LTE-WLAN Aggregation Mobility Set Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cellular/WLAN interworking techniques, as defined in LTE standards, face challenges in efficiently managing mobility between wireless LAN access points without notifying the base station, particularly in configuring and updating mobility sets for LTE-WLAN aggregation in Evolved-Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) environments.
Innovation Solution
A processor-based solution that configures, modifies, and transmits mobility sets for LTE-WLAN aggregation in radio terminals, including adding or deleting access points, and notifies the network apparatus, enabling autonomous mobility between wireless LAN access points without requiring base station intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the base station manages mobility between WLAN access points using existing cellular/WLAN interworking techniques, then the network can maintain control over traffic steering, but the mobility management becomes complex and requires continuous base station intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The base station pre-configures a mobility set containing multiple WLAN access point identifiers to the radio terminal before mobility is needed. This preliminary configuration enables the terminal to autonomously perform mobility management by switching between access points in the set without requiring real-time base station intervention, thus simplifying operation while maintaining network control
Solution Approach 2:
The mobility management function is segmented into two parts: the base station maintains the master mobility set configuration, while the radio terminal independently manages switching within that set. This segmentation reduces the complexity of continuous base station control while ensuring mobility operations remain easy for the terminal
2Productivity
If the radio terminal autonomously switches between WLAN access points without notifying the base station, then mobility efficiency improves, but the base station loses visibility of mobility changes
Solution Approach 1:
The radio terminal autonomously performs mobility switching between access points in the configured set without real-time base station notification, improving switching efficiency. However, the terminal provides feedback by reporting mobility status changes and receiving updated mobility set configurations from the base station, ensuring the network maintains visibility of mobility information
Solution Approach 2:
The base station proactively updates the mobility set configuration in the radio terminal when changes are detected, rather than waiting for terminal reports. This preliminary action ensures the terminal has current mobility information while maintaining autonomous switching capability
3Reliability
If the base station continuously monitors and controls WLAN access point mobility, then network control is maintained, but signaling overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base station pre-configures the complete mobility set with all relevant WLAN access point identifiers before the terminal needs to perform mobility. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for continuous monitoring and real-time control signaling, maintaining network control while significantly reducing the time required for mobility management operations
Data Source
AI summary
A base station according to an embodiment is a base station in Evolved-Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). The base station includes a processor. The processor is configured to configure in a radio terminal a mobility set for LTE-WLAN aggregation (LWA), the mobility set configured of a set of access points in wireless local area network (WLAN), modify the mobility set, and transmit information indicating the modified mobility set to the radio terminal.