Apparatus and methods for spectrum scheduling in heterogeneous wireless networks

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for coordinating operation of two or more wireless networks operating within a common area or venue. In one embodiment, the apparatus and methods provide mechanisms for scheduling access node(s) of one or more of the wireless networks relative to others of the networks so as to minimize interference or contention for common frequency resources (e.g., unlicensed spectrum such as that used by WLAN, NR-U or LTE-U technologies). In one variant, a network coordinator process generates schedule data that is pushed to one or more of the wireless networks that specifies temporal and spatial aspects wherein access nodes of the recipient one or more networks can operate (e.g., transmit) with suitable levels of interference from other wireless network(s) operating within the area or venue. The schedule data is separate from underlying protocol scheduling by the access nodes, thereby preserving all operational aspects of the underlying ireless protocols.