Abstract: In NR, a slot structure of a UE may be dynamic due the number of symbols of PDCCH and whether the slot has UL data, among other considerations. Additionally, to support multi-TRP/multi-panel/multi-BWP operation, a UE may be configured with multiple TRSs, and when a UE needs to receive multiple TRSs in the same slot, efficient signaling of the TRSs is important because of the high overhead involved. During a transmission, a UE may need to do beam switching when there is a beam failure, but existing systems do not have mechanisms for the UE to synchronize time and frequency with a new beam. Further, when a UE switches to a new beam, the effect on scheduled TRS transmission for old beams is unclear. Fine frequency and time tracking may also be required during an initial access procedure. Existing NR systems do not address how a UE may perform time and frequency tracking during an initial access procedure. Additionally, URLLC data may need to be transmitted to a UE immediately in an NR system.

Abstract: Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) transmissions are described herein in which sequence collision is mitigated or eliminated by exploiting the randomness nature of user specific reference bits and data bits. Further, methods, systems, and devices that use NOMA for small data transmissions are disclosed.

Abstract: A Sidelink AS group management function is disclosed for a UE to discover group members and organize them into AS layer sub-groups based on the AS layer group context information. A centralized Sidelink AS group management is disclosed that the Sidelink AS Group Manager discovers group members and organizes them into AS layer sub-groups for a UE. A Subgroup formation and configuration procedure is disclosed that SL AS Group Manager organizes the ULG into AS layer sub-groups, configures UE-to-UE relays for each UE in the ULG and sends the AS group management information to the UE. A distributed Sidelink AS group management method is disclosed that each UE discovers its group members and organizes the ULG into AS layer sub-groups. New Layer 2 structures and procedures are disclosed to enhance bearer management for Sidelink groupcast communications.

Abstract: Measurement modeling and filtering may include configurable cell quality derivation method is used for multi-beam based NR networks; a common measurement model that considers different characteristics of the two measurement signals, NR synchronization signal and additional reference signal; and a multi-level measurement filtering approach that handles different mobility scenarios in an NR network. Measurement configuration and procedures may include a measurement gap design during which UE may use to perform measurements for beam sweeping based NR networks; a group of triggering events that may be used to trigger UE mobility management in an NR network; a content format that may be used for the transmission of UE measurement report; a measurement object design (the object on which a UE may perform the measurements) to reduce UE measurement overhead and cost; and a downlink measurement based inter-cell handover procedure that may be used in an NR network.

Abstract: Features, methods, and functions for beam failure recovery and scheduling requests are provided, including methods for triggering, canceling, and transmitting beam recovery requests. The scheduling request may be designed to accommodate new criteria for transmission on a grant-free uplink shared channel (UL-SCH) and for putting the schedule request on hold.

Abstract: A device and method for registering devices on advanced networks as well as providing operative communications between a legacy device and a advanced network. The legacy device may contain data, such as sensor data, which is being collected on a network outside the communication range/abilities of the legacy device. An intermediary device may receive the data via a first communication scheme and send the device to a server collecting the data via a second communication scheme.

Abstract: Logical Channel Prioritization (LCP) may be enhanced by accounting for Quality of Service (QoS) attributes of single hop and multi-hop paths. QoS attributes may be communicated as a QoS budget comprising a number of attributes, or as a single composite QoS “resistance” factor that quantifies the compounded impact of number of hops, latency, load conditions, and the like. The QoS budget or resistance may dynamically adjusted, and may be used by LCP to provide differentiated uplink resource allocation to data of the bearer or logical channel subject to different transmission paths between the transmitter and the receiver, for example. QoS budget and resistance information may be used to, e.g., enhance Buffer Status Report (BSR) and Scheduling Request (SR) operations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are new radio (NR) Data link architecture options including, for example, NR radio bearer models, NR logical channel models, and MAC and HARQ models. Further described are packet flows mapping to data radio bearers (DRBs), and a new flow encapsulation protocol in the user plane. In some embodiments, DRBs with different quality of service (QoS) are pre-established, but not activated. This allows a given user equipment (UE) to use these DRBs for packet data network (PDN) flows without a large overhead. Pre-established DRBs can be an extension to default bearer concept with the decision of pre-establishment of DRBs based on UE capability, subscription profile, operation policy, installed apps, etc.

Abstract: A method may perform random access subject to Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) in an NR-U Serving Cell with multiple models. Enhancements may be to the Random Access Preamble Transmission procedure to enable autonomous BWP Switching or sub-band in the event the channel is busy for the active UL BWP.

Abstract: A user equipment (UE) determines sidelink resources for use in vehicle wireless communications. Initial beam establishment uses a Sidelink Synchronization Signal (SLSS), a Sidelink Channel State Information Reference Signal (SL-CSI-RS), or a Sidelink Demodulation Reference Signal (SL-DMRS). Beam refinement may then be conducted either by UEs in communication with each other, or by just one of the UEs. A base station such as a gNB may assign resources for a dedicated sidelink carrier or a shared licensed sidelink carrier, e.g., dynamically, as pre-configured by RRC, or based on activation and deactivation. In such cases, initial beam establishment and refinement may include gNB controlled beam forming at a connectionless stage, gNB controlled beam forming at connection stage with scheduling DCI transmitted to Tx UE only, or gNB controlled beam forming at connection stage with scheduling DCI transmitted to both Tx UE and Rx UE.

