Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating supplementary cells in licensed exempt (LE) spectrum. An aggregating cell operating in a frequency division duplex (FDD) licensed spectrum is aggregated with a LE supplementary cell operating in a time sharing mode for uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) operations. The LE supplementary cell may be an FDD supplementary cell dynamically configurable between an UL only mode, a DL only mode, and a shared mode, to match requested UL and DL traffic ratios. The LE supplementary cell may be a time division duplex (TDD) supplementary cell. The TDD supplementary cell may be dynamically configurable between multiple TDD configurations. A coexistence capability for coordinating operations between the LE supplementary cell with other systems operating in the same channel is provided. Coexistence gaps are provided to measure primary/secondary user usage and permit other systems operating in the LE supplementary cell channel to access the channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating bandwidth management (BWM) equipment into a network in order to manage the use of bandwidth over multiple radio access technologies (RATs) relating to communications between a wireless transmit receive unit and a mobile core network (MCN). When integrating itself into the network, a BWM server may be placed between a MCN and an femto access point. In order for WTRUs to communicate with the MCN through the femto access point and a BWM server, a BWM server may need deep packet inspection capabilities.

Abstract: An access point includes a transmitter configured to transmit signals, a receiver configured to receive signals, and a timing information device. The timing information device is configured to receive a timing information request from a station associated to the access point, receive timing information for a beacon signal sent by a second access point, and report the timing information to the station. The timing information includes a time difference relative to a known reference time for transmission of the beacon signal and the time difference is an offset in timing units.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for shared access systems may be used to allow operation in three-tiered shared spectrum architecture. For example, a Shared Spectrum Manager (SSM) may organize spectrum segments. The SSM may communicate with access users of different priority and may use message exchanges to request spectrum, bid for spectrum, manage spectrum, or the like. The SSM may manage admission of access users (allocation of spectrum to users) and operation with a spectrum request that may be provided as a range between a minimum (guaranteed) and maximum quality of operation. The SSM may also manage the way an access user may use the assigned spectrum. Inter-SSM communication may be used in regions where multiple SSMs may exist (e.g. country borders). Accordingly, triggers for this inter-SSM communications and corresponding actions are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system, apparatuses and methods are provided for communicating in an opportunistic band. Channels that are reserved for primary users are used by sensing devices when primary users are not present. A geo-location database is configured to store occupancy information of a channel and information associated with the primary user of the channel. The database includes information such as the type of primary user, and the expected occupancy time of a channel by a primary user. Sensing devices are categorized into different classes based on their sensing capability. A device capabilities database stores device classification information associated with the sensing devices attached to a dynamic spectrum management system.

Abstract: A method for sensing measurement gap scheduling includes allocating a new supplementary carrier in a license-exempt spectrum by a radio resource management (RRM) entity in an evolved Node B (eNB); configuring a local cognitive sensing entity in the eNB by the RRM entity; configuring a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) for cognitive sensing through radio resource control (RRC) signaling, the RRC signaling being generated by the eNB; configuring a local cognitive sensing entity at the WTRU by a dynamic spectrum management (DSM) entity; and signaling a start and a duration of a measurement gap to an enhanced sensing component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating bandwidth management (BWM) equipment into a network in order to manage the use of bandwidth over multiple radio access technologies (RATs) relating to communications between a wireless transmit receive unit and a mobile core network (MCN). When integrating itself into the network, a BWM server may be placed between a MCN and an femto access point. In order for WTRUs to communicate with the MCN through the femto access point and a BWM server, a BWM server may need deep packet inspection capabilities.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed that may provide assistance across networks using different radio access technologies. A centralized gateway CGW (210, 710) may be provided to facilitate the assistance via client devices in the networks (220). The CGW (210, 710) and client devices may use a common protocol (311) and common interface to take actions relating to the assistance (780).

Abstract: A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and a dynamic spectrum management (DSM) engine are described. The WTRU includes a transceiver, a radio frequency (RF) spectrum sensing unit and a processing unit. The transceiver transmits over a wireless link. The RF spectrum sensing unit measures information indicative of usage of a spectrum by other devices. The processing unit detects a change in performance of the wireless link, controls the transceiver to transmit a notification to a DSM engine indicating that the change in the performance of the wireless link was detected on a condition that the processing unit detects the change in performance of the wireless link, and receives a sensing task request for the WTRU to measure the information indicative of the usage of the spectrum by other devices based on the notification transmitted to the DSM engine indicating that the change in the performance of the wireless link was detected.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, metrics and apparatus for bandwidth allocation for cognitive radio. Information that needs to be passed between different components of a dynamic spectrum management (DSM) system for dynamic bandwidth allocation along with the corresponding interfaces is identified. Methods and associated metrics for measuring network performance, evaluating channel sensing results and handling various bandwidth allocation scenarios are presented. Also provided is an admission control mechanism for quality of service support. Alternate channel monitoring may be performed in the background so that when a new channel is needed, an alternate channel may be immediately allocated and service disruption to the DSM system is reduced. A channel may be dynamically assigned as the primary channel in multiple channel scenarios to support tasks such as transmission of acknowledgment frames.

