Abstract: A computing system is provided that is configured to implement a multi-operator radio access network (RAN) framework in a wireless network operating in the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) frequency band that allows a plurality of different network operators to share the same CBRS network infrastructure. In particular, the computing system is configured to generate a consolidated registration object associated with a plurality of different network operators. The consolidated registration object includes a requested frequency range (e.g., a plurality of CBRS channels) in the CBRS band. The computing system is further configured to cause a Citizens Broadband Radio Service device (CBSD), such as an eNodeB and/or a gNodeB, to operate on the requested frequency range identified by the consolidated registration object.

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: A cellular network supports end-to-end communications with a chain of user equipments (UEs) (e.g., cell phones and other suitable wireless devices) having (i) a direct UE having a direct connection with the cellular network and (ii) one or more indirect UEs having no direct connection with the cellular network, but a device-to-device (D2D) connection with at least one other UE in the chain.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preemptive handoff in response to receiving a grant suspension at a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) device (CBSD). A traffic distribution system (TDS) maintains a base station list with a wireless coverage area. An operations support system receives a CBRS spectrum suspension command for a CBSD. In response to the CBRS spectrum suspension command, the TDS requests from a core network (CN), data for the mobile device and data for one or more neighbor base stations selected from the list based on the suspended CBSD and the mobile device data. The TDS determines an alternative base station for the mobile device, which is selected from the one or more neighbor base stations based on the data for the mobile device data and the one or more neighbor base stations, and sends to the CN, the alternative base station to initiate a handover command.

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: Resource utilization information including one or more of central processor utilization, memory utilization, and device load values are received from each of a plurality of network devices that compose an access network that is communicatively coupled to a core network. The resource utilization information is provided to a machine learning model to receive an output, wherein the machine learning model has been trained with historical resource utilization information associated with network devices that compose an access network, predetermined thresholds, and an impact to the access network of network resources being added to a core network. A recommended increase in network resources of the core network or the access network is sent to a destination based on the output.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically discovering and consolidating lightweight active directory protocol (LDAP) servers into a centralized-LDAP (C-LDAP) are described. A method includes initiating, by an orchestration engine, automated discovery of LDAP systems deployed across an entity, establishing, by the orchestration engine, secure connections between a centralized LDAP (C-LDAP) system and identified LDAP systems, forming, by the orchestration engine, a partitioned directory database in response to data from the identified LDAP systems, requesting, by the orchestration engine, each directory database associated with the identified LDAP systems to transfer directory data to the partitioned directory database, instructing, by the orchestration engine, one or more domain name system (DNS) servers to resolve requests directed to the identified LDAP systems to the C-LDAP system, and repurposing one or more of the identified LDAP systems.

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, the second and third base stations being connected to a core network via a wired and/or fiber backhaul connection.

Abstract: In response to receiving instructions from a Spectrum Access System (SAS) to modify (e.g., reduce and/or cease) network transmissions in one or more Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) sub-bands following the SAS's detection of incumbent activity, the network's Operation Support System (OSS) predicts or measures received signal strength (RSS) levels based on the SAS's original instructions, estimates RSS levels based on modified versions of the SAS's instructions that prioritize higher-NPV (net present value) CBRS base stations (CBSDs) over lower-NPV CBSDs, selects a modified version whose RSS levels are approximately the same as or less than the RSS levels of the SAS's original instructions, and transmits to the SAS requests for the selected modified version. In this way, the OSS can achieves more-efficient allocation of the CBRS spectrum and therefore more-desirable network communications without interfering with the incumbent's communications.

Abstract: Methods and systems for wireless coverage adjustment in a system with Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS). A method includes receiving, by a coverage adjustment engine from a spectrum access system (SAS), coverage reduction messages for one or more CBRS devices (CBSDs) in a wireless network, identifying, by the coverage adjustment engine, one or more coverage expansion base stations in the wireless network to mitigate an impact of wireless coverage area gaps resulting from the coverage reduction messages, and sending, by the coverage adjustment engine to each of the one or more coverage expansion base stations, expansion parameters to adjust an associated wireless coverage area to mitigate the wireless coverage area gaps, where adjustments to one or more associated wireless coverage areas are done prior to execution of the coverage reduction messages at the one or more CBSDs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining and implementing out of coverage sidelink communications between user equipment devices are described. 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: 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: 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: 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: In a wireless communications system, such as a 5G CBRS system, a server maintains an inter-SAS (Spectrum Allocation System) database that stores propagation files for base stations (e.g., Citizens Broadband Radio Service Devices (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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preemptive handoff in response to receiving a grant suspension at a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) device (CBSD). A traffic distribution system (TDS) maintains a base station list with a wireless coverage area. An operations support system receives a CBRS spectrum suspension command for a CBSD. In response to the CBRS spectrum suspension command, the TDS requests from a core network (CN), data for the mobile device and data for one or more neighbor base stations selected from the list based on the suspended CBSD and the mobile device data. The TDS determines an alternative base station for the mobile device, which is selected from the one or more neighbor base stations based on the data for the mobile device data and the one or more neighbor base stations, and sends to the CN, the alternative base station to initiate a handover command.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing multi-tier quasi-licensed spectrum service via a common wireless access node. In one embodiment, the quasi-licensed system utilizes 3.55-3.70 GHz CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) GAA and PAL spectrum selectively applied to first and second transceiver chains (including one or more antenna elements each) of the wireless access node. In one variant, GAA spectrum is used for unlicensed and unrestricted user access within an indoor portion of a premises, while PAL is used for licensed and restricted use in an outdoor area of/external to the premises.

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: 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: 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.