Abstract: UEs' mobility may have a significant impact on sidelink communications and Uu mobility procedures of UEs participating in SL communication or SL Group Communication. Methods devised to optimize handover procedures, cell reselection procedures, and transition to RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE for UEs with ongoing SL communications. Methods are disclosed herein for PLMN selection for UEs requiring sidelink communication or with active sidelink communication, as well as, methods to provide priority-based resource allocation while using exceptional transmit resource pools. Also, provided are SL group management procedures to deal with impacts of UE mobility.

Abstract: A method may perform random access subject to Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) in an NR-U Serving Cell with multiple models. Enhancements may be to the Random Access Preamble Transmission procedure to enable autonomous BWP switching or sub-band in the event the channel is busy for the active UL BWP.

Abstract: A first apparatus in a wireless communication system, the first apparatus including circuitry configured to trigger a Random Access Channel (RACH) procedure; select a two-step RACH procedure from among a plurality of RACH procedures as a RACH type to be performed; select a MsgA transmission resource; transmit a MsgA; and monitor for a network response from a second apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are new radio (NR) Data link architecture options including, for example, NR radio bearer models, NR logical channel models, and MAC and HARQ models. Further described are packet flows mapping to data radio bearers (DRBs), and a new flow encapsulation protocol in the user plane. In some embodiments, DRBs with different quality of service (QoS) are pre-established, but not activated. This allows a given user equipment (UE) to use these DRBs for packet data network (PDN) flows without a large overhead. Pre-established DRBs can be an extension to default bearer concept with the decision of pre-establishment of DRBs based on UE capability, subscription profile, operation policy, installed apps, etc.

Abstract: PBCH design may affect timing indication in a wireless network and polar code interleaver design, among other things. Mechanisms may indicate half frame timing though de-modulation reference signal sequence initialization, de-modulation reference signal mapping order, or de-modulation reference signal resource element location.

Abstract: A method of multi-hop relay chain formation in a wireless communication network includes discovering, via a remote electronic device, one or more other electronic devices in communication range of the remote electronic device; selecting one of the discovered electronic devices as an relay electronic device for communicating in the multi-hop relay chain; after selecting the relay electronic device, transmitting, via the remote electronic device, a request to establish a PC5 link; and establishing the PC5 link with the remote electronic device to join or form the multi-hop relay chain within the wireless communication network.

Abstract: A wireless communication network comprises network circuitry which hosts a Virtual Network Function (VNF). A VNF controller instantiates the VNF in the network circuitry and transfers instantiation information for the VNF to provisioning circuitry. The provisioning circuitry receives the instantiation information for the VNF and establishes a provisioning data link to the VNF. The provisioning circuitry transfers network provisioning data to the VNF over the provisioning data link. The VNF controller de-instantiates the VNF in the network circuitry and responsively transfers de-instantiation information for the VNF to the provisioning circuitry. The provisioning circuitry receives the de-instantiation information for the VNF and terminates the provisioning data link to the VNF. The VNF controller may comprise a Network Function Virtualization Management and Orchestration (NFV MANO) computer.

Abstract: An electronic device including circuitry configured to send a request to a core network, wherein the request informs the core network that the electronic device is capable of aggregating data and relaying data from other electronic devices; receive one or more aggregation policies from the core network, wherein the one or more aggregation policies provide parameters that instruct how the electronic device is to aggregate and relay data; receive data from the other electronic devices; aggregate the data from the other electronic devices based on the parameters; and send the aggregated data to the core network.

Abstract: Access category management objects may be configured for use in support of access category configurations of a user equipment (UE). Various methods for a UE configuration with access categories are disclosed. Signaling methods by a radio access network of access barring parameters such as a signaling method for a partial list of access barring parameters with explicit signaling of access category indexes and a signaling method for a full list of access barring parameters where access categories are signaled using a bitmap are disclosed. Access control parameters and an access control architecture in terms of access control function distribution within the UE protocol sublayers, solutions that address the impact of access control in a connected mode on a buffer status report, logical channel prioritization and flow control between the UE AS and UE NAS, and details regarding access barring checks are also disclosed.

Abstract: A first apparatus including a processor; and a memory storing computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the first apparatus to: receive, from a second apparatus, information including Discontinuous Reception (DRX) configurations, wherein one of the DRX configurations is a first active DRX configuration and other DRX configurations are candidate DRX configurations; perform Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) monitoring in accordance with the first active DRX configuration; monitor signaling from the second apparatus for an indication that is used for adapting the first active DRX configuration; receive from the second apparatus an indication for adapting the first active DRX configuration into a second active DRX configuration; based on the indication for adapting the first active DRX configuration into the second active DRX configuration, adapt the first active DRX configuration into the second active DRX configuration; and perform PDCCH monitoring in accordance with the