Abstract: There is provided, an open radio access network distributed unit (O-DU) having an electronic module that performs an FS-8 Radio Access Technology (RAT) functionality.

Abstract: A wireless communications system includes radio components (O-RU, O-DU, O-CU), an ORAN Non-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller (Non-RT RIC) framework, an O-RU Controller and a CBSD Controller interfacing with a Spectrum Access System (SAS) using the Wireless Innovation Forum (WINNF) CBSD-SAS Interface. An example of CBSD Controller is a Domain Proxy (DP) defined by WINNF. The CBSD Controller is disclosed as an application belonging to the Non-RT RIC. This application could be an rApp. The Non RT MC Framework operates as a broker to route information between the O-RU Controller and the CBSD Controller. Data types are defined to be exchanged over the R1 interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for redirecting a wireless communication unit (113) from a LTE cell to a neighboring 3G or 2G cell for the purposes of performing a procedure which is available in the 2G or 3G cell but not available in the LTE cell includes the provision of an additional LTE access point (109) within the coverage area of an LTE macrocell. The additional LTE access point (109) is arranged to capture a wireless communication unit (113) which is camped onto the LTE macrocell and redirect it to a 3G/2G cell irrespective of whether or not a better service may be provided in the 2G/3G cell. The invention has application to presence detection where collection of wireless communication units' and subscribers' IDs for such a purpose is possible in 3G and 2G cells but not in LTE cells.

Abstract: An access point supports communication in a femto cell of a cellular communication network. The access point comprises transceiver circuitry arranged to enable communication with at least one wireless communication unit located within the femto cell, and a signal processing logic module comprising an access point controller interface logic module arranged to enable communication between the access point and an access point controller. The signal processing logic module further comprises a gateway logic module arranged to provide an interface between the at least one wireless communication unit located within the femto cell and a packet data network.

Abstract: A presence service can be provided by an access point 101 serving a small cell 100 by rejecting a request for registration from a user equipment 103 after acquiring its IMSI and sending the IMSI to a presence database 105. The user equipment determines if the cell is a presence cell by comparing the cell's location area code (LAC) with LACs stored in a list and looking for a match. It the cell is a presence cell then the user equipment, rather than placing the LAC in a forbidden list, re-tries registration again but only after a pre-set time period of 5-10 minutes has elapsed. This has the advantage that a presence service can be notified of subscribers who linger in a particular area or return to that area at regular intervals.

Abstract: A presence service can be provided by an access point 101 serving a small cell 100 by rejecting a request for registration from a user equipment 103 after acquiring its IMSI and sending the IMSI to a presence database 105. The user equipment determines if the cell is a presence cell by comparing the cell's location area code (LAC) with LACs stored in a list and looking for a match. It the cell is a presence cell then the user equipment, rather than placing the LAC in a forbidden list, re-tries registration again but only after a pre-set time period of 5-10 minutes has elapsed. This has the advantage that a presence service can be notified of subscribers who linger in a particular area or return to that area at regular intervals.

Abstract: A radio access network element (101) obtains a permanent subscriber identity (IMSI) of a User Equipment (103) in an LTE wireless communication system (100) by sending a “fake” service reject message to a User Equipment which has attempted to attach to a cell (102) in a request for services message which includes its S-TMSI. The reject message may include a cause code which results in the UE attempting to attach again, this time using its IMSI. The fake service reject message may be generated in a an eNode B serving one or more macrocells or a evolved Home Node B serving a small cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for redirecting a wireless communication unit (113) from a LTE cell to a neighbouring 3G or 2G cell for the purposes of performing a procedure which is available in the 2G or 3G cell but not available in the LTE cell includes the provision of an additional LTE access point (109) within the coverage area of an LTE macrocell. The additional LTE access point (109) is arranged to capture a wireless communication unit (113) which is camped onto the LTE macrocell and redirect it to a 3G/2G cell irrespective of whether or not a better service may be provided in the 2G/3G cell. The invention has application to presence detection where collection of wireless communication units' and subscribers' IDs for such a purpose is possible in 3G and 2G cells but not in LTE cells.

Abstract: A radio access network element (101) obtains a permanent subscriber identity (IMSI) of a User Equipment (103) in an LTE wireless communication system (100) by sending a “fake” service reject message to a User Equipment which has attempted to attach to a cell (102) in a request for services message which includes its S-TMSI. The reject message may include a cause code which results in the UE attempting to attach again, this time using its IMSI. The fake service reject message may be generated in a an eNode B serving one or more macrocells or a evolved Home Node B serving a small cell.

