MOBILITY BETWEEN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS

Description

1 / 39 Wireless communication device, method performed by a wireless communication device, network function of a node. NETWORK, AND, METHOD PERFORMED BY A NETWORK FUNCTION Field

[0001] The subject matter disclosed in this document refers, in general, to the field of implementing mobility between wireless communication networks. This document defines a wireless communication device, a method in a wireless communication device, a second network function, and a method in a second network function. Introduction

[0002] A wireless communication device, such as a UE, may be able to connect and communicate via a 5th Generation System (5GS) and an Evolved Packet System (EPS). Such a UE may register with the 5GS and also attach to the EPS via single registration or dual registration, and may be able to receive UE policy sections in the EPS as well as in the 5GS. In the case of single registration with the 5GS, if the UE supports UE policy sections, including URSP in the EPS, and transfers a PDU session from the 5GS to the EPS, the SM-PCF will need to establish the UE policy association with the UEPCF, to assign the correct policies to the PDU session after the transfer. When the UE is transferred from the 5GS to the EPS, at the time of the PDU session release, it is unclear how long the UE-PCF will maintain the existing UE policy association while the UE is registered with the 5GS.Therefore, when the UE connects to the EPS to establish the PDN connection, the UE's existing policy associations in the 5GS may be terminated, and as a result, the PDU session cannot be transferred to the EPS. This network behavior is problematic if the network does not support N26. Summary

[0003] This document presents a new interaction between Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 9 / 98 2 / 39 the UE and AMF / SMF+PWG-C for a PDU session transfer from a 5GS to an EPS. This is particularly useful when the network does not use the optional N26 interface.

[0004] This document discloses procedures for mobility between wireless communication networks. These procedures can be implemented by a wireless communication device, a method on a wireless communication device, a second network function, and a method on a second network function.

[0005] Consequently, a wireless communication device is provided, comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to cause the wireless communication device to: transmit, for a first network function, an information element, the information element comprising: a first container comprising an EU STATE INDICATION message; and a second container comprising a PDU session identity. The EU STATE INDICATION message comprises a UPSI list and an indication for ANDSP support. The information element indicates that a PDU session identified by the PDU session identity should be transferred from a first mobile communications technology to a second communications technology.

[0006] A method is further provided in a wireless communication device, the method comprising: transmitting, to a first network function, an information element, the information element comprising: a first receptacle comprising an EU STATE INDICATION message; and a second receptacle comprising a PDU session identity. The EU STATE INDICATION message comprises a UPSI list and an indication for ANDSP support. The information element indicates that a PDU session identified by the PDU session identity should be transferred from a first technology of Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 10 / 98 3 / 39 Mobile communications for a second communications technology.

[0007] A second network function is further provided, comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to make the second network function: receive, from a wireless communication device, an information element, the information element comprising a first container comprising an EU STATE INDICATION message and a second container comprising a PDU session identity, wherein the EU STATE INDICATION message comprises a UPSI list and an indication for ANDSP support.The processor is further configured to have the second network function determine that the wireless communication device supports a policy association; request that a third network function establish a policy association for the wireless communication device; create a policy section management list using the established policy association for the wireless communication device; and transmit the policy section management list to the wireless communication device.

[0008] A further method is provided in a second network function, the method comprising: receiving, from a wireless communication device, an information element, the information element comprising a first container comprising an EU STATE INDICATION message and a second container comprising a PDU session identity, wherein the EU STATE INDICATION message comprises a UPSI list and an indication for ANDSP support. The method further comprises: determining whether the wireless communication device supports a policy association; requesting a third network function to establish a policy association for the wireless communication device; creating a policy section management list using the established policy association for the Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 11 / 98 4 / 39 wireless communication device; and transmit the policy section management list to the wireless communication device. Brief description of the drawings

[0009] In order to describe the manner in which advantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a description of the disclosure is represented by reference to certain methods and apparatus which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each of these drawings represents only certain aspects of the disclosure and should not, therefore, be considered limiting of its scope. The drawings may have been simplified for clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0010] Methods and devices for mobility between wireless communication networks will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 represents one type of wireless communication system for providing mobility between wireless communication networks; Figure 2 represents a user equipment device that can be used to implement the methods described in this document; Figure 3 represents additional details of the network node that can be used to implement the methods described in this document; Figure 4 illustrates a network architecture capable of transmitting policy sections to a UE; Figure 5 illustrates a process for 5GS UE mobility to EPS when the N26 interface is not supported by AMF and MME; Figure 6 illustrates a method in a wireless communication device; and Figure 7 illustrates a method in a second network function. Detailed Description Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 12 / 98 5 / 39

[0011] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of this disclosure can be incorporated as a system, apparatus, method, or program product. Consequently, the arrangements described in this document can be implemented in an entirely hardware form, in an entirely software form (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or in a form that combines aspects of software and hardware.

[0012] For example, the disclosed methods and apparatus may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom very large-scale integration (VLSI) circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. The disclosed methods and apparatus may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field-programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, or the like. As another example, the disclosed methods and apparatus may include one or more physical or logical blocks of executable code that may, for example, be organized as an object, procedure, or function.

[0013] Furthermore, the methods and apparatus may take the form of a program product embedded in one or more computer-readable storage devices that store machine-readable code, computer-readable code and / or program code, referred to hereinafter as code. The storage devices may be tangible, non-transient and / or non-transmissible. The storage devices may not incorporate signals. In certain arrangements, the storage devices employ only signals to access code.

[0014] Any combination of one or more computer-readable media may be used. The computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable storage medium. The medium Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 13 / 98 6 / 39 Computer-readable storage may be a storage device that stores the code. The storage device may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, holographic, micromechanical or semiconductor system, apparatus or device, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0015] More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of storage devices would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer floppy disk, a hard disk drive, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a portable compact disc (CD-ROM) read-only memory, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof. In the context of this document, a computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store, a program for use by or in connection with an instruction-executing system, apparatus, or device.

[0016] Reference throughout this descriptive report to an example of a specific method or device, or similar language, means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that example is included in at least one implementation of the method and device described in this document. Thus, reference to features of an example of a specific method or device, or similar language, may, but does not necessarily, refer to the same example, but means one or more, but not all, examples, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms including, comprising, possessing, and their variations mean including, but not limited to, unless expressly Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, p. 14 / 98 7 / 39 otherwise specified. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms a, an, or any also refer to one or more, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0017] As used in this document, a list with an and / or conjunction includes any single item in the list or a combination of items in the list. For example, a list of A, B, and / or C includes only A, only B, only C, a combination of A and B, a combination of B and C, a combination of A and C, or a combination of A, B, and C. As used in this document, a list using the terminology one or more of includes any single item in the list or a combination of items in the list. For example, one or more of A, B, and C includes only A, only B, only C, a combination of A and B, a combination of B and C, a combination of A and C, or a combination of A, B, and C. As used in this document, a list using the terminology one of includes one and only one of any single item in the list. For example, one of A, B, and C includes only A, only B, or only C and excludes combinations of A, B, and C.As used in this document, a selected member of the group consisting of A, B, and C includes one and only one of A, B, or C and excludes combinations of A, B, and C. As used in this document, a selected member of the group consisting of A, B, and C and combinations thereof includes only A, only B, only C, a combination of A and B, a combination of B and C, a combination of A and C, or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0018] Furthermore, the resources, structures, or features described in this document may be combined in any suitable manner. The following description provides various specific details, such as programming examples, software modules, user selections, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 15 / 98 8 / 39 etc., to provide a complete understanding of the disclosure. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the methods and apparatus disclosed can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosure.

