Abstract: The embodiments in this invention extend distributed unit (DU), central unit (CU) and control plane of F1 (F1-C) capabilities so that differentiated DRBs of F1-U are placed on differentiated transport network components of equivalent QoS. This is achieved by a transport-aware DU and CU that can map each F1-U DRB into appropriate OSI layer 2-4 headers and can, subsequently, store such mappings. The F1-C interface is extended to distribute the layer 2-4 headers acquired from the transport network controller to the DUs and CU. A new control interface TN-C is defined between transport network controller and CU/DU. Furthermore, a trivial mapping of those embodiments is applicable for the N3 interface as well, which solves the same problem on the backhaul transport network.

Abstract: The embodiments in this invention extend distributed unit (DU), central unit (CU) and control plane of F1 (F1-C) capabilities so that differentiated DRBs of F1-U are placed on differentiated transport network components of equivalent QoS. This is achieved by a transport-aware DU and CU that can map each F1-U DRB into appropriate OSI layer 2-4 headers and can, subsequently, store such mappings. The F1-C interface is extended to distribute the layer 2-4 headers acquired from the transport network controller to the DUs and CU. A new control interface TN-C is defined between transport network controller and CU/DU. Furthermore, a trivial mapping of those embodiments is applicable for the N3 interface as well, which solves the same problem on the backhaul transport network.

Abstract: An example network system includes In one example, a network system includes a service orchestrator for managing a mobile network. The service orchestrator is configured to: receive, from a centralized network controller (CNC) for a time sensitive networking (TSN) application, TSN configuration data for a TSN flow between two end station devices for the TSN application; generate, based on the TSN configuration data, an intent to create a network slice in the mobile network to transport packets for the TSN flow; provision the network with the network slice based on the intent, wherein the network slice is associated with slice identification data; and output the slice identification data to cause a user equipment (UE) device attached to the mobile network to map packets for the TSN flow, received from one of the two end station devices, to the network slice.

Abstract: Using a Radio Access Network (RAN) capacity exchange (or RANxChange), mobile operators can advertise slices/partitions of available unused base station capacity, and auction and lease it. A member-operator can advertise their unused base station capacity availability or lease capacity from another member-operator for a specific time period. The bidding operators can bid for the full auctioned capacity or portion of the auctioned capacity. The users start attaching the leased slice transparently without any configuration changes on their mobile devices.

Abstract: Using a Radio Access Network (RAN) capacity exchange (or RANxChange), mobile operators can advertise slices/partitions of available unused base station capacity, and auction and lease it. A member-operator can advertise their unused base station capacity availability or lease capacity from another member-operator for a specific time period. The bidding operators can bid for the full auctioned capacity or portion of the auctioned capacity. The users start attaching the leased slice transparently without any configuration changes on their mobile devices.

Abstract: A system and method for reliable and secure record keeping for Radio Access Network (RAN) capacity sharing amongst a plurality of operators using slicing methods according to 3GPP 5G specifications, wherein slicing is controlled by a RAN controller is disclosed. The record keeping system is a distributed Blockchain ledger in which a block specifies information pertaining to available, leased or purchased base station slice(s). The ledger is immutable and available to all operators through a distributed database hosted by each participant wherein each base station owner advertises its leased as well as unused base station capacity at a specific time using blocks in the Blockchain. In an embodiment, the RAN controller directly feeds the information needed to form a new block into the ledger whenever the slicing profile of a RAN changes, thereby making the ledger in complete synchronicity with the network.

Abstract: The embodiments in this invention extend distributed unit (DU), central unit (CU) and control plane of F1 (F1-C) capabilities so that differentiated DRBs of F1-U are placed on differentiated transport network components of equivalent QoS. This is achieved by a transport-aware DU and CU that can map each F1-U DRB into appropriate OSI layer 2-4 headers and can, subsequently, store such mappings. The F1-C interface is extended to distribute the layer 2-4 headers acquired from the transport network controller to the DUs and CU. A new control interface TN-C is defined between transport network controller and CU/DU. Furthermore, a trivial mapping of those embodiments is applicable for the N3 interface as well, which solves the same problem on the backhaul transport network.

Abstract: The embodiments in this invention extend distributed unit (DU), central unit (CU) and control plane of F1 (F1-C) capabilities so that differentiated DRBs of F1-U are placed on differentiated transport network components of equivalent QoS. This is achieved by a transport-aware DU and CU that can map each F1-U DRB into appropriate OSI layer 2-4 headers and can, subsequently, store such mappings. The F1-C interface is extended to distribute the layer 2-4 headers acquired from the transport network controller to the DUs and CU. A new control interface TN-C is defined between transport network controller and CU/DU. Furthermore, a trivial mapping of those embodiments is applicable for the N3 interface as well, which solves the same problem on the backhaul transport network.

Abstract: Using a Radio Access Network (RAN) capacity exchange (or RANxChange), mobile operators can advertise slices/partitions of available unused base station capacity, and auction and lease it. A member-operator can advertise their unused base station capacity availability or lease capacity from another member-operator for a specific time period. The bidding operators can bid for the full auctioned capacity or portion of the auctioned capacity. The users start attaching the leased slice transparently without any configuration changes on their mobile devices.

