Terminal LWA State Feedback for Wireless Resource Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Terminal apparatuses may be unable to utilize LTE-WLAN Aggregation (LWA) functionality due to user disabling of wireless LAN functions or connection to incompatible APs, leading to unnecessary AP search instructions from the eNB, wasting wireless resources.

Innovation Solution

The terminal apparatus transmits information to the eNB regarding its LWA execution state, allowing the eNB to determine whether the terminal apparatus is capable of performing LWA, and only issuing AP search instructions when compatible, thus preventing resource wastage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the eNB continues to issue AP search instructions to LWA-compatible terminal apparatuses, then the terminal apparatus can potentially utilize LWA functionality, but wireless resources are wasted when the terminal apparatus is actually incapable of performing LWA communication

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLWA functionality availabilityVSAvoidwireless resource wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal apparatus provides feedback to the eNB about its LWA execution capability status. The eNB uses this feedback to determine whether to issue AP search instructions, thereby avoiding wireless resource wastage while maintaining LWA functionality when available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The eNB determines the terminal apparatus's LWA execution capability status before issuing AP search instructions. This preliminary check ensures that AP search instructions are only sent when the terminal apparatus is actually capable of performing LWA communication, preventing resource wastage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the terminal apparatus disables wireless LAN function or connects to incompatible APs, then ease of operation is improved, but the terminal apparatus becomes incapable of performing LWA communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser operation flexibilityVSAvoidLWA communication capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal apparatus feeds back its current operational state (whether wireless LAN is enabled and whether connected APs are LWA-compatible) to the eNB. This allows the eNB to accurately assess LWA execution capability and adjust its instructions accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal apparatus's LWA execution capability status is dynamic and can change based on user operations (enabling/disabling wireless LAN, connecting to different APs). The system continuously monitors and reports this status to the eNB, allowing adaptive control of AP search instructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3413612B1Communication apparatus, base station apparatus, control method, and program

Publication Date: 2020.02.05 KDDI CORP

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AI summary

A communication apparatus capable of performing, under the control of the first partner apparatus belonging to the first wireless communication system, parallel communications including the first communication with the first partner apparatus and the second communication with the second partner apparatus belonging to the second wireless communication system different from the first wireless communication system transmits, to the first partner apparatus, information that allows the first partner apparatus to determine whether the communication apparatus is in a state in which it is capable of performing the parallel communications, the information being used for causing the first partner apparatus to control a search for a partner apparatus in the second wireless communication system by the communication apparatus.