Abstract: A node is configured for connection to a massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) array to provide spatially multiplexed channels in an unlicensed frequency band. The node includes a memory configured to store samples of non-spatially filtered signals received by the node during a first listen-before-talk (LBT) operation used to acquire the unlicensed frequency band. The node also includes a processor configured to determine, based on a number of previously stored samples, a duration of a silent time interval during which the node collects samples of non-spatially filtered signals and stores the samples in the memory. The node further includes a transceiver configured to perform a second LBT operation to acquire the unlicensed frequency band using a spatial filter determined based on the samples stored in the memory.

Abstract: A method of scheduling user equipment, a multiple antenna network node and computer program are disclosed. The method comprises: estimating at least one access network node channel within the unlicensed band between at least one access node operable to transmit in the unlicensed band, such as a WiFi Access Point, and the multiple antenna network node. Estimating a plurality of user equipment channels within the unlicensed band between a plurality of user equipment and the multiple antenna network node. Determining a degree of channel correlation of each of the plurality of user equipment channels and the at least one access node channel. Selecting at least one of the multiple user equipment to be scheduled, using the degree of channel correlation as a selection parameter, a lower degree of channel correlation increasing a user equipment's chance of being selected. In this manner the interference that LTE transmissions from and to scheduled UEs create on the at least one access node is reduced.

Abstract: Method for managing a wireless passive optical network, including a plurality of access points, APs, and a plurality of customer premises equipments, CPEs. The method includes configuring an AP to CPE association based on a load balancing algorithm such that each CPE is associated with at least one AP; configuring for each AP an AP beamforming codebook based on the configured association, wherein the AP beamforming codebook includes entries, wherein each entry is representative for a beam pattern to be transmitted by the AP, and wherein the AP beamforming codebook includes for each CPE associated with the AP—a line of sight, LoS, entry representative for a beam pattern to be transmitted to the respective CPE via a LoS path; and at least one back-up entry representative for a beam pattern to be transmitted to the respective CPE via a back-up path different from the LoS path.

Abstract: A node is configured to be connected to a massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) array to provide spatially multiplexed channels to a plurality of user equipment in an unlicensed frequency band. The node includes a processor configured to allocate a number of degrees of freedom of the massive MIMO array to interference suppression based on an outcome of a first listen-before-talk (LBT) operation performed by the node to acquire the unlicensed frequency band. The processor is also configured to generate a spatial filter based on the number of degrees of freedom allocated to interference suppression. The node also includes a transceiver configured to perform a second LBT operation using the spatial filter.

Abstract: Aspects and embodiments provide a method of allocating frame resource elements in a wireless communication network for the purpose of channel estimation, and a base station and computer program product operable to perform that method. One aspect provides a method of allocating resource elements in a wireless communication network. The method comprises: determining a channel estimate associated with each user equipment to be scheduled in a given frame; assessing whether a validity time associated with each channel estimation value, e.g. CSI, associated to each user equipment is still valid or should be considered as expired; and allocating the frame resource elements to either channel estimation, when the current channel estimation is not anymore valid, or else to data transmission, when it is still valid.

Abstract: A method of allocating orthogonal resources, a computer program for so doing, a network node and network control node are disclosed. One method comprises determining user equipment within a radio cell of the network node that are considered to be edge user equipment located towards an edge of the radio cell and user equipment that are considered to be centre user equipment located towards a centre of the radio cell. Allocating a subset of the set of resources to the edge user equipment and allocating resources from the set of resources that are not allocated to the edge user equipment to the centre user equipment; and indicating to at least some adjacent network nodes that the subset of the resources is not available to the adjacent network node for allocation to edge user equipment.

Abstract: A method, in a heterogeneous telecommunications network, for mitigating uplink-downlink (UL-DL) interference between a first half-duplex user equipment (UE) operable to communicate using a first frequency resource in an uplink to a first full-duplex node, and a second half duplex UE operable to receive downlink communications from a second full-duplex node, the method including receiving, at the second node, an indication of actual or potential UL-DL interference generated by the first UE, scheduling a pair of UEs, that includes the second UE, for full-duplex UL-DL communication with the second full-duplex node in which DL transmissions to the second UE from the second node use a second frequency resource different from the first frequency resource or in which scheduling is avoided for DL connections to the second UE that fall below a quality of service threshold determined using channel quality measurements obtained by the second UE for the first and second frequency resources.

Abstract: A multiple input multiple output network node, an access network node, a computer program and method are disclosed. The method comprises prior to transmitting signals in an unlicensed band: estimating at least one channel within the unlicensed band between at least one access network node operable to transmit in the unlicensed band and the multiple input multiple output network node; determining precoding operations required to generate a null signal beam for the at least one estimated channel; monitoring the unlicensed band using the determined precoding operations. In response to detecting the unlicensed band to be clear of signals: transmitting at least one signal in the unlicensed band with the null beam in place such that no signal is transmitted on the at least one estimated channel.

Abstract: A node is configured for connection to a massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) array to provide spatially multiplexed channels in an unlicensed frequency band. The node includes a memory configured to store samples of non-spatially filtered signals received by the node during a first listen-before-talk (LBT) operation used to acquire the unlicensed frequency band. The node also includes a processor configured to determine, based on a number of previously stored samples, a duration of a silent time interval during which the node collects samples of non-spatially filtered signals and stores the samples in the memory. The node further includes a transceiver configured to perform a second LBT operation to acquire the unlicensed frequency band using a spatial filter determined based on the samples stored in the memory.

