Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for multi-user (MU) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) user pairing selection are provided. One method may include selecting multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU MIMO) candidate beams using deep neural network(s) (DNNs), and selecting paired users based on the selected beams. The deep neural network(s) (DNNs) are trained to maximize multi-user priority metric (MU-PM) or a heuristic of the multi-user priority metric (MU-PM).

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments of the invention provide at least a method, apparatus, and executable computer program to perform operations including signaling MBMS change related information to, from, or between network devices in the same or different carrier frequencies. The MBMS related information regarding new, on-going, appearing, and/or disappearing multi-cast services offered in different frequency cells. Further, the exemplary embodiments of the invention provide for determining that multi-cast services in different carrier frequencies are new, on-going, appearing, and/or disappearing multi-cast services. In addition, the exemplary embodiments of the invention provide for operations at network devices to send and receive signaling regarding changes to multi-cast services offered in the same and/or a different carrier frequency.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing access channel delay in a wireless communication system includes a step 601 of sending an initial access request response that includes identifiers of any initial access requests, including an indicator that indicates whether any more responses with identifiers are going to be sent within a predefined time period. A next step 602 includes receiving the response. A next step 604 includes recognizing that a particular identifier from the initial access request is not in the response. A next step 606 includes determining from the indicator that there will be no more responses with identifiers sent within the predefined time period. A next step 608 includes transmitting another initial access request before the end of the predefined time period.

Abstract: A method, a system and an evolved nodeB (eNodeB) that enable user equipment (UE) to switch between carrier groups in a multi-carrier network. A carrier selection and switching (CSS) utility identifies a first and a second set of pre-configured groups of carrier frequencies that are subsequently assigned to a particular UE. The CSS utility notifies the UE of the assigned, pre-configured groups of carrier frequencies and provides the UE with system parameters associated with the first and second pre-configured groups of carrier frequencies. The CSS utility signals the UE to initiate communication via the first preconfigured group of carriers. Based on the occurrence of pre-established conditions, the CSS utility utilizes a switch signal to indicate via physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to the UE (a) when to begin utilizing the second group of preconfigured carrier frequencies and (b) when to make subsequent switches between carrier groups.

Abstract: A method for performing time advance (TA) management is described. An assignment of a first TA group is transmitted to a mobile device. The mobile device measures a strength of a signal from a first access point (AP). The mobile device determines whether to send a random access preamble based at least in part on the strength of the signal from the first AP and a strength of a signal from a second AP. A current downlink (DL) path includes the second AP. The method includes, in response to determining to send a random access preamble, transmitting the random access preamble, the random access preamble is received from the mobile device. In response to the random access preamble, the method includes determining a second TA group for the mobile device. The method also includes transmitting an assignment of the second TA group. Apparatus and computer readable media are also described.

Abstract: A method of allocating resources and signatures of a random access resource (RACH) (200) that includes dedicated (202) and non-dedicated (204) resources or sub-resources is disclosed. The network device determines if the dedicated resource is available for allocation. If the dedicated resource is available, the network device allocates the dedicated resource. If the dedicated resource is blocked, the network device allocates one of the non-dedicated resources. A message can be sent that indicates that allocated non-dedicated resource is being allocated as a dedicated resource.

Abstract: A user equipment and method for contention-based uplink access to a base station. Contention-based configuration data identifies multiple contention-based access zones along with minimum power headroom values for each contention-based access zone. The user equipment devices can randomly select a demodulation reference signal parameter value when transmitting on a selected contention-based access zone.

Abstract: A base station employs control signaling for contention-based uplink access from user equipment devices to the base station. Contention-based access configuration is performed via physical downlink control channel signaling. Configuration data sent to the user equipment devices identifies multiple contention-based access zones, along with minimum power headroom values for each contention-based access zone. A probability factor may be used to lower collision possibility by influencing whether the user equipment devices perform contention-based uplink access.

Abstract: A wireless communication system as described here employs control signaling for contention-based uplink access from user equipment devices to a base station. Contention-based access configuration is performed via physical downlink control channel signaling. Configuration data sent to the user equipment devices identifies multiple contention-based access zones, along with minimum power headroom values for each contention-based access zone. A probability factor may also be used to lower collision possibility by influencing whether the user equipment devices perform contention-based uplink access. An uplink grant message can be used to acknowledge contention-based transmission; contention resolution is achieved implicitly via the uplink grant.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment in accordance with this invention provides a method of managing a set of uplink reception paths and controlling the timing of uplink transmission of a UE. The method includes selecting a dominant path from a plurality of paths based at least in part on measurements of the plurality of paths. A path describes a communication route from a mobile device to an access point via a RRH. The method also includes selecting a plurality of non-dominant serving paths from the plurality of paths based at least in part on the measurements; determining a timing window based at least in part on the dominant path; determining a TA for the mobile device based at least in part on the timing window and sending the TA to the mobile device. Apparatus and computer readable media are also described.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments of the invention provide at least a method, apparatus, and executable computer program to perform operations including signaling MBMS change related information to, from, or between network devices in the same or different carrier frequencies. The MBMS related information regarding new, on-going, appearing, and/or disappearing multi-cast services offered in different frequency cells. Further, the exemplary embodiments of the invention provide for determining that multi-cast services in different carrier frequencies are new, on-going, appearing, and/or disappearing multi-cast services. In addition, the exemplary embodiments of the invention provide for operations at network devices to send and receive signaling regarding changes to multi-cast services offered in the same and/or a different carrier frequency.

