Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining spectrum availability within a radio band managed by a Spectrum Management Entity (SME), and allocating available spectrum to Base Station/Access Points (BS/APs) of an Enterprise Network (EN). The EN includes a domain proxy that sends a registration request to the SME indicating a maximum EIRP for the BS/APs. After receiving registration, the Domain Proxy sends a spectrum inquiry and receives a response specifying available spectrum. If less than the entire requested spectrum is available, then the maximum EIRP indication is reduced, and a next iteration is performed re-registering the BS/APs and requesting spectrum. Iterations are repeated until the entire requested spectrum is available, and then spectrum is allocated to the BS/APs. Each iteration of channel availability is stored, and channels are allocated utilizing a Self-Organizing Network (SON) technique responsive to the stored channel availability. The EN may comprise a CBRS Network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed in which a first UE (User Equipment) receives signals from one or more MNO base stations. The UE synchronizes with the MNO base station timing. The first UE then communicates with a second UE over a wireless side-haul, providing the second UE with timing information derived from the MNO base station. By using the wireless side-haul, a relatively short GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) connection over a wireline can be used to communicate the timing information from the second UE to a PTP GM (Precision Timing Protocol Grand Master). The second UE may be integrated into a cell of a communications network that contains the PTP GM. Accordingly, using the side-haul to communicate the timing information avoids cabling to a master cell.

Abstract: A credential management system for enterprise networks (ENs) that allows credential storage in different levels and enables individual enterprises to manage the sets of credentials for the SIM cards used in their respective networks. Central management of credentials is provided by a remote cloud-based, centralized orchestration network (O-Net) that receives SIM cards from a SIM Provisioning Platform (SPP) and distributes the credentials to the ENs, which store the credentials in an enterprise global database and assign the SIM cards to the UEs. The credentials can be associated with specific policies and user groups so that the enterprise can control the type and quality of access allowed to UEs. Each EN may have a plurality of campus locations and at each location, a local credential database may be provided to act as a cache for quick efficient access to credentials by the UEs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of identifying different factors as part of performance diagnostics is disclosed. The disclosed method and apparatus provides downstream application towards policy configuration and network performance diagnostics.

Abstract: A User Equipment (UE) device, such as a cellular telephone, configured to store Higher Priority Public Land Mobile Network (HPPLMN) timer setting values and enterprise geofence information associated with the entries on its Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network (EHPLMN) list is disclosed. When the UE is camped on an EHPLMN, the UE may search/scan for higher priority EHPLMNs using the HPPLMN timer setting values associated with the entries on the list that have higher priority than the current EHPLMN. The rate of the scans may be set based on the shortest HPPLMN timer entry of the higher priority entries on the EHPLMN list. The UE may also or instead be configured to search for geofenced EHPLMNs on the list for which entrance criteria are currently satisfied, even when the current EHPLMN has higher priority than the geofenced EHPLMNs.

Abstract: A Radio Access Network (RAN) Slice Scheduler methods and apparatus allowing shared resources from an Enterprise Network deployment to be managed across Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and private Enterprise users is disclosed. Rebalancing of resource allocations provided to each MNO in the APs on a site is based on the population of User Equipment (UEs) and traffic experienced in accordance with the disclosed methods and apparatus.

Abstract: A first referred to as Approach A has three 40 MHz BWPs. The first BWP of the BWP configuration 2, approach A referred to as “BWP #1” resides in the top of the 100 MHz bandwidth. A second approach referred to as “BWP #2” resides in the middle portion of the 100 MHz band. A third approach referred to as “BWP #3” resides in the bottom portion of the 100 MHz band. BWP configuration 2, approach A allows overlaps between the BWP #1 and BWP #2 and also between BWP #2 and BWP #3. These overlaps can be leveraged to allow a diversity of users to be scheduled across BWPs #1 and #2 and between BWPs #2 and #3. In some embodiments, BWP #2 aligns with BWP Configuration 1 users.

Abstract: A transfer management system for efficiently operating an enterprise wireless communication network (EN) at a campus location enables the EN to control congestion, selectively and smoothly admit UEs, and manage UE exits from the EN. An MNO Network (MN) footprint learning system learns the different MN footprints on the campus, relative to the BS/APs deployed by the individual enterprise, which defines a footprint of wireless coverage for each MNO that has wireless coverage. The MN footprint provides useful information that enables successfully transitioning a UE between an EN and an MNO, which provides the EN with the ability to utilize other networks to offload one or more UEs to manage congestion, delay or deny admission of UEs, and proactively exit UEs to manage congestion or for other reasons.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for scalable machine learning (ML)-based frameworks for resource planning and recommendations for Enterprise Networks are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method for determining network health assessment and providing network planning and recommendations in wireless enterprise networks is provided. The method quantifies resource health of a plurality of network elements operating within the enterprise network by calculating a plurality of distance metrics between acceptable health parameters and observed network resource utilization values associated and corresponding to each selected network element. The method ranks each of the network elements based upon the distance metrics calculated for each network element. Factors that negatively impact the resource health of the network elements are ranked in accordance to how severely they impact the performance of the network elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allocating network resources, including computational nodes available for hosting network functions, such as 4G EPC (Evolved Packet Core) functions and/or 5GC (fifth generation Core) functions. An orchestrator monitors various network operational parameters in order to determine the most efficient allocation of resources (i.e., to determine which computational resources to allocate to hosting which network functions) at each particular point in time based on the network load and resources available.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing microslices in an enterprise wireless communication network to manage and control network performance. The microslice instances are monitored during network operation, for example at communication nodes, functional blocks, and end-to-end to provide Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These KPI are compared with performance objectives, which may be Service Level Objectives (SLOs). If the performance objectives are not met by the KPIs, then one or more of the microslice instances may be dynamically adjusted until the performance objectives are sufficiently met. Alternatively, the lower priority microslice instances may be dropped (i.e., terminated) until the performance objectives are sufficiently met.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allocating radio resources in a RAN deployment in an Enterprise Network. Radio resource parameter allocation decisions for all the Base Stations and Access Points (BS/APs) in the deployment are made responsive to network graphs formed using predicted path loss. In one embodiment the predicted path loss values are simulated for a particular enterprise network deployment, network graphs are formed using the path loss values, and radio resources parameters are allocated responsive to the network graphs. Advantageously, the network graphs provide the network with the ability to quickly and efficiently allocate radio resources, which can be automated. In the initial installation, this reduces cost and time. During operation, quick and efficient resource re-allocation provides quick adaptation to resource changes, an advantage that is useful particularly in the context of a CBRS system in which previously-available channels can be terminated.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for sending alert messages to end users. Based on a location component, one or more particular UEs (User Equipment) that communicate via a private network are determined. Directing an emergency message to a subset of Access Points (APs) within a private network based on the one or more particular UEs determined. In some embodiments, an Identifier Mapping Database (IMD) maps the Mobile Network Operator (MNO) identifiers to Private CBRS/Non-Public Network (PCNN) identifiers. In some embodiments, a roaming connection is established between the private network and the MNO network. In some embodiments, a UE cell ID is mapped to an AP based on a notification area.

