Abstract: A method performed by a wireless communication device for reducing handover delay, wherein the wireless communication device is arranged to operate in a cellular communication system and to operate in a cell using unlicensed spectrum. The method includes receiving a downlink, DL, signal from network node operating a neighbouring cell operating in the unlicensed spectrum, wherein the DL signal includes a discovery reference signal, DRS, subframe, storing data associated with the DRS subframe, receiving a handover command from a network node operating a serving cell where the neighbouring cell is a target cell, and performing a random access procedure for handover to the target cell. A device performing the method and a computer program for implementing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling interference mitigation of a wireless communication device operating in a first system provided by a first wireless communication system operator. The first system uses a first frequency interval and a first UL/DL configuration. The method comprises detecting (310) presence of a second system provided by a second wireless communication system operator which is different than the first wireless communication system operator. The second system uses a second frequency interval, which is overlapping with, or neighboring to the first frequency interval. The method also comprises acquiring (320) a second UL/DL configuration used by the second system by detecting wireless control signaling from the second system, and monitoring (330) a received signal strength metric of the second system.

Abstract: A method implemented in a network node for transmitting data to a wireless device, wherein the data is time aligned with a periodic high priority transmission. The method includes defining a zone prior to the occasion of the periodic high priority transmission where data packets could be aligned, identifying suitable data packets to schedule in the zone prior to the periodic high priority transmission, performing a clear channel assessment (CCA), and transmitting the periodic high priority transmission and potentially the data packets. A related arrangement and computer program product is also described.

Abstract: A method for a network node of a wireless communication network is disclosed. The network node is adapted to communicate with wireless communication devices of a first type associated with a first maximum communication distance range and with wireless communication devices of a second type associated with a second maximum communication distance range, the first maximum communication distance range being greater than second maximum communication distance range.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method implemented in a network node for transmitting data to a wireless device, wherein the data is time aligned with a periodic high priority transmission. The method comprises the steps of defining a zone prior to the occasion of the periodic high priority transmission where data packets could be aligned, identifying suitable data packets to schedule in the zone prior to the periodic high priority transmission, performing a clear channel assessment—CCA—and transmitting the periodic high priority transmission and potentially the data packets. Also disclosed is an arrangement and a computer program product.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, nodes and computer program products for controlling radio channel deployment when using un-licensed carriers in a wireless communication network. In particular, the present disclosure relates to method for mobility and/or load balancing target selection when using un-licensed carriers. When performed in an access node, the method for controlling radio channel deployment in the un-licensed spectrum includes determining unlicensed carrier intrinsic cell channel load in a cell served by the access node based on one or more predetermined channel load indicators and obtaining neighbor cell channel load information, from one or more neighboring access nodes. The neighbor cell channel load information includes unlicensed carrier channel load in respective cells based on the one or more predetermined channel load indicators.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for channel reconfiguration in a communications network where shared spectrum from a primary incumbent is used. A method is performed by a network node, which comprises obtaining RSSI measurements on the current channel from wireless devices. The wireless devices are served by the network node at a current channel in a current frequency interval within a frequency band. When the RSSI measurements trigger a need for the network node to perform channel reconfiguration, the network node selects a new channel based on RSSI measurements that it itself performs. The method comprises selecting a new channel in a new or the same frequency interval, in a new or the same frequency band, for serving the wireless devices based on RSSI measurements performed by the network node, and channel reconfiguration for the wireless devices is performed.

Abstract: A frequency hopping wireless communication device (30) selects the most efficient synchronization procedure given the circumstances of the wireless communication device (30) upon wake-up from a sleep mode. Generally, the wireless communication device (30) assesses the timing deviation of the wireless communication device (30) within the frequency hopping pattern upon waking up from a sleep mode, selects a synchronization procedure responsive to the timing deviation, and implements synchronization using the selected synchronization procedure.

Abstract: A network node for wireless access operating cell in a cellular network for a licensed or unlicensed frequency band and arranged for serving wireless devices in an unlicensed frequency band is disclosed. The network node is arranged to transmit a discovery reference signal (DRS) comprising a first and a second synchronization signal for enabling the wireless devices to find and measure the cell, wherein the DRS, when the network node operates a primary cell in the unlicensed frequency band, comprises system information, and additional or adapted synchronization signal for enabling the wireless devices to identify the presence of the system information and acquire further cell information. A wireless device for operating with such a network node is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method implemented in a network node configured to operate in a wireless network for adjusting the length of a search window, in which a wireless communication device is required to search for signals from other network nodes. The method comprises the steps of determining a degree of synchronization of the network, estimating an expected delay to acquire a channel within the network, determining a search window length and informing the wireless communication device of the determined search window length. Also disclosed herein is an arrangement of a network node and a computer program product.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method of operating a wireless communication device comprises receiving a narrowband secondary synchronization signal (NSSS) in a discovery reference signal (DRS), identifying a transformation applied to the NSSS, and determining a DRS periodicity based on the identified transformation.

