Wireless LAN Selection via Network-Mediated Access Point Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communication systems, the interworking of mobile communication networks and wireless Local Area Networks (LANs) leads to increased power consumption and delays for User Equipment (UE) as it continuously searches for and attempts to access neighboring wireless LANs without knowing their positions, resulting in unnecessary searches and access attempts.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that provide information for searching and selecting accessible wireless LANs by performing a search for wireless LAN Access Points (APs) within a cell, transmitting search results to a serving Evolved Node B (ENB), and determining whether to re-search based on updated information, thereby optimizing the selection of wireless LANs to access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE continuously searches for neighboring wireless LANs to ensure access capability, then the accessibility to wireless LANs is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the network side (eNodeB or WLAN information management entity) proactively obtain and manage WLAN access point information before the UE needs it. The network performs preliminary searches and maintains updated WLAN information, so when the UE needs to access a WLAN, the information is already available, eliminating the need for the UE to continuously search and reducing power consumption while maintaining accessibility.
2Loss of information
If the UE performs continuous searches for wireless LANs, then the information freshness is improved, but the time waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach where the network side acts as a mediator between the UE and WLAN access points. The network entity maintains updated WLAN information and provides it to the UE when needed, eliminating the need for the UE to perform time-consuming continuous searches. This intermediary mechanism ensures information freshness while avoiding time waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The network performs preliminary information gathering and maintenance about WLAN access points, so when the UE needs to access a WLAN, the information is already prepared and available. This preliminary action by the network eliminates the need for the UE to waste time on continuous searches while ensuring information remains fresh and accurate.
3Speed
If the UE attempts to access found wireless LANs immediately, then the access speed is improved, but the unnecessary access attempts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network side provides the UE with accurate, up-to-date WLAN information including accessibility status. The UE receives feedback about which WLANs are actually accessible before attempting connection, allowing it to quickly access valid WLANs without wasting energy on unreachable ones. The network feedback ensures the UE has current information about WLAN availability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for selecting a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) within a cell to be accessed by a User Equipment (UE) in a mobile communication system are provided. The method includes performing, when a request for information regarding wireless LAN Access Points (APs) within the cell is received, a search for the wireless LAN APs and transmitting a report indicating a search result to a serving Evolved Node B (ENB); receiving, from the serving ENB, updated information on wireless LAN APs based on report indicating the search result; determining whether to perform a re-search for the wireless LAN APs based on the updated information on the wireless LAN APs; and performing, in response to determination to perform the re-search for the wireless LAN APs, the re-search and selecting APs to be accessed based on a result of the re-search.