Abstract: A connection including a wireless NB-IoT link is established between a base station in a MNO network and a base station in a MSO network. UE context information, UE radio frequency (RF) information and/or UE Key Performance Indicator (KPI) information are exchanged between the two networks over the established connection via the NB-IoT link, thus facilitating handover preparation and/or handover for a UE. A control server in the MNO controls transfer over the connection including the NB-IoT link, receives and sends information and requests over the connection, evaluates received UE information, makes handover decisions, and generates and sends handover requests.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for coverage determination and download opportunity notification. A method for content coverage determination and download opportunity includes obtaining, by a content coverage application running on a mobile device, an itinerary from a map application on the mobile device. The content coverage application sends the itinerary and mobile device characteristics to a coverage determination system and receives a wireless coverage profile based on the itinerary and the mobile device characteristics. The content coverage application generates a list of entertainment applications running on the mobile device. The content coverage application provides a notification of a wireless coverage gap based on the wireless coverage profile and displays the list of entertainment applications and status for each listed entertainment application in response to user input.

Abstract: A Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) communications link between a wireless access point of a non-cellular network and a cellular base station of a cellular network is implemented and used to support load management operations in a communications system including a cellular network and a non-cellular network. A service management system uses UE performance information and network statistics communicated over the NB-IoT communications link to evaluate network loading with regard to congestion in the non-cellular network. The session management system initiates a communications session for congestion control to offload a session from a congested network to a less congested network. The NB-IoT link is used to communicate session handoff related signaling.

Abstract: A network environment includes a wireless base station, customer premises equipment, and one or more mobile communication devices. Communication management hardware associated with the wireless base station provides different types of wireless connectivity via the wireless base station. For example, the communication management hardware initially receives allocation of a first wireless channel. The communication management hardware uses the first wireless channel to establish wireless connectivity between the wireless base station and the customer premises equipment. Via an established narrowband wireless channel associated with the first wireless channel, the wireless base station supports narrowband wireless communications between the wireless base station and a mobile communication device present in the network environment.

Abstract: A wireless network environment includes multiple wireless stations (such as fixed wireless access points or customer premises equipment), a wireless network of one or more wireless base stations, and a communication management resource. A first wireless station establishes a first wireless link with the wireless network. A second wireless station establishes a second wireless link with the wireless network. Additionally, the first wireless station establishes second wireless connectivity providing a direct connection (wireless communication link) between the first wireless station and the second wireless station. Via the second wireless connectivity, the first wireless station receives data from the second wireless station. The first wireless station communicates the received data over the first wireless connectivity from the first wireless station to a communication management resource.

Abstract: A wireless system includes a master communication device in communication with multiple slave communication devices. During operation, the master communication device establishes first wireless connectivity with each of the multiple slave communication devices via a first wireless communication protocol. Each of the slave communication devices monitors vehicular traffic at a street intersection. The master communication device receives input of monitored vehicular traffic from the multiple slave communication devices. The master communication device communicates a status of the vehicular traffic over second wireless connectivity to a wireless base station in communication with a controller. The controller generates and communicates control information based on the detected vehicular traffic to the master communication device that distribute the control information to the slave communication devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhancing area coverage and data rates in a quasi-licensed wireless communication network. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatus utilize so-called “quasi-licensed” CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) wireless spectrum in conjunction with a cellular wireless communication network (e.g. 4G, 5G, or LTE) for the delivery of services to a number of installed fixed wireless apparatus (CPE/FWA) at user or subscriber premises. The CPE/FWAs may act as relays or supplementation devices to provide requisite data rates to the CPEs that are out of the network coverage, effectively adding new customers to the network. As such, the CPEs that acts as relays are connected to one or more base stations, dynamically allocate some resources to the out of coverage CPEs, for the delivery/receipt of information to/from the out-of-coverage CPES/FWA.