[0019] Aspects of the disclosed method and apparatus are described below with reference to schematic flowchart diagrams and / or schematic block diagrams of methods, apparatus, systems, and program products. It will be understood that each block of the schematic flowchart diagrams and / or schematic block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the schematic flowchart diagrams and / or schematic block diagrams, can be implemented by code. This code can be supplied to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which are executed through the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means to implement the functions / acts specified in the schematic flowcharts and / or schematic block diagrams.

[0020] The code can also be stored on a storage device that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing device, or other devices to operate in a specific way, so that the instructions stored on the storage device produce a manufactured article including instructions that implement the function / act specified in the schematic flowcharts and / or schematic block diagrams.

[0021] The code can also be loaded onto a computer, Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 16 / 98 9 / 39 other programmable data processing apparatus or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer-implemented process such that the code that executes on the computer or other programmable apparatus provides processes to implement the functions / acts specified in the schematic flowchart diagrams and / or schematic block diagrams.

[0022] The schematic flowcharts and / or schematic block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of devices, systems, methods, and program products. In this respect, each block in the schematic flowcharts and / or schematic block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one or more executable instructions of the code to implement the specified logical function(s).

[0023] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions indicated in the block may occur out of the order shown in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. Other steps and methods may be devised that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks, or parts thereof, of the illustrated Figures.

[0024] The description of the elements in each Figure may refer to the elements in the previous Figures. Similar numbers refer to similar elements in all Figures.

[0025] Figure 1 represents an embodiment of a wireless communication system 100 to provide mobility between wireless communication networks. In one embodiment, the wireless communication system 100 includes remote units 102 and network units 104. Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 17 / 98 10 / 39 Although a specific number of remote units 102 and network units 104 are represented in Figure 1, one skilled in the art will recognize that any number of remote units 102 and network units 104 may be included in the wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system may comprise a wireless communication network and at least one wireless communication device. The wireless communication device is typically a 3GPP User Equipment (UE). The wireless communication network may comprise at least one network node. The network node may be a network unit.

[0026] In one embodiment, remote units 102 may include computing devices such as desktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets, smartphones, smart televisions (e.g., Internet-connected televisions), set-top boxes, game consoles, security systems (including security cameras), vehicle onboard computers, network devices (e.g., routers, switches, modems), aerial vehicles, drones, or the like. In some embodiments, remote units 102 include wearable devices such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, head-mounted optical displays, or the like. Furthermore, remote units 102 may be referred to as subscriber units, mobiles, mobile stations, users, terminals, mobile terminals, fixed terminals, subscriber stations, UE, user terminals, a device, or by other terminology used in the art.Remote units 102 can communicate directly with one or more network units 104 via UL communication signals. In certain embodiments, remote units 102 can communicate directly with other remote units 102 via secondary link communication.

[0027] Network units 104 can be distributed across a geographic region. In certain embodiments, a network unit Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 18 / 98 11 / 39 104 can also be referred to as an access point, an access terminal, a base, a base station, a B-Node, an eNB, a gNB, a domestic B-Node, a relay node, a device, a core network, an air server, a radio access node, an AP, NR, a network entity, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), a Unified Data Management Function (UDM), a Unified Data Repository (UDR), a UDM / UDR, a Policy Control Function (PCF), a Radio Access Network (RAN), a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), an operations, administration and management (OAM) function, a session management function (SMF), a user plane function (UPF), an application function, an authentication server function (AUSF), a security anchor functionality (SEAF), a non-trusted 3GPP gateway function (TNGF), an application function, a service enabler architecture layer function. (SEAL),A vertical application enabler server, an edge enabler server, an edge configuration server, a mobile edge computing platform function, a mobile edge computing application, an application data analytics enabler server, a SEAL data delivery server, a middleware entity, a network slice capacity management server, or by any other terminology used in the art. Network units 104 are generally part of a radio access network that includes one or more controllers communicatively coupled to one or more corresponding network units 104. The radio access network is generally communicatively coupled to one or more core networks, which may be coupled to other networks such as the Internet and public switched telephone networks, among other networks. These and other elements of radio access and core networks are not illustrated.But they are generally well known to those versed in the technique. Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 19 / 98 12 / 39

[0028] In one implementation, the wireless communication system 100 is compatible with the New Radio (NR) protocols standardized in 3GPP, where the network unit 104 transmits using an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme on the downlink (DL) and the remote units 102 transmit on the uplink (UL) using a Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) scheme or an OFDM scheme. More generally, however, the wireless communication system 100 may implement some other open or proprietary communication protocol, for example, WiMAX, IEEE 802.11 variants, GSM, GPRS, UMTS, LTE variants, CDMA2000, Bluetooth®, ZigBee, Sigfox, LoraWAN, among other protocols. This disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementation of any particular wireless communication system architecture or protocol.

[0029] Network units 104 can serve multiple remote units 102 within a service area, for example, a cell or a cell sector, by means of a wireless communication link. Network units 104 transmit DL communication signals to serve remote units 102 in the time, frequency and / or space domain.

[0030] Figure 2 represents a user equipment device 200 that can be used to implement the methods described in this document. The user equipment device 200 is used to implement one or more of the solutions described in this document. The user equipment device 200 conforms to one or more user equipment devices described in embodiments described in this document. In particular, the user equipment device 200 may comprise a wireless communication device, a remote unit 102 and / or a UE 410, 411, 510 as described in this document. The user equipment device 200 includes a processor 205, a memory 210, an input device 215, Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 20 / 98 13 / 39 an output device 220 and a transceiver 225.

[0031] Input device 215 and output device 220 may be combined into a single device, such as a touch screen. In some implementations, the user equipment device 200 does not include any input device 215 and / or output device 220. The user equipment device 200 may include one or more of: the processor 205, the memory 210 and the transceiver 225, and may not include the input device 215 and / or the output device 220.

[0032] As represented, the 225 transceiver includes at least one 230 transmitter and at least one 235 receiver. The 225 transceiver can communicate with one or more cells (or wireless coverage areas) supported by one or more base units. The 225 transceiver can operate in unlicensed spectrum. In addition, the 225 transceiver can include multiple UE panels that support one or more beams. Furthermore, the 225 transceiver can support at least one 240 network interface and / or 245 application interface. The 245 application interface(s) can support one or more APIs. The 240 network interface(s) can support 3GPP reference points such as Uu, N1, PC5, etc. Other 240 network interfaces may be supported, as understood by one skilled in the art.

