Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for using multiple antennas located in Citizens Broadcast Radio Service Devices (CBSDs) to communicate with a user equipment device. An exemplary method embodiment includes the steps of: (i) receiving by a macro base station a first set of data to be transmitted to a user equipment device (UE), (iii) dividing by the macro base station said first set of data into a plurality of N data blocks, and (iv) communicating by the macro base station to each of a plurality of different Citizens Broadband Radio Service Devices (CBSDs) one or more different ones of said plurality of N data blocks; and (v) operating the plurality of CBSDs to transmit the one or more data blocks which they receive from the macro base station to the UE. In various embodiments, the macro base station also transmits one or more of the N data blocks to the UE.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining and adjusting subcarrier spacing (SCS) to be used by a base station, e.g., a CBSD, for transmitting downlink data to one or more wireless devices, e.g., UEs, are described. A subcarrier spacing (SCS) level to be used by the base station is determined based on information relating to buffering of downlink data supplied to the base station via a cable, e.g., data accumulation rate (DAR) and/or average data arrival time (ADAT). Measured cable modem (CM) to base station latency is also used in the SCS determination. The amount of time for which a determined SCS level is to be used by the base station is set based on measured latency between a CMTS and the CM.

Abstract: Methods and systems for citizens broadband radio service (CBRS) device (CBSD) interference management is described. A method for managing shared spectrum network interference includes determining, by a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) device (CBSD) granted shared spectrum by a spectrum access system (SAS), a number of mobile devices in a defined number of regions in a cell covered by the CBSD, assigning, by the CBSD, a greater number of antennas to a cell edge region from the defined number of regions than a remaining regions in the defined number of regions, and assigning, by the CBSD, at least 8 antennas to each mobile device of a defined number of mobile devices of the number of mobile devices in the cell edge region to transmit non-overlapping and directive beams to mitigate interference at the cell edge region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing channel diversity in a MIMO system, e.g. a massive MIMO system, are described. Some selected sounding reference signal values are applied to control base station transmission for antennas, e.g., randomly or semi-randomly selected antennas, to which they do not actually correspond. The wireless terminal perceives this change as a change in channel conditions, which is subsequently reported in channel status information (CSI) to the base station. This results in increased channel diversity, which is beneficial to the base station scheduler.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using a first number of antennas at one base station, e.g., at a first CBSD, in combination with a second, e.g., lesser number of antennas at another base station to provide different wireless terminals communications channels with different channel conditions are described. A ‘relay mode’ of operation at the second base station facilitates communication of data from the first base station. In this way the second base station is used to relay data sent from the first base station while the UE perceives the data as having been sent over the air by the first base station. The channels from the first and second base stations operate together providing a composite channel that will have different channel conditions than would be possible using simply the antennas of the first base station. Differences in channels to different UEs facilitates transmission scheduling at the first base station.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first wireless base station supporting communications with multiple mobile communication devices. The first wireless base station is limited to an amount of power it is able to consume. For example, the wireless base station receives power consumption information from a power consumption manager. To control power consumption with respect to the received power consumption information, the wireless base station determines (such as based on an estimation, calculation, measurement, etc.), an amount of a power consumption by the wireless base station while communicating with multiple mobile communication devices. The wireless base station adjusts wireless communications transmitted from the wireless base station to maintain the power consumption of the wireless base station with respect to a power consumption limit as indicated by the received power consumption information.

Abstract: A mobile network operator (MNO) base station, e.g., an eNB, instructs a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) user equipment (UE) to monitor to detect signals from base stations in its MVNO network and to report back the results. If the UE reports to the MNO base station, that it has detected signals from base stations, e.g. CBSDs, in its MVNO, the MNO base station applies one or more rules included in a stored Service Profile Identifier, corresponding to the UE, the applying of the one or more rules causes the MNO base station to disconnect or deny service to the UE. Alternatively, when it is determined that the UE did not detect a signal from a base station, e.g. a CBSD, in its MVNO, then the MNO base station provides communications service to the UE.

