Convida Wireless, LLC

Interdigital Patent Holdings, Inc.

Ipla Holdings Inc.

Ahmed Mohamed

Michael F Starsinic

Qing Li

John L Tomici

Rocco Di Girolamo

Chonggang Wang

Guang Lu

Vinod Kumar Choyi

A user equipment device (UE) initiates the creation of a dedicated bearer between a local gateway (L-GW) and a packet data network gateway (P-GW). A GTP tunnel is established to connect the L-GW, a serving gateway (S-GW), and the P-GW. The L-GW and P-GW apply Network Address Translation (NAT) and/or Traffic Flow Template (TFT) to route the traffic between the LS and a Service Capacity Server/Application Server (SCS/AS). Alternatively, an SCS-initiates the bearer creation, and an SCEF manages the creation of the GTP tunnel connection. The L-GW may be co-located with an Evolved UTRAN Node B (eNB) and/or connected to multiple eNBs which are not co-located with the L-GW.

Method and apparatus for indicating that connection enables routing of data between PDN gateway and local gateway

Systems and methods are disclosed for inter-system mobility in integrated LTE and trusted WLAN access networks (TWAN). An X2' interface, adapted for both control plane and user plane communications, exists between an eNB and WLAN access point. A WLAN that has a UE attached thereto that is communicating with an EPC communicates over the X2′ interface with an C(H)eNB to handover communications from the WLAN to the (H)eNB. Similarly, an (H)eNB that has a UE attached thereto communicates over the X2′ interface with a WLAN to handover communications from the (H)eNB to the WLAN.

Handover in integrated small cell and WiFi networks via an extended X2 interface

Various nodes in a 3GPP network, including a user equipment (UE), can be used to insert metadata in uplink traffic so that the network and/or an (S)Gi-LAN can make traffic steering decisions based on the metadata. For example, the UE can insert metadata into its uplink traffic so that the services in the (S)Gi-LAN can be better leveraged. Network nodes are able to insert metadata that relates directly to the UE and that relates to the operating conditions of the network nodes that the UE is using to send uplink data, so that the services in the (S)Gi-LAN can be better leveraged.

MTC service selection in the (S)Gi-LAN

A Service Capability Exposure Function for a UE (U-SCEF) may be part of the UE's operating system (OS) and expose API's to applications that allow these applications to schedule data plane communications such as periodic sensor measurements or a firmware download. The U-SCEF communicates with an EPC Interworking Service that resides in the mobile network operator's (S)Gi-LAN. The EPC Interworking Service serves as an interface between the U-SCEF and the service capabilities that are exposed by the MNO via the SCEF. The U-SCEF may provide the EPC Interworking Service with information about the UE's anticipated communication schedule and mobility status. The EPC Interworking Service uses the services that are exposed by the SCEF to determine the optimal times for the UE to communicate, an optimal mobility management configuration, etc. The EPC Interworking Service negotiates a communication schedule with the EPC (SCEF) and policies on behalf of the U-SCEF.

Mobile core network service exposure for the user equipment

Multi-RAT UEs currently have 2 independent paths to authenticate with HSS (e.g., via the MME or the 3GPP AAA Server causing repeated authentication messages to HSS). The use of one unified authentication path between the UE and HSS for Small Cell and Wi-Fi authentication is described. First, a new 3GPP EPC-TWAN interworking architecture has the MME manage all the authentication requests from multi-RAT UEs. Second, new unified authentication procedures are added, which allow the ISWN-based multi-RAT UE to be authenticated directly with the HSS, irrespective of its current access network (TWAN or HeNB). Third, new fast re-authentication procedures for Inter-RAT handover scenarios are done. Finally, the needed extensions to the various standard protocol messages to execute the authentication procedures are described.

Unified authentication for integrated small cell and Wi-Fi networks

Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments are described herein for controlling policy in integrated small cell and Wi-Fi networks (ISWNs). It is recognized herein that multiple actors within an ISWN may have needs or preferences that conflict with each other, and that the best way of reconciling those conflicting needs is not always to simply give one actor preference over another. As described herein, optimum management decisions may be dynamically based on current network conditions and preferences of multiple actors.

Dynamic policy control

A system comprises an integrated small cell and WiFi (ISW) gateway (GW). The ISW GW is integrated with a mobility management entity (MME) and serving gateway (SGW) and has interfaces with both a 3GPP access network and a TWAN. The ISW GW operates as a common control gateway and a common user gateway for both LTE networks and TWANs. User equipment (UE) by means of the ISW GW is able to access the capabilities of a packet data network (PDN) through either the LTE network or TWAN. Further, the ISW GW provides for an existing communication connection between a UE and a PDN to be handed over from one of the LTE network or TWAN to the other. Still further, the ISW GW supports simultaneously maintaining two communication paths, one via the LTE network and one via the TWAN, between a UE and a packet network.

