Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for control of uplink transmission by a user equipment (UE) using machine-type communications (MTC) applications are described herein. The UE may transmit first data on a logical uplink channel. The logical uplink channel may have been assigned for use by machine-type communications (MTC) applications. The UE may receive transmission time restriction information, responsive to the transmitting, that indicates time periods during which the UE is permitted to transmit additional data on the logical uplink channel. The UE may refrain from transmitting additional data in a time period on the logical uplink channel based on the transmission time restriction information.

Abstract: A machine type communication interworking function (MTC-IWF) is configured to receive from a service capability exposure function (SCEF), services capability server (SCS), or a third-party application server (AS), application communication pattern information defined by an MTC application and representing characteristics of machine-to-machine (M2M) communications expected from a user equipment (UE) machine type communication (MTC) device. The MTC-IWF being configured to communicate the information to a mobility management entity (MME) that thereby provides core network (CN) originated assistance to an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network node B (eNB). Disclosed are embodiments for providing the information in the form of Diameter-based messages communicated through Tsp, T5, and other interfaces, or through an application programming interface (API) exposed by the SCEF, SCS, or MTC-IWF.

Abstract: An evolved NodeB (eNB), user equipment (UE) and mobility management entity (MME), as well as method of communicating using a power saving mode (PSM) are generally described. A PSM configuration indication of the UE may be received at the eNB from the UE or MME in an Initial UE Context Setup Request, a UE Context Modify Request, core network assistance information, or a dedicated message to the eNB. The eNB may adjust the time for transmitting to the UE an RRC connection release message based on the PSM configuration indication. The eNB may determine whether the UE is in a connection mode and the inactivity timer of the eNB having reached the activation timer of the PSM configuration indication, transmit the RRC connection release message to the MME. The PSM configuration may be provided between eNBs during handover.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a user equipment (UE) may enter into an E-UTRAN Routing Area Paging Channel state, and is configured with an E-UTRAN Routing Area and an Anchor identifier to identify an anchor evolved Node B (eNB) for the UE. The UE selects to a new cell without performing a handover procedure, and performs a cell update procedure. The UE also may enter into a Cell Update Connected state, and is configured with an Anchor identifier. The UE selects to a new cell, performs a cell update procedure, performs a buffer request procedure, and performs a cell update procedure to download buffered data and to perform data transmission with the new cell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, apparatuses, and systems for utilizing lightweight communication protocols between different network components. A messaging process is utilized which includes a random access procedure for a user equipment (UE) and an eNodeB, and a messaging sequence comprising a reduced number of messages (compared to a legacy Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection messaging sequence) exchanged between different nodes of the network to establish a connection. These messages can be generated using any combination of pre-configured or pre-determined data specific to either the UE or to lightweight communication protocols.

Abstract: Embodiments of wireless communication devices and method for discontinuous reception (DRX) mode in RRC_IDLE state of wireless communication are generally described herein. Some of these embodiments describe a wireless communication device having processing circuitry arranged to determine to use an extended paging discontinuous reception (DRX) value to increase a paging cycle length. The wireless communication device may transmit a non-access stratum (NAS) message to the network, indicating that the wireless communication device desires to use the extended paging DRX value. The wireless communication device may receive a message from the network that includes an information element (IE) indicating whether the network supports the extended paging DRX value. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Technology for a mobility management entity (MME) operable to provide core network assistance information is disclosed. The MME can determine the core network assistance information. The core network assistance information can include one or more of: an average connected state time for a user equipment (UE), an average idle state time for the UE, or a number of handover procedures between cells that occur for the UE in a selected time period. The MME can encode the core network assistance information for transmission from the MME to an eNodeB of the UE.

Abstract: Embodiments of an eNodeB and method for Machine Type Communication in a Wireless Network are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a method performed by circuitry of an evolved Node B (eNodeB) can include receiving, by the eNodeB, a notification that a User Equipment (UE) is configured to be used for Machine Type Communication (MTC). The method can include determining whether the UE is in a Radio Resource Control Connected (RRC_Connected) state and determining whether the UE can enter a power saving mode. The method can include configuring the UE to change to an RRC Deep Idle mode, in response to determining that the UE is in the RRC_Connected state and the UE can enter the power saving mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of an eNodeB and method for small data transfer in a Wireless Network are generally described herein. A method performed by circuitry of a User Equipment (UE) can include determining, by the UE, whether the UE is configured to be used for Machine Type Communication (MTC). The method can include determining whether the UE has small data (SD) to transfer. The method can include configuring the UE to use a small data signaling radio bearer (SDSRB) to send the SD, in response to determining that the UE is configured to be used for MTC and the UE has SD to transfer. An evolved Node B can determine whether the UE is configured to be used for MTC, determine whether there is SD to transfer to the UE, wherein SD comprises data that has delay tolerance, and configure the UE to use a signaling bearer to send the SD.

Abstract: Technology for providing core network assistance information from a mobility management entity (MME) in an evolved packet core (EPC) is disclosed. An average radio resource control (RRC) connected state time for a UE is determined. An average RRC idle state time for the UE is also determined. An amount of time that the UE spends in cells of the EPC is identified to determine a number of handover procedures between cells in a selected time period. The core network assistance information communicated to a serving eNB of the UE to enable the serving eNB to reduce UE state transitions for the UE.

