Sprint Spectrum L.p.

Sprint Communications Comapny L.p.

Gene S Mitchell

Maneesh Gauba

Sreekar Marupaduga

Paul S Smithey

Lyle Thomas Bertz

Jeremy Richard Breau

Frederick Carl Rogers

John William Prock

Timothy Wayne Sill

Stephen R Bales

Salvador Cerda

Nitesh Manchanda

Vanil Parihar

Tim W Sill

Martin D Zeller

A frame configuration is assigned in a relay enabled communication network. A macro coverage latency is determined. The macro coverage latency is a latency of a communication between the wireless device and a network node when the wireless device is not communicating through the relay node. A relay coverage latency is determined. The relay coverage latency is a latency of a communication between the wireless device and the network node when the wireless device is communicating through the relay node. Based on a comparison of the macro coverage latency and the relay coverage latency, a frame configuration is selected for a communication through the relay node.

Assigning a frame configuration in a relay enabled communication network

A communication system dynamically controls a User Equipment (UE) handover for multiple repeaters linked in series that include a source repeater and target repeater. The communication system determines individual UE loading for each of the multiple repeaters. The communication system modifies a handover threshold between the source repeater and the target repeater based on the UE loading for each of the multiple repeaters in the series. The communication system serves the UE over the source repeater and applies the modified handover threshold to a signal strength difference between the source repeater and the target repeater. The communication system inhibits the UE handover from the source repeater to the target repeater if the signal strength difference for the UE falls below the modified handover threshold and initiates the UE handover from the source repeater to the target repeater if the signal strength difference for the UE reaches the modified handover threshold.

Dynamically controlling a user equipment (UE) handover from a source repeater

Methods and systems for reducing interference between base stations are disclosed herein. In accordance with an example method, a first base station iterates through emitting of a plurality of different radiation patterns from the first base station. The first base station also receives, from a second base station, feedback based on evaluation by the second base station of noise floor respectively for each of the different radiation patterns emitted from the first base station. Based on the received feedback, the first base station then sets itself to operate with a particular one of the radiation patterns. Example base stations and communication networks operable to perform the disclosed methods are also disclosed.

Dynamic management of base station radiation pattern based on feedback from adjacent base station

A communication system automatically provides a secure communication link between a device and a network. A switch initiates a wireless link between the switch and the network. Then, a secure communication path is created between the switch and the network. When a device is linked to the switch, the device is automatically granted access to the secure communication path created by the switch.

System and method for establishing a secure wireless communication path

Disclosed is a method and corresponding system for dynamically activating a relay in a radio access network (RAN) that includes a plurality of base stations. Each base station may radiate to define one or more respective wireless coverage areas, and each coverage area may operate on one or more carrier frequencies. The RAN may be arranged to receive, from a user equipment device (UE) that is being served by a base station of the RAN on a first carrier frequency, a report indicating threshold low wireless performance on the first carrier frequency. In response to the report indicating threshold low wireless performance, the RAN may be arranged to then activate a relay that functions to communicate with the base station over a relay backhaul interface, and communicate with the UE on a second carrier frequency that is different from the first carrier frequency.

Method and system for dynamically activating a relay

A method and system for facilitating location of a wireless communication device communicating via a communication path that includes a fiber optic cable is disclosed. The delay associated with a communication propagating through a fiber optic cable can be used to more accurately determine inputs used when locating a device using triangulation. The delay introduced by the cable may vary with the temperature of the cable. Therefore, the temperature associated with the cable is measured and used to determine a delay associated with the fiber optic cable. An indicator of the delay may then be used by a positioning system to more accurately locate a wireless communication device.

Method and system for reporting fiber optic delay for use in locating a wireless communication device

Controlling a cellular radio frequency repeater amplifier and their gain factors. In preferred embodiments, the method is used in personal home repeaters that may be used by wireless services users. The repeaters are preferably configured to automatically control their setting without requiring supervision or control by the wireless service provider. The wireless provider also need not have knowledge of where the repeater devices are placed within the network. The preferred system and methods reduce potential problems that may arise when repeaters with fixed gain are placed within close proximity of a cell site. The preferred methods shut down the forward and reverse amplifiers based on the received signal level from the base station.

Method and system for repeater shutdown based on received power

A method and system for detecting, at a repeater, that a communication passing between a wireless communication device and radio access network infrastructure via the wireless repeater has a predefined characteristic and responsively outputting a reporting signal is disclosed. The reporting signal may be sent to a database which is accessible to a positioning system. The reporting signal may contain information regarding attributes of the repeater. Using the attributes of the repeater, the positioning system may be able to perform more accurate triangulation when locating the wireless communication device.

Growing community of inventors

Blue Springs, MO, United States of America

Gene S Mitchell