Abstract:
A method to dynamically configure a base station based on evaluation of whether nearby and/or neighboring base stations operate on a preferred coverage frequency. For instance, the base station could be configured to broadcast as a start-scanning threshold value a relatively high value in response to determining that a base station operating on the preferred coverage frequency is located within a predefined threshold distance. Further, the base station could be configured to broadcast as the start-scanning threshold value an intermediate value in response to determining that no nearby base station operates on the preferred coverage frequency but at least one base station that is a handover neighbor operates on the preferred coverage frequency. And the base station could be configured to broadcast as the start-scanning threshold value a relatively low value in response to determining that no nearby base stations or handover neighbors operate on the preferred coverage frequency.
Abstract:
A voice coding rate is selected for a voice call involving a user equipment (UE) device based on an air interface efficiency of the base station serving the UE device. The air interface efficiency of the base station is determined based on at least one of (i) a beamforming capability of the base station, (ii) a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) capability of the base station, or (iii) an antenna configuration of the base station. The voice coding rate could be selected by either the UE device or by the base station. The UE device transmits to the base station during the voice call one or more voice frames that convey voice data coded at the selected voice coding rate. During the voice call, a new air interface efficiency may be determined, and a new voice coding rate may be selected based on the new air interface efficiency.
Abstract:
A voice coding rate is selected for a voice call involving a user equipment (UE) device based on an air interface efficiency of the base station serving the UE device. The air interface efficiency of the base station is determined based on at least one of (i) a beamforming capability of the base station, (ii) a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) capability of the base station, or (iii) an antenna configuration of the base station. The voice coding rate could be selected by either the UE device or by the base station. The UE device transmits to the base station during the voice call one or more voice frames that convey voice data coded at the selected voice coding rate. During the voice call, a new air interface efficiency may be determined, and a new voice coding rate may be selected based on the new air interface efficiency.
Abstract:
A base station may manage transmissions between the base station and wireless communication devices (WCDs), where the base station serves the WCDs over an air interface, and where the base station is configured to engage in downlink transmission using a particular quantity of transmit antennas. In one example, the base station determines that each of at least one WCD currently being served by the base station is configured to support a particular modulation scheme. And in responsive to the determining, the base station reduces the quantity of transmit antennas and engages in the downlink transmission using the reduced quantity of transmit antennas.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method and system for controlling air interface communication in a wireless communication system that supports multiple TDD configurations. In a disclosed example, a base station's cell is initially configured to operate with a particular TDD configuration. The base station then detects a trigger to reduce uplink latency in the cell, such as by detecting a threshold number of devices being served with latency-sensitive communication such as voice-over-packet communication. And the base station responsively reconfigures the cell to operate with a different TDD configuration having lower uplink latency, where uplink latency of each TDD configuration is based average wait to uplink subframe of the TDD configuration.
Abstract:
A method and system for controlling TTI bundling in a wireless communication system that includes a base station configured to serve UEs over an air interface, where each UE has a maximum transmit power for air interface transmission, where the UEs include a first class of UEs and a second class of UEs, and where the maximum transmit power of the UEs of the second class is higher than the maximum transmit power of the UEs of the first class. The base station detects a capacity constraint on the air interface, such a threshold high air interface load, and the base station responds by operating in a mode in which the base station differentially controls application of TTI bundling as between the first class of UEs and the second class of UEs, based on the second class of UEs having higher maximum transmit power than the first class of UEs.
Abstract:
A method and system for managing capacity of a base station's air interface. The base station identifies a served user equipment device (UE) based at least in part on the UE being located in an area of overlap between coverage of the base station and coverage of another base station. The base station then increases an order of modulation of air interface communication between the base station and the identified UE, so as to help free up some air interface capacity. Further, in view of the possible decrease in reliability of communication due to the increased order of modulation, the base station may also invoke use of Coordinated Multipoint Communication (CoMP) for the UE to help improve air interface communication between the base station and the UE.
Abstract:
A method and system for managing voice codec rate used for voice communication by a user equipment device (UE). In accordance with the disclosure, the voice codec rate will be established (e.g., set or modified) based on a consideration of what type or types of non-voice communication the UE will engage in or is engaging in concurrently with the voice communication.
Abstract:
A method and system for selecting carrier frequencies to use as a user equipment device's (UE's) primary component carrier (PCell) and secondary component carrier (SCell) for carrier aggregation service, based on consideration of the type of content that will be transmitted to or from the UE. A base station that is arranged to operate on a plurality of carrier frequencies may determine a type of content that will be communicated between the base station and a UE being served by the base station. Based on the determined type of content, the base station may select a first carrier frequency of the plurality to use as a PCell and may further select a second carrier frequency of the plurality to use as an SCell. The base station may then provide the UE with carrier aggregation service concurrently on the PCell and SCell.
Abstract:
Disclosed is method and apparatus to help reduce PRACH interference. In accordance with the disclosure, when a first base station determines that there is a threshold level of interference from a second base station, the first base station transmits to the second base station a directive that causes the second base station to reduce PUSCH transmission in PUSCH resources that are coincident in frequency with the first base station's PRACH. In a scenario where two base stations provide overlapping coverage and operate on the same frequency as each other, and where coverage of the second base station may interfere with coverage of the first base station, this process may thereby help to minimize or eliminate interference that PUSCH communication in the second base station's coverage area would have on PRACH communication in the first base station's coverage area.