Abstract: An alternative channel for communicating information relating to renewal of a spectrum grant from SAS to a base station is implemented. This alternative channel provides a communications path to communicate status of a grant from an SAS to the base station, while the base station's primary communication channel with SAS, which typically involves a domain proxy remains interrupted. The alternative channel includes a UE with a connection manager (CM). An identified UE sends a grant renewal request message to SAS for the base station and receives a grant renewal request response message indicating grant status from the SAS. The grant status is forwarded to the base station, and if the grant is renewed, the base station renews the grant transmit expiration time and continues to transmit. This approach reduces potential service outages at the base station due to lack of awareness of the actual status of the SAS grant.

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 communication management resource monitors an ability of a first wireless base station to synchronize itself with respect to a wireless network. Assume that the communication management resource detects a failure condition, preventing the first wireless base station from synchronizing itself with the wireless network based on one or more satellite signals. In response to detecting this condition, the communication management resource updates the synchronization of the first wireless base station with respect to the wireless network based upon synchronization information received from a second wireless base station over a backhaul of the wireless network. In other words the second wireless base station synchronizes itself with the wireless network via a received satellite signal; the first wireless base station synchronizes itself with the wireless network based on synchronization information received over the backhaul from the second wireless base station.

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: An automatic management entity is included in a Hybrid Mobile Network Operator's system. The automatic management entity operates in conjunction with an Operations Support System (OSS) to automatically identify cells within the HMNO's own mobile wireless network to be removed from service due to poor performance, low throughput, or for other reasons, and initiates the un-management process. By automating the process timely identification of cells to be removed from service and removal of cells from service can be implemented quickly without human involvement. The automatic management entity takes into consideration the availability of alternative wireless coverage and impact to quality of service to the HMNO subscriber, e.g., user experience, when making a decision as to whether or not to take a cell with poor performance out of service. The automatic management entity prioritizes the desired repair order and communicates service priority information to the OSS along with the unmanage list.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for testing and mitigating problems with Spectrum Access System (SAS) service provider systems. An exemplary method includes performing, by an SAS switch and availability function (SSAF), one or more tests on a first SAS service provider system, the first SAS service provider system providing SAS services to one or more wireless base stations (e.g., CBSDs) of a first wireless network (e.g., a first CBRS network); and determining whether or not the first SAS service provider system is experiencing problems providing SAS services to the first wireless network based on results of the one or more tests performed on the first SAS service provider system. In response to determining that there are problems with the first SAS service provider system switching the one or more wireless base stations to a second SAS service provider 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: When a first (e.g., CBRS) network receives instructions to modify its operations with a dual-SIM, dual-subscription (DSDS) device, e.g., due to the local incumbent activity, instead of modifying CBRS operations for the DSDS device, the DSDS device is proactively handed off to a second (e.g., non-CBRS) network, thereby avoiding a reduction of quality of service to the DSDS device. If and when the local incumbent activity ceases, the original CBRS operations can be automatically restored by handing off from the non-CBRS network back to the CBRS network. In some implementations, these functions are orchestrated by a DSDS Mobile Transfer Entity of the CBRS network.

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: 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: 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.