5G NR WLAN Access via System Information Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
The incompatibility between LTE and 5G NR systems makes it difficult to implement loose-coupling interworking and unauthorized access technologies, particularly for WLAN access and unlicensed frequency band offloading in 5G NR systems, leading to resource inefficiencies in authorized frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a terminal device sends a system message request to a network device to enhance system information for WLAN access, allowing the terminal device to find and access a target Access Point (AP) and offload data streams to an unlicensed frequency band, thereby saving authorized frequency band resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LTE loose-coupling interworking and tight-coupling schemes are applied to 5G NR, then WLAN access capability is improved, but system compatibility and implementation difficulty worsen due to LTE and 5G NR incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a WLAN configuration message as an intermediary carrier to transfer WLAN access parameters from the 5G NR network device to the terminal device. This message structure serves as a bridge that adapts 5G NR system information to WLAN access requirements without requiring direct LTE protocol compatibility, thus resolving the contradiction between WLAN access capability and system implementation complexity
2Productivity
If traffic is offloaded to unlicensed frequency band, then authorized frequency band resource usage is improved, but system configuration complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary configuration of WLAN access parameters through system information blocks (SIBs) before traffic offloading occurs. The network device pre-configures WLAN identification, frequency information, and access parameters in advance, allowing the terminal device to quickly establish WLAN connections when offloading is needed, thus reducing the complexity of real-time configuration during traffic transfer
3Ease of operation
If system information is enhanced for WLAN access, then terminal device WLAN configuration is improved, but network device signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial enhancement of system information by selectively adding WLAN-specific configuration parameters only to terminals that require WLAN access. The network device determines which terminals need WLAN configuration and sends targeted WLAN configuration messages only to those terminals, rather than broadcasting complete WLAN information to all terminals, thus balancing ease of operation with signaling overhead reduction
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method for accessing a wireless local area network, a terminal device, and a network device. The method comprises: a terminal device sends a system message request to a network device, the system message request being used for requesting the network device to send a system message to the terminal device, and the system message being information for accessing a wireless local area network by the terminal device; and the terminal device receives the system message sent by the network device. In the method for accessing a wireless local area network in an embodiment of the present invention, for a 5G communication system, part or all of traffic can be transferred to the WLAN or an unlicensed frequency band by adding system information, thereby saving licensed frequency band resources.