Abstract: According to one configuration, a communication management resource in a wireless network environment records a location of a wireless base station. The communication management resource then defines a region of wireless coverage provided by the wireless base station based on feedback received from the wireless base station. For example, in one arrangement, the user equipment provides performance metrics to the wireless base station. The wireless base station uses the performance metrics to determine boundaries associated with a region of wireless coverage provided by the wireless base station. The wireless base station communicates the boundary information to the communication management resource.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for content fragmentation, distribution, protection, and re-constitution within a content distribution network. In one embodiment, the apparatus and methods enable distribution of content fragments to edge nodes (which may include user or subscriber CPE), thereby enabling edge networks or membership groups to be established wherein content can be shared solely at the edge. In one variant, high data bandwidth, symmetric uplink/downlink, low latency PHY links (e.g., 5G NR-compliant wireless interfaces) between the edge nodes participating in the edge networks or membership groups are used such that particular quality of service/experience performance requirements can be met. Distribution of the fragments also advantageously enhances redundancy and security.

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: According to one configuration, a system includes provisioning hardware and a wireless station that supports communications with one or more communication devices. The wireless station receives a first notification from the provisioning system. The first notification indicating that the wireless station is assigned to a first allocation management resource. The first allocation management resource operable to allocate wireless resources for use by the wireless station to support wireless communications. The wireless station communicates with the first allocation management resource to receive allocation information indicating the wireless resources allocated for use by the wireless station. In response to receiving a second notification that the wireless station has been reassigned to a second allocation management resource, the wireless station communicates with the second allocation management resource instead of the first allocation management resource to receive the allocation information.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for guaranteeing a quality of experience (QoE) associated with data provision services in an enhanced data delivery network. In one embodiment, a network architecture having service delivery over at least portions of extant infrastructure (e.g., a hybrid fiber coax infrastructure) is disclosed, which includes standards-compliant ultra-low latency and high data rate services (e.g., 5G NR services) via a common service provider. In one exemplary implementation, “over-the-top” voice data services may enable exchange of voice traffic with client devices in the aforementioned network. A distribution node may use a detection rule to identify received packets as voice traffic, and cause a dedicated bearer to attach to the default bearer, thereby enabling delivery of high-quality voice traffic by at least prioritizing the identified packets thereafter and sustaining the delivery even in a congested network environment, and improving the quality of service (QoS) and QoE for the user(s).

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimized communication path and response time selection of a computing system resource are described herein. In an implementation, a method includes receiving, at an edge gateway device from a requesting device, a service request. The edge gateway device requests from an endpoint tracker server, computing system resource locations which are responsive to the service request. Round-trip response times are computed for computing system resources for each received computing system resource location. The service request is directly sent to a computing system resource location with minimum round-trip response time, wherein a round-trip response time is a combination of communication path length and computing system resource response time. Round-trip response times are maintained and updated for future service requests.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating a Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device's (CBSD's) coverage area using user equipment (UE) timing advance and/or power headroom information and allocating resources based on the estimate. In an exemplary method embodiment a Spectrum Access System: (i) receives, from a CBSD, user equipment (UE) information including at least one of timing advance or power headroom information for one or more UEs in communication with the CBSD; (ii) estimates, based on the received first UE information, a first CBSD coverage area; and (iii) makes a first resource allocation to the CBSD based on the estimated CBSD coverage area, the first resource allocation including an allocation of at least one of a frequency bandwidth allocation or transmission power allocation to the CBSD.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack in a networked computing system includes at least one detector in operative communication with a corresponding router in the networked computing system. The detector is configured: to receive data packets from the router; to compare a volume of the data packets received by the detector with a threshold value; to obtain an Autonomous System Number (ASN) associated with a source Internet Protocol (IP) address of the received data packets when the volume of the data packets exceeds the threshold value; and to generate an output signal indicative of a probability of a presence of a DDoS attack based at least in part on threat information corresponding to the ASN associated with the source IP address of the received data packets.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating secondary content scheduling and dynamic insertion for users of a managed content distribution network, such as a cable, satellite, of HFCu network. In one embodiment, the secondary content comprises advertising content which is directly related or tied to demographics, psychographics, and/or other metrics of applicability to one or more users of the content distribution network. Individual insertion opportunities are identified (either in advance or dynamically), and relevant or targeted secondary content is dynamically “switched in” for delivery to the one or more users via interaction between a local or client application (e.g., operative on the user's set top box or personal electronic device) and a switched digital video entity of the network, and subsequently switched out if no longer required, thereby conserving network bandwidth and/or other resources.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for location based broadcast channel selection and update for mobile devices. The location based broadcast channel selection and update method includes determining a location of a mobile device. The location is checked against a current location area. A query is sent to a license server with the location if the location is beyond the current location area. A list of television broadcast channels associated with the location is sent by the license server and the received list of television broadcast channels are mapped against the current list of television broadcast channels. The mobile device is reconfigured with the mapped list of television broadcast channels.

