USER EQUIPMENT AND METHOD IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to a User Equipment (UE) and a method therein. In some aspects, they relate to performing a resume procedure of a connection between the UE and a network node in a wireless communications network.

BACKGROUND

In a typical wireless communication network, wireless devices, also known as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (STA) and/or User Equipments (UE), communicate via a Local Area Network such as a Wi-Fi network or a Radio Access Network (RAN) to one or more core networks (CN). The RAN covers a geographical area which is divided into service areas or cell areas, which may also be referred to as a beam or a beam group, with each service area or cell area being served by a radio network node such as a radio access node e.g., a W-Fi access point or a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks may also be denoted, for example, a NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), or gNB as denoted in 5G. A service area or cell area is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio network node. The radio network node

communicates over an air interface operating on radio frequencies with the wireless device within range of the radio network node.

Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS), also called a Fourth

Generation (4G) network, have been completed within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and this work continues in the coming 3GPP releases, for example to specify a Fifth Generation (5G) network also referred to as 5G New Radio (NR). The EPS comprises the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), also known as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio access network, and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), also known as System Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network. E- UTRAN/LTE is a variant of a 3GPP radio access network wherein the radio network nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network rather than to RNCs used in 3G networks. In general, in E-UTRAN/LTE the functions of a 3G RNC are distributed between the radio network nodes, e.g. eNodeBs in LTE, and the core network. As such, the RAN of an EPS has an essentially“flat” architecture comprising radio network nodes connected directly to one or more core networks, i.e. they are not connected to RNCs. To

compensate for that, the E-UTRAN specification defines a direct interface between the radio network nodes, this interface being denoted the X2 interface.

Multi-antenna techniques may significantly increase the data rates and reliability of a wireless communication system. The performance is in particular improved if both the transmitter and the receiver are equipped with multiple antennas, which results in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) communication channel. Such systems and/or related techniques are commonly referred to as MIMO.

Background Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection resume in LTE

In LTE Release 13, a mechanism was introduced for the UE to be suspended by the network in a suspended state similar to RRCJDLE but with the difference that the UE stores the Access Stratum (AS) context or RRC context. This makes it possible to reduce the signaling when the UE is becoming active again by resuming the RRC connection, instead of as prior to establish the RRC connection from scratch. Reducing the signaling may have several benefits:

Reduce latency e.g. for UEs such as smart phones accessing Internet Reduced signaling, which leads to reduce battery consumption for UE:s such as machine type devices sending very little data.

The Release 13 solution is based on that the UE sends a RRC Connection Resume Request (RRCConnectionResumeRequest) message to the network such as a network node in the network and in response receives an RRC Connection Resume

( RRCConnectionResume ) message from the network. The RRCConnectionResume message is not encrypted but integrity protected.

RRC_IN ACTIVE in NR and in LTE Release 15

As part of the standardized work on 5G NR in 3GPP it has been decided that NR should support an RRCJNACTIVE state with some similar properties as the suspended state in LTE Release 13. The RRCJNACTIVE has slightly different properties from the late state in that it is a separate RRC state and not part of RRCJDLE as in LTE.

Additionally the CN/RAN connection (NG or N2 interface) is kept for RRCJNACTIVE while it was suspended in LTE. Figure 1 shows possible state transitions of a UE in NR. The properties of the states above are as follows:

RRC IDLE: A UE specific Discontinuous Reception (DRX) may be configured.

UE controlled mobility based on network configuration;

The UE:

Monitors a Paging channel for CN paging using 5G-S- Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI);

Performs neighbouring cell measurements and cell (re-) selection;

Acquires system information.

RRCJN ACTIVE:

A UE specific DRX may be configured;

UE controlled mobility based on network configuration;

The UE stores the AS context;

The UE:

Monitors a Paging channel for CN paging using 5G-S-TMSI and RAN paging using I- (RNTI);

Performs neighbouring cell measurements and cell (re-) selection;

Performs RAN-based notification area updates periodically and when moving outside the RAN-based notification area;

Acquires system information.

RRC_CONNECTED:

The UE stores the AS context.

T ransfer of unicast data to/from U E.

At lower layers, the UE may be configured with a UE specific DRX;

For UEs supporting Carrier Aggregation (CA), use of one or more SCells, aggregated with the SpCell, for increased bandwidth; SpCell when used herein means the Primary Cell (PCell) in the context of the Master Cell Group (MCG) or the Primary Secondary Cell (PSCell) in the context of the Secondary Cell Group (SCG), if the UE is operating/supporting Dual Connectivity (DC).

For UEs supporting DC, use of one SCG, aggregated with the MCG, for increased bandwidth;

Network controlled mobility, i.e. handover within NR and to/from E-UTRAN. The UE:

Monitors a Paging channel;

Monitors control channels associated with the shared data channel to determine if data is scheduled for it; Provides channel quality and feedback information;

Performs neighbouring cell measurements and measurement reporting;

Acquires system information.

Resume procedure in NR and LTE Release 15 including security aspects which are underlined below

Figure 2 describes a UE triggered transition from RRCJNACTIVE to

RRC_CONNECTED:

1. The UE resumes from RRCJNACTIVE, providing the l-RNTI, allocated by the last serving network node such as gNB. In terms of security, the RRCResumeRequest is transmitted over SRBO, i.e., the message if not encrypted and not integrity protected.

The UE also includes a security token, a 16 bit resume Message Authentication Code - Integrity (MAC-D) computed based on old security keys.

2. The gNB, if able to resolve the gNB identity contained in the l-RNTI,

requests the last serving gNB to provide UE Context data.

3. The last serving gNB provides UE context data if it can verify the UE.

4. /4a. The gNB completes the resumption of the RRC connection. The RRC

Resume message in 4a is encrypted and integrity protected based on new security keys. That is possible thanks to the reception of the parameter NCC in the message that suspends the UE (see next section in the background).

5. If loss of DL user data buffered in the last serving gNB shall be prevented, the gNB provides forwarding of addresses.

6./7. The gNB performs path switch.

