Abstract: An access node is provided in a wireless communication network for conducting interference resolution of a received signal, the access node comprising a transceiver module, a backhaul module, and a memory. The access node further comprises a processor coupled to the transceiver module, the backhaul module and the memory and configured to identify a neighboring access node in the wireless communication network, to exchange, via the backhaul module, communication parameters with the neighboring access node, to receive, via the transceiver module, a signal comprising a transmission from a first user equipment and an interfering transmission from a second user equipment, the signal being received over a plurality of uplink resources, to receive, via the backhaul module, resource information from the neighboring access node, the resource information corresponding to the plurality of uplink resources, and to apply the resource information for interference resolution of the received signal.

Abstract: A smart node in a local area network, the smart node comprising a first transceiver module for communicating with a plurality of other nodes in the local area network, a second transceiver module for communicating with an access node in a wide area network, and a processor that is configured to establish a connection with at least one neighboring node in the local area network, determine a portal candidate score for the smart node based on at least one node characteristic value, determine if the smart node is acceptable to act as a portal between the local area network and the wide area network, and connect, in the case that the smart node is acceptable to act as a portal, to the access node in the wide area network.

Abstract: A method of capturing a photograph of a user's face with a mobile device includes determining alignment of an image of the user's face with a camera of the mobile device; providing one of a visual indicator and an audible sound as an alignment verification aid which indicates to the user when facial alignment is favorable; and taking a photograph of the user's face when alignment of the user's face with the camera is favorable.

Abstract: Systems and methods can use client-side video buffer occupancy for enhanced quality of experience in a communication network. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. Example control responses include responses for scheduling of packets under capacity constrained conditions. An access node, such as a base station, may transmit video from a server to a client in a user device. The access node can estimate client-side video buffer occupancy and predict video playback stalls. The client-side video buffer occupancy can be estimated by emulating behavior of the client. The buffer occupancy can be used to enhance quality of experience for the user. For example, when the buffer occupancy is low, the access node may increase scheduling priority of packets conveying the video.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing system performance of capacity and spectrum constrained, multiple-access communication systems by using application-aware admission control are provided. The systems and methods provided herein can determine admission control response using information about applications and congestion information. The information about applications can be obtained from packet inspection. The admission control responses can include admitting a new service, denying the new service, modifying the new or an existing service, delaying the new service, and suspending an existing service.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide communications between applications in terminal nodes and applications agents in access nodes. The APP-agent cooperative communications can be used to improve quality of experience for users or the terminal nodes. An access node may, for example, have a parameterized scheduling system that incorporates information from the APP-agent cooperative communications in determining scheduling parameters. An application at a terminal node may, for example, modify requests for communication based on information about communication capabilities received from an access node. For APP-agent cooperative communications for multiple applications, an access node may include a master application agent to facilitate and coordinate communications to specific application agents that address APP-agent cooperative communications for specific applications. Similarly, a terminal node may use a master application and specific applications for APP-agent cooperative communications.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide communications between applications in terminal nodes and applications agents in access nodes. The APP-agent cooperative communications can be used to improve quality of experience for users or the terminal nodes. An access node may, for example, have parameterized scheduling system that incorporates information from the APP-agent cooperative communications in determining scheduling parameters. An application at a terminal node may, for example, modify requests for communication based on information about communication capabilities received from an access node. For APP-agent cooperative communications for multiple applications, an access node may include a master application agent to facilitate and coordinate communications to specific application agents that address APP-agent cooperative communications for specific applications. Similarly, a terminal node may use a master application and specifications for APP-agent cooperative communications.

Abstract: Systems and methods preserve application identification information on handover in a communication network. End user quality of experience is improved by determining applications associated with communications to and from the end user. The applications may include application classes and specific applications. The application information is used to schedule packets such that the end user quality of experience is improved for that application. When the end user is handed over between wireless access nodes, the access nodes transfer application information so that the improved end user quality of experience is maintained.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing system performance of capacity and spectrum constrained, multiple-access communication systems by selectively discarding packets are provided. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. One such control responses includes the optimal discard (also referred to herein as “intelligent discard”) of network packets under capacity constrained conditions. Some embodiments provide an interactive response by selectively discarding packets to enhance perceived and actual system throughput, other embodiments provide a reactive response by selectively discarding data packets based on their relative impact to service quality to mitigate oversubscription, others provide a proactive response by discarding packets based on predicted oversubscription, and others provide a combination thereof.

