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: 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: In a method performed by a first node associated with a first domain of a communications network, a first message is sent (302) to a second node associated with a second domain of the communications network. The first message comprises an indication of a resource in the first domain that is available to the second domain. The first message further comprises an anonymised first global unique identifier associated with the first domain.

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 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 providing status information relating to a wireless data transmission that is used to control an industrial process by a remote controller is presented, wherein the remote controller is coupled to a field device of the industrial process via a wireless communication network supporting the wireless data transmission. An apparatus implementation of the technique comprises a first interface configured to be coupled to one of a user equipment, a radio access network and a core network of the wireless communication network, and a second interface compliant with an industrial process communication protocol used for communication between the remote controller and the at least one first field device. The apparatus is configured to receive the status information via the first interface and provide the status information, or information derived therefrom, via the second interface towards the remote controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN)-cellular communication system Quality of Service (QoS) mapping are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method performed for operating a cellular communications system as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises, at a TSN application function, receiving one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node from a controller associated with the TSN system and providing the one or more TSN QoS parameters to a core network function in a core network of the cellular communications system. The method further comprises, at the core network function, receiving the one or more TSN QoS parameters, mapping them to one or more QoS policies and/or one or more rules in the cellular communications system, and applying the one or more QoS policies and/or the one or more rules in the cellular communications system.

Abstract: A method for packet or frame replication and elimination in a network, includes obtaining by a gate controller downstream information indicating which application instance in an application cluster is downstream active needing to send a stream of packets or frames in a downstream direction through the network. The method further includes, based on the downstream information, controlling by the gate controller a gate within a gate cluster that is associated with the downstream active application instance to be open state which operates to forward the stream of packets or frames in the downstream direction from the downstream active application instance to an associated packet or frame replication entity for replication and transmission via at least two disjoint paths through the network.

Abstract: A first orchestrator (20-1) for a first domain (10-1) is configured for multi-domain orchestration. The first orchestrator (20-1) receives an inbound orchestration request (22) that requests orchestration of one or more inbound targets (24) and that includes one or more records (26). The one or more records (26) either indicate an ancestry of each of the one or more inbound targets (24) or indicate an ancestry of the inbound orchestration request (22). The first orchestrator (20-1), based on the one or more records (26) included in the inbound orchestration request (22), evaluating whether or not to send from the first domain (10-1) to a second domain (10-2) an outbound orchestration request (28) that requests orchestration of an outbound target (30). The outbound target (30) is one of, or is a descendant of at least one of, the one or more inbound targets (24).

Abstract: Systems and methods related to Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN)-cellular communication system Quality of Service (QoS) mapping are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method performed for operating a cellular communications system as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises, at a TSN application function, receiving one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node from a controller associated with the TSN system and providing the one or more TSN QoS parameters to a core network function in a core network of the cellular communications system. The method further comprises, at the core network function, receiving the one or more TSN QoS parameters, mapping them to one or more QoS policies and/or one or more rules in the cellular communications system, and applying the one or more QoS policies and/or the one or more rules in the cellular communications system.

Abstract: A technique for determining an available delay budget for transmission of a packet by a base station to a user equipment, UE, in a cellular network is disclosed. A method implementation of the technique is performed by the base station and includes receiving a packet from a sending node, the packet including a timestamp set by the sending node when processing the packet, triggering determining a latency of the packet based on a difference between a time determined by the base station upon receipt of the packet and the timestamp set by the sending node in the packet, the base station and the sending node being synchronized in time, and triggering determining an available delay budget for transmission of the packet to the UE based on the latency of the packet.

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: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatuses for providing a back-up service. A method in a reliability lifecycle manager (RLCM) is provided for managing orchestration of a back-up service for an original service.

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: 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: 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: 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: A network node (300, 400) a Wireless Communication Network (WNC) bridge (130) receives scheduling information from a Central Network Controller (CNC) (120A). The network node (300, 400) calculates the RAN assistance information based on the scheduling information. The network node (300, 400) forwards the RAN assistance information towards a RAN scheduler that schedules RAN traffic passing through the WCN bridge (130).