Inter-system handover and multi-connectivity via an integrated small cell and WiFi gateway

Applicants disclose an inter-system mobility anchor control point that is adapted to initiate handover of an existing communication connection in an integrated small cell and WiFi (ISW) network. The inter-system mobility anchor control point is communicatively coupled to both an HeNB/LTE network and trusted WLAN access network (TWAN) and adapted to operate as a common control plane entity for both HeNB/LTE and TWAN access. The mobility anchor control point may be a mobility management entity (MME) or an integrated small cell and WLAN gateway (ISW GW). The mobility anchor control point is adapted to request and receive measurement data relating to the operations of the HeNB network and WLAN. Based upon the measurement data, the mobility anchor control point determines whether an existing communication path via one of the HeNB/LTE network and WLAN should be handed over to the other of the networks.

Network-initiated handover in integrated small cell and WiFi networks

Mechanisms for efficient inter-system or inter-RAT handover for the case when large numbers of devices need to perform a handover within a short time interval or even simultaneously are described. These mechanisms can include an aggregated Handover Procedure. An Aggregated Handover procedure can be enabled by a UE and can be indicated to the network entities by 'Aggregated Handover Indication'. The detection of target (H)eNB or WLAN can be triggered by user, GPS location, boarding time, or a travel or eTicket application etc. The UEs requesting Aggregated Handover within a time interval, i.e. Handover Window, can be processed with aggregated messages by the core network entities.

Aggregated handover in integrated small cell and WiFi networks

The present application is directed to an apparatus on a network including a non-transitory memory having executable instructions for configuring membership of a group, and a processor that is operably coupled to the non-transitory memory. The processor is configured to receive a request from a server to add a device to the group, to send a reply to the server that the device is authorized to join the group, to deliver a message to the device when a predetermined condition is met. The device status is selected from joined, active, authorized and combinations thereof. The predetermined condition is selected from a percentage or number of devices in the group are listening, a set time has elapsed, and combinations thereof. The present application is also directed to a networked system including a server and an apparatus in communication with the server.

Managing MBMS membership at the service capability exposure function

Multi-RAT UEs currently have 2 independent paths to authenticate with HSS (either via the MME or the 3GPP AAA Server causing repeated authentication messages to HSS. The use of one unified authentication path between the UE and HSS for Small Cell and Wi-Fi authentication is described. First, a new 3GPP EPC-TWAN interworking architecture has the MME manage all the authentication requests from multi-RAT UEs. Second, new unified authentication procedures are added, which allow the ISWN-based multi-RAT UE to be authenticated directly with the HSS, irrespective of its current access network (TWAN or HeNB). Third, new fast re-authentication procedures for Inter-RAT handover scenarios are done. Finally, the needed extensions to the various standard protocol messages to execute the authentication procedures are described.

A Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) can be aware of whether a UE connects through a cellular or WIFI connection through a gateway. Management messages can be modified to allow the PCEF volume based online charging functionality to remain in the core network (i.e. in the P-GW/PCEF). Session management messaging between the ISWN (ISW-GW) and the core network (P-GW/PCEF) may be modified so that the core network may be notified when the ISWN moves a bearer, or flow, from one RAT to another. Alternately, PCEF volume based online charging functionality can be added to the ISWN. The PCEF of the ISWN can be tasked with performing volume based online charging while the UE is in the ISWN.

Charging in the integrated small cell/Wi-Fi networks (ISWN)

A Service Capability Exposure Function can be added to the UE (U-SCEF). The U-SCEF may be part of the UE's operating system (OS) and expose API's to applications that allow these applications to schedule data plane communications such as periodic sensor measurements or a firmware download. The U-SCEF communicates with an EPC Interworking Service that resides in the mobile network operator's (S)Gi-LAN. The EPC Interworking Service serves as an interface between the U-SCEF and the service capabilities that are exposed by the MNO via the SCEF. The U-SCEF may provide the EPC Interworking Service with information about the UE's anticipated communication schedule and mobility status. The EPC Interworking Service uses the services that are exposed by the SCEF to determine the optimal times for the UE to communicate, an optimal mobility management configuration, etc. The EPC Interworking Service negotiates a communication schedule with the EPC (SCEF) on behalf of the UE (U-SCEF) and provide the U-SCEF with a communication policy or mobility management policy to match the needs of the UE and the mobile network.

As described herein, various nodes in a 3GPP network, including a user equipment (UE), can be used to insert metadata in uplink traffic so that the network and/or an (S)Gi-LAN can make traffic steering decisions based on the metadata. For example, the UE can insert metadata into its uplink traffic so that the services in the (S)Gi-LAN can be better leveraged. In one embodiment, network nodes are able to insert metadata that relates directly to the UE and that relates to the operating conditions of the network nodes that the UE is using to send uplink data, so that the services in the (S)Gi-LAN can be better leveraged.

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Pembroke Pines, FL, United States of America

Ahmed Mohamed