Abstract: There is provided a system and method for virtual infrastructure management and in some embodiments for virtual infrastructure management between operator networks. According to embodiments, there is provided a system and a method for the requesting and provisioning of network resources including infrastructure resources, spectrum resources or both, between network operators.

Abstract: Methods described herein are for wireless communication systems. One aspect of the invention is directed to a method for a HARQ process, in which the HARQ process includes a first transmission of an encoder packet and at least one retransmission. The method involves allocating a transmission resource for each respective transmission. The method involves transmitting control information from a base station to a mobile station for each respective transmission. The control information includes information to uniquely identify the HARQ process and an identification of one of a time resource, a frequency resource and a time and frequency resource that is allocated for the transmission. In some embodiments of the invention, specific control information is signalled from a base station to a mobile station to enable RAS-HARQ operation. In some embodiments of the invention, retransmission signaling in included as part of regular unicast signaling used for both first transmission and retransmissions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems to support QoS for unicast and groupcast casting types using sidelink radio bearers over the NR PC5 interface. Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems to configure and activate sidelink radio bearers using AS-level signaling between the Tx UE and Rx UEs over the NR PC5 interface. Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems to perform resource allocation and resource reservation in a platoon for sidelink transmissions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for ultra reliable low latency communication (URLLC) which can be achieved by redundant transmission with two or more links at one or more RAN nodes. In order to achieve URLLC communication, methods supporting the PDCP packet duplication and/or higher layer packet duplication are applied to various RAN architectures such as CA architecture, DC based architecture with one connection to the core network (CN), DC based architecture with two or more connections to the CN, CA and DC combined architecture, and CU/DU split architecture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for OFDM channelization are provided that allow for the coexistence of sub-band channels and diversity channels. Methods of defining diversity sub-channels and sub-band sub-channels are provided and systematic channel definition and labeling schemes are provided.

Abstract: Embodiments provide high reliability and responsiveness by dedicating resources both at the RAN and the core to provide high throughput, low latency communication for a critical communication service. Radio resources can be allocated to the machines in the ambulance as and where needed to guarantee the required QoS. Further, as the route an ambulance will follow to the hospital is known or can be predicted, this information is exploited by embodiments to further reduce communication delay by instantiating VNFs closer to the edge where and when they are needed. Further, end-to-end paths can be configured in advance between each access point and a hospital. In some embodiments, core network functions can be isolated from other traffic in the network so that the performance of the critical communication service is not impacted by other services. Low latency can be further enhanced by customized processing of the traffic.

Abstract: Methods described herein are for wireless communication systems. One aspect of the invention is directed to a method for a HARQ process, in which the HARQ process includes a first transmission of an encoder packet and at least one retransmission. The method involves allocating a transmission resource for each respective transmission. The method involves transmitting control information from a base station to a mobile station for each respective transmission. The control information includes information to uniquely identify the HARQ process and an identification of one of a time resource, a frequency resource and a time and frequency resource that is allocated for the transmission. In some embodiments of the invention, specific control information is signalled from a base station to a mobile station to enable RAS-HARQ operation. In some embodiments of the invention, retransmission signaling in included as part of regular unicast signaling used for both first transmission and retransmissions.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for data transmission using shared radio bearer in order to simplify the operation of RAN access node by reducing signalling overhead related to mobility and simplifying per UE RBs setup/release operation. Using the shared radio bearer, UE mobility operation becomes transparent to access node (e.g. edge cell) and to UE. There is also provided a method and apparatus for simplifying the operation of UE for RBs setup/release and to make the Layer 2 (L2) operation independent from mobility (e.g. independent from handover).

Abstract: A method for transmitting data in a multiple-input-multiple-output space-time coded communication using a mapping table mapping a plurality of symbols defining the communication to respective antennae from amongst a plurality of transmission antennae and to at least one other transmission resource. The mapping table may comprise Alamouti-coded primary segments and may also comprise secondary segments, comprising primary segments. The primary segments in the secondary segments may be defined in accordance to an Alamouti based code pattern applied at the segment level to define a segment-level Alamouti based code.

Abstract: There is provided method for managing network resources by switching the slice used to support a user equipment (UE), in a process referred to as slice handover or slice switching. There are several reasons why a slice handover may be implemented, include movement of the UE and network load balancing. Further the UE can be switched to a new slice operated by the same service provider (intra-operator handover) or a different service provider (inter-operator handover).

