Abstract: Various devices and methods are provided that use enhanced downlink demodulation reference signals (DMRS) to facilitate inter-cell interference cancellation and suppression. Coordinated configuration of DMRS port assignments for transmission from cells in a group of neighboring cells is provided. Each cell's physical cell identification (PCID) is mapped with its corresponding assigned antenna port(s).

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for offloading data from a cellular network via a secondary network. The offloaded data may be transported over a connection existing independently from the cellular network, such as a direct device-to-device (D2D) or direct mobile communications (DMC) link. The connection may be established between a first peer mobile device and a benefactor peer mobile device, and the benefactor peer mobile device may relay the data to/from a backhaul network via the secondary network. The benefactor peer mobile device may receive compensation for offloading the traffic, and may compete with one or more candidate benefactor devices for the task of offloading the data. The offloaded data may be uplink data originating from the beneficiary peer mobile, or downlink data destined for the beneficiary peer mobile.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for implementing network adaptation schemes, including small cell on/off adaptation and transmission power control. In an embodiment method for supporting network adaptation, a network component receives a discovery reference signal (DRS) from a network controller that is in a switch-off transmission mode. The network component then performs measurements according to the DRS, and reports the measurements to a network associated with the network controller. In return, the network component receives a radio resource control (RRC) signaling from the network. The RRC signaling includes configuration information allowing a connection between the network component and the network controller. The network component then connects with the network controller in accordance with the configuration information.

Abstract: A method for cell adaptation includes receiving, by a user equipment (UE), one or more transmission parameters for a transition reference signal (TRS). One or more cells is transitioned between a reduced activity mode and an active transmission and reception mode in accordance with the TRS. The method further includes the UE determining whether or not to transmit the TRS in accordance with one or more TRS transmission criteria, and the UE transmitting the TRS in accordance with the one or more transmission parameters.

Abstract: User equipments can achieve quick channel synchronization when establishing a connection to base stations transitioning from a sleep mode to an active mode by using discovery resource signal (DRS) processing results and cell reference signal (CRS) processing results to establish channel synchronization with a CRS antenna port. More specifically, the user equipment may be notified that the CRS antenna port and DRS antenna port are quasi-co-located (QCL), and then use DRS processing results in conjunction with CRS processing results to obtain faster channel synchronization with a CRS antenna port. This may be particularly beneficial when the target BS is transitioned from a sleep mode to an active mode in order to accept a handover of the user equipment.

Abstract: A method for adapting communications system topology includes receiving, by an adaptation device, first signal plus interference to noise ratio (SINR) values from user equipments in a communications system, the first SINR values associated with a transmission configuration as configured by the communications system, and adapting, by the adaptation device, a topology of the communications system in accordance with the first SINR values received from the user equipments already attached to the communications system.

Abstract: An embodiment method for adaptation and reconfiguration in a wireless network includes base stations coordinating and setting aside a set of time-frequency resources for probing purposes, the base stations coordinating a set of probing transmissions and timings to be used to synchronize base stations/UEs actions, the base stations signaling the resources and timings to UEs, the base stations performing coordinated operations on the resources according to the timings, the base stations receiving feedback reports from UEs based on UE measurements on the signaled resources according to the signaled timings, and the base stations further coordinating the operations for further probing or to apply probing transmissions on broader time-frequency resources.

Abstract: A next-generation base station can update an uplink-downlink (UL/DL) configuration of a cell more frequently than legacy user equipments (UEs) are configured to recognize UL/DL updates while preventing non-compliant uplink transmissions in downlink subframes. For instance, a next-generation base station can restrict updates to the uplink-downlink configuration such that uplink timeslots previously allocated for random access channel (RACH) transmission opportunities by legacy UEs remain configured for uplink transmission. Alternatively, the next-generation base station can restrict the allocation of RACH transmission opportunities of legacy UEs to timeslots that are statically configured for uplink transmission. Notably, such a restriction may be selectively applied to legacy UEs, so as to not limit the performance of next-generation UEs.

Abstract: A method for operating a user equipment includes receiving a set of first random access channel (RACH) parameters associated with a first group of identifiers, and wherein identifiers in the first group of identifiers are used for generating pseudo-random sequences, and performing a random access procedure in accordance with the set of first RACH parameters and the first group of identifiers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for offloading data from a cellular network via a secondary network. The offloaded data may be transported over a connection existing independently from the cellular network, such as a direct device-to-device (D2D) or direct mobile communications (DMC) link. The connection may be established between a first peer mobile device and a benefactor peer mobile device, and the benefactor peer mobile device may relay the data to/from a backhaul network via the secondary network. The benefactor peer mobile device may receive compensation for offloading the traffic, and may compete with one or more candidate benefactor devices for the task of offloading the data. The offloaded data may be uplink data originating from the beneficiary peer mobile, or downlink data destined for the beneficiary peer mobile.

