User Terminal Handoff Tracking Between 3GPP and WLAN Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of mechanisms for 3GPP networks and Wi-Fi/WLAN networks to share information about user terminal movements leads to difficulties in troubleshooting issues, such as poor performance during handoffs, as neither network is aware of the change in radio access technology, hindering fault determination and affecting user experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing methods for user terminals to identify and share information about 3GPP and WLAN networks, including Cell Global Identity (CGI) and Service Set Identifier (SSID), during association and disassociation processes, allowing both networks to store and track movement data, thereby facilitating better network management and troubleshooting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If user terminals automatically connect to WLAN and detach from 3GPP network without network coordination, then user terminal connectivity is improved, but network awareness of movement is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the user terminal explicitly notifies both the 3GPP network and WLAN about its movement intentions and current associations. The terminal provides feedback information including identification data of the other network and association status, enabling both networks to track and awareness of the terminal's movement between different radio access technologies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If user terminals make movement decisions independently without network knowledge, then connection flexibility is improved, but troubleshooting capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The user terminal acts as an intermediary that coordinates information exchange between the 3GPP network and WLAN. It provides identification information of the other network to both networks during association and detachment processes, enabling both networks to maintain awareness of the terminal's state and facilitating coordinated management of the movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal provides feedback information to both networks about its movement intentions, current associations, and detachment status. This feedback includes identification data of the other network and association status, enabling networks to track movements and improve troubleshooting capabilities while maintaining connection flexibility.
3Device complexity
If no information sharing mechanism exists between 3GPP and WLAN networks, then network independence is preserved, but fault determination is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The user terminal serves as an intermediary that enables information sharing between the 3GPP network and WLAN without requiring direct integration between the networks. It provides identification information of the other network to both sides, allowing fault determination and network management while preserving the independence of each network domain.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to a first aspect there is provided a method of operating a user terminal when attempting to move from one of a cell of a 3GPP network and an AP of a WLAN to the other of a cell of a 3GPP network and an AP of a WLAN. The method comprises identifying the 3GPP network and the 3GPP cell to the WLAN, and identifying the WLAN and a WLAN AP to the 3GPP network.