Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a WTRU to operate using multiple schedulers. The WTRU may exchange data with the network over more than one data path, such that each data path may use a radio interface connected to a different network node and each node may be associated with an independent scheduler. For example, a WTRU may establish a RRC connection between the WTRU and a network. The RRC connection may establish a first radio interface between the WTRU and a first serving site of the network and a second radio interface between the WTRU and a second serving site of the network. The RRC connection may be established between the WTRU and the MeNB and a control function may be established between the WTRU and the SCeNB. The WTRU may receive data from the network over the first radio interface or the second radio interface.

Abstract: It is recognized herein that current LTE reference signals may be inadequate for future cellular (e.g., New Radio) systems. Configurable reference signals are described herein. The configurable reference signals can support mixed numerologies and different reference signal (RS) functions. Further, reference signals can be configured so as to support beam sweeping and beamforming training.

Abstract: Features, methods, and functions for beam failure recovery and scheduling requests are provided, including methods for triggering, canceling, and transmitting beam recovery requests. The scheduling request may be designed to accommodate new criteria for transmission on a grant-free uplink shared channel (UL-SCH) and for putting the schedule request on hold.

Abstract: Access category management objects may be configured for use in support of access category configurations of a user equipment (UE). Various methods for a UE configuration with access categories are disclosed. Signaling methods by a radio access network of access barring parameters such as a signaling method for a partial list of access barring parameters with explicit signaling of access category indexes and a signaling method for a full list of access barring parameters where access categories are signaled using a bitmap are disclosed. Access control parameters and an access control architecture in terms of access control function distribution within the UE protocol sublayers, solutions that address the impact of access control in a connected mode on a buffer status report, logical channel prioritization and flow control between the UE AS and UE NAS, and details regarding access barring checks are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multiple radio access technology (multi-RAT) access mode operation for a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) are disclosed. A WTRU and a network may enable a multi-RAT access mode of operation based on at least one of WTRU subscription, a service agreement of the WTRU, a roaming status of the WTRU, a selected access point name (APN), an Internet protocol (IP) flow class, a subscriber profile identity for the WTRU, requested quality of service, or a proximity indication indicating proximity to a cell supporting multi-RAT access mode. The WTRU may send a capability indication of support of multi-RAT access to a network, wherein the multi-RAT access mode is enabled based on the capability indication. A partial handover of bearers may be performed. In performing the handover, the target cell is determined based on a priority rule.

Abstract: The present application is at least directed to an apparatus in a network including a non-transitory memory including instructions stored thereon for obtaining a resource for accessing a target cell in the network. The apparatus includes a processor, operably coupled to the non-transitory memory, configured to execute the instructions of detecting plural beams associated with the target cell. The processor also executes the instructions of determining one or more of the plural detected beams meeting a threshold for performing random access. The processor also executes the instructions of evaluating if a physical random access channel (PRACH) resource is associated with the one or more determined beams meeting the threshold. The processor further executes the instructions of selecting one of the evaluated beams exhibiting a reference signal received power (RSRP) above a predetermined value. The processor even further executes the instructions of picking the PRACH resource associated with the selected beam.

Abstract: The present application is at least directed to an apparatus. The apparatus includes a non-transitory memory including instructions stored thereon for beam link pairing the apparatus to a router in a new radio. The apparatus also includes a processor, operably coupled to the non-transitory memory, capable of executing the instructions of transmitting physical random access channel (PRACH) preambles through a set of uplink transmission beams in a subframe. The processor is also capable of executing the instructions of signaling a beam ID of the set of uplink transmission beams. The processor is further capable of executing the instructions of monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for a random access response (RAR) including a random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI). The processor is even further capable of executing the instructions of determining the RA-RNTI corresponds to the transmitted PRACH preambles.

Abstract: It is recognized herein that current LTE reference signals may be inadequate for future cellular (e.g., New Radio) systems. Configurable reference signals are described herein. The configurable reference signals can support mixed numerologies and different reference signal (RS) functions. Further, reference signals can be configured so as to support beam sweeping and beamforming training.

Abstract: A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may receive a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission in a WTRU-specific search space, with the PDCCH transmission including a sequence scrambled based on a first radio network temporary identifier (RNTI), the first RNTI associated with the WTRU, and the sequence including downlink control information (DCI) and a cyclic redundancy check (CRC). The WTRU may determine scheduling information for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission based on the DCI. Further, the WTRU may receive the PDSCH based on the scrambling information. Additionally, the first RNTI may be a WTRU-identifier (WTRU-ID). Also, the DCI and CRC may be scrambled by a second RNTI. Moreover, the WTRU may receive scrambling indication information indicating that scrambling of information in a PDCCH transmission by an RNTI may be used. Also, the PDCCH transmission may include the sequence on a condition that the scrambling indication information is received.

Abstract: Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes, indicators, and similar methods may be used improve new radio performance in a number of ways. For example HARQ processes may be retransmitted, even before a response is expected, a number of times. Separate acknowledgement may be provided for various code blocks within a single transport block. Multi-bit ACK/NACK signaling may be used to efficiently express the status of individual code blocks or groups of code blocks within a transmission block. Grantless transmissions may be acknowledged implicitly, e.g., via responses comprising downlink control information or sent via a physical hybrid automatic repeat request indicator channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a WTRU to operate using multiple schedulers. The WTRU may exchange data with the network over more than one data path, such that each data path may use a radio interface connected to a different network node and each node may be associated with an independent scheduler. For example, a WTRU may establish a RRC connection between the WTRU and a network. The RRC connection may establish a first radio interface between the WTRU and a first serving site of the network and a second radio interface between the WTRU and a second serving site of the network. The RRC connection may be established between the WTRU and the MeNB and a control function may be established between the WTRU and the SCeNB. The WTRU may receive data from the network over the first radio interface or the second radio interface.

