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: Embodiments of a User Equipment (UE), Evolved Node-B (eNB) and methods for communication in accordance with a packet convergence and link control (PCLC) layer are generally described herein. The UE may receive, from a Fifth Generation (5G) eNB, a first group of medium access control (MAC) protocol data units (PDUs) that include PCLC PDUs. In accordance with PCLC sequence numbers (SNs), the UE may reorder the PCLC PDUs and may decipher the PCLC PDUs. The UE may receive, from a legacy eNB, a second group of MAC PDUs that include packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) PDUs encapsulated in radio link control (RLC) PDUs. The UE may reorder the RLC PDUs based on RLC SNs and may decipher the RLC PDUs based on PDCP SNs that are exclusive to the RLC SNs.

Abstract: Embodiments of an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) donor, IAB node, and methods of communication are generally described herein. An IAB network may comprise a plurality of IAB nodes to operate as relays between the IAB donor and one or more User Equipment (UE). The IAB donor may, for each of the IAB nodes, allocate a plurality of subframes to the IAB node. Each allocated subframe may have a subframe type that is one of: a downlink subframe, an uplink subframe, a flexible subframe or a not available subframe. The IAB donor may transmit, from a central unit (CU) of the IAB donor to a distributed unit (DU) an IAB node over an F1 interface, a resource coordination request message that indicates the subframe types of the plurality of subframes.

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: A user equipment (UE) can include processing circuitry configured to decode system information including access barring parameters for one or more access categories for accessing a cell of a next generation Node-B (gNB). A network access attempt is detected by a control plane layer of the UE that is higher than a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer. The processing circuitry map s, using a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) layer of the control plane, the network access attempt to at least one access category of a plurality of available access categories based on mapping rules. The processing circuitry performs an access barring check procedure for the mapped at least one access category based on the access barring parameters. Upon determining that access to the cell is not barred, a NAS message is encoded for transmission to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), e.g. an Attach Request message to perform an attach procedure.

Abstract: Embodiments of a generation Node-B (gNB), User Equipment (UE) and methods for communication are generally described herein. The gNB may receive, from the UE, a first measurement report that indicates a first signal quality measurement based on new radio synchronization signals (NR-SS). The gNB may determine, based on reception of the first measurement report, a transmission direction for transmission of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) for a second RRM measurement at the UE based on the CSI-RS. The gNB may receive, from the UE, a second measurement report that indicates a second signal quality measurement based on the CSI-RS. The gNB may determine, based at least partly on the first and second signal quality measurements, whether to initiate a handover of the UE from a serving cell to a neighbor cell.

Abstract: Embodiments of a next generation Node-B (gNB), User Equipment (UE) and methods for communication are generally described herein. A gNB may be configurable to operate as a master gNB (MgNB). The MgNB may transmit radio-resource control (RRC) signaling to provide information for dual connectivity to allow the UE to utilize radio resources of both a master cell group (MCG) associated with the MgNB and a secondary cell group (SCG) associated with a secondary gNB (SgNB). The MgNB may transmit, to the SgNB, an SgNB release request message that indicates a partial suspension of the dual connectivity, wherein: a first portion of a configuration for the SCG is to be maintained and a second portion of the configuration for the SCG is to be released.

Abstract: Embodiments of a User Equipment (UE), Evolved Node-B (eNB) and methods for communication in accordance with a packet convergence and link control (PCLC) layer are generally described herein. The UE may receive, from a Fifth Generation (5G) eNB, a first group of medium access control (MAC) protocol data units (PDUs) that include PCLC PDUs. In accordance with PCLC sequence numbers (SNs), the UE may reorder the PCLC PDUs and may decipher the PCLC PDUs. The UE may receive, from a legacy eNB, a second group of MAC PDUs that include packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) PDUs encapsulated in radio link control (RLC) PDUs. The UE may reorder the RLC PDUs based on RLC SNs and may decipher the RLC PDUs based on PDCP SNs that are exclusive to the RLC SNs.

