Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that provides improved techniques and metrics used to improve the “Quality of Experience Delivered” (“QED”) for use in Private Enterprise networks. The method and apparatus provides normalized metrics used for assessing all service types for performance. Focus is placed on latent scores and allowing for a range of acceptable operational scores. Observation points are identified and metrics collection is performed at the ingress and egress points for functional/application/node/service levels. Assessment based on packet sizes groups is enabled, rather than as an aggregate for better understanding of the tunability of the application layer for improved service. Burstiness of the traffic is gauged to allow for improved scheduling in the RAN. Individual deployments are adapted to assess ?G and assess ?S and ?V for end-to-end performance management.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining spectrum availability within a radio band managed by a Spectrum Management Entity (SME), and allocating available spectrum to Base Station/Access Points (BS/APs) of an Enterprise Network (EN). The EN includes a domain proxy that sends a registration request to the SME indicating a maximum EIRP for the BS/APs. After receiving registration, the Domain Proxy sends a spectrum inquiry and receives a response specifying available spectrum. If less than the entire requested spectrum is available, then the maximum EIRP indication is reduced, and a next iteration is performed re-registering the BS/APs and requesting spectrum. Iterations are repeated until the entire requested spectrum is available, and then spectrum is allocated to the BS/APs. Each iteration of channel availability is stored, and channels are allocated utilizing a Self-Organizing Network (SON) technique responsive to the stored channel availability. The EN may comprise a CBRS Network.

Abstract: A credential management system for enterprise networks (ENs) that allows credential storage in different levels and enables individual enterprises to manage the sets of credentials for the SIM cards used in their respective networks. Central management of credentials is provided by a remote cloud-based, centralized orchestration network (O-Net) that receives SIM cards from a SIM Provisioning Platform (SPP) and distributes the credentials to the ENs, which store the credentials in an enterprise global database and assign the SIM cards to the UEs. The credentials can be associated with specific policies and user groups so that the enterprise can control the type and quality of access allowed to UEs. Each EN may have a plurality of campus locations and at each location, a local credential database may be provided to act as a cache for quick efficient access to credentials by the UEs.

Abstract: A User Equipment (UE) device, such as a cellular telephone, configured to store Higher Priority Public Land Mobile Network (HPPLMN) timer setting values and enterprise geofence information associated with the entries on its Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network (EHPLMN) list is disclosed. When the UE is camped on an EHPLMN, the UE may search/scan for higher priority EHPLMNs using the HPPLMN timer setting values associated with the entries on the list that have higher priority than the current EHPLMN. The rate of the scans may be set based on the shortest HPPLMN timer entry of the higher priority entries on the EHPLMN list. The UE may also or instead be configured to search for geofenced EHPLMNs on the list for which entrance criteria are currently satisfied, even when the current EHPLMN has higher priority than the geofenced EHPLMNs.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for allowing a Third-Party (TP) User Equipment (UE) to use a base station/access point (BS/AP), such as a 4G eNodeB (eNB) or a 5G gNodeB (gNB) of a private network, such as an enterprise network to access components of a network core, such as an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) in the TP network while also having access to features provided by or through components of an EPC within the private network.

