Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided to enable the co-existence of small data transmission (SDT) and core network (CN) buffering when a user equipment (UE) is in an inactive state. A message transmitted from a user plane function (UPF) includes a Quality of Service (QoS) Flow Indicator (QFI) and data volume information (DVI) of buffered data in the UPF while the UE is in the inactive state. The QFI and DVI is provided to a next generation radio access network (NG-RAN). Based on the QFI and DVI, the RAN determines whether to page the UE for a mobile terminated SDT (MT-SDT) and whether to trigger connection resumption due to SDT. If connection resumption is triggered, the NG-RAN keeps the UE in the inactive state while an SDT session is initiated. At the end of the SDT session, the NG-RAN re-activates CN buffering.

Abstract: An apparatus and system to enable dynamic offloading and execution of compute tasks are described. In split CU-DU RAN architectures, the CU-CP is connected with multiple compute control functions (CF) and service functions (SF) that have different computing hardware/software capabilities. Different architectures depend on whether the SF is collocated with the CU-UP, the CU-UP and SF only serve compute messages, a compute message is supplied directly to the CU-UP or also traverses the CU-CP. In response to reception from a UE of a compute message containing data for computation being sent to the CU-CP through the DU, the CU-CP sends the data to the SF with identifiers and sends the result to the UE.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system are described for data transfer between a user equipment (UE) and Data Storage Function (DSF) in a 6G system. The data transfer occurs via a control and/or user plane using a data ID and data filter defined using data ID, metadata, data source, and labeling. User plane data transfer is based on a protocol data unit (PDU) or a standalone data session. The DSF provides data services by service application programming interfaces (APIs). A Service Infrastructure Control Function (SICF) configures routing policies to an evolved Service Communication Proxy User Plane (eSCP-U) to route data inquiries to the correct DSF using a service mesh.

Abstract: Embodiments of a User Equipment (UE) and methods of communication are generally described herein. The UE may be configurable to operate as an initiating UE for a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) application that includes PCS communication between the initiating UE and a receiving UE. The initiating UE may receive, from a base station, control signaling that indicates a default PCS radio access technology (RAT) for the V2X service. The default PCS RAT may be either a Long Term Evolution (LTE) PCS RAT or a New Radio (NR) PCS RAT. Based on the default PCS RAT and/or PCS RATs supported by the initiating UE, the initiating UE may select either the LTE PCS RAT or the NR PCS RAT. The selected PCS RAT may be proposed, in a negotiation with the receiving UE, for the V2X service.

Abstract: Devices, methods, user equipment (UE), base stations, storage media, and other embodiments are provided for managing associations in a communication network. In one example embodiment, a Next Generation (NG) core network device is configured for an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) with an NG-Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) node. The network device may be configured to access a plurality of Transport Network Link (TNL) associations and generate an AMF configuration update using the TNL associations, the AMF configuration update comprising AMF transport layer address information for the plurality of TNL associations. The network device may then initiate transmission of the AMF configuration update comprising the AMF transport layer address information to the NG-RAN node. Additional embodiments may involve binding updates or setup response messaging for managing associations, along with additional operations.

Abstract: An apparatus used in a UE includes processing circuitry and memory. To configure the UE for a DNS resolution, the processing circuitry is to encode UL data for transmission to a first EAS via a first data path. The first data path includes a first UL CL UPF and a first PSA. A NAS SM message received from an SMF node is decoded. The NAS SM message includes an EAS rediscovery indication and a list of FQDNs associated with the first EAS. A DNS resolution procedure with a DNS server is performed in response to the EAS rediscovery indication, to obtain an IP address of a second EAS. The DNS resolution procedure is based on the list of FQDNs, and a second data path to the second EAS is established based on the IP address.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing UE capability are described. A capability ID is associated with the same Radio Capability information for multiple UEs. If the capability ID is validated at a network node, the UE provides the capability ID to a RAN node, which obtains the capability information from the network node after providing the received capability ID to the RAN node. The capability ID is received in an RRC Setup Complete. Security Mode Complete or Reconfiguration Complete message. The network node, if the Radio Capability information is not available, requests and receives the Radio Capability information and associates it with the capability ID, and marks that the capability ID as not validated until a threshold number of the UEs have provided the same Radio Capability information. The capability ID is based on a UE device type, manufacturer and software version.

Abstract: Embodiments of a Next Generation Node-B (gNB) and methods of communication are disclosed herein. The gNB may be configured with a gNB-CU and a gNB-DU. A first paging message for paging of the UE may be received at the gNB-CU from an access management function (AMF) entity. The first paging message may include: a paging identity of the UE; and a paging origin information element (IE) that indicates whether the paging of the UE is originated due to a protocol data unit (PDU) session from non-3GPP access. A second paging message to page the UE may be transmitted from the gNB-DU to the UE. The second paging message may include: the paging identity of the UE; and an access type parameter that indicates whether the paging of the UE is originated due to the PDU session from the non-3GPP access.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes techniques for utilizing paging cause values for paging user equipment (UE). The Paging Cause may be used for the UE in an CM_IDLE state or when the UE is in an RRC_INACTIVE state. A paging cause information element is included in a paging message, and includes a paging cause value. The paging cause value indicates a type of traffic that has initiated a paging operation. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) device includes memory storing non-public network (NPN) configuration information, a radio frequency (RF) interface, and processing circuitry coupled to the memory and the RF interface. The RF interface receives information broadcast by a radio access network (RAN) node of the particular NPN, where the information includes a NPN indicator indicating that the RAN node supports a NPN and NPN service information indicating services supported by the particular NPN. The processing circuitry establishes, in response to detecting the NPN indicator in the information received from the RAN node, a connection to the particular NPN based on the NPN configuration information and the NPN service information received from the RAN node.

