UE-Assisted WLAN Offloading via Cellular Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heterogeneous network deployments, existing systems face challenges in efficiently managing network selection and load balancing between cellular and WLAN networks, particularly in distributed deployments where cooperation between cellular and WLAN networks is limited, leading to suboptimal network assistance and potential congestion in WLAN connections.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a UE-assisted network selection mechanism, where user equipment (UE) measures local network information and reports it to the cellular node, enabling more informed network selection decisions that consider both signal strength and network load, thereby improving load balancing and overall system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UE automatically utilizes WLAN connection when signal is strong enough, then connection availability is improved, but network load balancing deteriorates causing WLAN congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where UEs report WLAN measurement information (signal strength, load conditions) to the cellular network. The network uses this feedback to dynamically adjust network selection policies, switching from automatic WLAN connection to informed network selection based on real-time network conditions, thus preventing congestion while maintaining connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cellular network acts as an intermediary between UEs and WLAN networks. Instead of UEs directly selecting WLAN based solely on signal strength, the cellular network mediates the selection process by receiving measurement reports, evaluating network conditions, and providing network selection assistance information to UEs, thereby achieving load balancing across both networks.
2Area of stationary object
If distributed deployment is used, then network coverage is improved, but cooperation between cellular and WLAN networks deteriorates leading to suboptimal network assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement reporting mechanism is designed to be universal and applicable across distributed network deployments. UEs can report WLAN measurements to any serving cellular node regardless of location, and the reporting framework works consistently across different deployment scenarios (macro-cell, micro-cell, pico-cell), enabling cooperative network selection even in distributed architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a new dimension of inter-network measurement reporting between cellular and WLAN networks. By extending measurement capabilities from intra-network (cellular to cellular, WLAN to WLAN) to inter-network (cellular UE to WLAN), the system enables distributed nodes to make informed decisions about network selection and load balancing across network boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or cellular network communications corresponding to a non-cellular network. For example, an Evolved Node B (eNB) may be configured to transmit to a User Equipment (UE) at least one configuration message to configure one or more measurements to be performed by the UE with respect to at least Wireless-Local-Area-Network (WLAN), to receive from the UE at least one report message including measurement information corresponding to the WLAN, to trigger the UE to start or stop offloading to the WLAN, and/or to transmit to the UE network assistance information corresponding to the WLAN.