Abstract: Fifth generation (5G) non-standalone (NSA) radio access system employing virtual fourth generation (4G) master connection to enable dual system data connectivity. The 5G NSA radio access system employs a virtual 4G radio access node (RAN) to provide a logical master data connection to a user mobile communications device, and a 5G RAN to provide an additional, secondary high-speed data plane between the user mobile communications device to a core network. The virtual 4G RAN does not provide an actual 4G radio connection over-the-air to the user mobile communications device. Instead, the signaling transported between the user mobile communications device and the virtual 4G RAN is provided over a non-radio connection, such as an internet protocol (IP) connection. In this manner, the deployment of the 5G NSA radio access system employing the virtual 4G RAN can be achieved without updating existing 4G RANs and/or without deploying a new 4G RAN infrastructure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing an aggregated self-organizing network (A-SON). In such, a plurality of small cells is grouped into clusters using available topology information. In one implementation, a subset of clusters is assigned to groups of a first type, such that the clusters within a group of the first type have minimal RF connectivity. For example, scanning or updating of RF parameters may then be coordinated such that adjacent clusters do not scan or update simultaneously but clusters within groups of the first type do have at least partially overlapping scans or updates. Similarly, subsets of clusters may be assigned to first and second groups of a second type, such that the clusters within a first group of the second type have sufficient coverage to provide RF connectivity to clusters within the second group, if the second group encounters a service interruption. Other benefits are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing an aggregated self-organizing network (A-SON). In such, a plurality of small cells is grouped into clusters using available topology information. In one implementation, a subset of clusters is assigned to groups of a first type, such that the clusters within a group of the first type have minimal RF connectivity. For example, scanning or updating of RF parameters may then be coordinated such that adjacent clusters do not scan or update simultaneously but clusters within groups of the first type do have at least partially overlapping scans or updates. Similarly, subsets of clusters may be assigned to first and second groups of a second type, such that the clusters within a first group of the second type have sufficient coverage to provide RF connectivity to clusters within the second group, if the second group encounters a service interruption. Other benefits are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing an aggregated self-organizing network (A-SON). In such, a plurality of small cells is grouped into clusters using available topology information. In one implementation, a subset of clusters is assigned to groups of a first type, such that the clusters within a group of the first type have minimal RF connectivity. For example, scanning or updating of RF parameters may then be coordinated such that adjacent clusters do not scan or update simultaneously but clusters within groups of the first type do have at least partially overlapping scans or updates. Similarly, subsets of clusters may be assigned to first and second groups of a second type, such that the clusters within a first group of the second type have sufficient coverage to provide RF connectivity to clusters within the second group, if the second group encounters a service interruption. Other benefits are also described.

Abstract: A method of coordinating a plurality of radio access networks (RANs) includes aggregating, with a gateway, communications interfaces between a plurality of RANs and a packet core network through the gateway. A plurality of radio nodes (RNs) in each of the RANs is communicatively coupled to the gateway and to user equipment (UE) devices associated with the RNs in each of the RANs. The gateway also controls and coordinates mobility of the UE devices within and among the RANs. In addition, the gateway acts as a virtual enhanced NodeB (eNB) to the packet core network, thereby hiding the aggregated communications interfaces from the packet core network.

Abstract: An access controller is coupled to an access point and receives data packets from connected user equipment. The access controller is configured to perform packet inspection techniques on the received packets to determine if they should be locally switched. In some embodiments, packets destined for a local intranet services may be locally switched to avoid congesting a core network link. In further embodiments, a local connection to the Internet may be used so that locally switched packets can also be directed to the Internet without the use of a core network link. In still further embodiment, in addition to packet inspection techniques, the access controller maintains a state table for the states of connected user equipment. The access controller may use the information in this table to further decide whether to perform local switching techniques.

Abstract: A method comprises multicasting an uplink configuration of a user equipment to multiple target local Radio Access Networks (RANs); receiving notification of detection of the presence of the user equipment from at least one of the multiple target local RANs; and sending a relocation request to the at least one of the multiple target local RANs based on the notifications of the detection of the presence of the user equipment.

Abstract: The present application describes methods for performing proxy communications between mobile stations connected to a femtocell network and a central telephone network controlled by a network operator. In some embodiments, a private branch exchange is configured to temporarily assign identification numbers to the mobile stations connected to the femtocell network. Incoming calls are directed to the private branch exchange rather than the connected mobile stations. After receiving the incoming call, the private branch exchange routes the incoming call to the correct mobile station. In some embodiments, these methods also enable mobile stations to cross between femtocell coverage areas within the same femtocell network without constantly updating the central network operator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described that enable a deployment of a system of wireless nodes, e.g., femtocells, which can self-configure themselves into a balanced and optimized wireless network. In various embodiments, access points switch between a network monitoring mode in which network monitoring is performed and a communications mode in which the access point serves one or more wireless terminals and communicates traffic data to/from the wireless terminals. Traffic data transmission to wireless terminals are not supported in network monitoring mode. Based on information gathered from one or more access nodes while they operating in network monitoring mode of operation, access point configuration information is generated and one or more access points are automatically configured.

Abstract: An access controller is coupled to an access point and receives data packets from connected user equipment. The access controller is configured to perform packet inspection techniques on the received packets to determine if they should be locally switched. In some embodiments, packets destined for a local intranet services may be locally switched to avoid congesting a core network link. In further embodiments, a local connection to the Internet may be used so that locally switched packets can also be directed to the Internet without the use of a core network link. In still further embodiment, in addition to packet inspection techniques, the access controller maintains a state table for the states of connected user equipment. The access controller may use the information in this table to further decide whether to perform local switching techniques.

Abstract: The present application describes methods for performing proxy communications between mobile stations connected to a femtocell network and a central telephone network controlled by a network operator. In some embodiments, a private branch exchange is configured to temporarily assign identification numbers to the mobile stations connected to the femtocell network. Incoming calls are directed to the private branch exchange rather than the connected mobile stations. After receiving the incoming call, the private branch exchange routes the incoming call to the correct mobile station. In some embodiments, these methods also enable mobile stations to cross between femtocell coverage areas within the same femtocell network without constantly updating the central network operator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described that enable a deployment of a system of wireless nodes, e.g., femtocells, which can self-configure themselves into a balanced and optimized wireless network. In various embodiments, access points switch between a network monitoring mode in which network monitoring is performed and a communications mode in which the access point serves one or more wireless terminals and communicates traffic data to/from the wireless terminals. Traffic data transmission to wireless terminals are not supported in network monitoring mode. Based on information gathered from one or more access nodes while they operating in network monitoring mode of operation, access point configuration information is generated and one or more access points are automatically configured.