Abstract: When a UE is served with standalone-connectivity under a first radio access technology (RAT) in a cell site that also supports dual-connectivity service under the first RAT and a second RAT, a decision will be made as to whether to configure the dual-connectivity service for the UE, with the decision being based on whether the UE is moving threshold quickly. If the UE is moving at least predefined-threshold quickly, then, based at least on that fact, the decision will be to not configure the dual-connectivity service for the UE. Whereas, if the UE is not moving at least predefined-threshold quickly, then, based at least on that fact, the decision will be to configure the dual-connectivity service for the UE. The UE's serving network will then operate according to the decision, to control whether the UE is provided with dual-connectivity service.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling coverage in a wireless communications network after a disruption in a control signal provided to a multi-directional antenna are provided. The system may detect that a disruption has occurred in the control signal, causing the antenna to broadcast in a different mode and leading to a change in the coverage area. The change in the coverage area may cause user devices to experience a drop in coverage or to experience interference from multiple, overlapping coverage areas. In embodiments, the system increases or decreases the power provided to the antenna to control the coverage area and/or limit interference, in order to compensate for the disruption.

Abstract: When a base station is serving a plurality of devices on a common carrier and the base station is considering which subset of the UEs to group together with each other for MU-MIMO service, the base station could base the decision on a determination of whether the base station is serving the UEs of the subset on a common primary carrier. Or faced with a choice of which subset of UEs to group together with each other for MU-MIMO service, the base station could give priority to grouping UEs that the base station is serving on a common primary carrier, as compared with UEs that the base station is serving on a common carrier but not on a common primary carrier.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dynamically determining antenna array mode assignment for transmission of downlink power to one or more wireless communication devices (WCD). The system comprises an access point that is configured to transmit wireless downlink signals to a WCD using a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol. A processor collects data over a predetermined time period, which may include sector load data and WCD location data. Then, the processor analyzes the data collected and based on such analysis, determines the antenna array mode assignment. In some aspects, the processor also determines whether there is MU-MIMO grouping between two or more WCDs.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and processing nodes for performing carrier aggregation in a wireless network include associating a primary usage type of an application running on a wireless device with a characteristic of a first carrier based on at least a first frequency band utilized by the first carrier, associating a secondary usage type of the application with a characteristic of a second carrier based on at least a second frequency band utilized by the second carrier, assigning the first carrier as a primary carrier for the wireless device when operating in a carrier aggregation mode, and assigning the second carrier as a secondary carrier for the wireless device when operating in the carrier aggregation mode.

Abstract: A wireless access point selects a Multiple User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) geofence for a wireless user device based on its device location. The wireless access point transfers MU-MIMO signals to the wireless user device based on the selected MU-MIMO geofence. The wireless access point determines MU-MIMO information for the device location like MU-MIMO gain, user device type, or some other metric. A MIMO control system processes the MU-MIMO information for the device location and responsively modifies the MU-MIMO geofence. The wireless access point selects the modified MU-MIMO geofence for another wireless user device based on its device location. The wireless access point transfers other MU-MIMO signals to the other wireless user device based on the modified MU-MIMO geofence.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and processing nodes are configured to manage data throughput of wireless devices in a wireless network, such as a network that employs MIMO techniques, by receiving a request from a wireless device to operate in the wireless network using a first communication protocol, the wireless network deploying communications with wireless devices using at least two communication protocols simultaneously determining that a value associated with data rate used by a set of wireless devices in the wireless network using at least one of the at least two communication protocols exceeds a threshold value, and adjusting an operating parameter of a multi-element antenna for communicating signals between an access node and the plurality of wireless devices in the wireless network using the first communication protocol when it is determined that the value exceed the threshold value.

Abstract: A base station that is configured to provide first-RAT service on multiple carriers will reserve at least one of the carriers for use in providing UEs with dual-connectivity service on the first RAT and a second RAT, and the base station will reserve at least one other of the carriers for use in providing UEs with standalone first-RAT service. For instance, a 4G base station that is configured to provide 4G service on multiple 4G carriers could reserve at least one of those 4G carriers for use in providing UEs with EN-DC service (where each UE would be served concurrently on a 5G carrier as well) and could reserve another one of those 4G carriers for use in providing UEs with standalone 4G service.

Abstract: Allocating resources in a wireless network utilizing SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO modes of operation includes determining an increase in a resource usage of MU-MIMO wireless devices and responsive to the determining, reducing an allocation of resources for one or more SU-MIMO wireless devices. These operations may be performed based on determining that a load level associated with a serving access node rises to meet a threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for dynamically adjusting the beamform of an antenna array. A first beamform produced by an emission from a first antenna and an emission from a second antenna are determined, each of the first antenna and the second antenna having separate power supplies. Positions of user devices served by the cell of the antenna array are determined and compared to the first beamform. If it is determined that a second beamform would provide better coverage to any one or more of the user devices served by the cell, any one or more of the power supplies to individual antennas may be modified. Any one or more power supplies may utilize changes in the phase and/or amplitude of the power supplied to an antenna to change the emission of at least one antenna, producing a second beamform. The second beamform, in particular, may permit dynamic targeting of various vertical distributions of user devices within the cell.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling application of MU-MIMO. The disclosure provides for considering a device's block error rate (BLER) as a basis to decide whether to provide the device with MU-MIMO service. For instance, a base station could determine which of the base station's served devices each have threshold low BLER. And on at least that basis, the base station could select each such device to receive MU-MIMO service. Or faced with a choice between devices to receive MU-MIMO service, the base station could compare the devices' levels of BLER and could select the devices that have lower BLER to receive MU-MIMO service.

