Abstract: Embodiments include methods for handling data units in a communication protocol layer (e.g., PDCP) of a network node for a wireless communications network. Such methods include receiving, from a lower protocol layer, one or more first data units with corresponding first sequence numbers. Such methods include, upon expiration of a first timer, forwarding the first data units to a higher protocol layer without receiving one or more second data units, from the lower protocol layer, with corresponding second sequence numbers that are lower than the first sequence numbers. Such methods include forwarding, to the higher protocol layer, any of the second data units that were received from the lower protocol layer during a second time period after expiration of the first timer. Other embodiments include network nodes (e.g., base stations, UEs) configured to perform such methods, as well as computer-readable media containing instructions that embody such methods.

Abstract: In one aspect, one or more network nodes configured control the use of data duplication (DD) for a UE simultaneously served by two or more distributed transmission units (DUs) receive from one or more of the DUs, feedback information. The one or more network nodes determine, based on the feedback information, whether to activate DD for transmissions to the UE.

Abstract: A network node 606,608 and a method for Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) reordering. The network node is operating in a wireless communications network 600. The network node buffers in order one or more first data units received out of order by a PDCP layer, wherein the one or more first data units are received from a lower layer during a first time period, and wherein the lower layer is a layer below the PDCP layer. When the first time period has expired, the network node forwards the one or more buffered first data units in order to an upper layer and starts a second time period. Further, the network node forwards, to the upper layer and in any order, one or more second data units received from the lower layer during the second time period.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides a method for a terminal device in a wireless communications network, wherein the terminal device is configurable with a plurality of logical channel groups. The method comprises generating buffer status information and transmitting a message to a network node operative in the wireless communications network. The message comprises a buffer status report comprising the buffer status information. The buffer status report comprises respective indications, for each of the plurality of logical channel groups, of the availability of data to transmit in the terminal device for the logical channel group. The buffer status report further comprises respective buffer size fields, for one or more of the logical channel groups for which data is available to transmit, indicating an amount of data which is available to transmit.

Abstract: There is provided a method in a user equipment for a wireless communications network, comprising: receiving a configuration message from a base station for the wireless communications network, the configuration message indicating that data to be transmitted between the user equipment and the wireless communications network is to be duplicated; and responsive to receipt of the configuration message, transmitting a first data unit and a second data unit to the wireless communications network, or receiving a first data unit and a second data unit from the wireless communications network; wherein the second data unit is a duplicate of the first data unit, and wherein the first data unit is transmitted or received using first radio resources, and the second data unit is transmitted using second radio resources that are different than the first radio resources.

Abstract: Methods and devices for monitoring a radio link control, RLC, communication path for transmitting/receiving data units, DUs are disclosed. The methods/devices comprising or triggering determining a decline of the RLC communication path based on a timer for one or more unacknowledged/outstanding DUs transmitted/received on the RLC communication path.

Abstract: In one aspect, one or more network nodes configured control the use of data duplication (DD) for a UE simultaneously served by two or more distributed transmission units (DUs) receive from one or more of the DUs, feedback information. The one or more network nodes determine, based on the feedback information, whether to activate DD for transmissions to the UE.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a transmitting device (120) for handling communication in a wireless communications network, wherein the transmitting device (120) comprises at least two radio link control, RLC, entities and is configured with a split bearer to a receiving device (100). The transmitting device (120) identifies that a last transmitted protocol data unit, PDU, of one of the at least two RLC entities, is lacking a poll indicator requesting a status of one or more transmitted PDUs. When identifying that the last transmitted PDU lacks the poll indicator, the transmitting device transmits to the receiving device (100), a PDU comprising a poll indicator.

Abstract: A network node 606,608 and a method for Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) reordering. The network node is operating in a wireless communications network 600. The network node buffers in order one or more first data units received out of order by a PDCP layer, wherein the one or more first data units are received from a lower layer during a first time period, and wherein the lower layer is a layer below the PDCP layer. When the first time period has expired, the network node forwards the one or more buffered first data units in order to an upper layer and starts a second time period. Further, the network node forwards, to the upper layer and in any order, one or more second data units received from the lower layer during the second time period.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of operation of a MME and a corresponding MME for executing the method, which method comprises: receiving an indication from an eNB, which indication indicates how much data traffic was carried over unlicensed spectrum by a SeNB or a WiFi AP for a certain wireless device; and providing, to a S-GW, information that indicates how much data traffic was carried over the unlicensed spectrum for the certain wireless device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for monitoring a radio link control, RLC, communication path for transmitting/receiving data units, DUs are disclosed. The methods/devices comprising or triggering determining a decline of the RLC communication path based on a timer for one or more unacknowledged/outstanding DUs transmitted/received on the RLC communication path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for operating a terminal device and a network node. A method of operating a terminal device of a wireless communications network, the terminal device being operable in one or more modes, the one or more modes including one or more discontinuous reception, DRX, modes, the method comprises: selecting a duration for an inactivity timer of the DRX mode; upon receiving or transmitting one or more wireless communications, starting the inactivity timer; and responsive to a determination that the duration for the inactivity timer has expired without the terminal device receiving or transmitting one or more further wireless communications, entering a DRX sleep state.

