Abstract: A communication pathway (145) can be established between physically collocated narrowband (135) and broadband (105) devices. The narrowband device (135) can identify a communication channel. A transmission frequency used by the broadband device (105) can be spectrally-proximate to a reception frequency used by the narrowband device (135) in a frequency range associated with the communication channel, resulting in interference of the narrowband device's (135) reception when the broadband device (105) is transmitting and the narrowband device (135) is receiving concurrently. The narrowband device (135) can instruct the broadband device (105) to switch to a transmission spectrum block that is spectrally separated from the reception spectrum block of the communication channel to minimize interference between the devices when the narrowband device (135) handles a call assignment.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data in a single-frequency network in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network includes receiving media for broadcast in a broadcast area of a plurality of broadcast areas associated with a single-frequency network, wherein the broadcast area comprises a plurality of cells; identifying a subset of defined broadcast resources for broadcasting the media to the broadcast area; broadcasting the media to the broadcast area using the subset of defined broadcast resources; and broadcasting a null pattern on the subset of defined broadcast resources in adjacent broadcast areas to the broadcast area. An associated LTE network and broadcast controller are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for mitigating interference between spectrally distinct wireless communication networks employing co-located, collaborating radios. A first base station is in a first network and communicates with a first radio within a first frequency range, and a second base station is in a second network and communicates with a second radio in a second frequency range. The first and second radios are geographically co-located, for example, within a public safety vehicle. The first radio determines a maximum level of interference it will accept based on current operational parameters, and communicates a corresponding threshold value to the second radio through a data link. The second radio sends a request to its base station to employ interim scheduling constraints governing uplink transmissions from the second radio, to thereby limit out of band emissions received by the first radio to a range that is less than the threshold interference level.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data in a single-frequency network in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network includes receiving media for broadcast in a broadcast area of a plurality of broadcast areas associated with a single-frequency network, wherein the broadcast area comprises a plurality of cells; identifying a subset of defined broadcast resources for broadcasting the media to the broadcast area; broadcasting the media to the broadcast area using the subset of defined broadcast resources; and broadcasting a null pattern on the subset of defined broadcast resources in adjacent broadcast areas to the broadcast area. An associated LTE network and broadcast controller are also described.

Abstract: A wireless receiver, and a method of controlling a wireless receiver. The wireless receiver comprises first and second antennas. The method comprises: receiving a first signal of a first network using both a first antenna and a second antenna and determining that a quality of the first signal is greater than a first threshold quality. In response to determining that the quality of the first signal is greater than the first threshold quality, the second antenna is used for scanning for a second signal of a second network while receiving the signal of the first network using the first antenna. The wireless receiver is configured to switch to the second network if a quality of the second signal is greater than a second threshold quality.

Abstract: A communication pathway (145) can be established between physically collocated narrowband (135) and broadband (105) devices. The narrowband device (135) can identify a communication channel. A transmission frequency used by the broadband device (105) can be spectrally-proximate to a reception frequency used by the narrowband device (135) in a frequency range associated with the communication channel, resulting in interference of the narrowband device's (135) reception when the broadband device (105) is transmitting and the narrowband device (135) is receiving concurrently. The narrowband device (135) can instruct the broadband device (105) to switch to a transmission spectrum block that is spectrally separated from the reception spectrum block of the communication channel to minimize interference between the devices when the narrowband device (135) handles a call assignment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for mitigating interference between spectrally distinct wireless communication networks employing co-located, collaborating radios. A first base station is in a first network and communicates with a first radio within a first frequency range, and a second base station is in a second network and communicates with a second radio in a second frequency range. The first and second radios are geographically co-located, for example, within a public safety vehicle. The first radio determines a maximum level of interference it will accept based on current operational parameters, and communicates a corresponding threshold value to the second radio through a data link. The second radio sends a request to its base station to employ interim scheduling constraints governing uplink transmissions from the second radio, to thereby limit out of band emissions received by the first radio to a range that is less than the threshold interference level.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dynamic group prioritization in a communication network includes a first step (400) of defining a dynamic list of group participants by an application, such as a dispatch function. A next step (402) includes sending a request to a Group Management Function, wherein the request includes a requested group priority and the list of group participants. A next step (404) includes allocating a unique identifier to the group and assigning a group priority to the group. A next step (406) includes notifying the application, group participants, and network of the unique identifier and the network of the assigned group priority. The assigned priority of the group and its flows can be dynamically altered in real-time while the group is active.

Abstract: A method, device, and system for establishing and maintaining a multicast group call. The method includes monitoring one or more link parameters for each of a plurality of communication devices associated with the multicast group call. The method further includes selecting, for each of the plurality of communication devices, a sector from a plurality of permitted sectors, the selected sector providing an associated highest signal strength for the communication device and forming a multicast communication zone based on the selected sectors.

Abstract: A method, device, and system for establishing a group call among a plurality of communication devices. The method includes initiating a group call among at least some of the plurality of communication devices, wherein each communication device uses a unicast communication link to participate in the group call. The method further includes computing one or more broadcast or multicast parameters during the group call, identifying a subset of communication devices based on the broadcast or multicast parameters, and switching the identified subset of communications devices to a broadcast or multicast communication link during the group call.

Abstract: A method, device, and system for establishing and maintaining a multicast group call. The method includes monitoring one or more link parameters for each of a plurality of communication devices associated with the multicast group call. The method further includes selecting, for each of the plurality of communication devices, a sector from a plurality of permitted sectors, the selected sector providing an associated highest signal strength for the communication device and forming a multicast communication zone based on the selected sectors.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronization of link layer windows in a wireless communications system is disclosed. At a transmitter in the wireless communications system, the transmitter transmits a plurality of frames in a transmitter's link layer window, wherein each frame comprises segments and sends a request for an acknowledgement of the plurality of frames to a receiver. Then the transmitter determines a last transmitted segment of an eldest frame of the plurality of frames in the transmitter's link layer window, if a response to the request is not received within a specified time period and sets a synchronization indicator in the determined last transmitted segment of the eldest frame. Finally, the transmitter transmits the determined last transmitted segment of the eldest frame with the synchronization indicator set to the receiver.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronization of link layer windows in a wireless communications system is disclosed. At a transmitter in the wireless communications system, the transmitter transmits a plurality of frames in a transmitter's link layer window, wherein each frame comprises segments and sends a request for an acknowledgement of the plurality of frames to a receiver. Then the transmitter determines a last transmitted segment of an eldest frame of the plurality of frames in the transmitter's link layer window, if a response to the request is not received within a specified time period and sets a synchronization indicator in the determined last transmitted segment of the eldest frame. Finally, the transmitter transmits the determined last transmitted segment of the eldest frame with the synchronization indicator set to the receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dynamic group prioritization in a communication network includes a first step (400) of defining a dynamic list of group participants by an application, such as a dispatch function. A next step (402) includes sending a request to a Group Management Function, wherein the request includes a requested group priority and the list of group participants. A next step (404) includes allocating a unique identifier to the group and assigning a group priority to the group. A next step (406) includes notifying the application, group participants, and network of the unique identifier and the network of the assigned group priority. The assigned priority of the group and its flows can be dynamically altered in real-time while the group is active.