Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for installation of outdoor CPE (Customer Premise Equipment) for CBRS (Citizen Broadband Radio Service) for fixed wireless access is disclosed. The system comprises a database server which stores data comprising eNodeB locations and details, pathloss models and throughput prediction data. A position/orientation sensor and WiFi access point are attached to the CPE during installation. For a specified CPE height and a range of pointing angles, a smartphone app is used in scan mode to obtain KPI and evaluate nearby eNodeBs for performance based on stored parameters and link type, to provide estimated UL/DL throughput data for each eNodeB. After selecting an eNodeB, in network entry mode, a RF link between the CPE and eNodeB is established to request SAS grant. If successful in entering operational mode, actual throughput is measured to ensure the desired performance is attained, and data are reported back to the database.

Abstract: A multi-beam antenna system, apparatus and method for dynamic carrier aggregation to multi-beam antenna mapping in radio access networks, including small-cell deployments, is disclosed. Apparatus comprises a compact base transceiver unit with integrated multi-beam antenna comprising antenna groups configurable for operation in a plurality of modes, with one or more selected antenna groups enabled, for different use-case scenarios. The base transceiver unit comprises a daisy-chained radio-frequency (RF) system wherein one baseband processor feeds multiple RF transceivers; each RF transceiver front end comprises a software configurable isolation module through which each RF front end is interlinked to previous and next RF front ends to enable dynamic routing of TX/RX data streams through the daisy chain, e.g.

Abstract: A multi-beam antenna system, apparatus and method for dynamic carrier aggregation to multi-beam antenna mapping in radio access networks, including small-cell deployments, is disclosed. Apparatus comprises a compact base transceiver unit with integrated multi-beam antenna comprising antenna groups configurable for operation in a plurality of modes, with one or more selected antenna groups enabled, for different use-case scenarios. The base transceiver unit comprises a daisy-chained radio-frequency (RF) system wherein one baseband processor feeds multiple RF transceivers; each RF transceiver front end comprises a software configurable isolation module through which each RF front end is interlinked to previous and next RF front ends to enable dynamic routing of TX/RX data streams through the daisy chain, e.g.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for networking planning for fixed backhaul networks comprising a plurality of hubs, each serving one or more RBMs. The method comprises one or more of terrain pathloss (PL) and antenna gain prediction; network design comprising site association, hub dimensioning and pointing; and optimization of small cell (SC) deployment. PL prediction is based on correlation of user input parameters with reference use cases for channel models for each of downtown, urban, and suburban deployment scenarios. Rapid and effective network planning is achieved with limited input data, even in the absence of high resolution digital maps or building polygons, by selecting the channel model having a highest correlation with available environmental parameters. Optimization of network topology design, system design, and SC deployment, with both access link and backhaul link evaluation, is based on optimization of a sum-utility function across all links for feasible SC site locations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for signaling in a point-to-multi-point (PtMP) fixed wireless backhaul network, in which each Hub serves a plurality of Remote Backhaul Modules (RBM). A Hub serves one RBM in each subframe per carrier in TDMA fashion, comprising transmitting a 1 ms TDD frame comprising one DL subframe and one UL subframe and gaps necessary to switch the radio direction and accommodate round trip delay. DL and UL frames may be allocated to different RBMs, with a single RBM in each DL or UL subframe per carrier per antenna beam. Each Hub keeps an independent context for each of its served RBMs. A DL ranging frame carries general information. A UL ranging frame carries a ranging opportunity. RBMs not scheduled in the current timeslot continue to receive a PHY control channel from the serving Hub, and update their parameters or links for link adaptation.

Abstract: A system and method for joint scheduling in a dual-carrier fixed wireless backhaul network is disclosed, wherein the primary carrier is a licensed band, and the secondary carrier is a lower cost shared band or an unlicensed band. The network comprises a plurality of Hub modules, each serving a cluster of one or more Remote backhaul modules (RBMs). A special frame structure and a control channel on the primary carrier carries control signalling messages for RBMs assigned to either the primary or secondary carrier. RBMs with a performance metric, such a spectral efficiency, above a threshold are assigned to the primary carrier. Other RBMs are assigned the secondary carrier, and a channel assignment is then performed. A transmission mode is determined based on instantaneous channel conditions, to optimize overall system performance across a network neighborhood and meet RBM quality of service requirements. A centralized server/processing unit co-ordinates dual carrier joint scheduling functions.

Abstract: A system and method for joint scheduling in a dual-carrier fixed wireless backhaul network is disclosed, wherein the primary carrier is a licensed band, and the secondary carrier is a lower cost shared band or an unlicensed band. The network comprises a plurality of Hub modules, each serving a cluster of one or more Remote backhaul modules (RBMs). A special frame structure and a control channel on the primary carrier carries control signalling messages for RBMs assigned to either the primary or secondary carrier. RBMs with a performance metric, such a spectral efficiency, above a threshold are assigned to the primary carrier. Other RBMs are assigned the secondary carrier, and a channel assignment is then performed. A transmission mode is determined based on instantaneous channel conditions, to optimize overall system performance across a network neighbourhood and meet RBM quality of service requirements. A centralized server/processing unit co-ordinates dual carrier joint scheduling functions.