Abstract: Embodiments of a Mobility Management Entity (MME) to support packet-switched (PS) services in a network in accordance with Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearers are disclosed herein. The MME may receive, from a User Equipment (UE), an indicator of Machine Type Communication (MTC) operation, which may indicate that the UE operates as an MTC UE. The MME may, at least partly in response to a determination of UE inactivity on an EPS bearer, transmit a bearer release message for release of an S5/S8 bearer included in the EPS bearer. In some embodiments, the indicator of MTC operation may include a permission indicator from the UE for the release of the S5/S8 bearer. In some embodiments, the indicator of MTC operation may include an indicator of transmission of small blocks of data or transmission at an infrequent rate.

Abstract: Embodiments of an eNodeB and method for Machine Type Communication in a Wireless Network are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a method performed by circuitry of an evolved Node B (eNodeB) can include receiving, by the eNodeB, a notification that a User Equipment (UE) is configured to be used for Machine Type Communication (MTC). The method can include determining whether the UE is in a Radio Resource Control Connected (RRC_Connected) state and determining whether the UE can enter a power saving mode. The method can include configuring the UE to change to an RRC Deep Idle mode, in response to determining that the UE is in the RRC_Connected state and the UE can enter the power saving mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of user equipment (UE) and base stations (eNodeB) and method for reducing power consumption in UE in a wireless network are generally described herein. In some embodiments, characteristics of UE including mobility, communication data load, and communication type are used by base stations, MME or other controlling entities to configure power saving features of the UE. Power saving features can include a new Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer state where circuitry is powered off for extended periods of time, extended Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycles, reduced workloads in existing RRC, EPC Connection Management (ECM) and/or EPS Mobility Management (EMM) states or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating enhanced user equipment (UE) assistance information between nodes in wireless communication systems. The UE achieves power savings and latency requirements more effectively by communicating its preferences, constraints and/or requirements to an evolved Node B (eNodeB) in the form of UE assistance information. The UE assistance information may include, for example, an indication of a preferred set of discontinuous reception (DRX) settings, current data traffic conditions, expected data traffic conditions, power or performance preferences, and/or an indication of the UE's mobility between cells.

Abstract: An evolved NodeB (eNB), user equipment (UE) and mobility management entity (MME), as well as method of communicating using a power saving mode (PSM) are generally described. A PSM configuration indication of the UE may be received at the eNB from the UE or MME in an Initial UE Context Setup Request, a UE Context Modify Request, core network as-eNB MME sistance information, or a dedicated message to the eNB. The eNB may adjust the time for transmitting to the UE an RRC connection release message based on the PSM configuration indication. The eNB may determine whether the UE is in a connection mode and the inactivity timer of the eNB having reached the activation timer of the PSM configuration indication, transmit the RRC connection release message to the MME. The PSM configuration may be provided between eNBs during handover.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating enhanced user equipment (UE) assistance information between nodes in wireless communication systems. The UE achieves power savings and latency requirements more effectively by communicating its preferences, constraints and/or requirements to an evolved Node B (eNodeB) in the form of UE assistance information. The UE assistance information may include, for example, an indication of a preferred set of discontinuous reception (DRX) settings, current data traffic conditions, expected data traffic conditions, power or performance preferences, and/or an indication of the UE's mobility between cells.

Abstract: Embodiments of an Evolved Node-B (eNB) and methods for transition between idle and connected modes are disclosed herein. The eNB may receive uplink data packets from a User Equipment (UE) using a lightweight Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection between the eNB and the UE. The eNB may transmit an RRC connection release message to the UE to indicate a transition of the UE to an RRC idle mode for the RRC connection. The RRC connection release message may include an indicator of whether the UE is to store context information for the RRC connection. The eNB may further receive additional uplink data packets according to the stored context information using a lightweight RRC connection.

Abstract: Embodiments of user equipment (UE) and base stations (eNodeB) and method for reducing power consumption in UE in a wireless network are generally described herein. In some embodiments, characteristics of UE including mobility, communication data load, and communication type are used by base stations, MME or other controlling entities to configure power saving features of the UE. Power saving features can include a new Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer state where circuitry is powered off for extended periods of time, extended Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycles, reduced workloads in existing RRC, EPC Connection Management (ECM) and/or EPS Mobility Management (EMM) states or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cell selection and/or reselection based on prioritize nodes are disclosed herein. User equipment (UE) may be configured to determine whether to select and/or reselect an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (eNB). The eNB may be a dedicated eNB and/or may be communicatively coupled to a dedicated core network (CN). The dedicated eNB and/or the dedicated CN may be configured to optimize performance for UEs sharing particular characteristics. Accordingly, the selection and/or reselection criteria may be biased to encourage the UE to select and/or reselect towards a dedicated eNB and/or an eNB coupled to a dedicated CN. The eNB and/or CN may be dedicated to supporting particular types of UEs, types of nodes, types of traffic, types of subscriptions, UE mobilities, applications/services, other predetermined categories, and/or the like.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a new discontinuous reception (DRX) parameter change may be received in user equipment while the user equipment is using an existing DRX parameter. The user equipment continues to use the existing parameter and determines when a new discontinuous reception cycle is starting. The change to the next discontinuous reception parameter is implemented in the new discontinuous reception cycle. In some embodiments by having an agreed upon time to implement the change to the new parameter, signaling between an enhanced node B and user equipment may be reduced. Signaling overhead is a serious impediment to achieving high efficiency in wireless communications.