Abstract: A first communications device including a transmitter, such as a base station or UE, identifies a first packet flow for which end to end packet retransmission is supported. The first communications device assigns said first packet flow to a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) process which does not require generation of acknowledgements (ACKs) or negative acknowledgements (NAKs) from a device receiving data corresponding to said first packet flow; and transmits data corresponding to said first packet flow to a second communications device. In some embodiments, the HARQ process to which the first packet flow is assigned is a dedicated HARQ suppression process. In some embodiments, the HARQ process to which the first packet flow is assigned is a HARQ process which has been temporarily designated as a HARQ suppression process. HARQ suppression is applied for the first packet flow at a radio link layer and/or MAC layer.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for using multiple antennas located in Citizens Broadcast Radio Service Devices (CBSDs) to communicate with a user equipment device. An exemplary method embodiment includes the steps of: (i) receiving by a macro base station a first set of data to be transmitted to a user equipment device (UE), (iii) dividing by the macro base station said first set of data into a plurality of N data blocks, and (iv) communicating by the macro base station to each of a plurality of different Citizens Broadband Radio Service Devices (CBSDs) one or more different ones of said plurality of N data blocks; and (v) operating the plurality of CBSDs to transmit the one or more data blocks which they receive from the macro base station to the UE. In various embodiments, the macro base station also transmits one or more of the N data blocks to the UE.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing spectrum in a CBRS network to provide services to user equipment devices located at a customer's premises. In various embodiments, the customer premises has no landline connection. An exemplary method embodiment includes the steps of: receiving, by the CBRS CPE base station, over the air from each of a plurality of Citizens Broadband Radio Service Fixed Wireless Access (CBRS FWA) tower base stations a reference signal; selecting, based on the strength of each of the received reference signals, a primary CBRS FWA tower base station from the plurality of CBRS FWA tower base stations; establishing, by the CBRS CPE base station, a wireless communications link connection with the CBRS FWA tower base station selected as the primary CBRS FWA tower base station; reserving, by the CBRS CPE base station, an amount of spectrum for communicating with one or more auxiliary CBRS FWA tower base stations.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enhanced domain name system (DNS) response caching are described. An enhanced DNS response caching method includes receiving a connection request for a fully qualified domain name (FQDN). A DNS client checks a local cache for a cached resolved domain name corresponding to the FQDN and sends 3300 a query to obtain or refresh the cached resolved domain name if a Time to Live parameter is expired or about to expire. In response to receiving a negative response or no response for the query, the DNS client determines whether an enhanced DNS response caching parameter is enabled. If the enhanced DNS response caching parameter is enabled, the DNS client sends an expired cached resolved domain name to process the connection request.

Abstract: Various embodiments include computing devices and methods for provisioning a set top box (STB) with a software stack. A processor of a computing device may receive a software stack download request comprising downstream channel descriptor (DCD) information, determine region information for the STB based on the DCD information, determine a software stack authorization for the STB, select a software stack for the STB based on the region information and the software stack authorization for the STB, and obtain the selected software stack to enable the STB to replace existing software with the selected software stack.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments disclosed herein may enable automatic retry of Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Based Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Call Setup. Various embodiments may enable a server in an IMS based telecommunication network, such as a proxy-call session control function (P-CSCF) server, interrogating/serving-call session control function (I/S-CSCF) server, telephony application server (TAS), etc., to reattempt SIP call setup. In various embodiments, in response to receiving a SIP error response including a retry-after header, the server may wait a period of time before sending a new SIP invite message.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating the use of a plurality of antenna beams for communications purposes are described. In at least some embodiments beam priority information is periodically exchanged. Multiple timers are used to ensure beam information is exchanged at intervals intended to facilitate reliable beam synchronization and to control switching to one or more alternative beams in a predictable manner in the event beam change information or beam synchronization information is lost. In some but not all embodiments a wideband beam is used to communicate beam synchronization information when synchronization using narrower beams used for normal data communication is lost.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for controlling a smart lighting device. In embodiments, a processor of a smart switch may send to a customer service provider server device a smart switch identifier of the smart switch for incorporation into a data record in the customer service provider server device in association with a smart lighting device identifier of a smart lighting device at a customer premises. The processor of the smart switch may generate a lighting device instruction for a smart lighting device that may include the smart switch identifier. The processor of the smart switch may send to the customer service provider server device the generated smart lighting device instruction to the smart lighting device for transmission to the smart lighting device identifier based on the association.

Abstract: According to one configuration, a system includes resources in which to configure a base-band manager, a first virtual radio, a second virtual radio, and a third virtual radio. The first virtual radio is coupled to a first set of antenna elements of antenna hardware, which provide wireless connectivity to first communication devices in a first wireless coverage region. The second virtual radio is coupled to a second set of antenna elements of the antenna hardware, which provide wireless connectivity to second communication devices in a second wireless coverage region. The third radio communication hardware is coupled through a third set of antenna elements of the antenna hardware to a primary backhaul in communication with a remote network. The base-band manager couples the first virtual radio and the second communication resource to the third virtual radio, providing the first communication devices and the second communication devices access to a remote network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enhanced domain name system (DNS) response caching are described. An enhanced DNS response caching method includes receiving a connection request for a fully qualified domain name (FQDN). A DNS client checks a local cache for a cached resolved domain name corresponding to the FQDN and sends 3300 a query to obtain or refresh the cached resolved domain name if a Time to Live parameter is expired or about to expire. In response to receiving a negative response or no response for the query, the DNS client determines whether an enhanced DNS response caching parameter is enabled. If the enhanced DNS response caching parameter is enabled, the DNS client sends an expired cached resolved domain name to process the connection request.

