Abstract: Systems and methods for signaling for extended Reality (XR) awareness are provided. In some embodiments, a method performed by a Centralized Unit (CU) of a base station includes: providing information to a Distributed Unit (DU) of the base station to indicate which groups of Radio Link Control (RLC) Service Data Units (SDUs) belong to a unique Application Data Unit (ADU) which needs to be delivered within the same time budget; and adding ADU related information on each Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) Protocol Data Unit (PDU) to allow RLC entity to be aware which RLC SDU belongs to which ADU. In this way, a RAN can discard a set of packets together which are no longer valid for the application. This results in network resources not being wasted and better management of the network capacity. This allows the network to more efficiently manage the resources and its scheduler.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for exchanging Sidelink (SL) User Equipment (UE) context and configurations between a Master Node (MN) and a Secondary node (SN), e.g., in normal Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) operations. In some embodiments, the SL UE context and configuration are exchanged between the MN and the SN via inter-node Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages. In this way, the two network nodes (the MN and the SN) are aware of the SL transmission going on under their coverage and can take the necessary actions to guarantee a stable and reliable SL connectivity.

Abstract: A method performed by a first Radio Access Network. RAN node is provided. The method is for handling supported Information Elements (IEs) related to a procedure involving a number of network nodes, towards a second RAN node in a wireless communications system. The first RAN node sends (301) a first indication towards the second RAN node. The first indication indicates whether or not one or more first IEs, that are part of the procedure are supported by the first RAN node during the procedure. The first RAN node receives (302) a response comprising a second indication from the second RAN node. The second indication indicates whether or not one or more second IEs that are part of the procedure are supported by the second RAN node during the procedure.

Abstract: A method performed by a first network node. The method includes, receiving, from a second network node, a configuration request message for on-demand positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration with at least a first transmission and reception point (TRP) associated with the first network node, wherein the configuration request message comprises an extended PRS repetition factor value for the first TRP.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods for a centralized unit (CU) of a radio access network (RAN) node. Such methods include sending, to a distributed unit (DU) of the RAN node, a request for one or more timing advance (TA) measurements for a user equipment (UE) with respect to one or more cells served by the DU. Such methods include receiving from the DU one or more responses that include the respective one or more TA measurements and for each received TA measurement, determining a corresponding downlink (DL) propagation delay (PD) between the DU and the UE. Other embodiments include complementary methods for a DU of a RAN node, as well as CUs and DUs configured to perform such methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sending, receiving, and processing a positioning measurement request including a number of paths in a cellular communications system. In one embodiment, a method performed by a base station for exchange of messages related to a location of a User Equipment (UE) with a Location Management Function (LMF) comprises receiving a measurement request from the LMF, the measurement request comprising information that indicates a desired number of reported path measurements between the base station and the UE. The method further comprises performing measurements on paths between the base station and the UE, generating a measurement response message comprising results of the measurements for the desired number of reported path measurements, and transmitting the measurement response message to the LMF.

Abstract: Methods may be provided to operate radio access network RAN nodes in a wireless communication network. For example, resource coordination information may be transmitted from a first RAN node to a second RAN node, wherein the resource coordination information defines at least one communication resource that is available for a wireless terminal to use for sidelink communication. According to some other embodiments, resource coordination information may be received at a first RAN node from a second RAN node, wherein the resource coordination information defines at least one communication resource that is available for a wireless terminal to use for sidelink communication. Related RAN nodes, computer programs, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: A performed by a first node (111). The method is for handling wireless devices (130). The first node (111) operates in a communications network (100). The first node (111) determines (202) whether or not a second network node (112) comprised in the communications network (100) accepts to serve wireless devices (130) of a first type. The first node (111) then performs (203) a first action based on a result of the determination. In a method performed by the second network node (112), the second network node (112) sends (301) an indication to the first network node (111). The indication indicates whether or not the second network node (112) accepts to serve the wireless devices (130) of the first type. A first wireless device (131) operating in a communications network (100), sends (401) the indication to the first network node (111). The indication indicates whether the second network node (112) accepts to serve the wireless devices (130).

