A control plane function node may be used in a Fifth Generation (5G) Non-Standalone (NSA) architecture having Radio Access Network (RAN) level interworking between a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) RAN and a 5G New Radio (NR). The node obtains usage report data which are based on traffic of a user equipment (UE) via primary and secondary Radio Access Technologies (RATs). The node also obtains secondary RAT usage report data which are based on traffic of the UE via the secondary RAT. The node constructs a message which indicates a request for charging based on the usage report data and the secondary RAT usage report data. In constructing the message, the node populates, in association with a corresponding rating group and usage data of the UE, an identifier of a flow or bearer associated with secondary RAT usage, together with the secondary RAT usage report data.

A method for steering traffic performed by a terminal in a wireless communication system and a terminal using the method are provided. The method is characterized by: receiving first system information including a PLMN-ID list on which identities (ID) of a public land mobile network (PLMN) are listed according to a specific order; receiving second system information including RAN auxiliary information related to steering traffic between a first network and a second network; and steering traffic between the first and the second networks based on the first and second system information, wherein the second system information provides RAN auxiliary information for each PLMN, includes the same number of pieces of RAN auxiliary information as the number of PLMNs on the PLMN-ID list, and includes the RAN auxiliary information in the same order as the specific order of the PLMNs on the PLMN-ID list.

A communication apparatus includes a determination device configured to, in a case where the communication apparatus connects to a first network of a first base station via a first frequency channel and the communication apparatus participates in a second network via the first frequency channel without connection to a base station, determine whether a second frequency channel used by a second base station is usable in the communication performed, and a control device configured to control the communication without connection to the base station according to the determination by the determination device.

Techniques for measuring and reducing signal misalignment in a dual connectivity environment are discussed herein. When using Non-Standalone Architecture (NSA), a device initially communicates with a network using a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) connection. After the LTE connection is established, an LTE base station may instruct the device to measure signal strength of a neighboring New Radio (NR) cell during a specified LTE measurement gap. When the NR cell is implemented by an indoor NR base station, the NR signal may not be sufficiently synchronized with the LTE signal and the device may be unable to measure the NR signal during the measurement gap. In these cases, the device can determine the frame timing difference between the LTE and NR signals, obtain an adjusted measurement gap that reduces any measurement gap misalignment, and attempt to measure the signal strength of the NR cell using the adjusted measurement gap.

A wireless communication network to serve a wireless User Equipment (UE) with a wireless communication service over multiple wireless communication links. The wireless communication network comprises a primary access node, a first support access node, and a second support access node. The primary access node receives signal metrics for the support access nodes from the wireless UE, determines add thresholds for the support access nodes based on the amount of active UEs served by the primary access node, and converts the signal metrics for the support access nodes into add values for the support access nodes. When the add values are greater than the add thresholds, the primary access node signals the corresponding ones of the support access nodes to serve the wireless UE. The corresponding ones of the support access nodes exchange user data with the wireless UE.

Techniques for measuring and reducing signal misalignment in a dual connectivity environment are discussed herein. When using Non-Standalone Architecture (NSA), a device initially communicates with a network using a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) connection. After the LTE connection is established, an LTE base station may instruct the device to measure signal strength of a neighboring New Radio (NR) cell during a specified LTE measurement gap. When the NR cell is implemented by an indoor NR base station, the NR signal may not be sufficiently synchronized with the LTE signal and the device may be unable to measure the NR signal during the measurement gap. In these cases, the device can determine the frame timing difference between the LTE and NR signals, obtain an adjusted measurement gap that reduces any measurement gap misalignment, and attempt to measure the signal strength of the NR cell using the adjusted measurement gap.

A method executed by a mobile communication device is provided. The method includes at least the following steps: connecting to a non-cellular network for communicating data traffic in a first channel; determining an idle timeslot ratio of the first channel used by the non-cellular network in a first period of time; and in response to the idle timeslot ratio in the first period of time being lower than a first threshold, switching the data traffic communication from the non-cellular network to a cellular network or another non-cellular network, or switching the data traffic communication from the first channel to a second channel used by the non-cellular network, or providing a notification to a user of the mobile communication device.

Provided are a method and an apparatus for aggregating the WLAN with an E-UTRAN carrier at a radio access network (RAN) level and using the same to transmit and receive LTE-WLAN aggregation data. A method of a terminal for receiving data by aggregating a WLAN carrier may include transmitting WLAN MAC address information or IP address information which are configured in the terminal, receiving configuration information to configure a specific bearer through the WLAN carrier, receiving the data through the base station and the WLAN carrier, respectively, and transferring the specific bearer data received through the WLAN carrier to a PDCP entity of the specific bearer within the terminal.

Leveraging multiple network interfaces, such as Wi-Fi and cellular, on mobile devices can improve user experience for various applications. Deadline-aware MPTCP scheduling can complement existing MPTCP scheduler. The deadline-aware MPTCP scheduler can dynamically select transmission paths to minimize cellular usage while satisfying data transfer deadlines. The deadline-aware MPTCP scheduler can also address several challenges, such as determining the appropriate traffic pattern over cellular paths, designing proper APIs between MPTCP and applications, and making the scheduler functionality robust and lightweight.

Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for rules handling. One apparatus includes a processor that determines whether a remote unit will apply network traffic steering data for routing data traffic on a first route across a first access network and a second route across a second access network. In some embodiments, the first and second routes may be different. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a transmitter that transmits information that indicates whether the remote unit will apply the network traffic steering data.