Techniques for managing multi-mode communications between nodes in a network include initiating, by a first node in a mesh network, a carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) session while the first node is in a first mode. The CSMA/CA session is associated with a request to transmit a data message to a second node in the mesh network. Initiating the CSMA/CA session includes determining availability of a channel associated with a channel schedule of the second node associated with the first mode.

A service node updating method is provided. The method is performed by a terminal device and includes: receiving configuration information, where the configuration information includes first connectivity configuration information used to maintain both a connection to a source node and a connection to a target node in a service node updating procedure and second connectivity configuration information used to release the connection to the source node and connect to the target node; processing, by applying the first connectivity configuration information, a layer 2 protocol entity corresponding to a bearer between the terminal device and the source node, to reconfigure the bearer as a source node split bearer; and processing, by applying the second connectivity configuration information, a layer 2 protocol entity corresponding to the bearer, to reconfigure the source node split bearer as a target node bearer.

The method includes forming a first set of base stations, receiving random access channel (RACH) information from one or more of the first set of base stations for a first transmission time interval, determining the candidate set of base stations for the first transmission time interval based on the RACH information, the candidate set of base stations being in the first set of base stations, and controlling an operation of the communication network based on the candidate set of base stations. A network node is configured to perform the method.

Techniques are provided for downlink packet replication to support handovers. In one example, downlink packet replication occurs on a fabric node in an S1AP handover scenario. In another example, downlink packet replication occurs on a source Access Point (AP) using a target AP as a secondary AP in an S1AP handover scenario. In yet another example, downlink packet replication occurs on a source AP using packet encapsulation in an S1AP handover scenario. In still another example, downlink packet replication occurs on a source AP in an X2 handover scenario. Similar techniques are provided for any suitable telecommunications/cellular technology.

Embodiments include methods performed by a network node, in a radio access network, RAN, that is a target node candidate for a mobility operation of a user equipment, UE. Such methods include receiving, from a source node serving the UE, a request to prepare a mobility procedure for the UE in relation to a candidate target cell associated with the network node. The request can include characteristics associated with a data connection of the UE. Such methods include determining that the UE can be admitted for the requested mobility procedure based on the characteristics, and determining to activate bicasting of the data connection. Different bicasting modes can be selected. Such methods also include transmitting, to the source node, a response that includes a bicasting configuration associated with the UE. Other embodiments include complementary methods performed by source nodes, as well as network nodes configured to perform such methods.

A connection between two UEs is identified by a single connection identifier. Different streams are transmitted over different wireless links with potential redundancy between streams. Initially a first WiFi link is used to communicate with the second UE. After the first UE decides it will handoff to a second WiFi AP it establishes a connection with a cellular AP and then communicates a second stream corresponding to the same connection. The first and second streams initially communicate the same content. The first WiFi link is terminated, but the second stream continues to communicate content. The first UE then establishes a second WiFi connection with a second WiFi AP and communicates a third content stream of the first connection to second UE via second WiFi link. The third stream initially communicates information also communicated over second stream. The cellular link is terminated. The second WiFi link is used to communicate content.

A technique of performing a HO includes the source BS sending a HO resume message to the UE at the conclusion of a RACH access procedure that occurs in response to a HO command while a second TRX of the UE continues to exchange data packets with the source BS as if no HO command were issued. By continuing to exchange data with the source BS as if there were no HO command until the HO resume message reintroduces a RACH-less HO procedure, the interruption may be reduced to about 4 msec. At any point in time the UE handles only one protocol stack and only one security, which avoids the complexity of the advanced prior art methods.

A user equipment (UE) configured to establish a multimedia data stream with a further UE, identify a predetermined condition, wherein the predetermined condition indicates a decrease in quality of the multimedia data stream at the further UE and implement a mechanism to mitigate the degradation of the decrease in quality of the multimedia data stream at the further UE.

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive data from both a source base station and a target base station during handover. For example, the UE may refrain from resetting or reestablishing media access control (MAC) and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer configurations until after a successful access procedure is performed with the target base station. In some cases, a single radio link control (RLC)/PDCP stack may be used during handover procedures. A source base station may, for example, forward data to a target base station after receiving a handover execution message. A UE may identify and resolve any duplicate data sent by both base stations during the transition. Additional signaling may be used (e.g., during the radio resource control (RRC) configuration) to indicate that a UE supports dual link handover.

A data transmission method includes receiving, by a first access network device, local service indication information and a service identifier from a core network device. The local service indication information indicates that a service to which a data packet of a first session belongs is a local service. The data transmission method also includes sending, by the first access network device, third indication information to a second access network device. The third indication information indicates that the service is the local service.