Method and apparatus for SAS interference suppression option

Abstract

This application relates to SAS interference suppression options. Various embodiments for implementing spectrum access system (SAS) interference suppression options are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a memory for storing data sequences, and one or more processing devices coupled to the memory. The processing devices are configured to generate interference metrics associated with a first set and a second set of infrastructure nodes of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network infrastructure based on measurement information. The measurement information includes measurements related to the transmission of data sequences associated with the first set and the second set. Accordingly, configuration settings for the first set and the second set of infrastructure nodes are determined based on the generated interference metrics. Each configuration setting represents a frequency band and a transmit power level for the respective infrastructure node to access data in the LTE network infrastructure.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application is a divisional application of a patent application for invention, with an international filing date of July 11, 2016, an international application number of PCT / US2016 / 041722, an entry date into the Chinese national phase on March 16, 2018, a Chinese national application number of 201680054268.0, and an invention title of "SAS Interference Suppression Option".

[0003] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 242,872, filed on October 16, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communications, including controlling and operating network connections to suppress interference between mobile network operators. BACKGROUND ART

[0005] A Spectrum Access System (SAS) is a cloud-based service that manages access to radio frequency bands of the electromagnetic spectrum (also referred to as the spectrum). In many cases, the spectrum is shared by entities in several different dimensions, including frequency and geographical location. For example, the SAS may employ spectrum sharing in the same frequency band but different geographical areas. The spectrum is shared due to the scarcity of communication spectrum and the increasing demand due to a large number of new Internet access points and devices consuming more bandwidth. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The summary of the invention provided herein outlines one or more example embodiments, partial or complete, of the techniques described herein.

[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for a base station, including: one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the base station to: generate, based on measurement information, an interference metric associated with a first group of a plurality of groups of infrastructure nodes of a 5G cellular network infrastructure, wherein the measurement information includes measurements related to the transmission of a predetermined sequence associated with the first group, and wherein the infrastructure nodes of the first group simultaneously transmit the predetermined sequence associated with the first group; transmit the interference metric to a second network node; and transmit a predetermined sequence associated with a second group of the plurality of groups of infrastructure nodes.

[0008] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of operating a base station. The method includes: by the base station: generating an interference metric associated with a first group of a plurality of groups of infrastructure nodes based on measurement information, where the measurement information includes measurements related to the transmission of a predetermined sequence, the predetermined sequence being associated with the first group, and where the infrastructure nodes of the first group simultaneously transmit the predetermined sequence associated with the first group; and transmitting the interference metric to a second network node; transmitting a predetermined sequence associated with a second group of the plurality of groups of infrastructure nodes.

[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cellular network. The cellular network includes: a first group of infrastructure nodes; a first base station; and a second network node; where the first group of infrastructure nodes is configured to: simultaneously transmit a predetermined sequence associated with the first group; where the first base station is configured to: generate an interference metric associated with the first group of infrastructure nodes, where the measurement information includes measurements related to the transmission of the predetermined sequence associated with the first group; transmit the interference metric to the second network node; and transmit a predetermined sequence associated with a second group of infrastructure nodes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing example components of an electronic device implementing aspects of the present disclosure according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing example components of a system for implementing interference suppression options according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing example components and communications in a network infrastructure according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 is showing according to an embodiment Figure 3 of another view of components and communications in a network infrastructure.

[0015] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of an example method for suppressing interference in a network infrastructure according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 6 shows a flowchart of an example method for suppressing interference between mobile network operators according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 7 shows a flowchart of an example method for suppressing interference between mobile network operators according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 8 A block diagram of a machine is shown in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be used. Detailed Description

[0019] Techniques for implementing spectrum access system (SAS) interference mitigation options are disclosed herein. The SAS may govern and manage access to radio frequency bands of the electromagnetic spectrum (also referred to as the spectrum). For example, a service entity submits an application to the SAS by listing priority access licenses (PALs) that it is interested in accessing preferentially. An entity may request a specific PAL from the SAS, which identifies both a frequency range and a geographic area to be accessed (e.g., census tract, zip code, neighborhood name, etc.). For example, a specific PAL requested by an entity may identify 10 MHz of spectrum in a specific census tract. Generally, a census tract is a geographic area with approximately 4000 residents and boundaries that follow visible features.

[0020] In some cases, similar spectrum-sharing-based systems (e.g., European Licensed Shared Access) are defined for specific frequency bands (3.55 - 3.7 GHz for SAS and 2.3 - 2.4 GHz for LSA), but they can be applicable to any other suitable future frequency bands from 0 - 300 GHz and above, and any suitable bandwidths (10 MHz, 20 MHz, 100 MHz, any (integer) multiple of such bandwidths, etc.). In an embodiment, the SAS PAL band (and the LSA licensed band) may depend on a licensed system (e.g., LTE, etc.) with additional provisions required for the (SAS) spectrum-sharing system (e.g., access to SAS entities, protection of incumbents, etc.), and the SAS GAA band (which does not exist in the European LSA environment) may depend on an unlicensed system (e.g., WiFi, MuLTEfire, etc.) with additional provisions required for the (SAS) spectrum-sharing system (e.g., access to SAS entities, protection of incumbents, etc.); however, GAA may even be established on a licensed system, on a joint operating system established on a licensed system with additional provisions required for the (SAS) spectrum-sharing system (e.g., access to SAS entities, protection of incumbents, etc.) and an unlicensed system. Any radio link can operate according to any one or more of the following radio communication technologies and / or standards, including but not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) radio communication technology, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) radio communication technology, Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE) radio communication technology, and / or 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) radio communication technology, e.g., Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Freedom of Multimedia Access (FOMA), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), 3GPP LTE Advanced Pro, 3GPP Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE Advanced), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), Mobitex, 3rd Generation (3G), Circuit Switched Data (CSD), High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (3rd Generation) (UMTS(3G)), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) (W-CDMA(UMTS)), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), High Speed Packet Access Plus (HSPA+), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Time Division Duplex (UMTS-TDD), Time Division - Code Division Multiple Access (TD-CDMA), Time Division - Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-CDMA), 3rd Generation Partnership Project Release 8 (prior to 4th Generation) (3GP Rel.8(Pre-4G)), 3GPP Rel.9 (3rd Generation Partnership Project Release 9), 3GPP Rel.10 (3rd Generation Partnership Project Release 10), 3GPP Rel.11 (3rd Generation Partnership Project Release 11), 3GPP Rel.12 (3rd Generation Partnership Project Release 12), 3GPP Rel.13 (3rd Generation Partnership Project Release 13), 3GPP Rel.14 (3rd Generation Partnership Project Release 14), 3GPP Rel.15 (3rd Generation Partnership Project Release 15), 3GPP Rel.16 (3rd Generation Partnership Project Release 16), 3GPP LTE additional, LTE Licensed-Assisted Access (LAA), UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA), Long Term Evolution Advanced (4th Generation) (LTE Advanced (4G)), cdmaOne (2G), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (3rd Generation) (CDMA2000 (3G)), Optimized Evolution Data or Evolution-Data Only (EV-DO), Advanced Mobile Phone System (1st Generation) (AMPS (1G)), Total Access Communication System / Extended Total Access Communication System (TACS / ETACS), Digital AMPS (2nd Generation) (D-AMPS (2G)), Push-to-Talk (PTT), Mobile Telephone System (MTS), Improved Mobile Telephone System (IMTS), Advanced Mobile Telephone System (AMTS), OLT (Norwegian Offentlig Landmobil Telefoni, Public Land Mobile Telephone), MTD (Swedish abbreviation Mobiltelefonisystem D, or Mobile Telephone System D), Public Automated Land Mobile (Autotel / PALM), ARP (Finnish Autoradiopuhelin, "Automobile Radiotelephone"), NMT (Nordic Mobile Telephone), High Capacity Version NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone) (Hicap), Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), Mobitex, DataTAC, Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN), Personal Digital Cellular (PDC), Circuit Switched Data (CSD), Personal Handy-phone System (PHS), Wideband Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (WiDEN), iBurst, Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) (also known as 3GPP Generic Access Network or GAN standard), Zigbee,. Wireless Gigabit Alliance (WiGig) standard, general mmWave standards (wireless systems operating at 10 - 300 GHz and above, e.g., WiGig, IEEE802.11ad, IEEE 802.11ay, etc.), future 5G (5th Generation System), etc.

[0021] In many cases, the spectrum is shared by entities in several different dimensions, including frequency and geographical location. For example, SAS can adopt spectrum sharing in the same frequency band but different geographical regions. These geographical regions can be defined as different markets, or defined by geographical exclusion zones that prohibit specific activities in specific geographical regions. The spectrum is shared due to the scarcity of communication spectrum and the increasing demand as a large number of new Internet access points and devices consume more bandwidth. In some cases, the same PAL can be assigned to two different entities that are independent of each other. For example, within two census tracts (e.g., census tract "A" and "B"), the same PAL time slot (e.g., 10 MHz time slot) can be independently assigned to different (e.g., competing) mobile network operators (MNOs), e.g., MNO "1" and "2". One problem with spectrum sharing is that MNO "1" in census tract "A" may be negatively affected by interference from MNO "2" in the neighboring census tract "B", and vice versa.

[0022] In some cases, a coordination mechanism can be used to share the spectrum among different systems operating within the same frequency band. In one example, the coordination mechanism may rely on a coexistence infrastructure that knows how the primary users in a known geographical region are using a specific spectrum and uses that knowledge to manage the spectrum access of all other users. Generally, in some cases, the coordination mechanism for spectrum sharing may not be able to achieve interference suppression between adjacent census tracts. For example, in a dense urban area, the size and shape of census tracts may be very irregular. This may make it difficult for current methods to map geographical regions into regularly shaped adjacent cells (e.g., hexagonal cells). Each cell represents the land area in which the network is distributed and is served by at least one fixed-location transceiver (called a cell site or base station).

[0023] In other cases, the coordination mechanism may not be able to achieve interference suppression in the same frequency band with non-cooperative device infrastructure located between adjacent cells. For example, a shopping mall can obtain a single PAL license within the census tract covering its business, while competing operators in the surrounding adjacent cells obtain PAL licenses for the same frequency band as the mall. In this case, the device infrastructure of the mall may be different from the device infrastructure used by the adjacent cells.

[0024] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques for implementing various interference suppression options between non - cooperative SAS network infrastructures. In some embodiments, the interference suppression options provide an appropriate trade - off between: i) spectral efficiency, ii) the level of information sharing required (which is a key issue for MNOs), and iii) complexity / feasibility as described herein. In one embodiment, the techniques of the present disclosure provide interference suppression by creating an interference metric that indicates the level of interference between two or a group of infrastructure components (e.g., citizen broadband service device (CBSD) / base station (BS) / evolved Node B (eNB) / access point (AP) / etc.). The interference metric can be derived from information provided by the relevant infrastructure components to an aggregation node (e.g., a SAS entity node). The aggregation node can then use the interference metric to suppress interference in the network by optimizing frequency allocation for the relevant infrastructure components or group of infrastructure components, and / or activation coordination (e.g., by allocating time slots, etc.), and by using other techniques to suppress interference between components of the network.

[0025] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing example components of an electronic device 100. In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 can be, can implement, can be incorporated into, or can otherwise be part of: a user equipment (UE), an evolved Node B (eNB), an infrastructure node, an aggregation node, or one or more elements of a SAS. In some embodiments, the electronic device 100 can include at least application circuitry 102, baseband circuitry 104, radio frequency (RF) circuitry 106, front - end module (FEM) circuitry 108, and one or more antennas 110 coupled together as shown.

[0026] As used herein, the term “circuitry” can refer to, belong to, or include an application - specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group), and / or a memory (shared, dedicated, or group), combinational logic circuitry, and / or other suitable hardware components that execute one or more software or firmware programs. In some embodiments, the circuitry can be implemented in one or more software or firmware modules, or the functions associated with the circuitry can be implemented by these software or firmware modules. In some embodiments, the circuitry can include at least logic that can operate in hardware.

[0027] The application circuit 102 may include one or more application processors. For example, the application circuit 102 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to: one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The (one or more) processors may include any combination of general-purpose processors and dedicated processors (e.g., graphics processors, application processors, etc.). The processor may be coupled to the memory / storage device and / or may include the memory / storage device, and may be configured to run instructions stored in the memory / storage device to enable various applications and / or operating systems to run on the system.

[0028] The application circuit 102 may further include a memory / storage device 102g. The memory / storage device 102g may be used to load and store data (e.g., data sequences) and / or instructions for operations to be executed by one or more application processors of the application circuit 102. The memory / storage device 102g may include a non-transitory machine-accessible storage medium on which software implementing any one or more of the methods described herein is stored. The memory / storage device for one embodiment may include any combination of suitable volatile and / or non-volatile memory. The memory / storage device 102g may include any combination of various levels of memory / storage devices, including but not limited to: read-only memory (ROM) with embedded software instructions (e.g., firmware), random access memory (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM)), cache, buffer, etc. The memory / storage device 102g may be shared among various processors or dedicated to a particular processor.

