WLAN Carrier Data Processing for LTE Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting and receiving large amounts of data due to limited frequency resources, and existing methods for integrating WLAN carriers with E-UTRAN carriers lack standardized procedures for data transmission and consideration of wireless environments and terminal mobility.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for processing user plane data by configuring WLAN carriers for both terminals and base stations, allowing data transmission and reception using either licensed or unlicensed frequency bands, and implementing Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) functions similar to those in WLAN carriers, enabling efficient data transmission and reception paths and sequence numbering without duplication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If base station uses limited frequency resources to provide communication service to multiple terminals, then communication service coverage is improved, but data transmission capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data transmission into two separate paths: licensed carrier for control signaling and small data, unlicensed WLAN carrier for bulk data transmission. This segmentation allows the base station to maintain service coverage on licensed bands while offloading large data volumes to WLAN, thus resolving the contradiction between coverage area and data transmission capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension by integrating WLAN carrier aggregation with E-UTRAN, allowing data transmission across different frequency resource dimensions (licensed vs. unlicensed bands). This enables simultaneous provision of coverage on licensed bands and high-capacity data transmission on unlicensed WLAN bands, resolving the trade-off between coverage and capacity.
2Reliability
If communication service provider secures exclusive frequency resources, then data transmission reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces WLAN as an intermediary transmission medium between the base station and terminal. The licensed carrier acts as a reliable control plane, while WLAN serves as a cost-effective data plane. This intermediary approach maintains reliability through licensed band control signaling while reducing costs by utilizing free unlicensed WLAN resources for bulk data transmission.
3Productivity
If WLAN carrier is integrated with E-UTRAN for data transmission, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal data transmission framework where the base station can dynamically select between licensed E-UTRAN carrier and unlicensed WLAN carrier based on traffic requirements. The system maintains multi-functionality by supporting both traditional LTE data transmission and WLAN-based data transmission through a unified resource allocation and scheduling mechanism, thereby improving efficiency while managing complexity through standardized protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method and apparatus for processing user plane data by a terminal. The method may include: receiving additional configuration information for additionally configuring a WLAN carrier using an unlicensed frequency band; receiving downlink user plane data through a base station carrier using the WLAN carrier or a licensed frequency band according to the additional configuration information; and transmitting included uplink user plane data through the WLAN carrier or the base station carrier according to the additional configuration information.