[0033] The 205 processor may include any known controller capable of executing computer-readable instructions and / or capable of performing logical operations. For example, the 205 processor may be a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an auxiliary processing unit, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a similar programmable controller. The 205 processor may execute instructions stored in memory. Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 21 / 98 14 / 39 210 to perform the methods and routines described in this document. Processor 205 is communicatively coupled to memory 210, input device 215, output device 220, and transceiver 225.

[0034] Processor 205 can control user equipment device 200 to implement the user equipment device behaviors described in this document. Processor 205 may include an application processor (also known as the main processor) that manages application domain and operating system (OS) functions and a baseband processor (also known as the baseband radio processor) that manages radio functions.

[0035] Memory 210 can be a computer-readable storage medium. Memory 210 can include volatile computer storage media. For example, memory 210 can include RAM, including dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), and / or static RAM (SRAM). Memory 210 can include non-volatile computer storage media. For example, memory 210 can include a hard disk drive, flash memory, or any other suitable non-volatile computer storage device. Memory 210 can include both volatile and non-volatile computer storage media.

[0036] Memory 210 can store data related to the implementation of a traffic category field as described in this document. Memory 210 can also store program code and related data, such as an operating system or other controller algorithms operating on device 200.

[0037] Input device 215 may include any known computer input device, including a touch panel, a button, a keyboard, a pen, a microphone, or the like. Input device 215 may be integrated into output device 220, for example, as a touch screen. Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 22 / 98 15 / 39 touch-screen or similar touch-sensitive screen. Input device 215 may include a touch-sensitive screen so that text can be entered using a virtual keyboard displayed on the touch-sensitive screen and / or handwritten on the touch-sensitive screen. Input device 215 may include two or more different devices, such as a keyboard and a touch panel.

[0038] Output device 220 may be designed to emit visual, audible, and / or tactile signals. Output device 220 may include an electronically controllable display screen or a display device capable of sending visual data to a user. For example, output device 220 may include, but is not limited to, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) Display, an Organic LED (OLED) Display, a projector, or similar display device capable of displaying images, text, or the like to a user. As another non-limiting example, output device 220 may include a separate wearable display screen, but communicatively coupled to the rest of the user equipment 200, such as a smartwatch, smart glasses, a heads-up display screen, or the like.In addition, a 220V output device can be a component of a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a television, a desktop computer, a laptop, a personal computer, a vehicle dashboard, or similar devices.

[0039] The 220 output device may include one or more loudspeakers to produce sound. For example, the 220 output device may produce an audible alert or notification (e.g., a beep or buzzer). The 220 output device may include one or more tactile devices to produce vibrations, movement, or other tactile feedback. All, or portions, of the 220 output device may be integrated into the device of Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 23 / 98 16 / 39 input 215. For example, input device 215 and output device 220 can form a touch screen or a similar touch screen. Output device 220 can be located near input device 215.

[0040] Transceiver 225 communicates with one or more network functions of a mobile communication network through one or more access networks. Transceiver 225 operates under the control of processor 205 to transmit messages, data, and other signals, and also to receive messages, data, and other signals. For example, processor 205 can selectively activate transceiver 225 (or portions thereof) at specific times to send and receive messages.

[0041] The 225 transceiver includes at least one 230 transmitter and at least one 235 receiver. One or more 230 transmitters may be used to provide uplink communication signals to a base unit of a wireless communication network. Similarly, one or more 235 receivers may be used to receive downlink communication signals from the base unit. Although only one 230 transmitter and one 235 receiver are illustrated, the 200 user equipment apparatus may have any suitable number of 230 transmitters and 235 receivers. Furthermore, the 230 transmitter(s) and 235 receiver(s) may be any suitable type of transmitters and receivers. The 1225 transceiver may include a first transmitter / receiver pair used to communicate with a mobile communication network via the licensed radio spectrum and a second transmitter / receiver pair used to communicate with a mobile communication network via the unlicensed radio spectrum.

[0042] The first transmitter / receiver pair can be used to communicate with a mobile communication network via the licensed radio spectrum and the second transmitter / receiver pair used to communicate with a network of Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 24 / 98 17 / 39 Mobile communication over unlicensed radio spectrum can be combined into a single transceiver unit, for example, a single chip performing functions for use with both licensed and unlicensed radio spectrum. The first transmitter / receiver pair and the second transmitter / receiver pair may share one or more hardware components. For example, certain transceivers 225, transmitters 230 and receivers 235 may be implemented as physically separate components that access a shared hardware and / or software resource, such as, for example, the network interface 240.

[0043] One or more transmitters 230 and / or one or more receivers 235 may be implemented and / or integrated into a single hardware component, such as a multitransceiver chip, a system-on-a-chip, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other type of hardware component. One or more transmitters 230 and / or one or more receivers 235 may be implemented and / or integrated into a multichip module. Other components, such as the network interface 240 or other hardware components / circuits, may be integrated with any number of transmitters 230 and / or receivers 235 on a single chip. The transmitters 230 and receivers 235 may be logically configured as a transceiver 225 that uses more than one common control signal or as modular transmitters 230 and receivers 235 implemented on the same hardware chip or on a multichip module.

[0044] Figure 3 represents additional details of network node 300 that can be used to implement the methods described in this document. Network node 300 can be an implementation of an entity in the wireless communication network, for example, in one or more of the wireless communication networks described in this document. Network node 300 can comprise a second network function, a network unit 104, a network node 300 and / or an SMPCF 430, 530, as described in this document. The network node Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 25 / 98 18 / 39 300 includes a processor 305, a memory 310, an input device 315, an output device 320, and a transceiver 325.

[0045] Input device 315 and output device 320 can be combined into a single device, such as a touch screen. In some implementations, network node 300 does not include any input device 315 and / or output device 320. Network node 300 may include one or more of: processor 305, memory 310 and transceiver 325, and may not include input device 315 and / or output device 320.

[0046] As represented, the transceiver 325 includes at least one transmitter 330 and at least one receiver 335. Here, the transceiver 325 communicates with one or more remote units 200. In addition, the transceiver 325 may support at least one network interface 340 and / or application interface 345. The application interface(s) 345 may support one or more APIs. The network interface(s) 340 may support 3GPP reference points, such as Uu, N1, N2, and N3. Other network interfaces 340 may be supported, as understood by one skilled in the art.

[0047] Processor 305 may include any known controller capable of executing computer-readable instructions and / or capable of performing logical operations. For example, processor 305 may be a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processing unit, an FPGA, or a similar programmable controller. Processor 305 may execute instructions stored in memory 310 to perform the methods and routines described in this document. Processor 305 is communicatively coupled to memory 310, input device 315, output device 320, and transceiver 325.