[0029] The baseband circuit 104 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The baseband circuit 104 may include one or more baseband processors and / or control logic to process baseband signals received from the receive signal path of the RF circuit 106 and generate baseband signals for the transmit signal path of the RF circuit 106. The baseband processing circuit 104 may be coupled to the application circuit 102 to generate and process baseband signals and control the operation of the RF circuit 106. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuit 104 may include a second-generation (2G) baseband processor 104a, a third-generation (3G) baseband processor 104b, a fourth-generation (4G) baseband processor 104c, and / or one or more other baseband processors 104d for other existing generations, generations under development, or generations to be developed in the future (e.g., fifth-generation (5G), 6G, etc.). The baseband circuit 104 (e.g., one or more of the baseband processors 104a-d) may process various radio control functions to support communication with one or more radio networks via the RF circuit 106. The radio control functions may include, but are not limited to, signal modulation / demodulation, encoding / decoding, radio frequency shift, etc. In some embodiments, the modulation / demodulation circuitry of the baseband circuit 104 may include fast Fourier transform (FFT), precoding, and / or constellation mapping / demapping functions. In some embodiments, the encoding / decoding circuitry of the baseband circuit 104 may include convolution, tail-biting convolution, turbo, Viterbi, and / or low-density parity-check (LDPC) encoder / decoder functions. Embodiments of the modulation / demodulation and encoder / decoder functions are not limited to these examples and may include other suitable functions in other embodiments.

[0030] In some embodiments, the baseband circuit 104 may include elements of the protocol stack, e.g., elements of the evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN) protocol, e.g., including: physical (PHY), media access control (MAC), radio link control (RLC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), and / or radio resource control (RRC) elements. The processing device 104e of the baseband circuit 104 may be configured to run elements of the protocol stack for signaling of the PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, and / or RRC layers. The processing device 104e may represent one or more general-purpose processing devices such as, for example, a microprocessor, a processor, a central processing unit, etc. In some embodiments, the baseband circuit may include one or more audio digital signal processors (DSPs) 104f. The one or more audio DSPs 104f may include elements for compression / decompression and echo cancellation and may include other suitable processing elements in other embodiments.

[0031] The baseband circuit 104 may also include a memory / storage device 104g. The memory / storage device 104g can be used to load and store data (e.g., data sequences) and / or instructions for operations to be executed by the processing device 104e of the baseband circuit 104. The memory / storage device 104g may include a non-transitory machine-accessible storage medium on which software implementing any one or more of the methods described herein is stored. The memory / storage device for one embodiment may include any combination of suitable volatile and / or non-volatile memories. The memory / storage device 104g may include any combination of various levels of memory / storage devices, including but not limited to: read-only memory (ROM) with embedded software instructions (e.g., firmware), random access memory (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM)), caches, buffers, etc. The memory / storage device 104g may be shared among various processors or dedicated to a particular processor.

[0032] In some embodiments, the components of the baseband circuit may be appropriately combined in a single chip, a single chipset, or arranged on the same circuit board. In some embodiments, some or all of the constituent components of the baseband circuit 104 and the application circuit 102 may be implemented together, for example, on a system-on-chip (SOC).

[0033] In some embodiments, the baseband circuit 104 may provide communication compatible with one or more radio technologies. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuit 104 may support communication with the evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN) and / or other wireless metropolitan area networks (WMAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), and wireless personal area networks (WPAN).

[0034] Embodiments in which the baseband circuit 104 is configured to support radio communication of multiple wireless protocols may be referred to as multi-mode baseband circuits.

[0035] The RF circuit 106 may support communication with a wireless network using modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. In various embodiments, the RF circuit 106 may include switches, filters, amplifiers, etc. to assist in communication with the wireless network. The RF circuit 106 may include a receive signal path that may include circuitry for down-converting an RF signal received from the FEM circuit 108 and providing a baseband signal to the baseband circuit 104. The RF circuit 106 may also include a transmit signal path that may include circuitry for up-converting the baseband signal provided by the baseband circuit 104 and providing an RF output signal to the FEM circuit 108 for transmission.

[0036] In some embodiments, the RF circuit 106 may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the RF circuit 106 may include a mixer circuit 106a, an amplifier circuit 106b, and a filter circuit 106c. The transmit signal path of the RF circuit 106 may include a filter circuit 106c and a mixer circuit 106a. The RF circuit 106 may further include a synthesizer circuit 106d for synthesizing frequencies for use by the mixer circuits 106a of the receive signal path and the transmit signal path. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 106a of the receive signal path may be configured to down-convert an RF signal received from the FEM circuit 108 based on the synthesized frequency provided by the synthesizer circuit 106d. The amplifier circuit 106b may be configured to amplify the down-converted signal, and the filter circuit 106c may be a low-pass filter (LPF) or a band-pass filter (BPF) configured to remove unwanted signals from the down-converted signal to generate an output baseband signal. The output baseband signal may be provided to the baseband circuit 104 for further processing. In some embodiments, the output baseband signal may be a zero-frequency baseband signal, but this is not required. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 106a of the receive signal path may include a passive mixer, but the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this regard.

[0037] In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 106a of the transmit signal path may be configured to up-convert an input baseband signal based on the synthesized frequency provided by the synthesizer circuit 106d to generate an RF output signal for the FEM circuit 108. The baseband signal may be provided by the baseband circuit 104 and may be filtered by the filter circuit 106c. The filter circuit 106c may include a low-pass filter (LPF), but the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this regard.

[0038] In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 106a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 106a of the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for quadrature down-conversion and / or up-conversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 106a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 106a of the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for image rejection (e.g., Hartley image rejection). In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 106a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 106a of the transmit signal path may be arranged for direct down-conversion and / or direct up-conversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 106a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 106a of the transmit signal path may be configured for superheterodyne operation.

[0039] In some embodiments, the output baseband signal and the input baseband signal may be analog baseband signals, but the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this regard. In some alternative embodiments, the output baseband signal and the input baseband signal may be digital baseband signals. In these alternative embodiments, the RF circuit 106 may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit, and the baseband circuit 104 may include a digital baseband interface to communicate with the RF circuit 106.

[0040] In some dual-mode embodiments, separate radio IC circuits may be provided to process signals of each spectrum, but the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this regard.

[0041] In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuit 106d may be a fractional-N synthesizer or a fractional-N / N+1 synthesizer, but the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this regard as other types of frequency synthesizers may be suitable. For example, the synthesizer circuit 106d may be a delta-sigma synthesizer, a frequency multiplier, or a synthesizer including a phase-locked loop with a frequency divider.

[0042] The synthesizer circuit 106d may be configured to synthesize an output frequency for use by the mixer circuit 106a of the RF circuit 106 based on a frequency input and a frequency divider control input. In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuit 106d may be a fractional-N / N+1 synthesizer.

[0043] In some embodiments, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) provides the frequency input, but this is not required. The baseband circuit 104 or the application circuit 102 may provide the frequency divider control input according to the desired output frequency. In some embodiments, the frequency divider control input (e.g., N) may be determined from a look-up table based on the channel indicated by the application circuit 102.

[0044] The synthesizer circuit 106d of the RF circuit 106 may include a frequency divider, a delay-locked loop (DLL), a multiplexer, and a phase accumulator. In some embodiments, the frequency divider may be a dual-mode frequency divider (DMD), and the phase accumulator may be a digital phase accumulator (DPA). In some embodiments, the DMD may divide an input signal by N or N+1 (e.g., based on a carry output) to provide a fractional division ratio. In some example embodiments, the DLL may include a set of cascaded tunable delay elements, a phase detector, a charge pump, and a D-type flip-flop. In these embodiments, the delay elements may be configured to decompose a VCO period into at most Nd equal phase bins, where Nd is the number of delay elements in the delay line. In this way, the DLL provides negative feedback to help ensure that the total delay through the delay line is one VCO period.

[0045] In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuit 106d may be configured to generate a carrier frequency as the output frequency, while in other embodiments, the output frequency may be a multiple of the carrier frequency (e.g., twice the carrier frequency, four times the carrier frequency) and used in conjunction with the quadrature generator and divider circuits to generate multiple signals having multiple different phases with respect to each other at the carrier frequency. In some embodiments, the output frequency may be the LO frequency (fLO). In some embodiments, the RF circuit 106 may include an IQ / polarity converter.

[0046] The FEM circuit 108 may include a receive signal path that may include circuitry configured to operate on RF signals received from one or more antennas 110, amplify the received signals, and provide an amplified version of the received signals to the RF circuit 106 for further processing. The FEM circuit 108 may also include a transmit signal path that may include circuitry configured to amplify signals provided by the RF circuit 106 for transmission by one or more of the one or more antennas 110.

[0047] In some embodiments, the FEM circuit 108 may include a TX / RX switch to switch between transmit mode and receive mode operations. The FEM circuit may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the FEM circuit may include a low noise amplifier (LNA) to amplify received RF signals and provide the amplified received RF signals as an output (e.g., to the RF circuit 106). The transmit signal path of the FEM circuit 108 may include a power amplifier (PA) for amplifying input RF signals (e.g., provided by the RF circuit 106) and one or more filters for generating RF signals for subsequent transmission (e.g., via one or more of the one or more antennas 110).

[0048] In some embodiments, the electronic device 100 may include additional elements such as a memory / storage device, a display, a camera, sensors, and / or an input / output (I / O) interface.

[0049] In some embodiments, the RF circuit 106 may be used to receive and / or transmit signals. The baseband circuit 104 may issue requests for signal power and interference information measured between infrastructure nodes. The baseband circuit 104 may also be used to generate a metric for measuring inter-node interference.

[0050] In some embodiments, RF circuit 106 can be used to receive and transmit signals. Baseband circuit 104 can be used to measure signal power and interference information between the device and one or more infrastructure nodes. Baseband circuit 104 can also be used to provide the determined information to an aggregator node to determine one or more inter-node interference metrics.

[0051] In some embodiments, RF circuit 106 can be used to receive and transmit signals and receive a trigger signal, e.g., an uplink signal, from an aggregator node that determines an inter-node interference metric. Baseband circuit 104 can be used to facilitate determination of signal power and interference information by infrastructure nodes of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) infrastructure.

[0052] The embodiments described herein can be implemented in a system using any suitable configured hardware and / or software. Figure 2 Example components of a system 200 for implementing an interference suppression method as described herein for one embodiment are shown. In some embodiments, the system can represent an example of an LTE infrastructure including multiple infrastructure nodes. For example, system 200 includes multiple SASs (e.g., SAS1 210 and SAS2 220) that can be used to coordinate spectrum usage among incumbent federal users, Priority Access Licensing (PAL) users, and General Authorized Access (GAA) users.

[0053] In some embodiments, the SASs (210, 220) can coordinate spectrum sharing within system 200 in the 3.5 GHz band by using a three-tier sharing system. In some embodiments, the priority order in the three-tier sharing system can include: (1) incumbent license holders; (2) PA license holders; and (3) GAA operators. The first and highest tier (“tier 1”) includes incumbent federal users and Fixed Satellite Service (“FSS”) operators. The second tier (“tier 2”) includes PAL users that may be authorized to use a specific range of unpaired 10 MHz channels within a geographic service area (e.g., a census tract) for a determined period of time. The third tier (“tier 3”) includes GAA operators that are allowed access to 80 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band that is not allocated to higher tiers. Devices used in the GAA band can be used without obtaining a separate spectrum license. The SAS is primary for coordinating spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band, and tier 2 or tier 3 devices may not operate unless they communicate with the SASs (210, 220) and receive information on when and where to use the 3.5 GHz channels.

[0054] In the presence of multiple SASs, e.g., in system 200, they can be synchronized with each other. The SAS serves as the central coordinator of the spectrum within system 200 and includes substantial information about the networks and devices used therein. In some embodiments, the SASs (e.g., 210, 220) are used to assist in spectrum sharing within system 200. In one scenario, system 200 can dedicate a frequency band for shared spectrum. For example, system 200 can employ a proxy / network manager 230, which can accept one or more available channels in 3.5 GHz and select channels for use by a particular CBSD 240 - 246. Further, the SASs (e.g., SAS_1 210 and SAS_2 220) can convey the allowed operating frequencies, the permitted transmission power levels, and the duration of requests from registered and authenticated CBSDs at a specified location. Without registering the location and connecting to the authorized FCC database 250, the CBSDs 240 - 246 will not be permitted to operate. To operate within the frequency band designated for shared spectrum, the registered CBSDs 240 - 246 must be able to be positioned in three dimensions (3D) with high precision nearly in real time so that the SAS can provide them with an accurate set of the allowed channels in a timely manner (i.e., on the order of seconds). In other cases, system 200 can implement an environmental sensing capability (“ESC”) system 260, which detects the presence of signals and forwards them from incumbent federal users to the SAS to assist in shared spectrum access and use in and around the 3.5 GHz band.

