COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FOR WLAN TRAFFIC STEERING BASED
ON USER PREFERENCES SENT TO THE NETWORK
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a communications system. The invention has
particular but not exclusive relevance to wireless communications systems and devices thereof
operating according to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards or equivalents or
derivatives thereof. The invention has particular although not exclusive relevance to the
controlling of interworking between different access technologies.
Background Art
Under the 3GPP standards, a NodeB (or an eNB in LTE) is the base station via which
mobile devices connect to a core network and communicate to other mobile devices or remote
servers. For simplicity, the present application will use the term base station to refer to any
such base stations. Communications devices might be, for example, mobile communications
devices such as mobile telephones, smartphones, user equipment, personal digital assistants,
laptop computers, web browsers, and the like. 3GPP standards also make it possible to connect
non-mobile user equipment to the network, such as Wi-Fi routers, modems, which can be
implemented as a part of a (generally) stationary apparatus. For simplicity, the present
application refers to mobile communications devices (or mobile devices) in the description but it
will be appreciated that the technology described can be implemented on any mobile and "nonmobile"
equipment that can connect to such a core network.
The latest developments of the 3GPP standards are referred to as the Long Term
Evolution (LTE) of EPC (Evolved Packet Core) network and E-UTRA (Evolved UMTS
Terrestrial Radio Access) network. LTE (and more recently LTE 'Advanced') makes it
possible for User Equipment (UE), such as mobile devices to connect efficiently to the core
network using alternative, non-3GPP radio access technologies (RAT) as well, for example,
using the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) standard and the like. The supported access
technologies are covered in the 3GPP TS 23.402 standards document.
When the mobile device accesses the core network via a WLAN, a suitable
communication bearer will be set up to allow communication. The communication bearer
generally comprises a user plane connection for user communications and a control plane
connection for managing the mobile communication device's communications. For example, a
WLAN communication bearer may be set up for communication between the mobile
communication device and the access point, possibly with the assistance of a core network entity,
such as an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) or similar. Regardless
of the way the WLAN communication bearer is set up and its associated transmission
characteristics, the WLAN communication bearer may be used by the mobile device for user
plane communications via an access point of the WLAN instead of (or in addition to) user plane
communications via a base station.
Current 3GPP standards and related documentation specify various mechanisms for
steering the mobile device's communications between a WLAN and the E-UTRAN under the
control of the E-UTRAN/EPC. In particular, it has been suggested that the radio access
network can provide 'assistance' information to the mobile device (either via broadcast or
dedicated signalling) in order to indicate to the mobile device under what circumstances a
WLAN, and which WLAN, should be used for the mobile device's communications. The
mobile device may also obtain information and policies (either directly from a WLAN or via a
core network entity, e.g. the ANDSF) to specify whether or not the mobile device is allowed to
use a particular WLAN or may be pre-configured with such information and/or policies.
Further, the mobile device may also carry out signal quality (signal strength) measurements, e.g.
if requested to by the E-UTRAN, before steering its communications to/from a particular WLAN.
Thus, when the mobile device is requested to communicate via an access point of a WLAN,
corresponding communication resources in the E-UTRAN part of the network can be r e
allocated to other communications without sacrificing the service quality and/or service
continuity for the end user.
The traffic steering mechanism currently favoured by 3GPP comprises the mobile
device's serving base station configuring signal measurements to be carried out by the mobile
device with respect to candidate WLAN(s) and instructing the mobile device to steer its
communications to/from a WLAN in dependence upon the results of such measurements. In
this mechanism, therefore, the base station instructs the mobile device to establish
communication via a particular WLAN and to continue communicating via an access point of
that WLAN only after the base station has determined, based on measurement results reported by
the mobile device, that the signal strength of the WLAN is sufficient for offloading (at least
some of) the mobile device's communications from the E-UTRAN.