[0048] Memory 310 can be a readable storage medium. Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 26 / 98 19 / 39 per computer. Memory 310 may include volatile computer storage media. For example, memory 310 may include RAM, including dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), and / or static RAM (SRAM). Memory 310 may include non-volatile computer storage media. For example, memory 310 may include a hard disk drive, flash memory, or any other suitable non-volatile computer storage device. Memory 310 may include both volatile and non-volatile computer storage media.

[0049] Memory 310 can store data related to establishing a multipath unicast link and / or mobile operation. For example, memory 310 can store parameters, configurations, feature assignments, policies, and the like, as described in this document. Memory 310 can also store program code and related data, such as an operating system or other controller algorithms operating on network node 300.

[0050] Input device 315 may include any known computer input device, including a touch panel, a button, a keyboard, a pen, a microphone, or the like. Input device 315 may be integrated with output device 320, for example, as a touch screen or similar touch-sensitive display. Input device 315 may include a touch screen so that text can be entered using a virtual keyboard displayed on the touch screen and / or handwritten on the touch screen. Input device 315 may include two or more different devices, such as a keyboard and a touch panel.

[0051] Output device 320 may be designed to emit visual, audible and / or tactile signals. Output device 320 may include an electronically controllable display screen or a display device capable of sending Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 27 / 98 20 / 39 visual data for a user. For example, the output device 320 may include, but is not limited to, an LCD display screen, an LED display screen, an OLED display screen, a projector, or a similar display device capable of outputting images, text, or the like to a user. As another non-limiting example, the output device 320 may include a separate but communicatively coupled wearable display screen to the rest of the network node 300, such as a smartwatch, smart glasses, a heads-up display screen, or the like. Furthermore, the output device 320 may be a component of a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a television, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal computer, a vehicle dashboard, or the like.

[0052] Output device 320 may include one or more loudspeakers to produce sound. For example, output device 320 may produce an audible alert or notification (e.g., a beep or buzzer). Output device 320 may include one or more tactile devices to produce vibrations, movement, or other tactile feedback. All, or portions, of output device 320 may be integrated into input device 315. For example, input device 315 and output device 320 may form a touch-sensitive screen or a similar touch-sensitive display. Output device 320 may be located near input device 315.

[0053] Transceiver 325 includes at least one transmitter 330 and at least one receiver 335. One or more transmitters 330 may be used to communicate with the UE, as described in this document. Similarly, one or more receivers 335 may be used to communicate with network functions in the PLMN and / or RAN, as described in this document. Although only one transmitter 330 and one receiver 335 are illustrated, network node 300 may have any suitable number of transmitters 330 and Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 28 / 98 21 / 39 receivers 335. In addition, the transmitter(s) 330 and receiver(s) 335 may be any suitable type of transmitters and receivers.

[0054] A wireless communication device, such as a UE, may be able to connect and communicate via a 5th Generation System (5GS) and an Evolved Packet System (EPS). Such a UE may register with the 5GS and also attach to the EPS via single registration or dual registration, and may receive UE policy sections in both the EPS and the 5GS. In the case of single registration with the 5GS, if the UE supports UE policy sections, including URSP in the EPS, and transfers a PDU session from the 5GS to the EPS, the SM-PCF will need to establish the UE policy association with the UE-PCF to assign the correct policies to the PDU session after the transfer. When the UE is transferred from the 5GS to the EPS, at the time of PDU session release, it is unclear how long the UE-PCF will retain the existing UE policy association while the UE is registered with the 5GS.Therefore, when the UE connects to the EPS to establish the PDN connection, the UE's existing policy associations in the 5GS may be terminated, and as a result, the PDU session cannot be transferred to the EPS. This network behavior is problematic if the network does not support N26.

[0055] N26 is an inter-core network interface, for example, between AMF and MME, and can be used to enable interoperability between the 5G core and the EPC. However, support for the N26 interface in the network is optional. Interoperability procedures using the N26 interface allow the exchange of MM and SM states between the source and target networks, and as such, transfer procedures can be supported by the N26 interface.

[0056] The N26 interface between AMF in 5GC and MME in EPC can be used to enable seamless session continuity for transfer between systems, which can be particularly Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 29 / 98 22 / 39 useful for providing voice services. The use of N26 can result in reduced voice interruption time when, for example, performing a transfer between 5G (VoNR) and 4G (VoLTE).

[0057] This document presents a new interaction between UE and AMF / SMF+PWG-C for transferring a PDU session from a 5GS to an EPS. This is particularly useful when the network does not use the optional N26 interface.

[0058] 3GPP TS 24.501 V18.1.0 entitled Non-Accessible Stratum (NAS) Protocol for the 5G System (5GS); Stage 3; (Version 18) describes in section D.2.2 an UE-initiated state indication procedure, which is a procedure performed at the time of initial registration in the 5GS. Section D.2.2.1 of 3GPP TS 24.501 v18.1.0 states that the purpose of the UE-initiated state indication procedure is as follows. The objective of the EU nomination procedure initiated by the EU is: a) deliver the UPSI(s) from the EU policy section(s) which are: -identified by a UPSI with the PLMN ID portion indicating the HPLMN or the PLMN selected and stored in the UE, if any; or -identified by a UPSI with the PLMN ID portion indicating the PLMN ID portion of the SNPN identity of the selected SNPN and associated with the NID of the selected SNPN, and stored in the UE, if any; b) to indicate whether the UE supports ANDSP; and c) provide one or more EU OS IDs; for the PCF.

[0059] Section D.2.2.2 of 3GPP TS 24.501 v18.1.0 describes the EU status indication procedure initiated by the EU as follows. To initiate the EU-initiated nomination of status procedure, the EU must create an EU NOMINATION OF STATUS message. The EU: Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 30 / 98 23 / 39 a) You must allocate an unused PTI value and set the PTI IE to the allocated PTI value; b) If not operating in SNPN access mode, it must include the UPSI(s) from the UE policy section(s) that are identified by a UPSI with the PLMN ID portion indicating the HPLMN or the selected PLMN available in the UE in the UPSI list IE; (c) If operating in SNPN access mode, you must include UPSI(s) from the EU policy section(s) that are identified by a UPSI: - with the PLMN ID section indicating the MCC and MNC of the selected SNPN; and -associated with the NID of the selected SNPN; Available in the EU on the UPSI list; d) must specify whether the UE supports ANDSP in the EU policy class tag IE (e) may include one or more EU OS IDs in the EU OS ID IE. The EU must send the EU STATEMENT message (see example in figure D.2.2.2.1). The EU must carry the EU STATEMENT message created using the registration procedure (see subclause 5.5.1).

