EPC Paging via WLAN Capability Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communications networks, particularly in LTE and LTE-Advanced, the proliferation of machine-type communication devices and smartphones increases the paging load, leading to inefficiencies in notifying user equipment (UE) via cellular networks, as existing methods do not effectively utilize WLAN capabilities to reduce radio interface paging loads.
Innovation Solution
The method involves receiving and utilizing WLAN capability information to decide whether to page the UE via E-UTRAN or notify it via WLAN, allowing the network to determine the most efficient communication path by including WLAN capability information in the 'UE radio capability information for paging' information element, which is relayed to the evolved Node B (eNB) or Mobility Management Entity (MME), enabling direct notification via WLAN when the UE is connected to a WLAN access point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network pages all UEs via E-UTRAN, then all UEs can be reliably notified, but the paging load on the radio interface increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the notification process by dividing UEs into two groups: those with WLAN capability and those without. UEs with WLAN capability are notified via WLAN access points, while others are paged via E-UTRAN. This segmentation reduces the paging load on the radio interface while maintaining reliable notification for all UEs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces WLAN access points as intermediary devices to notify UEs. Instead of directly paging all UEs through the E-UTRAN radio interface, the network uses WLAN APs as intermediaries to deliver notifications to UEs that support WLAN, thereby reducing the burden on the cellular radio interface.
2Quantity of substance
If the network uses WLAN for notification, then the LTE paging load is reduced, but not all UEs may be reachable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic notification strategy where the network adapts the notification method based on UE capabilities. The MME retrieves WLAN capability information from the HSS and dynamically selects whether to use WLAN or E-UTRAN for each UE. This dynamic approach ensures that WLAN is used when appropriate (reducing load) while falling back to E-UTRAN when necessary (ensuring reachability).
3Measurement precision
If the network retrieves WLAN capability information from HSS, then accurate UE capability data is obtained, but additional signaling overhead is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the network retrieve and store WLAN capability information in the HSS in advance, during UE attachment or earlier. This preliminary retrieval ensures that when paging is needed, the MME already has accurate capability information available, avoiding the need for real-time capability queries and reducing signaling overhead during the actual paging process.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products of EPC paging for access points are provided. One method includes receiving, by a mobility management entity (MME), wireless local area network (WLAN) capability information of a user equipment (UE), including the WLAN capability information of the UE in a “UE radio capability information for paging” information element (IE), and providing the UE radio capability information to an evolved node B (eNB). The eNB decides, based on the received WLAN capability information, whether to page the UE via E-UTRAN or to notify the UE via WLAN.