Abstract: Transmission mode selection operations include determining that a first wireless device out of a plurality of wireless devices connected to an access node qualifies for a beamforming transmission mode, determining that a pair of wireless devices out of the plurality of wireless devices qualifies for a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) transmission mode, comparing a first total throughput of the access node using the beamforming transmission mode with a second total throughput of the access node using the MU-MIMO transmission mode, and selecting the downlink transmission mode from the first total throughput and the second total throughput that has a highest total throughput.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for performing handover of a wireless device to a target Access Node (AN) sector. Beam-form capable sectors of one or more target ANs may be selected from a pool of candidate sectors. At least one of the selected sectors may be prioritized (e.g., over the other sectors) based on an open beam-form seat. Handover of the wireless device from a first AN to the prioritized sector may be performed.

Abstract: A Long Term Evolution (LTE) access node to serve User Equipment (UEs) with a wireless Carrier Aggregation (CA) data communication service. A data processing system schedules CA Primary Component Carriers (PCCs), CA intra-band Secondary Component Carriers (SCCs) and CA inter-band SCCs for the UEs. A wireless transceiver wirelessly exchanges user data with the UEs based on the scheduling to serve the UEs with the CA PCCs, the CA intra-band SCCs, and the CA inter-band SCCs. The data processing system detects that a number of the UEs exceeds a UE threshold, and in response, identifies the UEs that use an LTE channel for their CA inter-band SCCs but not for their CA PCCs. The data processing system disables the LTE channel for the UEs that use the LTE channel for their CA inter-band SCCs but not for their CA PCCs.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described herein include systems, methods, and nodes for selecting a donor for a relay wireless device. Signal levels corresponding to signals received at a relay wireless device from a plurality of access points are determined. Signal information is received from the plurality of access points, wherein the signal information comprises a group identification for each access point. The signal information for the access points may then be compared to a donor criteria. And the access point corresponding to the greatest signal level that also comprises signal information that meets the donor criteria may be selected as the donor for the relay wireless device.

Abstract: One or more factors are determined for a target cell, the one or more factors being at least one of a morphology, a band class, a loading, and a MIMO type. A modified target cell signal strength threshold for the target cell is set using the one or more factors. The modified target cell signal strength threshold is utilized to initiate a transfer of the wireless device from the serving cell to the target cell.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems to facilitate selection of a donor base station to serve a relay node (RN). In particular, a base station system (BSS) may include a plurality of base stations each operable to serve user equipment devices (UEs) and operable to serve an RN. The RN is in turn operable to serve UEs. According to the disclosure, a controlling entity may determine both (i) a type of content communicated between the BSS and UEs served by the BSS (BSS-served content type) and (ii) a type of content communicated between the RN and UEs served by the RN (RN-served content type). Based on both the determined BSS-served content type and the determined RN-served content type, the controlling entity may select one of the plurality of base stations to serve the RN and may cause the selected base station to serve the RN.

Abstract: A Long Term Evolution (LTE) network wirelessly exchanges data over an LTE channel with a plurality of User Equipment (UE) by using Carrier Aggregation with at least some of the UEs. The LTE network compares a number of the UEs using the LTE channel to an admission threshold, and if the number of UEs exceeds the admission threshold, then identifying individual ones of the UEs that are using the LTE channel for a Carrier Aggregation Secondary Component Carrier but not for a Carrier Aggregation Primary Component Carrier. The LTE network disables the LTE channel for the individual ones of the UEs that are using the LTE channel for their Secondary Component Carrier but not for their Primary Component Carrier.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for performing beamforming during carrier aggregation. It may be determined that conditions at an access node and a first wireless device meet a beamforming criteria, wherein the access node and the first wireless device communicate using carrier aggregation including a first frequency band comprising a primary carrier and a second frequency band comprising a component carrier. Data may be communicated between the access node and a second wireless device over the second frequency band, wherein the second wireless device is proximate to the first wireless device. Beamforming signal conditions may be determined for the first wireless device on the first frequency band and the second wireless device on the second frequency band.

