Abstract: The present disclosure provides a security mechanism to mitigate the risk of trackability of a D2D device engaged in groupcast communication. The security mechanism relies on the introduction of new parameters provisioned to the UE to facilitate the privacy protection of destination L2 identifiers used during group communication. The new parameters allow the UE to change the destination L2 Identifier so that an eavesdropper on the PC5 interface can no longer link several broadcast messages originating from the source UE and pertaining to a specific group.

Abstract: Systems and methods for User Equipment (UE) context retrieval and data forwarding to support Small Data Transmission (SDT) are provided. In some embodiments, a new network node can request an old network node for UE context retrieval and data forwarding if the UE in RRC_INACTIVE state sends small data to the new network node. In some embodiments, the old network node decides whether to relocate the anchor for UE context to the new network node or rejects the relocation. The request includes either or both of (a) an indication that the UE context retrieval is related to a SDT performed by the UE and (b) UE assistance information that informs the old network node that the UE has started a SDT procedure.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods for a positioning node associated with a radio access network (RAN). Such methods include receiving, from a plurality of user equipment (UEs), measurements made by the respective UEs on positioning reference signals (PRS) transmitted by a plurality of transmission reception points (TRPs) in the RAN. Such methods also include sending, to one or more RAN nodes, respective PRS activity reports that include information about measurements made by the UEs on PRS transmitted by TRPs associated with the respective RAN nodes. Other embodiments include complementary methods for RAN nodes and UEs, as well as positioning nodes, RAN nodes, and UEs configured to perform such methods.

Abstract: A method performed by a first network node for handling Quality of Service, QoS, parameters for respective first and second radio resources to be provided to a User Equipment, UE, in Multi Radio access technology—Dual Connectivity. The first network node sends (502) a first indication to the second network node. The first indication indicates a first set of downgraded QoS levels and their respective one or more QoS parameters currently supported in the first network node. The first network node receives (503) a second indication from the second network node. The second indication indicates the second set of downgraded QoS levels and their respective one or more QoS parameters currently supported in the second network node. The first network node decides (504) one or more QoS parameters for the first radio resources to be provided to the UE from the first network node in the MR-DC.

Abstract: A network node (16) is configured for use in a wireless communication network (10). The network node (16) receives one or more positioning capabilities (18) of a wireless device (12), and stores the one or more positioning capabilities (18) in storage (24) that is at or accessible to the network node (16). After storing the one or more positioning capabilities (18) of the wireless device (12), the network node (16) receives a positioning request (28) for the wireless device (12). Responsive to receiving the positioning request (28), the network node (16) retrieves the one or more positioning capabilities (18) of the wireless device (12) from the storage (24), and sends, to a positioning server (20) in the wireless communication network (10), a message that comprises the positioning request (28) and that includes the one or more positioning capabilities (18) retrieved from the storage (24).

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for User Equipment (UE) positioning for uplink grant resources. In one embodiment, a method performed by a location server includes sending one or more first New Radio Positioning Protocol Annex (NRPPa) messages to a base station that serves a target UE. Herein, the one or more first NRPPa messages include at least an expected periodical reporting of the target UE and provide priority indication associated with positioning requirements of the target UE so as to enable the base station to configure uplink grant resources. Also, the method further includes receiving, from the base station, a second NRPPa message that acknowledges a success or failure of the configured uplink grant resources.

Abstract: There is provided a method for managing a quality of service (QoS) in a telecommunications network. The method is performed by a first network node of the telecommunications network. If the first network node is unable to fulfil a first QoS indicated in a least preferred alternative QoS profile of one or more alternative QoS profiles, a first message is signalled to a core network node. The first message comprises a first indication that indicates that the first network node is unable to fulfil the first QoS indicated in the least preferred alternative QoS profile.

Abstract: Systems and methods for relocating network nodes are provided herein. A network node can determine that relocation of at least one access node in the access network is required. An access node, such an IAB node with mobile capabilities, canbe selected to be relocated from a first position to a second position. Relocation messages and parameters can be signaled between the network and the access node.

Abstract: A method performed by a first network node. The first network node operates in a communications network. The method is for handling a measurement configuration. The first network node sends an indication to a second network node operating in the communications network. The indication indicates a transmission status of one or more Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS) configurations of the first network node. The second network node receives the indication. The third network node receives another indication from the second network node. The third network node is managed by the second network node. The another indication indicates a transmission status of the one or more CSI-RS configurations of the first network node and configures the wireless device based on the received other indication.

Abstract: A network node of a wireless communication network configures a wireless device to perform a positioning procedure responsive to occurrences of a defined event, and the wireless device subsequently modifies one or both the positioning measurement instructions and positioning assistance data used for performing one or more future occurrences of the positioning procedure, responsive to receiving modification signaling. Consequently, the network node avoids the signaling burden associated with configuring a new triggered or periodic procedure, while having the ability to modify the ongoing procedure to account for, for example, movements of the wireless device.

Abstract: A wireless device (10) is configured to receive a control message (28) from a source radio network node (14S) of a handover. The control message (28) indicates a sidelink configuration (26) that is usable during and/or after the handover. Alternatively or additionally, the control message (28) indicates a sidelink configuration (26) that is supported by a target radio network node (14T) of the handover. The sidelink configuration (26) is a configuration of a sidelink (16) for the wireless device (10).

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for exchanging Sidelink (SL) User Equipment (UE) context and configurations between a Master Node (MN) and a Secondary node (SN), e.g., in normal Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) operations. In some embodiments, the SL UE context and configuration are exchanged between the MN and the SN via inter-node Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages. In this way, the two network nodes (the MN and the SN) are aware of the SL transmission going on under their coverage and can take the necessary actions to guarantee a stable and reliable SL connectivity.

Abstract: Methods may be provided to operate radio access network RAN nodes in a wireless communication network. For example, resource coordination information may be transmitted from a first RAN node to a second RAN node, wherein the resource coordination information defines at least one communication resource that is available for a wireless terminal to use for sidelink communication. According to some other embodiments, resource coordination information may be received at a first RAN node from a second RAN node, wherein the resource coordination information defines at least one communication resource that is available for a wireless terminal to use for sidelink communication. Related RAN nodes, computer programs, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include methods performed by a cellular Internet of Things, CIoT, user equipment, UE, for transmission of data in a communication network comprising a radio access network, RAN, and a core network, CN. Embodiments include sending, to an Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF, a request to establish a small-data user-plane, SDUP, data session. Embodiments can also include receiving a response indicating that the requested SDUP data session is established. The response can include an identifier associated with a user-plane function, UPF, within the CN, that supports the established SDUP data session. The response can also include an SDUP security configuration for communication between the UE and the CN during the established SDUP data session. Embodiments can also include subsequently communicating user data, associated with the established SDUP data session, with the UPF via a serving node in the RAN.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include methods performed by a cellular Internet of Things, CIoT, user equipment, UE, for transmission of data in a communication network comprising a radio access network, RAN, and a core network, CN. Embodiments include sending, to an Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF, a request to establish a small-data user-plane, SDUP, data session. Embodiments can also include receiving a response indicating that the requested SDUP data session is established. The response can include an identifier associated with a user-plane function, UPF, within the CN, that supports the established SDUP data session. The response can also include an SDUP security configuration for communication between the UE and the CN during the established SDUP data session. Embodiments can also include subsequently communicating user data, associated with the established SDUP data session, with the UPF via a serving node in the RAN.