Abstract: System and methods for repository function address blocking are described herein. A repository function in a wireless communications network may provide function addresses to requesting functions and may receive requests from such functions to block addresses that are unreachable by the requesting function. The repository function may store data indicating the blocked addresses and corresponding requesting function and filter those addresses from responses generated for address requests received from the corresponding requesting function. Function may also request addresses be unblocked after determining that connectivity to such addresses has been restored.

Abstract: Recovering bearers after a service interruption of a relay node includes receiving, at a relay gateway, an instruction to modify bearers from a mobility management entity (MME), the instruction identifying one or more bearers that were in use by the relay node prior to the service interruption, identifying, at the relay gateway, at least one additional bearer in use prior to the service interruption not identified in the instruction received from the MME, and instructing the MME to create the at least one additional bearer. The at least one additional bearer can include a non-GBR bearer, such as a bearer with QCI of 1 used for VoLTE.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques described herein are directed to managing discoverability of Session Management Functions (SMFs) in mobile networks based on connectivity to peer network functions (NFs). In particular, the systems, devices, and techniques can be implemented in fifth generation (5G) mobile networks to provide capability for an SMF to monitor connectivity with one or more peer network NFs, determine the connectivity with the one or more peer NFs does not satisfy a threshold level of connectivity with the peer NFs, and determine to suspend assignment of new calls and connections to the SMF. The SMF may then transmit a message to a network resource function (NRF) associated with the SMF to modify at least one status of the SMF at the NRF to cause the suspension of the assignment of the new calls and connections to the SMF.

Abstract: A Session Management Function (SMF) of a 5G core network can serve as a backup SMF for UEs associated with a particular Tracking Area Code (TAC). If a primary SMF for the TAC is unavailable, UEs can be assigned to the backup SMF for the TAC. The backup SMF can determine, by querying a Network Repository Function (NRF), when the primary SMF for the TAC becomes available. When the backup SMF determines that the primary SMF for the TAC may be available, the backup SMF can cause connected UEs associated with the TAC to detach from the backup SMF and the core network, such that the UEs can re-attach to the core network and be re-assigned to the primary SMF for the TAC.

Abstract: A method and system for responding to a processing failure of an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). An example method includes a computing system detecting the processing failure of the IMS and responsively causing one or more user equipment devices (UEs) to forgo using the IMS for voice over IP (VoIP) call placement and to instead use an alternate VoIP calling service for VoIP call placement. For instance, a given UE may be configured by default to use the IMS for VoIP call placement, but the UE may detect an IMS processing failure and may responsively instead make a next VoIP call placement attempt using an alternate VoIP calling service, such as a third party VoIP calling application running on the UE.

Abstract: A mechanism to help control connectivity of a user equipment device (UE). When the UE is served by a master node (MN) that does not support VOP service, the MN will cause the UE to not have a secondary connection with a secondary node (SN) that would engage in control-plane signaling with the UE via the UE's master connection with the MN. For instance, in that situation, the MN could avoid setting up the secondary connection for the UE in the first place. Or if the secondary connection exists already, the MN could tear down that secondary connection. By causing the secondary connection to not exist, the mechanism may help to avoid problems with operation of the secondary connection as a result of the UE tuning away to facilitate voice service.

Abstract: A method and system to help address excessive RAB-modification requests as may happen when a UE is connected with and served by a first access node and the first access node repeatedly configures and de-configures dual connectivity for the UE where the UE would be connected with and served concurrently by the first access node and a second access node, with each configuring and de-configuring including a RAB-modification request to transfer a RAB of the UE between being anchored at the first access node and being anchored at a second access node. A computing system could detect that the rate of such RAB-modification requests is at least predefined threshold high and could cause the requests to be discontinued, such as by causing the first access node to at least temporary stop sending such requests.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically controlling connectivity of a user equipment device (UE) in a wireless communication system. An example method includes (i) while the UE has dual connectivity with a first access node and a second access node, determining that power headroom of the UE on an air-interface connection between the UE and the second access node is threshold low, and (ii) responsive to at least the determining, transitioning the UE from having the dual connectivity with the first access node and the second access node to instead having standalone connectivity with the second access node. Transitioning the UE to having standalone connectivity with the second access node as to which the UE had threshold low power headroom may help to improve quality of communication between the UE and the second access node.

Abstract: In a communication system comprising a base station having a set of carrier frequencies, ranging from a lowest to a highest carrier frequency, for serving user equipment devices (UEs), the base station may schedule a first transmission of first bearer traffic to be on a first carrier frequency of the set based at least in part on a correlation between (i) the first bearer traffic being of a first type of bearer traffic and (ii) where the first carrier frequency falls within the range of carrier frequencies. The base station may also schedule a second transmission of second bearer traffic to be on a second, different carrier frequency of the set based at least in part on a correlation between (i) the second bearer traffic being of a second, different type of bearer traffic and (ii) where the second carrier frequency falls within the range of carrier frequencies.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically controlling connectivity of a user equipment device (UE) in a wireless communication system. An example method includes (i) while the UE has dual connectivity with a first access node and a second access node, determining that power headroom of the UE on an air-interface connection between the UE and the second access node is threshold low, and (ii) responsive to at least the determining, transitioning the UE from having the dual connectivity with the first access node and the second access node to instead having standalone connectivity with the second access node. Transitioning the UE to having standalone connectivity with the second access node as to which the UE had threshold low power headroom may help to improve quality of communication between the UE and the second access node.