[0055] In some cases, interference may occur between the infrastructure components of system 200 due to shared spectrum in the system. This type of interference may occur when two or more systems operate in the same geographical area and transmit on the same frequency. To suppress interference, system 200 can include a metric generator 225 to generate specific interference metrics. The interference metrics can be based on information provided by relevant infrastructure components (e.g., CBSD / BS / eNB / AP / etc.) to an aggregation node (e.g., the SAS entity node 220). The provided information can include some or all of the following elements: geographical area description (including 3D indications such as height, obstacles, etc.), information about propagation characteristics (e.g., line of sight (LOS), non - line of sight (NLOS)), signal multipath (e.g., when an RF signal arrives at a receiving antenna from multiple propagation paths, etc.), and the output transmit power level (e.g., the maximum level or an indication of a particular allocation for a given time slot, etc.).

[0056] UEs 270 - 274 can be controlled by an authorized CBSD and are capable of receiving and decoding information from the CBSD. In various embodiments, to achieve interference suppression in a shared spectrum context, the metric generator 225 can work in cooperation with user equipment of the system 200 (e.g., cellular mobile devices, modems, etc.) (e.g., UE_1 270 to UE_3 274). For example, the determination of interference metrics by the metric generator 225 can include sending (learning / training) sequences to UEs 270 - 274 (e.g., mobile devices) within a particular cell or land area served by a cell site (e.g., a cell that acts as an interfering cell to other cells). For example, the learning sequence includes data symbols (e.g., data symbols in a particular order) sent according to a known training sequence. The (learning / training) sequence is used to probe the line communication in the system 200 to determine the interference level. For example, the measurement of the interference level between two UEs in the system 200 can be determined based on the amount of data loss or corruption detected in the data sequence from the sent learning sequence.

[0057] To activate the transmission of (learning / training) sequences between UEs, a master component (e.g., an SAS component or any (predetermined) master cell) can send a trigger signal (e.g., triggers 280 - 284) to the associated infrastructure equipment (e.g., CBSDs 240 - 246). The associated infrastructure equipment(s) can provide the trigger signal to the attached (selected) mobile devices (e.g., UEs 270 - 274). These devices can receive the trigger (e.g., triggers 280 - 284) and initiate the transmission of (training / learning) sequences, which can be utilized by adjacent cells to identify the aggregate interference level. For example, signals originating from mobile devices cause uplink interference, while any interference from infrastructure equipment causes downlink interference. Mobile devices can stop the transmission of their respective (training / learning) sequences when they receive a second trigger signal provided by their attached infrastructure component, or after a determined time interval has expired, or by any other technique.

[0058] In some cases, UEs 270-274 may not have an effective role in determining the interference level between infrastructure components of system 200. For example, some UEs, such as mobile devices, may remain silent (e.g., not transmit) during the period when they determine the interference metric and transmit (learn) signals in the air. In some cases, the UEs may be instructed to remain silent in those (one or more) frequency bands in which they transmit (training) sequences for interference metric determination. In such a case, the mobile devices (e.g., UEs 270-274) receive a first trigger signal (e.g., triggers 280-284) from their respective attached infrastructure components (e.g., CBSDs 240-246). This trigger may indicate the period during which transmissions should not be initiated in the UEs.

[0059] When the SAS component provides a second trigger signal, or when a certain predetermined (e.g., originally provided by the SAS in the original trigger signal) duration has passed so that the period for determining the interference parameter has expired, the normal operation or transmission capabilities of UEs 270-274 may be restored. In some embodiments, the UEs may wait for the second trigger signal before restoring their normal transmission capabilities (indicating the end of the determination of the interference metric).

[0060] In other embodiments, UEs 270-274 can be used as measurement nodes or emulation nodes (e.g., for emulating network traffic) to replace the transmissions of actual neighboring infrastructure components. For example, when some infrastructure components are not controlled by a given master component (e.g., SAS component, master infrastructure component, etc.), the relevant infrastructure components may not provide interference metrics. In such a case, UEs that are geographically close to the target infrastructure components can be identified. In such a case, the UEs can receive training sequences (e.g., sequences) and report the measured signal levels to the relevant master device. Additionally, if a given infrastructure component cannot communicate with the master component, it may not be possible to force the corresponding infrastructure component to transmit training / learning sequences. In such a case, one or more UEs that are geographically close to the target infrastructure components can be identified. These UEs, rather than the target infrastructure components, can be triggered via triggers 280-284 respectively to transmit training sequences. In some cases, the training sequences must be transmitted as uplink (UL) signals because this may be the only capability of the target UEs.

[0061] The infrastructure components of system 200 provide the determined interference metric values to a target node or an aggregator node. For example, the target / aggregator node can be a SAS component such as SAS_2 220, a primary infrastructure component 229 (e.g., a (predetermined) BS, eNB, AP, etc.). In some embodiments, a SAS component (e.g., SAS_2 220) can be included in the primary infrastructure component 229 (e.g., eNB). In an embodiment, the target node can use the interference metric together with any other available information (e.g., the geographical location of the target infrastructure component, the preferred / available / possible output transmit power level (interval), the available frequency band, the available bandwidth, etc.) to derive the optimal parameterization of the entire LTE network. For example, the optimal parameterization can include the use of an appropriate target (shared) frequency band and the associated maximum output transmit power level. In some cases, the frequency band and the output power level are selected across the network such that the interference level to each component (interference to the incumbent as well as to the SAS component itself) is as low as possible. For example, this is achieved by a centralized allocation of the frequency and the maximum output power level according to the requests of the relevant nodes. It should be noted that the Wireless Innovation Forum (WInnF) currently includes an option that allows individual nodes to request a specific frequency band allocation. Further, the SAS controller can authorize or not authorize the allocation request (without performing the overall optimization of the best possible frequency band allocation for the entire network). To this end, the target node can use the interference metric to determine the network bandwidth configuration settings (e.g., network bandwidth, channel allocation, maximum output power level, etc.) in a specific frequency band, which will be used by each infrastructure component to access (e.g., transmit / receive) data in the LTE network according to the access requests of network nodes (e.g., SAS LTE BS). In some embodiments, any parameterization of a base station (or any other network node) can involve not only omnidirectional transmission (typical for UE devices) but also sector transmission (typical for base stations). For sector transmission, the frequency and / or the maximum power level allocation can be optimized (independently) for each sector of each base station / network node.

[0062] In addition, a target / aggregation node (e.g., SAS 225) may identify other suitable reconfiguration parameters, such as a maximum output power level (and possibly a recommended minimum power level to avoid an excessive interference level from adjacent nodes), MIMO configuration (e.g., steering the output beam away from certain infrastructure nodes or even user equipment that should be protected), a preferred (channel) coding and / or associated modulation and coding scheme (MCS) that results in a sufficient level of interference robustness, etc. For example, the system may need to operate at a particular level in the context of the observed noise / interference level, which requires selection of an MCS such that a target packet error rate (PER or bit error rate (BER) or any other relevant metric) is achieved. In this regard, an MCS may be selected such that at least PER < 10 -2 , which typically corresponds to approximately BER < 10 -4 BER requirement.

[0063] In some embodiments, reconfiguration of the execution parameters is performed to achieve an overall minimum interference level, e.g., minimizing the interference level to the infrastructure component that experiences the maximum interference among all infrastructure components of system 200. For example, optimization of all (base station) network nodes is performed to provide SAS band allocation to all base stations requesting access to the SAS spectrum. In some cases, the band is allocated by the SAS such that for any base station, the observed noise / interference level is as low as possible.

[0064] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing components and communications in a network infrastructure 300 according to an embodiment. In this example, the network infrastructure 300 may represent an example of an LTE infrastructure including multiple infrastructure nodes (e.g., CBSD, BS, eNB, AP / etc.). For example, the network infrastructure 300 includes eNBs 1, 3, and 5 and APs 2, 4, and 6. In some embodiments, the network infrastructure 300 includes SASs (e.g., SAS 301 and 311) that communicate with the infrastructure nodes to coordinate spectrum usage of the infrastructure nodes.

[0065] As Figure 3As shown, the network infrastructure 300 can be associated with two census tracts 320 and 330 (e.g., census tract "A" and "B"). The census tracts 320 and 330 can cover adjacent geographical areas including at least one corresponding boundary (e.g., boundary 310). In some cases, the spectrum can be allocated to two different (e.g., non - cooperative) entities that are each independently associated with a respective census tract. For example, entity MNO 325 can be allocated the spectrum for infrastructure nodes (e.g., eNBs 1, 3, and AP 2) in census tract A 320, and entity MNO 335 can be allocated the spectrum for infrastructure nodes (e.g., APs 4, 6, and eNB 5) in census tract B 330. One problem with shared spectrum is that MNO 325 in census tract A 320 may be negatively affected by interference from MNO 335 in adjacent census tract B 330, and vice versa.

[0066] The techniques of the present disclosure provide interference suppression by creating an interference metric "P_x_y" associated with infrastructure nodes x and y of the network infrastructure 300. For example, the interference metric "P_x_y" can be derived between "x" and "y" infrastructure nodes such as CBSD / BS / eNB / AP / etc. The interference metric "P_x_y" indicates the level of interference between the two. For example, each infrastructure component initiates the determination of the interference metric between nodes x and y by sending a trigger signal. A single metric can address both interference directions (x -> y and y -> x), or independent metrics can be defined for the two directions. The metric can indicate interference in either direction (x -> y and y -> x), or independent metrics can be defined for each direction. In some embodiments, independent metrics may be required if the parameterizations of the relevant infrastructure components are different from each other. For example, "independent metrics" may mean introducing separate and independent metrics for the two directions, e.g., one metric for x -> y and one metric for y -> x. This may be required if the quality of service (QoS) or quality of experience (QoE) is more important in one direction than in the other communication direction. An example is a video streaming service, where requests for the video can be easily re - sent, so the uplink may not need to be very robust; however, the video stream itself should be delivered in a highly robust manner so that the video does not interrupt. In such cases, two different metrics are preferred.

[0067] The interference metric "P_x_y" can be determined in several ways. In one example, the interference metric can be calculated based on the sum of signals received from infrastructure nodes (rather than the desired transmission node Tx) using a long - term fading propagation model. In some embodiments, the long - term fading propagation model can be determined based on the following formula:

[0068]

[0069] wherein, I p is an interference metric with respect to a transmitter node (e.g., Tx) and a receiver node (e.g., Rx), P t is the Tx power, G t is the Tx antenna gain, G r is the Rx antenna gain, λ is the wavelength, d is the distance between the Tx and the Rx, and n is the path loss coefficient. L is the system loss coefficient. If a metric (such as antenna gain, etc.) is unknown for some devices, then worst-case numbers or averages can be used. In alternative embodiments, other models can also be used.

[0070] In alternative embodiments, the interference metric can be determined based on measurements associated with infrastructure nodes. In this case, an aggregation node such as a SAS entity can trigger (e.g., by sending a trigger signal) the transmission of signals from adjacent nodes (e.g., CBSD / BS / eNB / AP, etc.), which are then measured by the target node. For example, to measure the interference levels from CBSD / BS / eNB / AP, etc. "1" to "2" and "3", first "1" initiates the transmission, and the received power levels are measured by "2" and "3". Then, "2" triggers the transmission, and the received power levels are measured by "1" and "3", and so on for all CBSD / BS / eNB / AP, etc. These values (e.g., received power levels) are then reported to the aggregation entity, assuming that the transmissions always occur in the same frequency band.

[0071] The interference metric can be radio access technology (RAT)-agnostic or take into account specific RAT characteristics (e.g., time division duplex (TDD) or frequency division duplex (FDD), contention-based protocols, etc.). In some embodiments, for simplicity, specific RAT characteristics and the current configuration parameters of the nodes (e.g., output power level, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) configuration, antenna directivity, etc.) are not considered. Thus, the interference relationship with respect to "x" and "y" infrastructure nodes may be the same for both directions and is based on the distance between them and the terrain for LOS propagation.

[0072] In another example, specific RAT characteristics and the current configuration parameters of the nodes (e.g., output power level, MIMO configuration, antenna directivity, etc.) are considered. Thus, the interference relationship with respect to "x" and "y" infrastructure nodes may be different for both directions. For example, there may be a "P_x->y" and a "P_y->x", and these two values may depend on the specific configuration parameters of the relevant infrastructure nodes.

[0073] To manage the process of identifying interference metric "P_y->x", several techniques can be used. In some embodiments, the SAS component of the network infrastructure 300 can manage the process of identifying interference metric. For example, the SAS component (e.g., SAS 301 or SAS 311) can start the process of identifying interference metric by sending a trigger to other relevant infrastructure components (registered to the SAS). In some embodiments, the SAS component can include other information about each infrastructure component, such as geographical location, parameterization indicating that a dedicated time phase is reserved for determining the interference metric (e.g., output power level, bandwidth, supported frequency band, RAT type, etc.).

