Abstract: An embodiment of methods and user equipment are disclosed. Once such method includes a user equipment transmitting preferences for Flow-to-RAT mapping to a base station of a network. The user equipment may receive a Flow-to-RAT mapping from the base station that specifies a particular RAT to be associated with a particular Flow.

Abstract: Embodiments of Evolved Node-B (eNBs), user equipment (UE) and methods for licensed shared access (LSA) handover are generally described herein. An eNB includes hardware processing circuitry to receive a command to release spectrum resources in a LSA band over which the eNB serves an LSA cell; to determine whether user equipment (UEs) served by the eNB are permitted to skip a random access process (RAP) to be handed over to a target cell operating on a band separate from the LSA band; and to transmit a message to a UE served by the eNB instructing the UE that the UE is to be handed over to the target cell, the message including one or more indicators based on the determination. Other apparatuses, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods of paging user equipment (UE) are generally described. An evolved Node-B (eNB) may transmit legacy and extended coverage paging messages having different Paging Radio Network Temporary Identifiers (P-RNTIs) to UEs. Each extended coverage paging message may contain the same information, which coverage constrained UEs may combine to achieve a predetermined link budget and subsequently decode. The coverage constrained UEs may ignore legacy paging messages prior to decoding the legacy paging messages. The extended coverage paging messages may be transmitted in non-legacy paging occasions that may span multiple paging cycles. Each paging cycle may contain 0, 1 or multiple extended coverage paging occasions. The UE may be provided the physical resource blocks (PRBs) used for the extended coverage paging message through a system information message. The PRBs may be assigned as a fixed or semi-statically assigned set of PRBs or a dynamically assigned set of PRBs.

Abstract: A 3GPP LTE protocol enhancement may realize the full benefit of dual connectivity in Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks by providing a mechanism to carry Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages and/or Information Elements (IE)s from a Secondary Evolved Node B (SeNB) to User Equipment (UE) via Master Evolved Node B (MeNB) RRC messages. Novel downlink (DL) Common Control Channel (CCCH) and Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH) messages, and augmented messages having Information Elements (IE)s for relaying RRC messages from a SeNB to a UE via a MeNB, are defined. Modifications to ASN.1 program coding of LTE 3rd Generation Partnership Project specifications to enable RRC messages from the MeNB to relay RRC information from the SeNB to the UE are provided. In one embodiment, the UE receives, from a MeNB, an RRC message comprising information relayed from a SeNB and interprets the RRC message for control channel and radio resource configuration information from the SeNB.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, apparatuses, and systems for establishing lightweight communications 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 lightweight connection. These messages can be generated using any combination of pre-configured or pre-determined data specific to either the UE or to lightweight communications.

Abstract: A Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol enhancement realizes the full benefit of dual connectivity User Equipment (UE) in LTE networks by providing a toggling mechanism to alleviate uncertainty in available transmit power, or power headroom, for uplink transmissions so that efficient utilization of the uplink radio resources can be achieved in dual connectivity. A new field for Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages enables toggling for alternating transmissions to Master and Secondary Evolved Node Bs (MeNBs and SeNBs) during alternating time periods. An enhanced Media Access Control Element enables toggling by the MeNB, SeNB or UE. In one embodiment, the UE schedules uplink transmissions to a SeNB during even numbered time divisions when the UE schedules the uplink transmissions to the MeNB during the odd numbered time divisions, or during the odd numbered time divisions when the UE schedules the uplink transmissions to the MeNB during the even numbered time divisions.

Abstract: A 3GPP LTE protocol enhancement realizes the full benefit of proposed dynamic frequency sharing systems by enhancing current bearer establishment and update provisioning for adaptive Quality of Service (QoS) levels to support Licensed Shared Access (LSA). A User Equipment (UE) comprises a transceiver configured to define an adaptation context, define a default and one or more additional acceptable QoS levels associated with the adaptation context, communicate a request to create or update an adaptive bearer specifying the defined adaptation context and additional acceptable QoS levels, and receive or update spectrum resources for the adaptive bearer. The adaptive bearer may be provisioned according to the communicated request.

