Abstract: Embodiments are provided for uplink measurement based mechanism and control using user equipment (UE) centric sounding signals. The mechanism provides an alternative to DL-measurement dominated system control. Based on UL-measurements at TPs, the network obtains knowledge of users' channel and timing information, traffic, and interference, and is thus able to perform better control, including TP and UE clustering and optimization, and power control and link adaptation. In an embodiment method, a TP receives one-to-one mapping information indicating a plurality of UE IDs and a plurality of sounding channels assigned to the corresponding UE IDs. When the TP detects a sounding reference signal (SRS) from a UE, the TP is able to identify the UE using the detected SRS and the one-to-one mapping information. The TP then obtains measurement information for the identified UE, enabling better control and communications for uplink and downlink transmissions between multiple TPs and the UE.

Abstract: A method for managing network slice enabled traffic on a communications network is disclosed. The network slice is instantiated on the communications network for providing connectivity resources to a network operator using the communications network. The method comprises measuring a traffic level indicative of the traffic enabled by the network slice; and adjusting the traffic enabled by the network slice in accordance with the traffic level and a network operator enabled function associated with the network slice.

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: A controller having access to channel information associated with a neighboring access point (AP) may communicate a mask to a served user equipment (UE). The mask may specify transmission parameters for an uplink transmission between the served UE and a serving AP such that a successful decoding probability of the uplink transmission at the neighboring AP exceeds a threshold. The mask may specify a maximum MCS level for the uplink transmission, a minimum transmit power level for the uplink transmission, and/or a precoder constraint for the uplink transmission that produces constructive interference at a spatial location of the neighboring AP. This may enable the neighboring AP to isolate the uplink transmission from uplink wireless signals using an interference cancellation technique, e.g., successive interference cancellation (SIC) techniques.

Abstract: A method for operating a user device adapted to transmit data in a communications system in which available resources are divided into contention resources and non-contention resources includes selecting a first non-contention resource from the non-contention resources in accordance with selection information, the user device configured to transmit data on the first non-contention resource, determining a contention resource from a first plurality of contention resources associated with the first non-contention resource, in accordance with an association between the first plurality of contention resources and the first non-contention resource is known by the user device and a network node in the communications system, and transmitting a message on the contention resource, wherein the message initiates a random access procedure to obtain access to the selected first non-contention resource.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for management of network slices in a communication network such as a 5th generation wireless communication network are provided. Management planes may be provided which are separate from the plurality of network slices. A connection manager residing in a management plane receives an indication that a mobile device is to be associated with the communication network. The connection manager may reside at an access node or in the core network. A network slice is determined, and the connection manager transmits instructions, to one or more network nodes, to associate the mobile device with the network slice. The instructions may be provided to a local connection manager. The slice may be requested explicitly by the mobile device, or determined based on device and/or network requirements.

Abstract: Space-time block codes (STBCs) is a known approach for using multiple transmit antennas to provide higher data rates and better reliability by exploiting spatial diversity. Existing STBCs use independent two-dimensional constellations. Methods and systems for using multidimensional constellations to improve the performance of orthogonal STBCs are disclosed. Methods for finding optimized multidimensional constellations for orthogonal STBCs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for responding to demand-based charging in a communication network, such as a 5G wireless communication network. Service providers and/or infrastructure providers adjust network usage pricing dynamically based on demand. Customers such as Virtual Network operators respond to pricing adjustments by adjusting their network usage, service requirements, and/or by re-negotiating the pricing structure. Network usage can be adjusted by controlling network traffic generated in response to activity of end-user devices of the Virtual Network.

Abstract: A method for agile wireless access network includes determining, by a network controller, capabilities and neighborhood relations of radio nodes in the radio access network. The network controller then configures a backhaul network infrastructure for the radio access network in accordance with the capabilities and the neighborhood relations of the radio nodes.

Abstract: A method for managing network slice enabled traffic on a communications network is disclosed. The network slice is instantiated on the communications network for providing connectivity resources to a network operator using the communications network. The method comprises measuring a traffic level indicative of the traffic enabled by the network slice; and adjusting the traffic enabled by the network slice in accordance with the traffic level and a network operator enabled function associated with the network slice.