8. The gNB triggers the release of the UE resources at the last serving gNB. After step 1 above, when the gNB decides to reject the Resume Request and keep the UE in RRCJNACTIVE without any reconfiguration, or when the gNB decides to setup a new RRC connection, SRBO (without security) may be used. When the gNB decides to reconfigure the UE, e.g. with a new DRX cycle or RAN-based Notification Area (RNA)

RNA or when the gNB decides to push the UE to RRCJDLE, Signaling Radio Bearer 1 (SRB1) with at least integrity protection shall be used.

NOTE: SRB1 may only be used once the UE Context is retrieved i.e. after step 3 in Figure 2. Network triggered transition from RRCJNACTIVE to RRC_CONNECTED

Figure 3 describes the network triggered transition from RRCJNACTIVE to RRC_CONNECTED:

1. A RAN paging trigger event occurs such as incoming DL user plane, DL signaling from 5GC, etc.

2. /2a. RAN paging is triggered; either only in the cells controlled by the last serving gNB or also by means of Xn RAN Paging in cells controlled by other network nodes such as gNBs, configured to the UE in the RAN-based Notification Area (RNA). Xn when used herein means the interface between gNBs.

3. The UE is paged with the l-RNTI.

4. If the UE has been successfully reached, it attempts to resume from

RRCJNACTIVE.

RAN-based Notification Area (RNA) update

Figure 4 describes the UE triggered RNA update procedure when it moves out of the configured RNA involving context retrieval over Xn:

1. The UE resumes from RRCJNACTIVE, providing the l-RNTI allocated by the last serving gNB and appropriate cause value, e.g., RAN notification area update.

2. The network node such as the gNB, if able to resolve the gNB identity

contained in the l-RNTI, requests the last serving gNB to provide UE Context.

3. The last serving gNB provides UE context. The gNB may move the UE to RRC_CONNECTED, or to RRCJDLE or keep the UE in RRCJNACTIVE state:

- If the UE is moved to RRC_CONNECTED, RRCResume message is sent to the UE and the procedure continues.

- If the UE is moved to RRCJDLE, RRCRelease message is sent to the UE and the procedure ends.

- If the UE is moved back to RRCJNACTIVE, the procedure continues with the following steps.

From a security perspective, in any of these cases for this two-step procedure, the response message (RRCRelease) is also encrypted and integrity protected.

4. If loss of DL user data buffered in the last serving gNB shall be prevented, the gNB provides forwarding addresses. 5./6. The gNB performs path switch.

7. The gNB moves the UE back to RRCJNACTIVE state by sending

RRCRelease with suspend indication.

8. The gNB triggers the release of the UE resources at the last serving gNB.

Although this has been described for NR, an equivalent procedure has been standardized for LTE from Release 15 for inactive UEs.

SUMMARY

As a part of developing embodiments herein the inventors identified a problem which first will be discussed.

As described above, in the Resume procedure, both in NR and LTE Release 15, the RRCResumeRequest (first RRC message in the procedure from UE to the network) is sent over SRB0 (without encryption and without integrity protection) and includes a security token calculated based on old security keys i.e. the last keys the UE has used. While the expected response message in the successful cases (either an RRCResume or an RRCRelease in the case of RNA) is encrypted and integrity protected based on new security keys. To discuss a problem, the different parts of the procedures have been divided into Part 1 , Part 2, and Part 3 below.

The current handling of RRC resume is described in section 5.3.13 of 3GPP TS 38.331. Specifically, in section 5.3.13.3 it is stated that

5.3.13.3 A ctions related to transmission of RRCResumeRequest message

Part 1

The UE shall set the contents of RRCResumeRequest or RRCResumeRequestl message as follows:

1 > if field useFullResumelD is signalled in SIB1 :

2> select RRCResumeRequestl as the message to use;

2> set the resumeldentity to the stored fulll-RNTI value;

1> else:

2> select RRCResumeRequest as the message to use;

2> set the shortResumeldentity to the stored shortl-RNTI value; 1 > set the resumeCause in accordance with the information received from upper layers or from AS layer;

1 > set the resumeMAC-l to the 16 least significant bits of the MAC-I calculated:

2> over the Abstract Syntax Notation (ASN).1 encoded as per section 8 (i.e., a multiple of 8 bits) VarResumeMAC-lnput;

2> with the KRRCint key and the previously configured integrity protection algorithm; KRRCint is the key used for integrity protection of RRC messages. ;and

2> with all input bits for COUNT, BEARER and DIRECTION set to binary ones;

Editor’s Note: For Further Study (FFS) Additional input to VarResumeMAC-lnput (replay attacks mitigation).

1 > restore the RRC configuration and security context from the stored UE AS context except the cellGroupConfig;

Part 2

1 > update the KgNB key (i.e. master node key) based on the current KgNB or the using the stored Next Hop (NH) value, as specified in TS 33.501.

1 > derive the KRRCenc key (i.e. Key for encrypting RRC messages), the

KRRCint, the KUPint key (i.e. key for integrity protecting UP messages) and the KUPenc key (i.e. key for encrypting UP messages)

1 > configure lower layers to resume integrity protection for all radio bearers except SRB0 using the previously configured algorithm and the KRRCint key and KUPint key immediately, i.e., integrity protection shall be applied to all subsequent messages received and sent by the UE;

NOTE 1 : Only DRBs with previously configured UP integrity protection shall resume integrity protection.

1 > configure lower layers to resume ciphering for all radio bearers except SRB0 and to apply the previously configured ciphering algorithm, the KRRCenc key and the KUPenc key, i.e. the ciphering configuration shall be applied to all subsequent messages received and sent by the UE;

1 > restore the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) state and re

establish PDCP entities for SRB1 ;

1 > resume SRB1 ; Part 3

1 > submit the RRCResumeRequest message to lower layers for transmission;

Note: The usage of RRCResumeRequest and RRCResumeRequestl in the procedure is related to the size of the l-RNTI. Hence, the problem described herein is applicable for any of these cases as that is more related to the security solution, how the UE compute the security keys, start security during resume, etc.