Abstract: A node is configured for connection to a massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) array to provide spatially multiplexed channels in an unlicensed frequency band. The node includes a memory configured to store samples of non-spatially filtered signals received by the node during a first listen-before-talk (LBT) operation used to acquire the unlicensed frequency band. The node also includes a processor configured to determine, based on a number of previously stored samples, a duration of a silent time interval during which the node collects samples of non-spatially filtered signals and stores the samples in the memory. The node further includes a transceiver configured to perform a second LBT operation to acquire the unlicensed frequency band using a spatial filter determined based on the samples stored in the memory.

Abstract: A radio access network element includes a cellular interface and a processor. The cellular interface is configured to communicate with the user equipment via a cellular link. The processor is configured execute computer readable instructions to cause the radio access network element to: transmit a plurality of probe packets to the user equipment via an IP tunnel between the radio access network element and the user equipment through a wireless local area network access point; receive a probe packet response from the user equipment, the probe packet response being indicative of a connection quality of the IP tunnel between the radio access network element and the user equipment; and determine whether to switch from a first traffic routing mode to a second traffic routing mode based on the probe packet response from the user equipment.

Abstract: A method, in a heterogeneous telecommunications network, for mitigating uplink-downlink (UL-DL) interference between a first half-duplex user equipment (UE) operable to communicate using a first frequency resource in an uplink to a first full-duplex node, and a second half duplex UE operable to receive downlink communications from a second full-duplex node, the method including receiving, at the second node, an indication of actual or potential UL-DL interference generated by the first UE, scheduling a pair of UEs, that includes the second UE, for full-duplex UL-DL communication with the second full-duplex node in which DL transmissions to the second UE from the second node use a second frequency resource different from the first frequency resource or in which scheduling is avoided for DL connections to the second UE that fall below a quality of service threshold determined using channel quality measurements obtained by the second UE for the first and second frequency resources.

Abstract: A base station operates according to a first radio access technology (RAT) that requires synchronization on timing synchronization boundaries. The base station acquires a channel of an unlicensed frequency band and generates a clear-to-send message that is decodable by access points that operate according to a second RAT that does not require synchronization on the timing synchronization boundaries. The base station transmits the clear-to-send message during a time interval between acquisition of the channel and a subsequent timing synchronization boundary.

Abstract: A first node includes a transceiver configured to detect one or more second nodes that transmit one or more signals on a channel of an unlicensed frequency band. The one or more signals have one or more received signal strengths at the first node that are below an energy detection threshold that indicates the channel is clear for transmission by the first node. The first node also includes a processor configured to modify the energy detection threshold based on the received signal strength.

Abstract: A node is configured for connection to a massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) array to provide spatially multiplexed channels in an unlicensed frequency band. The node includes a memory configured to store samples of non-spatially filtered signals received by the node during a first listen-before-talk (LBT) operation used to acquire the unlicensed frequency band. The node also includes a processor configured to determine, based on a number of previously stored samples, a duration of a silent time interval during which the node collects samples of non-spatially filtered signals and stores the samples in the memory. The node further includes a transceiver configured to perform a second LBT operation to acquire the unlicensed frequency band using a spatial filter determined based on the samples stored in the memory.

Abstract: A node is configured to be connected to a massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) array to provide spatially multiplexed channels to a plurality of user equipment in an unlicensed frequency band. The node includes a processor configured to allocate a number of degrees of freedom of the massive MIMO array to interference suppression based on an outcome of a first listen-before-talk (LBT) operation performed by the node to acquire the unlicensed frequency band. The processor is also configured to generate a spatial filter based on the number of degrees of freedom allocated to interference suppression. The node also includes a transceiver configured to perform a second LBT operation using the spatial filter.

Abstract: A node is configured to be connected to a massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) array to provide spatially multiplexed channels to a plurality of user equipment in an unlicensed frequency band. The node includes a processor configured to allocate a number of degrees of freedom of the massive MIMO array to interference suppression based on an outcome of a first listen-before-talk (LBT) operation performed by the node to acquire the unlicensed frequency band. The processor is also configured to generate a spatial filter based on the number of degrees of freedom allocated to interference suppression. The node also includes a transceiver configured to perform a second LBT operation using the spatial filter.

Abstract: A node is configured to be connected to a massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) array to provide spatially multiplexed channels to a plurality of user equipment in an unlicensed frequency band. The node includes a processor configured to allocate a number of degrees of freedom of the massive MIMO array to interference suppression based on an outcome of a first listen-before-talk (LBT) operation performed by the node to acquire the unlicensed frequency band. The processor is also configured to generate a spatial filter based on the number of degrees of freedom allocated to interference suppression. The node also includes a transceiver configured to perform a second LBT operation using the spatial filter.

Abstract: There is provided a heterogeneous communications network. The heterogeneous communications network comprises: a macro cell; a small cell provided within the macro cell; and a user equipment provided within the macro cell, wherein the user equipment is operable to receive control-plane information from the macro cell and user-plane information from the macro cell and/or the small cell, and wherein the user equipment is operable to transmit a connection request based on the received control-plane information, the macro cell and/or small cell are operable to determine which of the macro cell and the small cell is to operate as the serving cell for the user equipment based on the connection request, and the determined serving cell is operable to transmit a connection response to the user equipment.

Abstract: A first node that operates according to a first radio access technology (RAT) provides a first schedule to a second node that operates according to a second RAT. The first schedule requests a first portion of a subsequent time interval for transmission in an unlicensed frequency band. The first node receives one or more second schedules from a second node. The one or more second schedules request one or more second portions of the subsequent time interval for transmission in the unlicensed frequency band. The first node transmits signals in the unlicensed frequency bands during a third portion of the subsequent time interval that is determined based on the at least one second portion.