Abstract: Methods and systems for citizens broadband radio service (CBRS) interference management using dual subscriber identification module (SIM) devices are described. The method includes assigning a physical cell identity (PCI) to each CBRS device (CBSD) granted unlicensed spectrum by a spectrum access system (SAS). Each spectrum granted CBSD may exchange PCIs with neighbor spectrum granted CBSDs to resolve PCIs and maintains a PCI table. A dual SIM device may be connected to a CBSD via a first SIM. Each spectrum granted CBSD having a connected dual SIM device reports a number of PCIs detected by the dual SIM device(s). A SAS designated dual SIM device may use a second SIM to measure power values of PCIs detected by the designated dual SIM device which are absent from a provided PCI table. The measured power values may be used by the SAS to make cluster interference decisions.

Abstract: A communication management resource detects or anticipates occurrence of wireless interference on a wireless channel allocated to a wireless base station to communicate with multiple communication devices. In response to the detected wireless interference, the communication management resource determines a group of the multiple communication devices receiving data of a particular type from the wireless base station. To reduce the wireless interference, the wireless base station notifies the communication devices in the group to operate in a device-to-device communication mode as an alternative path of conveying the particular type of data to the group of communication devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing backhaul communications. An exemplary method embodiment includes the steps of: determining, by a first wireless base station of a first wireless network, whether a first backhaul connection path between the first wireless base station and a core network entity of a first service provider includes a communications link which is part of a second network being operated by a different service provider; determining, by the first wireless base station, data transmission latency between the first wireless base station and the core network entity using the first backhaul connection path; establishing, by the first wireless base station, a second backhaul connection path between the first wireless base station and the core network entity, said second backhaul connection including a wireless connection to a second wireless base station which is part of the first wireless network.

Abstract: A first dual SIM user equipment (UE) has a first wireless connection to first Citizens Broadband radio Services Devices (CBSD) of a first network and a second wireless connection to a second CBSD of a second network. Different encryption and different frequency hopping patterns are used with regard to communicating the same voice packet information over the first and second wireless connections. The same voice information is attempted to be redundantly communicated over the two connections, e.g. concurrently or with a slight delay with regard to the two connections. The CBRS communications are typically less reliable than cellular licensed spectrum communications, and a particular encrypted voice packet may, and sometimes is lost; however, the redundancy is used to compensate for expected losses. Successfully recovered encrypted voice packets are sent from the CBSDs to a packet synchronizer which performs decryption and combines the recovered packets into a single packet stream.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for multi-mode operation of a wireless-enabled device, including for extending the range of the wireless signal in a wireless network. In one embodiment, a multi-mode Consumer Premises Equipment (CPE) is provided utilizing “quasi-licensed” CBRS (Citizen Broadband Radio Service) wireless spectrum. In one variant, the apparatus and methods provide a solution to use a CPE in a Wi-Fi extender mode to extend Wi-Fi signal from a router. In another variant, a solution is provided to use a CPE in an LTE repeater mode to extend the LTE signal from an LTE eNB/gNB. In another embodiment, a CPE is used as a base station for a wireless network utilizing “quasi-licensed” CBRS (Citizen Broadband Radio Service) wireless spectrum.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhancing connectivity for a device backhauled by a wireline communication network. In one embodiment, the device comprises a small-cell or other wireless base station that is backhauled by a DOCSIS system within a managed HFC network, and the method and apparatus enable enhanced connection of user devices serviced by the base station (such as 3GPP UE or CBRS FWA) to a core entity for e.g., authentication and packet session establishment. In one implementation, enhanced Cable Termination System (CMTS) and cable modem (CM) devices coordinate to allocate prioritized service flows to traffic sourced from the base station. These service flows can selectively bypass extant DOCSIS protocols which might otherwise increase connection latency (including connection failure) such as AQM (active queue management) and packet dropping algorithms. In some variants, upstream service flow data rates can also be enhanced through temporary utilization of higher-order modulation and/or coding schemes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhancing packet scheduler fairness in a small-cell wireless communication network. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatus utilize “quasi-licensed” CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) wireless spectrum in conjunction with 3GPP wireless communication network (e.g. 4G LTE or 5GNR) for the delivery of services to a number of enhanced CPE (consumer premises equipment), such as fixed wireless apparatus (FWAe). The various FWAe report Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) data to their respective serving base stations over time, and each base station both builds a statistical characterization of each FWAe, and maps the CQI data to a prescribed configuration (e.g., to the Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS)) adaptively for the transmission of the data to the FWAe, and development of a scheduler priority for each FWAe. In one implementation, once the CQI values are stable for a given FWAe, CQI reporting is terminated for a period of time.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing interference management and load balancing in a wireless network. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus utilize quasi-licensed CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) wireless spectrum in conjunction with enhanced SAS (Spectrum Access System) and base station (e.g., CBSD) components to enable creation and management of virtual clusters of bases stations connected to the network, so as to enable inter-cluster interference mitigation, while also supporting load balancing between the base stations using coverage area overlap. In one implementation, the SAS reduces the coverage area (transmit power) of one or more base stations on a cluster edge to mitigate inter-cluster interference, and increases or adjusts the coverage of one or more base stations inside of the cluster to enable load balancing.