Abstract: The embodiments in this invention extend distributed unit (DU), central unit (CU) and control plane of F1 (F1-C) capabilities so that differentiated DRBs of F1-U are placed on differentiated transport network components of equivalent QoS. This is achieved by a transport-aware DU and CU that can map each F1-U DRB into appropriate OSI layer 2-4 headers and can, subsequently, store such mappings. The F1-C interface is extended to distribute the layer 2-4 headers acquired from the transport network controller to the DUs and CU. A new control interface TN-C is defined between transport network controller and CU/DU. Furthermore, a trivial mapping of those embodiments is applicable for the N3 interface as well, which solves the same problem on the backhaul transport network.

Abstract: Using a Radio Access Network (RAN) capacity exchange (or RANxChange), mobile operators can advertise slices/partitions of available unused base station capacity, and auction and lease it. A member-operator can advertise their unused base station capacity availability or lease capacity from another member-operator for a specific time period. The bidding operators can bid for the full auctioned capacity or portion of the auctioned capacity. The users start attaching the leased slice transparently without any configuration changes on their mobile devices.

Abstract: A system and method for reliable and secure record keeping for Radio Access Network (RAN) capacity sharing amongst a plurality of operators using slicing methods according to 3GPP 5G specifications, wherein slicing is controlled by a RAN controller is disclosed. The record keeping system is a distributed Blockchain ledger in which a block specifies information pertaining to available, leased or purchased base station slice(s). The ledger is immutable and available to all operators through a distributed database hosted by each participant wherein each base station owner advertises its leased as well as unused base station capacity at a specific time using blocks in the Blockchain. In an embodiment, the RAN controller directly feeds the information needed to form a new block into the ledger whenever the slicing profile of a RAN changes, thereby making the ledger in complete synchronicity with the network.

Abstract: A system and method for reliable and secure record keeping for Radio Access Network (RAN) capacity sharing amongst a plurality of operators using slicing methods according to 3GPP 5G specifications, wherein slicing is controlled by a RAN controller is disclosed. The record keeping system is a distributed Blockchain ledger in which a block specifies information pertaining to available, leased or purchased base station slice(s). The ledger is immutable and available to all operators through a distributed database hosted by each participant wherein each base station owner advertises its leased as well as unused base station capacity at a specific time using blocks in the Blockchain. In an embodiment, the RAN controller directly feeds the information needed to form a new block into the ledger whenever the slicing profile of a RAN changes, thereby making the ledger in complete synchronicity with the network.

Abstract: Self-Organizing Network (SON) technology has been developed to make the planning, configuration, management, and self-healing of mobile networks easier and faster, where such planning, configuration and management of the mobile networks are targeted to optimize the value offered to a group of subscribers using criteria such as (a) subscriber type (consumer, corporate, IOT, etc.), (b) service type (mission critical, public safety, VoIP, etc.), (b) subscriber usage volume (high, medium, low), (c) subscriber's requested/subscribed QoS, and (d) subscriber's paying value (i.e., revenue). The same teachings can be extended to also optimize a single subscriber's service or a service type.

Abstract: Using a Radio Access Network (RAN) capacity exchange (or RANxChange), mobile operators can advertise slices/partitions of available unused base station capacity, and auction and lease it. A member-operator can advertise their unused base station capacity availability or lease capacity from another member-operator for a specific time period. The bidding operators can bid for the full auctioned capacity or portion of the auctioned capacity. The users start attaching the leased slice transparently without any configuration changes on their mobile devices.

Abstract: Self-Organizing Network (SON) technology has been developed to make the planning, configuration, management, and self-healing of mobile networks easier and faster, where such planning, configuration and management of the mobile networks are targeted to optimize the value offered to a group of subscribers using criteria such as (a) subscriber type (consumer, corporate, IOT, etc.), (b) service type (mission critical, public safety, VoIP, etc.), (b) subscriber usage volume (high, medium, low), (c) subscriber's requested/subscribed QoS, and (d) subscriber's paying value (i.e., revenue). The same teachings can be extended to also optimize a single subscriber's service or a service type.

Abstract: Means for enabling the integration of a Sensor Management System (SMS) to a programmable radio access network (ProgRAN) controller are described. The integration allows an efficient management of the radio access network capacity as the needs for the backhaul of the sensor network changes. When a sensor is turned on or programmed to a higher profile, which requires larger wireless backhaul bandwidth, the associated wireless link on the programmable RAN is instantly allocated with more network resources by the controller to accommodate the additional sensor traffic. One implementation could be a software application on a computer, which attaches to both the SMS and the RAN controller, and mediates the messaging in real-time between these two components.

Abstract: Means for enabling the integration of a Sensor Management System (SMS) to a programmable radio access network (ProgRAN) controller are described. The integration allows an efficient management of the radio access network capacity as the needs for the backhaul of the sensor network changes. When a sensor is turned on or programmed to a higher profile, which requires larger wireless backhaul bandwidth, the associated wireless link on the programmable RAN is instantly allocated with more network resources by the controller to accommodate the additional sensor traffic. One implementation could be a software application on a computer, which attaches to both the SMS and the RAN controller, and mediates the messaging in real-time between these two components.

Abstract: A Femtocell Access Point (FAP) is used to provision a ticket number service. Customers approach the FAP and are given a ticket number indicating their place in the queue through an SMS message. Follow up SMS messages are sent updating the customer of their current position in line, as well as when it is their turn. Statistics may be generated from information gathered at the FAP and sent to an external client module.

Abstract: A Femtocell Access Point (FAP) is used to provision a ticket number service. Customers approach the FAP and are given a ticket number indicating their place in the queue through an SMS message. Follow up SMS messages are sent updating the customer of their current position in line, as well as when it is their turn. Statistics may be generated from information gathered at the FAP and sent to an external client module.