Abstract: Obtain, from a subscriber premises gateway, a data packet having a header field including a unique identifier for a combination of the gateway and a connected subscriber IP device. Transport the data packet through an internal network of a broadband service provider. Remove the header field after the transporting and prior to the data packet exiting the internal network of the broadband service provider to an external network. Store, in a subscriber internet protocol device data repository of the broadband service provider, data, including the header field, representing transport of the data packet through the internal network of the broadband service provider to the external network. Detect, based on the data repository, at least one of an internal and an external anomaly associated with the data packet. Initiate at least one mitigation action in response to the detecting of the at least one of an internal and an external anomaly.

Abstract: At an antenna array of a user device, a plurality of transmit beams having first widths are received from an access point. The array, using a receive beam having a second width, wider than the first width, measures a quality metric of each of the plurality of transmit beams, and determines angle of arrival for at least a given one of the plurality of transmit beams having a highest quality metric. The user device advises the access point of results of the quality metric measurement. The antenna array receives, from the access point, a selection, based on the advising, of a best one of the plurality of transmit beams for transmission from the access point to the user device. The antenna array forms a receive beam, having a third width, along the angle of arrival, and the third width is narrower than the second width.

Abstract: According to one configuration, a base station controller monitors use of multiple wireless channels amongst multiple wireless base stations operating in a wireless network environment. In response to detecting under allocation of wireless channels between a first wireless base station and a first group of communication devices, the base station control allocates a supplemental wireless channel to the first wireless base station. In one embodiment, the base station controller de-allocates a wireless channel from a second wireless base station and assigns the de-allocated wireless channel to the first wireless base station as the supplemental wireless channel. The base station controller then transmits a channel allocation communication to the first wireless base station, the channel allocation communication indicating an identity of the supplemental wireless channel allocated for use by the first wireless base station.

Abstract: A Video on Demand (VOD) service provides VOD offering in response to a graphical user interface (GUI) screen that renders a guide of available VOD offerings. A concurrent stream of promotional content is also rendered along with the VOD offerings, and displays various VOD offerings and advertising media, typically rendered in a screen portion adjacent the VOD guide offerings. Such promotional content is often referred to as “barker” content and is delivered over a barker channel that transmits in parallel with the VOD guide. Delivery of the VOD guide and associated barker channel content includes a redundant barker player and failover processing that identifies failed barker content transmission (streaming) and commences transmission from a standby barker player with minimal interruption to the rendered viewer experience.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing an enriched content services over a network. In one embodiment, the exemplary apparatus and methods leverage extant high-bandwidth capabilities of a managed network for delivering content downstream, as well as standards-compliant ultra-low latency and high data rate services (e.g., 5G NR services) for uploading content. In one embodiment, the exemplary apparatus and methods are implemented to synchronize content delivered of extant HFC architectures and DOCSIS protocols with user-generated or other content uploaded to a network entity (e.g., server apparatus) via an IP connection established utilized 5G NR services. Additional features include, among other, enhancements which enable user participation individually, or with other subscribers, in live or recorded content-based activities (such as e.g., auctioning, broadcasting, interactive commentary/gaming, exercising, etc.).

Abstract: At a customer premises equipment (CPE) device in a broadband network, an invocation of a speed test by an auto-configuration server (ACS) is obtained. The invocation includes an activity detection threshold and an activity detection period. Responsive to the invocation, average interface utilization for the customer premises equipment (CPE) device is determined over the activity detection period. Responsive to the determining indicating that the average interface utilization for the customer premises equipment (CPE) device over the activity detection period does not exceed the activity detection threshold, the customer premises equipment (CPE) device cooperates with a speed test server to execute a speed test on the customer premises equipment (CPE) device using a speed test tool.

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: Methods and systems for citizens broadband radio service (CBRS) interference management using dual subscriber identification module (SIM) devices are described. The method includes assigning a physical cell identity (PCI) to each CBRS device (CBSD) granted unlicensed spectrum by a spectrum access system (SAS). Each spectrum granted CBSD may exchange PCIs with neighbor spectrum granted CBSDs to resolve PCIs and maintains a PCI table. A dual SIM device may be connected to a CBSD via a first SIM. Each spectrum granted CBSD having a connected dual SIM device reports a number of PCIs detected by the dual SIM device(s). A SAS designated dual SIM device may use a second SIM to measure power values of PCIs detected by the designated dual SIM device which are absent from a provided PCI table. The measured power values may be used by the SAS to make cluster interference decisions.

Abstract: According to one configuration, an example surveillance system includes a sensor device, analyzer hardware, and processing hardware. During operation, the sensor device scans a monitored location and generates scan data. In one embodiment, the scan data (such as distance-based data) indicates (defines) surface textures of one or more objects present at the monitored location (such as a location of interest) based on distance measurements. The analyzer hardware analyzes the scan data and change in surface textures. The controller hardware: i) generates a communication based on the detected surface textures, and ii) transmits the communication to a remote station.

Abstract: A base station generates, e.g., based on current UE and current system information, a UE specific paging priority list for an idle or inactive mode UE identifying a set of (small cell base) stations which are to be used to subsequently page the UE. The base station communicates the paging priority list to the UE in a radio resource control release message. In some embodiments, the release message further conveys information indicating a maximum paging monitoring duration and/or a maximum number of paging cells to be monitored. The UE receives the release message and transitions into idle or inactive mode. The UE uses the communicated information to perform efficient paging, identifying which small cells are potential sources of a paging signal, and determine how long to monitor for a paging signal.