Abstract: In typical UEs, scanning for WiFi access points (APs) can consume a significant amount of power. This scanning occurs when the UE is connected through the cellular network, but does not occur when the UE is connected to a WiFi network. As a result, offloading a UE from a cellular network to a WiFi network can allow the UE to conserve power. An issue with existing cellular networks is that the UE cannot inform a cellular network that the UE is running low on power, and therefore cannot direct the cellular network to offload the UE for power conservation reasons. A technique discussed herein allows the UE to indicate its power saving needs to the cellular network. In response, the cellular network can lower (or raise) a particular threshold, so that the UE now exceeds (or no longer exceeds) the threshold, and initiates offloading.

Abstract: Embodiments of an Evolved Node-B (eNB), User Equipment (UE), and methods for paging are disclosed herein. The eNB may transmit a paging message that may include paging identifiers to indicate an intention of the eNB to send downlink data to the first group of UEs. The paging message may further include a bitmap of paging indicators to indicate whether the eNB intends to send downlink data to a second group of UEs. The paging message may include the bitmap when a length of the bitmap is less than a combined length of paging identifiers for a paging portion of second group of UEs to which the eNB intends to send downlink data.

Abstract: Embodiments of wireless communication devices and method for discontinuous reception (DRX) mode in 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 above a value and select a first periodicity, based on the extended paging DRX value, at which the UE is to perform evaluation of a parameter of a network in which the UE is opera. The wireless communication device may have physical layer circuitry arranged to transmit a message to the network, indicating that the UE desires to perform evaluation of the parameter at the first periodicity. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: A 3GPP LTE protocol enhancement may realize the full benefit of dual connectivity in Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks by providing a mechanism to carry Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages and/or Information Elements (IE)s from a Secondary Evolved Node B (SeNB) to User Equipment (UE) via Master Evolved Node B (MeNB) RRC messages. Novel downlink (DL) Common Control Channel (CCCH) and Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH) messages, and augmented messages having Information Elements (IE)s for relaying RRC messages from a SeNB to a UE via a MeNB, are defined. Modifications to ASN.1 program coding of LTE 3rd Generation Partnership Project specifications to enable RRC messages from the MeNB to relay RRC information from the SeNB to the UE are provided. In one embodiment, the UE receives, from a MeNB, an RRC message comprising information relayed from a SeNB and interprets the RRC message for control channel and radio resource configuration information from the SeNB.

Abstract: A 3GPP LTE protocol enhancement realizes the full benefit of discontinuous reception (DRX) in Long Term Evolution networks by coordinating and aligning DRX operations for conserving power and timing overhead. A dual connectivity enabled User Equipment (UE) comprising a processor and transceiver is configured to align DRX configuration between counterpart Evolved Node Bs (eNB)s, wherein counterpart eNBs are a Master eNB (MeNB) and a Secondary eNB (SeNB) simultaneously connected to the UE, communicate system frame timing and system frame number (SFN) information between the counterpart eNBs, align DRX start offset (drxStartOffset) values for the counterpart eNBs according to the communicated system frame timing and SFN information to compensate for offsets in system frame timing, and allow the start of a DRX ON duration at specific frame or sub-frame times determined by the drxStartOffset values, after the expiration of a DRX inactivity timer.

Abstract: A proposed 3GPP LTE protocol enhancement disclosed herein realizes the full benefit of proposed dynamic frequency sharing systems by enhancing current handoff signaling in a 3GPP LTE standard for optimized UE reconnection during interrupted handoff from Licensed Shared Access (LSA) frequency bands to Primary Long Term Evolution (LTE) frequency bands during loss of LSA spectrum resources. A User Equipment (UE) comprises a transceiver configured to determine a connection state during a loss of LSA frequency spectrum, transmit a reconnection request message when the UE is in a state of established connection or a connection request message when the UE is in an idle state, the request message carrying a loss of LSA frequency band cause, optimally connect according to the loss of LSA frequency band cause, to a primary LTE frequency band, and transmit a connection or reconnection complete message.

