LTE-WLAN Offloadability Query via AT Command
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE-WLAN interworking systems lack efficient methods for reporting and managing radio access network (RAN) assistance parameters and offloadability of packet data network connections, which hinders optimal network selection and data steering between LTE and WLAN networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of AT commands for mobile termination (MT) to report RAN assistance parameters and conditions, and for terminal equipment (TE) to query and enable/disable reporting, as well as determine WLAN offloadability, using unsolicited result codes (URCs) for real-time updates and decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If RAN assistance parameters and offloadability information are reported and managed efficiently, then network selection and data steering performance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary module in the UE that acts as a bridge between the network and upper layer applications. This module receives RAN assistance parameters and offloadability information from the network, processes them locally, and provides standardized interfaces to applications. This intermediary approach improves network selection efficiency by centralizing the complex processing logic while maintaining a simple interface for applications, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and system complexity increase.
2Speed
If real-time RAN assistance parameter updates are provided through unsolicited result codes, then network selection responsiveness is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic reporting of RAN assistance parameters through unsolicited result codes (URCs) sent by the mobile termination to the terminal equipment. Instead of continuous monitoring and querying, the system uses periodic URC transmissions triggered by parameter changes or time intervals. This periodic action mechanism improves network selection responsiveness by providing real-time updates when needed while minimizing signaling overhead by avoiding unnecessary continuous communication, thus resolving the contradiction between speed improvement and quantity increase.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods for LTE-WLAN interworking control and management are proposed. In one novel aspect, a terminal equipment (TE) can use an AT command to query the WLAN offloadability of a packet data network (PDN) connection. A mobile termination (MT) can store the WLAN offloadability indication in its memory and return the value to TE upon receiving the AT command. In one example, a new field <WLAN_Offload> can be added to an existing AT command.