Abstract: Systems and methods for OFDM channelization are provided that allow for the coexistence of sub-band channels and diversity channels. Methods of defining diversity sub-channels and sub-band sub-channels are provided and systematic channel definition and labeling schemes are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mobility management, load management, sharing management and configuration update and setup in a mobile network having a first radio access technology node and a second radio access technology node, the first radio access technology node and the second radio access technology node communicating over a backhaul interface. In one aspect the method detects, at the first radio access technology node, that a handover for a user equipment to a new node is required; provides, from the first radio access technology node, handover information to the second radio access technology node over the backhaul interface; and performs the handover of the user equipment from the first radio access technology node to the new node.

Abstract: Methods described herein are for wireless communication systems. One aspect of the invention is directed to a method for a HARQ process, in which the HARQ process includes a first transmission of an encoder packet and at least one retransmission. The method involves allocating a transmission resource for each respective transmission. The method involves transmitting control information from a base station to a mobile station for each respective transmission. The control information includes information to uniquely identify the HARQ process and an identification of one of a time resource, a frequency resource and a time and frequency resource that is allocated for the transmission. In some embodiments of the invention, specific control information is signalled from a base station to a mobile station to enable RAS-HARQ operation. In some embodiments of the invention, retransmission signaling in included as part of regular unicast signaling used for both first transmission and retransmissions.

Abstract: A method for managing network slice enabled traffic on a communications network is disclosed. The network slice is instantiated on the communications network for providing connectivity resources to a network operator using the communications network. The method comprises measuring a traffic level indicative of the traffic enabled by the network slice; and adjusting the traffic enabled by the network slice in accordance with the traffic level and a network operator enabled function associated with the network slice.

Abstract: Implementations of a registration procedure are described. The registration procedure includes a Access and Mobility Function (AMF) selection procedure and a Session Management Function (SMF) selection procedure. The AMF receives a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) registration request pertaining a User Equipment (UE). At least partially in response to the registration request: the AMF registers the UE on the network; and establishes a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session for the UE. The AMF transmits a registration response to the UE. An access node of the network receives a Radio Resource Control (RRC) registration request from a User Equipment (UE). At least partially in response to the registration request: The access node selects an AMF, and forwards a corresponding Non-Access Stratum (NAS) registration request to the selected AMF. The NAS registration request includes PDU session request information pertaining to the UE.

Abstract: There is provided method for managing network resources by switching the slice used to support a user equipment (UE), in a process referred to as slice handover or slice switching. There are several reasons why a slice handover may be implemented, include movement of the UE and network load balancing. Further the UE can be switched to a new slice operated by the same service provider (intra-operator handover) or a different service provider (inter-operator handover).

Abstract: System and method embodiments are provided for providing customized virtual networks based on SONAC. In an embodiment, a network management entity for providing a customized VN includes a SONAC module executed by a computing device that is connected to a wireless network, the SONAC module configured to receive service requirement data from the wireless network and create a service customized VN according to the service requirement data, the service requirement data describing one or more service requirements, wherein the SONAC module comprises an interface to interact with: an SDT component, the SDT component used by the SONAC module to determine a service customized logical topology; an SDRA component that maps the logical topology to physical network resources within the wireless network; and a SDP component that determines an end-to-end data transport protocol for communication between a first device and a second device via the wireless network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for management of network slices in a communication network such as a 5th generation wireless communication network are provided. Management planes may be provided which are separate from the plurality of network slices. A connection manager residing in a management plane receives an indication that a mobile device is to be associated with the communication network. The connection manager may reside at an access node or in the core network. A network slice is determined, and the connection manager transmits instructions, to one or more network nodes, to associate the mobile device with the network slice. The instructions may be provided to a local connection manager. The slice may be requested explicitly by the mobile device, or determined based on device and/or network requirements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for network functions virtualization (NFV)-management and orchestration (MANO) are provided where a virtualized network function (VNF)-forwarding graph (FG) including a plurality of VNFs is generated based on a customer request. The plurality of VNFs are instantiated at corresponding NFV infrastructure (NFVI)-points of presence (PoPs). A network service (NS) request including the generated VNF-FG may be constructed and added to a NS catalog.

Abstract: A hierarchical link scheduling system and method is provided. A central controller gathers network information, including global parameters and long term demands, and determines an initial schedule for link activation based on these variables. A scheduler receives the initial schedule and modifies the initial schedule based on local parameters, inter-schedule negotiation, or other short term or localized requests. The scheduler activates the links according to the modified schedule. Accordingly, the scheduler can be responsible for modifying the initial schedule provided by central controller with localized or short term requests or demands, and providing the necessary parameters to enable link activation between nodes according to the modified schedule.