LTE-WLAN Aggregation Handover Context Pre-Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE networks, face inefficiencies during handover processes when integrating LTE and WLAN, leading to unnecessary service interruptions and packet loss due to lack of means for faster reconfiguration and preparation of network nodes, especially in scenarios with overlapping small LTE cells and WLAN APs.
Innovation Solution
A method for inter- and intra-eNB handover in conjunction with LTE-WLAN Aggregation (LWA) that involves pre-configuring the target network node with information about the UE's context and mobility set, allowing the target eNB to prepare the LWA connection before handover, and ensuring seamless transition by maintaining the UE context in the WLAN network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the target network node is pre-configured with UE context and mobility set information, then the handover reconfiguration speed is improved, but the signaling overhead and network node complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the target network node with UE context and mobility set information before handover occurs. The source network node sends this information to the target network node in advance, allowing the target node to prepare the LWA connection and reduce reconfiguration time during actual handover, thus improving speed while managing complexity through advance preparation
2Reliability
If the UE context is maintained in the WLAN network during handover, then service continuity is improved, but the memory resources and processing overhead at the radio access node increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the UE context maintenance function from the radio access node by implementing it at the WLAN network level. The UE context is maintained in the WLAN infrastructure rather than being stored and managed entirely at the radio access node, thus ensuring service continuity while reducing the memory resource burden on the radio access node
3Manufacturing precision
If the target network node receives detailed parameter information from the source network node, then the handover preparation accuracy is improved, but the signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the handover information into distinct components: UE context information and mobility set information. This segmentation allows the target network node to receive and process specific parameter sets separately, improving preparation accuracy for each component while managing signaling overhead through structured, modular information exchange between network nodes
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a source network node for handover of a wireless communication device in a first wireless communications network using a first RAT is provided. The handover is to be performed from the source network node to a target network node. The wireless communication device is configured to communicate with the source network node directly and to communicate with the source network node via a radio access node in a second wireless communications network using a second RAT.The source network node provides (401) the target network node with information about parameters relating to a communication between the wireless communication device and the source network node via the radio access node.The source network node receives (402) a feedback from the target network node. The feedback comprises an indication of whether or not the radio access node was able to keep a context of the wireless communication device in the second wireless communications network. The context comprises an identity of the wireless communication device in the second wireless communications network, and information required to interact with the wireless device in the second wireless communications network.