LTE-WLAN Aggregation via IPsec Tunnel for Data Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication systems face limitations in transmitting large amounts of data to multiple terminals due to limited frequency resources, and unlicensed frequency bands are not exclusively usable, necessitating a method to efficiently integrate WLAN carriers with base station carriers for data transmission and reception.
Innovation Solution
The integration of WLAN and base station carriers is achieved through a tunnel-based LTE-WLAN aggregation technique using IPsec tunnels, allowing legacy terminals to transmit and receive data by configuring IPsec tunnels and setting data bearers, while reusing existing WLAN APs and identifying wireless bearers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If base station uses limited frequency resources to transmit data to multiple terminals, then data transmission capacity is constrained, but cost for exclusive frequency resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines base station carriers and WLAN carriers into an aggregated carrier system, allowing data to be transmitted through multiple frequency resources simultaneously. The base station transmits data through both its own carrier and shared WLAN carriers, effectively merging two different communication resources to increase overall data transmission capacity without requiring exclusive ownership of additional frequency bands.
2Productivity
If base station aggregates WLAN carrier with base station carrier to increase data transmission, then data capacity improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary component that manages the interaction between the base station and WLAN access points. The gateway handles the coordination of data routing, carrier management, and resource allocation, thereby reducing the complexity burden on the base station itself while still enabling carrier aggregation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate independently using its own carrier, or it can aggregate with WLAN carriers when additional capacity is needed. This multi-functionality allows the base station to adapt to different traffic conditions and resource availability, managing complexity through flexible, context-dependent operation rather than requiring dedicated complex infrastructure for each mode.
3Adaptability or versatility
If legacy terminal uses only base station carrier, then terminal simplicity is maintained, but WLAN carrier utilization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is designed with dynamic carrier selection capability. It can operate in a simple mode using only the base station carrier when WLAN resources are unavailable or unnecessary, and dynamically switch to or aggregate with WLAN carriers when additional bandwidth is needed. This dynamic adaptation allows the terminal to maintain simplicity under normal conditions while gaining versatility when required, without requiring permanent complex hardware configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present embodiment relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling a base station and a terminal to transmit ad/or receive specific user plane data through a WLAN carrier while transmitting the user plane data by adding the WLAN carrier to the E-UTRAN carrier in the RAN (Wireless Access Network) level. In particular, a method may be provided for transmitting and receiving data by a terminal. The method may include: receiving configuration information for transmitting and receiving data to and from a base station by using an IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) tunnel through a WLAN (wireless local area network) carrier, configuring the IPsec tunnel based on the configuration information and setting a data bearer by using the IPsec tunnel; and transmitting, to the base station, data that is received by using the IPsec tunnel from the upper layer in a tunnel entity of the terminal.