Abstract: A communication station, such as a base station or access point, has multiple backhaul options and distributes backhaul data between the available backhaul options. The communication station includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data with user equipments, multiple backhaul interface modules, and a backhaul distribution module arranged for monitoring demand for backhaul bandwidth and distributing data over the backhauls based on the demand for backhaul bandwidth. Additional modules for user data and control plane processing may be included with the user/control distinction used in distributing data over the backhauls. The backhaul options may include a preferred backhaul and an alternate backhaul. Distributing data over the backhauls may be based, for example, on applications associated with the data, financial cost, delay, robustness, computational resources, and/or additional security associated with using a particular backhaul.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a weight-based scheduling system that incorporates end-user application awareness are provided and can be used with scheduling groups that contain data streams from heterogeneous applications. Individual data queues within a scheduling group can be created based on application class, specific application, individual data streams or some combination thereof. Application information and Application Factors (AF) are used to modify scheduler weights to differentiate between data streams assigned to a scheduling group. One embodiment adjusts the relative importance of different user applications using dynamic AF settings to maximize user Quality of Experience (QoE) in response to recurring network patterns, one-time events, or both.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a parameterized scheduling system that incorporates congestion detection and end-user application awareness and can be used with scheduling groups that contain data streams from heterogeneous applications. Congestion can be detected at multiple domains. Congestions can be detected using demand for communications, measure of resource usage in the communication device, or performance of the communication device. Congestions can also be detected using measures of protocol delay. The detected information can be used for scheduling transmission of the packets. Quality of Experience (QoE) for users can be maximized by efficient control responses to detected congestion.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a parameterized scheduling system that incorporates end-user application awareness and can be used with scheduling groups that contain data streams from heterogeneous applications. Data packets are analyzed at multiple protocol levels to detect characteristics associated with communicating the packets. The data packets are filtered so that detecting the characteristics is efficiently performed. The detected characteristics can be used for scheduling transmission of the packets. The detected characteristics can be used to dynamically change scheduling parameters. The dynamic scheduling parameters can maximize user Quality of Experience (QoE) in response to recurring network patterns, one-time events, application characteristics, protocol characteristics, device characteristics, service level agreements, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing system performance of capacity and spectrum constrained, multiple-access communication systems by selectively discarding packets are provided. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. One such control responses includes the optimal discard (also referred to herein as “intelligent discard”) of network packets under capacity constrained conditions. Some embodiments provide an interactive response by selectively discarding packets to enhance perceived and actual system throughput, other embodiments provide a reactive response by selectively discarding data packets based on their relative impact to service quality to mitigate oversubscription, others provide a proactive response by discarding packets based on predicted oversubscription, and others provide a combination thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a parameterized scheduling system that incorporates end-user application awareness and can be used with scheduling groups that contain data streams from heterogeneous applications. Individual data queues within a scheduling group can be created based on application class, specific application, individual data streams or some combination thereof. Application information and Application Factors (AF) are used to modify scheduler parameters such as weights and credits to differentiate between data streams assigned to a scheduling group. Dynamic AF settings may adjust relative importance of user applications to maximize user Quality of Experience (QoE) in response to recurring network patterns, one-time events, application characteristics, protocol characteristics, device characteristics, service level agreements, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing system performance of capacity and spectrum constrained, multiple-access communication systems by selectively discarding packets are provided. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. One such control responses includes the optimal discard (also referred to herein as “intelligent discard”) of network packets under capacity constrained conditions. Some embodiments provide an interactive response by selectively discarding packets to enhance perceived and actual system throughput, other embodiments provide a reactive response by selectively discarding data packets based on their relative impact to service quality to mitigate oversubscription, others provide a proactive response by discarding packets based on predicted oversubscription, and others provide a combination thereof.

Abstract: Capacity and spectrum constrained, multiple-access communication systems optimize performance by selectively discarding packets. Changes in the communication systems may be driven using control responses. Control responses include intelligent discard of network packets under capacity constrained conditions. Packets are prioritized and discard decisions are made based on the prioritization. Various embodiments provide an interactive response by selectively discarding packets to enhance perceived and actual system throughput, provide a reactive response by selectively discarding data packets based on their relative impact to service quality to mitigate oversubscription, provide a proactive response by discarding packets based on predicted oversubscription, or provide a combination thereof. Packets may be prioritized for discard using correlations between discards and bandwidth reduction and quality degradation. The quality degradation for video packets may be measured objectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a weight-based scheduling system that incorporates end-user application awareness and can be used with scheduling groups that contain data streams from heterogeneous applications. Individual data queues within a scheduling group can be created based on application class, specific application, individual data streams or some combination thereof. Application information and Application Factors (AF) are used to modify scheduler weights to differentiate between data streams assigned to a scheduling group. Dynamic AF settings may adjust relative importance of user applications to maximize user Quality of Experience (QoE) in response to recurring network patterns, one-time events, application characteristics, protocol characteristics, device characteristics, service level agreements, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing system performance of capacity and spectrum constrained, multiple-access communication systems by selectively discarding packets are provided. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. One such control responses includes the optimal discard (also referred to herein as “intelligent discard”) of network packets under capacity constrained conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing system performance of capacity and spectrum constrained, multiple-access communication systems by selectively discarding packets are provided. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. One such control responses includes the optimal discard (also referred to herein as “intelligent discard”) of network packets under capacity constrained conditions. The systems and methods prioritize packets and make discard decisions based upon the prioritization. Some embodiments provide an interactive response by selectively discarding packets to enhance perceived and actual system throughput, other embodiments provide a reactive response by selectively discarding data packets based on their relative impact to service quality to mitigate oversubscription, others provide a proactive response by discarding packets based on predicted oversubscription, and others provide a combination thereof.