As shown above, the RRCResumeRequest message or RRCResumeRequestl , is sent over SRB0 and the security token that is included, the resume MAC-1, is based on old security keys.

1 > set the resumeMAC-l to the 16 least significant bits of the MAC-I calculated:

2> over the ASN.1 encoded as per section 8 (i.e. , a multiple of 8 bits) VarResumeMAC-Input;

2> with the KRRCint key and the previously configured integrity protection algorithm; (this relate to Part 1) and

2> with all input bits for COUNT, BEARER and DIRECTION set to binary ones;

VarResumeMAC-Input : : SEQUENCE {

sourcePhysCellld PhysCellld,

targetCellIdentity Cellldentity,

source-I-RNTI RNTI-Value,

resumeDiscriminator BIT STRING (SIZE (1) )

}

After Part 1 , as the UE expects in the successful case a response that is encrypted and integrity protected based on new security keys, it is specified in Part 2 that the UE refreshes security keys and starts security before sending RRCResumeRequest (or RRCResumeRequestl). Part 3 is basically the transmission of the RRCResumeRequest (or RRCResumeRequestl).

However, Part 2 is not required for Part 3. Thus, performing part 2 before part 3 will unnecessarily delay the transmission of the Resume request, and thereby delay the resumption of the connection. That impacts an important Key Performance Indicator (KPI), the control latency, which is basically the delay to perform the resume procedure i.e. the transition from RRCJNACTIVE to RRC_CONNECTED.

Figure 5 schematically shows the resume procedure in view of the time it takes to perform different parts of the procedure:

501. The UE constructs a resume request, which takes time T1.

502. The UE updates security keys and configures lower layers accordingly, which takes time T2.

The UE then sends the resume request message to the network.

503. The network such as a network node processes the resume request, secedules the UE and sends a resume command, which takes time T3.

504. The UE processes the resume command and resumes the connection, which takes time T4.

The current way of handling resume Total time= T1 + T2 + T3 + T4

An object of embodiments herein is therefore to improve speed of resume procedures in a wireless communications network. According to an aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed by a User Equipment, UE, for performing a resume procedure of a connection between the UE and a network node, in a wireless communications network. The resume procedure relates to a transmission of the UE from an inactive state to a connected state.

While the UE is in inactive state, the UE performs security update procedures related to security information to be used in the resume procedure of the connection.

After receiving a resume command from the network node as a response to the resume request, the UE resumes the connection between the UE and the network node. The updated security information is used to protect the signalling between the UE and the network node.

According to a further aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a User Equipment, UE, for performing a resume procedure of a connection between the UE and a network node, in a wireless communications network. The resume procedure relates to a transmission of the UE from an inactive state to a connected state. The UE is configured to: While the UE is in inactive state, perform security update procedures related to security information to be used in the resume procedure of the connection, e.g. by means of a performing model in the UE, and after receiving a resume command from the network node as a response to the resume request, resume the connection between the UE and the network node, wherein the updated security information is adapted to be used to protect the signalling between the UE and the network node.

An advantage of embodiments herein is that UEs will be resumed faster as the security procedures are performed before the UE requests to initiate a resume procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating prior art.

Figure 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating prior art.

Figure 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating prior art.

Figure 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating prior art.

Figure 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating prior art.

Figure 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating prior art. Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a wireless communications network.

Figure 8a is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a UE.

Figure 8b is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in the UE.

Figure 8c is a sequence diagram depicting embodiments of a method.

Figures 9 a and b are schematic block diagrams illustrating embodiments of a

UE.

Figure 10 schematically illustrates a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer.

Figure 11 is a generalized block diagram of a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection.

Figures 12-15 are flowcharts illustrating methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Example embodiments herein relate to different ways to speed up the RRC resume procedure e.g. including the RNA update, by a UE performing security update procedures, like the update of security keys, without delaying the transmission of the resume request message. In a first group of embodiments, the security update procedures, derivation of new security keys in target cell, configuration of lower layers to resume ciphering/integrity protection etc... , are performed after transmitting the RRC resume request, while the UE 120 is waiting for the RRC resume message, thereby not adding to the overall time required to resume the connection.

In a second group of embodiments, the security update procedures, derivation of new security keys in target cell, configuration of lower layers to resume ciphering/integrity protection, calculation of the RRC security token like the resume MAC-I, etc., are performed even before the request from upper layers or RRC to initiate a resume procedure, for example upon the suspension of the UE 120 and/or upon cell reselection/selection while in RRCJNACTIVE, thereby not adding to the overall time required to resume the connection.

An advantage of embodiments herein is that UEs will be resumed faster as the security procedures are performed either after the transmission of the resume request, i.e. updates are deferred until the resume request message is transmitted and while the UE is waiting for the resume command from the network, as in the first group of embodiments, or before the UE 120 requests to initiate a resume procedure, i.e. when the UE 120 is suspended the UE 120 prepares the security updates assuming it can resume in the same cell and perform updates upon selecting/re-selecting a new cell, as in the second group of embodiments.

Figure 6 illustrates the advantages of embodiments herein, for the first group of embodiments, as compared to the current way resume is handled in NR.

601. The UE 120 constructs a resume request, which takes time T1.

The UE 120 then sends the resume request message to the network.

602. The UE 120 updates security keys and configures lower layers accordingly, at the same time as the network such as a network node processes 603 the resume request, schedules the UE 120 and sends a resume command, which takes time T3.

604. The UE 120 processes the resume command and resumes the connection, which takes time T4.

The way of handling the resume process according to embodiments herein is speeded up since it takes only a total time= T1 + T3 + T4, which is shorter in time compared to the resume process of prior art shown in Figure 5 which takes T1 + T2 + T3 + T4.