[0074] The trigger can be provided by the SAS component, or the relevant MNO (e.g., MNO 325, 335) or subsequent decisions within any other network, or by decisions in any network component (e.g., BS, eNB, AP, small cell, EPC, etc.). In response to receiving the trigger, each infrastructure component can identify neighbors relevant to determining the interference metric based on the location information of adjacent infrastructure components. For example, adjacent infrastructure components considered relevant to the interference situation are those located in the geographical location close to the relevant infrastructure component. This method may be simple in the case of a single MNO network, where one stakeholder controls all the infrastructure components.

[0075] The relevant infrastructure node can sense the presence of adjacent infrastructure components, for example, by detecting the cell ID, WiFi ID, or the like. For example, the presence of adjacent infrastructure components can be determined by sensing the signal strength (e.g., received power level) of the identified adjacent infrastructure components. In some embodiments, multiple infrastructure components can cooperate to jointly identify the signal strength (and thus the interference level) created by adjacent infrastructure components. For example, such cooperation can be achieved by exchanging measurement results, by creating distributed MIMO-based measurements of the MIMO receiver based on antennas at the locations of the cooperating infrastructure devices, etc.

[0076] In an alternative embodiment, the process of identifying interference metrics is managed by a selected infrastructure component rather than a SAS component. In this case, the process is the same as the above process - the difference being that the control is managed by the (predefined or (locally) selected / negotiated) infrastructure component. In some cases, interference metrics can be identified during the normal operation of the infrastructure component. In this case, there is no specific time period dedicated to identifying interference metrics. The power levels of the individual interfering infrastructure components can be identified by identifying the identification signal and subsequently deriving the received power level of the signal at the location of the interfered infrastructure component. In the case where the received power level of the interfered cell is below a threshold (e.g., the sensitivity threshold), no interference metric is derived or the interference metric is set to "0" (no interference).

[0077] During the time when the interference metric is being derived, the transmit and receive frequencies of the relevant infrastructure components are utilized by the overall management node (e.g., the SAS component or the master infrastructure component) and are transmitted to the receiving infrastructure component. For example, an (unused) carrier frequency (possibly with limited bandwidth) can be used to transmit the relevant (learning) sequence for determining the interference metric. In some embodiments, the interference metric can be determined when the standard operation of the infrastructure node is not (or only partially) interrupted / interfered with. Thus, for example, the (learning) sequence can be transmitted in the Industrial, Scientific and Medical Radio (ISM) reserved frequency band (preferably, in an adjacent band closely adjacent to the relevant operating frequency of the relevant infrastructure component) or in any other frequency band (preferably, with reduced / lower economic value). In some embodiments, when the interference metric is being derived, all infrastructure components (or a subset thereof) can be silent (e.g., not transmitting). Except for those infrastructure components that are (triggered to) transmit the (predefined learning) sequence used by other infrastructure components to derive the interference metric.

[0078] In some embodiments, the interference metric may vary over time. For example, when the location of an infrastructure component is moved (which is possible for a WiFi AP, etc.) or when the traffic characteristics change (e.g., an idle cell may cause a low level of interference to other adjacent cells). If this is the case, the entire process for determining the interference level between adjacent infrastructure components can be re-initiated. Alternatively, the master node (e.g., the SAS component or the identified master infrastructure component) can identify those interfering nodes for which the interference metric is no longer applicable. If the interference behavior (i.e., the SINR level, packet error rate level, bit error rate level, retransmission level, etc.) does not correspond to the desired level, it can be reported by the relevant infrastructure component (e.g., such a report is initiated if the observed interference level is much better or much worse compared to the expected level). Thus, the process for determining the interference metric can be applied to those infrastructure components for which a problem has been identified. Adjacent infrastructure components may also be included as similar problems may apply to them even if they do not report any abnormal behavior.

[0079] An aggregation entity (e.g., the SAS component) can use the interference metric to perform global optimization so that all available PAL (and possibly GAA) frequency gaps are allocated in a way that minimizes the global interference level. For example, two different frequency blocks may not cause any measurable interference to each other, but the out-of-band emission level may cause slight interference between adjacent frequency blocks. In one such case, if adjacent base stations use adjacent channels, e.g., one base station uses the 3.500 GHz - 3.510 GHz band and the adjacent base station uses 3.510 - 3.520 GHz, the channels are different and they do not interfere in the sense of overlapping transmissions in the same frequency band. However, the transmission may have out-of-band emissions and spurious emissions. For example, a transmission in the 3.500 GHz - 3.510 GHz band that is not strictly limited to that band may "leak" into the adjacent frequency band 3.510 - 3.520 GHz, thus affecting the corresponding performance.

[0080] In such a case, optimization can be done so that the maximum interference metric value determined in the relevant infrastructure nodes can be minimized for the final allocation of frequency gaps across all CBSD / BS / eNB / AP / etc. Once the frequencies are allocated, if any CBSD reports a high level of interference, suppression schemes can be employed, frequencies can be switched, and remapping can be done again to maintain the interference metric. For example, the SAS spectrum band allocation can be changed among the requesting base stations so that the frequency mapping indicating which base station has which SAS channel allocation is modified to improve the interference level observed by some / all of the base stations. In some embodiments, the SAS can also adjust the power level of the CBSD without changing the frequency to maintain the interference threshold. Although PAL is guaranteed interference protection from the GAA, the GAA is not guaranteed any interference protection. However, if the SAS allocates a specific GAA channel to a CBSD (instead of providing it with a choice of GAA channels), the GAA CBSD may send a message to the SAS about the increased interference so that it can receive a better channel.

[0081] In some embodiments, the SAS can initially adjust the power level without remapping the frequencies. For example, if the system observes a lot of interference in one SAS band (e.g., 3.500 - 3.510 GHz), the system looks for all adjacent base stations using the same band. The most likely interferers are identified among these adjacent systems, and the corresponding maximum output power level is reduced. If power reduction communication is not feasible, the SAS can switch the frequencies and remap. For example, the SAS spectrum band allocation can be changed among the requesting base stations so that the frequency mapping indicating which base station has which SAS channel allocation is modified to improve the interference level observed by some / all of the base stations. If the PAL CBSD indicates a high interference level, the SAS can initially send a request to the GAA CBSD to reduce their power levels based on their distance from the PAL CBSD. Their power levels may be inversely proportional to the wavelength (e.g., d n ) and directly proportional to the antenna gain at the Tx. If the reduction in power results in non - feasible GAA communication, the SAS can allocate a different channel to the GAA. If the GAA CBSD complains about excessive interference, the SAS can initially reduce the power levels of other GAA CBSD in that area. If this is not feasible, the SAS can switch the GAA channels. Among all channels, the CBSD can also record the measured interference metric Ip and can request the channel with the lowest interference metric Ip.

[0082] Each CBSD or even UE that can sense the ambient background noise and signal levels can do so for a centralized location (SAS or another aggregation point within the network infrastructure 300). Although the exact interference from one device to another may not be given, the centralized location may not require synchronization for measurements. Each device can measure the average (Ia) interference level and peak (Ip) interference level when it is not transmitting. If only some CBSDs are transmitting, the average interference power can be assumed. While the peak power can be assumed when all CBSDs (around the sensing node) are transmitting. The SAS or the entity performing interference management can try to minimize Ip and / or Ia. For example, for any particular interfered device operating in a specific frequency band (e.g., 3.500 - 3.510 GHz), the SAS controller identifies adjacent BSs operating in the same frequency band. Then, the SAS can modify the spectrum allocation and / or the maximum output power level of the BSs such that the interference level at the observed interfered node (and possibly (all) other nodes) is minimized. In some embodiments, any parameterization of the base station (or any other network node) can involve not only omnidirectional transmission (typical for UE devices) but also sector transmission (typical for base stations). For sector transmission, the frequency and / or maximum power level allocation can be optimized (independently) for each sector of each base station / network node.

[0083] If the SAS knows the exact transmission power of all CBSDs, the SAS can reduce the power levels of those CBSDs with the highest Tx power close to the affected area. If the SAS does not know the exact power levels being used by the CBSDs, the SAS can move x CBSDs to different channels, where x is the percentage of existing CBSDs proportional to the percentage reduction in the required power level, and the power levels of the CBSDs are reduced in proportion to the percentage reduction in the interference power level and inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the affected area (or the power of the path loss coefficient). Additionally, the infrastructure node can also track the duration for which the interference exceeds a given threshold (e.g., Ith), and the reduction in power levels can be done in proportion to time(Ith) / (time(Ith) + time(<Ith)).

[0084] Figure 4 is a block diagram of another view 400 showing Figure 3 the components and communications in the network infrastructure 300. In this example, rather than deriving interference metrics between specific CBSD / BS / eNB / AP / etc., several CBSD / BS / eNB / AP / etc. can be grouped together. For example, as Figure 4As shown, groups 401 - 406 include one eNB and two APs, but other groupings of infrastructure components are possible. The grouping of the individual components can be based on the proximity of the group components to each other. In this case, the exact configuration of the CBSD / BS / eNB / AP / etc. and their exact numbers, locations, etc. may be obfuscated. For example, SAS 301 may only receive information representing group 401 rather than the location of each access point. This obfuscation of data may be beneficial to an MNO (e.g., MNO 325) for which specific configuration information is a key asset and should not be shared.

[0085] In some embodiments, interference relationships can then be expressed between the groups. For example, an interference metric "P_x_y" can be derived between "x" and "y" groups. Any of the techniques described herein can be used to perform the interference metric between group x and group y. As described above, a single metric can address two interference directions (x->y and y->x) or independent metrics can be defined for the two directions. A single metric can address two interference directions (x->y and y->x) or independent metrics can be defined for the two directions.

[0086] In one embodiment, the members of each group are selected in such a way that the interference between them is minimized: assuming in - group interference suppression for a single MNO. In this case, self - organizing network (SON) type interference suppression via radio resource management (RRM) can be performed, or cell measurement and feedback information (e.g., channel conditions, precoding matrix index (PMI)) exchanged between the "n" members can be used. The "n out of m" members that create the best interference conditions for each other can be grouped together. The remaining members that create poorer interference conditions can be given different resource allocations to keep them separated.

[0087] In some embodiments, the determined interference metric can be used to suppress inter-group interference through optimized frequency allocation. For example, each member in a group (e.g., groups 401 - 406) can monitor interference and report the measurement to the SAS responsible for resource allocation (e.g., SAS 301, 311). For example, the report can be based on time slots or other metrics defined by the SAS. If the total interference experienced by the member is less than the current time slot, the resource allocation for the next frame can be randomly changed. For example, in a group of base stations (or other network nodes), the use of frequency / time resources can be randomly changed among the members of the group (e.g., when the constituent member base station "A" uses the 3.500 - 3.510 GHz band (assuming it is part of the spectrum allocated to the group)). In some cases, a higher level of interference is observed at the next time slot. Thus, the constituent member base station "A" may be moved by the SAS to the 3.510 - 3.520 GHz band (assuming it is part of the spectrum allocated to the group), and the SAS will be evaluated if the observed interference is low. If the observed interference is low, this configuration can be used in future configurations. If not, the configuration can be changed again for future time slots. If the interference level does not change, the resource allocation remains the same for the next time slot. The random redistribution of frequency allocation based on the interference level can mitigate collision interference and thus reduce interference.

[0088] In alternative embodiments, members in a group can be assigned different spectrums to avoid interference. For example, each group has "n" members and resource allocation is done in a group of "n" spectrum blocks. In this way, there is a determined number (e.g., total number of spectrum blocks / n) of groups of spectrum blocks that can be freely allocated. The specific tasks / required functions in the relevant CBSDs (i.e., BS, eNB, AP, small cells, etc.) and possibly within the (one or more) SAS components and possibly within the relevant UEs are similar to the above - the only difference is that groups of infrastructure components need to be considered.

[0089] In some embodiments, the main component (e.g., SAS component or main infrastructure component) may not have access to specific infrastructure components, but only to groups of infrastructure components. There may also be a hybrid configuration where some infrastructure components can be accessed directly while others are organized in groups. Such groups may need to be pre - determined by the relevant MNO (e.g., MNO 325, 311). In some cases, an infrastructure component can be determined as the group master component (i.e., the main component of the infrastructure components of a specific group, and there may be many such group master components, one (not necessarily different) for each group). The overall main component (e.g., SAS component, main infrastructure component, etc.) can interact with the relevant group master components.

[0090] A trigger signal for sending learning / training sequences can be provided to the relevant group master component, and the group master component triggers the relevant infrastructure components within its relevant group (and may trigger mobile devices). All relevant infrastructure components can send training sequences simultaneously. In this way, the overall master components (SAS components, infrastructure component master components) do not know the specific location / configuration, etc. of the infrastructure components of a given group.

