Abstract: A first wireless device determines whether the first wireless device is in a specified proximity to a second wireless device based on a signal wirelessly transmitted by the second wireless device. Based on information transmitted by the second wireless device, it is determined whether the first wireless device shares a common interest with the second wireless device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for contention-based communication over a shared channel is provided. Devices wishing to communicate over the channel transmit channel usage requests to a controller. The controller determines current demand for the channel based on the number of requests received, and dynamically allocates communication resources to the shared channel based on the demand. The controller then transmits grant messages directing the devices to use the shared channel in an indicated manner. The shared channel can be subdivided into sub-channels, each of which is contention-based. The controller can also allocate devices to sub-channels based on the type of request. The requests are transmitted over an access indication channel which can also be subdivided into sub-channels.

Abstract: A network node of a Radio Access network (RAN) is configured for delivering downlink data to a user equipment (UE) operating in an inactive mode. The network node receives, via a network interface, downlink data destined for the UE and constructs a downlink protocol data unit (PDU) comprising the downlink data. The network node identifies a set of one or more target nodes within a RAN notification area, and transmits the downlink PDU and an inactive mode identifier associated with the UE to the identified set of target nodes using UE context information associated with the UE. One or more of the target nodes forwards the downlink PDU to the UE using delivery information provided by the network node.

Abstract: A method at a wireless device outside of base station control, the method comprising: transmitting a device presence signal for a predetermined time period; and listening for a network presence signal sent in response to the device presence signal. Further, a method at a wireless device, the method comprising: listening for a device presence signal; and transmitting a network presence signal in response to the device presence signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus, for synchronising communications between a radio access network (RAN) node and a wireless device (WD) provisioned with a set of synchronised communication configurations. The method comprises, after receiving, by the RAN node, a downstream protocol data unit (PDU), selecting a synchronised communication configuration from the set of synchronised communication configurations where each synchronised communication configuration includes a downlink portion governing downlink data transmissions to the WD, an uplink portion governing uplink data transmissions from the WD, and a sidelink portion governing sidelink data transmissions between WDs, respective ones of the set of synchronised communication configurations being associated with a periodic communications synchronisation indicator (PCSI).

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are provided for supporting shared sessions in communication networks. The system, apparatus and method include interoperation between a User Equipment and serving nodes of a communication network. The serving nodes communicate with at least one anchor node of the communication network. In some implementations a shared session identifier and User Equipment identifying component are used to identify a User Equipment within a shared session. In some implementations, a paging notification is used to inform one or more target User Equipment that of a downlink message relating to the shared session.

Abstract: Methods for configuring user plane functions associated with a network slice. The methods include: creating a user plane configuration profile specific to at least one of an access technology and a user plane function; associating the user plane configuration profile with a network slice instance; selecting the network slice in response to a service request; and communicating the user plane configuration profile associated with the selected network slice instance to a control plane function.

Abstract: A method for identifier management for user devices operating in an inactive mode includes receiving a first uplink transmission including a user device identifier associated with a user device, transmitting a first downlink transmission including an indication of an ephemeral identifier assigned to the user device, transmitting a second downlink transmission including data associated with the ephemeral identifier, and discarding the ephemeral identifier.

Abstract: A first wireless device determines whether the first wireless device is in a specified proximity to a second wireless device based on a signal wirelessly transmitted by the second wireless device. Based on information transmitted by the second wireless device, it is determined whether the first wireless device shares a common interest with the second wireless device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus, performed autonomously in a user equipment (UE), for autonomous handover to a target cell of a radio access network (RAN). The method comprises determining, by the UE, an identity of the target cell; receiving, by the UE, a precise time reference broadcast by the target cell, the precise time reference indicating an elapsed time from a predetermined epoch; deriving, by the UE, an uplink timing adjustment based at least in part on the precise time reference, the uplink timing adjustment establishing uplink communication synchronization with the target cell; and transmitting, by the UE, an uplink signal to the target cell in accordance with the derived uplink timing adjustment.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, articles of manufacture and systems for providing secondary coverage in a mobile communication system are disclosed. Example methods for a first device to provide secondary coverage in a mobile communication system include transmitting a secondary coverage signal and receiving a presence indication from a second device. Such example methods can also include reporting the presence indication to an access node of the mobile communication system. Such example methods can further include receiving information from the access node to enable relay node functionality in the first device in response to reporting the presence indication to the access node.