For the second group of embodiments, due to pre-computing the resume MAC-I, the UE 120 is prepared to send an RRC Resume Request upon a request from upper layers to resume the connection or upon the request form RRC, in the case of RNA update, without the need to perform security actions, which speed up the overall resume procedure. And, due to the pre-computing of the new security keys, the UE 120 is prepared to receive RRC Resume message without the need to perform security actions before or after transmitting the resume request, which will speed up the overall resume procedure. Embodiments herein relate to wireless communication networks in general. Figure 7 is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communications network 100. The wireless communications network 100 comprises one or more RANs and one or more CNs. The wireless communications network 100 may use a number of different technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, 5G, New Radio (NR), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile communications/enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (GSM/EDGE), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WMax), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), just to mention a few possible implementations. Embodiments herein relate to recent technology trends that are of particular interest in a 5G context, however, embodiments are also applicable in further development of the existing wireless communication systems such as e.g. WCDMA and LTE.

In the wireless communication network 100, UEs such as a UE 120 operate. The UE 120 may be a mobile station, a non-access point (non-AP) STA, a STA, a wireless terminals, and is capable to communicate via one or more Access Networks (AN), e.g. RAN, to one or more core networks (CN). It should be understood by the skilled in the art that“wireless device” is a non-limiting term which means any terminal, wireless communication terminal, user equipment, Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, Device to Device (D2D) terminal, or node e.g. smart phone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablets or even a small base station communicating within a cell.

The wireless communications network 100 comprises one or more radio network nodes such as a radio network node 110 providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a service area 11 , which may also be referred to as a beam or a beam group of a first radio access technology (RAT), such as 5G, LTE, W-Fi or similar. The radio network node 110 may be a NG-RAN node, a transmission and reception point e.g. a base station, a radio access network node such as a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or an Access Point Station (AP STA), an access controller, a base station, e.g. a radio base station such as a NodeB, an evolved Node B (eNB, eNode B), a gNB, a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or any other network unit capable of communicating with a wireless device within the service area served by the network node 110 depending e.g. on the first radio access technology and terminology used. Methods herein may be performed by the UE 120. As an alternative, any Distributed Node (DN) and functionality, e.g. comprised in a cloud 140 as shown in Figure 5, may be used for performing or partly performing the methods. The network aspects of embodiments herein may be deployed in a cloud environment.

First group of embodiments

As mentioned above, two groups of embodiments are provided wherein:

Figure 8a shows an example method performed by the UE 120 e.g. for performing a resume procedure, also referred to as speeding up the resume procedure, of a connection between the UE 120 and a network node 110, e.g. an RRC resume procedure, in the wireless communications network 100. The resume procedure may relate to a transmission of the UE 120 from an inactive state to a connected state, e.g. from RRC inactive state to RRC connected state.

According to the first group of embodiments, the UE 120 will send the resume request before updating the security information, and while waiting for the response from the network node 110, i.e. the resume command, the UE 120 will update the security information.

The method may comprise any of the actions below.

In Action 801a, after transmitting a resume request to the network node 110 the UE 120 performs security update procedures related to security information to be used in the resume procedure of the connection.

In Action 802a, after receiving a resume command from the network node 110 as a response to the resume request, the UE 120 resumes the connection between the UE 120 and the network node 110. The updated security information is used to protect the signalling between the UE 120 and the network node 110 in the resumed connection.

In these embodiments, the UE 120, when preparing the resume request message, will also update the security information, but it won’t use them until it receives the resume message from the network in response to the request it has sent.

According to the first group of embodiments herein, the resume procedure is handled the following way instead of the way it is shown above according to prior art. According to an example, the UE 120 shall set the contents of RRCResumeRequest or RRCResumeRequestl message as follows: First group of embodiments:

1 > if field useFullResumelD is signalled in SIB1 :

2> select RRCResumeRequestl as the message to use;

2> set the resumeldentity to the stored fulll-RNTI value;

1 > else:

2> select RRCResumeRequest as the message to use;

2> set the shortResumeldentity to the stored shortl-RNTI value;

1 > set the resumeCause in accordance with the information received from

upper layers or from AS layer;

1 > set the resumeMAC-l to the 16 least significant bits of the MAC-I calculated:

2> over the ASN.1 encoded as per section 8 (i.e. , a multiple of 8 bits) VarResumeMAC-lnput;

2> with the KRRCint key and the previously configured integrity protection algorithm; and

2> with all input bits for COUNT, BEARER and DIRECTION set to binary ones;

Editor’s Note: FFS Additional input to VarResumeMAC-lnput (replay attacks mitigation).

1 > restore the RRC configuration and security context from the stored UE AS context except the cellGroupConfig;

1 > submit the RRCResumeRequest message to lower layers for transmission;

According to embodiments herein, after submitting the RRCResumeRequest message to lower layers, the UE 120 shall:

1 > update the KgNB key based on the current KgNB or the NH, using the stored nextHopChainingCount value, as specified in TS 33.501 [11];

1 > derive the KRRCenc key, the KRRCint, the KUPint key and the KUPenc key; 1 > configure lower layers to resume integrity protection for all radio bearers except SRB0 using the previously configured algorithm and the KRRCint key and KUPint key immediately, i.e., integrity protection shall be applied to all subsequent messages received and sent by the UE 120;

NOTE 1 : Only DRBs with previously configured UP integrity protection shall resume integrity protection.

1 > configure lower layers to resume ciphering for all radio bearers except SRB0 and to apply the previously configured ciphering algorithm, the KRRCenc key and the KUPenc key, i.e. the ciphering configuration shall be applied to all subsequent messages received and sent by the UE 120;

1 > restore the PDCP state and re-establish PDCP entities for SRB1 ;

1 > resume SRB1 ;

It should be noted that despite the way the standard is written, the embodiments herein may be applied as a UE 120 implementation, e.g.as the testing for the fulfilment of the requirement relates to the UE 120 being able to decode the RRC resume or RRC Release message upon the transmission of the Resume Request, despite a particular order described in the specifications.

Second group of embodiments

Figure 8b shows an example method performed by the UE 120 e.g. for performing a resume procedure, also referred to as speeding up the resume procedure, of a connection between the UE 120 and a network node 110, e.g. an RRC resume procedure, in the wireless communications network 100. The resume procedure may relate to a transition of the UE 120 from an inactive state to a connected state, e.g. from RRC inactive state to RRC connected state.