Abstract: Timing synchronization information is communicated to a plurality of indoor communications devices supporting NB-IoT, e.g., indoor CBSDs supporting NB-IoT, from an outdoor communications device, e.g. a cellular base station supporting NB-IoT signaling using guard bands of a communications channel. An indoor device receiving the timing synchronization information from the outdoor device via NB-IoT signaling may, and sometimes does, process and forward synchronization information to other indoor devices, e.g. other CBSDs, which may be out of direct range of the outdoor device. In some embodiments, a plurality of outdoor base stations supporting NB-IoT receive timing reference information for distribution from the same NPT server coupled to a single reference source, e.g. an atomic clock.

Abstract: In one aspect, an exemplary method for sharing traffic data among a plurality of vehicles includes: a first vehicle receiving current traffic data from at least a second vehicle over a first network protocol; the first vehicle transmitting current traffic data from the first vehicle and the current traffic data received from at least the second vehicle to a roadside unit over a second network protocol; the first vehicle receiving processed traffic data from the roadside unit over the second network protocol, the processed traffic data being based on the current traffic data received from the first vehicle and from at least the second vehicle; and the first vehicle transmitting the processed traffic data received from the roadside unit to at least the second vehicle over the first network protocol.

Abstract: A pathloss calculation machine (PCM) calculates a pathloss to a base station from a location of a user device, in contrast to conventional approaches which either examine a grid of user activity and generalize each grid element for pathloss, or simply distribute the user load based on which cell region the subscriber device resides. The location-based pathloss and use of corresponding models as described herein takes into account and allows recognition of geographic and man-made obstacles such as tall buildings to enter into the pathloss calculation. A mobility management entity (MME) makes handoff determinations based on pathloss and loading of respective base stations to ensure that users are served from base stations (macro or small cell) that offer the least pathloss/loading.

Abstract: A scheduler resource maintains a grid of multiple blocks for a timeframe in which multiple wireless stations compete for use of available wireless resources to communicate in a wireless network. For a first block of the multiple blocks in the grid, the scheduler resource generates first transmit information. The scheduler resource assigns a first unique code to the transmit information, the first unique code being mapped to a first frequency band and first time slot in which the first block resides in the grid. The scheduler resource repeats this operation of assigning a unique code for each used block or block pair (and corresponding transmit information) scheduled for use by a respective wireless station. Subsequent to generation of the schedule information, the scheduler resource or other suitable entity distributes the schedule information to one or more other wireless stations in the wireless network environment.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing multi-tier quasi-licensed spectrum service via a common wireless access node. In one embodiment, the quasi-licensed system utilizes 3.55-3.70 GHz CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) GAA and PAL spectrum selectively applied to first and second transceiver chains (including one or more antenna elements each) of the wireless access node. In one variant, GAA spectrum is used for unlicensed and unrestricted user access within an indoor portion of a premises, while PAL is used for licensed and restricted use in an outdoor area of/external to the premises.

Abstract: According to one configuration, an example communication system includes multiple wireless base stations such as a first wireless base station and a second wireless base station. The first wireless base station resides outdoors and receives timing information from remote radio hardware such as a satellite or other suitable resource; the second wireless base station resides indoors and is unable to receive the timing information from the satellite. The communication system includes a communication link or network connecting the second wireless base station to the first wireless base station. In one configuration, the second wireless base station receives the timing information from the first wireless base station over the network. The first wireless base station and the second wireless base station both use the timing information to synchronize wireless communications in the wireless network environment.

Abstract: According to one configuration, an example communication system includes multiple wireless base stations such as a first wireless base station and a second wireless base station. The first wireless base station resides outdoors and receives timing information from remote radio hardware such as a satellite or other suitable resource; the second wireless base station resides indoors and is unable to receive the timing information from the satellite. The communication system includes a communication link or network connecting the second wireless base station to the first wireless base station. In one configuration, the second wireless base station receives the timing information from the first wireless base station over the network. The first wireless base station and the second wireless base station both use the timing information to synchronize wireless communications in the wireless network environment.