Abstract: A Radio Access Network Node (RANN) for managing communications in a public land mobile network (PLMN). The RANN comprises a plurality of RANN function entities configured to be instantiated in at least two geographically dispersed locations of the public land mobile network (PLMN), and further configured to communicate with each other to implement the functions of the RANN; and one or more interface end points configured to exchange control plane and user plane messages between the RANN and other entities of the PLMN, each interface end point being associated with at least one RANN function entity.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses of a wireless communications network can involve transmitting, to a first user equipment (UE), configuration information for the first UE (UE1 configuration information) for an inter-device session (IDS) between the first UE and a second UE. The UE1 configuration information may include a first IDS radio network temporary identifier (IDS-RNTI). A radio resource control (RRC) message indicating a resource allocation can be transmitted to the first UE for the first UE to communicate directly with the second UE.

Abstract: A first wireless device determines whether the first wireless device is in a specified proximity to a second wireless device based on a signal wirelessly transmitted by the second wireless device. Based on information transmitted by the second wireless device, it is determined whether the first wireless device shares a common interest with the second wireless device.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, articles of manufacture and systems for providing secondary coverage in a mobile communication system are disclosed. Example methods for a first device to provide secondary coverage in a mobile communication system include transmitting a secondary coverage signal and receiving a presence indication from a second device. Such example methods can also include reporting the presence indication to an access node of the mobile communication system. Such example methods can further include receiving information from the access node to enable relay node functionality in the first device in response to reporting the presence indication to the access node.

Abstract: A method for conveying context information that governs packets flowing in at least a first direction between at least one wireless device and a corresponding node communicating with the device comprises an embedder node populating a context portion, of a header of a packet for flow in a second reverse direction, that, once populated with context information that governs packet flow in the first direction, is imparted in the packet flow along the network in either the first or second direction and is conveyed in both directions, an unpacker node retrieving the context information from the context portion of a packet flowing in the first direction, and a configurer node applying the retrieved information to govern packet flow in the first direction therefrom. The embedder, unpacker and/or configurer nodes can be the same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and using context information in a wireless communication network are provided. Context information is encrypted and transmitted to a mobile device for storage. A cryptographic key usable for decrypting the context information is stored at a radio access node or other node in the network and an indication of the key and the location of the key is stored at the mobile device. The mobile device transmits a message which includes the key identifier and location and the encrypted context information. The message may further include application data and the encrypted context information may include an indication of a further key for encrypting and decrypting application data in transmissions between the mobile device and the communications network. The encrypted context information may include the further key.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses of a wireless communications network can involve transmitting, to a first user equipment (UE), configuration information for the first UE (UE1 configuration information) for an inter-device session (IDS) between the first UE and a second UE. The UE1 configuration information may include a first IDS radio network temporary identifier (IDS-RNTI). A radio resource control (RRC) message indicating a resource allocation can be transmitted to the first UE for the first UE to communicate directly with the second UE.

Abstract: A method of coordinating a change in cryptographic key sets from a first cryptographic key set to a second cryptographic key set between a radio access network (RAN) node and a wireless device (WD) served by the RAN node. The RAN node includes a user plane (UP) component and a control plane (CP) component. The method includes transmitting, from the UP component to the wireless device (WD), a key change indicator indicative of changeover to the second cryptographic key set, the key change indicator included in one of a data protocol data unit (PDU) and a control PDU; and subsequently cryptographically encoding PDUs for transmission to the WD and cryptographically decoding PDUs received from the WD in accordance with the second cryptographic key set.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are provided for supporting shared sessions in communication networks. The system, apparatus and method include interoperation between a User Equipment and serving nodes of a communication network. The serving nodes communicate with at least one anchor node of the communication network. In some implementations a shared session identifier and User Equipment identifying component are used to identify a User Equipment within a shared session. In some implementations, a paging notification is used to inform one or more target User Equipment that of a downlink message relating to the shared session.