According to the second group of embodiments, the UE 120 will do the security update procedure immediately after being suspended, i.e. after being gone to INACTIVE state, and keep updating it when the UE 120 does cell reselection procedures, so that by the time the UE 120 starts the resume procedure, (i.e. prepares to send the resume request message, the UE 120 already have the correct security information.

The method will first be described in short and may comprise any of the actions below.

Action 801 b While the UE 120 is in inactive state, such as e.g. in RRCJNACTIVE state, the UE 120 performs 801 b security update procedures related to security information to be used in the resume procedure of the connection. Action 801 b

After receiving a resume command from the network node 110 as a response to the resume request, the UE 120 resumes the connection between the UE 120 and the network node 110. The updated security information is used to protect the signalling between the UE 120 and the network node 110.

In some embodiments, performing of the security update procedures are initiated upon a suspension of the UE 120.

The security update procedures may be performed upon cell reselection and/or selection, while the UE 120 is in inactive state, such as e.g. in RRCJNACTIVE.

The security update procedures may e.g. comprise any one or more out of:

Derivation of new security keys, configuration of lower layers to resume ciphering, configuration of lower layers to resume integrity protection, and calculation of RRC security token such as a resume Message Authentication Code, for Integrity MAC-1.

The security update procedures are procedures performed by the UE 120 itself, i.e. no communication with the network is required when performing security update procedure.

The sequence diagram of Figure 8c depicts an example of the second group of embodiments which first will be briefly described will be followed by a more detailed description and examples.

Action 901. The network node 110 sends an RRCRelease message with suspendConfig to the UE 120.

Action 902. The UE 120 goes to Inactive state.

Action 903. In inactive state, the UE 120 updates security keys and configure lower layers accordingly. The time this takes is comprised in the time referred to as (T2). Action 904. In inactive state, the UE 120 further performs cell re-selection based on idle/inactive mode cell re-selection rules, e.g. the UE 120 moves out of the coverage area of the current cell that it was camping on.

Action 905. In inactive state, the UE 120 further updates security keys and configures lower layers accordingly. The time this takes is comprised in the time referred to as (T2).

Action 906. When the UE 120 is in inactive state, UL data may arrive.

Action 907. A DL data that is destined for the UE 120 may arrive at the network, upon which the network node sends a RAN paging message.

Action 908. When the UE 120 has received the RAN paging message, it constructs an RRCResumeRequest message. The time this takes is comprised in the time referred to as (T1).

Action 909. The constructed RRCResumeRequest message is sent to the network node 110. The time this takes is comprised in the time referred to as T3.

Action 910. The network node 110 processes the Resume Request, schedules the UE 120, and constructs the Resume command that will indicate to the UE to resume the RRC connection. The time this takes is also comprised in the time referred to as T3.

Action 911. The network node 110 then sends an RRCResume message to the UE 120. The time this takes is also comprised in the time referred to as T3.

Action 912. The UE 120 then processes Resume Command message and resumes the connection. The time this takes is comprised in the time referred to as (T4).

Provided way of handling resume according to embodiments herein: The total time = T1 + T3 + T4. This is since the parts of the process in time T2 is done when the UE 120 is in inactive state. In a first example, upon receiving a suspend message, e.g. RRC Release with suspend configuration including the next hop chaining count - NCC, and entering RRCJNACTIVE, the UE 120 may compute the RRC security token (resume MAC-I), to be possibly included in the next RRC Resume Request message. For the computation, the UE 120 ,may use the old security keys, i.e. the keys in cell the UE 120 was suspended, and e.g. the following parameters associated to the cell the UE 120 was suspended:

sourcePhysCellld = physical cell identity of the cell the UE 120 was suspended;

targetCellldentity = cell identity of the cell the UE 120 was suspended; source-l-RNTI = l-RNTI received in the cell the UE 120 was suspended;

In a variant of the first example, the UE 120 may update the RRC security token (resume MAC-I) upon cell reselection. The UE 120 computes the RRC security token (resume MAC-I) to be possibly included in the next RRC Resume Request message in the newly selected/re-selected cell. For the computation, the UE 120 may use the old security keys, i.e. the keys in cell in which the UE 120 was suspended, and the following parameters associated to newly selected/re-selected cell:

sourcePhysCellld = physical cell identity of the cell the UE 120 was suspended;

targetCellldentity = cell identity of the newly selected/re-selected cell; source-l-RNTI = l-RNTI received in the cell the UE 120 was suspended;

By doing the actions described in the first example and variant, the UE 120 is prepared to send an RRC Resume Request upon a request from upper layers to resume the connection or upon the request form RRC (in the case of RNA update) without the need to perform security actions, which speed up the overall resume procedure.

In a second example, upon receiving a suspend message, e.g. RRC Release with suspend configuration including the next hop chaining count - NCC, and entering RRCJNACTIVE, the UE 120 may pre-perform security updates using as target cell the cell the UE 120 was suspended, in addition to existing parameters, not cell dependent. The first update is the KgNB key (KgNB*) using the parameters from the cell the UE 120 was suspended, in addition to the current KgNB or the NH, and using the received nextHopChainingCount. Two of these parameters may be assigned as follows: target Physical Cell ID (PCI) = PCI of the cell the UE 120 is suspended; target E-UTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN)-DL = ARFCN-DL of the cell the UE 120 is suspended.

Then, a second update is the derivation of K _RR ci _nt , K _RRCenc , Kup _enc , and Kup _mt from the newly updated K _gNB ^* .

In a variant of the second example, upon cell selection/re-selection while in RRCJNACTIVE, the UE 120 may perform security updates using as target cell the newly selected/re-selected cell (in addition to existing parameters, not cell dependent). The first update is the K _gNB key (K _gNB* ) using the parameters from the newly selected/re-selected cell (in addition to the current K _gNB or the NH, and using the received

nexiHopChainingCouni). Two of these parameters may be assigned as follows:

target PCI = PCI of the newly selected/re-selected cell;

target ARFCN-DL = ARFCN-DL of the newly selected/re-selected cell.

