Abstract: A mechanism for controlling configuration of dual connectivity for a UE that has a first connection with a first access node. The first access node could make a determination whether a beamwidth of a second access node with which the UE does not yet have a connection is at least as wide as a predefined threshold angle. If not, then the first access node could apply blind addition, in which the first access node works to add for the UE the second connection without requiring as a condition precedent the UE reporting being in threshold strong coverage of the second access node. Whereas, if so, then the first access node could instead apply threshold-based addition, in which the first access node works to add for the UE the second connection if and when the UE reports being in threshold strong coverage of the second access node.

Abstract: A method and system to control UE handover is disclosed herein. A source base station serving a UE receives from the UE a measurement report that specifies a signal strength of a neighboring target base station. The source base station sets a value of a handover threshold parameter, with the set value being based at least in part on whether the target base station is a relay base station or a non-relay base station. Further, the source base station may compare the specified signal strength of the target base station to the set value of the handover threshold parameter and determine that a handover condition is satisfied. Responsive to making such a determination, the source base station may invoke handover of the UE from the source base station to the target base station.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling configuration of secondary-connectivity for dual connectivity service in a system including a first access node and a second access node. The first access node or another entity detects occurrence of a threshold extent of secondary-connection addition failures involving the second access node, each secondary-connection addition failure comprising failure of a respective attempt to set up secondary air-interface connectivity between a user equipment device (UE) and the second access node for use in dual-connectivity service of the UE. And responsive to at least the detecting, a measurement threshold that the first access node will impose for use in UE evaluation of coverage of the second access node for dual-connectivity setup is dynamically increased from a first coverage-strength value to a stronger second coverage-strength value so as to require stronger coverage of the second access node as a condition for adding secondary-connectivity with the second access node.

Abstract: When a first base station is serving a UE with carrier-aggregation on a combination of carriers including a first carrier as PCC of the carrier-aggregation service and a second carrier as an SCC of the carrier-aggregation service, the first base station could predict that the UE will hand over from being connected with the first base station to being connected with an adjacent second base station on the second carrier. In response to this prediction, the first base station could then reconfigure the UE's carrier aggregation service by swapping the UE's PCC and SCC so that the second carrier would become the PCC of the carrier-aggregation service and the first carrier would become an SCC of the carrier-aggregation service. This reconfiguration of the UE's carrier-aggregation service could thereby facilitate carrier continuity as the UE engages in the predicted handover.

Abstract: A wireless network may have two types of wireless services such as 4G and 5G. The 4G service may not be configured to communicate with wireless devices using multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) operating mode, while the 5G service can communicate using MU-MIMO. When a relay node is positioned such that it is within the coverage areas of both types of wireless service, the relay node is instructed to attach to the wireless service that is not capable of utilizing the MU-MIMO operating mode. Conversely, wireless devices within the coverage areas of both types of wireless service that are not configured as relay nodes may be instructed to attach to the wireless service capable of utilizing the MU-MIMO operating mode so that these wireless devices may receive the benefit of utilizing MU-MIMO.

Abstract: In an example method, a base station determines that a UE is CSFB capable and that the base station is currently serving a relay on a first carrier of a plurality of carriers. The base station provides a coverage area on which to serve UEs, and the coverage area operates on the plurality of carriers. Based on at least the determining that the UE is CSFB capable and that the base station is currently serving the relay on the first carrier, the base station assigns the UE to operate on a carrier of the plurality of carriers other than the first carrier rather than having the UE operate on the first carrier on which the base station is currently serving the relay.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described herein include systems, methods, and nodes for selecting a donor for a relay wireless device. Candidate signal arcs of a predetermined angle for a relay wireless device that do not meet an interference criteria are determined. Signals levels are scanned for the relay wireless device for signals received from a plurality of donor access nodes, the scanning iterating over the determined candidate signal arcs that do not meet the interference criteria. Candidate donor access nodes with a received signal level at the relay wireless device that meets a signal level criteria for each candidate signal arc based on the scanning are determined. And a donor access node is selected for the relay wireless device based on the determined candidate donor access nodes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and processing nodes for obtaining radio network characteristics associated with network traffic, determining a type of network traffic and/or network session, allocating resources towards a network traffic session based on the type thereof (or type of network traffic), and performing additional network optimization operations based thereon, including but not limited to metering, billing, and service adjustments such as reallocation of resources. Consequently, resource usage patterns of different data types can be made predictable to a network operator, enabling optimal allocation of network resources, adjustments of latency, and thus providing an optimal user experience.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling carrier use to help manage uplink noise. A base station detects threshold high uplink noise on a carrier, and the base station responsively configures itself to prevent the carrier from being added as a secondary carrier for carrier-aggregation service, though the base station still allows establishment of new radio-link-layer connectivity encompassing the carrier as a primary serving carrier.

Abstract: When a first node is considering setup of dual-connectivity service for a UE, the first node will take into consideration an uplink power headroom level of one or more candidate second nodes (representing uplink power headroom of one or more UEs served by such a node), in order to decide whether to set up the dual-connectivity service for the UE and/or to decide which of multiple second nodes to use for the UE's dual-connectivity service. For instance, if a candidate second node has a threshold high uplink power headroom level, then, based on that fact, the first node may decide to not use that second node for dual-connectivity service of the UE. Or the first node may decide to use a given candidate second node based on the given candidate second node having a higher uplink power headroom level than one or more other candidate second nodes.