[0091] In some embodiments, the group master component can send a trigger signal that activates the sequential transmission of multiple (training / learning) sequences from a single infrastructure component or a subgroup of infrastructure components within the relevant group. The infrastructure components of other groups can then determine the corresponding interference metrics (e.g., created by a group of infrastructure components to the infrastructure components of adjacent groups). The group master component of each group can later pass its interference metric to the overall master component (SAS component, overall infrastructure component master component). The overall master component can provide a decision on the optimal allocation of the available frequency bands for the group. Only one frequency band may be available for a given group. In this case, the corresponding resources can be appropriately shared by the relevant infrastructure components, e.g., by using a contention-based access scheme (e.g., WiFi using CSMA and its evolutions), or by allocating transmit / receive time slots or using appropriate interference suppression schemes (e.g., dirty paper coding, etc.).

[0092] In an alternative embodiment, multiple frequency bands can be available for a given group. In this case, the overall master component provides a decision on the frequency bands available for a particular group. The group master component performs a specific allocation of these frequency bands to the infrastructure components within the group. As mentioned above, a group of infrastructure components can have a subset of the available frequency bands. In this case, all those allowed frequency bands should be allocated to the transmitting infrastructure components (e.g., simultaneously) during the stage of determining the interference metric. After reporting the interference metric to the overall master component, the overall master component can provide a decision on the frequency bands available for a particular group. The group master component can perform a specific allocation of these frequency bands to the infrastructure components within the group.

[0093] The behavior of the UE is the same as discussed above. However, when several infrastructure components send training / learning sequences simultaneously, the group situation may be different. In this case, the UE may become active (e.g., for remaining silent, for sensing, for emulating the transmission of one or more infrastructure components, etc.). The active phase can apply to all UEs attached to the active infrastructure components, not just to a single infrastructure component that is active at a given time.

[0094] Figure 5The flowchart shows an example method for suppressing interference in a network infrastructure according to an embodiment. Method 500 may be executed by processing logic that may include hardware (e.g., circuits, dedicated logic, programmable logic, microcode, etc.), software (e.g., instructions running on a processing device), firmware, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, Figure 1 the electronic device 1 in may execute method 500. Although shown in a particular sequence or order, the order of the processing may be modified unless otherwise stated. Thus, the illustrated implementations should be understood only as examples, and the illustrated processing may be performed in a different order, and some processing may be performed in parallel. Additionally, one or more of the processes may be omitted in various embodiments. Thus, not all of the processes are required in every implementation. Other processing flows are possible.

[0095] Starting at block 510, method 500 identifies infrastructure nodes of an LTE infrastructure. The infrastructure nodes are associated with a geographical area. At block 520, a request for signal information related to signal data transmitted between the infrastructure nodes is issued. At block 530, an interference metric indicating the level of interference between the infrastructure nodes is determined based on the signal information. At block 540, allocation instructions are provided to adjust the frequency allocation associated with at least one infrastructure node based on the interference metric.

[0096] Figure 6 The flowchart shows an example method for suppressing interference between mobile network operators according to an embodiment. Method 600 may be executed by processing logic that may include hardware (e.g., circuits, dedicated logic, programmable logic, microcode, etc.), software (e.g., instructions running on a processing device), firmware, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, Figure 1 the electronic device 1 in may execute method 600. Although shown in a particular sequence or order, the order of the processing may be modified unless otherwise stated. Thus, the illustrated implementations should be understood only as examples, and the illustrated processing may be performed in a different order, and some processing may be performed in parallel. Additionally, one or more of the processes may be omitted in various embodiments. Thus, not all of the processes are required in every implementation. Other processing flows are possible.

[0097] Method 600 begins at block 610, where one or more infrastructure nodes in an LTE infrastructure are identified. The infrastructure nodes are associated with a first MNO. At block 620, signal information between these infrastructure nodes and other infrastructure nodes associated with a second MNO is determined. At block 630, the determined signal information is provided to an aggregator node to determine an interference metric regarding the infrastructure nodes associated with the first MNO and the second MNO.

[0098] Figure 7 FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of an example method for suppressing interference between mobile network operators according to an embodiment. Method 700 may be performed by processing logic that may include hardware (e.g., circuitry, dedicated logic, programmable logic, microcode, etc.), software (e.g., instructions running on a processing device), firmware, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, Figure 1 the electronic device 1 in FIG. 1 may perform Method 700. Although shown in a particular sequence or order, the order of the processing may be modified unless otherwise stated. Accordingly, the illustrated implementations should be understood only as examples, and the illustrated processing may be performed in a different order, and some processing may be performed in parallel. Additionally, one or more of the processing may be omitted in various embodiments. Accordingly, all of the processing is not required in every implementation. Other processing flows are possible.

[0099] Method 700 begins at block 710, where a trigger signal is received from an aggregator node in the LTE infrastructure. The trigger signal indicates that an interference metric is being determined with respect to an MNO. In response to receiving the trigger signal, at block 720, signal information related to data transmission between infrastructure nodes of the LTE infrastructure associated with the MNO is measured. At block 730, the measured signal information is provided for the aggregator node to determine the interference metric.

[0100] Figure 8 FIG. 8 shows a graphical representation of a machine in a computer system 800, in which a set of instructions may be executed to cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein. In alternative embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines in a LAN, an intranet, an extranet, or the Internet. The machine may operate as a server or a client device in a client-server network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a network device, a server, a network router, a switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequentially or otherwise) specifying actions to be taken by that machine. Further, although only a single machine is shown, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

[0101] The computer system 800 includes a processing device 802, a main memory 804 (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) (e.g., synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) or DRAM (RDRAM), etc.)), a static memory 806 (e.g., flash memory, static random access memory (SRAM), etc.), and a data storage device 818 that communicate with each other via a bus 830.

[0102] The processing device 802 represents one or more general-purpose processing devices, such as, for example, a microprocessor, a central processing unit, etc. More specifically, the processing device may be a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, or a processor implementing other instruction sets, or a processor implementing a combination of instruction sets. The processing device 802 may also be one or more dedicated processing devices, such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), a network processor, etc. In one embodiment, the processing device 802 may include one or more processing cores. The processing device 802 is configured to execute processing logic for performing the operations and steps discussed herein. In one embodiment, the processing device 802 is the same as the processing device 104e described with respect to Figure 1 implementing a SAS interference suppression option as described herein for a thread in a processing device.

[0103] The computer system 800 may also include a network interface device 808 communicatively coupled to a network 820. The computer system 800 may also include a video display unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), an alphanumeric input device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 814 (e.g., a mouse), and a signal generation device 816 (e.g., a speaker). Additionally, the computer system 800 may include a graphics processing unit 822, a video processing unit 828, and an audio processing unit 832.

[0104] The data storage device 818 may include a machine-accessible storage medium 824 having stored thereon software that implements any one or more of the methods of the functions of the metric generator 225 as described herein, such as implementing the techniques for providing a SAS interference suppression option on a thread in a processing device as described above. During execution by the computer system 800, the software may also reside, in whole or in part, within the main memory 804 as instructions 826 and / or within the processing device 802 as processing logic; the main memory 804 and the processing device 802 also constitute machine-accessible storage media.

[0105] The machine-accessible storage medium 824 can include a non-transitory machine-accessible storage medium for storing instructions 826 and / or software libraries that implement the techniques for providing SAS interference suppression options on threads in a processing device as described with respect to the electronic device 100 in Figure 1 and the software library includes methods for invoking the above applications. Although the machine-accessible storage medium 824 is shown as a single medium in the example embodiment, the term "machine-accessible storage medium" should be considered to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and / or associated caches and servers) that store a set or multiple sets of instructions. The term "machine-accessible storage medium" should also be considered to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions that are executed by a machine and cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods of the present disclosure. Thus, the term "machine-accessible storage medium" should be considered to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories as well as optical and magnetic media.

[0106] The foregoing description of one or more implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings, or may be obtained from practice of various implementations.

[0107] The following examples relate to other embodiments.

[0108] Example 1 may include an apparatus for an evolved Node B (eNB), including: a memory for storing data sequences; and one or more processing devices coupled to the memory, the processing devices for: generating interference metrics associated with a first set and a second set of infrastructure nodes of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network infrastructure based on measurement information, the measurement information including measurements related to the transmission of data sequences associated with the first set and the second set; and determining configuration settings for the first set and the second set of infrastructure nodes based on the generated interference metrics, each configuration setting representing a frequency band and a transmit power level for the corresponding infrastructure node to access data in the LTE network infrastructure.

[0109] Example 2 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 1, wherein the apparatus is further included in a Spectrum Access System (SAS) node.

[0110] Example 3 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 1, further including radio frequency circuitry for sending the configuration settings to the first set and the second set of infrastructure nodes.

[0111] Example 4 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 1, 2, or 3, wherein the interference metric includes data related to the amount of interference between the first set and the second set of infrastructure nodes of the LTE network infrastructure.

[0112] Example 5 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 1, 2, or 3, wherein the measurement information includes at least one of the following: information regarding signal propagation characteristics, signal strength, or output power level associated with an infrastructure node.

[0113] Example 6 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 1, 2, or 3, wherein the processing device is further configured to adjust the spectrum allocation to at least one infrastructure node based on the determined interference metric.

[0114] Example 7 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 1, 2, or 3, wherein the processing device is further configured to adjust the activation sequence of one or more infrastructure nodes based on the determined interference metric.

[0115] Example 8 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 1, 2, or 3, wherein the processing device is further configured to adjust the transmission power level of one or more infrastructure nodes based on the determined interference metric.

[0116] Example 9 may include a computer-readable storage medium storing executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processing devices, cause the processing device to: generate, by the processing device, an interference metric associated with a first set and a second set of infrastructure nodes of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network infrastructure based on measurement information, the measurement information including measurements related to the transmission of data sequences associated with the first set and the second set; and determine, based on the generated interference metric, configuration settings for the first set and the second set of infrastructure nodes, each configuration setting representing a frequency band and a transmission power level for the corresponding infrastructure node to access data in the LTE network infrastructure.

[0117] Example 10 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 17, wherein the processing device is associated with an evolved Node B (eNB) included in a Spectrum Access System (SAS) node.

[0118] Example 11 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 17, wherein the processing device further sends the configuration settings to the first set and the second set of infrastructure nodes.

[0119] Example 12 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 9, 10, or 11, wherein the interference metric includes data related to the amount of interference between the first set and the second set of infrastructure nodes of the LTE network infrastructure.

[0120] Example 13 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 9, 10, or 11, wherein the measurement information includes at least one of the following: information regarding signal propagation characteristics, signal strength, or output power level associated with an infrastructure node.

[0121] Example 14 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 9, 10, or 11, wherein the processing device is further configured to adjust the spectrum allocation to at least one infrastructure node based on the determined interference metric.

[0122] Example 15 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 9, 10, or 11, wherein the processing device is further configured to adjust the activation sequence of one or more infrastructure nodes based on the determined interference metric.

[0123] Example 16 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 9, 10, or 11, wherein the processing device is further configured to adjust the transmission power level of one or more infrastructure nodes based on the determined interference metric.

[0124] Example 17 may include an apparatus, comprising: a memory for storing a data sequence; and one or more processing devices coupled to the memory, the processing devices configured to: generate, by the processing device, an interference metric associated with a first set and a second set of infrastructure nodes of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network infrastructure based on measurement information, the measurement information including measurements related to the transmission of the data sequence associated with the first set and the second set; and determine, based on the generated interference metric, configuration settings for the infrastructure nodes of the first set and the second set, each configuration setting representing a frequency band and a transmission power level for the corresponding infrastructure node to access data in the LTE network infrastructure.

[0125] Example 18 may include the apparatus of Example 17, wherein the apparatus is further included in a Spectrum Access System (SAS) node.

[0126] Example 19 may include the apparatus of Example 17, further comprising radio frequency circuitry for sending the configuration settings to the infrastructure nodes of the first set and the second set.

[0127] Example 20 may include the apparatus of Example 17, 18, or 19, wherein the interference metric includes data related to the amount of interference between the first set and the second set of infrastructure nodes of the LTE network infrastructure.

[0128] Example 21 may include the apparatus of Example 17, 18, or 19, wherein the measurement information includes at least one of the following: information regarding signal propagation characteristics, signal strength, or output power level associated with the infrastructure node.

[0129] Example 22 may include the apparatus of Example 17, 18, or 19, wherein the processing device is further configured to adjust the spectrum allocation to at least one infrastructure node based on the determined interference metric.

[0130] Example 23 may include the apparatus of Example 17, 18, or 19, wherein the processing device is further configured to adjust an activation sequence of one or more infrastructure nodes based on the determined interference metric.

[0131] Example 24 may include the apparatus of Example 17, 18, or 19, wherein the processing device is further configured to adjust a transmission power level of one or more infrastructure nodes based on the determined interference metric.