Then, the second update is the derivation of K _RRCint , KRRCenc, Kupenc, and Kup _mt from the newly updated K _gNB* .

By doing the actions described in the second example and variant, the UE 120 is prepared to receive a RRC Resume message without the need to perform security actions, which speed up the overall resume procedure.

Embodiments herein may be considered as having standard impact or being a UE 120-implementation patent. If that is to be standardized, the following may be an alternative. The embodiments herein show the new additions in different parts to illustrate these are independent parts which may be added together or not.

Below is an example showing on how the second example may be captured in the RRC specifications.

Example of reception of the RRCRelease by the UE 120

The UE 120 shall:

1 > delay the following actions defined in this sub-clause 60 ms from the

moment the RRCRelease message was received or optionally when lower layers indicate that the receipt of the RRCRelease message has been successfully acknowledged, whichever is earlier;

1 > if the RRCRelease message includes the cellReselectionPriorities·.

2> store the cell reselection priority information provided by the

cellReselectionPriorities ;

2> if the t320 is included:

3> start timer T320, with the timer value set according to the value of t320\

1 > else:

2> apply the cell reselection priority information broadcast in the system information;

It may be noted that FFS Whether RRCRelease supports a mechanim equivalent to loadBalancing TA U Required.

1> if deprioritisationReq is included:

2> start or restart timer T325 with the timer value set to the

deprioritisation Timer signalled;

2> store the deprioritisationReq until T325 expiry;

1> if the RRCRelease includes suspendConfig·.

2> if UE 120 has stored fulll-RNTI, shortl-RNTI,

nextHopChainingCount, periodic-RNAU-timer and ran- P aging Cycle :

3> release the previously stored fulll-RNTI, shortl-

RNTI, nextHopChainingCount and ran- PagingCycle provided in suspendConfig;

2> store fulll-RNTI, shortl-RNTI, nextHopChainingCount, periodic-RNAU- timer and ran-PagingCycle provided in suspendConfig·,

Part 1 :

2> set the resumeMAC-l to the 16 least significant bits of the MAC-I calculated:

3> over the ASN.1 encoded as per section 8 (i.e., a multiple of 8 bits) VarResumeMAC-input,

3> with the K _RR ci _nt key and the previously configured integrity protection algorithm; and 3> with all input bits for COUNT, BEARER and DIRECTION set to binary ones;

It may be noted that FFS Additional input to VarResumeMAC-lnput (replay attacks mitigation).

Part 2:

2> generate a new update of the K _gNB key based on the current

K _gNB or the NH, using the stored nextHopChainingCount value, as specified in TS 33.501 [11];

2> derive the K _RR cenc key, the K _RRCin t, the KuPmt key and the KuPenc key in addition to the old keys;

Part 3:

1 > configure lower layers to resume integrity protection for all radio bearers except SRB0 using the previously configured algorithm and the K _RRC int key and KuPmt key immediately, i.e., integrity protection shall be applied to all subsequent messages received and sent by the UE 120;

NOTE 1 : Only DRBs with previously configured UP integrity protection shall resume integrity protection.

2> configure lower layers to resume ciphering for all radio bearers except SRB0 and to apply the previously configured ciphering algorithm, the K _RR cenc key and the Kup _en c key, i.e. the ciphering configuration shall be applied to all subsequent messages received and sent by the UE 120; End of Part 3.

2> if suspendConfig includes ran-NotificationArealnfo ;

3> if the UE 120 has stored ran-NotificationArealnfo;

4> release the previously stored ran- NotificationArealnfo;

3> store the ran-NotificationArealnfo provided in

suspendConfig;

2> reset MAC;

2> re-establish RLC entities for all SRBs and DRBs;

2> if the RRCRelease message with suspendConfig was received in response to an RRCResumeRequest

3> stop the timer T319 if running;

3> replace any previously stored security context with newly received security context in the suspendConfig ; 3> replace the previously stored C-RNTI with the temporary C- RNTI in the cell the UE 120 has received the RRCRelease message;

3> replace the previously stored cell Identity with the cell Identity of the cell the UE 120 has received the RRCRelease message; 3> replace the previously stored physical cell identity with the physical cell identity of the cell the UE 120 has received the RRCRelease message;

2> else:

3> store the UE 120 AS Context including the current RRC configuration, the current security context, the PDCP state including ROHC state, SDAP configuration, C-RNTI used in the source PCell, the cell Identity and the physical cell identity of the source PCell;

2> suspend all SRB(s) and DRB(s), except SRB0;

2> start timer T380, with the timer value set to periodic-RNAU-timer,

2> indicate the suspension of the RRC connection to upper layers;

2> enter RRCJNACTIVE and perform procedures as specified in TS 38.304

1 > else

2> perform the actions upon going to RRCJDLE as specified in 5.3.11 , with the elase cause‘other’;

It may be FFS: Whether there needs to be different release causes and actions associated.

If that is to be a UE 120 implementation embodiment, the provided actions may still be performed regardless of the way the specifications are written. Notice that the testing of that is done by analyzing whether the UE 120 may include the correct resume MAC-I and whether the UE 120 may decrypt the response message to a resume request (e.g. resume or release message) and verify the network. Hence, a lower latency in that overall resume procedure is an evidence of the following implementation.

Another possible UE 120 implementation relies on the usage of parallel processing e.g. with a parallel circuitry at the UE 120 to perform security updates in parallel to the preparation of the transmission of the Resume Request. Then, instead of the serial steps described in the specifications, the preparation of the message and security procedures not necessary for the transmission of the message may be done in parallel so that the transmission of the RRC resume Request is not delayed. For example, for the update of Kgb* and the update security keys based on that, before transmitting the resume request, the parallel processing may be used.

Figure 9 a and b shows an example of arrangements in the UE 120.

The UE 120 may comprise an input and output interface configured to

communicate with each other. The input and output interface may comprise a wireless receiver (not shown) and a wireless transmitter (not shown).

The UE 120 may comprise a performing module 1010 and a resuming module 1020 to perform the method actions as described herein.

