Abstract: A first base station selects a subset of channels of an unlicensed frequency band based on indications of energy received over the channels. The first base station transmits one or more messages instructing user equipment to monitor the subset of channels and report information indicating whether at least one second base station is transmitting over the subset of channels. User equipment monitors the subset of channels of the unlicensed frequency band in response to receiving the one or more messages from a first base station indicating the subset of channels. The user equipment transmits one or more messages including information indicating whether one or more second base stations are transmitting over the subset of channels.

Abstract: A radio access network element includes a cellular interface and a processor. The cellular interface is configured to communicate with the user equipment via a cellular link. The processor is configured execute computer readable instructions to cause the radio access network element to: transmit a plurality of probe packets to the user equipment via an IP tunnel between the radio access network element and the user equipment through a wireless local area network access point; receive a probe packet response from the user equipment, the probe packet response being indicative of a connection quality of the IP tunnel between the radio access network element and the user equipment; and determine whether to switch from a first traffic routing mode to a second traffic routing mode based on the probe packet response from the user equipment.

Abstract: A capability for localization of a wireless tag based on wireless gateway association information uses a wireless tag supporting multiple states and wireless gateway association information associated with the wireless tag to control localization of the wireless tag. The wireless tag may support an unconnected state in which the wireless tag communicates location tracking information using a wireless beacon signal which may be detected by various wireless gateways and a connected state in which the wireless tag communicates location tracking information via one or more connections with one or more wireless gateways. The wireless gateway association information may include wireless gateway lists (e.g., whitelists, blacklists, or the like), association rules, notification rules, or the like. The wireless gateway association information may be used to control transitions of the wireless tag between the unconnected state and the connected state, to control notifications for the wireless tag, or the like.

Abstract: An access point to transmit a first message that instructs stations (STAs) to bypass uplink transmissions for a first time interval indicated in the first message. The access point is to transmit one or more first messages at a transmission power sufficient for a first portion of the STAs to decode the one or more first messages and insufficient for a second portion of the STAs to decode the one or more first messages. The transmission power can be determined based on minimum transmit powers associated with the STAs. Subsequent second time intervals can be determined based on uplink transmissions received from the STAs during the first time interval.

Abstract: A node identifies at least one first channel of an unlicensed frequency band that is occupied by a first node that operates according to a first radio access technology (RAT). The node transmits a signal on a second channel of the unlicensed frequency band. The signal is formed according to a second RAT used for transmission on the second channel and the signal includes information identifying the at least one second channel of the unlicensed frequency band.

Abstract: A first base station selects a subset of channels of an unlicensed frequency band based on indications of energy received over the channels. The first base station transmits one or more messages instructing user equipment to monitor the subset of channels and report information indicating whether at least one second base station is transmitting over the subset of channels. User equipment monitors the subset of channels of the unlicensed frequency band in response to receiving the one or more messages from a first base station indicating the subset of channels. The user equipment transmits one or more messages including information indicating whether one or more second base stations are transmitting over the subset of channels.

Abstract: An access point generates a data packet such that the data packet has a same packet length as a data packet from at least one other access point. The access point reserves a channel for a time interval, and initiates transmission of the data packet over the channel at a same time as transmission of the data packet from the at least one other access point. As a result, the access point synchronizes its transmission interval with a transmission interval of the at least one other access point which reduces inter-access point interference.

Abstract: A wireless communication node selectively decodes a payload of a packet based on a measured signal strength of a decoded header of the packet and a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) used to encode the payload of the packet. In some embodiments, the MCS may be indicated in the decoded header of the packet.

Abstract: An LTE cellular network and a WiFi network whose coverage areas overlap allow user devices accessing both networks to perform downlink channel aggregation through a tunneling feature provided by the cellular network whereby uplink information destined for the WiFi network is routed through an IP tunnel through the cellular network ultimately reaching the WiFi network via a common point or common network to which the WiFi and the cellular networks are connected. User devices having access to both networks are able to establish the tunnel during establishment of communications between such user devices and the WiFi network and use the tunnel as an uplink to convey information to the WiFi network, which is operated in a broadcast only mode or an ACK-less mode.

Abstract: A method of modeling predicted values, at a selected point, of radio fields originating from a source in a geographic area including a plurality of streets and a plurality of buildings includes determining a first path from the source to the selected point, the first path including a first segment, and predicting a value, at the selected point, of a radio field originating from the source by modeling the first segment as a first waveguide, and at least one of (1) generating a first radio field coupling equation by coupling the first waveguide with a second waveguide, the second waveguide being a model of a second segment, the second segment being included in the first path, and (2) generating a second radio field coupling equation by coupling the first waveguide with an indoor model for modeling radio fields traveling through a building or outer wall.