Abstract: New radio download numerology allocation information may be obtained through master information block data, system information block data, radio resource control signals, or signals or a physical downlink numerology indication channel, and used along with a reference signal detected in a search space to obtain resource element positions in an antenna port reference signal in a resource block that belongs to a particular band slice according to a reference signal allocation scheme for a band slice numerology. A physical download control may then be decoded based upon one or more resource elements of the reference signal, allowing the connection of, e.g., an enhanced mobile broadband, massive machine type communication, or ultra-reliable/low-latency application to a communications network thereby. Alternatively, multiple physical downlink control channels may be blindly demodulated at each of a number calculated reference signal locations, and one channel selected based on passing a cyclic redundancy check.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described herein for beamforming based initial access, beam management, and beam based mobility designs for NR systems. Issues are identified and addressed related to, for example, initial access, control channel design, eMBB and URLLC mixing, and beam training.

Abstract: Measurement modeling and filtering may include configurable cell quality derivation method is used for multi-beam based NR networks; a common measurement model that considers different characteristics of the two measurement signals, NR synchronization signal and additional reference signal; and a multi-level measurement filtering approach that handles different mobility scenarios in an NR network. Measurement configuration and procedures may include a measurement gap design during which UE may use to perform measurements for beam sweeping based NR networks; a group of triggering events that may be used to trigger UE mobility management in an NR network; a content format that may be used for the transmission of UE measurement report; a measurement object design (the object on which a UE may perform the measurements) to reduce UE measurement overhead and cost; and a downlink measurement based inter-cell handover procedure that may be used in an NR network.

Abstract: New radio channel designs incorporate a synchronization signal burst series frame structure, with higher layer channels mapped to physical channels transmitted during a synchronization signal, allowing user equipment to select beams during which to listen for paging information. A physical common control channel configuration information element may be used to signal the paging configuration as part of the System Information. Paging may occur with or without user equipment assistance.

Abstract: Methods for paging for reduced bandwidth wireless transmit/receive units, WTRUs, in machine type communication, MTC, are provided. A WTRU determines (610) a paging narrowband, NB, for the WTRU, to use for monitoring an MTC physical downlink control channel, M-PDCCH, based on at least the most significant bits, MSBs, of a function of a WTRU-identifier, WTRU-ID. The WTRU monitors (620) for the M-PDCCH on the determined paging NB for the WTRU. The WTRU then receives (630) a downlink control information, DCI, on the monitored M-PDCCH on the determined paging NB during a paging occasion, PO. The WTRU then receives (650) a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, associated with the M-PDCCH. Alternatively, the WTRU monitors (420) the M-PDCCH in the M-PDCCH search space, wherein the M-PDCCH has a starting enhanced control channel element, ECCE, index for a WTRU group containing the WTR, and wherein the M-PDCCH includes (430) the DCI.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to perform a multi-radio access technology (RAT) access (MRA) operation. The apparatus may include a WTRU comprising a transceiver and a processor configured to send a non-access stratum (NAS) access request message to a network node using a first radio access technology (RAT). The message may indicate that the WTRU can connect to both a network node using the first RAT and a network node using a second RAT. The transceiver may be configured to receive a NAS accept message and a message comprising configuration information for the second RAT. The transceiver and the processor may be further configured to connect to a network node using the second RAT based on the received configuration information and communicate with both the network node using the first RAT and the network node using the second RAT.

Abstract: New radio download numerology allocation information may be obtained through master information block data, system information block data, radio resource control signals, or signals or a physical downlink numerology indication channel, and used along with a reference signal detected in a search space to obtain resource element positions in an antenna port reference signal in a resource block that belongs to a particular band slice according to a reference signal allocation scheme for a band slice numerology. A physical download control may then be decoded based upon one or more resource elements of the reference signal, allowing the connection of, e.g., an enhanced mobile broadband, massive machine type communication, or ultra-reliable/low-latency application to a communications network thereby. Alternatively, multiple physical downlink control channels may be blindly demodulated at each of a number calculated reference signal locations, and one channel selected based on passing a cyclic redundancy check.

Abstract: Measurement modeling and filtering may include configurable cell quality derivation method is used for multi-beam based NR networks; a common measurement model that considers different characteristics of the two measurement signals, NR synchronization signal and additional reference signal; and a multi-level measurement filtering approach that handles different mobility scenarios in an NR network. Measurement configuration and procedures may include a measurement gap design during which UE may use to perform measurements for beam sweeping based NR networks; a group of triggering events that may be used to trigger UE mobility management in an NR network; a content format that may be used for the transmission of UE measurement report; a measurement object design (the object on which a UE may perform the measurements) to reduce UE measurement overhead and cost; and a downlink measurement based inter-cell handover procedure that may be used in an NR network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described herein for beamforming based initial access, beam management, and beam based mobility designs for NR systems. Issues are identified and addressed related to, for example, initial access, control channel design, eMBB and URLLC mixing, and beam training.