Abstract: A method, a system and an evolved nodeB (eNodeB) that enable user equipment (UE) to switch between carrier groups in a multi-carrier network. A carrier selection and switching (CSS) utility identifies a first and a second set of pre-configured groups of carrier frequencies that are subsequently assigned to a particular UE. The CSS utility notifies the UE of the assigned, pre-configured groups of carrier frequencies and provides the UE with system parameters associated with the first and second pre-configured groups of carrier frequencies. The CSS utility signals the UE to initiate communication via the first preconfigured group of carriers. Based on the occurrence of pre-established conditions, the CSS utility utilizes a switch signal to indicate via physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to the UE (a) when to begin utilizing the second group of preconfigured carrier frequencies and (b) when to make subsequent switches between carrier groups.

Abstract: A wireless communication system as described here employs control signaling for contention-based uplink access from user equipment devices to a base station. Contention-based access configuration is performed via physical downlink control channel signaling. Configuration data sent to the user equipment devices identifies multiple contention-based access zones, along with minimum power headroom values for each contention-based access zone. A probability factor may also be used to lower collision possibility by influencing whether the user equipment devices perform contention-based uplink access. An uplink grant message can be used to acknowledge contention-based transmission; contention resolution is achieved implicitly via the uplink grant.

Abstract: A user equipment and method for contention-based uplink access to a base station. Contention-based configuration data identifies multiple contention-based access zones along with minimum power headroom values for each contention-based access zone. The user equipment devices can randomly select a demodulation reference signal parameter value when transmitting on a selected contention-based access zone.

Abstract: A base station employs control signaling for contention-based uplink access from user equipment devices to the base station. Contention-based access configuration is performed via physical downlink control channel signaling. Configuration data sent to the user equipment devices identifies multiple contention-based access zones, along with minimum power headroom values for each contention-based access zone. A probability factor may be used to lower collision possibility by influencing whether the user equipment devices perform contention-based uplink access.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling Buffer Status Reports in a Long Term Evolution communication system includes a step (400) of determining a higher than normal likelihood of receiving a first buffer status report on a first uplink grant. A next step (402) includes increasing a reliability of the first uplink grant in response the higher than normal likelihood. Other next steps can include detecting (404) that the first Buffer Status Report transmission Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request process failed and triggering (406) a second Buffer Status Report transmission in the user equipment in a next uplink grant.

Abstract: A scheduler associated with a base station of a wireless communication network dynamically compensates for uplink bandwidth that has been re-assigned (stolen) by a mobile station (MS) to transmit a control message. The scheduler allocates a preset amount of bandwidth to the MS for data transmission. The scheduler detects bandwidth stealing activity and evaluates when bandwidth stealing is justified on he part of the MS. The scheduler provides additional bandwidth to appropriately compensate for the stolen bandwidth when bandwidth stealing is justified, in order to maintain the quality of service of the data traffic connection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that includes a user equipment (104) sending a first buffer status report to an eNode B (102) to (210) indicate an amount of data in a buffer that is to be sent. After the first buffer status report is sent, the amount of data in the buffer can change (216) so that the user equipment sends (218) a second buffer status report to indicate the change in the amount of data in the buffer that is to be sent.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing access channel delay in a wireless communication system includes a step 601 of sending an initial access request response that includes identifiers of any initial access requests, including an indicator that indicates whether any more responses with identifiers are going to be sent within a predefined time period. A next step 602 includes receiving the response. A next step 604 includes recognizing that a particular identifier from the initial access request is not in the response. A next step 606 includes determining from the indicator that there will be no more responses with identifiers sent within the predefined time period. A next step 608 includes transmitting another initial access request before the end of the predefined time period.

Abstract: A method of allocating resources and signatures of a random access resource (RACH) (200) that includes dedicated (202) and non-dedicated (204) resources or sub-resources is disclosed. The network device determines if the dedicated resource is available for allocation. If the dedicated resource is available, the network device allocates the dedicated resource. If the dedicated resource is blocked, the network device allocates one of the non-dedicated resources. A message can be sent that indicates that allocated non-dedicated resource is being allocated as a dedicated resource.