Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining losses due to obstructions in a wireless communications system are described. Pairs of measurements points, one of each side of an obstruction are selected, and wireless device reported received signal energy measurements corresponding to the pair of selected locations are used to determine a path loss through the obstruction. In some embodiments, the pair of measurements points are selected based on one or more of: wireless device orientation at the time of measurement, application in use at the time of measurement, time between measurements, or location between measurements. In one example, a first selected location in the pair corresponds to an outdoor location with a unobstructed line of sight view to the base station, while the second selected location corresponds to an indoor location.

Abstract: Efficient sidelink communications between devices, e.g., user equipment (UE) devices, is supported when at least one of the user devices is within a network coverage area. Various embodiments are well suited for use in a communications system including a network of CBRS base stations. A core network implements a sidelink control component (CNSCC), working in conjunction with a spectrum access system (SAS) and/or an interference management module. The CNSCC manages the allocation of air link resources, e.g., PAL channels and/or GAA channels, to UEs to support efficient sidelink device to device communications while limiting interference levels and/or increasing throughput in the communications system. In some embodiments the allocation of a channel to UEs for sidelink communications is based on one more or all of: i) the current location of the UEs, ii) the current usage of spectrum in the system, and/or iii) the current levels of interference in the system.

Abstract: A Configuration Auditor and Configuration Enforcer (CACE) automatically runs audits of cells in a network and finds any discrepancies between the actual and preferred configuration. The CACE has access to lists of parameters and preferred settings for the network operator in which the cell being audited is located and thus knows the preferred settings for the given type of radio being audited and/or use of the radio in terms of the intended coverage area and/or traffic type being communicated. The list of parameters to which the actual radio settings is compared is sometimes referred to as a “golden parameter list”. The detection of radio parameter setting discrepancies, e.g., setting errors, and the correction of the parameter settings is performed automatically with parameter settings being automatically corrected on the fly, e.g., immediately, when possible without disrupting service or during a scheduled service interval if a radio reboot is required.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing backhaul wireless services to wireless base stations. An exemplary embodiment includes the steps of: receiving, at a backhaul management node, user equipment connection information for a first base station, the first base station having a first wireless backhaul connection path to a second base station; determining, by the backhaul management node, whether or not a second wireless backhaul connection path is to be established for the first base station based on the received user equipment connection request information; and in response to determining to establish the second wireless backhaul connection path for the first base station: sending, by the backhaul management node, a message to establish the second wireless backhaul connection from the first base station to a third base station, said second and third base stations being connected to a core network via a wired and/or fiber backhaul connection.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for coordinating operation of two or more wireless networks operating within a common area or venue. In one embodiment, the apparatus and methods provide mechanisms for scheduling access node(s) of one or more of the wireless networks relative to others of the networks so as to minimize interference or contention for common frequency resources (e.g., unlicensed spectrum such as that used by WLAN, NR-U or LTE-U technologies). In one variant, a network coordinator process generates schedule data that is pushed to one or more of the wireless networks that specifies temporal and spatial aspects wherein access nodes of the recipient one or more networks can operate (e.g., transmit) with suitable levels of interference from other wireless network(s) operating within the area or venue. The schedule data is separate from underlying protocol scheduling by the access nodes, thereby preserving all operational aspects of the underlying ireless protocols.

Abstract: It is determined that a request has been received to make a change in a radiation pattern of an antenna coupled to a Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD) from a first radiation pattern to a second radiation pattern. A registration object associated with the CBSD maintained by a spectrum access system (SAS) is obtained. A new radiation pattern characteristic of the second radiation pattern that is different from an existing radiation pattern characteristic of the first radiation pattern is determined. A new registration object that includes the new radiation pattern characteristic and omits the existing radiation pattern characteristic is generated. The new registration object is caused to be stored by the SAS in lieu of the registration object.

Abstract: When two dual-SIM, dual-subscription (DSDS) wireless devices are located outside of their own (first) network operator's coverage area, but inside the coverage area of a second network operator having a roaming agreement with the first operator, the two devices are instructed to transmit data directly to one another via a side-link that is instigated and approved by the first operator, thereby reducing fees owed by the first operator to the second operator for the inter-device communications. In one implementation, the first operator secures a channel grant for the side-link from a CBRS SAS, and synchronization information for the side-link is provided to the two devices by the second operator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for determining and implementing out of coverage sidelink communications between user equipment devices. An exemplary method includes the steps of: receiving from a first wireless network, by a geo-fencing proximity analyzer of a second wireless network, session request information for a session to be established between a first user equipment device and a second user equipment device; determining, by the geo-fencing proximity analyzer, whether or not a sidelink communications session is to be established between the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device based on: (i) the location of the first user equipment device, and (ii) the location of the second user equipment device; and wherein the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device are both located outside the coverage area of the second wireless network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhancing area coverage and data rates in a quasi-licensed wireless communication network. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatus utilize so-called “quasi-licensed” CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) wireless spectrum in conjunction with a cellular wireless communication network (e.g. 4G, 5G, or LTE) for the delivery of services to a number of installed fixed wireless apparatus (CPE/FWA) at user or subscriber premises. The CPE/FWAs may act as relays or supplementation devices to provide requisite data rates to the CPEs that are out of the network coverage, effectively adding new customers to the network. As such, the CPEs that acts as relays are connected to one or more base stations, dynamically allocate some resources to the out of coverage CPEs, for the delivery/receipt of information to/from the out-of-coverage CPES/FWA.

