AP Information Management Entity for Heterogeneous Wireless Interworking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fifth-generation mobile communication systems, there is a need for a method to efficiently acquire information on access points (APs) from an AP information management server located outside the cellular network, particularly for interworking between heterogeneous wireless communication systems like cellular and WLAN, to ensure seamless and efficient communication.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for an AP information management entity in a primary radio access technology (RAT) system to request and receive information on APs from an AP information management server outside the primary RAT system using protocols such as S1 application protocol, GPRS tunneling protocol (GTP), and access network query protocol (ANQP), through entities like eNodeB, MME, S-GW, and P-GW, to gather details like MAC address, SSID, frequency channel, and location of APs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If AP information management server is located outside the cellular network, then the cellular system can access AP information from external sources, but the complexity of acquiring and managing this information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an AP information management entity as an intermediary component within the cellular network that simplifies the interaction between the cellular system and external AP servers. This entity aggregates and manages AP information from multiple external sources through standardized interfaces, reducing the complexity of direct external connections while maintaining adaptability to various external servers
Solution Approach 2:
The AP information management entity provides universal functionality by supporting multiple external AP servers through standardized interfaces and protocols. It can acquire information from different external sources (WLAN servers, gateway servers, etc.) and present unified information to cellular network entities, making the system adaptable to various external configurations without increasing operational complexity
2Area of stationary object
If the cellular system integrates with external AP servers, then the coverage and capacity of the cellular system increase, but the difficulty of managing heterogeneous systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the AP information management function from the core cellular network functions by introducing a separate AP information management entity. This segmentation allows external AP servers to be managed independently while the cellular network benefits from extended coverage, reducing the management burden on core network elements
Solution Approach 2:
The AP information management entity acts as a mediator between the cellular network and external AP servers, handling the complexity of heterogeneous system integration. It provides standardized interfaces for information acquisition and management, allowing the cellular system to expand coverage without directly managing the complexity of external heterogeneous systems
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for acquiring information on an access point (AP) in a wireless communication system is provided. An AP information management entity of a cellular system transmits a request for information on an AP, which is located within coverage of an eNodeB (eNB), to an AP server which is located outside of the cellular system, and receives a response, which includes a result code of the request, from the AP server. The AP information management entity is one of an eNB, mobility management entity (MME), or a new entity of the cellular system.