Abstract: A transfer management system for efficiently operating an enterprise wireless communication network (EN) at a campus location enables the EN to control congestion, selectively and smoothly admit UEs, and manage UE exits from the EN. An MNO Network (MN) footprint learning system learns the different MN footprints on the campus, relative to the BS/APs deployed by the individual enterprise, which defines a footprint of wireless coverage for each MNO that has wireless coverage. The MN footprint provides useful information that enables successfully transitioning a UE between an EN and an MNO, which provides the EN with the ability to utilize other networks to offload one or more UEs to manage congestion, delay or deny admission of UEs, and proactively exit UEs to manage congestion or for other reasons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing TACs and TAIs used in communications system is disclosed in which “associated TACs” are used on a global basis and “unassociated TACs” are used on a regional basis. Associated TACs are associated with International Mobile Subscriber Identify (IMSI) Bin Numbers (IBNs). The value of each associated TACs is determined based on an associated IBN that serves as a seed for generating the TAC value. Unassociated TACs are TAC values that are within the “TAC space” of valid TAC values, but that are not within the pool of associated TACs. In some embodiments, there are 60,000 associated TACs and 65,536 total TAC values in the TAC space. Therefore, in such embodiments, there are 5,536 unassociated TACs that are regionally managed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a communications system architecture having a base station/access points, a multiple operator core Gateway/X2 Gateway, a plurality of Mobile Network Operator core networks and an enterprise core network are present. A first secure tunnel is provided for communicating user-plane traffic between the base station/access points and the multiple operator core Gateway/X2 Gateway. A second secure tunnel is provided for communicating control-plane traffic between the base station/access points and the enterprise core network. Additional secure tunnels are provided for communications between the multiple operator core Gateway/X2 Gateway and each Mobile Network Operator core.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing wireless Enterprise Networks (EN) for greater efficiency by developing inactivity timers for packet streams on bearers, monitoring the packet streams of UEs on the bearers, and if inactivity is found determining whether or not to release or modify a bearer, or maintain the current status of the UE considering factors such as congestion, expected lull time, reconstruction cost, and UE type and location. Accordingly, UEs can be more efficiently allocated the EN's available resources. To learn the timers, packet streams are monitored over a period of time, the packet streams are sorted by service type and bearer (and optionally time), and an inter-burst packet arrival time is determined. Timers are developed that provide inactivity time limits and an expected lull time that predicts the behavior of the packet streams based on service type and bearer, and optionally time.

Abstract: A User Equipment (UE) device, such as a cellular telephone, configured to store Higher Priority Public Land Mobile Network (HPPLMN) timer setting values and enterprise geofence information associated with the entries on its Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network (EHPLMN) list is disclosed. When the UE is camped on an EHPLMN, the UE may search/scan for higher priority EHPLMNs using the HPPLMN timer setting values associated with the entries on the list that have higher priority than the current EHPLMN. The rate of the scans may be set based on the shortest HPPLMN timer entry of the higher priority entries on the EHPLMN list. The UE may also or instead be configured to search for geofenced EHPLMNs on the list for which entrance criteria are currently satisfied, even when the current EHPLMN has higher priority than the geofenced EHPLMNs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring network performance in near real-time by making measurements on packets received at an intermediate node in wireless communication network. The solution is useful for monitoring wireless network performance of any packetized wireless communication network that connects a client and application server, and particularly for any application running over TCP/IP protocol. A method is disclosed for measuring packet loss rate of a packet-based communication session between a Network Source (NS) and a User Equipment (UE) device at an intermediate node, in the downlink direction and the uplink direction. The measured loss is indicative of the loss in the portion of wireless network between the intermediate node and the UE. The measured packet loss rate is compared with service guarantees for the wireless network, and if the service guarantees are not being met, then resolution mechanisms can be implemented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing network loading and adjusting admission, and/or congestion and service types based on real-time analytics in an enterprise wireless communication network that includes Base Stations/Access Points (BS/APs) in communication with a number of User Equipment devices (UEs) within the coverage area at a campus location. The system dynamically learns the parameterizations for the control system, and adapts the parameters as the network usage evolves, which is useful for an efficient self-managed network. Such a system can provide a greater QoS across users and other efficiencies. The system simplifies deployment at the enterprise's campus locations because load heatmaps and service patterns are learned based on the actual campus locations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring network performance in near real-time by making measurements on packets received at an intermediate node in a wireless communication network. The solution is useful for any packetized communication network that connects a client and application server, and particularly