Abstract: Wireless devices with similar air-interface conditions (e.g., signal strength, modulation and coding scheme, etc.) can be configured to function as relays. To select which wireless device(s) to pick to function as a relay on behalf of an access node, the type of data traffic going to/from these devices is examined. This examination is used to determine which wireless device to select as a relay. In other words, when several wireless devices are situated so that they have similar radio frequency (RF) conditions, the type and/or amount of traffic they are sending or receiving is used to determine which of the wireless devices to select to function as a relay.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for protecting carrier aggregation. Data may be communicated between an access node and a wireless device using carrier aggregation such that communications is performed over a primary carrier and a secondary carrier. It may be determined that conditions for one or more of the access node and the wireless device meet a beamforming criteria. It may then be determined whether an adjustment to a configuration for the carrier aggregation is available for the wireless device. The configuration to the carrier aggregation may be adjusted when the adjustment is determined to be available.

Abstract: When a wireless device is configured to function as a relay for a donor access node, the donor access node is configured such that the relaying wireless device is given preferential treatment when compared to non-relaying wireless devices. The communication network and/or donor access node can be configured to provide improved RF conditions, higher throughput, lower latency, etc. to a relaying wireless device than is provided to non-relay wireless devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are also described for mitigating interference at an access node. It may be determined, based on an interference metric for a first wireless device exceeding an interference criteria, that communication between the first wireless device and a cell of an access node is experiencing interference from a neighboring cell. A second wireless device receiving a beamformed transmission may be identified, wherein the beamformed transmission to the second wireless device is identified as an interference source for communication between the first wireless device and the cell of the access node. Transmissions to the first wireless device and the second wireless device may be scheduled such that the scheduled timings for transmissions to the first wireless device are different from the scheduling timings for transmissions to the second wireless device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are also described for mitigating interference at an access node. It may determined, based on an interference metric for a first wireless device exceeding an interference criteria, that communication between the first wireless device and a cell of an access node is experiencing interference from a neighboring cell. At least one neighboring cell in which one or more beamformed signals are transmitted is identified as a potential interference source. The identified neighboring cell may be instructed to terminate transmission of a beamformed signal to at least a second wireless device. It may then be determined whether the interference metric for the first wireless device continues to exceed the interference criteria after the termination of the beamformed signal. And the second wireless device may be identified as an interference source when the interference metric for the first wireless device does not continue to exceed the interference criteria.

Abstract: Disclosed is method and apparatus to help reduce PRACH interference. In accordance with the disclosure, when a first base station determines that there is a threshold level of interference from a second base station, the first base station transmits to the second base station a directive that causes the second base station to reduce PUSCH transmission in PUSCH resources that are coincident in frequency with the first base station's PRACH. In a scenario where two base stations provide overlapping coverage and operate on the same frequency as each other, and where coverage of the second base station may interfere with coverage of the first base station, this process may thereby help to minimize or eliminate interference that PUSCH communication in the second base station's coverage area would have on PRACH communication in the first base station's coverage area.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a mobility-limited user equipment device (UE) are disclosed. While a first base station serves a UE in a first coverage area on a first carrier, either the first base station or the UE makes a first determination that the UE is substantially stationary. Responsive to at least making the first determination, the first base station causes the UE to receive service on a second carrier concurrently with the first base station continuing to serve the UE in the first coverage area on the first carrier. By way of example, the first base station may provide the second carrier in the first coverage area, or a second base station may provide the second carrier in a second coverage area.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and software to dynamically provide multi-user multiple-input and multiple-output format to wireless communication devices. In one example, a method includes receiving uplink communication signals from wireless communication devices using single user MIMO format. The method further provides identifying uplink data requirements for the wireless communication devices, and determining whether the uplink data requirements meet uplink criteria. The method also includes, if the data requirements meet the uplink criteria, initiating a transition from the single user MIMO format to the multi-user MIMO format.