Abstract: A method performed by a wireless device comprises the step of sending (1202) a periodic location report for a location management function (54) of a wireless communication network (10), in accordance with configuration information, where the periodic location report is sent while the wireless device is operating within a geographic area (40) corresponding to assistance data provided to the wireless device (20) and includes positioning measurement or location information. The method further comprises receiving (1204) incremental assistance data for use by the wireless device (20) in generating a next periodic location report, the incremental assistance data indicating a qualified subset of transmission/reception points (12) of the wireless communication network (10) that are associated with the geographic area (40) and, with respect to generation of the next periodic location report by the wireless device (20), that are disallowed, allowed, or prioritized. (FIG.

Abstract: A method (2200) by a first network node (560) includes transmitting (2202), to a second network node (560), a message comprising search window information, The search window information includes information associated with an expected angle and information associated with an uncertainty level of the expected angle. The first network node receives (2204) a response message from the second network node. The response message comprises feedback associated with a use of the search window information by the second network node.

Abstract: Techniques for handling wireless devices with reduced capabilities, or “RedCap” devices. An example method, performed by a core network node in a wireless communication network having a radio access network and a core network, comprises the step of receiving (32), for a wireless device operating in the radio access network, an indication that the wireless device is a reduced capability device. The method further comprises controlling (34) access to core network services by the wireless device and/or controlling session management for the wireless device, based on the indication.

Abstract: A method (900) performed by a first network function (302), the method comprising: transmitting (s902) toward a second network function a message including power saving information associated with new radio (NR) user equipments (UEs) and/or NR reduced capabilities (RedCap) UEs, wherein the power saving information is used for transmitting a paging message towards a user equipment (UE) from the second network function.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for exchanging Sidelink (SL) User Equipment (UE) context and configurations between a Master Node (MN) and a Secondary node (SN), e.g., in normal Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) operations. In some embodiments, the SL UE context and configuration are exchanged between the MN and the SN via inter-node Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages. In this way, the two network nodes (the MN and the SN) are aware of the SL transmission going on under their coverage and can take the necessary actions to guarantee a stable and reliable SL connectivity.

Abstract: Methods may be provided to operate radio access network RAN nodes in a wireless communication network. For example, resource coordination information may be transmitted from a first RAN node to a second RAN node, wherein the resource coordination information defines at least one communication resource that is available for a wireless terminal to use for sidelink communication. According to some other embodiments, resource coordination information may be received at a first RAN node from a second RAN node, wherein the resource coordination information defines at least one communication resource that is available for a wireless terminal to use for sidelink communication. Related RAN nodes, computer programs, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include methods performed by a cellular Internet of Things, CIoT, user equipment, UE, for transmission of data in a communication network comprising a radio access network, RAN, and a core network, CN. Embodiments include sending, to an Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF, a request to establish a small-data user-plane, SDUP, data session. Embodiments can also include receiving a response indicating that the requested SDUP data session is established. The response can include an identifier associated with a user-plane function, UPF, within the CN, that supports the established SDUP data session. The response can also include an SDUP security configuration for communication between the UE and the CN during the established SDUP data session. Embodiments can also include subsequently communicating user data, associated with the established SDUP data session, with the UPF via a serving node in the RAN.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include methods performed by a cellular Internet of Things, CIoT, user equipment, UE, for transmission of data in a communication network comprising a radio access network, RAN, and a core network, CN. Embodiments include sending, to an Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF, a request to establish a small-data user-plane, SDUP, data session. Embodiments can also include receiving a response indicating that the requested SDUP data session is established. The response can include an identifier associated with a user-plane function, UPF, within the CN, that supports the established SDUP data session. The response can also include an SDUP security configuration for communication between the UE and the CN during the established SDUP data session. Embodiments can also include subsequently communicating user data, associated with the established SDUP data session, with the UPF via a serving node in the RAN.