Abstract: A method and apparatus for requesting and allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system. The method and apparatus includes a combination of techniques that allow a plurality of CPEs to communicate their bandwidth request messages to respective base stations. One technique includes a “polling” method whereby a base station polls CPEs individually or in groups and allocates bandwidth specifically for the purpose of allowing the CPEs to respond with bandwidth requests. The polling of the CPEs by the base station may be in response to a CPE setting a “poll-me bit” or, alternatively, it may be periodic. Another technique comprises “piggybacking” bandwidth requests on bandwidth already allocated to a CPE. Currently active CPEs request bandwidth using unused portions of uplink bandwidth that is already allocated to the CPE. The CPE is responsible for distributing the allocated uplink bandwidth in a manner that accommodates the services provided by the CPE.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing system performance of capacity and spectrum constrained, multiple-access communication systems by selectively discarding packets are provided. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. One such control responses includes the optimal discard (also referred to herein as “intelligent discard”) of network packets under capacity constrained conditions. The systems and methods prioritize packets and make discard decisions based upon the prioritization. Some embodiments provide an interactive response by selectively discarding packets to enhance perceived and actual system throughput, other embodiments provide a reactive response by selectively discarding data packets based on their relative impact to service quality to mitigate oversubscription, others provide a proactive response by discarding packets based on predicted oversubscription, and others provide a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for requesting and allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system. The method and apparatus includes a combination of techniques that allow a plurality of CPEs to communicate their bandwidth request messages to respective base stations. One technique includes a “polling” method whereby a base station polls CPEs individually or in groups and allocates bandwidth specifically for the purpose of allowing the CPEs to respond with bandwidth requests. The polling of the CPEs by the base station may be in response to a CPE setting a “poll-me bit” or, alternatively, it may be periodic. Another technique comprises “piggybacking” bandwidth requests on bandwidth already allocated to a CPE. Currently active CPEs request bandwidth using unused portions of uplink bandwidth that is already allocated to the CPE. The CPE is responsible for distributing the allocated uplink bandwidth in a manner that accommodates the services provided by the CPE.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for requesting and allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system. The method and apparatus includes a combination of techniques that allow a plurality of CPEs to communicate their bandwidth request messages to respective base stations. One technique includes a “polling” method whereby a base station polls CPEs individually or in groups and allocates bandwidth specifically for the purpose of allowing the CPEs to respond with bandwidth requests. The polling of the CPEs by the base station may be in response to a CPE setting a “poll-me bit” or, alternatively, it may be periodic. Another technique comprises “piggybacking” bandwidth requests on bandwidth already allocated to a CPE. Currently active CPEs request bandwidth using unused portions of uplink bandwidth that is already allocated to the CPE. The CPE is responsible for distributing the allocated uplink bandwidth in a manner that accommodates the services provided by the CPE.

Abstract: An access node in a wireless communication network receives a transmission that includes first and second signals. The first and second signals may be layers of a multiple-input multiple-output transmission and may also be from first and second terminal nodes. The access node derives first and second local reference signals from the transmission received using first and second antennas and estimates channel transfer functions associated with the channel through with the transmission is received. Estimating the channel transfer function can include correlating at least a portion of an expected reference signal associated with the first signal with a corresponding portion of the first local reference signal and correlating at least a portion of an expected reference signal associated with the second signal with a corresponding portion of the second local reference signal. The expected reference signal portions used to estimate the channel transfer functions may be non-orthogonal.

Abstract: An access node is provided in a wireless communication network for conducting interference resolution of a received signal, the access node comprising a transceiver module, a backhaul module, and a memory. The access node further comprises a processor coupled to the transceiver module, the backhaul module and the memory and configured to identify a neighboring access node in the wireless communication network, to exchange, via the backhaul module, communication parameters with the neighboring access node, to receive, via the transceiver module, a signal comprising a transmission from a first user equipment and an interfering transmission from a second user equipment, the signal being received over a plurality of uplink resources, to receive, via the backhaul module, resource information from the neighboring access node, the resource information corresponding to the plurality of uplink resources, and to apply the resource information for interference resolution of the received signal.