Abstract: A secondary node (SN) in evolved universal mobile telecommunications system terrestrial radio access network new radio-dual connectivity (EN-DC) with a master node (MN) can directly provide measurement configuration and receive measurement reports from a UE and/or coordinate measurement configuration and reporting with the MN. For example, only one measurement object configuration is allowed for a frequency, but both MN and SN can provide measurement reporting configurations on the same measurement object. The UE can send measurement reports for the same measurement object to both MN and SN or the node that configured the reporting criteria configuration. In another embodiment, only one node provides the reporting configuration but configures the UE to provide reporting to one node or both MN and SN.

Abstract: Beamforming measurement techniques based on PSS/SSS are disclosed. An apparatus of a user equipment (UE) can include processing circuitry configured to decode a configuration message from a source serving cell, the configuration message indicating signal selection criteria for cell measurement reporting. A synchronization signal (SS) burst set associated with one or more transmission/reception points (TRPs) within a neighboring cell is decoded, the SS burst set including a plurality of SS blocks. A cell bcamforming measurement signal associated with the neighboring cell is generated, based on signal measurements of the SS blocks and the signal selection criteria. A radio resource management (RRM) measurement report message is encoded for transmission to the serving cell, the measurement report message including the cell beamforming measurement signal. A handover command message for initiating a handover to the neighboring cell is decoded, the handover command based on the cell beamforming measurement signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of a User Equipment (UE), Evolved Node-B (eNB) and methods of communication are generally described herein. The UE may receive a SystemInformationBlockType1 from an eNB. The UE may determine that the eNB supports Fifth Generation Core (5GC) operation if the SysteminformationBlocklType1 message includes a plmn-Identity-5GC-r15 parameter. The UE may transmit a radio resource control (RRC) connection request message to establish an RRC connection. If it is determined that the eNB supports 5GC operation, and if the UE supports 5GC operation, the UE may encode the RRC connection request message in accordance with a default new radio packet data convergence protocol (NR PDCP) configuration; and may use NR PDCP for one or more subsequent messages.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing feedback when a specific PDU is successfully delivered or transmitted are described. The node hosting PDCP entity indicates triggering of a DDDS frame from the remote corresponding node. Rather than immediately triggering transmission of a DDDS frame, the node hosting PDCP entity indicates triggering based on successful delivery of a PDU having a specific SN, as long as in-sequence delivery or transmission of PDUs up to the specific SN was successful. The DDDS frame is transmitted once the corresponding node determines that the PDU having the SN was successfully delivered or transmitted. After reporting by the DDDS frame, the QoS flow associated with the PDUs is remapped from a source DRB to a target DRB.

Abstract: Embodiments are generally directed to establishment of random access channel communications. An embodiment of an apparatus for a user equipment (UE) to perform a random access (RACH) procedure, the apparatus including one or more baseband processors to generate a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) RACH procedure message to transmit to an Evolved Node B (eNB) or Next Generation Node B (gNB), the first RRC RACH procedure message including a UE identification (ID) and a request message with scheduled transmission content data, the UE ID being a common UE ID for RACH procedures between the UE and the eNB or gNB, and process a second RRC RACH procedure message received from the eNB or gNB, the second RRC RACH procedure message including contention resolution data for a random access preamble and the request message; and a memory to store data for the RACH procedure.

Abstract: A user equipment (UE) can include processing circuitry configured to decode system information including access barring parameters for one or more access categories for accessing a cell of a next generation Node-B (gNB). A network access attempt is detected by a control plane layer of the UE that is higher than a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer. The processing circuitry map s, using a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) layer of the control plane, the network access attempt to at least one access category of a plurality of available access categories based on mapping rules. The processing circuitry performs an access barring check procedure for the mapped at least one access category based on the access barring parameters. Upon determining that access to the cell is not barred, a NAS message is encoded for transmission to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), e.g. an Attach Request message to perform an attach procedure.

