Traffic Steering Between 3GPP and WLAN Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, especially in LTE, the management of traffic steering between 3GPP and WLAN networks is unclear when multiple serving cells are configured by carrier aggregation (CA) or dual connectivity (DC), making it difficult to determine the optimal serving cell for traffic steering.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for evaluating conditions for traffic steering in user equipment (UE) by receiving radio access network (RAN) assistance information, allowing the UE to perform traffic steering between a serving cell and a wireless local area network (WLAN) based on specific thresholds, either through network-provided or UE-autonomous solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple serving cells are configured by carrier aggregation or dual connectivity, then network capacity and bandwidth are improved, but traffic steering management becomes unclear and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traffic steering management by introducing a specific indicator that identifies which serving cell should be used for traffic steering. This divides the complex multi-cell management into a clear selection process where the UE can identify the appropriate cell based on the received indicator, rather than having to manage all cells equally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - a specific indicator transmitted via RAN assistance information - that mediates between the network's traffic steering policy and the UE's cell selection. This intermediary carries the necessary information to resolve the ambiguity of which cell to use, simplifying the UE's decision-making process.
2Measurement precision
If RAN assistance information is provided for each serving cell, then traffic steering accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for traffic steering - a specific indicator identifying the target serving cell - from the RAN assistance information. Instead of providing comprehensive information for all serving cells, only the necessary indicator is transmitted, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining sufficient accuracy for traffic steering decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing RAN assistance information with a specific indicator only when needed for traffic steering, rather than continuously providing complete information for all serving cells. This reduces unnecessary signaling while ensuring accuracy is maintained when traffic steering is actually required.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system includes receiving radio access network (RAN) assistance information from a first network system; evaluating conditions for a traffic steering between the first network system and a second network system by comparing the RAN assistance information only with a quality of a primary cell (PCell) among serving cells of the first network system; and performing the traffic steering from the first network system to the second network system based on that the conditions for the traffic steering are met on the PCell.