Abstract: A method and system of establishing a fence network is provided. The fence network comprises a plurality of fence nodes in communication with each other and a plurality of fence vertices defining a geographic fence. The method comprises configuring the plurality of fence nodes, setting up a coordinate system to determine a position of each fence node of the plurality of fence nodes, and, for each fence vertex, setting a location marker at a position of the fence vertex and using the location marker to register the position of the fence vertex. At least one fence vertex may be located at a position other than a position of a fence node. The plurality of fence vertices may be registered in sequential order and connected in order of registration.

Abstract: Systems and methods can use client-side video buffer occupancy for enhanced quality of experience in a communication network. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. Example control responses include responses for scheduling of packets under capacity constrained conditions. An access node, such as a base station, may transmit video from a server to a client in a user device. The access node can estimate client-side video buffer occupancy and predict video playback stalls. The client-side video buffer occupancy can be estimated by emulating behavior of the client. The buffer occupancy can be used to enhance quality of experience for the user. For example, when the buffer occupancy is low, the access node may increase scheduling priority of packets conveying the video.

Abstract: A communication system and method are disclosed for transmitting packets of information in at least one first format over a communications link that utilizes packets of information in a second format. In certain embodiments, the packets of information in a first format are converted to packets of information in the second format prior to transmission via the communications link by packing and fragmenting the information in the first format in a coordinated manner. Embodiments may also utilize packing subheaders and fragmentation control bits in the packing and fragmentation processes.

Abstract: Systems and methods can use client-side video buffer occupancy for enhanced quality of experience in a communication network. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. Example control responses include responses for scheduling of packets under capacity constrained conditions. An access node, such as a base station, may transmit video from a server to a client in a user device. The access node can estimate client-side video buffer occupancy and predict video playback stalls. The client-side video buffer occupancy can be estimated by emulating behavior of the client. The buffer occupancy can be used to enhance quality of experience for the user. For example, when the buffer occupancy is low, the access node may increase scheduling priority of packets conveying the video.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system is disclosed. One embodiment uses a self-correcting bandwidth request/grant protocol. The self-correcting bandwidth request/grant protocol utilizes a combination of incremental and aggregate bandwidth requests. CPEs primarily transmit incremental bandwidth requests to their associated base stations, followed by periodic transmissions of aggregate bandwidth requests. The use of periodic aggregate bandwidth requests (that express the current state of their respective connection queues) allows the bandwidth allocation method and apparatus to be “self-correcting”. Another embodiment utilizes an abridged bandwidth request/grant protocol to allocate bandwidth. The abridged bandwidth request/grant protocol system utilizes padding packets to request a reduction in bandwidth allocation to a CPE. A base station modem alerts a base station CPU when the BS modem receives a padding packet from a CPE.

Abstract: Multiple channels are aggregated. In an example embodiment, first data is transmitted on a first channel to a wireless device, and second data is simultaneously transmitted on a second channel to the wireless device. The first data and the second data are transmitted in a coordinated manner by aggregating the first channel and the second channel. Various example channel characteristics and combinations thereof are described. Different data allocation options for aggregated channels are described. Other alternative implementations are also presented herein.

Abstract: An access node in a wireless communication network receives a transmission that includes first and second signals. The first and second signals may be layers of a multiple-input multiple-output transmission and may also be from first and second terminal nodes. The access node derives first and second local reference signals from the transmission received using first and second antennas and estimates channel transfer functions associated with the channel through with the transmission is received. Estimating the channel transfer function can include correlating at least a portion of an expected reference signal associated with the first signal with a corresponding portion of the first local reference signal and correlating at least a portion of an expected reference signal associated with the second signal with a corresponding portion of the second local reference signal. The expected reference signal portions used to estimate the channel transfer functions may be non-orthogonal.

