Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards embodiments are directed toward systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards embodiments are directed toward systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Abstract: Various hybrid cellular communication systems and methods are presented herein. A first cellular network can include multiple user plane functions (UPFs). Each UPF can serve as a gateway for user equipment (UE) to communicate with a remotely-hosted service. Which UPF serves as the gateway for a UE is adjusted while the UE remains connected with the first cellular network. While connected with the first cellular network, a multiple access (MA) packet data unit (PDU) session is active for the UE that allows for communication to occur concurrently between the UE and the remotely-hosted service via an access point (AP) and via a UPF. While connected with a second cellular network distinct from the first cellular network, a single access PDU session is active that allows for communication to occur with the service via a second UPF of the second cellular network.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards systems and methods for selecting, in a Fifth Generation (5G) cellular telecommunication network, a User Plane Function (UPF) of a plurality of UPFs on which to anchor a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a new user equipment (UE) newly appearing on the cellular telecommunication network. The selection is based on: a location of the new UE; a plurality of current loads for each UPF of the plurality of UPFs; a predicted UE load of the new UE based on network data analytics; and predicted UPF loads of the plurality of UPFs as a function of time considering the predicted UE load based on network data analytics from the Network Data Analytics Function. In the UPF selection, the Session Management Function (SMF) gives higher priority to shorter term predicted loads than longer term predicted loads. Also, in the UPF selection, the PDU session of the UE is preferred to attach on the UPF in the current serving area in which the UE is located.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards embodiments are directed toward systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to migrate a set of network functions between control planes of a network slice A and a network slice B; and a migration management unit to manage a gradual staged transfer of a subset of the plurality of network functions originally contained in the control plane of the network slice A to the control plane of network slice B wherein the gradual transfer is a migration of the plurality of network functions in a set of multiple stages to create the subset of the plurality of network functions in the control plane of slice B, wherein each gradual staged transfer includes the migration of a reduced subset of the plurality of network functions contained in the control plane of the network slice A reconfigured to the control plane of the network slice B.

Abstract: A first cellular network may connect user equipment (UE) with a data network using a first anchor point. The first cellular network may transition the UE from the first anchor point to a second anchor point. Following the transitioning, the first cellular network may connect the UE with the data network using the second anchor point. The UE may then be transitioned from the second anchor point to a converged anchor point of the first cellular network. The UE may be locked to the converged anchor point while the UE is communicating with a second cellular network.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for managing anchor point movement on a cellular network. A user equipment (UE) can be connected with the Internet via a first anchor point (e.g., user plane function) of the cellular network. A network data analytics function (NWDAF) within a core of the cellular network can analyze one or more characteristics of the piece of UE. Based on the analysis, a second anchor point is selected and the piece of UE is connected with the selected second anchor point such that the piece of UE accesses the Internet via the second anchor point.

Abstract: A system for scheduling wireless data transmissions divides a band allocated to the mobile service carrier into two overlapping bands. Then each user equipment (UE) of a plurality of UEs that connects to the ground-based network of the mobile service carrier is assigned to one of the two overlapping bands. The system allocates at a given scheduling time, physical resource blocks (PRBs) to UEs up to a maximum number of PRBs available for the particular overlapping frequency band to which the UE is assigned based on a metric for the UE that is a ratio of a downlink channel quality indicator for the UE to the average data rate of the UE at the given time, giving higher priority for PRB allocation to UEs that have a larger metric than other UEs of the plurality of UEs.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards embodiments are directed toward systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for prediction-based non-terrestrial network beam configuration and switching are provided. A base station determines a bandwidth part configuration for a user equipment, which includes a plurality of bandwidth parts respectively corresponding to a plurality of geographic areas. The base station configures the user equipment with the bandwidth part configuration and determines a position or movement of the user equipment in a first geographic area corresponding to a first bandwidth part. The base station determines, based on the position or movement, whether a criterion for reconfiguring the bandwidth part configuration is met. In response to determining that the criterion is met, the base station reconfigures the bandwidth part configuration of the user equipment while the user equipment is positioned in the first geographic area. The reconfiguration includes modifying the plurality of bandwidth parts to include a second bandwidth part corresponding to a second geographic area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method performed by a UE device that routes traffic to a 5G Core Network. The method includes receiving a first ATSSS rule including first traffic descriptor information and first steering mode information that identifies a first 3GPP access network operated by a first MNO, and a second ATSSS rule including second traffic descriptor information and second steering mode information that identifies a second 3GPP access network operated by the first MNO or a second MNO; transmitting a first type of traffic corresponding to the first traffic descriptor information included in the first ATSSS rule to the first 3GPP access network operated by the first MNO; and transmitting the first type of traffic or a second type of traffic corresponding to the second traffic descriptor information included in the second ATSSS rule to the second 3GPP access network operated by the first MNO or the second MNO.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for mapping a subscriber to a mobile network operator in a fifth-generation New Radio (5G NR) cellular telecommunication radio access network (RAN). The method is performed by a Radio Unit (RU) device operated by a first network operator and includes: transmitting system information including first information indicating network slices and second information indicating Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) occasions mapped to the network slices, receiving a preamble of a Random Access Channel (RACH) during one of the PRACH occasions indicated by the second information, determining a second network operator based on the one of the PRACH occasions during which the preamble of the RACH is received, and transmitting the preamble of the RACH to a Distributed Unit (DU) device that is operated by the second network operator determined based on the one of the PRACH occasions during which the preamble of the RACH is received.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method performed by a UE device that routes traffic to a 5G Core Network. The method includes receiving a first ATSSS rule including first traffic descriptor information corresponding to a first type of traffic for a first type of service and first steering mode information including a first network indicator corresponding to a first MNO, and a second ATSSS rule including second traffic descriptor information corresponding to a second type of traffic for a second type of service and second steering mode information including a second network indicator corresponding to a first MVNO or a second MNO; transmitting the first type of traffic for the first type of service a first 3GPP access network operated by the first MNO; and transmitting the second type of traffic for the second type of service to the first 3GPP access network operated by the first MNO.

Abstract: A new radio base station establishes a first and a second component. The first and second component carrier overlap each other. The base station transmits first synchronization signal blocks on the first component carrier. The base station transmits second synchronization signal blocks on the second component carrier interleaved in time with the first synchronization signal blocks.

Abstract: Various arrangements for spectrum sharing among a terrestrial network and a non-terrestrial network are presented herein. A first bandwidth part having a first frequency range for may be assigned use for communication between one or more UE of a plurality of UE and a terrestrial cellular network when a high signal strength is present. A second bandwidth part having a second frequency range may be assigned for use for communication between one or more UE of the plurality of UE and the terrestrial cellular network when a low signal strength is present. A third bandwidth part having a third frequency range can be assigned for use for communication between one or more UE of the plurality of UE and a non-terrestrial network. The third bandwidth part can overlap with the first bandwidth part but not the second bandwidth part.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards embodiments are directed toward systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Abstract: This invention flexibly controls the number of user planes in a communication system. In a communication system, a base station is in a local area network and at least one user plane function arranged in a cloud are connected. A determination is made as to whether or not a new user plane function should be added, taking into consideration: the traffic amount, from the maximum traffic amount using the local area network, of user data transferred by the at least one user plane function using the local area network; and an anticipated traffic amount of a new user plane function.