LTE Wi-Fi Channel Aggregation via PDCP Convergence Protocol
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for co-existence between LTE and Wi-Fi in unlicensed spectrum, such as License Assisted Access (LAA), do not effectively utilize the technical capabilities of either technology, leading to inefficient channel sharing and management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing channel aggregation at the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) or Media Access Control (MAC) layer using a Wi-Fi Convergence Protocol, which splits traffic between LTE and Wi-Fi based on radio conditions and Quality of Service requirements, and utilizing a dual Ethernet interface access point to simplify physical implementation without modifying existing hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If time-division multiplexing is used to share unlicensed spectrum between LTE and Wi-Fi, then spectrum sharing is achieved, but technical capabilities of both technologies are not effectively utilized and channel sharing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges LTE and Wi-Fi networks at the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer to create an aggregated network that combines the capabilities of both technologies. This allows the system to leverage LTE's reliability and Wi-Fi's high throughput simultaneously, rather than time-division multiplexing them separately, thereby effectively utilizing technical capabilities of both while improving channel sharing efficiency
2Productivity
If channel aggregation at PDCP layer is implemented to utilize capabilities of both LTE and Wi-Fi, then technical capabilities are effectively utilized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a convergence protocol as an intermediary layer between the LTE and Wi-Fi networks at the PDCP layer. This mediator handles the complexity of aggregation, traffic splitting, and packet reordering, allowing the underlying LTE and Wi-Fi systems to operate independently while achieving effective channel sharing and utilizing both technologies' capabilities
3Productivity
If traffic is split between LTE and Wi-Fi based on radio conditions and QoS requirements, then channel usage is optimized, but traffic management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic traffic splitting at the PDCP layer based on real-time radio conditions and Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. The system continuously monitors channel quality and automatically adjusts the proportion of traffic routed through LTE versus Wi-Fi, optimizing channel usage while the convergence protocol handles the computational complexity of dynamic decision-making
Data Source
AI summary
Data to be transmitted to a user device may be received at a network device. It may be determined that the user device has network connectivity to the network device via a wide area wireless network connection and that the user device also separately has connectivity to the network device via a local area wireless network connection to an access point. The data may be split so that some portion of the data is to be transmitted by the wide area wireless network connection and another portion of the data is to be transmitted by the local area wireless network connection.