[0132] Example 25 may include an apparatus comprising: one or more processing devices; means for generating an interference metric associated with a first set and a second set of infrastructure nodes of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network infrastructure based on measurement information, the measurement information including measurements related to transmissions of data sequences associated with the first set and the second set; and means for determining configuration settings of the infrastructure nodes of the first set and the second set based on the generated interference metric, each configuration setting representing a frequency band and a transmission power level for a respective infrastructure node to access data in the LTE network infrastructure.

[0133] Example 26 may include a method comprising: generating, by one or more processing devices, an interference metric associated with a first set and a second set of infrastructure nodes of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network infrastructure based on measurement information, the measurement information including measurements related to transmissions of data sequences associated with the first set and the second set; and determining, by one or more processing devices, configuration settings of the infrastructure nodes of the first set and the second set based on the generated interference metric, each configuration setting representing a frequency band and a transmission power level for a respective infrastructure node to access data in the LTE network infrastructure.

[0134] Example 27 may include the method of Example 26, wherein the processing device is associated with an evolved Node B (eNB) included in a Spectrum Access System (SAS) node.

[0135] Example 28 may include the method of Example 26, further comprising: generating uplink data associated with the configuration settings to be sent to the infrastructure nodes of the first set and the second set.

[0136] Example 29 may include the method of Example 26, 27, or 28, wherein the interference metric includes data related to an amount of interference between the first set and the second set of infrastructure nodes of the LTE network infrastructure.

[0137] Example 30 may include the method of Example 26, 27, or 28, wherein the measurement information includes at least one of the following: information regarding signal propagation characteristics, signal strength, or output power level associated with an infrastructure node.

[0138] Example 31 may include the method of Examples 26, 27, or 28, wherein the processing device is further configured to adjust the spectrum allocation to at least one infrastructure node based on the determined interference metric.

[0139] Example 32 may include the method of Examples 26, 27, or 28, wherein the processing device is further configured to adjust the activation sequence of one or more infrastructure nodes based on the determined interference metric.

[0140] Example 33 may include the method of Examples 26, 27, or 28, wherein the processing device is further configured to adjust the transmit power level of one or more infrastructure nodes based on the determined interference metric.

[0141] Example 34 may include a spectrum access system (SAS) including: a memory device and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to execute the method of any one of Examples 26 - 33.

[0142] Example 35 may include an apparatus for an evolved Node B (eNB), including: a memory for storing a data sequence; and one or more processing devices coupled to the memory, the processing devices being configured to: identify an infrastructure node of an LTE network infrastructure associated with a geographical area; issue a request for signal information related to signal data transmitted between infrastructure nodes; determine an interference metric indicating an interference level between infrastructure nodes based on the signal information; and provide allocation instructions to adjust a frequency allocation associated with at least one infrastructure node based on the interference metric.

[0143] Example 36 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 35, wherein the signal information includes at least one of the following: information regarding propagation characteristics, signal strength, or output power level associated with the identified infrastructure node.

[0144] Example 37 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 35, wherein the processing device is further configured to determine the interference metric during a dedicated time phase in which a subset of the identified infrastructure nodes is not transmitting.

[0145] Example 38 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 36 or 37, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first and a second infrastructure node of the LTE infrastructure.

[0146] Example 39 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 36 or 37, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first set of associated infrastructure nodes and a second set of associated infrastructure nodes of the LTE network infrastructure.

[0147] Example 40 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 36 or 37, wherein the allocation instructions are further for adjusting the amount of spectrum allocated to at least one infrastructure node based on the determined interference metric.

[0148] Example 41 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 36 or 37, wherein the allocation instructions are further for optimizing the spectrum of the frequency slots allocated to a mobile network operator (MNO) associated with at least one infrastructure node based on the determined interference metric.

[0149] Example 42 may include a computer-readable storage medium storing executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processing devices, cause the processing devices to: identify an infrastructure node of an LTE network infrastructure associated with a geographical area; issue a request for signal information related to signal data transmitted between infrastructure nodes; determine an interference metric indicative of an interference level between infrastructure nodes based on the signal information; and provide allocation instructions for adjusting a frequency allocation associated with at least one infrastructure node based on the interference metric.

[0150] Example 43 may include the computer-readable medium of Example 42, wherein the signal information includes at least one of the following: information regarding propagation characteristics, signal strength, or output power levels associated with the identified infrastructure node.

[0151] Example 44 may include the computer-readable medium of Example 42, wherein the processing device is further for determining the interference metric during a dedicated time phase in which a subset of the identified infrastructure nodes are not transmitting.

[0152] Example 45 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 43 or 44, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first and a second infrastructure node of the LTE infrastructure.

[0153] Example 46 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 43 or 44, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first set of associated infrastructure nodes and a second set of associated infrastructure nodes of the LTE network infrastructure.

[0154] Example 47 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 43 or 44, wherein the allocation instructions are further for adjusting the amount of spectrum allocated to at least one infrastructure node based on the determined interference metric.

[0155] Example 48 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 43 or 44, wherein the allocation instructions are further for optimizing the spectrum of the frequency slots allocated to a mobile network operator (MNO) associated with at least one infrastructure node based on the determined interference metric.

[0156] Example 49 may include an apparatus including: a memory for storing a data sequence; and one or more processing devices coupled to the memory, the processing devices for: identifying an infrastructure node of an LTE network infrastructure, the infrastructure node being associated with a geographical area; issuing a request for signal information related to signal data transmitted between infrastructure nodes; determining an interference metric indicative of an interference level between infrastructure nodes based on the signal information; and providing allocation instructions to adjust a frequency allocation associated with at least one infrastructure node based on the interference metric.

[0157] Example 50 may include the apparatus of Example 49, wherein the signal information includes at least one of the following: information regarding propagation characteristics, signal strength, or output power level associated with the identified infrastructure node.

[0158] Example 51 may include the apparatus of Example 49, wherein the processing devices are further for determining the interference metric during a dedicated time phase in which a subset of the identified infrastructure nodes is not transmitting.

[0159] Example 52 may include the apparatus of Example 50 or 51, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first and a second infrastructure node of the LTE infrastructure.

[0160] Example 53 may include the apparatus of Example 50 or 51, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first set of associated infrastructure nodes and a second set of associated infrastructure nodes of the LTE network infrastructure.

[0161] Example 54 may include the apparatus of Example 50 or 51, wherein the allocation instructions are further for adjusting an amount of spectrum allocated to at least one infrastructure node based on the determined interference metric.

[0162] Example 55 may include the apparatus of Example 50 or 51, wherein the allocation instructions are further for optimizing the spectrum of a frequency gap allocated to a mobile network operator (MNO) associated with at least one infrastructure node based on the determined interference metric.

[0163] Example 56 may include an apparatus including: one or more processing devices; means for identifying an infrastructure node of an LTE network infrastructure, the infrastructure node being associated with a geographical area; means for issuing a request for signal information related to signal data transmitted between infrastructure nodes; means for determining an interference metric indicative of an interference level between infrastructure nodes based on the signal information; and means for providing allocation instructions to adjust a frequency allocation associated with at least one infrastructure node based on the interference metric.

[0164] Example 57 may include a method comprising: identifying an infrastructure node of an LTE network infrastructure, the infrastructure node being associated with a geographical area; issuing a request for signal information related to signal data transmitted between infrastructure nodes; determining an interference metric indicative of an interference level between infrastructure nodes based on the signal information; and providing allocation instructions to adjust a frequency allocation associated with at least one infrastructure node based on the interference metric.

[0165] Example 58 may include the method of Example 57, wherein the signal information includes at least one of the following: information regarding propagation characteristics, signal strength, or output power level associated with the identified infrastructure node.

[0166] Example 59 may include the method of Example 57, wherein the processing device is further configured to determine the interference metric during a dedicated time phase in which a subset of the identified infrastructure nodes is not transmitting.

[0167] Example 60 may include the method of Example 58 or 59, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first and a second infrastructure node of the LTE infrastructure.

[0168] Example 61 may include the method of Example 58 or 59, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first set of associated infrastructure nodes and a second set of associated infrastructure nodes of the LTE network infrastructure.

[0169] Example 62 may include the method of Example 58 or 59, wherein the allocation instructions further include adjusting an amount of spectrum allocated to at least one infrastructure node based on the determined interference metric.

[0170] Example 63 may include the method of Example 58 or 59, wherein the allocation instructions further include optimizing the spectrum of a frequency slot allocated to a mobile network operator (MNO) associated with at least one infrastructure node based on the determined interference metric.

[0171] Example 64 may include a spectrum access system (SAS) comprising: a memory device and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to execute the method of any one of Examples 57 - 63.

[0172] Example 65 may include an apparatus for an evolved Node B (eNB), comprising: a memory for storing a data sequence; and one or more processing devices coupled to the memory, the processing devices being configured to: identify one or more infrastructure nodes in an LTE network infrastructure, the infrastructure nodes being associated with a first mobile network operator (MNO); determine signal information between the infrastructure nodes and other infrastructure nodes associated with a second MNO; and provide the determined signal information to an aggregator node to determine an interference metric regarding the infrastructure nodes associated with the first MNO and the second MNO.

[0173] Example 66 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 65, wherein the signal information includes at least one of the following: information regarding propagation characteristics, signal strength, or output power level associated with the identified infrastructure nodes.

[0174] Example 67 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 65, wherein the aggregator node is included in a spectrum access system (SAS) node.

[0175] Example 68 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 66 or 67, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first infrastructure node of the first MNO and a second infrastructure node of the second MNO.

[0176] Example 69 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 66 or 67, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first set of associated infrastructure nodes of the first MNO and a second set of associated infrastructure nodes of the second MNO.

[0177] Example 70 may include the apparatus of the eNB of Example 66 or 67, wherein the processing devices are further configured to silence transmissions from the infrastructure nodes associated with the first MNO during determination of the interference metric by other infrastructure nodes associated with the second MNO.

[0178] Example 71 may include a computer-readable storage medium storing executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processing devices, cause the processing devices to: identify one or more infrastructure nodes in an LTE network infrastructure, the infrastructure nodes being associated with a first mobile network operator (MNO); determine signal information between the infrastructure nodes and other infrastructure nodes associated with a second MNO; and provide the determined signal information to an aggregator node to determine an interference metric regarding the infrastructure nodes associated with the first MNO and the second MNO.

[0179] Example 72 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 71, wherein the signal information includes at least one of the following: information regarding propagation characteristics, signal strength, or output power level associated with an identified infrastructure node.

[0180] Example 73 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 71, wherein the aggregator node is included in a spectrum access system (SAS) node.

[0181] Example 74 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 72 or 73, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first infrastructure node of a first MNO and a second infrastructure node of a second MNO.

[0182] Example 75 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 72 or 73, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first set of associated infrastructure nodes of a first MNO and a second set of associated infrastructure nodes of a second MNO.

[0183] Example 76 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 72 or 73, wherein the processing device is further configured to silence transmissions from the infrastructure nodes associated with the first MNO during determination of the interference metric by other infrastructure nodes associated with the second MNO.

[0184] Example 77 may include an apparatus, comprising: a memory for storing a data sequence; and one or more processing devices coupled to the memory, the processing devices configured to: identify one or more infrastructure nodes in an LTE network infrastructure associated with a first mobile network operator (MNO); determine signal information between the infrastructure nodes and other infrastructure nodes associated with a second MNO; and provide the determined signal information to an aggregator node to determine an interference metric regarding the infrastructure nodes associated with the first MNO and the second MNO.

[0185] Example 78 may include the apparatus of Example 77, wherein the signal information includes at least one of the following: information regarding propagation characteristics, signal strength, or output power level associated with an identified infrastructure node.

[0186] Example 79 may include the apparatus of Example 77, wherein the aggregator node is included in a spectrum access system (SAS) node.

[0187] Example 80 may include the apparatus of Example 78 or 79, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first infrastructure node of a first MNO and a second infrastructure node of a second MNO.

[0188] Example 81 may include the apparatus of Example 78 or 79, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first set of infrastructure nodes associated with a first MNO and a second set of infrastructure nodes associated with a second MNO.

[0189] Example 82 may include the apparatus of Example 78 or 79, wherein the processing device is further configured to silence transmissions from infrastructure nodes associated with the first MNO during determination of the interference metric by other infrastructure nodes associated with the second MNO.

[0190] Example 83 may include an apparatus comprising: one or more processing devices; means for identifying one or more infrastructure nodes in an LTE network infrastructure associated with a first mobile network operator (MNO); means for determining signal information between these infrastructure nodes and other infrastructure nodes associated with a second MNO; and means for providing the determined signal information to an aggregator node to determine an interference metric regarding infrastructure nodes associated with the first MNO and the second MNO.