Abstract: Embodiments of a User Equipment (UE), Evolved Node-B (eNB) and methods of communication are generally described herein. The UE may receive a SystemInformationBlockType1 from an eNB. The UE may determine that the eNB supports Fifth Generation Core (5GC) operation if the SystemInformationBlockType1 message includes a plmn-Identity-5GC-r15 parameter. The UE may transmit a radio resource control (RRC) connection request message to establish an RRC connection. If it is determined that the eNB supports 5GC operation, and if the UE supports 5GC operation, the UE may encode the RRC connection request message in accordance with a default new radio packet data convergence protocol (NR PDCP) configuration; and may use NR PDCP for one or more subsequent messages.

Abstract: Beamforming measurement techniques based on PSS/SSS are disclosed. An apparatus of a user equipment (UE) can include processing circuitry configured to decode a configuration message from a source serving cell, the configuration message indicating signal selection criteria for cell measurement reporting. A synchronization signal (SS) burst set associated with one or more transmission/reception points (TRPs) within a neighboring cell is decoded, the SS burst set including a plurality of SS blocks. A cell beamforming measurement signal associated with the neighboring cell is generated, based on signal measurements of the SS blocks and the signal selection criteria. A radio resource management (RRM) measurement report message is encoded for transmission to the serving cell, the measurement report message including the cell beamforming measurement signal. A handover command message for initiating a handover to the neighboring cell is decoded, the handover command based on the cell beamforming measurement signal.

Abstract: A user equipment (UE) can include processing circuitry configuring the UE for Dual Connectivity (DC) with a Master Node-B (MN) and a Secondary Node-B (SN). The processing circuitry is to decode connection reconfiguration information received from the MN. The connection reconfiguration information includes signaling radio bearer type 3 (SRB3) configuration information. The SRB3 configuration information originating from the SN and configuring a SRB3, where the SRB3 is for direct communication between the UE and the SN. At least one of a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration completion message or a measurement report message is encoded for transmission to the SN.

Abstract: Systems and methods of optimizing NR RRC connection establishment are described. The UE transmits a RRC request for establishment of a connection to a gNB. The RRC request is transmitting on a SRB1 rather than SRB0. The SRB1 has a default SRB1 configuration stored in memory. A response from the gNB is received and acknowledged using the SRB1 or a SRB1 having a SRB1 configuration provided in the response. The RRC request is a RRCReestablishmentRequest or RRCResumeRequest.

Abstract: Systems and methods of segregating a SDF of a PDU session are described. The UE transmits a NAS message to the network. The NAS message indicates the SDF, the desired QoS, and a segregation indication that requests that the network establish a separate QoS flow for the SDF even if an existing QoS flow is able to support the specific QoS. The SF decides whether or not to establish the separate QoS flow and updates filters in the UPF as well as providing a response to the UE containing a similar indication. The UE modifies resources related to the PDU session based on the response. The QoS is indicated as a 5QI and GBR or as a QFI of an existing QoS Flow on which the SDF is to be added if the separate QoS is not established. The QFI is in an unencrypted SDAP header of the NAS message.

Abstract: Embodiments of a User Equipment (UE), Evolved Node-B (eNB) and methods of communication are generally described herein. The UE may receive a SystemInformationBlockType1 from an eNB. The UE may determine that the eNB supports Fifth Generation Core (5GC) operation if the SystemInformationBlockType1 message includes a plmn-Identity-5GC-r15 parameter. The UE may transmit a radio resource control (RRC) connection request message to establish an RRC connection. If it is determined that the eNB supports 5GC operation, and if the UE supports 5GC operation, the UE may encode the RRC connection request message in accordance with a default new radio packet data convergence protocol (NR PDCP) configuration; and may use NR PDCP for one or more subsequent messages.