[0060] Section D.2.2.3 of 3GPP TS 24.501 v18.1.0 describes the EU-initiated EU-accepted state indication procedure. This explains that, after receiving the EU-INITIAL STATE INDICATION message, the PCF should operate as described in 3GPP TS 23.502 V18.1.0 entitled Procedures for the 5G System (5GS) and in 3GPP TS 29.525 V18.1.0 entitled 5G System; EU Policy Control Service; Stage 3.

[0061] A 3GPP work item for enhanced EU policy (eUEPO) allows the EU to receive EU policy sections when the EU registers on an EPS network. Figure 4 illustrates the 400 network architecture with the ability to transmit policy sections. Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 31 / 98 24 / 39 for the EU.

[0062] The 400 network architecture comprises a UE 410 that communicates via an E-UTRAN 412 and a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 424. The 400 network architecture further comprises a UE 411 that communicates with a Next-Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) 413 and an Access and Mobility Management (AMF) function 422. The MME 424 and the EUTRAN 412 communicate with a Service Gateway (SGW) 426, which in turn communicates with the Session Management Function (SMF) + Packet Data Network Gateway Control (PGW-C) 428 and with the User Plane Function (UPF) + Packet Data Network Gateway User (PGW-U) 427. The AMF 422 and the NG-RAN 413 also communicate with the SMF+PGW-C 428 and with the User Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW-U) 427 of the User Plane Function (UPF).The 400 network architecture further comprises a Session Management Policy Control Function (SM-PCF) 430, a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) Unified Data Management (UDM) 436, and a User Equipment Policy Control Function (UE-PCF) 431. The interfaces between the various network functions are also shown in Figure 4.

[0063] UEs 410, 411 may each comprise a wireless communication device, a remote unit 102, a user equipment device 200 and / or a UE 510 as described in this document. SM-PCF 430 may comprise a second network function, a network unit 104, a network node 300 or an SM-PCF 530 as described in this document.

[0064] UE 410, at the time of attachment to EPS (here, E-UTRAN 412), requests the establishment of a PDN connectivity. Furthermore, when using Extended Protocol Configuration Options (ePCO), UE 410 transmits the EU STATE INDICATION message to SMF+PGW-C 428, which will subsequently be forwarded to SM-PCF 430 to establish EU policy associations with Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 32 / 98 25 / 39 to EU-PCF 431, in order to provide the EU policy sections.

[0065] The SM-PCF 430 does not support the N15 reference point, while the UE-PCF 431 does not support the N7 reference point. In this arrangement, for URSP delivery from UE-PCF 431 in 5GC to UE 410 in EPS, the establishment of an UE Policy Association between SM-PCF 430 and UE-PCF 431 is provided. The URSP can be transparently delivered to UE 410 via SM-PCF 430, SMF+PGW-C 428, SGW 426, and MME 424. As illustrated in Figure 4, an interface (Nx) needs to be specified between SM-PCF 430 and UEPCF 431 to establish an UE Policy Association. The N15 interface can be reused as Nx. When UE 410 sends a connection request in EPS (e.g., initial connection procedure, 5GS mobility procedure for EPS without N26), UE 410 sends the EU policy container including the list of PSIs and delivers URSP on EPS indication in PCO to UE-PCF 431.When EU policy is updated in EU-PCF 431 while EU 410 is in EPS, EU-PCF 431 sends the EU Policy Container to SMF+PGW-C 428. SMF+PGW-C 428 sends a PCO including the EU Policy Container to EU 410. Additionally, when EU 411 sends a Registration Request in 5GS, the EU Policy Container includes a list of PSIs and delivers URSP on EPS Indication to EU-PCF 431. In 5GS to EPS Transfer / Idle mode mobility using N26, the EU Policy Association established in 5GS can be maintained in EPS.

[0066] Figure 5 illustrates a 500 process for UE mobility from 5GS to EPS when the N26 interface is not supported by the AMF and MME. The 500 process is performed by a UE 510, 1 gNB and / or an eNB 520, an AMF 522, an MME 524, an SGW 526, an SMF+PGWC 528 and SM-PCF 530, a UE-PCF2 532 and a UE-PCF1 534.

[0067] The UE 510 may comprise a wireless communication device, a remote unit 102, a user equipment device 200 and / or a UE 410, 411 as described Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 33 / 98 26 / 39 in this document. The SM-PCF 530 may comprise a second network function, a network unit 104, a network node 300 and / or an SMPCF 430 as described in this document.

[0068] The preconditions assumed for process 500 are: • The UE is initially registered in 5GS with a PDU session, and the UE is operating in single registration mode. • The EU has already included an EU status indication message when registering with 5GS and includes a capability to support the management of EU policy sections, including the provisioning of URSP in EPS. • The ability to support URSP provisioning in EPS is stored in the UDR for UE. • The N26 interface is not supported.

[0069] Process 500 starts at 571 where, due to 5GS coverage, an activation tracking area may occur that UE 510 starts performing the tracking area update procedure with the change of SGW 526, as described in clause 5.3.3.1 of 3GPP TS 23.401 v18.1.0 Enhancements to the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) for access to the Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). UE 510 provides an EPS-GUTI that is mapped from 5G-GUTI, and MME 524 determined that the old node is an AMF 522 based on the UE GUTI mapped from 5G-GUTI, and MME 524 is configured to support 5GS-EPS interoperability without N26 procedure; MME 524 sends a TAU rejection to UE 510.

[0070] On 572, UE 510 initiates the initial connection procedure with PDN connectivity as described in step 1 of Figure 5.3.2.1-1 of 3GPP TS 23.401 and performs the UE-initiated EU status indication procedure including the EU STATUS INDICATION message comprising: a) the UPSI list; b) EU support for ANDSP; and c) possibly the supporting OS IDs, Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 34 / 98 27 / 39 in Extended Protocol Configuration Options (ePCO). The UE also includes the identity of any PDU session that should be transferred from the 5GS to the UPS in the ePCO. The UE STATUS INDICATION message may be contained in an RRC request. The RRC request may be an attachment request. The RRC request may include: transfer, ePCO. The ePCO may include the PDU session ID and the UE STATUS INDICATION message.

[0071] In 573, eNB 520 selects MME 524 as described in step 2 of Figure 5.3.2.1-1 of 3GPP TS 23.401.

[0072] In 574, MME 524 selects a 526 SGW for uplink traffic at the S1U reference point and exchanges session creation request and session creation response messages. MME 524 selects the service GW (526 SGW) based on network topology, i.e., the selected 526 SGW meets the UE location, and for overlapping 526 SGW service areas, the selection may favor SGWs with service areas that reduce the likelihood of changing the service GW. If the MME 524 is ePCO compatible, the extended PCO support indication will be set to 1 on the S11 interface by the MME 524 to indicate that the SGW 526 is compatible with UE 510 and the MME 524, as described in 3GPP TS 29.274 V18.2.0 3GPP Evolved Packet System (EPS); General Evolved Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Tunneling Protocol for Control Plane (GTPv2-C); Stage 3 and uses the session creation request message to send to the SGW 526.

