A domain manager (320) 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 (320) receives at least one report (407, 408, 409) 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 (407, 408, 409), the domain manager (320) adapts the configuration of the RAN resource partition by removing one or more of the network elements from the RAN resource partition.

A set of different pilot structures are designed for use in different environments and/or different user behaviours that are expected to occur in a cell. The radio conditions for a user are estimated. Each user is then assigned an area (108A-E) in resource space for its communication, which has a suitable pilot configuration. In one embodiment, the entire resource space is provided with different pilot structures in different parts (110A-D) In advance and allocation of resources to the users are then performed in order to match estimated radio conditions to the provided pilot structure. In another embodiment, allocation is performed first, and then the actual pilot structure is adapted within the allocated resource space area to suit the environmental conditions.

A set of different pilot structures are designed for use in different environments and/or different user behaviours that are expected to occur in a cell. The radio conditions for a user are estimated. Each user is then assigned an area (108A-E) in resource space for its communication, which has a suitable pilot configuration. In one embodiment, the entire resource space is provided with different pilot structures in different parts (110A-D) In advance and allocation of resources to the users are then performed in order to match estimated radio conditions to the provided pilot structure. In another embodiment, allocation is performed first, and then the actual pilot structure is adapted within the allocated resource space area to suit the environmental conditions.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for managing uplink resource grants in wireless networks. An exemplary method embodiment includes the steps of: communicating resource grants to individual customer premise equipment (CPE) devices, the resource grants including at least a first resource grant to a first CPE device and a second resource grant to a second CPE device, the first resource grant giving the first CPE device the right to use a first set of resource blocks on a recurring basis, said second resource grant giving the second CPE device the right to use a second set of resource blocks on a recurring basis; monitoring the use of resource blocks granted to the first and second CPE devices during a first period of time; using stored resource utilization information to determine resource grants which are to be shared by the first and second CPE device.

Embodiments include methods and apparatuses for providing access to a network slice in a communication system. In an embodiment, a network server that implements a Control Plane (CP) Network Function (NF) may receive a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message from a wireless transmit and receive unit (WTRU). The NAS message comprises a Mobility Management (MM) message for registration and a Session Management (SM) messages for a specific service provided by the network slice. After selecting the network slice, the network server may transmit the SM message to another CP NF in the network slice to establish a communication link between the WTRU and the network slice.

Embodiments include methods and apparatuses for providing access to a network slice in a communication system. In an embodiment, a network server that implements a Control Plane (CP) Network Function (NF) may receive a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message from a wireless transmit and receive unit (WTRU). The NAS message comprises a Mobility Management (MM) message for registration and a Session Management (SM) messages for a specific service provided by the network slice. After selecting the network slice, the network server may transmit the SM message to another CP NF in the network slice to establish a communication link between the WTRU and the network slice.

Provided are a method for transmitting an uplink signal, a terminal device and a network side device. The method comprises: a terminal device receives first information sent by a network side device, the first information being used for the terminal device to determine a beam or beam group used for sending an uplink signal to the network side device; according to the first information, the terminal device determines a target beam or target beam group for sending the uplink signal; the terminal device uses the target beam or target beam group to send the uplink signal to the network side device. The present invention improves the uplink signal reception performance of the network side device.

Provided are a method for transmitting an uplink signal, a terminal device and a network side device. The method comprises: a terminal device receives first information sent by a network side device, the first information being used for the terminal device to determine a beam or beam group used for sending an uplink signal to the network side device; according to the first information, the terminal device determines a target beam or target beam group for sending the uplink signal; the terminal device uses the target beam or target beam group to send the uplink signal to the network side device. The present invention improves the uplink signal reception performance of the network side device.

A method and apparatus are provided for updating a sequence hopping (SH) pattern of an uplink channel during handover from a current cell having a current SH pattern. A method may include receiving, from a base station associated with current cell, a transmission including information indicating a handover command that instructs the WTRU to handover to a target cell. The handover command may include information indicating a SH enablement indication and a SH parameter. The SH enablement indication may indicate that SH is enabled for a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission. A PUCCH transmission may be sent to a base station associated with the target cell, and the PUCCH transmission may include symbols derived from a sequence that is based on the SH parameter.

A method and apparatus are provided for updating a sequence hopping (SH) pattern of an uplink channel during handover from a current cell having a current SH pattern. A method may include receiving, from a base station associated with current cell, a transmission including information indicating a handover command that instructs the WTRU to handover to a target cell. The handover command may include information indicating a SH enablement indication and a SH parameter. The SH enablement indication may indicate that SH is enabled for a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission. A PUCCH transmission may be sent to a base station associated with the target cell, and the PUCCH transmission may include symbols derived from a sequence that is based on the SH parameter.