Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for identifying and reducing LTE-system coverage holes due to external interference. One embodiment takes the form of a process that includes receiving a signal in a first wireless band. The received signal comprises a signal of interest. The process also includes determining that a received signal quality of the signal of interest is less than a signal-quality threshold. The process also includes determining that the received signal quality of the signal of interest is less than the signal-quality threshold due to interference external to the first wireless band, and responsively attenuating the received signal. The process also includes demodulating the attenuated received signal to obtain the signal of interest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to mitigate radio frequency interference by a broadband mobile device by detecting, at the broadband mobile device, a geographically or physically proximate narrowband uplink transmission, wherein the narrowband uplink transmission is in close enough spectral proximity to at least one bearer channel of the broadband mobile device to result in interference on the narrowband reception when the broadband mobile device is transmitting and a narrowband mobile device is receiving, determining, based on the detected narrowband uplink transmission, a corresponding narrowband downlink frequency, monitoring the determined narrowband downlink frequency, detecting a narrowband downlink transmission at the monitored narrowband downlink frequency, and in response to detecting the narrowband downlink transmission at the monitored narrowband downlink frequency, modifying a broadband uplink transmission to ensure the broadband uplink transmission does not interfere with narrowband downlink reception.

Abstract: A converged communication device and a method of providing broadband communication and narrowband communication with the converged communication device. The method includes determining a data rate at a broadband transceiver of the converged communication device. The method also includes determining a signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio at a narrowband transceiver of the converged communication device. The method further includes assigning a first communication state to the converged communication device when the data rate is greater than a threshold data rate and the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio is greater than a threshold signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio. The method also includes transmitting, at the broadband transceiver, the broadband communication when the converged communication device is in the first communication state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for identifying and reducing LTE-system coverage holes due to external interference. One embodiment takes the form of a process that includes receiving a signal in a first wireless band. The received signal comprises a signal of interest. The process also includes determining that a received signal quality of the signal of interest is less than a signal-quality threshold. The process also includes determining that the received signal quality of the signal of interest is less than the signal-quality threshold due to interference external to the first wireless band, and responsively attenuating the received signal. The process also includes demodulating the attenuated received signal to obtain the signal of interest.

Abstract: A broadband device (105) can detect a proximate narrowband transmission (152) from a narrowband communication device (145). The narrowband transmission (152) can be in close enough proximity (155) to at least one bearer channel of the broadband device (105) to result in interference on the narrowband reception (152) when the broadband device (105) is transmitting and the narrowband communication device (145) is concurrently receiving. Responsive to the detecting, the broadband device (105) can gate a broadband transmission (142) to ensure the broadband transmission (142) does not interfere with the proximate narrowband reception (152). In absence of detecting the narrowband transmission (152), the broadband transmission (142) from the broadband device (105) would not be gated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for flexible fast network switching. In an embodiment, a wireless-communication device has a first chipset compatible with first and second bands and a second chipset compatible with the first band and a third band. The device selects a mode for switching among two or more of the bands. In a first mode with respect to the first and second bands, the device obtains service on the first band via the first chipset. In the first mode with respect to the first and third bands, the device obtains service on the first band via the second chipset. In a second mode with respect to the first and second bands, the device obtains service on the first band via the second chipset. In the second mode with respect to the first and third bands, the device obtains service on the first band via the first chipset.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for User Equipment (UE) power class adaptation for coverage extension in Long Term Evolution (LTE) includes setting a maximum transmit power to a predefined level that is below a maximum capability of a high power UE (HPUE); responsive to determining, based on detected operating conditions local to the HPUE, that an increase in transmit range is required, raising the maximum transmit power towards or to the maximum capability of the HPUE; and subsequently transmitting at an operating transmit power at or below the maximum transmit power as a function of the detected operating conditions local to the HPUE. The method and apparatus allow the HPUE to infer how to configure its maximum power to mitigate interference to the same class of cells, without assistance from an Evolved Node B (eNB) and within the existing 3GPP LTE framework.

Abstract: A base station allocates resources for peer-to-peer communications by creating or updating peer sets from measured performance information received from one or more stations. Based on current resource assignments in each timeslot and based on the peer sets, the base station determines excluded timeslots and preferred timeslots. The base station then marks potential resources in a portion of a resource allocation map. One of the potential resources is allocated for peer-to-peer communication between a transmitter station and one or more receiver stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for User Equipment (UE) power class adaptation for coverage extension in Long Term Evolution (LTE) includes setting a maximum transmit power to a predefined level that is below a maximum capability of a high power UE (HPUE); responsive to determining, based on detected operating conditions local to the HPUE, that an increase in transmit range is required, raising the maximum transmit power towards or to the maximum capability of the HPUE; and subsequently transmitting at an operating transmit power at or below the maximum transmit power as a function of the detected operating conditions local to the HPUE. The method and apparatus allow the HPUE to infer how to configure its maximum power to mitigate interference to the same class of cells, without assistance from an Evolved Node B (eNB) and within the existing 3GPP LTE framework.