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
However, such traffic steering mechanisms can result in inefficient use of
communication and other resources both at the base station, the mobile communication device
and, to a certain extent the WLAN access point to which the base station is attempting to steer
traffic. This is a particular issue when, for example: the user of the mobile device has switched
off the mobile device's WLAN functionality; the user decides not to join a certain WLAN access
point when given the opportunity to do so (effectively overruling any traffic steering request
from the E-UTRAN); the mobile device is unable to join the destination WLAN for technical
reasons (e.g. due to technical incompatibilities, congestion in the destination WLAN and/or
preferences of the WLAN operator); and/or the like. In such scenarios, a significant part of the
steering process may be completed unnecessarily thereby consuming valuable radio resources
without achieving offloading the mobile device's communications to the WLAN. Further,
inefficiencies may also result because the eNB selects an inappropriate WLAN to steer to
thereby causing a swift return to the E-UTRAN.
There is, therefore, a conflict between end user flexibility, independence and control
allowing them to refuse to use a particular WLAN on the one hand, and a network operator's
potential preference for tighter, network controlled interworking between E-UTRAN and
WLANs in which the mobile device automatically accepts redirection to a WLAN without the
possibility of user veto.
Solution of Problem
Accordingly, preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide methods
and apparatus which overcome or at least partially alleviate the above issues.
Although for efficiency of understanding for those of skill in the art, the invention will
be described in detail in the context of a 3GPP system (UMTS, LTE), the principles of the
invention can be applied to other systems in which mobile devices or User Equipment (UE)
access a core network using multiple access technologies.
In one aspect, the invention provides a communication device for use in a cellular
communication network comprising a base station and for use in a local area network comprising
an access point, the communication device comprising: means for communicating: i) with said
base station via a first communication path; and ii) with said access node via a second
communication path. The communication device comprises means for providing, to said base
station, an indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path; means for receiving, from said base station and in dependence on said
indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path, control data for changing between said first and said second
communication paths; and means for changing between said first and said second
communication paths in accordance with said control data.
The communicating means might be operable to communicate via said first
communication path using a first radio access technology and to communicate via said second
communication path using a second radio access technology.
The communication device might be enabled (or not enabled) to use said second
communication path by means of a user preference indicating that a user is willing (or unwilling)
to allow use of said second communication path and said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled might comprise an indication of said user preference.
The indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path might comprise an indication of a user preference indicating that use
of said second radio access technology has been (or has not been) allowed.
The indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path might comprise an indication of a user preference indicating use of a
particular local area network is preferred (or is not preferred) over use of said cellular
communication network.
The communication device might further comprise means for maintaining a list of local
area networks that said communication device is capable of and/or permitted to use (e.g. a list of
operator controlled local area networks, a list of trusted local area networks, a list of preferred
local area networks, a list of whitelisted local area networks) and said indication of whether or
not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path might comprise
an indication of whether or not said particular local area network is included in said list.
The communication device might further comprise means for maintaining a list of local
area networks that said communication device is not capable of and/or not permitted to use (e.g.
a list of banned local area networks, a list of blacklisted local area networks, a list of
unauthorised local area networks, a list of local area networks incompatible) and said indication
of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path
might comprise an indication of whether or not said particular local area network is included in
said list.
The indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path might comprise an indication of a capability of said communication
device for communicating using said second communication path.
The indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path might comprise information identifying at least one of:
bands/frequencies supported by said communication device; a capability of said communication
device for communicating simultaneously via said first and said second communication paths; a
capability of said communication device for Internet Protocol Flow Mobility (IFOM); and a
capability of said communication device for Multi Access Packed Data Network Connectivity
(MAPCON).
The providing means might be operable to provide said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path by sending at least one
signalling message to said base station via said first communication path. In this case, the
providing means might be operable to provide said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path using at least one
information element (IE) included in said at least one signalling message sent to said base station
via said first communication path.
The providing means might be operable to provide said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path by omitting to send at
least one expected signalling message to said base station via said first communication path.
The means for providing said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path might be operable to provide said indication
prior to a steering procedure being initiated for said communication device.
The means for providing said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path might be operable to provide said indication as
part of a procedure for attaching the communication device to said communication system (e.g.
an attach procedure forming part of a Non-Access Stratum Procedure).
The means for providing said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path might be operable to provide said indication as
part of a radio connection establishment procedure between said communication device and said
base station.
The means for providing said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path might be operable to provide said indication by
sending at least one signalling message during an establishment of said first communication path.