[0073] On 575, SGW 526 creates a new entry in its EPS carrier context table and sends a session creation request message containing APN, service GW address, PDN address, subscribed APN, and protocol configuration options to SMF+PGW-C 528 indicated by the SMF+PGW-C address received in the previous step. If SGW 526 is ePCO-compatible, the SGW will set the extended PCO support indication to 1 on the interface. Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 35 / 98 28 / 39 S5 / S8, as described in 3GPP TS 29.274 to show support for ePCO by UE 510, MME 524 and SGW 526 for SMF+PGW-C 528.

[0074] In 576, upon receiving the session creation request message and realizing that the included ePCO IE comprises: • the EU STATE INDICATION message; and • the PDU session ID, SMF+PGW-C 528 determines that the PDN connection is to transfer the PDU session with the identity equal to the 5GS PDU session ID to EPS and constructs an HTTP POST request comprising: • the EU STATE INDICATION message; and to transfer the EU STATE INDICATION message from SMF+PGW-C 528 to SM-PCF 530, a new attribute such as UeStateIndReq for: • the SmPolicyContextData type in Table 5.6.2.3-1 of 3GPP TS 29.512 V18.1.0 System 5G; Session Management Policy Control Service; Stage 3] for when the UE connects to the EPS without 5GS transfer; and • the SmPolicyUpdateContextData type in Table 5.6.2.19-1 of 3GPP TS 29.512 for when the UE connects to the EPS after 5GS transfer, where SMF+PGW-C 528 receives the UE STATUS INDICATION message and needs to pass to SM-PCF 530, as in the case where there is no N26 reference point.

[0075] The new attribute, UeStateIndReq, can be defined according to Table 1 below. Attribute Name Data Type P Cardinality Description Applicability UeStateIndReq UeStateIndRequest C 0..1 A request for EU policies. Should be provided when the AMF receives an EU STATE INDICATION message, as defined in Annex D.5.4 of Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 36 / 98 29 / 39 3GPP TS 24.501. Table 1: Definition of the UeStateIndReq attribute.

[0076] The existing attribute, pduSessionld, in the SmPolicyContextData type in Table 5.6.2.3-1 of 3GPP TS 29.512 may need to be added to the SmPolicyUpdateContextData type in Table 5.6.2.19-1 of 3GPP TS 29.512. The HTTP POST request may include Npcf SMPolicyControl Update and may include EPS, user location, and EU STATE INDICATION message.

[0077] In 577, SM-PCF 530, based on information provided by SMF+PGW-C 528, determines that the transfer from UE to EPS and that UE supports the UE policy section management list in EPS. SM-PCF 530 can verify UE support for the UE policy section management list, including receiving URSP for the UE context policy control subscription information in UDR, and based on that, decide to establish a UE policy association towards UE-PCF.

[0078] In 578 to 580, SM-PCF 530 selects UE-PCF2 532, which may be different from UE-PCF1 534 that was used when establishing the EU policy association at the time of initial registration, to establish a new EU policy association in EPS. The new EU policy association is requested by SM-PCF 530 transmitting the EU STATUS INDICATION message to UEPCF1 534. The implementation of stage 3 of this transmission is described in 3GPP TS 29.525 v18.1.0.

[0079] In 581 to 591, SMF+PGW-C 528 responds to the successful establishment of standard and dedicated EPS carriers and the start of routing packets to SGW 526 and eventually to UE 510 for those established EPS carriers.

[0080] In 592, the transferred PDU session is released as described in step 14 of Figure 4.11.2.2-1 in 3GPP TS 23.502 v18.1.0.

[0081] In 593, the EU policy association that was Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 37 / 98 The 30 / 39 rule established in 5GS at the time of initial registration is still maintained.

[0082] In 594, AMF 522 cancels the EU 510 registration of the 5GS and excludes the EU policy association that was created at the time for the EU registration in the 5GS.

[0083] In 595, SM-PCF 530 and UE-PCF1 534 can transmit the UE policy section management list as described in 3GPP TS 24.501 v18.1.0.

[0084] Consequently, a wireless communication device is provided, comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to cause the wireless communication device to: transmit, for a first network function, an information element, the information element comprising: a first container comprising an EU STATE INDICATION message; and a second container comprising a PDU session identity. The EU STATE INDICATION message comprises a UPSI list and an indication for ANDSP support. The information element indicates that a PDU session identified by the PDU session identity should be transferred from a first mobile communications technology to a second communications technology.

[0085] The first network function may be an SMF+PGW-C. The EU STATE INDICATION message may include a transfer request. The PDU session identity may comprise a PDU session ID. The wireless communication device may be a User Equipment (UE).

[0086] The EU STATE INDICATION message may be contained in Extended Protocol Configuration Options (ePCO). An Extended Protocol Configuration Options (ePCO) may contain the EU STATE INDICATION message. An ePCO may comprise two containers: one container containing the EU STATE INDICATION message and the other container containing the PDU session ID. Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 38 / 98 31 / 39

[0087] The EU STATE INDICATION message may also include one or more supported Operating System Identities (OSIds).

[0088] The first network function can be an SMF+PGW-C.

[0089] The first mobile communication technology may be 5GS. The second mobile communication technology may be EPS.

[0090] Figure 6 illustrates a method 600 in a wireless communication device, the method 600 comprising: transmitting 610, for a first network function, an information element, the information element comprising: a first receptacle comprising an EU STATE INDICATION message and a second receptacle comprising a PDU session identity. The EU STATE INDICATION message comprises a UPSI list and an indication for ANDSP support. The information element indicates that a PDU session identified by the PDU session identity should be transferred from a first mobile communications technology to a second communications technology.

[0091] In certain embodiments, method 600 can be performed by a processor that executes program code, for example, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processing unit, an FPGA or similar.

[0092] The first network function may be an SMF+PGW-C. The EU STATE INDICATION message may include a transfer request. The PDU session identity may comprise a PDU session ID. The wireless communication device may be a User Equipment (UE).

[0093] The EU STATE INDICATION message may be contained in Extended Protocol Configuration Options (ePCO). An Extended Protocol Configuration Options (ePCO) may contain the EU STATE INDICATION message. An ePCO may comprise two containers: one container containing the EU STATE INDICATION message and the other container containing the PDU session ID.

[0094] The EU STATE INDICATION message may include Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 39 / 98 32 / 39 still supports one or more Operating System Identities (OSIds).

[0095] The first network function can be an SMF+PGW-C.

[0096] The first mobile communication technology may be 5GS. The second mobile communication technology may be EPS.

[0097] A second network function is further provided, comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to make the second network function: receive, from a wireless communication device, an information element, the information element comprising a first container comprising an EU STATE INDICATION message and a second container comprising a PDU session identity, wherein the EU STATE INDICATION message comprises a UPSI list and an indication for ANDSP support.The processor is further configured to have the second network function determine that the wireless communication device supports a policy association; request that a third network function establish a policy association for the wireless communication device; create a policy section management list using the established policy association for the wireless communication device; and transmit the policy section management list to the wireless communication device.