Abstract: When a WCD is within coverage of multiple base stations, the minimum service-beam beamwidths of the base stations will be taken into account as a basis to select a base station to serve the WCD. For instance, the minimum service-beam beamwidths of the base stations could be compared, and the base station having the narrowest minimum service-beam beamwidth could be selected. In addition, this could be done specifically for a WCD that will engage in guaranteed-bit-rate (GBR) communication, such as a voice or video call or online gaming for instance. Beamforming could be particularly helpful for such a WCD, as the beamforming could help ensure that transmissions to the WCD meet the bit-rate guarantee. And beamforming with a narrower service-beam beamwidth could better help achieve that goal.

Abstract: A wireless communication network enhances Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) for wireless user devices that have multiple device types. The wireless communication network has wireless access points that store MIMO geofences for the device types. The wireless access points select MIMO geofences for the wireless user devices based the device types. The wireless access points exchange Single User (SU) MIMO signals and Multiple User (MU) MIMO signals with the wireless user devices based on the selected MIMO geofences and device locations. The wireless access points transfer MIMO information characterizing the exchange of the MU-MIMO signals. A MIMO control system processes the MIMO information to determine geofence modifications based on MU-MIMO gains for the device types at the device locations. The MIMO control system transfers the geofence modifications to the wireless access points. The wireless access points update their MIMO geofences based on the geofence modifications.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for assigning a broadcast beam profile, which may include vertical and/or horizontal beam widths, to a particular cell site. In determining which broadcast beam profile to assign, an elevation and/or height associated with a cell site, an elevation of the user devices within the coverage area of the cell site, or a quantity of user devices above a predetermined elevation is considered. Based on this information, a broadcast beam profile is assigned to the cell site. At least one of a horizontal or vertical beam width is then adjusted based on the broadcast beam profile.

Abstract: A base station will group UEs together for MU-MIMO service with the grouping being based at least in part on the UEs of the group being at least a threshold Euclidian distance from each other. Further, the base station could dynamically set the threshold Euclidian distance based on consideration of coverage quality. And the base station could additionally base the UE grouping on the UEs of the group having threshold angular separation, having reported threshold high SINR, and/or on one or more other factors.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and processing nodes are configured to adjust antenna systems of a wireless device by receiving mobility information form a wireless device in a wireless network. Responsive to receiving the mobility information, an operating parameter of a multi-element antenna serving the wireless device is adjusted.

Abstract: A wireless user device exchanges data with wireless networks over wireless channels and measures communication metrics for the wireless channels. The wireless user device transfers the communication metrics to other wireless user devices and receives other communication metrics from the other wireless user devices. The wireless user device processes the communication metrics to select an optimal set of communication channels. The wireless user device disables the unselected ones of the wireless channels. The wireless user device exchanges wireless data with the wireless networks over the optimal set of wireless communication channels.

Abstract: A wireless communication network enhances Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) for wireless user devices that have multiple device types. The wireless communication network has wireless access points that store MIMO geofences for the device types. The wireless access points select MIMO geofences for the wireless user devices based the device types. The wireless access points exchange Single User (SU) MIMO signals and Multiple User (MU) MIMO signals with the wireless user devices based on the selected MIMO geofences and device locations. The wireless access points transfer MIMO information characterizing the exchange of the MU-MIMO signals. A MIMO control system processes the MIMO information to determine geofence modifications based on MU-MIMO gains for the device types at the device locations. The MIMO control system transfers the geofence modifications to the wireless access points. The wireless access points update their MIMO geofences based on the geofence modifications.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling configuration of dual connectivity for a UE that has a first connection with a first access node. The first access node could make a determination what type of UE the UE is, such as whether the UE is a relay-UE or rather an end-user UE for instance. Based on the determined type, the first access node could then control whether to apply blind addition or rather threshold-based addition in adding for the UE a second connection with a second access node. For instance, if the UE is an end-user UE rather than a relay-UE, then the first access node could apply blind addition rather than threshold-based addition, and if the UE is a relay-UE rather than an end-user UE, then the first access node could apply threshold-based addition rather than blind addition.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for dynamically delaying a calibration of an antenna. It is determined that there is a quantity of user devices above a predetermined threshold on a particular sector of an antenna associated with the base station, or that there is a quantity of user devices above a predetermined threshold in an MU-MIMO group on the particular sector of the antenna. Further, it is determined that there is an upcoming scheduled calibration event of the antenna, and based on the upcoming scheduled calibration event and the occurrence, the upcoming scheduled calibration event of the antenna is delayed or postponed.