Abstract: A method and devices for determining a communication path from a source wireless device to a destination device in a wireless communication network are provided. According to one aspect, a method includes discovering, at the source wireless device, wireless devices within communication range of the source wireless device. The method also includes determining, at the source wireless device, for each discovered wireless device, one of whether the discovered wireless device is the destination device and whether the discovered wireless device has wireless connectivity to a wireless base station. The method further includes including each discovered wireless device in a discovered wireless device list, and prioritize the list of discovered wireless devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing fallback data services over a Wi-Fi network is described. A request to enable access to new data sessions for wireless terminals in a zone covered by a Wi-Fi network node is received upon failure of 3GPP radio in that zone. When a request for a new data session from a WT is received, the MAC address of the WT is added to a list of authorized users. The MAC address of the WT is sent to Wi-Fi network nodes of adjacent zones such that the WT can have continuous service as it moves between zones. When a Wi-Fi network node currently serving the WT receives an indication that the WT data session is terminated, a message is sent from the Wi-Fi network node currently serving the WT, to nodes of adjacent zones to remove the MAC address of the WT from the list of authorized users.

Abstract: A method and devices for determining a communication path from a source wireless device to a destination device in a wireless communication network are provided. According to one aspect, a method includes discovering, at the source wireless device, wireless devices within communication range of the source wireless device. The method also includes determining, at the source wireless device, for each discovered wireless device, one of whether the discovered wireless device is the destination device and whether the discovered wireless device has wireless connectivity to a wireless base station. The method further includes including each discovered wireless device in a discovered wireless device list, and prioritize the list of discovered wireless devices.

Abstract: A source base station supports a 3GPP radio access network (RAN). The source base station determines that a data session between a user equipment (UE) and a Wi-Fi RAN associated with the source base station needs to be handed over. Based on the determining, the base station transmits a request to a target base station that supports a 3GPP RAN to determine a current Wi-Fi service capability of the target base station, and receives a response that indicates the current Wi-Fi service capability. The source base station transmits a handover request to the UE, based on the response, requesting that the UE handover the data session to one of: the 3GPP RAN of the target base station; or a Wi-Fi RAN associated with of the target base station. A UE and/or target base station may have similar and/or corresponding features.

Abstract: A method and system for extending the range and coverage of wireless radio systems through the introduction of cascade devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, power allocations from a first power sourcing equipment (PSE) to a radio device are negotiated by an intervening cascade device. Also, OAM configurations of a radio controller are extended to radio devices via the intervening cascade device.

Abstract: A source base station supports a 3GPP radio access network (RAN). The source base station determines that a data session between a user equipment (UE) and a Wi-Fi RAN associated with the source base station needs to be handed over. Based on the determining, the base station transmits a request to a target base station that supports a 3GPP RAN to determine a current Wi-Fi service capability of the target base station, and receives a response that indicates the current Wi-Fi service capability. The source base station transmits a handover request to the UE, based on the response, requesting that the UE handover the data session to one of: the 3GPP RAN of the target base station; or a Wi-Fi RAN associated with of the target base station. A UE and/or target base station may have similar and/or corresponding features.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method (150) is implemented by a base station (42, 700) that supports a 3GPP RAN (56) and has an associated Wi-Fi RAN (58) that is either supported by the base station (42, 700) or is supported by an access point (710) colocated with the base station (42, 700). The base station (42, 700) receives a request from a UE (54, 800). If the request is for a current Wi-Fi service capability of the base station (42, 700), the base station (42, 700) determines whether the Wi-Fi RAN has sufficient available resources to support QoS requirements of the UE (54, 800), and transmits a corresponding response to the UE (54, 800). If the response indicates that the Wi-Fi RAN (58) has sufficient available resources, the base station (42, 700) also transmits Wi-Fi credentials to the UE (54, 800) to enable the UE (54, 800) to access the Wi-Fi RAN (58).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing fallback data services over a Wi-Fi network is described. A request to enable access to new data sessions for wireless terminals in a zone covered by a Wi-Fi network node is received upon failure of 3GPP radio in that zone. When a request for a new data session from a WT is received, the MAC address of the WT is added to a list of authorized users. The MAC address of the WT is sent to Wi-Fi network nodes of adjacent zones such that the WT can have continuous service as it moves between zones. When a Wi-Fi network node currently serving the WT receives an indication that the WT data session is terminated, a message is sent from the Wi-Fi network node currently serving the WT, to nodes of adjacent zones to remove the MAC address of the WT from the list of authorized users.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method (150) is implemented by a base station (42, 700) that supports a 3GPP RAN (56) and has an associated Wi-Fi RAN (58) that is either supported by the base station (42, 700) or is supported by an access point (710) colocated with the base station (42, 700). The base station (42, 700) receives a request from a UE (54, 800). If the request is for a current Wi-Fi service capability of the base station (42, 700), the base station (42, 700) determines whether the Wi-Fi RAN has sufficient available resources to support QoS requirements of the UE (54, 800), and transmits a corresponding response to the UE (54, 800). If the response indicates that the Wi-Fi RAN (58) has sufficient available resources, the base station (42, 700) also transmits Wi-Fi credentials to the UE (54, 800) to enable the UE (54, 800) to access the Wi-Fi RAN (58).

Abstract: A method and system for extending the range and coverage of wireless radio systems through the introduction of cascade devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, power allocations from a first power sourcing equipment (PSE) to a radio device are negotiated by an intervening cascade device. Also, OAM configurations of a radio controller are extended to radio devices via the intervening cascade device.