[0191] Example 84 may include a method comprising: identifying, by one or more processing devices, one or more infrastructure nodes in an LTE network infrastructure associated with a first mobile network operator (MNO); determining, by the processing device, signal information between these infrastructure nodes and other infrastructure nodes associated with a second MNO; and providing the determined signal information to an aggregator node to determine an interference metric regarding infrastructure nodes associated with the first MNO and the second MNO.

[0192] Example 85 may include the method of Example 84, wherein the signal information includes at least one of the following: information regarding propagation characteristics, signal strength, or output power level associated with the identified infrastructure nodes.

[0193] Example 86 may include the method of Example 84, wherein the aggregator node is included in a spectrum access system (SAS) node.

[0194] Example 87 may include the method of Example 85 or 86, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first infrastructure node of the first MNO and a second infrastructure node of the second MNO.

[0195] Example 88 may include the method of Example 85 or 86, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first set of infrastructure nodes associated with the first MNO and a second set of infrastructure nodes associated with the second MNO.

[0196] Example 89 may include the method of Example 85 or 86, wherein the processing device is further configured to silence transmissions from infrastructure nodes associated with a first MNO during determination of an interference metric by other infrastructure nodes associated with a second MNO.

[0197] Example 90 may include a spectrum access system (SAS) comprising: a memory device and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to perform the method of any one of Examples 84 - 89.

[0198] Example 91 may include an apparatus for a user equipment (UE) comprising: a memory for storing a data sequence; and one or more processing devices coupled to the memory, the processing devices being configured to: receive a trigger signal from an aggregator node in an LTE network infrastructure, the trigger signal indicating that an interference metric is being determined with respect to a mobile network operator (MNO); in response to receiving the trigger signal, measure signal information related to transmission of the data sequence between infrastructure nodes associated with the MNO in the LTE network infrastructure; and provide the measured signal information for determination of the interference metric by the aggregator node.

[0199] Example 92 may include the apparatus of the UE of Example 91, wherein the aggregator node is included in a spectrum access system (SAS) node.

[0200] Example 93 may include the apparatus of the UE of Example 91, wherein the aggregator node comprises an evolved Node B (eNB), and wherein providing comprises the processing device further being configured to generate uplink data associated with the measured signal information for providing to the eNB.

[0201] Example 94 may include the apparatus of the UE of Example 91, wherein the signal information comprises at least one of the following: information regarding propagation characteristics, signal strength, or output power level associated with an identified infrastructure node.

[0202] Example 95 may include the apparatus of the UE of Example 92, 93, or 94, wherein the determined interference metric comprises data related to interference between first and second infrastructure nodes of the LTE infrastructure.

[0203] Example 96 may include the apparatus of the UE of Example 92, 93, or 94, wherein the determined interference metric comprises data related to interference between a first set of associated infrastructure nodes and a second set of associated infrastructure nodes of the LTE network infrastructure.

[0204] Example 97 may include a computer-readable storage medium storing executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processing devices, cause the processing devices to: receive, by the processing device, a trigger signal from an aggregator node in an LTE network infrastructure, the trigger signal indicating that an interference metric is being determined with respect to a mobile network operator (MNO); in response to receiving the trigger signal, measure signal information related to the transmission of a data sequence between infrastructure nodes of the LTE network infrastructure associated with the MNO; and provide the measured signal information for the aggregator node to determine the interference metric.

[0205] Example 98 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 97, wherein the aggregator node is included in a spectrum access system (SAS) node.

[0206] Example 99 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 97, wherein the aggregator node includes an evolved Node B (eNB), and wherein providing includes the processing device further being configured to generate uplink data associated with the measured signal information for providing to the eNB.

[0207] Example 100 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 97, wherein the signal information includes at least one of the following: information regarding propagation characteristics, signal strength, or output power level associated with identifying infrastructure nodes.

[0208] Example 101 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 98, 99, or 100, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first and a second infrastructure node of the LTE infrastructure.

[0209] Example 102 may include the computer-readable storage medium of Example 98, 99, or 100, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first set of associated infrastructure nodes and a second set of associated infrastructure nodes of the LTE network infrastructure.

[0210] Example 103 may include an apparatus including: a memory for storing a data sequence; and one or more processing devices coupled to the memory, the processing devices for: receiving, from an aggregator node in an LTE network infrastructure, a trigger signal indicating that an interference metric is being determined with respect to a mobile network operator (MNO); in response to receiving the trigger signal, measuring signal information related to the transmission of the data sequence between infrastructure nodes of the LTE network infrastructure associated with the MNO; and providing the measured signal information for the aggregator node to determine the interference metric.

[0211] Example 104 may include the apparatus of Example 103, wherein the aggregator node is included in a spectrum access system (SAS) node.

[0212] Example 105 may include the apparatus of Example 104, wherein the aggregator node includes an evolved Node B (eNB), and wherein providing includes a processing device further operative to generate uplink data associated with the measured signal information for providing to the eNB.

[0213] Example 106 may include the apparatus of Example 105, wherein the signal information includes at least one of the following: information regarding propagation characteristics, signal strength, or output power level associated with an identified infrastructure node.

[0214] Example 107 may include the apparatus of Example 104, 105, or 106, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first and a second infrastructure node of an LTE infrastructure.

[0215] Example 108 may include the apparatus of Example 104, 105, or 106, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first set of associated infrastructure nodes and a second set of associated infrastructure nodes of an LTE network infrastructure.

[0216] Example 109 may include an apparatus, comprising: one or more processing devices; means for receiving, from an aggregator node in an LTE network infrastructure, a trigger signal indicating that an interference metric is being determined with respect to a mobile network operator (MNO); means for measuring, in response to receiving the trigger signal, signal information related to the transmission of a data sequence between infrastructure nodes of the LTE network infrastructure associated with the MNO; and means for providing the measured signal information for determination of the interference metric by the aggregator node.

[0217] Example 110 may include a method, comprising: receiving, by one or more processing devices, from an aggregator node in an LTE network infrastructure, a trigger signal indicating that an interference metric is being determined with respect to a mobile network operator (MNO); measuring, in response to receiving the trigger signal, by one or more processing devices, signal information related to the transmission of a data sequence between infrastructure nodes of the LTE network infrastructure associated with the MNO; and providing the measured signal information for determination of the interference metric by the aggregator node.

[0218] Example 111 may include the method of Example 110, wherein the aggregator node is included in a spectrum access system (SAS) node.

[0219] Example 112 may include the method of Example 110, wherein the aggregator node includes an evolved Node B (eNB), and wherein providing includes a processing device further operative to generate uplink data associated with the measured signal information for providing to the eNB.

[0220] Example 113 may include the method of Example 110, wherein the signal information includes at least one of the following: information regarding propagation characteristics, signal strength, or output power level associated with an identified infrastructure node.

[0221] Example 114 may include the method of Example 111, 112, or 113, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first and a second infrastructure node of an LTE infrastructure.

[0222] Example 115 may include the method of Example 111, 112, or 113, wherein the determined interference metric includes data related to interference between a first set of associated infrastructure nodes and a second set of associated infrastructure nodes of an LTE network infrastructure.

[0223] Example 116 may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the methods of Examples 110 - 115.

[0224] Example 201 may include interference suppression by creating an interference metric between selected infrastructure nodes and publishing a corresponding trigger as described above.

[0225] Example 202 may include interference suppression by deriving an interference metric between groups of infrastructure components.

[0226] Example 203 may include a method performed by an aggregation node in an LTE infrastructure to suppress interference between mobile network operators. The method may include publishing one or more triggers to request information regarding signals between selected infrastructure nodes. The method may also include determining an interference metric between the selected infrastructure nodes.

[0227] Example 204 may include the method of Example 203, wherein the interference metric is radio access technology agnostic.

[0228] Example 205 may include the method of Example 203, wherein the interference metric is radio access technology specific.

[0229] Example 206 may include the method of any one of Examples 203 - 205, wherein the information regarding signals between selected infrastructure nodes may include one or more of the following: geographical area description information, information regarding propagation characteristics, and output power level.

[0230] Example 207 may include the method of any one of Examples 203 - 205, wherein the information regarding the signal may include signal power, and determining the interference metric may include performing a summation:

[0231]

[0232] where P t is the transmit power, G t is the transmit antenna gain, G r is the receive antenna gain, λ is the transmit wavelength, d is the distance between the transmit and receive, n is the path loss coefficient, and L is the system loss coefficient.

[0233] Example 208 may include the method of any one of Examples 203 - 207, wherein determining the interference metric may include receiving measurements of signals measured by the selected infrastructure node.

[0234] Example 209 may include the method of any one of Examples 203 - 207, wherein the information related to the signal between the selected infrastructure nodes may include the average interference level and the peak interference level measured by the selected infrastructure node when the corresponding selected infrastructure node is not transmitting.

[0235] Example 210 may include the method of any one of Examples 203 - 207 and may further include optimizing the allocation of frequency slots for a mobile network operator to reduce interference.

[0236] Example 211 may include the method of any one of Examples 203 - 207 and may further include adjusting the power levels of one or more selected infrastructure nodes.

[0237] Example 212 may include the method of any one of Examples 203 - 211, wherein the determination of the signal information and the interference metric is performed by an aggregation node with reference to a group of infrastructure nodes.

[0238] Example 213 may include the method of Example 212, further including determining a group such that the interference between group members is minimized.

[0239] Example 214 may include the method of Example 212, further including determining a group such that the members of the group are assigned different spectra.

[0240] Example 215 may include the method of any one of Examples 203 - 214, wherein the aggregation node is or includes a Spectrum Access System (SAS).

[0241] Example 216 may include a method performed by an infrastructure node in an LTE infrastructure to suppress interference between mobile network operators. The method may include determining signal information between the infrastructure node and one or more other infrastructure nodes. The method may further include providing the determined signal information to an aggregator node to determine one or more interference metrics related to the infrastructure node and the other infrastructure nodes.

[0242] Example 217 may include the method of Example 216, wherein determining the signal information is performed in response to receiving one or more triggers from an aggregator node.

[0243] Example 218 may include the method of Example 216, wherein determining the signal information is performed in response to a decision of a network including or interacting with an infrastructure node.

[0244] Example 219 may include the method of any one of Examples 216 - 218, further comprising determining, by an infrastructure node, one or more other infrastructure nodes.

[0245] Example 220 may include the method of Example 219, wherein determining one or more other infrastructure nodes may include determining adjacent infrastructure nodes.

[0246] Example 221 may include the method of any one of Examples 216 - 218, wherein providing the determined signal information includes determining and providing one or more interface metrics.

[0247] Example 222 may include the method of Example 221, wherein determining one or more interface metrics includes determining one or more interface metrics during a dedicated time phase for interference metric determination.

[0248] Example 223 may include the method of Example 222, further comprising silencing transmissions from the infrastructure node during interference metric determination by other infrastructure nodes.

[0249] Example 224 may include the method of any one of Examples 216 - 223, wherein determining the signal information includes determining signal information between groups of infrastructure nodes.

[0250] Example 225 may include the method of any one of Examples 216 - 224, wherein the aggregator node is included in a spectrum access system (SAS) node.

[0251] Example 226 may include a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in an LTE infrastructure to suppress interference between mobile network operators. The method may include: receiving, from an aggregator node, a trigger that interference metrics are being determined, and participating in the determination of signal information by an infrastructure node of the LTE infrastructure for the aggregator node to determine interference metrics.

[0252] Example 227 may include the method of Example 226, wherein participating may include silencing transmissions from the UE during the determination of the signal information.

[0253] Example 228 may include the method of Example 226, wherein participating may include measuring the signal information.

[0254] Example 229 may include a device having a radio frequency (RF) circuit for receiving and transmitting signals. The device may also include a baseband circuit coupled to the RF circuit, the baseband circuit being configured to issue requests for signal power and interference information measured between infrastructure nodes. The baseband circuit may also be configured to generate a metric for measuring inter-node interference.

[0255] Example 230 may include the device of Example 229, wherein the metric is radio access technology agnostic.

[0256] Example 231 may include the device of Example 229, wherein the metric is radio access technology specific.

[0257] Example 232 may include the device of any one of Examples 229-231, wherein the signal power and interference information may include one or more of the following: geographic area description information, information about propagation characteristics, and output power levels.

[0258] Example 233 may include the device of any one of Examples 229-231, wherein determining the metric may include performing a summation:

[0259]

[0260] where P t is the transmit power, G t is the transmit antenna gain, G r is the receive antenna gain, λ is the transmit wavelength, d is the distance between the transmit and receive, n is the path loss coefficient, and L is the system loss coefficient.

[0261] Example 234 may include the device of any one of Examples 229-233, wherein determining the metric may include receiving a metric measured by an infrastructure node.

[0262] Example 235 may include the device of any one of Examples 229-233, wherein the signal power and interference information may include an average interference level and a peak interference level measured by an infrastructure node when the corresponding selected infrastructure node is not transmitting.

[0263] Example 236 may include the device of any one of Examples 229-233, wherein the baseband circuit may also be configured to optimize the allocation of frequency bands for a mobile network operator.

