed by a network node for handling communication in a communication network. The network node sets a UPF node of a 5G system bridge to a status of critical, when a condition is fulfilled. With the proviso that the status of the UPF node is set to critical, network node further constrains a UE to connect to the UPF node.

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 network node in a Wireless Communication Network (WNC) bridge receives scheduling information from a Central Network Controller (CNC). The network node calculates the RAN assistance information based on the scheduling information. The network node forwards the RAN assistance information towards a RAN scheduler that schedules RAN traffic passing through the WCN bridge.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided. In an example aspect, a method in a station (STA) of reducing or avoiding interference is provided. The method includes receiving at least a preamble or a physical layer (PHY) header of a frame, wherein the preamble or the physical layer (PHY) header includes an indication that one or more STAs should reduce or avoid causing interference during the transmission of the frame or for a duration of a transmit opportunity (TXOP) during which the frame is transmitted. The method also includes reducing or avoiding interference during the transmission of the frame or for the duration of the TXOP during which the frame is transmitted.

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: Methods and systems for coordinated change of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session Anchors (PSAs) are provided. According to one embodiment, a method for coordinated change of PSAs comprises, at a node for maintaining PSA change status for PDU sessions, receiving a request for a PSA change or handover for a first PDU session having a first PSA, where the first PDU session and a second PDU session having a second PSA different from the first PSA are redundant PDU sessions with each other. If the second PDU session is undergoing a PSA change or handover, the request to change the first PDU session is denied; otherwise, the request to change the first PDU session is granted, and the second PDU session will not be allowed to be changed until the PSA change or handover for the first PDU session is complete.

Abstract: A method may be performed by a network entity of a wireless communication network. A first PDU session may be established for a wireless terminal (UE) using a first NodeB base station (MgNB) and a first user plane function entity (UPF1). A second PDU session may be established for the wireless terminal (UE) using a second NodeB base station (SgNB) and a second user plane function entity (UPF2). The first and second PDU sessions may be established for the wireless terminal (UE) using the first and second NodeB base stations so that the first and second PDU sessions are provided concurrently using dual connectivity DC to provide redundant data paths for communication of data for the wireless terminal (UE) through the wireless communication network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for avoiding duplicate delivery in the reset mechanism of seamless redundancy, e.g., of a Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) network or Deterministic Networking (DetNet) network, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method performed by a receiving node comprises receiving packets from multiple streams from a transmitting node via a network, each being a replication of a particular packet stream and each packet comprising a sequence indication. The method further comprises performing an elimination procedure, wherein performing the elimination procedure comprises resetting one or more parameters utilized by the elimination procedure responsive to an occurrence of an event while receiving the packets and, responsive thereto, discarding all of the received packets processed by the elimination procedure from a time at which the elimination procedure was reset until an end of a defined period of time.

Abstract: Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) domains (30) include centralized entities (32. 34) for establishing and managing intra- and inter-domain TSN streams, with the inter-domain TSN streams based on an advantageous approach to inter-domain advertisement of respective end stations (40) operating as talkers and listeners. Based on exploiting and extending talker/listener messaging. inter-domain listener information returned to the TSN domain (30) of a given talker aggregates the status of TSN stream establishment with respect to each listener in each external TSN domain (30) that includes one or more end stations (40) interested in acting as listeners, and with respect to each external TSN domain (30) used to carry the TSN stream. Correspondingly, the configuration of network resources in the respective TSN domains (30) is made to depend on the exchanged status information.

Abstract: A user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with at least a network node is described. The UE comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry in communication with the processing circuitry. The radio interface is configured to receive, from the network node, an indication indicating the UE to establish a first protocol data unit (PDU) session and a second PDU session that support one or more packet replication and redundant transmissions between the UE and a same UPF network node. The same UPF network node is selected by the network node based on one or more parameters. The processing circuitry is configured to establish, based on the received indication, the first and second PDU sessions that support the one or more packet replication and redundant transmissions between the UE and the same UPF network node.

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: 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: A method may be performed by a network entity of a wireless communication network. A first PDU session may be established for a wireless terminal (UE) using a first NodeB base station (MgNB) and a first user plane function entity (UPF1). A second PDU session may be established for the wireless terminal (UE) using a second NodeB base station (SgNB) and a second user plane function entity (UPF2). The first and second PDU sessions may be established for the wireless terminal (UE) using the first and second NodeB base stations so that the first and second PDU sessions are provided concurrently using dual connectivity DC to provide redundant data paths for communication of data for the wireless terminal (UE) through the wireless communication network.

Abstract: A method for coordinating application-related events in multiple network domains comprises, in a first network domain, receiving (710) a request, from a second network domain, to prevent events with respect to a first communications path in the first network domain, for a communications module. The method further comprises preventing or delaying (720) one or more actions in the first network domain that would interrupt connectivity in the first communication path, in response to the request.

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: Systems and methods for packet or frame replication and elimination in a Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) network or Deterministic Networking (DetNet) network are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a node in a TSN network or DetNet network comprises determining whether to reset a sequence recovery function used for frame or packet elimination for a particular stream of packets based on either or both of an explicit indication or an implicit indication and resetting the sequence recovery function used for frame or packet elimination for the particular stream of packets upon determining to reset the sequence recovery function. In this manner, packet or frame elimination is improved by avoiding scenarios that result in discarding valid packets or frames due to an out of sync condition between the sequence generation function at the replicator and the sequence recovery function at the eliminator.

Abstract: A PDU ordering function (POF) restores the proper order of PDUs in a stream, at the Layer-2 or 3 level of a TSN or DetNet. The sequence number of the last PDU forwarded is stored, and compared to the sequence number of a newly received PDU. If the new PDU is an earlier or the “next” PDU in the stream. it is forwarded and the value of the last PDU forwarded is updated. If the newly received PDU is two or more sequence numbers ahead of the last PDU forwarded, it is buffered. Other PDUs are received and processed, and the value of the last PDU forwarded is updated. When the buffered PDU is the next one to the last PDU forwarded. it is retrieved from the buffer and forwarded. To bound the total latency the POF can impose on aPDU stream, a predetermined maximum buffering time timer is started upon buffering the PDU.

Abstract: There is provided a method performed by a relay node of a deterministic network (“DetNet”) for providing operation, administration, and maintenance (“OAM”) for the DetNet. The method includes receiving a first OAM message including an indication of a target node. The method further includes, responsive to receiving the first OAM message, determining whether the relay node is the target node. The method further includes transmitting a second OAM message based on whether the relay node is the target node. There is also provided a method performed by an origination node. In further embodiments a network entity, computer program, computer program product, or non-transitory computer readable medium are provided.