[0098] The information element can be received from the wireless communication device via a first network function. The information element may comprise an ePCO. The policy section management list can be transmitted to the wireless communication device via the first network entity. The first network function may be an SMF+PGW-C.

[0099] The processor can also be configured to create a list of policy section management by the third party. Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 40 / 98 33 / 39 network function using the established policy association for the wireless communication device.

[0100] The EU STATEMENT message may be contained in Extended Protocol Config (ePCO) options. An Extended Protocol Config (ePCO) option may contain the EU STATEMENT message. The EU STATEMENT message may also include one or more supported Operating System Identities.

[0101] The second network function can be an SM-PCF. The third network function can be a UE-PCF.

[0102] The first mobile communication technology may be 5GS. The second mobile communication technology may be EPS.

[0103] Figure 7 illustrates a method 700 in a second network function, the method 700 comprising: receiving 710, from a wireless communication device, an information element, the information element comprising a first container comprising an EU STATE INDICATION message and a second container comprising a PDU session identity, wherein the EU STATE INDICATION message comprises a UPSI list and an indication for ANDSP support. The method further comprises: determining 720 that the wireless communication device supports a policy association; requesting 730 that a third network function establish a policy association for the wireless communication device; creating 740 a policy section management list using the established policy association for the wireless communication device; and transmitting 750 to the wireless communication device the policy section management list.

[0104] In certain embodiments, method 700 can be performed by a processor that executes program code, for example, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processing unit, an FPGA or similar. Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 41 / 98 34 / 39

[0105] The information element can be received from the wireless communication device via a first network function. The policy section management list can be transmitted to the wireless communication device via the first network entity. The first network function can be an SMF+PGW-C.

[0106] The method may also include the creation of a policy section management list by the third network function using the policy association established for the wireless communication device.

[0107] The EU STATEMENT message may be contained in Extended Protocol Option Control (ePCO) configuration options. The EU STATEMENT message may also include one or more supported Operating System Identities. An Extended Protocol Option Control (ePCO) may contain the EU STATEMENT message.

[0108] The second network function can be an SM-PCF. The third network function can be a UE-PCF.

[0109] The first mobile communication technology may be 5GS. The second mobile communication technology may be EPS.

[0110] Thus, at the time of transfer from 5GS to EPS, if the UE supports the UE policy section management list, the UE will perform the UE state indication procedure initiated by the UE by inserting the EU STATE INDICATION message in the attachment request. Upon receiving the EU STATE INDICATION message, SM-PCF realizes that it needs to request UE-PCF1 for the EU policy association to be established. The new EU policy association may be different from the existing EU policy association that was established at the time of 5GS registration.

[0111] At the time of transfer from 5GS to EPS, where one or more sessions are transferred without the N26 reference point, if UE supports the section management list Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 42 / 98 35 / 39 of EU policy, the EU policy association will need to be established in EPS and the old EU policy association that was established at the time of the initial 5GS registration will need to be removed.

[0112] At the time of attachment to the EPS, the EU needs to transmit the EU STATE INDICATION and the identities of one or more sessions that must be transferred to the SMF+PGW-C, which causes the SM-PCF to request EU-PCF1 (which may be different from EU-PCF2 that established the EU policy association at the time of EU 5GS registration) to establish the new EU policy association.

[0113] After the UE's request to attach to EPS, when the UE transfers from 5GS to EPS without the N26 reference point, the UE initiates the UE-initiated State Indication procedure, including the EU STATE INDICATION message in extended protocol configuration options (ePCO). The UE also includes the PDU session ID of one or more PDU sessions that need to be transferred to EPS. The UE sends the ePCO within the PDN connectivity request towards SMF+PGW-C, which, due to the ePCO content, realizes that the UE policy association needs to be established and one or more PDU sessions need to be transferred from 5GS to EPS.

[0114] Consequently, a method is provided comprising: transmitting by a device to a first network entity an information element comprising: a first recipient comprising a message; and a second recipient comprising an identity; wherein the information element indicates to the first network entity that a PDU session identified by the identity should be transferred from a first mobile communications technology to a second communications technology. The method further comprises the transmission of the message by the first network entity to a second network entity, wherein the second network determines that the Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 43 / 98 36 / 39 The device supports a policy association and requests a third network entity to establish the policy association for the device. The method further comprises the creation of a policy section management list by the second network entity and the third network entity using the policy association established for the device; and the transmission by the second network entity, through the first network entity, to the device, of the policy section management list.

[0115] The information element may be an extended protocol configuration option and the message is an EU STATE INDICATION message comprising: a UPSI list; an indication for ANDSP support; and possibly one or more supported OS IDs.

[0116] The first network entity can be an SMF+PGW-C. The second network entity can be an SM-PCF. The third network entity can be a UE-PCF. The first mobile communications technology can be 5GS. The second mobile communications technology can be EPS.

[0117] It should be noted that the methods and apparatus mentioned above illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that persons skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative arrangements without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The word comprising does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim, one or an does not exclude a plurality, and a single processor or other unit may perform the functions of several units stated in the claims. Any references in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting their scope.

[0118] Furthermore, although examples have been given in the context of specific communication patterns, these examples are not intended to be the limit of the communication patterns to which they can be applied. Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 44 / 98 37 / 39 The method and apparatus disclosed may be applied. For example, although specific examples have been given in the context of 3GPP, the principles disclosed in this document may also be applied to other wireless communication systems and, indeed, to any communication system that uses routing rules.

[0119] The method can also be incorporated into a set of instructions, stored in a computer-readable medium, which when loaded into a computer processor, Digital Signal Processor (DSP) or similar, causes the processor to perform the methods described above.

