Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus and method for data plane management are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus for communication both uplink and downlink can include a plurality of downlink clusters, each downlink cluster including a downlink cluster processor configured to process three or more downlink data layers. The apparatus can also include a plurality of uplink clusters, each uplink cluster including an uplink cluster processor configured to process three or more uplink data layers. The apparatus can further include a controller configured to scale the plurality of downlink clusters and configured to scale the plurality of uplink clusters. Scaling the plurality of downlink clusters and the plurality of uplink clusters can include activating or deactivating one or more clusters of the plurality of downlink clusters, the plurality of uplink clusters, or both the plurality of downlink clusters and the plurality of uplink clusters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus include a communications circuit including a host interface and a processor implemented, unitary media access controller interfacing with each of a first transmit and receive circuitry and a second transmit and receive circuitry. The first transmit and receive circuitry is configured to transmit and receive data over a first operating frequency and the second transmit and receive circuitry is configured to transmit and receive data over a second, different operating frequency band. The method includes scheduling a first portion of the plurality of frames for transmission on a first operating frequency band and scheduling a second portion of the plurality of frames for transmission via a second, different operating frequency band. At least some of the first portion of the frames and the second portion of the plurality of frames are transmitted via the first and the second data channel, respectively, at the same time.

Abstract: An apparatus for data packet processing can include a plurality of microcontrollers configured to perform dedicated layer-two circuit control functions. The plurality of microcontrollers can be configured to concurrently retrieve data from a set of common logical channels. The dedicated layer-two circuit control functions can include logical channel prioritization. The apparatus can also include a data processing layer-two circuit configured to perform data processing on the set of common logical channels based on commands received from the plurality of microcontrollers. The plurality of microcontrollers can be configured to receive uplink grants from a plurality of component carriers, to perform scheduling of the data based on the uplink grants, and to instruct the data processing layer-two circuit to retrieve the data responsive to the uplink grants.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus and method for uplink data plane management are disclosed. In one example, a method for handover continuity can include buffering data packets at a user equipment based on a trigger event. The data packets can be mapped to first quality of service flows and associated with first radio resources at a source network node. The method can also include identifying second quality of service flows associated with second radio resources at a target network node. The method can further include remapping from the first quality of service flows to the second quality of service flows. The method can additionally include transmitting the buffered data packets from the user equipment toward the target node based on the remapping.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus and method for data plane management are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus for communication both uplink and downlink can include a plurality of downlink clusters, each downlink cluster including a downlink cluster processor configured to process three or more downlink data layers. The apparatus can also include a plurality of uplink clusters, each uplink cluster including an uplink cluster processor configured to process three or more uplink data layers. The apparatus can further include a controller configured to scale the plurality of downlink clusters and configured to scale the plurality of uplink clusters. Scaling the plurality of downlink clusters and the plurality of uplink clusters can include activating or deactivating one or more clusters of the plurality of downlink clusters, the plurality of uplink clusters, or both the plurality of downlink clusters and the plurality of uplink clusters.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus and method for random access are disclosed. In an example, a user equipment can include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code can be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to send a trigger message and unique identifier in a first message from the user equipment to a network node. The at least one memory and the computer program code can also be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to receive an acknowledgement at the user equipment in a second message from the network node using the user equipment's unique identifier. Contention resolution for the user equipment can be concluded with only the first message and the second message.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for uplink data transmission preparation and a baseband chip for packet preparation for uplink transmission are disclosed. In an example, a method for packet preparation for uplink transmission can include determining, by a user equipment, a quality of service identifier associated with a quality of service flow. The method can also include mapping, by the user equipment, the quality of service identifier to a group token level. The method can further include processing, by the user equipment, the quality of service flow in accordance with the group token level.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for grant-free uplink communication may be applicable to communication systems, such as wireless communication systems. In an example, a method for grant-free uplink communication can include requesting, by a user equipment, a plurality of instances of configured grants, each with at least one of a specific resource level, repetition, or period. The method can also include receiving, at the user equipment, a pre-allocation of the requested plurality of instances of the configured grants at the at least one of the specific resource level, repetition, or period. The method can further include transmitting, by the user equipment, data according to the pre-allocation. In some examples, the transmitting the data can include transmitting at varying data rates up to a level provided by the pre-allocation, depending on user equipment needs.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for uplink data transmission preparation are disclosed. In an example, a method for packet preparation can include creating, in a medium access control circuit, a packet list corresponding to a packet data unit for transmission. The method can also include providing the packet data unit to a physical layer circuit. The method can further include receiving, at the medium access control circuit from the physical layer circuit, information indicative of relationships between a plurality of code block groups and the packet data unit. The method can additionally include storing an association between the packet list and the plurality of code block groups based on the received information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus include a communications circuit including a host interface and a processor implemented, unitary media access controller interfacing with each of a first transmit and receive circuitry and a second transmit and receive circuitry. The first transmit and receive circuitry is configured to transmit and receive data over a first operating frequency and the second transmit and receive circuitry is configured to transmit and receive data over a second, different operating frequency band. The method includes scheduling a first portion of the plurality of frames for transmission on a first operating frequency band and scheduling a second portion of the plurality of frames for transmission via a second, different operating frequency band. At least some of the first portion of the frames and the second portion of the plurality of frames are transmitted via the first and the second data channel, respectively, at the same time.