Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a user equipment (UE) to a wireless communication network such as a 5th generation network. The network supports node-level tunneling. Node-level tunnels can be pre-configured prior to receipt of UE attach requests. The tunnels can be shared by plural UEs, flows, or services. A policy function is connected to a network management function and performs tasks such as applying constraints to the node-level tunnels. A session management function pre-establishes node-level tunnels based on policy information from the policy function. Operations of network elements such as the access network node and user plane function to handle UE attachment, session establishment, and handling of mobile-originated and mobile-terminated traffic are described. Also described is a method and apparatus for packet transmission in which packets are processed according to an identified tunnel type. The tunnel type can be identified using a field in the tunnel encapsulation header.

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 and apparatus for supporting node-level tunneling for mobile user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication network such as a 5th generation network.

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure provides a method for handling delayed packets in a mobile wireless network performed by a PCF. The method includes receiving information pertaining to packet handling policy (PHP) parameters for a PDU session; and sending the PHP to other network functions for instructing devices in the user plane of the mobile wireless network how to handle delayed packets.

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 (SW) 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 SW. 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: A method and apparatus for connecting a user equipment (UE) to a wireless communication network such as a 5th generation network. The network supports node-level tunneling. Node-level tunnels can be pre-configured prior to receipt of UE attach requests. The tunnels can be shared by plural UEs, flows, or services. A policy function is connected to a network management function and performs tasks such as applying constraints to the node-level tunnels. A session management function pre-establishes node-level tunnels based on policy information from the policy function. Operations of network elements such as the access network node and user plane function to handle UE attachment, session establishment, and handling of mobile-originated and mobile-terminated traffic are described. Also described is a method and apparatus for packet transmission in which packets are processed according to an identified tunnel type. The tunnel type can be identified using a field in the tunnel encapsulation header.

Abstract: According to embodiments, there is provided a method apparatus for determining an encoding scheme for transmission of encoded data across a communications channel. The method includes determining the encoding scheme at a design Signal-to-Noise Ratio and evaluating a Frame Error Rate of the encoding scheme. If the FER is not within a target range, the method further includes modifying the encoding scheme until the evaluated FER is within the target range. There is further provided a method and apparatus for mapping bit labels to a plurality of symbols in a constellation, wherein the constellation are organisable into a plurality of sets and each bit label includes a plurality of bit positions. The method includes determining a distance metric between sets and merging pairs of sets according to the distance metric. The method further includes assigning a value to a bit position for bit labels of symbols in the merged set.

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: A system and method for exchanging data with a network including an authorized UE that is authorized to exchange the data with the network, and an unauthorized UE that is not authorized to exchange the data with the network. The unauthorized UE operable to receive an authorization credential, and to exchange the data with the network using the received authorization credential.

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: The present invention provides systems and methods and apparatuses for enabling private communication between user equipments (UEs) in a (LAN) UE group. The UEs in the (LAN) UE group can communicate with each other using IP and/or non-IP type communication services. The communications between these UEs may take place in the form of point to point (e.g. UE to UE) communication or point to multi-point communication (e.g. UE to multiple UEs) as opposed to UE to Data Network (DN) communication.

Abstract: A method for managing a cache memory network according to a distributed hierarchical cache model is disclosed. The distributed hierarchical cache model includes a plurality of cache levels each corresponding to a delivery rank for delivering data content to users of the cache memory network. The method includes dividing at least one cache memory of the cache memory network into a plurality of cache segments, mapping each of the cache segments to a cache level of the distributed hierarchical cache model, and performing cache management operations over the cache memory network according to the distributed hierarchical cache model.

Abstract: A plurality of methods for unicast and group communication delivery of Downlink (DL) group communication data to a plurality of User Equipment's (UEs) are used by embodiments of this invention. These methods include two architectures wherein both architectures include a first AMF, AMF-1, which has an N1 connection to UE and both AMF-1 and a second AMF, the network control function, have an N2 connection to the RAN. In the first architecture, AMF-1 supports unicast data delivery and a second AMF, the network control function, supports GC data delivery. AMF-1 and the network control function have no direct connection between each other in the first architecture. In the second architecture, AMF-1 supports unicast data delivery and the network control function supports group communication data delivery. In the second architecture, the network control function and AMF-1 are connected by an interface.

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 system and method for exchanging data with a network including an authorized UE that is authorized to exchange the data with the network, and an unauthorized UE that is not authorized to exchange the data with the network. The unauthorized UE operable to receive an authorization credential, and to exchange the data with the network using the received authorization credential. A system and method for exchanging data with a network including a requesting device and a relay UE. The relay UE operable to receive a transferable relay profile associated with the requesting device, and to establish a connection with the requesting device to relay data between the network and the requesting device based on the transferable relay profile.

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

Abstract: System and method embodiments are provided for providing customized virtual networks based on SONAC. In an embodiment, a network management entity for providing a customized VN includes a SONAC module executed by a computing device that is connected to a wireless network, the SONAC module configured to receive service requirement data from the wireless network and create a service customized VN according to the service requirement data, the service requirement data describing one or more service requirements, wherein the SONAC module comprises an interface to interact with: an SDT component, the SDT component used by the SONAC module to determine a service customized logical topology; an SDRA component that maps the logical topology to physical network resources within the wireless network; and a SDP component that determines an end-to-end data transport protocol for communication between a first device and a second device via the wireless network.

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.