Abstract: A method, network node, wireless device and system are provided. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a network node is provided. The network node includes processing circuitry configured to: cause transmission of a Discontinuous Reception, DRX, configuration to a wireless device using communication layer 3 signaling, cause transmission of an indication to the wireless device to trigger activation at one of communication layer 1 and communication layer 2 of the DRX configuration, and optionally determine whether the wireless device has activated the DRX configuration.

Abstract: A wireless communication device receives an indication of timing alignment of a discontinuous reception (DRX) duration, determines a timing alignment for a reception/transmission (RX/TX) switching pattern of the wireless communication device based on the timing alignment of the DRX duration, and performs half-duplex (HD) communication with a radio access node according to the RX/TX switching pattern having the determined timing alignment.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to optimized selection, or determination of, Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback modes for downlink transmissions by considering Time Division Duplexing (TDD) uplink/downlink (UL/DL) configuration, transmission mode, cell load, and/or traffic type are disclosed. In this manner, performance can be improved.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to an unacknowledged connection release in a cellular communications network are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a base station in a cellular communications network comprises sending a connection release message to a wireless device that is in an Out-of-Sync (OOS) state and releasing a connection with the wireless device without receiving, from the wireless device, an acknowledgement of receipt of the connection release message. In this manner, signaling overhead for releasing the connection of the wireless device that is in OOS state is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A network node obtains capability information indicating whether neighbor network nodes support special user equipments (UEs), receives a measurement report for the neighbor network nodes from a special UE, and selects one of the network nodes as a target node for handover of the special UE based on the received measurement report and the obtained capability information.

Abstract: A network node may identify a location to be allocated for a multicast message within a transmission subframe based on at least information identifying the transmission subframe, and then transmit the multicast message at the identified location in the transmission subframe. A network node may also identify a transmission subframe in which to transmit a multicast message, allocate transmission resources in the transmission subframe for the multicast message, and transmit information indicating a location of the allocated transmission resources in the transmission subframe in a control signal message having a transmission power adjusted based on at least one of information identifying the transmission subframe and a code redundancy version of the multicast message.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to optimized selection, or determination of, Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback modes for downlink transmissions by considering Time Division Duplexing (TDD) uplink/downlink (UL/DL) configuration, transmission mode, cell load, and/or traffic type are disclosed. In this manner, performance can be improved.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described of changing the discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration for a connection between a mobile device (50) and a base station (20) that reduces the likelihood of a dropped connection. A mobile device (50) receives updated configuration parameters for the connection from a base station. A mobile device (50) receives updated configuration parameters for the connection from a base station (20). The mobile device (50) postpones the adoption of the new configuration parameters and continues using previous configuration parameters for the connection after receipt of the new configuration parameters until a subsequent on duration of a DRX cycle has occurred according to the previous configuration. The mobile device (50) applies the updated configuration parameters for the connection in the subsequent on duration. Thereafter, the mobile device (50) turns its receiver on and off in DRX mode according to the new DRX configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to scheduling for a cluster of cells controlled by a base station of a cellular communications network are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a base station in a cellular communications network to provide scheduling for a cluster of cells controlled by the base station is provided. In some embodiments, the method of operation of the base station comprises identifying a first set of Radio Access Bearers (RABs) for cluster scheduling for a Transmit Time Interval (TTI) and a second set of RABs for individual cell scheduling for the TTI, where the first set of RABs and the second set of RABs are non-overlapping sets. The method further includes performing cluster scheduling for the first set of RABs for the TTI and performing individual cell scheduling for the second set of RABs for the TTI.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to an unacknowledged connection release in a cellular communications network are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a base station in a cellular communications network comprises sending a connection release message to a wireless device that is in an Out-of-Sync (OOS) state and releasing a connection with the wireless device without receiving, from the wireless device, an acknowledgement of receipt of the connection release message. In this manner, signaling overhead for releasing the connection of the wireless device that is in OOS state is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A node and method for extending a wake up time of a wireless user equipment (UE) are provided. The node includes a memory. The memory is configured to store data to be transmitted to the UE. The node includes a processor configured to determine if the memory is storing data to be transmitted to the UE, determine if the wake up time of the UE coincides with a periodic subframe, the periodic subframe occurring with a periodicity and cause transmission of a message for a grant to the UE if the determination is made that the memory is storing data to be transmitted to the UE and the wake up time of the UE coincides with the periodic subframe.

Abstract: A network node may identify a location to be allocated for a multicast message within a transmission subframe based on at least information identifying the transmission subframe, and then transmit the multicast message at the identified location in the transmission subframe. A network node may also identify a transmission subframe in which to transmit a multicast message, allocate transmission resources in the transmission subframe for the multicast message, and transmit information indicating a location of the allocated transmission resources in the transmission subframe in a control signal message having a transmission power adjusted based on at least one of information identifying the transmission subframe and a code redundancy version of the multicast message.

