Abstract: A laser engraving apparatus (100) is calibrated using a number of predetermined calibration images (12). The calibration images (12) are engraved on a predefined substrate surface (14, 15) of a substrate (16) by varying only a single laser parameter. Based on measured colour values of the engraved calibration images, a relationship between said colour values and a predefined laser parameter value, for example, a predefined laser power, is established. This relationship is then used to generate a map for mapping a grayscale value of an input image to a grayscale value of an output image, which is then engraved on the substrate (16) while varying the same laser parameter that was varied during the calibration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for investigating and addressing excessive battery drainage in a wireless device in a cellular communications system are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method in a core network of a cellular communications system comprises receiving, from an external entity, a request to investigate excessive battery drainage at a particular wireless device and initiating collection of information related to operation of the wireless device. The information comprises user plane data, control plane information, and/or network information related to the wireless device. The method also comprises collecting the information from one or more network nodes in the cellular communications system, analyzing the collected information to determine one or more root causes of excessive battery drainage at the wireless device, and initiating one or more actions in the cellular communications system to mitigate excessive battery drainage at the wireless device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing multi-domain network slice selection and approval are provided. According to one aspect, a method performed by a Network Slice Selection Function comprises: receiving, from a requesting entity, a request for a network slice for use by a client device; upon determining that the network slice selection requires approval, identifying an Authorizing Network Function (ANF) for authorizing a network slice for the client device; determining a trust status of the ANF; identifying, based on the trust status, a network interface to use when communicating with the ANF; sending a slice selection authorization request to the ANF via the identified network interface; receiving from the ANF an approval status of a network slice; determining, based on the approval status and approval conditions, an allowed network slice; and sending, to the requesting entity, information including the allowed network slice.

Abstract: Methods and systems for online services applications and application functions to provide User Equipment (UE)-generated information to network data analytics to support network automation and optimization are provided. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for an online services application or Application Function (AF) to provide UE-Generated Information (UGI) to support network automation and optimization comprises, at a Network Data Analytics (NWDA) function: receiving UGI that was collected by a UE or by an online services AF; generating network automation and optimization information based on at least some of the received UGI; and sending the network automation and optimization information to a Radio Access Network (RAN).

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing data sharing in relation to a plurality of admission applications, the system involving a ranking subsystem and a routing subsystem. The ranking subsystem has a ranking subsystem application program interface front end configured to communicate with at least one of a service bus and a database, publish an event from at least one of an admission applicant update and an admission application submission, and facilitate completion of an admission application. The routing subsystem has a routing subsystem application program interface front end, the routing subsystem application program interface front end configured to communicate with the database and transmit at least one of event information and configuration information to the database.

Abstract: An access regulating device (22) for a communication terminal (10) using a communication network (12) obtains an indication (I) that the communication terminal (10) is a potentially compromised communication terminal, analyses the indication (I), selects type of communication restriction based on the analysis, where a first type of communication restriction comprises barring the communication terminal (10) from using the communication network (12) and a second type of communication restriction comprises limiting the use of the communication network (12) by the communication terminal (10), and informs (B1,B2; Q) at least one network node (16, 18; 24) responsible for handling communication restrictions of the type selected for the communication terminal (10) in order for the communication network (12) to effectuate the communication restriction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for network slice configuration. In one example aspect, a method in a network function in a network is disclosed. The network is a visited network for at least one User Equipment, UE. The network provides a network slice for the at least one UE, and the network function is a gateway for data communications for the at least one UE. The method includes obtaining an IP address for at least one service for the at least one UE, and providing the at least one service to the at least one UE according to a gateway configuration from a home network of the at least one UE.

Abstract: A laser engraving apparatus (100) is calibrated using a number of predetermined calibration images (12). The calibration images (12) are engraved on a predefined substrate surface (14, 15) of a substrate (16) by varying only a single laser parameter. Based on measured colour values of the engraved calibration images, a relationship between said colour values and a predefined laser parameter value, for example, a predefined laser power, is established. This relationship is then used to generate a map for mapping a grayscale value of an input image to a grayscale value of an output image, which is then engraved on the substrate (16) while varying the same laser parameter that was varied during the calibration.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a method for use in a network node comprises receiving a request to connect a session of a wireless device. The wireless device is located in a service area of a Local Area Data Network (LADN) and a subscription associated with the wireless device permits access to the LADN. The method further comprises determining whether to select the LADN for the session. The determining is based on one or more factors associated with the LADN. The one or more factors comprise at least one of the following: loading conditions, service quality, historic data, and subscriber priority. The method further comprises sending, to another network node, a message indicating whether the LADN has been selected for the session.

Abstract: A method, performed by a first node is described, the method being for handling roaming information. The first node operates in a first communications network. The first node determines a set of network resources predicted to be required by a group of subscribers while roaming in a second communications network. The first node then initiates providing an indication of the determined set of resources to a second node in the second communications network. The second node receive the indication and determines whether or not an allocation of the set of resources meets a criterion. The second node then initiates performing an operation based on the determination. A third node determines data regarding a roaming behavior of the group of subscribers and provides information based on the determined data, to the first node.