Abstract: A broadband device (105) can detect a proximate narrowband transmission (152) from a narrowband communication device (145). The narrowband transmission (152) can be in close enough proximity (155) to at least one bearer channel of the broadband device (105) to result in interference on the narrowband reception (152) when the broadband device (105) is transmitting and the narrowband communication device (145) is concurrently receiving. Responsive to the detecting, the broadband device (105) can gate a broadband transmission (142) to ensure the broadband transmission (142) does not interfere with the proximate narrowband reception (152). In absence of detecting the narrowband transmission (152), the broadband transmission (142) from the broadband device (105) would not be gated.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for scheduling resources in Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) communication networks for “direct link” or peer-to-peer communications among stations operating therein so that OFDMA resources can be allocated to a transmitter station for a peer-to-peer communication session with a receiver station such that near-far issues caused by peer-to-peer communication are reduced/avoided. The disclosed technologies can prevent peer-to-peer communication links using different sub-channels within the same time slot from creating near-far issues for other receiver stations that are within communication range.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for scheduling resources in Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) communication networks for “direct link” or peer-to-peer communications among stations operating therein so that OFDMA resources can be allocated to a transmitter station for a peer-to-peer communication session with a receiver station such that near-far issues caused by peer-to-peer communication are reduced/avoided. The disclosed technologies can prevent peer-to-peer communication links using different sub-channels within the same time slot from creating near-far issues for other receiver stations that are within communication range.

Abstract: A communication system minimizes inter-cell interference and handover holes by providing for a user equipment (UE) to monitor downlink signals from a serving, boundary eNodeB and one or more neighbor eNodeBs, determine a signal quality metric (SQM) for each monitored signal to produce an SQM associated with each eNodeB, and determine a maximum uplink transmit power level (PMAX) for each eNodeB. Based on the determined SQMs and PMAXs, the UE determines a eNodeB of the one or more neighbor eNodeBs with a best SQM and, in response to determining that the neighbor eNodeB of the one or more neighbor eNodeBs with a best SQM is a high power eNodeB, determines a difference between the SQM associated with the high power ENodeB and the SQM associated with the boundary eNodeB. The UE then sets a PMAX for the UE based on the difference determination.

Abstract: An evolved Node B creates or updates peer sets from measured performance information received from one or more stations. The measured performance information includes at least one quality metric associated with a downlink signal sent from the evolved Node B to the one or more stations. The evolved Node B determines excluded timeslots and preferred timeslots based on current resource assignments in each timeslot and based on the peer sets, marks potential resources in an uplink portion of a resource allocation map, and allocates one of the potential resources for peer-to-peer communication between a transmitter station and one or more receiver stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to mitigate radio frequency interference by a broadband mobile device by detecting, at the broadband mobile device, a geographically or physically proximate narrowband uplink transmission, wherein the narrowband uplink transmission is in close enough spectral proximity to at least one bearer channel of the broadband mobile device to result in interference on the narrowband reception when the broadband mobile device is transmitting and a narrowband mobile device is receiving, determining, based on the detected narrowband uplink transmission, a corresponding narrowband downlink frequency, monitoring the determined narrowband downlink frequency, detecting a narrowband downlink transmission at the monitored narrowband downlink frequency, and in response to detecting the narrowband downlink transmission at the monitored narrowband downlink frequency, modifying a broadband uplink transmission to ensure the broadband uplink transmission does not interfere with narrowband downlink reception.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating out of band emissions among user equipment and base stations operating at geographically co-located and spectrally distinct wireless communication systems are provided herein. During operation, a wireless radio will determine potential interferers. Preferably, these interferers comprise user equipment and base stations operating at geographically co-located and spectrally distinct wireless communication systems. Once determined, a channel quality indicator (CQI) will be adjusted accordingly to accommodate for any potential interferer. Because the CQI will take into effect any potential interferer, transmissions to/from the wireless radio will be made more robust, decreasing channel interference.

Abstract: A communication system minimizes inter-cell interference and handover holes by providing for a user equipment (UE) to monitor downlink signals from a serving, boundary eNodeB and one or more neighbor eNodeBs, determine a signal quality metric (SQM) for each monitored signal to produce an SQM associated with each eNodeB, and determine a maximum uplink transmit power level (PMAX) for each eNodeB. Based on the determined SQMs and PMAXs, the UE determines a eNodeB of the one or more neighbor eNodeBs with a best SQM and, in response to determining that the neighbor eNodeB of the one or more neighbor eNodeBs with a best SQM is a high power eNodeB, determines a difference between the SQM associated with the high power ENodeB and the SQM associated with the boundary eNodeB. The UE then sets a PMAX for the UE based on the difference determination.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a method and apparatus for performing resource negotiation in a station implementing a direct communication link with at least one other station on an Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) data channel. The station scans sub-channels on the data channel for base headers included in predefined position in transmissions sent on the sub-channel. The station then decodes a base header in at least one selected sub-channel to obtain parameters of a channel reservation. The obtained parameters are stored in a channel utilization table. The station selects a resource on the data channel in at least one of time or frequency that the station has observed to be free using information from the channel utilization table. The station then begins a resource negotiation process about the selected resource.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating out of band emissions among user equipment and base stations operating at geographically co-located and spectrally distinct wireless communication systems are provided herein. During operation, a wireless radio will determine potential interferers. Preferably, these interferers comprise user equipment and base stations operating at geographically co-located and spectrally distinct wireless communication systems. Once determined, a channel quality indicator (CQI) will be adjusted accordingly to accommodate for any potential interferer. Because the CQI will take into effect any potential interferer, transmissions to/from the wireless radio will be made more robust, decreasing channel interference.

Abstract: An evolved Node B creates or updates peer sets from measured performance information received from one or more stations. The measured performance information includes at least one quality metric associated with a downlink signal sent from the evolved Node B to the one or more stations. The evolved Node B determines excluded timeslots and preferred timeslots based on current resource assignments in each timeslot and based on the peer sets, marks potential resources in an uplink portion of a resource allocation map, and allocates one of the potential resources for peer-to-peer communication between a transmitter station and one or more receiver stations.