Abstract: The presentation invention relates to methods and apparatus for managing cable network power consumption. An exemplary method in accordance with one embodiment includes the steps of: receiving, by a cable modem positioned between a cable modem termination system (CMTS) and a wireless base station, CMTS buffer information; receiving, by the cable modem, wireless base station buffer information; switching, by the cable modem, from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation after performing one or both of: (i) transmitting uplink data to the CMTS, and (ii) transmitting downlink data to the wireless base station, the second mode of operation being a power savings modem of operation; remaining in the power savings mode of operation for a first time period, the first time period being based on at least one of said CMTS buffer information or said wireless base station buffer information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing capacity in a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) network. An exemplary method embodiment includes operating a Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD) of a cell to perform the steps of: receiving a power down message; decreasing, in response to the power down message, UE inactivity timer length for one or more UEs from a first length to a second length; and continuing to transmit packets to UEs at an edge of the cell. An exemplary system embodiment includes: a CBSD of a cell that comprises: a network receiver that receives a power down message; a first processor that controls the first CBSD to decrease, in response to the power down message, UE inactivity timer length for one or more UEs from a first length to a second length; and a wireless transmitter that continues to transmit packets to UEs at an edge of the cell.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhancing data rates in a small-cell wireless communication network. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatus utilize “quasi-licensed” CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) wireless spectrum in conjunction with 3GPP wireless communication network (e.g. 4G LTE or 5GNR) for the delivery of services to a number of enhanced fixed wireless apparatus (CPEe/FWAe) at user or subscriber premises. The various CPEe/FWAe report Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) data to their respective serving base stations, and each base station maps the CQI value to a prescribed configuration (e.g., to the Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS)) adaptively for the transmission of the data to the CPEe/FWAe. In one implementation, the base stations update the CQI to MCS values adaptively according to ACK/NACK requests received from the CPEe/FWAe.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operation of a dual-connectivity enabled premises device in a 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. having 4G/4.5G LTE and 5G NR base stations) for the provision of services to a number of installed enhanced fixed wireless apparatus (FWAe) at user or subscriber premises. The FWAe has dual-connectivity functionality, and can connect to two different access technologies simultaneously. The FWAe (and base stations) also support a “split” mode of operation wherein each air interface is selectively used for only certain types of traffic (e.g., UL or DL only).

Abstract: The presentation invention relates to methods and apparatus for managing cable network power consumption. An exemplary method in accordance with one embodiment includes the steps of: receiving a message by a cable modem instructing the cable modem to reduce power consumption; increasing, by the cable modem, a buffer size of at least one of: (i) a cable modem downlink buffer included in the cable modem, or (ii) a cable modem uplink buffer included in the cable modem in response to receiving the message; and switching, by the cable modem, from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation after performing one or both of: (i) transmitting uplink data to the cable modem termination system, and (ii) transmitting downlink data to a wireless base station, said second mode of operation being a power savings modem of operation.