Abstract: An access point includes a transmitter configured to transmit signals, a receiver configured to receive signals, and a timing information device. The timing information device is configured to receive a timing information request from a station associated to the access point, receive timing information for a beacon signal sent by a second access point, and report the timing information to the station, The timing information includes a time difference relative to a known reference time for transmission of the beacon signal and the time difference is an offset in timing units.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, apparatus and architecture for dynamic spectrum management (DSM) including protocol stacks, logical entities and functionalities that support DSM operation in opportunistic spectrum such as television white space (TVWS). The architecture supports aggregating bandwidth at the internet protocol (IP) layer over licensed and opportunistic bands as well as noncontiguous spectrum aggregation at the medium access control (MAC) layer. The control plane protocol stack includes a multi network transport protocol (MNTP), a channel management (CM) protocol, a policy protocol, a medium access control (MAC) entity, a physical entity and an air interface, all of which are configured to allocate, monitor, and update aggregated spectrum resources with respect to a DSM client.

Abstract: A dynamic spectrum management (DSM) system includes a plurality of stations and a central entity. A plurality of different radio access technologies are deployed in the DSM system and the central entity coordinates and manages wireless communications in the network. A direct link station receives a beacon periodically from an access point (AP). The direct link station may receive a direct link synchronization message from the AP indicating that a following target beacon transmission time (TBTT) is a synchronization TBTT (STBTT). The direct link station may silence the direct link channels during the STBTT. The direct link station may perform carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) on a primary channel of the direct link to get an access to all direct link channels. A connectivity map procedure may be performed to establish a map for connectivity, services, or capabilities of the devices in the network.

Abstract: A method for managing channel selection in a dynamic spectrum management network includes receiving a spectrum allocation request; based on the source of the spectrum allocation request, checking for available channels; based on the source of the spectrum allocation request, collecting sensing and usage data for the available channels; providing the channel usage data to an entity that transmitted the spectrum allocation request.

Abstract: This invention relates to wireless local area networks, and particularly to the IEEE 802.11 family of standards. It consists of a method and apparatus that can be implemented in access points (APs) and subscriber wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), in order to allow an AP to initiate re-association of a WTRU to itself or a different AP. The invention improves the robustness of the network by enabling more efficient load balancing, congestion control, and roaming, without compromising the user experience.

Abstract: A method for neighbor scanning in a wireless local area network having a station, a first access point (AP) to which the station is associated, and a second AP begins by generating timing information regarding a beacon signal sent by the second AP. The timing information is reported from the first AP to the station. The station schedules a time, based on the timing information, to listen for the beacon signal transmitted by the second AP.

Abstract: A method and apparatus may be used for network management via MAC measurements. The measurements may include WTRU uplink traffic loading measurement, and an AP service loading measurement. The measurements may be applicable to at least to layers 1 and 2 as applied to, for example, 802.11k in the context of OFDM and CDMA 2000 systems, but may be applicable to other scenarios as well. A method for determining and transmitting congestion information may be provided for a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system. The method and apparatus may be used for managing congestion when congestion is detected. The method and apparatus may be used in wireless systems that use a Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) mechanism. The methods may be implemented in wireless transmit/receive units (WTRU)s and access points (AP)s of various forms.

Abstract: This invention relates to wireless local area networks, and particularly to the IEEE 802.11 family of standards. It consists of a method and apparatus that can be implemented in access points (APs) and subscriber wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), in order to allow an AP to initiate re-association of a WTRU to itself or a different AP. The invention improves the robustness of the network by enabling more efficient load balancing, congestion control, and roaming, without compromising the user experience.

Abstract: An improved method of network management, particularly in the context of standards IEEE802.11 and IEEE802.11k, through two new MAC measurements, with attendant advantages. The two new measurements include WTRU uplink traffic loading measurement, and an AP service loading measurement and is generally applicable at least to layers 1 and 2 as applied to a least 802.11k in the context of OFDM and CDMA 2000 systems, but is applicable to other scenarios as well. A Method for determining and advertising congestion is also provided for a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system. The present invention also introduces a method for managing congestion when congestion is detected. This aspect of the present invention applies primarily to wireless systems that use the Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) mechanism. The methods are advantageously implemented in selectively configured WTRUs of various forms.

Abstract: This invention relates to wireless local area networks, and particularly to the IEEE 802.11 family of standards. It consists of a method and apparatus that can be implemented in access points (APs) and subscriber wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), in order to allow an AP to initiate re-association of a WTRU to itself or a different AP. The invention improves the robustness of the network by enabling more efficient load balancing, congestion control, and roaming, without compromising the user experience.