The embodiments herein may be implemented through a respective processor or one or more processors, such as the processor 1030 of a processing circuitry in the UE 120 depicted in Figure 9a, together with respective computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the UE 120. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the UE 120.

The UE 120 may further comprise respective a memory 1040 comprising one or more memory units. The memory comprises instructions executable by the processor in the UE 120.

The memory is arranged to be used to store instructions, data, configurations, and applications to perform the methods herein when being executed in the UE 120.

In some embodiments, a computer program 1050 comprises instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor of the UE 120 to perform the actions above. In some embodiments, a respective carrier 1060 comprises the computer program 1050, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an

electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the functional modules in the UE 120, described below may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g. stored in the UE 120, that when executed by the respective one or more processors such as the processors described above cause the respective at least one processor to perform actions according to any of the actions above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuitry (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a system-on-a- chip (SoC).

When using the word "comprise" or“comprising” it shall be interpreted as non limiting, i.e. meaning "consist at least of".

The embodiments herein are not limited to the above described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used.

Below, some example embodiments 1-12 are shortly described. See e.g. Figures 7, 8a, 8b, 9a and 9b.

Embodiment 1. A method performed by a User Equipment, UE, 120 for performing a resume procedure of a connection between the UE 120 and a network node 110, e.g. a Radio Resource Control, RRC, resume procedure, in a wireless

communications network 100, which resume procedure may relate to a transmission of the UE 120 from an inactive state to a connected state, e.g. from RRC inactive state to RRC connected state, the method comprising any one out of:

after transmitting a resume request to the network node 110 performing 801a security update procedures related to security information to be used in the resume procedure of the connection, and after receiving a resume command from the network node 110 as a response to the resume request, resuming 802a the connection between the UE 120 and the network node 110, wherein the updated security information is used to protect the signalling between the UE 120 and the network node 110.

Embodiment 2. A method performed by a User Equipment, UE, 120 for performing a resume procedure of a connection between the UE 120 and a network node 110, e.g. a Radio Resource Control, RRC, resume procedure, in a wireless

communications network 100, which resume procedure may relate to a transmission of the UE 120 from an inactive state to a connected state, e.g. from RRC inactive state to RRC connected state, the method comprising any one out of:

while the UE 120 is in inactive state, such as e.g. in RRCJNACTIVE state, performing 801b security update procedures related to security information to be used in the resume procedure of the connection, and

after receiving a resume command from the network node 110 as a response to the resume request, resuming 802b the connection between the UE 120 and the network node 110, wherein the updated security information is used to protect the signalling between the UE 120 and the network node 110.

Embodiment 3. The method according to embodiment 2, wherein performing 801 b security update procedures are initiated upon a suspension of the UE 120.

Embodiment 4. The method according to any of the embodiments 2-3, wherein performing 801b security update procedures are performed upon cell reselection and/or selection, while the UE 120 is in inactive state, such as e.g. in RRCJNACTIVE.

Embodiment 5. The method according to any of the embodiments 1-4, wherein the security update procedures comprises any one or more out of:

derivation of new security keys, configuration of lower layers to resume ciphering, configuration of lower layers to resume integrity protection, and calculation of RRC security token such as a resume Message Authentication Code, for Integrity MAC-I.

Embodiment 6. A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform actions according to any of the embodiments 1-5. Embodiment 7. A carrier comprising the computer program of embodiment 6, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

Embodiment 8. A User Equipment, UE, 120 for performing a resume procedure of a connection between the UE 120 and a network node 110, e.g. a Radio Resource Control, RRC, resume procedure, in a wireless communications network 100, which resume procedure may relate to a transition of the UE 120 from an inactive state to a connected state, e.g. from RRC inactive state to RRC connected state, wherein the UE 120 is configured to:

after transmitting a resume request to the network node 110 perform security update procedures related to security information to be used in the resume procedure of the connection, e.g. by means of a performing module 1010 in the UE 120 and

after receiving a resume command from the network node 110 as a response to the resume request, resume the connection between the UE 120 and the network node 110, wherein the updated security information is adapted to be used to protect the signalling between the UE 120 and the network node 110 e.g. by means of a resuming module 1020 in the UE 120.

Embodiment 9. A User Equipment, UE, 120 for performing a resume procedure of a connection between the UE 120 and a network node 110, e.g. a Radio Resource Control, RRC, resume procedure, in a wireless communications network 100, which resume procedure may relate to a transmission of the UE 120 from an inactive state to a connected state, e.g. from RRC inactive state to RRC connected state, wherein the UE 120 is configured to:

while the UE 120 is in inactive state such as e.g. in RRCJNACTIVE state, perform security update procedures related to security information to be used in the resume procedure of the connection, e.g. by means of a performing module 1010 in the UE 120, and

after receiving a resume command from the network node 110 as a response to the resume request, resume the connection between the UE 120 and the network node 110, wherein the updated security information is adapted to be used to protect the signalling between the UE 120 and the network node 110, e.g. by means of a resuming module 1020 in the UE 120.

Embodiment 10. The User Equipment, UE, 120 according to embodiment 9, further being configured to perform security update procedures initiated upon a suspension of the UE 120, e.g. by means of the performing module 1010 in the UE 120.

Embodiment 11. The User Equipment, UE, 120 according to any of the embodiments 9 or 10, further being configured to perform security update procedures upon cell reselection and/or selection, while the UE 120 is in inactive state, such as e.g. in RRCJNACTIVE, e.g. by means of the performing module 1010 in the UE 120.

Embodiment 12. The User Equipment, UE, 120 according to any of the embodiments 8 to 11 , wherein the UE 120 is further configured to include security update procedures adapted to comprise any one or more out of:

derivation of new security keys, configuration of lower layers to resume ciphering, configuration of lower layers to resume integrity protection, and calculation of RRC security token such as a resume Message Authentication Code, for Integrity MAC-I.

