Abstract: We disclose systems and methods of dynamically virtualizing a wireless communication network. The communication network is comprised of heterogeneous multi-RAT mesh nodes coupled to a computing cloud component. The computing cloud component virtualizes the true extent of the resources it manages and presents an interface to the core network that appears to be a single base station.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enabling a mesh network node to switch from a base station role to a user equipment role relative to a second mesh network node, and vice versa. By switching roles in this manner, the mesh network node may be able to benefit from increased uplink or downlink speed in the new role. This role reversal technique is particularly useful when using wireless protocols such as LTE that are asymmetric and allow differing throughput on uplink and downlink connections. Methods for determining whether to perform role reversal are disclosed, and methods for using role reversal in mesh networks comprising greater than two nodes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a self-calibrating and self-adjusting network are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed, comprising: obtaining a signal strength parameter for a mobile device at a base station; obtaining a position of the mobile device at the base station; and associating the position and the signal strength parameter in a database. The method may further comprise one or more of: adjusting transmission power for the mobile device at the base station based on the associated position and signal strength parameter; computing the position of the mobile device at the base station; calculating an average of the signal strength parameter over a time window, and storing the average associated with the position. The signal strength parameter may include at least one of a block error rate (BLER) and a radio signal strength indicator (RSSI), and the position may be a global positioning system (GPS) position.

Abstract: In this invention, we disclose methods of establishing a cellular network having backhaul flexibility, comprising, establishing, at a first cellular base station, a first connection with a core cellular network; establishing, at the first cellular base station, an inter-base station connection with a second cellular base station for relaying traffic from the first and the second cellular base stations to the core cellular network, the second cellular base station having a second connection with the core cellular network; determining, at the first cellular base station, if the quality of the first connection falls below a threshold parameter; and terminating, at the first cellular base station, the first connection in favor of the second connection if the quality of the first connection falls below the threshold parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for supporting multi-point transmission. In one embodiment, a system for downlink multi-point transmission are disclosed, comprising: a first base station in radio frequency proximity to a user device and with a established control connection with the user device; a second base station also in radio frequency proximity to the user device; and a coordinating node coupled to the first and the second base station for coordinating transmissions to the first and the second base station to the user device, the coordinating node configured to: select the second base station based on selection criteria, the selection criteria including latency of each base station and perceived signal strength of each base station at the user device; and send scheduling instructions to each of the first and the second base stations to transmit data to the user device.

Abstract: In this invention, we disclose methods for enabling ad hoc cellular base station functionality within a user equipment when the connection quality between a base station and the user equipment is limited or nonexistent. These methods include measuring a connection quality between a user equipment and its serving base station. If the connection quality is below a threshold, the user equipment can enable its internal ad hoc cellular base station functionality. This is done by running a software within the user equipment that (a) checks the connection quality periodically, and (b) enables ad hoc cellular base station functionality of the connection threshold dips below a certain value. In one embodiment, that threshold could be the same threshold value that a user equipment would use if it were making a decision to handoff to another base station based on poor connection quality.

Abstract: In this invention, we disclose methods directed toward integrating an ad hoc cellular network into a fixed cellular network. The methods disclosed herein automate the creation and integration of these networks. In additional embodiments, we disclose methods for establishing a stand-alone, ad hoc cellular network. In either of these implementations, we integrate or establish an ad hoc cellular network using mobile ad hoc cellular base stations configured to transmit and receive over a variety of frequencies, protocols, and duplexing schemes. The methods flexibly and dynamically choose an access or backhaul configuration and radio characteristics to optimize network performance. Additional embodiments provide for enhancing an existing network's coverage as needed, establishing a local network in the event of a loss of backhaul coverage to the core network, and providing local wireless access service within the ad hoc cellular network.

Abstract: This application discloses methods for creating self-organizing networks implemented on heterogeneous mesh networks. The self-organizing networks can include a computing cloud component coupled to the heterogeneous mesh network. In the methods and computer-readable mediums disclosed herein, a processor determines if a user equipment (UE) should hand over its service from a base station to a multi-radio access technology (RAT) node, based on heuristics including one or more of: a distance traveled over a time T1, an average speed over a time T2, a destination stored in internal memory within the UE, a speed limit measurement for a nearby road, a possible direction in which the UE could travel, a signal strength measurement for a servicing base station, and a signal strength measurement for the multi-RAT node. A position profile may be used to predict a future location of the UE.

Abstract: A gateway for X2 interface communication is provided, including: an X2 internal interface for communicating with, and coupled to, a plurality of radio access networks (RANs); and an X2 external interface for communicating with, and coupled to, a destination outside of the plurality of RANs, the X2 external interface further including a single X2 endpoint for the plurality of radio access networks, such that the X2 external interface provides a single interface for an external macro cell or core network to interact with the plurality of radio access networks. The gateway may further include a handover module for maintaining X2 signaling associations and transactions for incoming and outbound handovers, including X2 to S1 and S1 to X2 translation.

Abstract: This application discloses methods for creating self-organizing networks implemented on heterogeneous mesh networks. The self-organizing networks can include a computing cloud component coupled to the heterogeneous mesh network. In the methods and computer-readable mediums disclosed herein, a processor receives an environmental condition for a mesh network. The processor may have measured the environmental condition, or it could have received it from elsewhere, e.g., internally stored information, a neighboring node, a server located in a computing cloud, a network element, user equipment (“UE”), and the like. After receiving the environmental condition, the processor evaluates it and determines whether an operational parameter within the mesh network should change to better optimize network performance.