Abstract: A system and method for reception mode switching in a dual-carrier fixed wireless backhaul network is disclosed. The primary carrier is a licensed band. The secondary carrier may be a lower cost shared band or an unlicensed band. Multi-mode Remote Backhaul Modules (RBMs) comprise a first Radio Frequency (RF) chain with antenna elements for receive/transmit (RX/TX) on the primary carrier and a second RF chain with antenna elements for RX/TX on the secondary carrier. The Multi-mode RBMs adaptively switch from one reception mode to another with resource borrowing of RF and antenna elements, e.g. the secondary carrier RF chain and antenna elements can be borrowed for the primary carrier, for better reception capability for the primary carrier, reducing the number of link-budget and interference-challenged RBMs, and improving system performance.

Abstract: A system and method for joint scheduling in a dual-carrier fixed wireless backhaul network is disclosed, wherein the primary carrier is a licensed band, and the secondary carrier is an unlicensed or lower cost shared carrier. The network comprises a plurality of Hub modules, each serving a cluster of one or more Remote backhaul modules (RBMs). A special frame structure and a control channel on the primary carrier carries control signalling messages for RBMs assigned to either the primary or secondary carrier. RBMs with a performance metric, such a spectral efficiency, above a threshold are assigned to the primary carrier. Other RBMs are assigned the secondary carrier, and a channel assignment is then performed. A transmission mode is determined based on instantaneous channel conditions, to optimize overall system performance across a network neighborhood and meet RBM quality of service requirements. A centralized server/processing unit coordinates dual carrier joint scheduling functions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for networking planning for fixed backhaul networks comprising a plurality of hubs, each serving one or more RBMs. The method comprises one or more of terrain pathloss (PL) and antenna gain prediction; network design comprising site association, hub dimensioning and pointing; and optimization of small cell (SC) deployment. PL prediction is based on correlation of user input parameters with reference use cases for channel models for each of downtown, urban, and suburban deployment scenarios. Rapid and effective network planning is achieved with limited input data, even in the absence of high resolution digital maps or building polygons, by selecting the channel model having a highest correlation with available environmental parameters. Optimization of network topology design, system design, and SC deployment, with both access link and backhaul link evaluation, is based on optimization of a sum-utility function across all links for feasible SC site locations.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for managing performance of a wireless backhaul network through power management, which provides a practical approach to balancing data throughput and fairness. For each transmit frame, one or more power zones is defined, each power zone comprising a set of radio resources operating at one transmit power level Pi, and the same power zone being defined over the same set of radio resources across all other clusters. The method maximizes the value of weighted weighted-sum utility, using a rate expression based on a CINR function. The optimization comprises a summation of the weighted logarithm of the rate expression plus a non-negative constant value, using a Newton's method approach, for fast and reliable convergence. Optimization may be based on long term averaged channel gains measured for each link. The value of c is selected to achieve a required balance of fairness and data throughput.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for coordinating hub-beam selection in wireless backhaul networks and optionally, for joint hub-beam selection and slot assignment. Data indicative of path loss is measured or estimated for each of a set of RBMs and for each hub-beam of a respective multi-beam serving hub. A performance metric is computed, and hub-beam selection is made based on optimizing the performance metric across the set of RBMs. A serving hub may use reserved frames to train an RBM on each hub-beam and communicate beam selections, e.g. based on minimizing path loss on a per-cell or per-sector basis, or maximizing a sum-utility function for improved performance over a neighborhood of the network. A beam assignment map may be shared amongst serving hubs. A weight table of good and bad beam combinations may be generated to evaluate the cost of a hub-beam combination, for joint hub-beam selection and slot assignment.

Abstract: A system and method of uplink power control in a fixed wireless backhaul network, wherein determining an uplink transmit power of each remote backhaul module (RBM) comprises obtaining an interference-over-thermal (IoT) noise value of each hub, determining a target IoT noise value for each RBM, determining a total path loss from each RBM to its serving hub, determining a target uplink carrier to interference and noise ratio (CINR) for the RBM, and computing the RBM uplink transmit power for each RBM by summing the target IoT noise value for the RBM, the total path loss of the RBM to its serving hub, and the target uplink CINR. Computationally expensive parameter sweeps are avoided. The method can be implemented using a centralized processing unit or distributed processing at each node. The method is self-optimizing, and initial hub and RBM transmit powers and other data may be estimated using pre-deployment tools.