Abstract: In selected embodiments, on-premises equipment of a cellular network provides local breakout functionality so that user plane data packets (PDNs/PDUs) are routed between the home/enterprise network and the Internet directly, bypassing a cloud-based core of the cellular network. The UE's control traffic is still routed to/from the core. The core may be an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) in a 4G LTE network, or a 5G Core (5GC) in a 5G network. The UE's IP addresses may be assigned by the core, or locally, by the on-premises equipment. Providing the IP context from the on-premises network allows the UE to connect to local devices, e.g., printers, disc raids, gaming and streaming nodes, and other local devices. The local IP context also pushes the complexity of the EPC core deployment to the cloud while reducing the overhead of cloud processing that comes with user plane data processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing load balancing within wireless networks and, in particular, within wireless networks operating within Enterprise Networks is disclosed. The method and apparatus efficiently balance the load that is shouldered by each BS/AP within the wireless network. This is particularly advantageous within wireless networks operating within an Enterprise Network. Improved BS/AP deployments in Enterprise Networks that maintain high system throughput in the EN while optimizing the performance of UEs (with regard to battery utilization and service) are disclosed. Improved EN deployments for UE mobility that reduces measurement scans required of and performed by the UEs are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing wireless Enterprise Networks (EN) for greater efficiency by developing inactivity timers for packet streams on bearers, monitoring the packet streams of UEs on the bearers, and if inactivity is found determining whether or not to release or modify a bearer, or maintain the current status of the UE considering factors such as congestion, expected lull time, reconstruction cost, and UE type and location. Accordingly, UEs can be more efficiently allocated the EN's available resources. To learn the timers, packet streams are monitored over a period of time, the packet streams are sorted by service type and bearer (and optionally time), and an inter-burst packet arrival time is determined. Timers are developed that provide inactivity time limits and an expected lull time that predicts the behavior of the packet streams based on service type and bearer, and optionally time.

Abstract: A User Equipment (UE) device, such as a cellular telephone, configured to store Higher Priority Public Land Mobile Network (HPPLMN) timer setting values and enterprise geofence information associated with the entries on its Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network (EHPLMN) list is disclosed. When the UE is camped on an EHPLMN, the UE may search/scan for higher priority EHPLMNs using the HPPLMN timer setting values associated with the entries on the list that have higher priority than the current EHPLMN. The rate of the scans may be set based on the shortest HPPLMN timer entry of the higher priority entries on the EHPLMN list. The UE may also or instead be configured to search for geofenced EHPLMNs on the list for which entrance criteria are currently satisfied, even when the current EHPLMN has higher priority than the geofenced EHPLMNs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing network loading and adjusting admission, and/or congestion and service types based on real-time analytics in an enterprise wireless communication network that includes Base Stations/Access Points (BS/APs) in communication with a number of User Equipment devices (UEs) within the coverage area at a campus location. The system dynamically learns the parameterizations for the control system, and adapts the parameters as the network usage evolves, which is useful for an efficient self-managed network. Such a system can provide a greater QoS across users and other efficiencies. The system simplifies deployment at the enterprise's campus locations because load heatmaps and service patterns are learned based on the actual campus locations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring network performance in near real-time by making measurements on packets received at an intermediate node in wireless communication network. The solution is useful for monitoring wireless network performance of any packetized wireless communication network that connects a client and application server, and particularly for any application running over TCP/IP protocol. A method is disclosed for measuring packet loss rate of a packet-based communication session between a Network Source (NS) and a User Equipment (UE) device at an intermediate node, in the downlink direction and the uplink direction. The measured loss is indicative of the loss in the portion of wireless network between the intermediate node and the UE. The measured packet loss rate is compared with service guarantees for the wireless network, and if the service guarantees are not being met, then resolution mechanisms can be implemented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring network performance in near real-time by making measurements on packets received at an intermediate node in a wireless communication network. The solution is useful for any packetized communication network that connects a client and application server, and particularly for any application running over TCP/IP protocol. A method is disclosed for measuring end-to-end qualities of a packet-based communication session between a data sender (DS) and a data receiver (DR) at an intermediate node. The measured end-to-end communication qualities may include latency and packet delay variation.