Uplink Scheduling via WLAN-Cellular Aggregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In heterogeneous networks, existing technologies lack dynamic control over packet flow distribution between cellular and wireless local area networks, leading to inefficient resource management and potential service interruptions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing cellular and wireless local area network aggregation, where a controller directs packet flows between cellular and WLAN transceivers based on data amount, time, or scheduling, enabling unified control and management of both networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If static traffic steering is used to direct packet flows between cellular and WLAN networks, then network control is simplified, but resource management efficiency deteriorates and service interruptions may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork controlVSAvoidresource management efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic traffic steering that adapts packet flow distribution between cellular and WLAN networks based on real-time network conditions, data amount, time parameters, and scheduling requirements. This dynamic approach replaces static steering rules with flexible, condition-based decision-making that optimizes resource utilization while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If packet flows are directed through a single network interface, then device complexity is reduced, but data throughput and flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol architectureVSAvoiddata throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments packet flows into different streams that can be independently routed through cellular or WLAN interfaces based on specific criteria such as data amount, time parameters, and scheduling requirements. This segmentation enables parallel transmission through multiple network interfaces, increasing overall throughput while maintaining manageable complexity through structured flow distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges cellular and WLAN networks into a unified aggregated connection, allowing packet flows to be distributed across both interfaces simultaneously. This combining of multiple network resources creates a composite communication channel that delivers higher data throughput and greater flexibility while presenting a unified control interface to upper layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If dynamic packet flow distribution is implemented between cellular and WLAN networks, then resource management efficiency and data throughput improve, but device complexity and control difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource management efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor network conditions, transmission performance, and resource utilization on both cellular and WLAN interfaces. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust packet flow distribution decisions, enabling adaptive resource management that optimizes throughput while automatically managing the complexity of multi-interface coordination through real-time condition response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3257317B1Uplink scheduling with WLAN/3GPP aggregation
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3257317B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3257317B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3257317B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In some example embodiments there is provided a method. The method may include receiving, at a user equipment, configuration information, wherein the configuration information at least configures the user equipment for wireless local area network aggregation with cellular; and dividing, based on the received configuration, packet transmission between a cellular transceiver and a wireless local area network transceiver. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.