Abstract: A subscriber identification module (SIM) level task scheduler is described. A dual SIM device SIM radio controller determines quality of service (QoS) levels for each service running on a dual SIM device. A first SIM and radio are connected to one of an unlicensed spectrum network or a licensed spectrum network, which are operated by a same service provider. A second SIM and radio scan for available network connections operated by the service provider. The dual SIM device measures QoS levels and the controller checks them against QoS requirements. The controller instructs the second radio to connect to a selected network from the available networks when the measured QoS levels are at least steadily degrading. The dual SIM device shares and negotiates the first radio settings with the selected network. The controller instructs a processor to switch from the first to the second radio when the selected network is ready.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing the power transmit level of Citizens Broadband Radio Service Devices (CBSDs) in a Citizens Broadband Radio Service Network. In an exemplary method embodiment a CBSD is operated to: (i) receive from a Spectrum Access System one or more of: (a) a power headroom threshold value used to identify cell edge user equipment devices (UEs) or (b) a channel quality indicator threshold value used to identify cell edge user equipment devices; receive a power down command from the SAS; (ii) identify based on one or more of the received power headroom threshold value and the received channel quality indicator threshold value cell edge UEs being serviced by the CBSD; and (iii) decrease transmit power of the CBSD by an estimated amount of transmit power required to support the identified cell edge UEs.

Abstract: A user device includes and maintains a geolocation list (GLL) including sets of information corresponding to Citizens Broadband radio Services Devices (CBSDs). The GLL stored in the user device contains entries corresponding to the areas most recently visited by the UE, each entry including location information of a CBSD. User devices typically frequent a limited set of the same areas repetitively. Thus this maintained relatively small list provides the UE with a highly relevant set of information which can be quickly accessed without additional wireless signaling and the additional power loss associated with a typical search. When the UE desires to find and connect to a CBSD, the UE first searches its GLL for a CBSD providing coverage in its currently located area. However, if GLL search does not identify a CBSD, then the UE sends a request to a geolocation server for active CBSDs.

Abstract: According to one configuration, an analyzer resource determines an ability of a wireless access point to wirelessly communicate over each of multiple available wireless communication channels in a wireless frequency band. The analyzer resource produces performance information (performance metrics or calibration information) based on the measured ability. The analyzer resource assigns the performance metrics to the wireless access point. When operating in the field (such as in a wireless network environment), to provide mobile communication devices access to a remote network, the wireless access point uses the assigned performance metrics as a basis to select amongst multiple available wireless communication channels to communicate with one or more mobile communication devices in the wireless network environment. These and other techniques are disclosed herein.

Abstract: To reduce wireless interference (noise) in a network environment, a management resource communicates a notification to multiple wireless access points. The notification indicates a wireless power transmit test to be performed with respect to the primary wireless access point in a vicinity of the multiple wireless access points. In accordance with the wireless power transmit test, the primary wireless access point transmits multiple test communications at different wireless power levels from the primary wireless access point to the multiple wireless access points. The multiple wireless access points generate feedback based on their ability to receive the test communications. The feedback indicates wireless power levels at which the multiple wireless access points receive the test communications at different power levels from the primary wireless access point.

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: A wireless terminal communicates test packets via alternative wireless access points, e.g., a WiFi access point, a 4G access point, a 5G access point, to a test server to evaluate alternative wireless links. Test scores are generated for each of the wireless links being evaluated based the performance of previous test packets transmitted over the link. In some embodiments, the controlled rate of test packet transmission over a wireless link is a function of WT speed and/or link score. Link test scores may be, and sometime are, conditionally cost adjusted based on the type of communications network, e.g., scores for more expensive networks, e.g., 4G cellular, are reduced to favor more inexpensive networks such as WiFi. The wireless terminal selects one or more of the alternative wireless connections to use for communication with a communications session end point based on the link scores.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for silent start when connecting a point-to-point (P2P) customer premises equipment (CPE) to a fiber access network. The P2P CPE may boot in a silent mode (by disabling an upstream optical transmitter) when the P2P CPE is connected to the fiber access network using a simplex fiber. Upstream transmissions are not sent by the P2P CPE unless a valid downstream signal with expected characteristics is detected by the P2P CPE. A valid downstream signal determination may indicate that the fiber access network is a P2P access network. A variety of characteristics may be used to validate the downstream signal including wavelength, a range of wavelengths, a line coding, a frame format, parity data, point to multipoint network information, point to point network information, logical link identifier, and a multi-point control protocol.

Abstract: According to one configuration, an example communication system includes a primary wireless station, multiple candidate wireless stations, and a remote network. The primary wireless station is in communication with one or more of the multiple candidate wireless stations. During operation, when the primary wireless station needs to provide one or more communication devices access to a remote network, the primary wireless station monitors presence of the multiple candidate wireless stations. Each of the multiple candidate wireless stations is available to support a wireless backhaul link from the primary wireless station to a remote (such as a core) network. The primary wireless station is operable to select an appropriate candidate wireless station amongst the multiple candidate wireless stations. Via the selected candidate wireless station, the primary wireless station establishes a backhaul link to the remote network.

Abstract: A tiered service management resource providing management of wireless channels in a network environment receives notification of wireless bandwidth such as multiple wireless channels allocated by a spectrum access system (a.k.a., SAS). The spectrum access system allocates the wireless channels for use by a wireless base station in the network environment. Prior to re-allocating the wireless bandwidth (such as a selected wireless channel) to customer premises equipment, the tiered service management resource further receives a communication indicating a wireless spectrum scan performed at a location from which customer premises equipment in the network environment is (being) installed to wirelessly communicate with the wireless base station.