Abstract: Systems, methods, and processing nodes for limiting connection requests from wireless devices instruct certain wireless devices to stop sending connection requests or to turn off a radio of the wireless devices, based on a determination that the wireless device is not authorized to access the wireless network. Thus, resource consumption associated with signaling overhead is minimized.

Abstract: In an arrangement where an access node (e.g., a Node-B) is used in dual-connectivity service of UEs that are served by other access nodes, resources of the access node could be dynamically allocated to the UEs based at least on respective priorities designated for the other access nodes. For instance, each other access node could be prioritized based on its type, such as whether it is a macro access node, a small-cell access node, an indoor access node, an access node for a special event, or a access node for dedicated service, among other possibilities, and allocation of resources of the jointly-used access node could be defined based on these priorities, giving higher resource-allocation priority to UEs that are served by a higher priority other access node and giving lower resource-allocation priority to UEs that are served by a lower priority other access node.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described herein include systems, methods, and processing nodes for reducing frequency interference in a wireless communication system. A high-power user equipment (HPUE) operating in an enhanced power mode with a first access node can be detected beyond the range of a low-power user equipment (LPUE) or a HPUE operating in a standard power mode. The HPUE can be handed over to a second, neighboring access node. A maximum allowable power of the HPUE can be reduced so that the HPUE is operating in a standard power mode.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and processing nodes for selecting a donor access node for a relay node comprising a plurality of directional antennae include instructing the relay node to attach to a first preferred donor access node using a first antenna of the plurality of directional antennae. While maintaining the connection with the first preferred donor access node using the first antenna, the relay node can scan for potential donor access nodes using one or more remaining antennae of the plurality of directional antennae and, upon identifying a second preferred donor access node from the potential donor access nodes, to perform a handover from the first preferred donor access node to the second preferred donor access node.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling secondary-coverage scanning for configuring dual-connectivity. A computing system establishes for a primary access node a scan list of secondary cells based on the primary access node having an X2 interface for each secondary cell and having received a threshold extent of B1 measurement reporting indicating threshold strong coverage of the secondary cell for configuration of dual-connectivity. Further, the computing system establishes for each secondary cell of the scan list a respective B1 measurement threshold based on evaluation of performance history of the secondary cell such as based on extent of secondary-access-node-addition failures involving the secondary cell and/or based on communication-quality metrics such as error rate or retransmission rate. The computing system then configures the primary access node to provide a B1 measurement object conveying the scan list with measurement thresholds.

Abstract: A method for controlling handover of a user equipment device (UE) between a first access node and a second access node. The first access node could select a handover process with the selecting being based on whether (i) the source access node and target access nodes are both dual-connectivity capable or both not dual-connectivity capable or rather (ii) one of the access nodes is dual-connectivity capable and the other of the access nodes is not dual-connectivity capable. For example, if both are dual-connectivity capable or not dual-connectivity capable, then the source access node could opt for X2 handover. Whereas if one is dual-connectivity capable and the other is not dual-connectivity capable, then the source access node could opt for S1 handover.

Abstract: A mechanism to control wireless connectivity of a wireless communication device (WCD) with an access node on a carrier. When within coverage provided by the access node on the carrier, the WCD receives a system message broadcast by the access node on the carrier, the system message carrying data that represents an operational parameter for service on the carrier. Further, the WCD makes a first determination that the WCD is unable to interpret the data that is carried by the received system message and makes a second determination that the received system message flags the data as being critical to service on the carrier. And in response to at least a combination of the first and second determinations, the WCD forgoes connecting with the access node on the carrier.

Abstract: A mechanism to control transmission by a base station, which may help to control interference on an adjacent frequency. The base station is configured to operate on a first frequency and is equipped with a number of antennas enabled for transmission on the first frequency. Upon detecting of a trigger for reducing potential interference on the adjacent frequency, the base station reduces the number of its antennas that are enabled for transmission on the first carrier, which may reduce the overall energy of the base station's transmission and may thereby reduce interference on the adjacent frequency. In an example implementation, the base station could disable a proper subset of its antennas from use for transmission on the first frequency, while leaving a remainder of its antennas enabled for transmission on the first frequency.

Abstract: A mechanism to help avoid operational failures with respect to mobile network operator (MNO) service profiles on embedded universal integrated circuit cards (eUICCs). A profile management system or other entity detects operational failures associated with MNO service profiles and responsively provides new MNO service profiles selected to help avoid recurrence of the operational failures. For instance, the profile management system could detect an operational failure that occurred on a given mobile device and could responsively provide a replacement MNO service profile for installation on that device. Further, the profile management system could detect a trend where such failures occur with respect to MNO service profiles from a first source (e.g., first vendor) on eUICCs from a second source (e.g., a second vendor) and could responsively take action to help avoid such a combination of MNO service profile and eUICC, so as to help avoid recurrence of the operational failures.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and corresponding apparatus to help manage wireless communication between a base station and a device served by the base. In accordance with the disclosure, when a base station transitions from serving the device on just a first carrier to serving the device on a combination of the first carrier and a second carrier, the base station will responsively take action to improve downlink communication to the device on the first carrier. In particular, the base station will respond to the occurrence of that transition by starting to beamform downlink transmission to the device on the first carrier.

