System and method for a media access control scheduler for a long term evolution unlicensed network environment

Abstract

An example method is provided in one example embodiment and may include determining, by a first communication device, whether one or more other communication devices are communicating wireless signals in a particular channel of an unlicensed band of the communication network; scheduling one or more Long Term Evolution Unlicensed (LTE-U) sub-frames within a frame schedule for a user equipment (UE) based, at least in part, on determining that one or more communication devices are communicating wireless signals in the particular channel; and communicating the one or more LTE-U sub-frames to the UE according to the frame schedule.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of communications, and more particularly to systems and methods for a Media Access Control (MAC) scheduler in a Long Term Evolution Unlicensed (LTE-U) network environment. Background technique [0002] Network architectures have become increasingly complex in terms of communication environments. Mobile communication networks have seen substantial growth in the subscriber base as end users become more closely connected to the mobile wireless environment. As the number of mobile subscribers increases, efficient management of communication resources becomes increasingly important. In some instances, network service providers desire to offload certain mobile communications to unlicensed bands, such as LTE-U, in order to reduce network congestion, or in some cases provide differentiated services to subscribers. But there are also significant challenges in managing access to LTE-U, especially in the con...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

But there are also significant challenges in managing access to LTE-U, especially in the context of sharing the LTE-U frequency band with other wireless devices and wireless access points operating in the network

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