Abstract: A method for multiple point communications includes configuring a set of first communications system resources to form a plurality of first communications system resource groups, each first communications system resource group including a plurality of channels, and configuring a set of second communications system resources for each one of the plurality of first communications system resource groups, the set of second communications system resources used to convey a feedback transmission. The method also includes signaling information about the plurality of first communications system resource groups to a first user equipment, and signaling information about the sets of second communications system resources associated with the plurality of first communications system resource groups to the first user equipment.

Abstract: System and method embodiments are provided for signaling reference signals and Channel State Information (CSI) feedback for wireless communications. An embodiment method implemented by a user equipment (UE) for wireless communications measurements and CSI feedback includes receiving, from a network, at least one of a first index that indicates a corresponding non-zero-power CSI reference signal (CSI-RS) resource, a second index that indicates a corresponding zero-power CSI-RS resource, a third index that indicates a corresponding CSI-RS resource for interference measurement, and a fourth index that indicates a corresponding channel quality indicator (CQI) report configuration.

Abstract: A method in a relay node operating in a time division duplex system wherein the relay node transmits downlink pilot timeslot information to a user terminal in a first temporal region of a special sub-frame, communicates with a base station during a second temporal region of the special sub-frame, and configures a third temporal region of the special sub-frame, wherein the second temporal region is configured as a guard period for communications between the relay node and the user terminal.

Abstract: A method in a wireless communication device including receiving control signaling from a base station in a control region of a downlink carrier spanning a first bandwidth, receiving a signaling message from the base station indicating a second bandwidth, receiving a first control message within the control region using a first Downlink Control Information (DCI) format size, the first DCI format size based on the first bandwidth, and receiving a second control message within the control region using a second DCI format size, the second DCI format size based on the second bandwidth, wherein the second bandwidth is distinct from the first bandwidth and the first and second control messages indicate downlink resource assignments for the downlink carrier.

Abstract: A wireless communication device receives control signaling from a base station in a control region of a downlink carrier spanning a first bandwidth, signaling message from the base station indicating a second bandwidth, and a first control message within the control region using a first Downlink Control Information (DCI) format size, wherein the first DCI format size is based on the first bandwidth. The device also receives a second control message within the control region using a second DCI format size, the second DCI format size based on the second bandwidth, wherein the second bandwidth is distinct from the first bandwidth and the first and second control messages indicate downlink resource assignments for the downlink carrier.

Abstract: A method, a network base station, and a user communication device for transmitting data on an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing carrier are disclosed. An antenna array may transmit a signal decodable by a legacy user communication device designed for compatibility with a legacy set of transmission antennas. A processor 210 may encode a subframe of the signal with a legacy set of common reference symbols and a supplemental set of common reference symbols referring to the antenna array.

Abstract: A method in a wireless communication device including receiving control signaling from a base station in a control region of a downlink carrier spanning a first bandwidth, receiving a signaling message from the base station indicating a second bandwidth, receiving a first control message within the control region using a first Downlink Control Information (DCI) format size, the first DCI format size based on the first bandwidth, and receiving a second control message within the control region using a second DCI format size, the second DCI format size based on the second bandwidth, wherein the second bandwidth is distinct from the first bandwidth and the first and second control messages indicate downlink resource assignments for the downlink carrier.

Abstract: There is provided a communication device and a base unit, and methods thereof, for determining control information. The communication device receives a control channel message associated with the communication device in a control region on a first carrier from a base unit. The communication device also determines a set of resources in a search space within the control region, attempts to decode the set of resources in the search space for the control channel message, and determines control information from the decoded control channel message. The base unit generates a control channel message comprising control information associated with the communication device, determines a set of resources in a search space within a control region, selects a subset of resources within the determined set of resources for transmitting the control channel message, and transmits the control channel message on the selected resources in the control region on a first carrier.

Abstract: A method in a relay node operating in a time division duplex system wherein the relay node transmits downlink pilot timeslot information to a user terminal in a first temporal region of a special sub-frame, communicates with a base station during a second temporal region of the special sub-frame, the second temporal region is configured as a guard period for communications between the relay node and the user terminal, and configures a third temporal region of the special sub-frame.

Abstract: A method, a network base station, and a user communication device for transmitting data on an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing carrier are disclosed. An antenna array may transmit a signal decodable by a legacy user communication device designed for compatibility with a legacy set of transmission antennas. A processor 210 may encode a subframe of the signal with a legacy set of common reference symbols and a supplemental set of common reference symbols referring to the antenna array.