Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (publ)

Sago Strategic Solutions LLC

Patrick Maguire

Henrik Basilier

Niilo Musikka

Jan Groenendijk

John Quilty

Jimmy O'Meara

Torsten Nilsson

Peter Edlund

A network node in a telecommunications network stores information defining at least one network slice. For at least one defined network slice, information is stored identifying a plurality of cells that define at least a part of a boundary of a coverage area of the network slice. The operation of a cell is then adapted depending on whether or not the cell defines at least a part of the boundary of the coverage area of the network slice.

Providing service using network slicing

A network node in a cellular communication network maintains a record of border cells of network slices. A change in the cells active in the network is then determined. The record of border cells of network slices is then updated based on said change in the cells active in the network.

Updating record of border cells

A method performed by a first network function. The method comprises receiving from a second network function a first message indicating that a core network needs to signal with a wireless device in delivering a service to said wireless device. The service is delivered via a network slice. The method also comprises determining an identifier of the network slice associated with the service and determining a connection management state, CM-state, of the wireless device. Further, the method comprises sending a second message in response to said first message, wherein said second message is based on said CM-state and said identifier of the network slice associated with the service.

Paging and signaling optimisation

In one example aspect, a method performed by a network node for configuring a network slice is provided, the method comprising, in response to a request to configure a network slice, configuring network resources for providing the network slice, and configuring a state of the network slice to a first state, wherein in the first state the network slice is disabled.

Configuring a network slice

In one example aspect, a method of handover is provided. The method comprises determining a first handover candidate list for a first user equipment (UE). The first UE is connected to a first cell and is associated with a first network slice. In response to a determination that the first handover candidate list indicates no valid candidate target cells for handover of the first UE, the method comprises determining a second handover candidate list for a second UE, wherein the second UE is connected to the first cell, and causing the second UE to handover to a second cell indicated in the second handover candidate list.

Method and apparatus for handover at network slice coverage boundary

Methods (), devices (), and systems () for managing a federated network slice () providing an extension of one or more virtual network functions () from a first network domain () to a second network domain (). One method (), by a second orchestration manager () of the second network domain (), includes accessing () a first virtual network function management component () for extension of the one or more virtual network functions () from the first network domain () to the second network domain (). The method () further includes initiating registration () of the first virtual network function management component () with a look-up service () to generate a first association between a first name of the first virtual network function management component and a first location of the first virtual network function management component in the second network domain (). The method () further includes initiating transmission () to the first network domain () of the first name of the first virtual network function management component ().

Methods, devices, and systems for managing a federated network slice

A domain manager () of a Radio Access Network, RAN, determines a configuration of a RAN resource partition of a network slice. The configuration defines which network elements of the RAN are assigned to the RAN resource partition of the network slice. The domain manager () receives at least one report () indicating, for at least one of the network elements assigned to the RAN resource partition, an amount of traffic of the network slice handled by the network element in an observation time window. Based on the at least one report (), the domain manager () adapts the configuration of the RAN resource partition by removing one or more of the network elements from the RAN resource partition.

Usage dependent optimization of radio access network partition

A method in a domain manager for managing a wireless communications network operating at least one network slice. A network slice comprises a logically grouped subset of network resources and/or network functions. The method comprises populating () a first Information Object Class instance representing the network slice, adding () the populated first Information Object Class instance to a generic Network Resource Model and exposing () the modified generic Network Resource Model.

Method and apparatus for managing wireless communications network

There is described a method of managing network slices in a communications network. The method comprises a domain manager of a Radio Access Network (RAN) determining a change in cell composition of the RAN, and determining neighbor cells within the RAN affected by the change in cell composition of the RAN. The method also compromises the domain manager determining a set of RAN resource partitions affected by the change in cell composition of the RAN, and adapting the configuration of RAN resource partitions of the set of RAN resource partitions by introducing changes corresponding to the change in cell composition of the RAN.

Managing network slices in a communications network

Reallocation of a capacity boost cell between first and second operators in a cellular radio communications network is carried out by detecting a drop in load for the first operator, in the area of coverage of the capacity boost cell, below a first threshold, and reallocating automatically the capacity boost cell to the second operator in response to the detected drop in load, if the first operator has authorised a reallocation. The capacity boost cell can be reallocated automatically back to the first operator in response to detecting a subsequent increase in load above a second threshold for the first operator. This can improve utilisation of the capacity boost cell during low load periods while still having it available for the first operator for high load periods, and can provide access to additional capacity for the second operator without need for costly additional infrastructure.

Reallocating a capacity boost cell of a cellular network

A method in a wireless terminal operating in a 3GPP wireless communications network for controlling using MPTCP with a WLAN network, The method comprises receiving from the 3GPP wireless communications network system information comprising a condition for MPTCP with a WLAN network, the condition being associated with mobility characteristics of the wireless terminal. The method further comprises determining a parameter indicative of mobility characteristics of the wireless terminal and disabling MPTCP with a WLAN network if the parameter indicative of mobility characteristics indicates that mobility of the wireless terminal is at or above a value defined in the condition.

Method for controlling multipoint TCP in wireless communications networks and devices for use therein

A method for predicting operational lifetime of a node in a communication network is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining an expected operational lifetime for the node (), monitoring at least one of hardware identification data, operational data or operating environment data for the node (), obtaining historical failure data for a subset of nodes in the communication network having monitored data corresponding to the monitored data of the node () and adjusting the expected operational lifetime for the node according to the obtained historical failure data (). Also disclosed are a computer program product for carrying out the above method and a network element () configured to carry out the above method.

Operational lifetime of communication network nodes

A cell for communication with a user equipment within a mobile communications network in which the network comprises a plurality of cells, is selected by identifying () cells having the required signal strength for communication with a user equipment; grouping () the identified cells according to maximum transmit power level a user equipment may use when communicating within that cell, p-Max, each group being allocated a priority level such that the group having the lowest p-Max is allocated the highest priority level through to the group having the highest p-Max allocated the lowest priority level; and selecting () one of the grouped cells for communication with the user equipment from the group of cells having the highest priority level.

Method and apparatus for selecting a cell of a communications network

A cellular mobile network allows a user equipment to connect to the network, the user equipment having a subscription for using the network to send data intermittently and to disconnect temporarily from the network automatically between its data transmissions. Parameters relating to the automated temporary disconnections are communicated, and data is sent from the user equipment while the user equipment is connected. The automated temporary disconnections and reconnections are detected by the network. By allowing user equipments which automatically disconnect temporarily between their data transmissions, the network need no longer provision for all such user equipments to be connected to the network simultaneously. Thus more such user equipments can be accepted as subscribers. By communicating with the user equipment about the temporary automated disconnections from the network, the network can have some control of, or at least be made aware of, the temporary automated disconnections.

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County Westmeath, Ireland

Patrick Maguire