Further Extensions and Variations

With reference to Figure 10, in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes a telecommunication network 3210 such as the wireless communications network 100, e.g. an loT network, or a WLAN, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises an access network 3211 , such as a radio access network, and a core network 3214. The access network 3211 comprises a plurality of base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c, such as the network node 110, 130, access nodes, AP STAs NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 3213a, 3213b, 3213c. Each base station 3212a, 3212b, 3212c is connectable to the core network 3214 over a wired or wireless connection 3215. A first user equipment (UE) e.g. the UE 120 such as a Non-AP STA 3291 located in coverage area 3213c is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station 3212c. A second UE 3292 e.g. the wireless device 122 such as a Non-AP STA in coverage area 3213a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 3212a. While a plurality of UEs 3291 , 3292 are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding base station 3212.

The telecommunication network 3210 is itself connected to a host computer 3230, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. The host computer 3230 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The connections 3221 , 3222 between the telecommunication network 3210 and the host computer 3230 may extend directly from the core network 3214 to the host computer 3230 or may go via an optional intermediate network 3220. The intermediate network 3220 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; the intermediate network 3220, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, the intermediate network 3220 may comprise two or more sub networks (not shown).

The communication system of Figure 10 as a whole enables connectivity between one of the connected UEs 3291 , 3292 and the host computer 3230. The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 3250. The host computer 3230 and the connected UEs 3291 , 3292 are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via the OTT connection 3250, using the access network 3211 , the core network 3214, any intermediate network 3220 and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection 3250 may be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection 3250 passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, a base station 3212 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from a host computer 3230 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE 3291. Similarly, the base station 3212 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UE 3291 towards the host computer 3230.

Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE, base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to Figure 11. In a communication system 3300, a host computer 3310 comprises hardware 3315 including a communication interface 3316 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 3300. The host computer 3310 further comprises processing circuitry 3318, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuitry 3318 may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The host computer 3310 further comprises software 3311 , which is stored in or accessible by the host computer 3310 and executable by the processing circuitry 3318. The software 3311 includes a host application 3312. The host application 3312 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as a UE 3330 connecting via an OTT connection 3350 terminating at the UE 3330 and the host computer 3310. In providing the service to the remote user, the host application 3312 may provide user data which is transmitted using the OTT connection 3350.

The communication system 3300 further includes a base station 3320 provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware 3325 enabling it to communicate with the host computer 3310 and with the UE 3330. The hardware 3325 may include a communication interface 3326 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 3300, as well as a radio interface 3327 for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection 3370 with a UE 3330 located in a coverage area (not shown) served by the base station 3320. The communication interface 3326 may be configured to facilitate a connection 3360 to the host computer 3310. The connection 3360 may be direct or it may pass through a core network (not shown in Figure 11) of the

telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown, the hardware 3325 of the base station 3320 further includes processing circuitry 3328, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The base station 3320 further has software 3321 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

The communication system 3300 further includes the UE 3330 already referred to. Its hardware 3335 may include a radio interface 3337 configured to set up and maintain a wireless connection 3370 with a base station serving a coverage area in which the UE 3330 is currently located. The hardware 3335 of the UE 3330 further includes processing circuitry 3338, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application- specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The UE 3330 further comprises software 3331 , which is stored in or accessible by the UE 3330 and executable by the processing circuitry 3338. The software 3331 includes a client application 3332. The client application 3332 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via the UE 3330, with the support of the host computer 3310. In the host computer 3310, an executing host application 3312 may communicate with the executing client application 3332 via the OTT connection 3350 terminating at the UE 3330 and the host computer 3310. In providing the service to the user, the client application 3332 may receive request data from the host application 3312 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 3350 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The client application 3332 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.

It is noted that the host computer 3310, base station 3320 and UE 3330 illustrated in Figure 11 may be identical to the host computer 3230, one of the base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c and one of the UEs 3291 , 3292 of Figure 12, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in Figure 11 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of Figure 10.

In Figure 11 , the OTT connection 3350 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host computer 3310 and the use equipment 3330 via the base station 3320, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured to hide from the UE 3330 or from the service provider operating the host computer 3310, or both. While the OTT connection 3350 is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network).

The wireless connection 3370 between the UE 3330 and the base station 3320 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the UE 3330 using the OTT connection 3350, in which the wireless connection 3370 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the applicable RAN effect: data rate, latency, power consumption, and thereby provide benefits such as corresponding effect on the OTT service: e.g. reduced user waiting time, relaxed restriction on file size, better

responsiveness, extended battery lifetime.

A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 between the host computer 3310 and UE 3330, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 may be implemented in the software 3311 of the host computer 3310 or in the software 3331 of the UE 3330, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which the OTT connection 3350 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software 3311 , 3331 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of the OTT connection 3350 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect the base station 3320, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station 3320. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling facilitating the host computer’s 3310 measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may be implemented in that the software 3311 , 3331 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or‘dummy’ messages, using the OTT connection 3350 while it monitors propagation times, errors etc.

Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station such as the network node 110, and a UE such as the UE 120, which may be those described with reference to Figure 10 and Figure 11. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 12 will be included in this section. In a first action 3410 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional subaction 3411 of the first action 3410, the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In a second action 3420, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In an optional third action 3430, the base station transmits to the UE the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional fourth action 3440, the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station such as a AP STA, and a UE such as a Non-AP STA which may be those described with reference to Figure 10 and Figure 11. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 13 will be included in this section. In a first action 3510 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional subaction (not shown) the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In a second action 3520, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. The transmission may pass via the base station, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional third action 3530, the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station such as a AP STA, and a UE such as a Non-AP STA which may be those described with reference to Figure 10 and Figure 11. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 14 will be included in this section. In an optional first action 3610 of the method, the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in an optional second action 3620, the UE provides user data. In an optional subaction 3621 of the second action 3620, the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In a further optional subaction 3611 of the first action 3610, the UE executes a client application which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE initiates, in an optional third subaction 3630, transmission of the user data to the host computer. In a fourth action 3640 of the method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station such as a AP STA, and a UE such as a Non-AP STA which may be those described with reference to Figure 10 and Figure 11. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 15 will be included in this section. In an optional first action 3710 of the method, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In an optional second action 3720, the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In a third action 3730, the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.