A method for operating a first communication node in a wireless communication network includes steps of: receiving a first frame according to a first communication protocol from a second communication node; determining whether hop count information is included in the first frame; when the hop count information is not included in the first frame, generating and transmitting a second frame according to the first communication protocol, the second frame including hop count information set to an initial value; and setting an operating state of the first communication node to a first state in which the first communication node operates according to the first communication protocol.

A node includes a deterministic path that conveys packets from input ports to output ports via a deterministic switch. The node also includes a statistical path that conveys packets from the input ports to the output ports via a statistical switch. A deterministic scheduler selectively enables the first path or the second path based on traffic properties that indicate whether the packets are in a stochastic flow or a deterministic flow. In some cases, the deterministic scheduler includes timing circuitry that determines an arrival time of a packet at an input port of a node and enabling circuitry that generates signaling that selectively enables a first path for conveying the packet via a deterministic switch or a second path for conveying the packet via a statistical switch. The selection is based on whether the arrival time indicates that the packet is in a stochastic flow or a deterministic flow.

A node includes a deterministic path that conveys packets from input ports to output ports via a deterministic switch. The node also includes a statistical path that conveys packets from the input ports to the output ports via a statistical switch. A deterministic scheduler selectively enables the first path or the second path based on traffic properties that indicate whether the packets are in a stochastic flow or a deterministic flow. In some cases, the deterministic scheduler includes timing circuitry that determines an arrival time of a packet at an input port of a node and enabling circuitry that generates signaling that selectively enables a first path for conveying the packet via a deterministic switch or a second path for conveying the packet via a statistical switch. The selection is based on whether the arrival time indicates that the packet is in a stochastic flow or a deterministic flow.

A method and apparatus for transmitting a synchronization signal for device-to-device (D2D) operation in a wireless communication system is provided. A user equipment (UE) determines that it is out of coverage (OOC). Even though the UE is OOC, the UE continues to transmit a D2D synchronization signal for in-coverage under a specific condition. If the UE determines that it is in coverage before the specific condition is met, the UE transmits the D2D synchronization signal for in-coverage. If the specific condition is met while the UE is OOC, the UE transmits the D2D synchronization signal for OOC.

A method and apparatus for transmitting a synchronization signal for device-to-device (D2D) operation in a wireless communication system is provided. A user equipment (UE) determines that it is out of coverage (OOC). Even though the UE is OOC, the UE continues to transmit a D2D synchronization signal for in-coverage under a specific condition. If the UE determines that it is in coverage before the specific condition is met, the UE transmits the D2D synchronization signal for in-coverage. If the specific condition is met while the UE is OOC, the UE transmits the D2D synchronization signal for OOC.

A master station 101 according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a communicating unit 10 that can communicate with a subordinate station 102 by using a communication route through one or a plurality of wireless terminal devices 202, and communicates with the subordinate station 102 in accordance with a predetermined rule; and a reconstruction processing unit 43 that performs a process of changing the communication route when a state against the predetermined rule occurs. The reconstruction processing unit 43 decides whether to perform the process of changing the communication route, based on an arrival state of a communication signal destined for the own master station 101 regularly transmitted from the subordinate station 102.

A master station 101 according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a communicating unit 10 that can communicate with a subordinate station 102 by using a communication route through one or a plurality of wireless terminal devices 202, and communicates with the subordinate station 102 in accordance with a predetermined rule; and a reconstruction processing unit 43 that performs a process of changing the communication route when a state against the predetermined rule occurs. The reconstruction processing unit 43 decides whether to perform the process of changing the communication route, based on an arrival state of a communication signal destined for the own master station 101 regularly transmitted from the subordinate station 102.

A combined User Plane (UP) node optimizes the UP data stream handling for 4G/5G network operation as follows. The combined UP node, which includes an access data plane node, an intermediate data plane node, an anchor data plane node, and a session handling process module. If the IP addresses or the namespaces of the access data plane node, the intermediate data plane node, and the anchor data plane node are different, then the downlink and uplink packet stream handling utilizes an intermediate interface path within the combined UP node. If the IP addresses or the namespaces of the access data plane node, the intermediate data plane node, and the anchor data plane node are same, then the downlink and uplink packet stream handling does not utilize an intermediate interface path within the combined UP node, but TEID of the unutilized intermediate interface path is used in PFCP response message.

A combined User Plane (UP) node optimizes the UP data stream handling for 4G/5G network operation as follows. The combined UP node, which includes an access data plane node, an intermediate data plane node, an anchor data plane node, and a session handling process module. If the IP addresses or the namespaces of the access data plane node, the intermediate data plane node, and the anchor data plane node are different, then the downlink and uplink packet stream handling utilizes an intermediate interface path within the combined UP node. If the IP addresses or the namespaces of the access data plane node, the intermediate data plane node, and the anchor data plane node are same, then the downlink and uplink packet stream handling does not utilize an intermediate interface path within the combined UP node, but TEID of the unutilized intermediate interface path is used in PFCP response message.

A portable encoded information reading (EIR) terminal for incorporation in a data collection system can comprise a terminal module communicatively coupled to a wireless interface module via a wired interface. The terminal module can include a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and an encoded information reading (EIR) device. The wireless interface module can include a microcontroller, a memory, and at least one wireless communication interface. The wireless interface module can establish one or more wireless links with one or more peer EIR terminals, to join a wireless network which is collectively formed by the peer EIR terminals. The wireless interface module can receive or transmit beacons containing at least an identifier of a path selection protocol which is used for unicast, multicast and broadcast frame transmission within the wireless network.