Abstract: Methods and systems for an online charging system to grant resources to a session with a terminal device when the session includes a large file or the session has a long duration. Embodiments the invention include methods performed by an electronic device for online charging in a wireless network. In one embodiment, the electronic device receives a request message for resources to set up a session with a terminal device, where the request message is sent from a core network interface to an online charging function (OCF), and where the request message indicates that the session includes a large file or that the session has a long duration. The electronic device determines that the terminal device has enough credit for the session based on the request message and grants the resources for the session with the terminal device based on the determination.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that relate to deferring delivery of non-Internet Protocol (IP) data in a wireless communication system via a Non-IP Data Delivery (NIDD) procedure based on a power source status of a serving Radio Access Network (RAN) node of a target wireless device. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a network node comprises receiving, from an exposure function, a NIDD request comprising data from an application server to be delivered to a wireless device via a NIDD procedure. The method further comprises making a determination as to whether to deliver the data to the wireless device via the NIDD procedure based on a power source status of a RAN node associated with the wireless device. In this manner, delivery of the non-IP data can be deferred depending on the power source status of the RAN node.

Abstract: Methods and systems for online services apps, browsers or external devices to request client device handover via modem Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are presented. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for applications within or attached to a client device to request handover comprises, at the client device: receiving, at an API layer within the client device, a first request to trigger a handover required message; sending, by the API layer to a modem within the client device, the first request; preparing, by the modem, a handover required message; and sending, by the modem, the handover required message to a Radio Access Node (RAN) serving the client device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for online services applications and application functions to provide User Equipment (UE)-generated information to network data analytics to support network automation and optimization are provided. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for an online services application or Application Function (AF) to provide UE-Generated Information (UGI) to support network automation and optimization comprises, at a Network Data Analytics (NWDA) function: receiving UGI that was collected by a UE or by an online services AF; generating network automation and optimization information based on at least some of the received UGI; and sending the network automation and optimization information to a Radio Access Network (RAN).

Abstract: Systems and methods for investigating and addressing excessive battery drainage in a wireless device in a cellular communications system are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method in a core network of a cellular communications system comprises receiving, from an external entity, a request to investigate excessive battery drainage at a particular wireless device and initiating collection of information related to operation of the wireless device. The information comprises user plane data, control plane information, and/or network information related to the wireless device. The method also comprises collecting the information from one or more network nodes in the cellular communications system, analyzing the collected information to determine one or more root causes of excessive battery drainage at the wireless device, and initiating one or more actions in the cellular communications system to mitigate excessive battery drainage at the wireless device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for exposing the network slice selection process to the entities within or attached to a client device are provided. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for allowing slice consumers within or attached to the client device to access and use Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (NSSAI) comprises, at a client device: receiving, at an Application Programming Interface (API) layer within the client device, a query for NSSAI, the query being sent by a slice consumer; sending, to a Fifth Generation modem within the client device, the query for NSSAI; receiving, from the 5G modem, a response to the query for NSSAI; and sending, to the slice consumer, the response to the query for NSSAI. Enhancements to the N1 interface as well to Core Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Application Function (AF), and Network Exposure Function (NEF) are presented.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing multi-domain network slice selection and approval are provided. According to one aspect, a method performed by a Network Slice Selection Function comprises: receiving, from a requesting entity, a request for a network slice for use by a client device; upon determining that the network slice selection requires approval, identifying an Authorizing Network Function (ANF) for authorizing a network slice for the client device; determining a trust status of the ANF; identifying, based on the trust status, a network interface to use when communicating with the ANF; sending a slice selection authorization request to the ANF via the identified network interface; receiving from the ANF an approval status of a network slice; determining, based on the approval status and approval conditions, an allowed network slice; and sending, to the requesting entity, information including the allowed network slice.

Abstract: An access regulating device (22) for a communication terminal (10) using a communication network (12) obtains an indication (I) that the communication terminal (10) is a potentially compromised communication terminal, analyses the indication (I), selects type of communication restriction based on the analysis, where a first type of communication restriction comprises barring the communication terminal (10) from using the communication network (12) and a second type of communication restriction comprises limiting the use of the communication network (12) by the communication terminal (10), and informs (B1,B2; Q) at least one network node (16, 18; 24) responsible for handling communication restrictions of the type selected for the communication terminal (10) in order for the communication network (12) to effectuate the communication restriction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for End-to-End (E2E) User Equipment (UE) trajectory network automation are herein provided. According to one aspect, a network node for E2E UE trajectory network automation, such as a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), receives, from a requesting entity, information identifying a future E2E UE trajectory, the E2E UE trajectory comprising a start location, an end location, and zero or more intermediate locations between the start location and the end location; calculates a E2E mobility trajectory prediction for the identified future E2E UE trajectory; and sends, to the requesting entity, the calculated E2E mobility trajectory prediction. The requesting entity may be a trusted entity or an untrusted entity, such as a Third Party Provider (3PP) outside of the trusted domain of the network. If the requesting entity selects a mobility trajectory, the network node sends mobility management and optimization information to a Radio Access Network node.

Abstract: Methods and systems for End-to-End (E2E) User Equipment (UE) trajectory network automation are herein provided. According to one aspect, a network node for E2E U E trajectory network automation, such as a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), receives, from a requesting entity, information identifying a future E2E UE trajectory, the E2E UE trajectory comprising a start location, an end location, and zero or more intermediate locations between the start location and the end location; calculates a E2E mobility trajectory prediction for the identified future E2E UE trajectory; and sends, to the requesting entity, the calculated E2E mobility trajectory prediction. The requesting entity may be a trusted entity or an untrusted entity, such as a Third Party Provider (3PP) outside of the trusted domain of the network. If the requesting entity selects a mobility trajectory, the network node sends mobility management and optimization information to a Radio Access Network node.