Abstract: A method and system for responding to a processing failure of an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). An example method includes a computing system detecting the processing failure of the IMS and responsively causing one or more user equipment devices (UEs) to forgo using the IMS for voice over IP (VoIP) call placement and to instead use an alternate VoIP calling service for VoIP call placement. For instance, a given UE may be configured by default to use the IMS for VoIP call placement, but the UE may detect an IMS processing failure and may responsively instead make a next VoIP call placement attempt using an alternate VoIP calling service, such as a third party VoIP calling application running on the UE.

Abstract: A mechanism to help control connectivity of a user equipment device (UE). When the UE is served by a master node (MN) that does not support VOP service, the MN will cause the UE to not have a secondary connection with a secondary node (SN) that would engage in control-plane signaling with the UE via the UE's master connection with the MN. For instance, in that situation, the MN could avoid setting up the secondary connection for the UE in the first place. Or if the secondary connection exists already, the MN could tear down that secondary connection. By causing the secondary connection to not exist, the mechanism may help to avoid problems with operation of the secondary connection as a result of the UE tuning away to facilitate voice service.

Abstract: A wireless communication system serves User Equipment (UE) over a Fifth Generation New Radio (5GNR) access point and a non-5GNR access point. The non-5GNR access point exchanges attachment signaling with the UE and exchanges network signaling with a network controller. The network controller exchanges bearer signaling with a data gateway. The data gateway marks Downlink (DL) user data as non-5GNR DL user data and transfers the non-5GNR DL user data to the non-5GNR access point. The data gateway marks additional DL user data as 5GNR DL user data and transfers the 5GNR DL user data to the 5GNR access point. The non-5GNR access point receives and wirelessly transfers the non-5GNR DL user data to the UE. The 5GNR access point receives and wirelessly transfers the 5GNR DL user data to the UE. The data gateway tracks the transferred amount of the non-5GNR DL user data and 5GNR DL user data.

Abstract: A wireless communication system serves UEs over a 5GNR access point and a non-5GNR access point. The wireless base station transfers an attachment message for a UE to a network controller. The network controller transfers network signaling for the UE to the data network element responsive to the attachment message. The data network element transfers user data for the UE. The wireless base station transfers another attachment message that indicates a 5GNR attachment for another UE to the network controller. The network controller transfers other network signaling indicating the 5GNR attachment for the other UE to the data network element responsive to the other attachment message indicating the 5GNR attachment. The data network element transfers other user data for the other UE and monitors quality-of-service for the transfer of the other user data responsive to the 5GNR attachment indication in the other network signaling.

Abstract: A wireless access point transfers first user data to a first User Equipment (UE) in first carrier-aggregated resource blocks according to an initial UE Carrier Aggregation (CA) schedule. The wireless access point transfers second user data to a wireless relay in second carrier-aggregated resource blocks according to an initial relay CA schedule. The wireless relay transfers the second user data to a second UE. The wireless access point translates the amount of first user data into a new UE CA schedule and a new relay CA schedule. The wireless access point transfers third user data to the first UE in third carrier-aggregated resource blocks according to the new UE CA schedule. The wireless access point transfers fourth user data to the wireless relay in fourth carrier-aggregated resource blocks according to the new relay CA schedule. The wireless relay transfers the fourth user data to the second UE.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling application of MU-MIMO. The disclosure provides for considering a device's block error rate (BLER) as a basis to decide whether to provide the device with MU-MIMO service. For instance, a base station could determine which of the base station's served devices each have threshold low BLER. And on at least that basis, the base station could select each such device to receive MU-MIMO service. Or faced with a choice between devices to receive MU-MIMO service, the base station could compare the devices' levels of BLER and could select the devices that have lower BLER to receive MU-MIMO service.

Abstract: Methods and systems for balancing traffic in a wireless network by controlling DAS and an access node of a macro nodes to direct a wireless device to the system with the lowest latency, according to a priority of an application of a wireless device. The method includes receiving an indicator of an application type, or a bearer type, from a wireless device, determining a processing delay of a distributed antenna system, determining a priority of the received signal, and in response to the processing delay of the distributed antenna system meeting a first criteria and a quality of service indicator meeting a second criteria, directing the wireless device to an access node.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for managing air interface communications between a base station and a user equipment device (UE). When setup of a dedicated bearer connection between a base station and a UE served by the base station fails, setup of the dedicated bearer connection can be re-initiated responsive to determining that, following the failure, a threshold extent of dedicated bearer connections have been successfully set up between base station and one or more other UEs.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling application of MU-MIMO. The disclosure provides for considering a device's block error rate (BLER) as a basis to decide whether to provide the device with MU-MIMO service. For instance, a base station could determine which of the base station's served devices each have threshold low BLER. And on at least that basis, the base station could select each such device to receive MU-MIMO service. Or faced with a choice between devices to receive MU-MIMO service, the base station could compare the devices' levels of BLER and could select the devices that have lower BLER to receive MU-MIMO service.

Abstract: A wireless communication network controls idle-mode handovers for User Equipment (UE). A network controller receives a Tracking Area Update (TAU) from the UE that indicates an idle-mode handover from a source Tracking Area (TA) to a target TA and transfers an authorization request indicating the target TA. An authorization database processes the authorization request to authorize the UE to use the target TA and returns a TA authorization result. When the authorization result is positive, the network controller transfers a create bearer message for the UE to a network gateway. When the authorization result is negative, the network controller transfers a TAU rejection to the UE without transferring the create session message to the network gateway. The TAU may indicate a target Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and the authorization database authorizes the UE to use the target PLMN to authorize the UE to use the target TA.