The at least one signalling message sent during said establishment of said first
communication path might comprise at least one Radio Resource Control (RRC) signalling
message, e.g. a 'RRC Connection Establishment' message.
The means for providing said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path might be operable to provide said indication in
response to signalling associated with initiation of a steering procedure for said communication
device. In this case, the signalling associated with initiation of a steering procedure might
comprise configuration information for configuring signal measurements for signals from said
access point. The at least one signalling message might comprise at least one 'RRC Connection
Reconfiguration Complete' message.
The providing means might be operable to provide said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path by sending at least one
signalling message in response to said communication device receiving said configuration
information for configuring signal measurements. In this case, the providing means might be
operable to provide said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use
said second communication path by sending at least one measurement report comprising results
of measurements made responsive to said configuration information for configuring signal
measurements.
The providing means might be operable to provide said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path by omitting to provide
at least one measurement report comprising results of measurements made responsive to said
configuration information for configuring signal measurements.
The means for providing said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path might be operable to provide said indication as
part of a steering procedure comprising said request by said base station to change from said first
communication path to said second communication path for said communication device (e.g. to
be used by said base station in a subsequent steering procedure).
The providing means might be operable to provide said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path by sending a negative
acknowledgement (Nack) in response to said request by said base station to change from said
first communication path to said second communication path.
The communication device might comprise user equipment operating in accordance
with the Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards.
In one aspect, the invention provides a base station for controlling a communication
device operable to communicate via at least one of said base station and an access point of a
local area network, the base station comprising: means for communicating with the
communication device using a first communication path; means for obtaining, from said
communication device, an indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to
use a second communication path via said access point; and means for providing, to said
communication device and in dependence on said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path, control data for
changing between said first communication path and said second communication path.
The base station might further comprise means for maintaining a list of local area
networks that said communication device is capable of and/or permitted to use (e.g. a list of
operator controlled local area networks, a list of trusted local area networks, a list of preferred
local area networks, a list of whitelisted local area networks) and said maintaining means might
be operable to include in said list said particular local area networks when said indication
indicates that the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path.
The base station might further comprise means for maintaining a list of local area
networks that said communication device is not capable of and/or not permitted to use (e.g. a list
of banned local area networks, a list of blacklisted local area networks, a list of unauthorised
local area networks, a list of local area networks incompatible) and said maintaining means
might be operable to include in said list said particular local area networks when said indication
indicates that the communication device is not enabled to use said second communication path.
The obtaining means might be operable to obtain said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path by receiving at least
one signalling message from said communication device via said first communication path. In
this case, the obtaining means might be operable to obtain said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path using at least one
information element (IE) included in said at least one signalling message received from said
communication device via said first communication path.
The obtaining means might be operable to obtain said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path by determining that at
least one expected signalling message from said communication device has not been received.
The means for obtaining said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path might be operable to obtain said indication prior
to the base station initiating a steering procedure for said communication device.
The means for obtaining said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path might be operable to obtain said indication as
part of a procedure for attaching the communication device to said communication system (e.g.
an attach procedure forming part of a Non-Access Stratum Procedure).
The means for obtaining said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path might be operable to obtain said indication as
part of a radio connection establishment procedure between said communication device and said
base station.
The means for obtaining said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path might be operable to obtain said indication by
receiving at least one signalling message during an establishment of said first communication
path.
The means for obtaining said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path might be operable to obtain said indication in
response to signalling associated with initiation of a steering procedure for said communication
device. In this case, the signalling associated with initiation of a steering procedure might
comprise configuration information for configuring signal measurements for signals from said
access point. The at least one signalling message might comprise at least one 'RRC Connection
Reconfiguration Complete' message.
The obtaining means might be operable to obtain said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path by receiving at least
one signalling message in response to said base station sending said configuration information
for configuring signal measurements. In this case, the obtaining means might be operable to
obtain said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path by receiving at least one measurement report comprising results of
measurements made responsive to said configuration information for configuring signal
measurements.
The obtaining means might be operable to obtain said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path by determining that at
least one measurement report comprising results of measurements made responsive to said
configuration information for configuring signal measurements has been omitted by said
communication device.