Abstract: A proposed 3GPP LTE protocol enhancement disclosed herein enables an Evolved Node B (eNB) to perform a mass handoff of User Equipment from Licensed Shared Access (LSA) band spectrum to LTE Primary band spectrum without creating an over-the-air signaling surge by preventing individual handover messaging exchanges between the eNB and UEs affected by loss of LSA frequency band. A User Equipment (UE) comprises a transceiver configured to receive a broadcast paging message in a Licensed Shared Access (LSA) frequency band instructing the UE to move to a primary Long Term Evolution (LTE) frequency band from the LSA frequency band, receive system information comprising primary LTE frequency band information, extract handover parameters from the received system information for moving to the primary LTE frequency band, stop communicating on the LSA frequency band and synchronize communications with an Evolved Node B (eNB) associated with the primary LTE frequency band.

Abstract: Embodiments of an enhanced Node B (eNB) and method to provide system information (SI) updates to user equipment (UE) in sleep or idle mode with an extending paging cycle are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a paging message configured to include an optional field to indicate whether there has been a system information (SI) update since a last paging occasion for a UE in sleep or idle mode with an extending paging cycle. System information updates are transmitted by the eNB during a system information modification period that is shorter than a period the extending paging cycle. The optional field may indicate whether or not the UE is to acquire the latest SI update during the current paging occasion.

Abstract: Embodiments of Evolved Node-B (eNBs), user equipment (UE) and methods for licensed shared access (LSA) handover are generally described herein. An eNB includes hardware processing circuitry to receive a command to release spectrum resources in a LSA band over which the eNB serves an LSA cell; to determine whether user equipment (UEs) served by the eNB are permitted to skip a random access process (RAP) to be handed over to a target cell operating on a band separate from the LSA band; and to transmit a message to a UE served by the eNB instructing the UE that the UE is to be handed over to the target cell, the message including one or more indicators based on the determination. Other apparatuses, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A 3GPP LTE protocol enhancement realizes the full benefit of proposed dynamic frequency sharing systems by enhancing current idle mode cell selection mechanisms to support Licensed Shared Access (LSA) cell selection of idle User Equipment (UE) when LSA frequency bands are reclaimed by incumbents. A paging message field, LSAUnavailable is transmitted by Evolved Node Bs for those UEs operating in an idle state. Paging message transmission is repeated for robustness. UEs are also enabled to immediately identify LSA unavailability when a paging message notification of LSA unavailability to idle UEs cannot be transmitted and/or received. A UE comprises a processor and transceiver configured to receive, on a Licensed Shared Access (LSA) frequency band, a paging message notifying the UE of (LSA) frequency band reclamation. The UE performs immediate cell reselection to vacate the reclaimed LSA frequency band and move to the UE operator's licensed primary Long Term Evolution frequency band.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method to identify and differentiate background traffic are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a transceiver is arranged to wirelessly transmit and receive packets over a communications network and a processor, coupled to the transceiver, is arranged to provide an indication identifying packets associated with background traffic. The indication identifying packets associated with background traffic includes a bit in a header of a packet, wherein the bit is set in a first state to indicate the packet is associated with background traffic and the bit is set in a second state to indicate the packet is associated with active traffic, or an identification of a port number and a protocol type associated with background traffic. The processor is further arranged to provide an indication for differentiating background traffic.

Abstract: Embodiments for signaling quality of service (QoS) requirements and user equipment (UE) power preference in LTE-A networks are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a power preference indication (PPI) is received at an eNB from a UE to set a power saving preference for the UE. A communication session is established using radio resource control (RRC) messages between the UE and the eNB to identify a preference for QoS configuration for handling traffic provided to the UE by the eNB. The QoS for traffic provided by the eNB to the UE is managed by the eNB based on the identified preference for QoS configuration for handling traffic provided to the UE.

Abstract: Generally discussed herein are systems, apparatuses, and techniques that can offload UE traffic to a WLAN. According to an example a base station can include a transceiver configured to (1) transmit, to a UE, a first control packet to move U-Plane traffic of the UE to a WLAN or (2) receive, from the UE, a second control packet acknowledging that the U-Plane traffic of the UE is to be moved to the WLAN, or (3) transmit Control Plane (C-Plane) traffic to the UE while no U-Plane traffic of the UE is being transmitted to the UE by the transceiver. The base station can include circuitry to route U-Plane traffic of the UE to the WLAN in response to the transceiver receiving the second control packet.