Abstract: A wireless network is configured to utilize a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) operating mode. a first subset of wireless devices in a sector that are configured as relay nodes are identified. A second subset of wireless devices in the sector that are not configured as relay nodes are also identified. One or more wireless device in the first subset of wireless devices are instructed, allocated resources, or otherwise controlled to not utilize the MU-MIMO operating mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for reducing a maximum allowable transmit power of a wireless device. Instructions to reduce a maximum transmit power of wireless devices operating at a carrier band edge of a band channel maybe received at an access node. Power headroom reports may be collected from the wireless devices. The wireless devices may be classified based on the collected power headroom reports. Power reduction may be imposed on wireless devices classified as low power wireless devices and wireless devices classified as high power wireless devices may be handed off to a neighboring band channel.

Abstract: When a user equipment device (UE) is served with standalone connectivity by a first access node on a first carrier, the first access node could detect a trigger for transitioning the UE from the standalone connectivity to dual connectivity. In response to at least the trigger, the first access node could then (i) transition the UE from the first carrier to a second carrier selected based on the second carrier being lower in frequency than the first carrier, so as to help facilitate quality communication in the dual connectivity service, and then (ii) transition the UE from the standalone connectivity to the dual connectivity.

Abstract: A cell site that has multiple first-RAT carriers will monitor a capacity demand respectively of each first-RAT carrier, with capacity demand representing an extent to which adding more service capacity could be useful in view of the state of service on the 4G carrier. Further, the cell site will dynamically allocate resources of a second-RAT carrier for use in dual-connectivity service of UEs served on various ones of the first-RAT carriers, with the allocation being based on the capacity demands of the various primary-RAT carriers. For instance, if a first first-RAT carrier has a higher capacity demand than a second first-RAT carrier, then the cell site could allocate a more resources of the secondary-RAT carrier for use in dual-connectivity service of UEs served on the first first-RAT carrier than for use in dual-connectivity service of UEs served on the second first-RAT carrier.

Abstract: When a network entity receives packets transmitted from a user equipment device (UE), the network entity will detect that a threshold number of those packets exceed the network entity's maximum transmission unit (MTU), and the network entity will responsively cause the UE to reduce the UE's MTU. In particular, the network entity will responsively transmit to the UE, within a header of a packet carrying bearer data to the UE, a directive for the UE to decrease the UE's MTU.

Abstract: Methods, processing nodes, and systems are provided for managing relay nodes in a wireless network. A number of relay nodes attached to a donor access node can be determined. A number of latency sensitive wireless devices attached to the relay nodes can be determined. A latency sensitive wireless device can be a wireless device running a latency sensitive application. A latency sensitive relay node can be a relay node attached to the donor access node having an attached latency sensitive wireless device. A maximum number of relay nodes attached to the donor access node can be set, for example, based on the number of latency sensitive wireless devices attached to latency sensitive relay nodes.

Abstract: A voice coding rate is selected for a voice call involving a user equipment (UE) device based on an air interface efficiency of the base station serving the UE device. The air interface efficiency of the base station is determined based on at least one of (i) a beamforming capability of the base station, (ii) a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) capability of the base station, or (iii) an antenna configuration of the base station. The voice coding rate could be selected by either the UE device or by the base station. The UE device transmits to the base station during the voice call one or more voice frames that convey voice data coded at the selected voice coding rate. During the voice call, a new air interface efficiency may be determined, and a new voice coding rate may be selected based on the new air interface efficiency.

Abstract: When a first node is considering setup of dual-connectivity service for a UE, the first node will take into consideration uplink noise at one or more candidate second nodes, in order to decide whether to set up the dual-connectivity service for the UE and/or to decide which of multiple second nodes to use for the UE's dual-connectivity service. For instance, if a candidate second node has threshold high uplink noise, then, based on that fact, the first node may decide to not use that second node for dual-connectivity service of the UE. Or the first node may decide to use a given candidate second node based on the given candidate second node having lower uplink noise than one or more other candidate second nodes.

Abstract: When a first node is considering setup of dual-connectivity service for a UE, the first node will take into consideration data-buffer occupancy of one or more candidate second nodes, in order to decide whether to set up the dual-connectivity service for the UE and/or to decide which of multiple second nodes to use for the UE's dual-connectivity service. For instance, if a candidate second node has threshold high data-buffer occupancy, then, based on that fact, the first node may decide to not use that second node for dual-connectivity service of the UE. Or the first node may decide to use a given candidate second node based on the given candidate second node having lower data-buffer occupancy than one or more other candidate second nodes. Further, data-buffer occupancy could be based on downlink data buffering and/or uplink data buffering.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an access node includes prioritizing a plurality of wireless devices. The method also includes monitoring a position of a relay-capable wireless device and positions of the prioritized wireless devices. The method also includes determining the position of the relay-capable wireless device meets a first distance criteria and the position of prioritized wireless devices meets a second distance criteria. The method also includes assigning the relay-capable wireless device to a carrier aggregation configuration or an antenna diversity configuration based on the position of the relay-capable device and the position of the prioritized wireless devices. The method also includes assigning the prioritized wireless devices to the diversity configuration or the carrier aggregation configuration based on the position of the prioritized wireless devices.