The means for obtaining said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path might be operable to obtain said indication as
part of a steering procedure comprising said request by said base station to change from said first
communication path to said second communication path for said communication device (e.g. to
be used by said base station in a subsequent steering procedure). In this case, the obtaining
means might be operable to obtain said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path by receiving a negative acknowledgement
(Nack) in response to said request by said base station to change from said first communication
path to said second communication path.
The base station might comprisr means for configuring signal measurements for signals
from said access point in dependence of said obtained indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path.
The base station might comprise means for requesting said communication device to
change from said first communication path to said second communication path in dependence of
said obtained indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path.
The base station might comprise a base station operating in accordance with the Long
Term Evolution (LTE) standards.
In one aspect, the invention also provides a system comprising the above described
communication device and the above described base station.
In one aspect, the invention provides a communication device for use in a cellular
communication network comprising a base station and for use in a local area network comprising
an access point, the communication device comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein the
transceiver is configured to: communicate with said base station via a first communication path;
and to communicate with said access node via a second communication path; provide, to said
base station, an indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path; and receive, from said base station and in dependence on said
indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path, control data for changing between said first and said second
communication paths. The processor is configured to change between said first and said second
communication paths in accordance with said control data.
In one aspect, the invention provides a method performed by a communication device
operable to communicate with a base station of a cellular communication network via a first
communication path and to communicate with an access point of a local area network via a
second communication path, the method comprising: providing, to said base station, an
indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path; receiving, from said base station and in dependence on said indication of
whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path,
control data for changing between said first and said second communication paths; and changing
to said second communication path or maintaining said first communication path in dependence
on said receiving, from said base station in dependence on said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path, control data for
changing between said first and said second communication paths.
The step of receiving, from said base station and in dependence on said indication of
whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path,
control data for changing between said first and said second communication paths might
comprise: receiving said control data for changing between said first and said second
communication paths when said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path indicates that said device is enabled to use said
second communication path; and not receiving said control data for changing between said first
and said second communication paths when said indication of whether or not the communication
device is enabled to use said second communication path indicates that said device is not enabled
to use said second communication path.
In one aspect, the invention provides a method performed by a base station of a cellular
communication network for controlling a communication device wherein the communication
device is operable to communicate with said base station via a first communication path, and
operable to communicate with an access point of a local area network via a second
communication path, the method comprising: obtaining, from said communication device, an
indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path via said access point; and providing, in dependence on said indication of
whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path,
control data for changing between said first communication path and said second communication
path.
The step of providing, in dependence on said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path, control data for
changing between said first communication path and said second communication path might
comprise: providing said control data for changing between said first and said second
communication paths when said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path indicates that said device is enabled to use said
second communication path; and not providing said control data for changing between said first
and said second communication paths when said indication of whether or not the communication
device is enabled to use said second communication path indicates that said device is not enabled
to use said second communication path.
The invention also provides, for all methods disclosed, corresponding computer
programs or computer program products for execution on corresponding user equipment or
network communications devices.
Brief Description of Drawings
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates schematically a cellular telecommunications system to which
embodiments of the invention may be applied;
Figure 2 is a block diagram of a mobile device forming part of the system shown in
Figure 1
Figure 3 is a block diagram of a base station forming part of the system shown in Figure
i ;
Figure 4 is a signalling diagram indicating exemplary procedures by which the mobile
device indicates a preference for communicating via a WLAN in the system shown in Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a signalling diagram indicating an exemplary procedure by which the radio
access network decides on steering a mobile device's communications to/from a WLAN in the
system shown in Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a signalling diagram indicating a variation on the procedure shown in Figure
5; and
Figure 7 is a signalling diagram indicating a variation on the procedures shown in
Figures 4 to 6.
Description of Embodiments
Overview
Figure 1 schematically illustrates a telecommunications network 1 in which users of
mobile devices 3 can communicate with each other and other users via E-UTRAN base stations 5
and a core network 7 using an E-UTRA radio access technology (RAT). As those skilled in the
art will appreciate, whilst one mobile device 3 and one base station 5 are shown in Figure 1 for
illustration purposes, the system, when implemented, will typically include other base stations
and mobile devices.