[0120] The methods and apparatus described can be practiced in other specific forms. The methods and apparatus described should be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is therefore indicated by the appended claims and not by the preceding description. All alterations that fall within the meaning and scope of equivalence of the claims should be included in their scope. The following abbreviations are relevant in the field covered in this document: 5GCN, 5G Core Network; 5GS, 5G System; AMF, Access and Mobility Management Function; ANDSP, Access Network Discovery and Selection Policy; API, Application Programming Interface; APN, Access Point Name; BRID, Remote Broadcast Identification; BVLOS, Beyond Visual Line of Sight; C2, Command and Control; CAA, Civil Aviation Administration; DCN, Dedicated Core Network; DNN, Data Network Name; DNS, Domain Name System; ePDG, Evolved Packet Data Gateway; ePCO, Extended Protocol Configuration Options; EPS, Evolved Packet System; ER-NSSAI, Extended NSSAI Rejected; E-UTRA, Evolved Terrestrial Universal Radio Access; FQDN, Fully Qualified Domain Name Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 45 / 98 38 / 39 Qualified; GUMMEI, Globally Unique Mobility Management Entity Identifier; GUTI, Globally Unique Temporary Identity; HPLMN, Residential PLMN; HSS, Residential Subscriber Server; IE, Information Element; IMSI, Mobile International Subscriber Identity; IP, Internet Protocol; LADN, Local Area Data Network; LCS, Location Services; MCC, Mobile Country Code; MNC, Mobile Network Code; N3AN, Non-3GPP Access Network; N3IWF, Non-3GPP Interoperability Function; NEF, Network Exposure Function; NID, Network Identifier; OS, Operating System; OS ID, Operating System Identity; OS Application ID, Operating System Application Identity; PCF, Policy Control Function; PCO, Protocol Configuration Options; PDN, Packet Data Network; PDN GW, Gateway PDN; PDU, Protocol Data Unit; PGW, PDN GW; PLMN, Public Terrestrial Mobile Network; PLMN ID, Public Terrestrial Mobile Network Identity;PTI, Procedure Transaction Identity; MCC, Mobile Country Code; MME, Mobility Management Entity; MNC, Mobile Network Code; NF, Network Function; NID, Network Identifier; NRID, Remote Network Identification; NSAC, Network Slice Admission Control; NSSF, Network Slice Selection Function; PTI, Procedure Transaction Identity; P-TMSI, Packet Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity; RAI, Routing Area Identity; RID, Remote Identification; SWG, Service Gateway; SMF, Session and Mobility Management Function; SM-PCO, Session Management PCO; SNPN, Standalone Non-Public Network; S-NSSAI, Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information; SSC, Session and Service Continuity; SSID, Service Set Identifier; SUCI, Hidden Subscription Identifier; SUPI, Permanent Subscription Identifier; TA, Tracking Area; TAI, Tracking Area Identity; TAU, Tracking Area Update;TEID, Tunnel Endpoint Identifier; TNAN,; Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, p. 46 / 98 39 / 39 Trusted Non-3GPP Access Network; TNAP, Trusted Non-3GPP Access Network; TNGF, Trusted Non-3GPP Gateway Function; TPAE, Third-Party Authorized Entity; UAS, Unmanned Aerial System; UAS NF, Unmanned Aerial System Network Function; UAV, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle; UAV-C, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Controller; UDM, Unified Data Management; UDR, Unified Data Repository; UE, User Equipment; UPDS, UE Policy Delivery Service; UPSC, UE Policy Section Code; UPSI, UE Policy Section Identifier; URSP, UE Route Selection Policy; USIM, Universal Subscriber Identity Module; USS, UAS Service Provider; UTM, Unmanned Aerial System Traffic Management; UUAA, USS UAV Authorization / Authentication; UUID, Universally Unique Identifier; and WLANSP, Wireless Location Area Network Selection Policy. Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 47 / 98

Claims

1 / 5 CLAIMS 1. Wireless communication device, characterized in that it comprises: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory and configured to make the wireless communication device: transmit, for a network function, an information element (IE), the IE comprising: a first container comprising a User Equipment STATUS INDICATION (UE) message, the UE STATUS INDICATION message comprising: a list of UE policy section identifiers (UPSI) and an indication for access network discovery and selection policy support (ANDSP); and a second container comprising a protocol data unit (PDU) session identity, wherein the IE indicates that a PDU session identified by the PDU session identity should be transferred from one mobile communications technology to a second communications technology.

2. Wireless communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the EU STATE INDICATION message is contained in extended protocol configuration options (ePCO).

3. Wireless communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the EU STATE INDICATION message further comprises one or more supported operating system identities (OSIds).

4. Wireless communication device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the network function is a session management and mobility (SMF) function and packet data network gateway control (PGW-C).

5. Method implemented by a wireless communication device Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 48 / 98 2 / 5, the method characterized in that it comprises: transmitting, to a network function, an information element (IE), the IE comprising: a first container comprising a User Equipment STATE INDICATION (UE) message, the UE STATE INDICATION message comprising: a list of UE policy section identifiers (UPSI) and an indication for access network discovery and selection policy support (ANDSP); and a second container comprising a protocol data unit (PDU) session identity, wherein the IE indicates that a PDU session identified by the PDU session identity should be transferred from one mobile communications technology to a second communications technology.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the EU STATE INDICATION message is contained in extended protocol configuration options (ePCO).

7. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the EU STATE INDICATION message further comprises one or more supported operating system identities (OSIds).

8. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the network function is a session management and mobility (SMF) function and packet data network gateway control (PGW-C).

9. Network function of a network node, the network node characterized in that it comprises: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory and configured to perform the network function: receiving, from a wireless communication device, an information element (IE), the IE comprising a first container comprising a message of INDICATION OF STATUS of Petition 870260047016, of 05 / 18 / 2026, p.49 / 98 3 / 5 User Equipment (UE) and a second container comprising a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session identity, wherein the UE STATE INDICATION message comprises: a list of UE policy section identifiers (UPSI); and an indication for support of access network discovery and selection (ANDSP) policy; determine whether the wireless communication device supports a policy association; request that a second network function establish a policy association for the wireless communication device; create a policy section management list using the established policy association for the wireless communication device; and transmit the policy section management list to the wireless communication device.

10. Network function, according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one processor is configured to have the network function create the policy section management list by the second network function using the policy association established for the wireless communication device.

11. Network function according to claim 9, characterized in that the EU STATE INDICATION message is contained in extended protocol configuration options (ePCO).

12. Network function according to claim 9, characterized in that the EU STATE INDICATION message further comprises one or more supported Operating System Identities (OSIds).

13. Network function, according to claim 9, Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, page 50 / 98 4 / 5 characterized in that the network function is a session management policy control function (SM-PCF).

14. Network function according to claim 9, characterized in that the second network function is a user equipment policy control function (UEPCF).

15. Method performed by a network function, the method characterized in that it comprises: receiving, from a wireless communication device, an information element (IE), the IE comprising a first container comprising an Equipment STATUS INDICATION (UE) message and a second container comprising a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session identity, wherein the UE STATUS INDICATION message comprises: a list of UE policy section identifiers (UPSI); and an indication for support of access network discovery and selection policy (ANDSP); determining whether the wireless communication device supports a policy association; requesting that a second network function establish a policy association for the wireless communication device; creating a policy section management list using the established policy association for the wireless communication device;and transmit the policy section management list to the wireless communication device.

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that it further comprises the creation of the policy section management list by the second network function using the policy association established for the wireless communication device. Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, p. 51 / 98 5 / 5 17. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the EU STATE INDICATION message is contained in extended protocol configuration options (ePCO).

18. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the EU STATE INDICATION message further comprises one or more supported operating system identities (OSIds).

19. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the network function is a session management policy control function (SM-PCF).

20. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the third network function is a user equipment policy control function (UEPCF). Petition 870260047016, dated 05 / 18 / 2026, p. 52 / 98

Images