Abstract: A network architecture and methods of managing packet data unit (PDU) sessions in a network are provided. The methods include PDU session establishment procedures, PDU session modification procedures, PDU session state transfer procedures, PDU session release procedures, and user equipment (UE) handover procedures.

Abstract: A communication system includes a user plane function (UPF) configured to receive a domain name system (DNS) query from a user equipment (UE). The DNS query includes a first destination address of a first DNS server. The DNS query is for determining an address of a data server in proximity to the UE. According to the first destination address of the first DNS server, the UPF obtains, from a session management function (SMF), a second destination address of a second DNS server for providing the address of the data server. The SMF is configured to provide, to the UPF, the second destination address of a second DNS server.

Abstract: Application Function (AF) influenced routing for peer-to-peer (P2P) communications is provided. Core network elements correlate PDU sessions and optimize the UP path for peer-to-peer traffic. UP selection, reselection, configuration or reconfiguration can be performed in support of P2P traffic routing. P2P traffic between a pair of UEs is routed or rerouted through a bridge. The bridge may be established between the first UP and the second UP, and/or between associated RAN nodes. One or more application functions can be included along the bridge path. A policy control function (PCF) directs underlying resources to route P2P traffic via the bridge, for example in response to a trigger from the AF. A session management function (SMF) directs underlying resources to configure or reconfigure user plane data paths to route P2P traffic via the bridge. First and second SMFs of the first and second UPs can cooperate to establish the desired traffic routing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing User Plane (UP) path selection or reselection over a communications network with a 3rd party entity, and for notifying network entities of UP changes in a communications network, are disclosed. The method includes: receiving an application program interface based request for UP path selection from the 3rd party entity; performing a validation and authorization procedure with the request; transmitting a UP path selection configuration request to a Control Plane Function that maintains configuration data; obtaining a reference number confirming the UP path selection configuration request; and installing the UP path selection according to the reference number.

Abstract: Methods by which User Plane (UP) management information is exchanged between an Application Function (AF) supporting one or more applications and a Slice Management Function (SMF) configured to manage traffic flows in a given slice of the network. The exchange of UP management information may be initiated from either the AF or the SMF. In the case of AF-initiated information exchange, the UP management information provided by the AF may comprise traffic requirements of applications supported by the AF. In the case of SMF-initiated information exchange, the UP management information provided by the SM may comprise operator policy information or events, and the AF may respond with information of traffic requirements of applications supported by the AF.

Abstract: There is provided systems and methods for the grouping of UEs, such that UEs can share a UE group context or share a PDU session context or both. In this manner, network resource usage, with respect to UE context and PDU session context management, can be mitigated.

Abstract: A network data analytics (NWDA) function and method of policy optimization in a communication network are provided. The NWDA performs data analytics on the communication network traffic, and includes communication interfaces to connect to other network elements in the communication network. The method comprises the NWDA function configured to receive a request for a policy input, send instructions to network elements to obtain network performance measurement data, receive the measurement data from the network elements, and transmit a policy input based on the received measurement data.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for notifying Quality of Service (QoS) information to User Equipment (UE), Users, and Application server. Embodiments of the present invention may analyze the network QoS and/or statistics of QoS parameters using one or more functions such as Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF). Embodiments may also provide control plane (CP) functions which may send the QoS information to the UE depending on the UE subscription, application and/or network slice.

Abstract: Methods and Systems for modifying or releasing a Multicast/Broadcast (MB) session for delivery of MB Data to a plurality of Electronic Devices (EDs) connected to a (Radio) Access Network (R)AN node is disclosed. The method includes receiving one or more triggers, and instructing the various network functions and (R)AN nodes to modify (or release) the MB session dependent on the received trigger.