As is well known, a mobile device 3 may enter and leave the areas (i.e. radio cells)
served by the base stations 5 as the mobile device 3 is moving around in the geographical area
covered by the telecommunications system 1. In order to keep track of the mobile device 3 and
to facilitate movement between the different base stations 5, the core network 7 comprises a
mobility management entity (MME) 9 which is in communication with the base station 5
coupled to the core network 7. The core network also comprises an ANDSF 14, an HSS 15, a
serving gateway (S-GW) 16, and a packet data network gateway (P-GW) 17.
The base station 5 is connected to the MME 9 via an "S1-AP" interface, also known as
"Sl-MME" interface, which is defined in the 3GPP Technical Standard (TS) 36.413. The
MME 9, the ANDSF 14, and the HSS 15 are also connected to each other via respective
interfaces. For each mobile device 3, the HSS 5 stores the subscription data (such as settings
and subscription data required for the 3GPP subscriber to access the WLAN interworking
service) and the authorisations for accessing the core network 7 and the WLAN 12.
The mobile device 3 and the base station 5 are connected via an air interface, the socalled
"Uu" interface, and the base station 5 and the S-GW 6 are connected via an "Sl-U"
interface. From the core network 7, connection to an external IP network 13, such as the
Internet, is provided via the P-GW 17 linked to the SGW 16. It will be appreciated that, whilst
shown as separate entities, the functionalities of the S-GW 16 and the P-GW 17 could be
implemented in a single gateway element.
In this embodiment the mobile device 3 can be connected to the WLAN 12, via a
access point (AP) when in the coverage area of the access point 11. When connected to the
WLAN 12, the mobile device 3 and the access point 11 are connected via a WLAN air interface.
In this example, the access point 11 might be directly coupled to the core network 7, but it might
also be coupled via an external IP network 13 (e.g. the internet). However, in other examples,
the access point is not coupled to and thus operates independently from the core network 7.
The ANDSF 14 remotely assists the mobile device 3 in setting up a connection to the
WLAN 12. This is achieved by the ANDSF 14 providing the mobile device 3 (e.g. via the base
station 5) information to assist the mobile device 3 to discover non-3GPP networks (such as
WLAN 12) and associated rules policing the mobile device's 3 connection to such networks.
Once connected to the WLAN 12 (which itself may or may not be connected to the core network
7), the mobile device 3 can continue accessing the core network 7 through the base station 5.
A WLAN 12 usually has an access point 11 that performs management of the WLAN,
such as authorisation and authentication of the connected or participating devices, allocation and
sharing of wireless resources, and other services like packet broadcast or power saving control.
Depending on the WLAN technology used, the features of the access point 11 can be centralised
on dedicated infrastructure equipment such as presented in figure 1, or distributed on a number
of devices, e.g. on the devices participating in the WLAN. Depending on the WLAN
technology, this management function can have different names: for example, it can be named
access point in 802.1 1 technologies, Master in Bluetooth technologies, and possibly named
differently in other WLAN technologies.
Initially, the mobile device 3 is served by the base station 5 and has established a
communication bearer to the core network 7 via that base station 5. However, in order to
optimise network load or similar reasons, the base station 5 is capable of steering (at least some
of) the user plane traffic of mobile devices that it serves to/from a WLAN. In order to support
such steering, the base station 5 is able to configure the mobile devices to perform measurements
of the WLAN signals, and to provide associated measurement report(s), to allow the base station
5 to select an appropriate WLAN for attempting to offload a mobile device's user plane
communications to.
Beneficially, however, in this example the mobile device 3 and the base station 5 are
mutually configured such that the mobile device's 3 capabilities and/or any associated user
preference(s) can be taken into account when determining whether or not a steering procedure
should be initiated and/or further progressed for that specific mobile device's 3 user plane
communications.
More specifically, in this example, the mobile device 3 is beneficially able to provide an
indication to the base station 5 of the ability/configuration of the mobile device 3 to perform
steering related functions (e.g. as a result of a user preference and/or as a result of technical
considerations), before the steering process is initiated and/or before the steering process has
progressed significantly. To support this function, the mobile device 3 is beneficially able to
maintain capability information identifying whether or not WLAN communication is supported
and/or user preference information identifying a user's preference(s) for using E-UTRAN or
WLAN (or both).