Abstract: This application discloses methods for creating self-organizing networks implemented on heterogeneous mesh networks. The self-organizing networks can include a computing cloud component coupled to the heterogeneous mesh network. In the methods and computer-readable mediums disclosed herein, a processor receives an environmental condition for a mesh network. The processor may have measured the environmental condition, or it could have received it from elsewhere, e.g., internally stored information, a neighboring node, a server located in a computing cloud, a network element, user equipment (“UE”), and the like. After receiving the environmental condition, the processor evaluates it and determines whether an operational parameter within the mesh network should change to better optimize network performance.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enabling a mesh network node to switch from a base station role to a user equipment role relative to a second mesh network node, and vice versa. By switching roles in this manner, the mesh network node may be able to benefit from increased uplink or downlink speed in the new role. This role reversal technique is particularly useful when using wireless protocols such as LTE that are asymmetric and allow differing throughput on uplink and downlink connections. Methods for determining whether to perform role reversal are disclosed, and methods for using role reversal in mesh networks comprising greater than two nodes are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention discloses a heterogeneous mesh network comprised of multiple radio access technology nodes, wherein nodes can function dynamically, switching roles between client and server. Moreover, these nodes can operate in a heterogeneous fashion with respect to one another. In an alternate embodiment, the invention describes a mesh network comprised of nodes operating over TV white-space. This invention additionally discloses self-organizing network embodiments and embodiments that include novel methods of monitoring operational parameters within a mesh network, adjusting those operational parameters, and creating and implementing routing tables.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for using a mobile multi-radio access technology (multi-RAT) device for locating an individual, for example, in a search-and-rescue application. The multi-RAT device may permit the individual's cell phone to attach to the mobile multi-RAT device, and then may use a directional antenna to locate the individual. Various embodiments of such a device are described.

Abstract: In this invention, we disclose methods directed toward integrating an ad hoc cellular network into a fixed cellular network. The methods disclosed herein automate the creation and integration of these networks. In additional embodiments, we disclose methods for establishing a stand-alone, ad hoc cellular network. In either of these implementations, we integrate or establish an ad hoc cellular network using mobile ad hoc cellular base stations configured to transmit and receive over a variety of frequencies, protocols, and duplexing schemes. The methods flexibly and dynamically choose an access or backhaul configuration and radio characteristics to optimize network performance. Additional embodiments provide for enhancing an existing network's coverage as needed, establishing a local network in the event of a loss of backhaul coverage to the core network, and providing local wireless access service within the ad hoc cellular network.

Abstract: In this invention, we disclose methods directed toward integrating an ad hoc cellular network into a fixed cellular network. The methods disclosed herein automate the creation and integration of these networks. In additional embodiments, we disclose methods for establishing a stand-alone, ad hoc cellular network. In either of these implementations, we integrate or establish an ad hoc cellular network using mobile ad hoc cellular base stations configured to transmit and receive over a variety of frequencies, protocols, and duplexing schemes. The methods flexibly and dynamically choose an access or backhaul configuration and radio characteristics to optimize network performance. Additional embodiments provide for enhancing an existing network's coverage as needed, establishing a local network in the event of a loss of backhaul coverage to the core network, and providing local wireless access service within the ad hoc cellular network.

Abstract: In this invention, we disclose methods directed toward integrating an ad hoc cellular network into a fixed cellular network. The methods disclosed herein automate the creation and integration of these networks. In additional embodiments, we disclose methods for establishing a stand-alone, ad hoc cellular network. In either of these implementations, we integrate or establish an ad hoc cellular network using mobile ad hoc cellular base stations configured to transmit and receive over a variety of frequencies, protocols, and duplexing schemes. The methods flexibly and dynamically choose an access or backhaul configuration and radio characteristics to optimize network performance. Additional embodiments provide for enhancing an existing network's coverage as needed, establishing a local network in the event of a loss of backhaul coverage to the core network, and providing local wireless access service within the ad hoc cellular network.

Abstract: This invention discloses a heterogeneous mesh network comprised of multiple radio access technology nodes, wherein nodes can function dynamically, switching roles between client and server. Moreover, these nodes can operate in a heterogeneous fashion with respect to one another. In an alternate embodiment, the invention describes a mesh network comprised of nodes operating over TV white-space. This invention additionally discloses self-organizing network embodiments and embodiments that include novel methods of monitoring operational parameters within a mesh network, adjusting those operational parameters, and creating and implementing routing tables.

Abstract: In this invention, we disclose methods directed toward integrating an ad hoc cellular network into a fixed cellular network. The methods disclosed herein automate the creation and integration of these networks. In additional embodiments, we disclose methods for establishing a stand-alone, ad hoc cellular network. In either of these implementations, we integrate or establish an ad hoc cellular network using mobile ad hoc cellular base stations configured to transmit and receive over a variety of frequencies, protocols, and duplexing schemes. The methods flexibly and dynamically choose an access or backhaul configuration and radio characteristics to optimize network performance. Additional embodiments provide for enhancing an existing network's coverage as needed, establishing a local network in the event of a loss of backhaul coverage to the core network, and providing local wireless access service within the ad hoc cellular network.

Abstract: In this invention, we disclose methods directed toward integrating an ad hoc cellular network into a fixed cellular network. The methods disclosed herein automate the creation and integration of these networks. In additional embodiments, we disclose methods for establishing a stand-alone, ad hoc cellular network. In either of these implementations, we integrate or establish an ad hoc cellular network using mobile ad hoc cellular base stations configured to transmit and receive over a variety of frequencies, protocols, and duplexing schemes. The methods flexibly and dynamically choose an access or backhaul configuration and radio characteristics to optimize network performance. Additional embodiments provide for enhancing an existing network's coverage as needed, establishing a local network in the event of a loss of backhaul coverage to the core network, and providing local wireless access service within the ad hoc cellular network.