Base Station WLAN Connection Control via Terminal Failure Reporting

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, base stations face challenges in effectively managing connection control when both LTE and WLAN systems are used in parallel, particularly in Dual Connectivity scenarios, as they cannot accurately acknowledge the status of wireless terminals in WLAN communications, leading to inadequate connection management.

Innovation Solution

A base station apparatus and communication apparatus that include means to obtain information on connection failures in WLAN systems and control the connection based on whether the failure is due to suspended communication functions, allowing for appropriate execution of connection control by distinguishing between system failures and functional suspensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the base station apparatus uses LTE and WLAN systems in parallel for communication, then system capacity and throughput are improved, but the base station cannot accurately acknowledge the status of wireless terminals in WLAN communications, leading to inadequate connection management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacity and throughputVSAvoidacknowledgment accuracy of terminal status
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the terminal device itself reports its connection status and failure causes to the base station. Since the base station cannot directly monitor WLAN connection status, the terminal acts as a mediator to provide accurate status information through uplink reports, enabling the base station to make informed connection control decisions without direct monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the base station apparatus cannot distinguish between system failures and functional suspensions in WLAN communication, then connection control accuracy deteriorates, but implementing distinction requires additional information collection mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection control accuracyVSAvoidinformation collection mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the terminal device pre-identify and report the cause of connection failures before the base station needs to make connection control decisions. The terminal analyzes whether the failure is due to system issues or functional suspension and communicates this information proactively, allowing the base station to immediately implement appropriate control measures without complex real-time analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the base station apparatus implements comprehensive connection control in WLAN system, then connection management reliability is improved, but the complexity of control mechanisms increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection management reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the terminal device to autonomously monitor its own connection status, identify failure causes, and report this information to the base station. This shifts the burden of status monitoring from the base station to the terminal itself, allowing the base station to implement reliable connection control based on accurate terminal-provided information without requiring complex monitoring infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3337227B1Base station device, communication device, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2020.10.28 KDDI CORP
  • EP3337227B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3337227B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3337227B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a wireless communication system that includes a base station apparatus and a terminal capable of connecting to the base station apparatus in a first system and connecting to another apparatus in a second system, the base station apparatus obtains, when a failure has occurred in connection in the second system between the terminal and the another apparatus, information indicating whether the failure is attributed to suspension of communication functions of the terminal in the second system, and controls connection of the terminal in the second system based on the information.