LTE Handover to WLAN via eNodeB AP Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently performing handover procedures for data offloading from 3GPP LTE systems to WLAN systems, leading to suboptimal resource utilization and user experience due to inefficient load balancing and unnecessary scanning.
Innovation Solution
A method for a 3GPP LTE system to receive information about nearby WLAN access points, decide on handover based on resource availability, and initiate a handover request to a second eNodeB for data offloading, utilizing existing messages like load information, resource status response, or resource status update messages to acknowledge the presence of suitable WLAN access points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the UE performs scanning to discover WLAN access points for handover, then handover capability is improved, but battery consumption increases and user experience deteriorates due to unnecessary scanning
Solution Approach 1:
The source eNodeB performs preliminary actions by obtaining WLAN access point information in advance through load information messages or resource status messages from neighboring eNodeBs, and proactively notifies the UE of this information before handover is needed. This eliminates the need for the UE to perform energy-consuming scanning operations, as the UE already has the necessary WLAN AP information provided beforehand by the network.
2Productivity
If the source eNodeB obtains WLAN access point information through neighboring eNodeBs, then WLAN utilization is improved, but system complexity increases due to inter-eNodeB messaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reuses existing inter-eNodeB messaging structures (load information messages and resource status messages) for their original purposes while adding the functionality of WLAN access point information transfer. Instead of creating a new dedicated messaging protocol, the WLAN information is embedded within these existing message types, allowing them to serve multiple functions: resource status reporting and WLAN AP information dissemination simultaneously.
3Productivity
If the source eNodeB proactively notifies the UE of WLAN access point information, then handover efficiency is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the WLAN access point information notification with the existing handover command message (RRC Connection Reconfiguration message). Instead of sending a separate notification message for WLAN information, the WLAN AP details are included within the handover command itself, which the UE must receive anyway to execute handover. This combining approach delivers the WLAN information as part of the necessary handover signaling without adding separate overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performing a handover procedure in a wireless communication system is provided. A first eNodeB (eNB) of a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE) system receives information on an access point (AP) of a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, which is located at neighborhood of a second eNB, to which data of the first eNB can be offloaded, from a user equipment (UE) or a second eNB, and decides whether to handover the UE to the second eNB based on the received information on the AP.