Abstract: An access point supports communication in a femto cell of a cellular communication network. The access point comprises transceiver circuitry arranged to enable communication with at least one wireless communication unit located within the femto cell, and a signal processing logic module comprising an access point controller interface logic module arranged to enable communication between the access point and an access point controller. The signal processing logic module further comprises a gateway logic module arranged to provide an interface between the at least one wireless communication unit located within the femto cell and a packet data network.

Abstract: A communication system comprising a core network operably coupled to a small base station (HNB) arranged to support wireless communications to a user equipment UE is described. The HNB comprises a control processor being arranged in a first embodiment to: support setting up of an air interface connection with the UE to allow the UE and the core network to exchange messages, e.g.

Abstract: A radio access network element (101) obtains a permanent subscriber identity (IMSI) of a User Equipment (103) in an LTE wireless communication system (100) by sending a “fake” service reject message to a User Equipment which has attempted to attach to a cell (102) in a request for services message which includes its S-TMSI. The reject message may include a cause code which results in the UE attempting to attach again, this time using its IMSI. The fake service reject message may be generated in a an eNode B serving one or more macrocells or a evolved Home Node B serving a small cell.

Abstract: Measurement reports from only those wireless communication units (109, 110) included in a preferred user list (107) are used to automatically configure cell parameters such as a pilot channel transmission power level in an open access cell served by an access point (103). The preferred user list (107) may be created by monitoring wireless communication unit behaviour and assigning to the list those units which remain attached to the access point (103) for long periods of time.

Abstract: A radio access network element (101) obtains a permanent subscriber identity (IMSI) of a User Equipment (103) in an LTE wireless communication system (100) by sending a “fake” service reject message to a User Equipment which has attempted to attach to a cell (102) in a request for services message which includes its S-TMSI. The reject message may include a cause code which results in the UE attempting to attach again, this time using its IMSI. The fake service reject message may be generated in a an eNode B serving one or more macrocells or a evolved Home Node B serving a small cell.

Abstract: A communication system comprising a core network operably coupled to a small base station (HNB) arranged to support wireless communications to a user equipment UE is described. The HNB comprises a control processor being arranged in a first embodiment to: support setting up of an air interface connection with the UE to allow the UE and the core network to exchange messages, e.g.

Abstract: A network element (130, 330), for providing access control to a core network (120) of a cellular communication network (100) for a wireless communication unit (150) operating within a communication cell supported by the network element (130, 330), comprises a receiver for receiving a message (425) from the wireless communication unit (150) comprising identity information. The network element further comprises logic (160), operably coupled to the receiver, for determining whether to permit the mobile communication unit (150) access to the core network (120), based at least in part on the received identity information.

Abstract: A cellular radio telecommunication handover system and method for enabling the handover of a mobile telecommunications device between a licensed (cellular) network and an unlicensed mobile network comprising a plurality of low power access points having all of them the same common cell identity (GGI) is disclosed. The mobile telecommunications device establishes a handover between one access point of the licensed network and another access point of the unlicensed network by communication of handover resources therebetween.

Abstract: A network element (130, 330), for providing access control to a core network (120) of a cellular communication network (100) for a wireless communication unit (150) operating within a communication cell supported by the network element (130, 330), comprises a receiver for receiving a message (425) from the wireless communication unit (150) comprising identity information. The network element further comprises logic (160), operably coupled to the receiver, for determining whether to permit the mobile communication unit (150) access to the core network (120), based at least in part on the received identity information.

Abstract: A network element (230) for communicating with a wireless communication unit (214) in a communication cell (200) of a communication system (200) comprises a receiver arranged to perform a frequency sweep across a plurality of operational frequencies. Signal processing logic (255), operably coupled to the receiver, processes the received signals from the frequency sweep and providing an estimate of a level of interference at a number of frequency carriers of the swept frequencies. The signal processing logic (255) is capable of determining whether a transmit power level at a frequency selected from the processed frequency sweep satisfies at least one predetermined quality criterion of the communication system (200). A transmitter (270) is arranged, upon initial activation of the network element (230), to transmit to a wireless communication unit at the determined transmit power level.

Abstract: A network element (230) for communicating with a wireless communication unit (214) in a communication cell (200) of a communication system (200) comprises a receiver arranged to perform a frequency sweep across a plurality of operational frequencies. Signal processing logic (255), operably coupled to the receiver, processes the received signals from the frequency sweep and providing an estimate of a level of interference at a number of frequency carriers of the swept frequencies. The signal processing logic (255) is capable of determining whether a transmit power level at a frequency selected from the processed frequency sweep satisfies at least one predetermined quality criterion of the communication system (200). A transmitter (270) is arranged, upon initial activation of the network element (230), to transmit to a wireless communication unit at the determined transmit power level.