Abstract: Embodiments include methods performed by a user equipment (UE), for managing the UE's secondary serving cells (SCells) in a wireless network. Such methods include receiving, from a first network node, a message to suspend a connection with the first network node. The connection is via a plurality of configured cells including a primary serving cell (PCell) and one or more SCells, which have respective first SCell states. Such methods also include suspending the connection in response to the suspend message. Such methods also include receiving, from the first network node or a second network node, a message to resume the connection. The resume message includes indication of indication of second SCell states for one or more of the following: the one or more SCells, and one or more further SCells to be added to the configured cells more SCells, and one or more further SCells to be added to the configured cells upon resuming the connection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates in general to cellular radio network communication. In one of its aspects, the technology presented herein concerns a method performed by a network node in a wireless communication system for handling resource configurations for network nodes in an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) network. The network node is connected to a core network of the wireless communications system and to at least one radio network node. The method includes providing, to a first radio network node and to at least one second radio network node, a message indicating a resource configuration for the first radio network node. The at least one second radio network node is a parent node to the first radio network node and the first radio network node is a child node to the at least one second radio network node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for using alternate paths for descendant nodes for backhaul failure link reporting. In one embodiment, a method for a network node that may be a parent node includes receiving information indicating at least one alternate path of at least one child IAB node to an IAB donor node, the at least one child IAB node being a wireless backhaul node; and using the received information to perform at least one of a backhaul wireless link failure recovery and load balancing of traffic. In another embodiment, a method for a network node that may be a child node includes receiving information indicating at least one alternate path of a parent IAB node to an IAB donor node, the parent IAB node being a wireless backhaul node for the child IAB node. The received information is used to perform at least one operational task.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that provide reporting of early measurements in a cellular communications system. Embodiments of a method performed by a wireless device are disclosed. Early measurements are also referred to herein as dormant mode measurements. In some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device includes performing one or more dormant mode measurements, where the one or more dormant mode measurements are one or more measurements performed by the wireless device while the wireless device is in a dormant mode. The method further includes storing the one or more dormant mode measurements, identifying a reporting scheme to be used by the wireless device to report dormant mode measurements, and reporting at least one of the stored dormant mode measurements in accordance with the identified reporting scheme. Corresponding embodiments of a wireless device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to early measurement reporting are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device in a cellular communications system comprises transmitting measurements with a first message to a network node. The first message is a request to resume a connection of the wireless device with a target cell, and the measurements are measurements performed by the wireless device while in a dormant state. Corresponding embodiments of a wireless device are also disclosed. Embodiments of a method of operation of a wireless device for reception of a request for early measurements in association with a paging message and corresponding embodiments of a wireless device are also disclosed. Embodiments of methods of operation of a network node and corresponding embodiments of a network node are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a first IAB node for securely communicating with at least one second IAB node is provided. A secure connection with a node of a network is established. A message is received, from the node, indicating a secure messaging protocol to use to communicate with the at least one second IAB node, the message including one of at least one nonce or a key. A control message to be sent to the at least one second IAB node is transformed into a secure control message using the secure messaging protocol. The secure control message is transmitted to the at least one second IAB node.

Abstract: A method and network node for backhaul link failure recovery are disclosed. A network node is configured to attempt to find an alternative backhaul link to replace the failed backhaul link. If the attempt to find an alternative backhaul link fails, then the network node communicates a first indication of an existence of the failure to the first child network node one level below the network node affected by the failure and causes the first child network node to find another network node to serve as a new parent network node. If the first child network node finds another node to serve as the new parent network node then the network node is configured to serve as a second child network node of the first child network node so that the first child network node serves as a parent of the network node.

Abstract: A Master Node (MN) 110 and a method therein for handling of a Secondary Cell Group (SCG) for a UE 120 operable in a dual connectivity mode with the MN and a Secondary Node (SN) 111 operating in a network 100. A Master Cell Group (MCG) is 5 associated with the MN and the SCG is associated with the SN. The MN decides to perform a first operation relating to a suspension or a resumption of the SCG independently from a second operation relating to a suspension or a resumption of the MCG. The MN transmits, to the UE, an indication indicating the first operation and indicating the second operation. Further, the MN transmits, to the SN, an indication 10 indicating the first operation relating to the suspension or the resumption of the SCG.

Abstract: A method performed by a network node for handling a multi connectivity configuration for a User Equipment (UE) resuming into connected mode from inactive mode in a wireless communications network is provided. The UE was multi connected to a first radio node and a second radio node before it entered into inactive mode. The network node receives a resume request from the UE. The network node then decides whether or not to trigger a role switch of any one or more out of: the first radio node and the second radio node for the multi connectivity configuration based on a certain condition. The role switch comprises any one out of: switching the role of the first radio node from Master Node, MN, to Secondary Node, SN, and switching the role of the second radio node from SN to MN.

