Abstract: An apparatus for managing contention in a communications system, the apparatus comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor. The programming may include instructions to receive a ranging code from a device in a ranging channel, the ranging code corresponding to a current ranging attempt. The programming may further include instructions to broadcast a message acknowledging reception of the ranging code. The programming may further include instructions to receive a ranging request message from the device, the ranging request message comprising a ranging retries parameter that specifies a number of ranging retries that the device performed during the current ranging attempt.

Abstract: A method, network device and computer program product determine a recommended access point (AP) for a wireless device to access a wireless network. AP feature values associated with each one of a plurality of APs within an access range of the wireless device and user feature values associated with identified user features of a user of the wireless device are obtained via a wireless interface. A predicted score for each AP is determined based on the feature values and a recommended AP is determined based on the predicted scores. An identifier associated with the recommended access point is transmitted to the wireless device. AP feature values include AP characteristic, scheduling and payment values. User features include wireless device location and velocity, services-in-use, time of day and day of week. Optionally, circumstantial feature values may be obtained and used to determine the predicted scores.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods and apparatus for providing MBS (multicast broadcast service) with outer coding and adjusted frame reference indexing. In one aspect, there is provided a method. The method includes receiving data packets from a network, dividing the data packets into one or more data streams, applying outer encoding on the one or more data streams and providing the one or more encoded data streams to an air interface for transmission to a user equipment over a wireless communication system.

Abstract: A network node in a core network is provided information about congestion in an access network coupled to the core network. The information about congestion includes a congestion identifier associated with a bearer that can be sent from an access node in the access network to a network node in the core network. The congestion identifier is associated with a set of bearers. The information about congestion also includes a congestion level indication sent from the access node to the network node. The network node maintains associations between the congestion identifiers and the bearers and can mitigate congestion on one or more bearers in the set of bearers associated with a congestion identifier in response to the congestion level indication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reporting events in a machine-to-machine environment are provided. Upon detection of an event, a determination is made whether to report the event with or without a delay. If the event is to be reported with a delay, then reporting is delayed for a period of time. If an event notification is received prior to the expiration of the delay period, then the reporting of the event may be canceled as event has already been reported by another element. If not, then another determination is made whether to report the event with or without another delay. This process continues until either the event has been reported or an event notification corresponding to the event has been received from another element.

Abstract: A method for reporting a power outage to a communications controller includes detecting the power outage, and selecting a transmission slot from a plurality of transmission slots in order to report the power outage to the communications controller, the transmission slot selected according to a non-uniform probability distribution function, the non-uniform probability distribution function is monotonic with time after the power outage. The method also includes transmitting a first power outage indicator to the communications controller in the transmission slot selected.

Abstract: A mobile communication network includes a plurality of access nodes that can serve different roles in support of a communication session with a mobile station. An access node can serve as a connecting node that receives access requests the mobile station, as an anchor node to anchor a radio packet connection with a core network for the communication session; or as a primary node to store session information for the communication session. One or more monitoring entities monitor the availability of the access nodes and broadcast notification messages to other access nodes when an access node failure is detected. The broadcast message includes the identity of the failed access node. Other access nodes may take action to restore connections and recover session information maintained by the failed access node.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing contention in a communications system, the apparatus comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor. The programming may include instructions to receive a ranging code from a device in a ranging channel, the ranging code corresponding to a current ranging attempt. The programming may further include instructions to broadcast a message acknowledging reception of the ranging code. The programming may further include instructions to receive a ranging request message from the device, the ranging request message comprising a ranging retries parameter that specifies a number of ranging retries that the device performed during the current ranging attempt.

Abstract: A method for reporting a power outage to a communications controller includes detecting the power outage, and selecting a transmission slot from a plurality of transmission slots in order to report the power outage to the communications controller, the transmission slot selected according to a non-uniform probability distribution function, the non-uniform probability distribution function is monotonic with time after the power outage. The method also includes transmitting a first power outage indicator to the communications controller in the transmission slot selected.

Abstract: A mobile communication network includes a plurality of access nodes that can serve different roles in support of a communication session with a mobile station. An access node can serve as a connecting node that receives access requests the mobile station, as an anchor node to anchor a radio packet connection with a core network for the communication session; or as a primary node to store session information for the communication session. When the communication session is established, the anchor node for the communication session may select another access node to serve as the primary node. Session information can be stored at both the anchor node and primary node so that data can be delivered to the mobile station if either one of the anchor node and primary node are available.