for any application running over TCP/IP protocol. A method is disclosed for measuring end-to-end qualities of a packet-based communication session between a data sender (DS) and a data receiver (DR) at an intermediate node. The measured end-to-end communication qualities may include latency and packet delay variation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting channel availability in a spectrum-controlled network such as a Citizen's Band Radio Service (CBRS) network. The Base Stations/Access Points (BS/APs) and Domain Proxy monitor operating channels at an enterprise location and provide time series data. The data is analyzed, and patterns are identified in the collected channel availability data using Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques. Channel availability is predicted using AI techniques, including one or more target channels and termination times. The network channels are reorganized to define a network reconfiguration that avoids the target channel, and pre-emptively reallocated. The enterprise network provides feedback regarding prediction accuracy, which is utilized in a machine learning process to modify the models and provide greater prediction accuracy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting capacity utilization and preemptively reallocating channels in a spectrum-controlled network such as a Citizen's Band Radio Service (CBRS) network. The network includes a plurality of Base Stations/Access Points (BS/APs) which monitor RF resource usage of the channels at each BS/AP and provide time series data relating to capacity utilization over a period of time. The data is analyzed, and patterns are identified in the collected capacity utilization data using Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques. Looking forward, capacity utilization is predicted using AI techniques. Responsive to the capacity utilization predictions, the channels pre-emptively reallocated among BS/APs. The enterprise network provides feedback regarding prediction accuracy, which is utilized in a machine learning process to modify the models and provide greater prediction accuracy.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for allowing a Third-Party (TP) User Equipment (UE) to use a base station/access point (BS/AP), such as a 4G eNodeB (eNB) or a 5G gNodeB (gNB) of a private network, such as an enterprise network to access components of a network core, such as an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) in the TP network while also having access to features provided by or through components of an EPC within the private network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining and administering microslices by a network administrator in an enterprise network is described. Microslices provide an end-to-end logical network through multiple networks, which allows a network administrator to efficiently arrange data flows in the enterprise network with a defined Quality of Service (QoS). Various embodiments of a system for creating and implementing microslices in a wireless communications network, such as a 4G LTE or 5G network are disclosed. In some embodiments the logical network connects a UE in the enterprise network with an external server through at least a Radio Access Network (RAN) and a Core Network. In some embodiments, the network administrator can define groups of UEs, define a plurality of service types, and specify an amount of network resources to be allocated to the microslice. After a microslice instance is set up, network operation can be monitored and modified.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dimensioning a plurality of base stations to be installed within an area such as an enterprise location or a floor space within an enterprise location of an enterprise network. The wireless communication network is a spectrum-controlled network such as a Citizen's Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) network that is spectrum-controlled by a spectrum access server, and the base stations may comprise CBRS devices (CBSDs). A method of allocating radio bands among the base stations is described that effectively utilizes the available spectrum. A domain proxy is connected to communicate with the spectrum access server on behalf of the CBSDs, to inquire regarding spectrum and request spectrum grant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling channel termination in a spectrum-controlled wireless communication network and bringing power back up to resume normal operation. The network includes Base Stations/Access Points (BS/APs) in communication with a number of User Equipment devices (UEs) within the coverage area over wireless channels. When a channel termination order is received, the network identifies at least one BS/AP communicating on the prohibited channel and designates at least one BS/AP not transmitting on the prohibited channel which is allowed to increase transmission power. The system gradually reduces power on the impacted BS/AP and gradually increases power on the designated BS/AP to induce handoff to provide a smooth transition and avoid service interruptions to connected UEs. In one embodiment the wireless network is a Citizen's Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) network, and the BS/APs are located at an enterprise location and form part of an enterprise network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deploying Base Stations/Access Points (BS/APs) in an enterprise wireless communications network. The method is useful to deploy BS/APs in a managed radio communication environment to mitigate and prevent interference between competing transmitters in the area. The BS/APs may comprise Citizens Broadband radio Service Devices (CBSDs) deployed in 4G and 5G enterprise communications networks operating under FCC rules relating to Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS). Spectrum may be managed by a Spectrum Management Entity (SME). In order to pre-register BS/APs prior to deployment, location coordinates corresponding to an enterprise address may be used. A domain proxy (DP) may request registration, obtain a spectrum grant, and maintain the grant.