Abstract: There is provided a method in a user equipment for a wireless communications network, comprising: receiving a configuration message from a base station for the wireless communications network, the configuration message indicating that data to be transmitted between the user equipment and the wireless communications network is to be duplicated; and responsive to receipt of the configuration message, transmitting a first data unit and a second data unit to the wireless communications network, or receiving a first data unit and a second data unit from the wireless communications network; wherein the second data unit is a duplicate of the first data unit, and wherein the first data unit is transmitted or received using first radio resources, and the second data unit is transmitted using second radio resources that are different than the first radio resources.

Abstract: In one aspect, the teachings herein provide a new mechanism for signaling in a manner that makes advantageous use of preexisting identifiers that are defined for a communication network by an applicable communication standard or protocol according to a “standard” use, by temporarily repurposing one or more such identifiers for an alternate use differing from the standard use. For example, a network base station or other node knows or learns that a given wireless device operating in the network is compatible with the alternate use, selects a given one of the identifiers and temporarily repurposes its for an alternate use, e.g., where the alternate use provides a new signaling mechanism between the network and the compatible device. These operations include limiting the repurposing to occasions involving compatible devices and avoiding avoid conflicts with standard usage involving non-compatible devices.

Abstract: In one aspect, a wireless device receives, from a wireless network node, two or more semi-persistent scheduling, SPS, configurations, each of the SPS configurations defining a plurality of periodic transmission opportunities for the wireless device, at least two of the two or more SPS configurations having different periods for the periodic transmission opportunities. The wireless device then transmits data corresponding to a first traffic type or a first radio bearer according to a first one of the two or more SPS configurations and transmitting data corresponding to a second traffic type or a second radio bearer according to a second one of the two or more SPS configurations.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a wireless device (10) for handling access to a radio base station (12) in a wireless communication network (1), the wireless device (10) being configured to: initiate a random access procedure in the wireless communication network (1); determine that a problem with the random access procedure has occurred when a certain condition is fulfilled; and perform at least one of the following, when determined that a problem with the random access procedure has occurred: delay a next random access preamble transmission attempt; abort from a higher layer the random access procedure immediately; and stop the random access procedure at a lower layer.

Abstract: Methods and devices for monitoring a radio link control, RLC, communication path for transmitting/receiving data units, DUs are disclosed. The methods/devices comprising or triggering determining a decline of the RLC communication path based on a timer for one or more unacknowledged/outstanding DUs transmitted/received on the RLC communication path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for operating a terminal device and a network node. A method of operating a terminal device of a wireless communications network, the terminal device being operable in one or more modes, the one or more modes including one or more discontinuous reception, DRX, modes, the method comprises: selecting a duration for an inactivity timer of the DRX mode; upon receiving or transmitting one or more wireless communications, starting the inactivity timer; and responsive to a determination that the duration for the inactivity timer has expired without the terminal device receiving or transmitting one or more further wireless communications, entering a DRX sleep state.

Abstract: A method in a User Equipment, UE, for managing an extended Discontinuous Reception, DRX, cycle mode. The UE is operating in a network and is in a Radio Resource Control, RRC, connected state. The UE enters (401) the extended DRX cycle mode when a first criterion is satisfied. The first criterion relates to anyone or more out of that the UE has not been scheduled by the network during a specific time duration, that the UE has completed a predefined or configured number of long DRX cycles when being in a long DRX cycle mode, that the UE has received an order from the network to enter to the extended DRX cycle mode.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and computer program products for status reporting in a network are provided. In some embodiments, mechanisms to delay responding to a received request for status information (“a polling request”) or the triggering or transmission of a status message caused by a reception of a polling request, or to delay the triggering or transmission of the polling request itself are provided, such that redundant transmissions maybe minimized and power consumption may be optimized.