WLAN Handover Access Check Optimization for RRC Connection

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, handover operations from wireless local area networks (WLAN) to cellular networks are hindered by access checks, which can prevent seamless transitions due to barring factors, leading to suboptimal quality of service and user experience.

Innovation Solution

A method where user equipment (UE) generates a handover request and establishes a radio resource control (RRC) connection with a base station independently of access checks, by setting an RRC establishment cause as an exempted service or performing an access check based on a bias value, allowing for bypassing the initial access attempt barriers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If access check operations are performed during handover from WLAN to cellular network, then network access control is maintained, but handover success rate deteriorates due to barring factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover success rateVSAvoidaccess barring factors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs access check operations in advance during the handover process from WLAN to cellular network, specifically executing the access check before final connection establishment. This preliminary action allows the system to identify and handle potential access denial scenarios beforehand, improving handover success rate by preparing alternative actions or warnings before the actual handover completion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the handover process based on access check results. When access check indicates potential barring, the system dynamically modifies handover parameters or notifies the user about possible connection issues. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond to changing network conditions and access control policies, improving overall handover reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If standard access check procedures are followed, then network security is maintained, but quality of service deteriorates during handover transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of serviceVSAvoidaccess check operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs access check operations in advance during the handover process from WLAN to cellular network, specifically executing the access check before final connection establishment. This preliminary action allows the system to identify and handle potential access denial scenarios beforehand, improving handover success rate by preparing alternative actions or warnings before the actual handover completion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically performs and processes access check results without requiring additional user intervention or complex configuration. The UE autonomously handles the access check during handover, interpreting results and adjusting the connection process accordingly, thereby maintaining QoS while managing the complexity of access check operations through self-service mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If access check operations are performed, then network access control is enforced, but handover speed deteriorates due to additional verification steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover speedVSAvoidaccess check execution time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs access check operations in advance during the handover process from WLAN to cellular network, specifically executing the access check before final connection establishment. This preliminary action allows the system to identify and handle potential access denial scenarios beforehand, improving handover success rate by preparing alternative actions or warnings before the actual handover completion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

When access check results indicate that access is permitted, the patent enables the system to skip further access verification steps and proceed directly with handover completion. This selective skipping of redundant verification steps reduces handover execution time while maintaining necessary access control, thereby improving handover speed without compromising security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS11412426B2Access check optimization for handover from wireless local area network (WLAN) and other inter radio access technology (IRAT)

Publication Date: 2022.08.09 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE). In one aspect, the UE is configured to generate a handover request related to a wireless communication session between the UE and a wireless local area network (WLAN) device, and establish, independent of an access check, a radio resource control (RRC) connection with a base station. In another aspect, the UE is configured to perform an access check based on a bias value, and establish an RRC connection with a base station based on a result of the access check. The access check performed based on a communication indicator related to a wireless communication session between the UE and a WLAN device.