Abstract: A network node obtains capability information indicating whether neighbor network nodes support special user equipments (UEs), receives a measurement report for the neighbor network nodes from a special UE, and selects one of the network nodes as a target node for handover of the special UE based on the received measurement report and the obtained capability information.

Abstract: A wireless communication device receives an indication of timing alignment of a discontinuous reception (DRX) duration, determines a timing alignment for a reception/transmission (RX/TX) switching pattern of the wireless communication device based on the timing alignment of the DRX duration, and performs half-duplex (HD) communication with a radio access node according to the RX/TX switching pattern having the determined timing alignment.

Abstract: To relieve signaling congestion, UEs (30) having delay-tolerant data are moved more rapidly to the non UL synchronized state, freeing up PUCCH resources for users that have not indicated a delay-tolerance. In one embodiment, a resource conservative mode is defined for a UE (30) having delay-tolerant data (e.g., from a “background” app); otherwise, the UE (30) assumes a default mode. In one embodiment, the network sends the UE a pair of first and a second values (or indices to them) for a Time Alignment Timer, TAT (56, 66) in the UE (30). The first value—which is typically smaller than the second value—is used by the UE (30) in the resource conservative mode when the user data plane is internally concluded as being delay-tolerant or has already been confirmed to be delay-tolerant; the second value is used otherwise (i.e., in default mode). In the resource conservative mode, the shorter TAT value moves the UE from PUCCH more rapidly, and the UE (30) uses random access for infrequent scheduling requests.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of operating a radio access node is provided. The method comprises determining whether support from a secondary cell is required for a wireless device to communicate with the radio access node, and, in response to determining that support from the secondary cell is required, calculating a modified channel condition outer-loop value for the secondary cell; and using the modified channel condition outer-loop value in an initial activation decision step for the secondary cell. The initial activation decision step may comprise activating the secondary cell in response to determining that the sum of a device reported channel condition value and the modified channel condition outer-loop value is above an activation threshold. Corresponding devices, computer programs and radio access nodes adapted to carry out the methods provided are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to scheduling for a cluster of cells controlled by a base station of a cellular communications network are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a base station in a cellular communications network to provide scheduling for a cluster of cells controlled by the base station is provided. In some embodiments, the method of operation of the base station comprises identifying a first set of Radio Access Bearers (RABs) for cluster scheduling for a Transmit Time Interval (TTI) and a second set of RABs for individual cell scheduling for the TTI, where the first set of RABs and the second set of RABs are non-over-lapping sets. The method further includes performing cluster scheduling for the first set of RABs for the TTI and performing individual cell scheduling for the second set of RABs for the TTI.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described of changing the discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration for a connection between a mobile device (50) and a base station (20) that reduces the likelihood of a dropped connection. A mobile device (50) receives updated configuration parameters for the connection from a base station. A mobile device (50) receives updated configuration parameters for the connection from a base station (20). The mobile device (50) postpones the adoption of the new configuration parameters and continues using previous configuration parameters for the connection after receipt of the new configuration parameters until a subsequent on duration of a DRX cycle has occurred according to the previous configuration. The mobile device (50) applies the updated configuration parameters for the connection in the subsequent on duration. Thereafter, the mobile device (50) turns its receiver on and off in DRX mode according to the new DRX configuration.

Abstract: To relieve signaling congestion, UEs (30) having delay-tolerant data are moved more rapidly to the non UL synchronized state, freeing up PUCCH resources for users that have not indicated a delay-tolerance. In one embodiment, a resource conservative mode is defined for a UE (30) having delay-tolerant data (e.g., from a “background” app); otherwise, the UE (30) assumes a default mode. In one embodiment, the network sends the UE a pair of first and a second values (or indices to them) for a Time Alignment Timer, TAT (56, 66) in the UE (30). The first value—which is typically smaller than the second value—is used by the UE (30) in the resource conservative mode when the user data plane is internally concluded as being delay-tolerant or has already been confirmed to be delay-tolerant; the second value is used otherwise (i.e., in default mode). In the resource conservative mode, the shorter TAT value moves the UE from PUCCH more rapidly, and the UE (30) uses random access for infrequent scheduling requests.

Abstract: A node and method for extending a wake up time of a wireless user equipment (UE) are provided. The node includes a memory. The memory is configured to store data to be transmitted to the UE. The node includes a processor configured to determine if the memory is storing data to be transmitted to the UE, determine if the wake up time of the UE coincides with a periodic subframe, the periodic subframe occurring with a periodicity and cause transmission of a message for a grant to the UE if the determination is made that the memory is storing data to be transmitted to the UE and the wake up time of the UE coincides with the periodic subframe.