Abstract: A mobile communication network includes a plurality of access nodes that can serve different roles in support of a communication session with a mobile station. An access node can serve as a connecting node that receives access requests the mobile station, as an anchor node to anchor a radio packet connection with a core network for the communication session; or as a primary node to store session information for the communication session. One or more monitoring entities monitor the availability of the access nodes and broadcast notification messages to other access nodes when an access node failure is detected. The broadcast message includes the identity of the failed access node. Other access nodes may take action to restore connections and recover session information maintained by the failed access node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reporting events in a machine-to-machine environment are provided. Upon detection of an event, a determination is made whether to report the event with or without a delay. If the event is to be reported with a delay, then reporting is delayed for a period of time. If an event notification is received prior to the expiration of the delay period, then the reporting of the event may be canceled as event has already been reported by another element. If not, then another determination is made whether to report the event with or without another delay. This process continues until either the event has been reported or an event notification corresponding to the event has been received from another element.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods and apparatus for providing MBS (multicast broadcast service) with outer coding and adjusted frame reference indexing. In one aspect, there is provided a method. The method includes receiving data packets from a network, dividing the data packets into one or more data streams, applying outer encoding on the one or more data streams and providing the one or more encoded data streams to an air interface for transmission to a user equipment over a wireless communication system.

Abstract: In a mobile communication network, the base station is configured to query the mobile station for its mobile equipment identifier if not provided by the mobile switching center before traffic channel setup. The base station may send the mobile equipment identifier to the mobile switching center during call setup.

Abstract: When a mobile station requests circuit services notifications through a packet switched network, a mobile switching center sets a forwarding indicator. When the MSC detects an event indicative of a change in the status of the mobile station, the MSC sends an event notification to the packet switched network if the forwarding indicator is set to true. In the packet switched network, the base station can use the event notifications to manage communication resources used for packet data communications with the mobile station.

Abstract: Transmission of broadcast streams in multiple sectors is synchronized based on time stamps or sequence numbers in data packets received at the base station. The base stations use the time stamps to calculate a frame transmission start time and start position for the data packets. The base station monitors the packet latency of data within its buffer based on the time stamp in the data packets and initiates a resynchronization procedure if the packet latency exceeds predetermined bounds.

Abstract: When a mobile station requests circuit services notifications through a packet switched network, a mobile switching center sets a forwarding indicator. When the MSC detects an event indicative of a change in the status of the mobile station, the MSC sends an event notification to the packet switched network if the forwarding indicator is set to true. In the packet switched network, the base station can use the event notifications to manage communication resources used for packet data communications with the mobile station.

Abstract: A Packet Data Services Node (PDSN) optionally frames user data from an Application IP packet received from a public data network (e.g., the Internet) into a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) frame, and encapsulates the Application IP packet or PPP frame data into one or more Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) frames for further transmission within a wireless communication network. The PDSN additionally inserts into each GRE frame, Application IP packet fragmentation information that indicates whether the Application IP packet or PPP frame terminates in the associated GRE frame. Other network nodes, such as a Packet Control Facility (PCF) or Base Station Controller (BSC), may interpret the fragmentation information and ascertain the boundaries of Application IP packets or PPP frames, using this information to improve network efficiency.

Abstract: A wireless communication network updates packet zone tracking variables for mobile stations having packet data connections with the network in a manner consistent with that used by the mobile stations for their locally stored packet zone tracking variables. The network consequently reduces the incidence of unnecessary link renegotiations by reducing mismatches between network-stored and mobile-stored packet zone tracking information. A network routing entity may be configured to update a stored packet zone tracking variable for a mobile station if that mobile's link is renegotiated in dormant handoff of the mobile station but not for hard handoff renegotiations. The entity may maintain two or more tracking variables for the mobile station, one that is updated for hard and dormant handoff renegotiations, and one that is updated for dormant handoff renegotiations so as to better match the mobile-stored variable. A third tracking variable may be passed by base stations during hard handoff.

Abstract: A method of coordinating broadcast parameter settings enables autonomous soft handoff by a mobile station. Any base station can initiate a broadcast parameter coordination process. The initiating base station assumes the role of an arbitrator and is responsible for determining the broadcast parameters. The broadcast parameter coordination process does not require any intervention or involvement by the PDSN or any signaling with the mobile station, except to inform the mobile station of the soft handoff sectors after the broadcast parameter coordination process is completed. The list of soft handoff sectors may be sent to the mobile station in a common overhead message.