LTE Data Offloading via WiFi Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE technologies face challenges in efficiently offloading data to meet increasing bandwidth requirements, leading to increased investment and maintenance costs due to the need for additional base stations and reduced coverage, with prior art lacking a specific data processing method for offloading between LTE and WIFI networks.
Innovation Solution
A data offloading and transmission method for user equipment that utilizes uplink transmission resources of both LTE and short-range communications networks, performing multiplexing operations on radio bearers and updating Bj values to manage data transmission, allowing for efficient data offloading between LTE and short-range communications networks without affecting existing radio bearers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If LTE base stations are deployed to increase transmission bandwidth, then network capacity is improved, but investment costs and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines LTE and WIFI networks into a unified offloading system where LTE control plane and user plane are integrated with WIFI data plane. The eNodeB coordinates with WIFI access points to enable seamless data offloading, merging resources of both networks to increase transmission bandwidth without deploying additional LTE base stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the LTE network to perform multiple functions: controlling both LTE and WIFI transmissions, managing radio bearers for both networks, and coordinating data offloading. The eNodeB acts as a universal controller that handles both cellular and wireless local area network operations, maximizing resource utilization without requiring separate infrastructure.
2Productivity
If LTE base stations are deployed to meet bandwidth requirements, then network capacity is improved, but coverage area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges LTE coverage area with WIFI coverage area to extend overall network reach. WIFI access points are deployed in areas where LTE coverage is limited or unavailable, creating a hybrid network that maintains service continuity across broader geographical areas while meeting bandwidth requirements through coordinated offloading.
3Productivity
If data is transmitted only through LTE air interface, then network control is simplified, but transmission bandwidth is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission function into control plane (handled by LTE eNodeB) and user plane (offloaded to WIFI). The control plane remains centralized and simplified, while the user plane utilizes additional WIFI resources for bandwidth-intensive data transmission, achieving high throughput without complicating the core network control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The eNodeB acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the core network and WIFI access points. It manages the offloading decisions, radio bearer configurations, and data routing between LTE and WIFI networks, enabling complex multi-network operations while presenting a simplified interface to the core network.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radio bearers are configured for offloading, then data transmission flexibility is improved, but multiplexing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality characteristics to different radio bearers based on their specific requirements. Some bearers are configured for LTE with specific QoS parameters, while others are configured for WIFI offloading with different parameters. This localized optimization allows flexible adaptation to various traffic types while managing complexity through standardized configuration procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a data offloading and transmission method, user equipment, and base station. The data offloading and transmission method includes: receiving, by a user equipment, a data offloading indication sent by a base station, where the data offloading indication is sent by the base station to the user equipment after a serving access point of a short-range communications network is allocated by using a data offloading configuration process to the user equipment; and performing, by the user equipment, data offloading and transmission by using uplink transmission resources of short-range communications and/or uplink transmission resources of Long Term Evolution according to the data offloading indication. According to the present invention, offloading by a short-range communications network can be implemented from a Long Term Evolution network, thereby implementing offloading and transmission between the short-range communications network and the Long Term Evolution network.