Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for handling an unknown Radio Resource Control (RRC) establishment cause value in a cellular communications system. In one embodiment, a method performed in a cellular communications system comprises, at a Radio Access Network (RAN) node in a RAN of the cellular communications system, receiving a RRC message from a User Equipment (UE) comprising an unknown establishment cause value and sending a message to a core network node, the message comprising an indication that the unknown cause value is included in the RRC message received from the UE. The method further comprises, at the core network node in a core network of the cellular communications system, receiving the message from the RAN node. In this manner, handling of an unknown RRC cause value over the interface between the RAN node and the core network node is enabled.

Abstract: A network node (300a) receives, over an interface between the network node (300a) and a further network node (300b), a message comprising paired user equipment (UE) identifiers for UE identification over the interface to the network node (300a) and further network node (300b), respectively. Responsive to determining that the identifier for UE identification to the network node (300a) uniquely identifies a UE (150) to the network node (300a), the network node (300a) validates the message irrespective of whether the identifier for UE identification to the further network node (300b) uniquely identifies the UE (150) to the further network node (300b).

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods in a network node for a telecommunications network. In one method, the network node operates as a primary network node for a wireless terminal configured with dual connectivity, and the method comprises: receiving a message indicating that a secondary network node, which provides user plane connectivity for the wireless terminal, has no data to transmit to the wireless terminal; and based at least in part on the received message, configuring the wireless terminal in an inactive mode.

Abstract: A network node may be operated to support dual connectivity communication with a wireless terminal as a main network node in cooperation with a secondary network node. Dual connectivity communication with the wireless terminal may be provided in cooperation with the secondary network node. Responsive to deciding to suspend the dual connectivity communication with the wireless terminal, a connection release message may be transmitted to the wireless terminal, a suspension indication message may be transmitted to the secondary network node, and the dual connectivity communication with the wireless terminal may be suspended. While the dual connectivity communication is suspended, a page may be transmitted to the wireless terminal indicating arrival of downlink data for the wireless terminal and then a measurement report may be received from the wireless terminal providing radio link measurement information for radio links with the main network node and/or the secondary network node.

Abstract: A method performed by a UE for handling communication with a first RAN node associated with a first RAT, and a second RAN node associated with a second RAT, wherein the UE, the first RAN node and the second RAN node are operating in a wireless communication network. The UE is in inactive state in the first RAT when being registered through the first RAN node. The UE performs a registration through the second RAN node while retaining a stored inactive context related to the first RAN node, thereby having a dual registration to the first RAN node and the second RAN node. The UE further enters a state in the second RAT while remaining in the inactive state in the first RAT.

Abstract: A method performed by a first network node for assisting a second network node in resuming of a User Equipment, UE, in inactive state into connected state in a Radio Access Network, RAN. The first network node obtains (401) a Local RAN Node Identifier associated with a Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN, RAN Node ID, identifying the first network node. The first network node sends (402) the Local RAN node Identifier and associated PLMN RAN Node ID to be obtainable by the second network node. The first network node suspends (403) the UE from connected state into inactive state and sends an identifier to the UE. The identifier comprises a UE Context ID and the associated Local RAN Node Identifier. The UE Context ID identifies the UE context associated with the UE. The UE Context ID, Local RAN Node Identifier and associated PLMN RAN Node ID will assist the second network node to obtain the UE Context for the resuming of the UE into connected state, wherein a connection is to be provided by the second network node.

Abstract: A RAN node (110b) receives, from a UE (130), a request for an RRC connection that the UE (130) previously had with a different RAN node (110a) that is not a radio neighbor of the RAN node (110b), and triggers an AMF (120) to provide an identity of one of the RAN nodes (110a, 110b) to the other of the RAN nodes (110a, 110b). The AMF (120) receives the request and provides the identity of the one of the RAN nodes (110a, 110b) to the other of the RAN nodes (110a, 110b) accordingly.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, performed by a first radio network node (RNN) in a wireless network, to establish a communications interface with a second RNN in the wireless network. Such methods include receiving, from a third RNN in the wireless network, a Transport Network Layer (TNL) address associated with the second RNN. The first and third RNNs are configured for wireless communication with wireless devices via an E-UTRA radio access technology (RAT), and the second RNN is configured for wireless communication via an NR RAT. The third RNN can be a proxy node for discovery of TNL addresses associated with a plurality RNNs configured for wireless communication via the NR RAT. Such methods include establishing the communications interface with the second RNN based on the TNL address received from the third RNN. Other embodiments include complementary methods performed by a second RNN, and RNNs configured to perform such methods.

Abstract: A network node may be operated to support dual connectivity communication with a wireless terminal as a main network node in cooperation with a secondary network node. Dual connectivity communication with the wireless terminal may be provided in cooperation with the secondary network node. Responsive to deciding to suspend the dual connectivity communication with the wireless terminal, a connection release message may be transmitted to the wireless terminal, a suspension indication message may be transmitted to the secondary network node, and the dual connectivity communication with the wireless terminal may be suspended. While the dual connectivity communication is suspended, a page may be transmitted to the wireless terminal indicating arrival of downlink data for the wireless terminal and then a measurement report may be received from the wireless terminal providing radio link measurement information for radio links with the main network node and/or the secondary network node.