Abstract: Selecting a donor access node for a relay node includes identifying operating frequencies for carriers deployed by the relay node, and determining backhaul frequencies that minimize interference with the operating frequencies, including identifying frequency bands that are separated from the one or more operating frequencies by at least a threshold amount. Primary and secondary carriers can be identified and communicated with potential donor access nodes.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems to facilitate management of carriers to help ensure QoS for single-carrier UEs. In particular, a base station may serve one or more first user equipment devices (UEs) on just a first carrier. While doing so, the base station may determine that each of the one or more first UEs being served on just the first carrier is receiving threshold low quality of service from the base station on the first carrier. Responsive to this determining, the base station may (i) select one or more second UEs based on the one or more second UEs being served by the base station on both the first carrier and one or more other carriers and (ii) discontinue serving each selected second UE on the first carrier while continuing to serve each selected second UE on one or more other carriers.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a wireless communication system are provided. A network node can receive a request from the wireless device to establish communication with the first access node. A network node can receive an indication from an authorization node that a wireless device is not authorized to communicate with a first access node. The network node can transmit a message denying the request to establish communication with the first access node to the wireless device based on the indication from the authorization node. The network node can receive a request from the wireless device to establish communication with a second access node. The network node can determine that the wireless device is authorized to establish communication with the second access node. The network node can transmit a message granting the request to establish communication with the second access node to the wireless device.

Abstract: Mitigating interference between access nodes in a wireless network includes determining interference caused to uplink signals received at a first access node by downlink signals transmitted from a second access node, and adjusting a guard period of a special subframe utilized by one or both of access nodes based on determining the interference, by switching special subframe formats to include a longer guard period. Overall interference is mitigated based on mutually-experienced propagation delay, and channel reciprocity. Adjustments are associated with known distances between access nodes.

Abstract: Systems for wireless communication between a wide bandwidth network node and a narrow bandwidth wireless device are configured to perform operations including determining a maximum channel bandwidth of the narrow bandwidth wireless device, configuring at least two bandwidth parts (BWPs) within a single carrier deployed by the wide bandwidth network node, scheduling a data transmission between the wide bandwidth network node and the narrow bandwidth wireless device within the at least two BWPs, and instructing the narrow bandwidth wireless device to aggregate the at least two BWPs within the single carrier to receive the data transmission.

Abstract: A wireless access node serves wireless User Equipment (UEs) over Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) layers. The wireless access node wirelessly exchanges user data with some of the wireless UEs. The wireless access node exchanges the user data over backhaul links. The wireless access node determines backhaul link quality. The wireless access node accepts the attachment of a new wireless UE. The wireless access node selects an amount of MIMO layers for the new wireless UE based on the backhaul link quality. The wireless access node wirelessly exchanges user data with the new wireless UE over the selected amount of the MIMO layers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for allocating bandwidth in a wireless network comprising an aggregated uplink carrier formed from a plurality of contiguous uplink component carriers. In some embodiments, a base station allocates bandwidth for UE (User Equipment devices) transmissions within the aggregated uplink carrier during an upcoming TTI (Transmission Time Interval), wherein for the upcoming TTI, the aggregated uplink carrier has an enhanced subframe format with an enhanced PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) region that maps to a continuous frequency range extending across one or more frequency boundaries between one or more of the plurality of uplink component carriers.

Abstract: A first access node that is operating on a first TDD carrier having a first TDD configuration will determine that a second TDD carrier on which a proximate second access node is operating has a different, second TDD configuration, such that there is at least one time interval in which the first TDD carrier is downlink concurrently with the second TDD carrier being uplink. In response to at least this determination, the first access node will then transition to a mode in which, during the time interval, the first access node will operate with reduced transmission power on a frequency portion of the first TDD carrier that is closest in frequency to the second TDD carrier. Further, the first access node could allocate the lower-transmission-power frequency portion for use in transmission to served devices deemed to be in at least predefined threshold high quality coverage of the first access node.

Abstract: According to aspects of the disclosure, a method and system are provided for managing signaling in a wireless communication network. In accordance with the disclosure, a base station radiates to provide an antenna radiation pattern defining a coverage area, and the base station serves a UE in the coverage area defined by the antenna radiation pattern. The base station also selects, based on the determined antenna radiation pattern, a CSI reporting rate. Responsive to the selection of the CSI reporting rate, the base station causes the UE to periodically report CSI to the base station according to the selected CSI reporting rate.

Abstract: A method for configuring a base station to group UEs for MU-MIMO service, where the base station provides wireless communication service in a cell having a geometric size. In an example implementation, the method includes determining, based on the geometric size of the cell, a maximum quantity of UEs that the base station should allow per MU-MIMO group, and configuring the base station to apply the determined maximum quantity when grouping UEs for MU-MIMO service. For instance, the maximum quantity of UEs per MU-MIMO group could be set based on the radius of the cell.