Abstract: Systems and methods for triggering measurements before the completion of connection resumption are provided. In some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device for performing measurements where a current Radio Resource Control (RRC) status is: IDLE or INACTIVE. The method includes monitoring for a potential reception of a downlink message in a cell that the wireless device is camping on; detecting, based upon the reception of the downlink message, information regarding performing measurements; performing measurements based on the information regarding performing the measurements; and reporting the measurement results. In some embodiments, the message is a paging message or a message multiplexed with the paging message. In this way, latency might be reduced to start performing measurements.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, a child IAB node is configured to communicate with a first parent IAB node and a descendant IAB node over a backhaul network. The child IAB node includes processing circuitry configured to: detect a backhaul link failure between the child IAB node and the first parent IAB node; in response to the detected backhaul link failure, cause transmission of a radio link failure indication to the descendant IAB node; receive signaling indicating for the child IAB node to connect to a second parent IAB node; and modify network topology at least in part by connecting to the second parent IAB node.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device includes determining whether additional carrier capacity would improve a property of a service performed by the wireless device. The method also includes determining whether to send a network node an indication of the availability of measurements and/or a report of the measurements, based at least on the determination of whether the additional carrier capacity would improve the property of the service performed by the wireless device. In response to determining to send the network node the indication and/or the report, the method includes sending the indication and/or the report to the network node. In response to determining not to send the network node the indication and/or the report, the method includes refraining from sending the indication and/or the report to the network node.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device comprises: determining a characteristic of data for transmission between the wireless device and a network node; determining the wireless device is configured to send measurement information to the network node; and transmitting an indication of the determined characteristic of data for transmission to the network node with the measurement information. In particular embodiments, the measurement information comprises an indication that measurements are available or a measurement report.

Abstract: Embodiments presented in this disclosure relate to methods and apparatuses (such as Access Points (AP's), evolved NodeB's (eNB's), etc.) for use in aggregation, or integration, between a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). In one embodiment, an eNB decides that an aggregation between the WWAN and the WLAN is to be performed for at least one bearer of one or more bearers associated with a specific UE. Next, the eNB identifies which one(s) of the at least one bearer of the specific UE that is/are to be aggregated between the WWAN and the WLAN. Also, the eNB schedules each one of the at least one bearer identified to be aggregated between the WWAN and the WLAN.

Abstract: A method for establishing a BH RLC channel between a node and a DU. The method includes a CU detecting (s402) a need to establish the BH RLC channel between the node and the DU; and in response to detecting the need to establish the BH RLC channel, the CU sending (s404) to the DU an AP message requesting the DU to setup the BH RLC channel. The AP message comprises: i) a list identifying one or more BH RLC channels to be setup, wherein the list comprises at least one item containing a BH RLC Channel identifier, ID, information element, IE, containing a BH RLC Channel ID identifying the BH RLC channel, or ii) a DRB ID IE containing the BH RLC Channel ID identifying the BH RLC channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a host providing an over-the-top service. An example host includes processing circuitry to provide user data associated with the service and a network interface to initiate transmission of the user data from a network node in a cellular network. The network node is configured to provide a Radio Resource Control connection re-establishment message to a user equipment (UE) previously connected to the RAN via Signaling Radio Bearer 1 (SRB1). SRB1 is configured with a New Radio Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) configuration. After the UE receives the RRC connection re-establishment message, the UE derives security keys. The network node is further configured to re-establish the UE's connection to the RAN, by applying a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) PDCP configuration to SRB1 and applying ciphering using the plurality of derived security keys, and to transmit the user data over the re-established connection.

Abstract: The teachings presented herein disclose example methods and apparatuses for differentiating charging with respect to an aggregated radio access. In this context, an “aggregated radio access” aggregates two or more different radio accesses, such as two or more different carriers, for conveying user traffic between a wireless communication network and a user device. The ability to discount charges, apply premium billing, or to otherwise track and bill usage at a granularity level below the aggregated radio access—i.e., on a per access basis—allows the involved network operator(s) to offer discounts, apply premium pricing, etc.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods for a network node of a 3GPP RAN. Such methods include determining a configuration that enables a UE to steer the UE's traffic between the 3GPP RAN and a WLAN without receiving a traffic steering command from the 3GPP RAN. The configuration includes a forward traffic steering configuration comprising a first plurality of thresholds/conditions for which the UE, when connected to 3GPP RAN, can initiate steering at least some of the UE's traffic from 3GPP RAN to WLAN; and a backward traffic steering configuration comprising a second plurality of thresholds/conditions for which the UE, when connected to WLAN, can initiate steering at least some of the UE's traffic from WLAN to 3GPP RAN. The backward traffic steering configuration includes threshold(s)/condition(s) based on different values of a same parameter as threshold(s)/condition(s) of the forward traffic steering configuration. The configuration is sent to the UE in a single message.

Abstract: A network node may be operated to support dual connectivity communication with a wireless terminal as a main network node in cooperation with a secondary network node. Dual connectivity communication with the wireless terminal may be provided in cooperation with the secondary network node. Responsive to deciding to suspend the dual connectivity communication with the wireless terminal, a connection release message may be transmitted to the wireless terminal, a suspension indication message may be transmitted to the secondary network node, and the dual connectivity communication with the wireless terminal may be suspended. While the dual connectivity communication is suspended, a page may be transmitted to the wireless terminal indicating arrival of downlink data for the wireless terminal and then a measurement report may be received from the wireless terminal providing radio link measurement information for radio links with the main network node and/or the secondary network node.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for handover of a UE (100) from a source node (20, 30) connected to a first core network (50, 60) to a target node (20, 30) connected to a second core network (50, 60). The UE (100) receives, from the source node (20, 30), a mobility command including an indication of the radio access technology (RAT) used by the target node (20, 30) and a message container containing configuration information for the target node (20, 30). The UE (100) further determines, based on the indication of the RAT used by the target node (20, 30), whether to treat the handover as an inter-RAT handover or as an intra-RAT handover with a core network change, and performs a radio resource control procedure for one of an inter-RAT handover or an intra-RAT handover with a core network change based on the determination.