Abstract: Methods may be provided to operate a network node supporting dual connectivity communication with a wireless terminal as a main network node in cooperation with a secondary network node. Dual connectivity communication with the wireless terminal may be provided in cooperation with the secondary network node. Responsive to deciding to suspend the dual connectivity communication with the wireless terminal, a connection release message may be transmitted to the wireless terminal, a suspension indication message may be transmitted to the secondary network node, the dual connectivity communication with the wireless terminal may be suspended. Related methods may be provided to operate secondary network nodes and wireless terminals.

Abstract: Methods, central unit (200A) and distributed unit (200B) of a radio network node (200), for handling a message received from a core node (204) for transmission to a wireless device (202). An action is required by the radio network node if the message is not successfully delivered to the wireless device. The central unit (200A) sends the message and an associated identifier I_msg to the distributed unit (200B) and then receives feedback indicating whether the message has been successfully delivered to the wireless device or not. The central unit (200A) performs the required action if the feedback does not confirm delivery of the message to the wireless device (202). The required action may include sending a non-delivery indication to the core node (204).

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods in a network node for a telecommunications network. In one method, the network node operates as a primary network node for a wireless terminal configured with dual connectivity, and the method comprises: receiving a message indicating that a secondary network node, which provides user plane connectivity for the wireless terminal, has no data to transmit to the wireless terminal; and based at least in part on the received message, configuring the wireless terminal in an inactive mode.

Abstract: Methods may be provided to operate a network node supporting dual connectivity communication with a wireless terminal as a main network node in cooperation with a secondary network node. Dual connectivity communication with the wireless terminal may be provided in cooperation with the secondary network node. Responsive to deciding to suspend the dual connectivity communication with the wireless terminal, a connection release message may be transmitted to the wireless terminal, a suspension indication message may be transmitted to the secondary network node, the dual connectivity communication with the wireless terminal may be suspended. Related methods may be provided to operate secondary network nodes and wireless terminals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for transferring management of one or more wireless devices from being managed by a first core network node, to instead be managed by a second core network node. The method comprises obtaining information identifying the one or more wireless devices, wherein the information comprises a first group identifier identifying a first group associated with the one or more wireless devices; and transferring context data from the first core network node to the second core network node, wherein the context data relates to the one or more wireless devices for use in managing the one or more wireless devices.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods in a network node for a telecommunications network. In one method, the network node operates as a primary network node for a wireless terminal configured with dual connectivity, and the method comprises: receiving a message indicating that a secondary network node, which provides user plane connectivity for the wireless terminal, has no data to transmit to the wireless terminal; and based at least in part on the received message, configuring the wireless terminal in an inactive mode.

Abstract: Methods, central unit (200A) and distributed unit (200B) of a radio network node (200), for handling a message received from a core node (204) for transmission to a wireless device (202). An action is required by the radio network node if the message is not successfully delivered to the wireless device. The central unit (200A) sends the message and an associated identifier I_msg to the distributed unit (200B) and then receives feedback indicating whether the message has been successfully delivered to the wireless device or not. The central unit (200A) performs the required action if the feedback does not confirm delivery of the message to the wireless device (202). The required action may include sending a non-delivery indication to the core node (204).

Abstract: A network node (300a) receives, over an interface between the network node (300a) and a further network node (300b), a message comprising paired user equipment (UE) identifiers for UE identification over the interface to the network node (300a) and further network node (300b), respectively. Responsive to determining that the identifier for UE identification to the network node (300a) uniquely identifies a UE (150) to the network node (300a), the network node (300a) validates the message irrespective of whether the identifier for UE identification to the further network node (300b) uniquely identifies the UE (150) to the further network node(300b).

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, performed by a first radio network node (RNN) in a wireless network, to establish a communications interface with a second RNN in the wireless network. Such methods include receiving, from a third RNN in the wireless network, a Transport Network Layer (TNL) address associated with the second RNN. The first and third RNNs are configured for wireless communication with wireless devices via an E-UTRA radio access technology (RAT), and the second RNN is configured for wireless communication via an NR RAT. The third RNN can be a proxy node for discovery of TNL addresses associated with a plurality RNNs configured for wireless communication via the NR RAT. Such methods include establishing the communications interface with the second RNN based on the TNL address received from the third RNN. Other embodiments include complementary methods performed by a second RNN, and RNNs configured to perform such methods.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a method by a first network node is provided for enabling paging of a user equipment (UE) in an inactive state. The method includes the first network node receiving a UE identity index value for the UE while the UE is in a connected state or during an initial context setup for the UE. The UE identity index value is stored. The method further includes transitioning the UE from the connected state to an inactive state and using the UE identity index value that was stored while the UE was in the connected state to initiate a transmission of a page to the UE in the inactive state.

Abstract: A first radio network node (208) and a method for establishing a communications interface between the first radio network node (208) and a second radio network node (210). The first radio network node is configured to provide one or more Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) resources and the second radio network node is configured to provide one or more New Radio (NR) resources. Further, the first and second radio network nodes are operating in a wireless communications network (200). The first radio network node obtains a Transport Network Layer (TNL) address of the second radio network node from one out of a first core network node (204); and another first radio network node (208) acting as a proxy. Furthermore, the first radio network node established a communications interface between the first and second radio network nodes based on the obtained TNL address.