Abstract: Methods and systems for wireless local area network system assisted sidelink communications using Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum are described herein. A method includes receiving, from a mobile device by a wireless local area network system, a request for sidelink communications with another mobile device, sending, by the wireless local area network system to a service provider system, a request for CBRS spectrum when the sidelink communications is beneficial based on at least a known location of the mobile device and a location of the another mobile device, receiving, by the wireless local area network system from the service provider system, a sidelink communications information including a CBRS grant when an interference check passes, and sending, by the wireless local area network system to at least the mobile device, the sidelink communications information to enable establishment of the sidelink communications between the mobile device and the another mobile device.

Abstract: A Configuration Auditor and Configuration Enforcer (CACE) automatically runs audits of cells in a network and finds any discrepancies between the actual and preferred configuration. The CACE has access to lists of parameters and preferred settings for the network operator in which the cell being audited is located and thus knows the preferred settings for the given type of radio being audited and/or use of the radio in terms of the intended coverage area and/or traffic type being communicated. The list of parameters to which the actual radio settings is compared is sometimes referred to as a “golden parameter list”. The detection of radio parameter setting discrepancies, e.g., setting errors, and the correction of the parameter settings is performed automatically with parameter settings being automatically corrected on the fly, e.g., immediately, when possible without disrupting service or during a scheduled service interval if a radio reboot is required.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining losses due to obstructions in a wireless communications system are described. Pairs of measurements points, one of each side of an obstruction are selected, and wireless device reported received signal energy measurements corresponding to the pair of selected locations are used to determine a path loss through the obstruction. In some embodiments, the pair of measurements points are selected based on one or more of: wireless device orientation at the time of measurement, application in use at the time of measurement, time between measurements, or location between measurements. In one example, a first selected location in the pair corresponds to an outdoor location with a unobstructed line of sight view to the base station, while the second selected location corresponds to an indoor location.

Abstract: A Configuration Auditor and Configuration Enforcer (CACE) automatically runs audits of cells in a network and finds any discrepancies between the actual and preferred configuration. The CACE has access to lists of parameters and preferred settings for the network operator in which the cell being audited is located and thus knows the preferred settings for the given type of radio being audited and/or use of the radio in terms of the intended coverage area and/or traffic type being communicated. The list of parameters to which the actual radio settings is compared is sometimes referred to as a “golden parameter list”. The detection of radio parameter setting discrepancies, e.g., setting errors, and the correction of the parameter settings is performed automatically with parameter settings being automatically corrected on the fly, e.g., immediately, when possible without disrupting service or during a scheduled service interval if a radio reboot is required.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated relay registration in a customer premises is described herein. A method for automatically registering a relay using a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum includes receiving, at a spectrum access system (SAS) registration processing tool from a user interface input unit, relay information for a relay to extend wireless coverage in a customer premises, the wireless coverage extending from a donor base station, extracting, by the SAS registration processing tool, commonly-used object information from a donor base station object associated with the donor base station, generating, by the SAS registration processing tool, a relay registration object from the relay information and the extracted commonly-used object information, and automatically registering, by the SAS registration processing tool, the relay with a spectrum access system using the relay registration object when the relay is turned on at the customer premises.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically identifying overshooting cells and automatically changing PCIs in cases of actual or possible PCI confusion are described. A cell with a poor KPI, e.g., indicative of failed attachment attempts, is identified. PCI confusion is considered as a possible cause of the poor KPI. A cell which uses the same PCI as the cell with the poor KPI is identified and the coverage areas of the cell with the poor KPI and the other cell using the same PCI is determined. Operating UEs in trace mode combined with deactivation of a cell while the other cell using the same PCI remains active is sometimes used to map cell coverage areas. If the coverage areas of two cells using the same PCI are determined to overlap, a different PCI is assigned to one of the two cells using the same PCI to thereby eliminate possible PCI confusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for preventing roaming of user equipment on a first wireless network. An exemplary embodiment includes the steps of: receiving, at a location tracking device of a first wireless network, geographic location information for a user equipment device connected to a first wireless base station of the first wireless network; determining, by the location tracking device, whether or not to restrict the user equipment device from roaming to a second wireless network based on the received geographic location information; and when the determination is to restrict the user equipment device from roaming to the second wireless network, communicating a temporary roaming restriction instruction to the user equipment device, the temporary roaming restriction instruction when implemented by the user equipment device restricting the user equipment device from roaming to the second wireless network.

Abstract: A wireless network environment includes communication management hardware such as disposed in customer premises equipment. The communication management hardware detects a request communication from a mobile communication device, the request communication transmitted from the mobile communication device to a wireless base station. In response to detecting the request communication, the customer premises equipment monitors for reply communication from the wireless base station. The communication management hardware detects failure of the wireless base station to respond to the request communication. In response to detecting the failure, the communication management hardware operates in a relay mode to provide the mobile communication device connectivity with the wireless base station.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for automatically switching virtual private networks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting handover via efficiently updating neighbor tables in response to a detected dissimilar channel assignment, e.g., a temporary PAL channel assignment to one or more cells in a network, are described. In various cases the newly assigned temporary PAL channel has a different bandwidth and/or a different carrier frequency than the original PAL channel. The content of neighbor tables is supplemented to reflect the temporary dissimilar assignment. After the temporary assignment ends the original neighbor tables are restored.

Abstract: In a wireless communications system, such as a 5G CBRS system, a server maintains an inter-SAS database that stores propagation files for base stations (e.g., CBSDs) associated with different SASs. A first SAS retrieves, from the inter-SAS database, propagation files for other SASs' CBSDs that are nearby a (e.g., new or reconfigured) CBSD associated with the first SAS and uses the retrieved propagation files to assign, to its CBSD, channel(s) that have minimal interference with the other SASs' nearby CBSDs. The first SAS retrieves information about the nearby CBSDs from an FCC database and then communicates with the other SASs about the existence of the nearby CBSDs' propagation files in the inter-SAS database. Each other SAS ensures that the propagation files for its nearby CBSDs are in the inter-SAS database.