WLAN Node Per-Cell Load Reporting for LTE Traffic Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies face challenges in effectively integrating Wi-Fi networks with cellular networks for optimal traffic steering, as information about wireless terminal communication in one network is not readily available in another, leading to inefficient traffic management and network performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing mechanisms where WLAN nodes group wireless terminals by associated cells and report per-cell load values to neighboring cellular network nodes, enabling informed traffic steering decisions and enhanced load management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If WLAN nodes report aggregated load information to cellular network nodes, then the reporting mechanism is simple and easy to implement, but the traffic steering decisions become less accurate due to lack of per-cell load differentiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereporting mechanism simplicityVSAvoidload information accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the aggregated WLAN load information into per-cell load components. Instead of reporting a single aggregated load value, the WLAN node breaks down the load information by associated cellular cells, allowing the cellular network node to make accurate traffic steering decisions for each specific cell based on its current load conditions and the WLAN's capacity to accept offloaded traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If WLAN nodes do not group wireless terminals by associated cells, then the reporting process is simpler, but traffic steering decisions cannot be optimized for specific cells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereporting process complexityVSAvoidtraffic steering efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements grouping of wireless terminals by their associated cellular cells at the WLAN node. This segmentation allows the system to track which terminals are associated with which cells, enabling cell-specific traffic steering decisions that optimize network performance by directing traffic to the most appropriate network based on per-cell conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the WLAN node reports per-cell load information back to the cellular network nodes. This feedback loop enables dynamic traffic steering decisions based on real-time network conditions, allowing the system to adapt and optimize traffic distribution continuously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If detailed per-cell load information is reported from WLAN to cellular network, then traffic steering accuracy is improved, but the amount of signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic steering accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a multi-functional reporting mechanism that serves multiple purposes: it provides per-cell load information for traffic steering decisions, enables load balancing across cells, and supports network optimization. By creating a universal reporting framework, the system reduces overall signaling overhead compared to implementing separate reporting mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10798573B2Enhancements to load reporting from a wireless local-area network to an LTE network

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A node of a wireless local-area network, WLAN, determines (1820) a per-cell load value for each of two or more cells in a wide-area cellular network, the per-cell load value indicating, for a first WLAN access point, a portion of the WLAN access point's load corresponding to wireless terminals connected to the first WLAN AP and associated with the respective cell. The WLAN node sends (1830) a report to a node in the wide-area cellular network, the report indicating the per-cell load value for at least one of the two or more cells.