Abstract: Systems and methods of protecting an initial NAS message are described. Depending on whether a security context for a serving PLMN is stored, the UE uses either a public key from the serving PLMN or a key from the security context to encrypt parts of the initial NAS message. An initial NAS message containing the encrypted parts is then sent to an AMF of the serving PLMN. The serving PLMN public key is transmitted via a SIB. Prior to transmission of the initial NAS message or in parallel with it, an RRC message is sent to the base station. The RRC message contains the UE identifier and/or a NSSAI encrypted using the serving PLMN public key.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein provide techniques for discovery and handling of regulatory requirements for non-3GPP inter-working function (N3IWF) selection, e.g., to access a standalone non-public network (SNPN). In embodiments, a user equipment (UE) may determine the local requirement in a country using a domain name system (DNS) query with a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) associated with the N3IWF. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and devices related to data forwarding tunnel establishment between two user plane functions in fifth generation (5G). A device may determine an association of an access and mobility management function (AMF) with a first radio access network (RAN). The device may identify a handover request message received from the first RAN via the AMF. The device may identify a request to establish an indirect data forwarding associated with the handover, wherein the request is received from the first RAN via the AMF. The device may cause to send a response addressed to the AMF indicating that the indirect data forwarding is established.

Abstract: Relay service is enabled between a residential gateway and a remote user. For example, a 5G residential gateway (5G-RG) may include a relay user equipment (UE) to enable relay service for a 5G core (5GC)-capable UE behind the 5G-RG to connect to the 5GC. The relay UE of the 5G-RG may provide a trusted/untrusted non-3GPP access network for L2 or L3 transport connection to the 5GC-capable UE.

Abstract: Systems and methods of protecting an initial NAS message are described. The NAS message is encrypted using the home PLMN public key during initial registration with the network using a registration request message. An AMF of the serving PLMN sends a serving PLMN public key which is then used to encrypt information including an S-NSSAI of later initial NAS messages after initial registration is completed. The S-NSSAI may not be sent in the later initial NAS message if the S-NSSAI is provided at an access stratum level. The RRC message may contain an indication that the S-NSSAI is encrypted using the serving PLMN public key.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for controlling the derivation of QoS rules in the UE by flexibly defining the scope of packet header fields over which packet filter derivation is performed. The scope of packet header fields for derivation of QoS rules may be provided by the network to the UE upon PDU Session establishment or modification. For PDU Session of IP type, the network indicates to the UE whether the scope of RQoS includes both the Source/Destination IP address pair and the Source/Destination Port numbers, or only the former. For PDU Session of Ethernet type, the network indicates to the UE whether the scope of RQoS includes both the Source/Destination MAC address pair and the IEEE 802.1Q tag, or only the former. The UE may indicate to the network whether it supports the flexible scope of packet filters for RQoS for a PDU session.

Abstract: Systems and methods of protecting an initial NAS message are described. Depending on whether a security contex.1: for a serving PLMN is stored, the UE uses either a public key from the serving PLMN or a key from the security context to encrypt parts of the initial NAS message. An initial NAS message containing the encrypted parts is then sent to an AMF of the serving PLMN. The serving PLMN public key is transmitted via a SIB. Prior to transmission of the initial NAS message or in parallel with it, an RRC message is sent to the base station. The RRC message contains the UE identifier and/or a NSSAI encrypted using the serving PLMN public key.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses for quality of service (QoS) flow to data radio bearer (DRB) mapping override bits. An apparatus of a user equipment (UE), includes one or more data storage devices, and one or more processors operably coupled to the one or more data storage devices. The one or more data storage devices are configured to store data corresponding to mapping of QoS flows to data radio bearers. The one or more processors are configured to map one or more QoS flows to a DRB in an uplink (UL) responsive to receipt, by the UE from a cellular base station, of a user plane packet in a downlink (DL) through the DRB if an override bit of the user plane packet indicates that reflective mapping should apply.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein provide techniques for utilizing paging cause values for paging user equipment (UE). The Paging Cause may be used for the UE in an CM_IDLE state or when the UE is in an RRC_INACTIVE state. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Devices, methods, user equipment (UE), base stations, storage media, and other embodiments are provided for managing associations in a communication network. In one example embodiment, a Next Generation (NG) core network device is configured for an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) with an NG-Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) node. The network device may be configured to access a plurality of Transport Network Link (TNL) associations and generate an AMF configuration update using the TNL associations, the AMF configuration update comprising AMF transport layer address information for the plurality of TNL associations. The network device may then initiate transmission of the AMF configuration update comprising the AMF transport layer address information to the NG-RAN node. Additional embodiments may involve binding updates or setup response messaging for managing associations, along with additional operations.