Abstract: A system and method for joint scheduling in a dual-carrier fixed wireless backhaul network is disclosed, wherein the primary carrier is a licensed band, and the secondary carrier is an unlicensed or lower cost shared carrier. The network comprises a plurality of Hub modules, each serving a cluster of one or more Remote backhaul modules (RBMs). A special frame structure and a control channel on the primary carrier carries control signalling messages for RBMs assigned to either the primary or secondary carrier. RBMs with a performance metric, such a spectral efficiency, above a threshold are assigned to the primary carrier. Other RBMs are assigned the secondary carrier, and a channel assignment is then performed. A transmission mode is determined based on instantaneous channel conditions, to optimize overall system performance across a network neighbourhood and meet RBM quality of service requirements. A centralized server/processing unit coordinates dual carrier joint scheduling functions.

Abstract: A system and method for reception mode switching in a dual-carrier fixed wireless backhaul network is disclosed. The primary carrier is a licensed band. The secondary carrier may be an unlicensed or shared carrier. Multi-mode Remote Backhaul Modules (RBMs) comprise a first RF chain with antenna elements for RX/TX on the primary carrier and a second RF chain with antenna elements for RX/TX on the secondary carrier. The Multi-mode RBMs adaptively switch from one reception mode to another with resource borrowing of RF and antenna elements, e.g. the secondary carrier RF chain and antenna elements can be borrowed for the primary carrier, for better reception capability for the primary carrier, reducing the number of link-budget and interference-challenged RBMs, and improving system performance. The system may comprise a dual carrier and single carrier MIMO system with variable antenna topology, having flexibility to switch dynamically between different operational modes depending on performance metrics.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for signaling in a point-to-multi-point (PtMP) fixed wireless backhaul network, in which each Hub serves a plurality of Remote Backhaul Modules (RBM). A Hub serves one RBM in each subframe per carrier in TDMA fashion, comprising transmitting a 1 ms TDD frame comprising one DL subframe and one UL subframe and gaps necessary to switch the radio direction and accommodate round trip delay. DL and UL frames may be allocated to different RBMs, with a single RBM in each DL or UL subframe per carrier per antenna beam. Each Hub keeps an independent context for each of its served RBMs. A DL ranging frame carries general information. A UL ranging frame carries a ranging opportunity. RBMs not scheduled in the current timeslot continue to receive a PHY control channel from the serving Hub, and update their parameters or links for link adaptation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for coordinating hub-beam selection in wireless backhaul networks and optionally, for joint hub-beam selection and slot assignment. Data indicative of path loss is measured or estimated for each of a set of RBMs and for each hub-beam of a respective multi-beam serving hub. A performance metric is computed, and hub-beam selection is made based on optimizing the performance metric across the set of RBMs. A serving hub may use reserved frames to train an RBM on each hub-beam and communicate beam selections, e.g. based on minimizing path loss on a per-cell or per-sector basis, or maximizing a sum-utility function for improved performance over a neighborhood of the network. A beam assignment map may be shared amongst serving hubs. A weight table of good and bad beam combinations may be generated to evaluate the cost of a hub-beam combination, for joint hub-beam selection and slot assignment.

Abstract: A system and method for downlink power optimization in a partitioned wireless backhaul network with out-of-neighborhood utility evaluation is disclosed. The method comprises performing initial downlink power optimization for each neighborhood independently, considering only in-neighborhood utilities, by obtaining the transmit powers of all hubs and a utility performance of all served remote backhaul modules (RBMs) in the neighborhood. Power optimization data for each neighborhood are then reported to a central processing unit for storage. Thereafter, for each neighborhood, an out-of-neighborhood utility evaluation is performed by the centralized processing unit, based on reported power optimization data from other neighborhoods, for example, by obtaining delta out-of-neighborhood sum utilities for each hub as a function of hub transmit power, by curve fitting of reported data.

Abstract: A system and method of uplink power control in a fixed wireless backhaul network, wherein determining an uplink transmit power of each remote backhaul module (RBM) comprises obtaining an interference-over-thermal (IoT) noise value of each hub, determining a target IoT noise value for each RBM, determining a total path loss from each RBM to its serving hub, determining a target uplink carrier to interference and noise ratio (CINR) for the RBM, and computing the RBM uplink transmit power for each RBM by summing the target IoT noise value for the RBM, the total path loss of the RBM to its serving hub, and the target uplink CINR. Computationally expensive parameter sweeps are avoided. The method can be implemented using a centralized processing unit or distributed processing at each node. The method is self-optimizing, and initial hub and RBM transmit powers and other data may be estimated using pre-deployment tools.

Abstract: A system and method for downlink power optimization in a partitioned wireless backhaul network with out-of-neighborhood utility evaluation is disclosed. The method comprises performing initial downlink power optimization for each neighborhood independently, considering only in-neighborhood utilities, by obtaining the transmit powers of all hubs and a utility performance of all served remote backhaul modules (RBMs) in the neighborhood. Power optimization data for each neighborhood are then reported to a central processing unit for storage. Thereafter, for each neighborhood, an out-of-neighborhood utility evaluation is performed by the centralized processing unit, based on reported power optimization data from other neighborhoods, for example, by obtaining delta out-of-neighborhood sum utilities for each hub as a function of hub transmit power, by curve fitting of reported data.