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure provides for a method for user equipment (UE) internet protocol (IP) address management. The method includes sending by an application function (AF), a request to a policy control function (PCF), the request including information identifying traffic and an indication that a UE IP address associated with the traffic should be preserved. The method further includes sending by the PCF, to a session management function (SMF) being responsible for managing a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session associated with the traffic, a policy and charging control (PCC) rule including the indication. In some embodiments, the request is sent by the AF to the PCF via a network exposure function (NEF). In some embodiments, the method further includes managing, by the SMF, the UE IP address according to the PCC rule. In some embodiments, the managing includes preserving the UE IP address for a PDU session associated with the traffic.

Abstract: A network function and a method for associating a UE of a UE group to a PDU session with in a CN. The NF establishes a shared PDU session for the UE group before all of the UEs in the UE group register with the CN and binds a UE that has not yet registered with the CN to the shared PDU session when the UE registers with the CN, provided the UE will share at least one of a UL UP connection and a DL UP connection associated with the shared PDU session. The NF may be an SMF.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a system and method used for allowing a path selection or reselection (hereby (re)selection). In some embodiments data packets for a session between a UE and an application system (AS) can utilize a pre-established user plane path between the AS and an access node (AN) which serves the UE. This can allow for faster session set-up times as a new user plane (UP) path need not be established for every new session if existing UP paths can be utilized. Some embodiments allow an application aware (re)selection of the user plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for notifying Quality of Service (QoS) information to User Equipment (UE), Users, and Application server. Embodiments of the present invention may analyze the network QoS and/or statistics of QoS parameters using one or more functions such as Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF). Embodiments may also provide control plane (CP) functions which may send the QoS information to the UE depending on the UE subscription, application and/or network slice.

Abstract: There is provided methods, systems and apparatuses for management of network functions. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a processor and a non-transient memory for storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the apparatus to be configured to perform a method including steps as follows. The apparatus is configured to perform steps including sending, towards a source network exposure function (S-NEF) associated with a user equipment (UE), an event notification and obtaining, information on a target network exposure function (T-NEF) to be associated with the UE, and sending towards the S-NEF an event subscription update notification indicative of a change of destination for subsequent event notifications. The apparatus is further configured to perform steps including receiving, from the S-NEF, an event subscription update notification acknowledgement indicative of acceptance of the change and sending, towards the T-NEF, the subsequent event notifications.

Abstract: A method in a network node comprises: detecting a Quality of Service (QoS) Violated Event in respect of a particular QoS flow of a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session; and sending a corresponding QoS violated event report to any one or more of: a Session Management Function (SMF) of the network; a Policy Control Function (PCF) of the network; an Application Function (AF) of the network; and a third party service provider.

Abstract: A method in a network node comprises: detecting a Quality of Service (QoS) Violated Event in respect of a particular QoS flow of a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session; and sending a corresponding QoS violated event report to any one or more of: a Session Management Function (SMF) of the network; a Policy Control Function (PCF) of the network; an Application Function (AF) of the network; and a third party service provider.

Abstract: A method and system for protocol data unit (PDU) session release due to violation of time or location information element constraints is provided. Operations may be part of optimizing operation of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communications network. A policy control function (PCF) determines whether there is a violation of at least one of location information and time information associated with a background data transfer. Upon detecting such a violation, the PCF requests a session management function (SMF) to release a PDU session associated with the background data transfer. The SMF responds by releasing the PDU session.

Abstract: There is provided systems and methods for the grouping of UEs, such that UEs can share a UE group context or share a PDU session context or both. In this manner, network resource usage, with respect to UE context and PDU session context management, can be mitigated.

Abstract: A method for optimizing operation of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communications network.

Abstract: A network function and a method for associating a UE of a UE group to a PDU session with in a CN. The NF establishes a shared PDU session for the UE group before all of the UEs in the UE group register with the CN and binds a UE that has not yet registered with the CN to the shared PDU session when the UE registers with the CN, provided the UE will share at least one of a UL UP connection and a DL UP connection associated with the shared PDU session. The NF may be an SMF.