Therefore, by taking into account the indication provided by the mobile device 3, the
base station 5 is beneficially able to determine whether steering of user plane communications
for the mobile device 3 to the WLAN 12 should be initiated and/or progressed.
Advantageously, therefore, this approach ensures that the steering of communication
to/from a target WLAN 2 can be carried out under the control of the network operator taking
account of the ability/configuration of the device of the mobile device to perform steering related
functions in relation to a particular WLAN. The approach also avoids the mobile device 3
attempting to carry out communications via a WLAN that is not currently supported by the
mobile device 3 or preferred by the user of it. Therefore, the provision of information by the
mobile device 3 to the base station 5 for assisting the steering procedure is beneficial for both the
user of the mobile device 3 (e.g. due to improved service experience) and the network operator
(e.g. efficient use of the available communication resources).
The proposed system has particular benefits over systems in which a steering procedure
progresses, regardless of user preference/device capability, unless there is an error (e.g. because
wireless access is de-activated or due to signalling issues). In such systems, the mobile device
responds to any steering associated control signalling that it can comply with, with an
appropriate response indicating successful progress of the steering procedure. The proposed
system avoids having to wait for a significant part of the steering process to be completed (e.g.
steering associated measurement configuration and reporting signalling) before a steering
command/request has been received that can be rejected by a user and/or the device.
Accordingly, this avoids the unnecessary consumption of valuable radio resources when
offloading the mobile device's user plane communications to a WLAN is not preferred by a user
and/or is not possible.
Further, in the proposed system, rather than to simply relying on the reported signal
quality of a target WLAN, the base station 5 is able to consider user preferences / device
capabilities, and possibly also consider the target WLAN's support for a quality of service
required by the mobile device's communications, which may also be reported by the mobile
device. Such additional information may thus further improve the efficiency in the
interworking between the radio access networks (E-UTRAN and WLAN) supported by the
mobile device.
Mobile Device
Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of the mobile device 3
shown in Figure 1. As shown, the mobile device 3 has a transceiver circuit 3 1 that is operable
to transmit signals to and to receive signals from a base station 5 and to transmit signals to and to
receive signals from an access point 11 via one or more antenna 33. The mobile device 3 has a
controller 37 to control the operation of the mobile device 3. The controller 37 is associated
with a memory 39 and is coupled to the transceiver circuit 31. Although not necessarily shown
in Figure 2, the mobile device 3 will of course have all the usual functionality of a conventional
mobile device 3 (such as a user interface 35) and this may be provided by any one or any
combination of hardware, software and firmware, as appropriate. Software may be preinstalled
in the memory 39 and/or may be downloaded via the telecommunications network or
from a removable data storage device (RJV1D), for example.
The controller 37 controls overall operation of the mobile device 3 by, in this example,
program instructions or software instructions stored within memory 39. As shown, these
software instructions include, among other things, an operating system 1, a communications
control module 43, an RRC module 45, a WLAN module 47, and a measurement module 49.
The communications control module 43 controls the communication between the
mobile device 3 and the base station 5 or the access point 1. The communications control
module 43 also controls the separate flows of control data and user data (for uplink and
downlink) that are to be transmitted to the base station 5, to the access point 11.
The RRC module 45 sends and receives messages according to the RRC protocol, via
the transceiver circuit 31 including, for example, the RRC messages comprising control data for
indicating the mobile device's capability and preference for steering to one or more particular
WLAN 12.
The WLAN module 47 controls communication via the access point 11 based on the
information stored in the memory 39 of the mobile device 3 and/or based on information
received from the base station 5 (e.g. in an RRC or other message). The WLAN module 47
manages the configuration and maintenance of the WLAN bearer for a mobile device 3 based on
the control information received from the base station 5. The WLAN module 47 also includes
WLAN preference information 48 that is provided to the base station 5 (via the RRC module 45)
in order to assist the base station 5 steering the mobile device's communications to an
appropriate WLAN 12.