[0264] Example 237 may include the device of any one of Examples 229-233, wherein the baseband circuit may also be configured to adjust the power levels of one or more infrastructure nodes.

[0265] Example 238 may include the apparatus of any one of Examples 229 - 237, wherein the baseband circuitry generates metrics with reference to a group of infrastructure nodes.

[0266] Example 239 may include the apparatus of Example 238, wherein the baseband circuitry may also determine a group such that interference between group members is minimized.

[0267] Example 240 may include the apparatus of Example 238, wherein the baseband circuitry may also determine a group such that members of the group are assigned different spectra.

[0268] Example 241 may include the apparatus of any one of Examples 229 - 240, wherein the apparatus includes a Spectrum Access System (SAS).

[0269] Example 242 may include an apparatus having Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry for receiving and transmitting signals. The apparatus may also include baseband circuitry coupled to the RF circuitry, the baseband circuitry for measuring signal power and interference information between the apparatus and one or more infrastructure nodes. The baseband circuitry may also provide the determined information to an aggregator node to determine one or more inter - node interference metrics.

[0270] Example 243 may include the apparatus of Example 242, wherein the baseband circuitry determines signal power and interference information in response to receiving one or more triggers from the aggregator node.

[0271] Example 244 may include the apparatus of Example 243, wherein the baseband circuitry determines signal power and interference information in response to a decision of a network that includes or interacts with the apparatus.

[0272] Example 245 may include the apparatus of any one of Examples 242 - 244, wherein the baseband circuitry is also used to select one or more infrastructure nodes.

[0273] Example 246 may include the apparatus of Example 245, wherein determining one or more infrastructure nodes may include determining neighboring infrastructure nodes.

[0274] Example 247 may include the apparatus of any one of Examples 242 - 244, wherein providing the determined information includes determining and providing one or more inter - node interface metrics.

[0275] Example 248 may include the apparatus of Example 247, wherein determining one or more inter - node interface metrics includes determining one or more inter - node interface metrics during a dedicated time phase for inter - node interference metric determination.

[0276] Example 249 may include the apparatus of Example 248, wherein the baseband circuitry may also be used to silence transmissions of the RF circuitry during determination of an inter-node interference metric by one or more infrastructure nodes.

[0277] Example 250 may include the apparatus of any of Examples 242 - 249, wherein determining signal power and interference information includes determining signal power and interference information between groups of infrastructure nodes.

[0278] Example 251 may include the apparatus of any of Examples 242 - 249, wherein the aggregator node is a spectrum access system (SAS) node.

[0279] Example 252 may include an apparatus having a radio frequency (RF) circuitry for receiving and transmitting signals and receiving a trigger from an aggregator node that is determining an inter-node interference metric. The apparatus may also include baseband circuitry coupled to the RF circuitry for facilitating determination of signal power and interference information by infrastructure nodes of an LTE infrastructure.

[0280] Example 252 may include the apparatus of Example 252, wherein facilitating determination may include causing the RF circuitry to silence transmissions from the apparatus during determination of signal power and interference information.

[0281] Example 253 may include the apparatus of Example 252, wherein facilitating determination may include measuring signal power and interference information.

[0282] Example 254 may include an apparatus including means for performing one or more elements of the methods described in any of Examples 203 - 228 or described with respect to any of Examples 203 - 228, or any other method or process described herein.

[0283] Example 255 may include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of the methods described in any of Examples 203 - 228 or described with respect to any of Examples 203 - 228, or any other method or process described herein.

[0284] Example 256 may include an apparatus having logic, modules, and / or circuitry for performing one or more elements of the methods described in any of Examples 203 - 228 or described with respect to any of Examples 203 - 228, or any other method or process described herein.

[0285] Example 257 may include a method, technique, or process, or a portion thereof, described in any of Examples 203-228 or described with respect to any of Examples 203-228.

[0286] Example 258 may include an apparatus including: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method, technique, or process, or a portion thereof, described in any of Examples 203-228 or described with respect to any of Examples 203-228.

[0287] Example 259 may include a method of communicating in a wireless network as shown and described herein.

[0288] Example 260 may include a system for providing wireless communication as shown and described herein.

[0289] Example 261 may include an apparatus for providing wireless communication as shown and described herein.

[0290] Although the present disclosure has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate many modifications and variations thereof. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0291] In the description herein, numerous specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific types of processors and system configurations, specific hardware structures, specific architectural and microarchitectural details, specific register configurations, specific instruction types, specific system components, specific measurements / altitudes, specific processor pipeline stages and operations, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known components or methods have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present disclosure, e.g., specific and alternative processor architectures, specific logic circuits / codes for the algorithms described, specific firmware codes, specific interconnection operations, specific logic configurations, specific manufacturing techniques and materials, specific compiler implementations, specific representations of algorithms in code, specific power-down and gating techniques / logics, and other specific operational details of computer systems.

[0292] Instructions for programming logic to execute embodiments of the present disclosure may be stored in a memory in the system, such as, for example, DRAM, cache, flash memory, or other storage devices. Additionally, these instructions may be distributed via a network or by other computer-readable media. Thus, machine-readable media may include any mechanism for storing or sending information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer), but are not limited to: floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, or tangible machine-readable storage devices for sending information via electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.) over the Internet.

[0293] As used herein, a module refers to any combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware. As an example, a module includes hardware (e.g., a microcontroller) associated with a non-transitory medium to store code to be executed by the microcontroller. Thus, in one embodiment, a reference to a module refers to hardware that is specifically configured to identify and / or execute code to be held on a non-transitory medium. Additionally, in another embodiment, the use of a module refers to a non-transitory medium that includes code that is specifically adapted to be executed by a microcontroller to perform a predetermined operation. And as can be inferred, in yet another embodiment, the term module (in this example) may refer to a combination of a microcontroller and a non-transitory medium. Generally, module boundaries shown separately are typically different and may overlap. For example, a first and a second module may share hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof, while still retaining some separate hardware, software, or firmware. In one embodiment, the use of the term logic includes hardware, such as, for example, transistors, registers, or other hardware such as programmable logic devices.

[0294] In one embodiment, the use of the phrase "configured to" means to arrange, put together, manufacture, offer for sale, import, and / or design a device, hardware, logic, or component to perform a specified or determined task. In this example, an inoperative device or its component is still "configured to" perform the specified task if it is designed, coupled, and / or interconnected to perform the specified task. As a purely illustrative example, a logic gate can provide a 0 or 1 during operation. However, a logic gate "configured to" provide an enable signal to a clock does not include every possible logic gate that can provide a 1 or 0. Instead, the logic gate is coupled in such a way that a 1 or 0 output is used to enable the clock during operation. Also note that the use of the term "configured to" does not require operation, but rather focuses on the potential state of a device, hardware, and / or component, where in the potential state, the device, hardware, and / or component is designed to perform a specific task when the device, hardware, and / or component is operating.

[0295] In addition, in one embodiment, the use of the phrases "for", "capable of being used for", and / or "operable to" means to design a device, logic, hardware, and / or component in such a way that it can be used in a particular manner. Note that, as described above, in one embodiment, the use of for, capable of being used for, or operable to means the potential state of a device, logic, hardware, and / or component, where the device, logic, hardware, and / or component is not operating, but is designed in such a way that it can be used in a particular manner.

[0296] Embodiments of the above methods, hardware, software, firmware, or code can be implemented via instructions or code stored on a machine-accessible, machine-readable, computer-accessible, or computer-readable medium that can be executed by a processing element. A non-transitory machine-accessible / readable medium includes any mechanism that provides (e.g., stores and / or transmits) information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer or an electronic system). For example, a non-transitory machine-accessible medium includes: random access memory (RAM), e.g., static RAM (SRAM) or dynamic RAM (DRAM); ROM; magnetic or optical storage media; flash devices; electrical storage devices; optical storage devices; acoustic storage devices; other forms of storage devices for holding information received from a transient (propagating) signal (e.g., a carrier wave, an infrared signal, a digital signal), etc., which are distinguished from non-transitory media from which information can be received.

[0297] Instructions for programming logic to perform embodiments of the present disclosure may be stored in a memory in the system, e.g., DRAM, cache, flash memory, or other storage devices. Additionally, these instructions may be distributed via a network or by other computer-readable media. Thus, machine-readable media can include any mechanism for storing or sending information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer), but are not limited to: floppy disks, optical disks, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) and magneto-optical disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, or tangible machine-readable storage devices for sending information via electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.) over the Internet. Thus, computer-readable media includes any type of tangible machine-readable media suitable for storing or sending electronic instructions or information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer).

[0298] References throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," or "in some embodiments" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Additionally, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0299] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Additionally, the foregoing use of embodiments and other exemplary language does not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment or the same example, but may refer to different and distinct embodiments, and possibly the same embodiment.

[0300] Some portions of the detailed description are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. Here, and generally, an algorithm is considered to be a self-consistent sequence of operations that produces a desired result. An operation is an operation that requires physical manipulation of physical quantities. Usually, but not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, etc. The blocks described herein can be hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0301] However, it should be borne in mind that all of these terms and like terms are associated with appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as will be apparent from the above discussion, it should be understood that throughout the specification, discussions using terms such as "identifying," "receiving," "determining," "issuing," "providing," "measuring," "performing," "requesting," "transmitting," etc., refer to the actions and processes of a computing system or similar electronic device that operate on and transform data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the registers and memories of the computing system into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the memory or registers of the computing system or other such information storage, transmission, or display devices.

[0302] The word "example" or "exemplary" is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as "example" or "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, the use of the word "example" or "exemplary" is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, "X includes A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X includes A; X includes B; or X includes both A and B, then "X includes A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, unless otherwise specified or clear from the context that it is referring to the singular form, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application and the appended claims are generally to be construed to mean "one or more". Further, unless so described, the use of the terms "embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "implementation" or "an implementation" throughout is not intended to refer to the same embodiment or implementation. Also, as used herein, the terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc. represent labels used to distinguish different elements and may not necessarily have an ordinal meaning based on their numerical designation.

[0303] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been given with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. In addition, the foregoing use of embodiments and other exemplary language does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or the same example, but may refer to different and distinct embodiments, and possibly the same embodiment.

Claims

1. A device for communication, comprising: One or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause a first infrastructure component of a cellular network: Based on measurement information, generate an interference metric associated with a first group among multiple groups of infrastructure components of one or more cellular networks, wherein the measurement information includes measurements related to the reception of a known sequence associated with the first group among the multiple groups of infrastructure components, and wherein the infrastructure components of the first group simultaneously transmit the known sequence associated with the first group; And Transmit a known sequence associated with a second group among the multiple groups of infrastructure components.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: Transmit the interference metric to a second infrastructure component.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the second infrastructure component is an aggregation node.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first infrastructure component is a base station.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission of the known sequence associated with the second group is simultaneously performed by other infrastructure components of the second group.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the known sequence associated with the second group is different from the known sequence associated with the first group.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the known sequence associated with the first group includes a training sequence.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: Based on the interference metric, determine configuration settings for the first infrastructure component.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: Based on the interference caused by transmitting the known sequence associated with the second group, determine configuration settings for the first infrastructure component.

10. A method for operating a first infrastructure component of a cellular network, comprising: By the first infrastructure component: Based on measurement information, generate an interference metric associated with a first group among multiple groups of infrastructure components of one or more cellular networks, wherein the measurement information includes measurements related to the transmission of a known sequence associated with the first group among the multiple groups of infrastructure components, and wherein the infrastructure components of the first group simultaneously transmit the known sequence associated with the first group; And Transmit a known sequence associated with a second group among the multiple groups of infrastructure components.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: Transmit the interference metric to a second infrastructure component.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the second infrastructure component is an aggregation node.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first infrastructure component is a base station.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the transmission of the known sequence associated with the second group is simultaneously performed by other infrastructure components of the second group.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the known sequence associated with the second group is different from the known sequence associated with the first group.

16. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: Determining configuration settings for the first infrastructure component based on the interference metric or based on interference caused by transmitting the known sequence associated with the second group.

17. A cellular network, comprising: A first infrastructure component; A first group of infrastructure components; And A second group of infrastructure components; Wherein the first group of infrastructure components is configured to: Simultaneously transmit a known sequence associated with the first group of infrastructure components; Wherein the first infrastructure component is configured to: Generate an interference metric associated with the first group of infrastructure components based on measurement information, wherein the measurement information includes measurements related to the transmission of the known sequence associated with the first group of infrastructure components; and Transmit a known sequence associated with the second group of infrastructure components.

18. The cellular network according to claim 17, wherein the first infrastructure component is configured to: Transmit the interference metric to a second infrastructure component.

19. The cellular network according to claim 18, wherein the second infrastructure component is an aggregation node.

20. The cellular network according to claim 17, wherein the first infrastructure component is a base station.

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