Abstract: An access point to transmit a first message that instructs stations (STAs) to bypass uplink transmissions for a first time interval indicated in the first message. The access point is to transmit one or more first messages at a transmission power sufficient for a first portion of the STAs to decode the one or more first messages and insufficient for a second portion of the STAs to decode the one or more first messages. The transmission power can be determined based on minimum transmit powers associated with the STAs. Subsequent second time intervals can be determined based on uplink transmissions received from the STAs during the first time interval.

Abstract: In a method for estimating a channel at a receiver in a wireless communications network, the receiver obtains channel model parameters for a received signal based on raw channel estimates for the received signal, where each raw channel estimate corresponds to an antenna at the receiver. The receiver combines, for each of a plurality of contiguous subcarriers in the wireless communications network, the channel model parameters to generate a first plurality of combined channel model parameters. The receiver then chooses a first set of indices corresponding to combined channel model parameters from among the first plurality of combined channel model parameters having magnitudes passing a combined channel model parameter threshold. The receiver then estimates the channel in a sparse domain based on the first set of indices.

Abstract: In one embodiment, conflicts are identified by sending and announcement message from the first node to neighboring nodes from among the plurality of second nodes indicating that the first node intends to participate in a first communication with a first terminal during the current frame, and receiving a report message from any conflicting nodes at the first node, each conflicting node being a node from among the neighboring nodes which intends to participate in a different communication. Conflicts are resolved by selecting one of (1) maintaining a state of the first node as a clear state and (2) changing the state of the first node to a blocked state based on the received report messages. The first communication is scheduled for the current time frame, if the state of the first node is the clear state after the resolving conflicts step.

Abstract: An access point generates a data packet such that the data packet has a same packet length as a data packet from at least one other access point. The access point reserves a channel for a time interval, and initiates transmission of the data packet over the channel at a same time as transmission of the data packet from the at least one other access point. As a result, the access point synchronizes its transmission interval with a transmission interval of the at least one other access point which reduces inter-access point interference.

Abstract: In a method for estimating a channel at a receiver in a wireless communications network, the receiver obtains channel model parameters for a received signal based on raw channel estimates for the received signal, where each raw channel estimate corresponds to an antenna at the receiver. The receiver combines, for each of a plurality of contiguous subcarriers in the wireless communications network, the channel model parameters to generate a first plurality of combined channel model parameters. The receiver then chooses a first set of indices corresponding to combined channel model parameters from among the first plurality of combined channel model parameters having magnitudes passing a combined channel model parameter threshold. The receiver then estimates the channel in a sparse domain based on the first set of indices.

Abstract: In a method for scheduling a set of active users for transmission in a wireless network, a plurality of scheduling metrics are calculated based on system state information for the wireless network, and the set of active users are scheduled for transmission according to the candidate transmission schedule corresponding to a maximum scheduling metric from among the calculated scheduling metrics. Each of the plurality of scheduling metrics corresponding to a candidate transmission schedule among a plurality of candidate transmission schedules.

Abstract: In one embodiment, conflicts are identified by sending and announcement message from the first node to neighboring nodes from among the plurality of second nodes indicating that the first node intends to participate in a first communication with a first terminal during the current frame, and receiving a report message from any conflicting nodes at the first node, each conflicting node being a node from among the neighboring nodes which intends to participate in a different communication. Conflicts are resolved by selecting one of (1) maintaining a state of the first node as a clear state and (2) changing the state of the first node to a blocked state based on the received report messages. The first communication is scheduled for the current time frame, if the state of the first node is the clear state after the resolving conflicts step.

Abstract: The method includes sending a request for permission to transmit by each ready node in the wireless network. Each ready node is a node of the wireless network ready to transmit, each request identifies a node in the network that is the destination, and each request is sent over a control channel. An iterative process based on priorities determined for the ready nodes is then performed to determine which ready nodes to block from transmission and which ready nodes to clear for transmission. Transmissions are sent over a payload channel from ready nodes in the clear to transmit state.

Abstract: In a method of improving system throughput while reducing packet delay for users of a wireless communication system, a user may be selected from a user population based on a parameter that is tracked for each user of the user population. A preferred beam for the user may be determined based on a highest running average data rate from each beam of a finite plurality of selectable beams so as to maximize the selected user's chances to be scheduled to receive the next packet. The preferred beam may be used for transmitting a pilot signal for scheduling a user in the user population to receive a next transmission on the preferred beam.

Abstract: The method includes sending a request for permission to transmit by each ready node in the wireless network. Each ready node is a node of the wireless network ready to transmit, each request identifies a node in the network that is the destination, and each request is sent over a control channel. An iterative process based on priorities determined for the ready nodes is then performed to determine which ready nodes to block from transmission and which ready nodes to clear for transmission. Transmissions are sent over a payload channel from ready nodes in the clear to transmit state.