Abstract: A frequency hopping wireless communication device (30) selects the most efficient synchronization procedure given the circumstances of the wireless communication device (30) upon wake-up from a sleep mode. Generally, the wireless communication device (30) assesses the timing deviation of the wireless communication device (30) within the frequency hopping pattern upon waking up from a sleep mode, selects a synchronization procedure responsive to the timing deviation, and implements synchronization using the selected synchronization procedure.

Abstract: A network node for wireless access is operating in a cellular network for an unlicensed frequency band and arranged for serving wireless devices in the unlicensed frequency band. The serving of the wireless devices in the unlicensed band relies on making a clear channel assessment in the unlicensed band for ascertaining that the unlicensed band is currently not occupied by other transmissions and when not occupied commencing transmission. Upon commencing the transmission, the network node is arranged to attempt scheduling a paging message together with a message providing a discovery signal and determine whether the transmission of the discovery signal and the paging message use the same subframe scrambling code, and if they do, transmit the paging message and the discovery signal in the same subframe. A method and computer program for the network node are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a wireless device monitors radio link quality for a link between the wireless device and a wireless transmitter that is configured to transmit a discovery signal at spaced, periodic, intervals and that is further configured to intermittently transmit subframes carrying user data, such that the wireless device is unable to predict which subframes will carry user data before attempting to detect the subframes. The wireless device collects, for each of the spaced, periodic, intervals, discovery-signal signal quality metrics corresponding to the discovery signal. The wireless device also collects, for each detected subframe carrying user data, detected-subframe signal quality metrics corresponding to the detected subframe.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to Discovery Signal Measurement Timing Configuration (DMTC) are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operating a radio access node in a cellular communications network having a primary cell and a secondary cell, comprises sending, to a wireless device, a DMTC for one of a group consisting of: (a) the secondary cell configured for the wireless device such that the DMTC is a specific DMTC for the secondary cell; and (b) the primary cell and additional cells that are configurable as secondary cells such that the DMTC applies to both the primary cell and the additional cells when configured as secondary cells. Related radio access nodes and wireless devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method implemented in a network node configured to operate in a wireless network for adjusting the length of a search window, in which a wireless communication device is required to search for signals from other network nodes. The method comprises the steps of determining a degree of synchronization of the network, estimating an expected delay to acquire a channel within the network, determining a search window length and informing the wireless communication device of the determined search window length. Also disclosed herein is an arrangement of a network node and a computer program product.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method implemented in a network node for transmitting data to a wireless device, wherein the data is time aligned with a periodic high priority transmission. The method comprises the steps of defining a zone prior to the occasion of the periodic high priority transmission where data packets could be aligned, identifying suitable data packets to schedule in the zone prior to the periodic high priority transmission, performing a clear channel assessment—CCA—and transmitting the periodic high priority transmission and potentially the data packets. Also disclosed is an arrangement and a computer program product.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to Discovery Signal Measurement Timing Configuration (DMTC) are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a radio access node in a cellular communications network comprises sending, to a wireless device, a DMTC for one of a group consisting of: (a) a Secondary Cell (SCell) configured for the wireless device such that the DMTC is a specific DMTC for the SCell and (b) a frequency on which one or more asynchronous cells are operating, an asynchronous cell being a cell that is unsynchronized with a Primary Cell (PCell) of the wireless device. A DMTC configuration that is specific to a SCell provides improved measurement performance on the SCell because, e.g., the DMTC configuration can be specifically tailored to that SCell. A DMTC configuration for a frequency on which one or more asynchronous cells are operating provides improved measurement performance on that carrier.

Abstract: A first communication device determines one or more parameters for transmitting on an uplink control channel in an unlicensed band to a second communication device operating in a wireless communications network. The one or more parameters comprise an indication of a duration of a channel sensing period. The first communication device then transmits on the uplink control channel to the second communication device, by applying the determined one or more parameters. According to a method performed by the second communication device operating in the wireless communications network, the second communication device determines the one or more parameters. The second communication device then initiates transmitting the determined one or more parameters to the first communication device.

Abstract: Method performed by a first communication device (101) operating in a wireless communications network (100). The first communication device (101) determines (1101) one or more parameters for transmitting on an uplink control channel in an unlicensed band to a second communication device (102). The second communication device (102) operates in the wireless communications network (100). The one or more parameters comprise an indication of a duration of a channel sensing period. The first communication device (101) then transmits (1102) on the uplink control channel to the second communication device (102), by applying the determined one or more parameters. According to a method performed by the second communication device (102) operating in the wireless communications network (100), the second communication device (102) determines (1301) the one or more parameters.