Abstract: There is provided a method and network management function for allocating a slice instance of a communications network. The method includes obtaining, by a management function, requirements for the slice instance and checking, by the management function, a feasibility of the slice instance requirements in view of one or more of network resources and network capabilities. The method further includes preparing, by the management function, a network environment for the slice instance in view of the slice instance requirements and commissioning, by the management function, the slice instance. The method may additionally or alternatively include terminating, modifying and/or deactivating the slice instance.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates efficient and effective power management for wireless telecommunications. In one embodiment, presented approaches enable power savings in devices with a limited power supply (e.g., mobile devices operating on battery power supply, photocell, etc.). In one exemplary implementation, power smart channels facilitate power conservation. Power smart channel communications can be transmitted at lower power levels than conventional or normal channel communications. Presented power smart channel methods and systems can be implemented in a wireless cellular communication environment where power smart channels are established and used in accordance with various aspects and configurations of the components (e.g., location, remaining battery charge, multiple resource bands, etc.) in the wireless cellular communication environment.

Abstract: A method and system for responding to demand-based charging in a communication network, such as a 5G wireless communication network. Service providers and/or infrastructure providers adjust network usage pricing dynamically based on demand. Customers such as Virtual Network operators respond to pricing adjustments by adjusting their network usage, service requirements, and/or by re-negotiating the pricing structure. Network usage can be adjusted by controlling network traffic generated in response to activity of end-user devices of the Virtual Network.

Abstract: A user equipment (UE) may compute uplink power control levels as a function of a downlink signal to noise ratio (SNIR). For example, the UE may determine an uplink transmit power level by summing a full power control (FPC) transmit power level, a product of a first adjustment factor (?) and the downlink SNIR, and a negative of a second adjustment factor (?2) when the product of the first adjustment factor (?) and the downlink SNIR is greater than or equal to the second adjustment factor (?2). A UE may also compute an uplink power control level as a function of target and/or current interference levels associated with neighboring base stations. A UE may also iteratively reduce a transmit power level until an interference level experienced by a neighboring base station has fallen below a threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting customer charging in 5G networks are provided. Monitoring functions are instantiated at selected network locations for tracking access to network services. The monitoring functions provide charging information for use in customer billing. A customer can enter a service level agreement with a particular customized method of charging for service usage, and the monitoring functions can be customized to provide charging information according to the service level agreement. Charging can vary based on factors such as time of day, network congestion, service traffic characteristics, and geographic location.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for incorporating a quality of experience (QoE) assessment into requests or negotiations for a particular quality of service (QoS) for an application in a communications network. A network may provide service in accordance with a particular set of QoS parameters in order to meet a user's requested QoE. A user may select a particular QoE for an application depending on costs associated with the corresponding sets of QoS parameters available from the network. Functionality to determine the correlation between a user's QoE and sets of QoS parameters may be implemented primarily in a user's electronic communications device, primarily in a network device, or in both of these devices. A separate device may be used for determining the QoE and corresponding sets of QoS parameters for various services or applications.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates efficient and effective power management for wireless telecommunications. In one embodiment, presented approaches enable power savings in devices with a limited power supply (e.g., mobile devices operating on battery power supply, photocell, etc.). In one exemplary implementation, power smart channels facilitate power conservation. Power smart channel communications can be transmitted at lower power levels than conventional or normal channel communications. Presented power smart channel methods and systems can be implemented in a wireless cellular communication environment where power smart channels are established and used in accordance with various aspects and configurations of the components (e.g., location, remaining battery charge, multiple resource bands, etc.) in the wireless cellular communication environment.

Abstract: There is provided systems and methods for Network Function Virtualization (NFV) in a control plane. The NFV framework is be used to define a plurality of virtual network functions (VNFs), each of which can correspond to a function enabling operation of a communication network. There is provided a method and system for managing a plurality of network slices in a communication network, the method comprising: instantiating a Global Control Plane set apart from the plurality of network slices, the Global Control Plane configured to at least partially manage each of the plurality of network slices.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of wireless load balancing includes receiving, by a communications controller from a device, a plurality of messages including a plurality of demands of a plurality of UEs and a plurality of locations of the plurality of UEs, where the plurality of demands includes a demand of a UE of the plurality of UEs, where the plurality of locations includes a location of the first UE, and where the location of the UE is in a cell and determining a utility map in accordance with the plurality of demands and the plurality of locations. The method also includes determining a recommendation of user behavior of a user of the first UE in accordance with the utility map, the location of the first UE, and the demand of the UE and transmitting, by the communications controller to the UE, the recommendation of user behavior.

Abstract: A method comprises communicating a specification of a network slice instance (NSI) that identifies a network function (NF), and operating the identified NF in accordance with the specification.