Abstract: An access node is provided in a wireless communication network for conducting interference resolution of a received signal, the access node comprising a transceiver module, a backhaul module, and a memory. The access node further comprises a processor coupled to the transceiver module, the backhaul module and the memory and configured to identify a neighboring access node in the wireless communication network, to exchange, via the backhaul module, communication parameters with the neighboring access node, to receive, via the transceiver module, a signal comprising a transmission from a first user equipment and an interfering transmission from a second user equipment, the signal being received over a plurality of uplink resources, to receive, via the backhaul module, resource information from the neighboring access node, the resource information corresponding to the plurality of uplink resources, and to apply the resource information for interference resolution of the received signal.

Abstract: An access node in a wireless communication network conducts interference resolution to resolve decoding ambiguities in a received uplink transmission. The access node is assisted by receiving uplink transmission data from another, assisting access node. The received uplink transmission data may include, for example, frequency domain data elements as received by the assisting access node and received and expected reference signals. The access node uses the received uplink transmission data and related local uplink transmission data to estimate channel transfer functions which are then used to estimate and decode the received data. The access node may also improve estimated channel transfer functions by cross-correlation nulling.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing system performance of capacity and spectrum constrained, multiple-access communication systems by selectively discarding packets are provided. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. One such control responses includes the optimal discard (also referred to herein as “intelligent discard”) of network packets under capacity constrained conditions. Some embodiments provide an interactive response by selectively discarding packets to enhance perceived and actual system throughput, other embodiments provide a reactive response by selectively discarding data packets based on their relative impact to service quality to mitigate oversubscription, others provide a proactive response by discarding packets based on predicted oversubscription, and others provide a combination thereof.

Abstract: A communication station, such as a base station or access point, has multiple backhaul options and distributes backhaul data between the available backhaul options. The communication station includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data with user equipments, multiple backhaul interface modules, and a backhaul distribution module arranged for monitoring demand for backhaul bandwidth and distributing data over the backhauls based on the demand for backhaul bandwidth. Additional modules for user data and control plane processing may be included with the user/control distinction used in distributing data over the backhauls. The backhaul options may include a preferred backhaul and an alternate backhaul. Distributing data over the backhauls may be based, for example, on applications associated with the data, financial cost, delay, robustness, computational resources, and/or additional security associated with using a particular backhaul.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing system performance of capacity and spectrum constrained, multiple-access communication systems by selectively discarding packets are provided. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. One such control responses includes the optimal discard (also referred to herein as “intelligent discard”) of network packets under capacity constrained conditions. Some embodiments inspect a video stream to determine priorities for various elements of the video stream. The elements may be discarding using the priorities. In various embodiments, the elements include frames, slices, macroblocks, and data partitions.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a parameterized scheduling system that incorporates end-user application awareness and can be used with scheduling groups that contain data streams from heterogeneous applications. Individual data queues within a scheduling group can be created based on application class, specific application, individual data streams or some combination thereof. Application information and Application Factors (AF) are used to modify scheduler parameters such as weights and credits to differentiate between data streams assigned to a scheduling group. Dynamic AF settings may adjust relative importance of user applications to maximize user Quality of Experience (QoE) in response to recurring network patterns, one-time events, application characteristics, protocol characteristics, device characteristics, service level agreements, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods generate corrected channel transfer functions by cross-correlation nulling. In an example system, a first receiver node (which may be a wireless base station) receives first expected reference signal information associated with an interfering transmitter node (which may be a wireless user equipment) and creates a correction matrix based on the first expected reference signal information associated with the interfering transmitter node and on second expected reference signal information associated with an intended transmitter node. The correction matrix can then be applied to an estimated channel transfer function associated with a received transmission from the intended transmitter node to generate a corrected channel transfer function associated with the received transmission from the intended transmitter node. The first receiver node can use the corrected channel transfer function in decoding received transmissions including, for example, use in performing interference resolution.