The measurement module 49 receives control data (e.g. via the RRC module 45 using
appropriate RRC signalling) for configuring signal measurement with respect to radio access
networks in the vicinity of the mobile device 3, such as the WLAN 12. The measurement
module 49 performs signal quality/strength measurements in accordance with the received
configuration and generates and sends the base station 5 (e.g. via the RRC module 45) a report
including the results of such measurements, as specified in the received control data.
Base Station
Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of the base station 5
shown in Figure 1. As shown, the base station 5 has a transceiver circuit 5 1 for transmitting
signals to and for receiving signals from the mobile devices 3 via one or more antenna 53, a core
network interface 55 for transmitting signals to and for receiving signals from the core network
entities. The base station 5 has a controller 57 to control the operation of the base station 5.
The controller 57 is associated with a memory 59. Although not necessarily shown in Figure 3,
the base station 5 will of course have all the usual functionality of a cellular telephone network
base station and this may be provided by any one or any combination of hardware, software and
firmware, as appropriate. Software may be pre-installed in the memory 59 and/or may be
downloaded via the communications network 1 or from a removable data storage device (RMD),
for example. The controller 57 is configured to control the overall operation of the base station
5 by, in this example, program instructions or software instructions stored within memory 59.
As shown, these software instructions include, among other things, an operating system 6 , a
communications control module 63, an RRC module 65, a measurement configurator module 67,
and a WLAN steering module 69.
The communications control module 63 controls the communication between the base
station 5 and the mobile device 3 and other network entities that are connected to the base station
5. The communications control module 63 also controls the separate flows of uplink/downlink
user traffic and control data to be transmitted to the mobile devices 3 associated with this base
station 5 including, for example, control data for measurement configuration and maintenance of
the bearers for a mobile device 3.
The RRC module 65 is operable to generate, send and receive signalling messages
formatted according to the RRC standard. For example, such messages are exchanged between
the base station 5 and the mobile devices 3 that are associated with this base station 5. The
RRC messages may include, for example, the RRC messages comprising control data for
requesting the mobile device to measure signals of and/or to steer communications to one or
more particular WLAN 1 .
The measurement configurator module 67 configures the mobile telephones 3
associated with this base station 5 for carrying out signal measurements with respect to various
radio access networks, such as the E-UTRAN and the WLAN 12. The measurement
configurator module 67 sends the mobile device 3 control data (e.g. via the RRC module 65
using appropriate RRC signalling) specifying the type of measurements to be carried out by the
mobile device 3 and the conditions for reporting the results of these measurements.
The WLAN steering module 69 controls the selection of WLAN 12 for offloading the
mobile telephone's 3 communications. The WLAN steering module 69 relies on the signal
quality/strength measurements reported by the mobile device 3 and also takes into account any
capability/preference information provided by the mobile device 3.
In the above description, the mobile device 3 and the base station 5 are described for
ease of understanding as having a number of discrete modules (such as the communications
control modules and the radio resource control modules). Whilst these modules may be
provided in this way for certain applications, for example where an existing system has been
modified to implement the invention, in other applications, for example in systems designed with
the inventive features in mind from the outset, these modules may be built into the overall
operating system or code and so these modules may not be discernible as discrete entities.
These modules may also be implemented in software, hardware, firmware or a mix of these.
A number of different embodiments will now be described that illustrate how different
aspects of the invention can be put into effect using the above mobile device 3 and base station 5.
The embodiments will be described with reference to the signalling (or 'timing') diagrams
shown in Figures 4 to 7.
Operation
Figure 4 is a signalling diagram indicating exemplary procedures by which the mobile
device 3 indicates a preference for communicating via a WLAN 1 in the system shown in
Figure . Specifically, Figure 4 illustrates three exemplary procedures (denoted Option A',
Option B', and Option C , respectively) by which the mobile device 3 can inform the base
station 5 about its capabilities and/or preference for using an access point 11 of a particular
WLAN 1 (and/or any WLAN operating in accordance with a particular communication
technology).
Initially, as generally shown in step S400, the mobile device 3 obtains user preference
and/or capability information. This can be achieved in any number of ways known in the art.
For example, the capability information (and possibly a default user preference) may be factory
configured or provided by the network operator using over the air (OTA) configuration means.
User preference may also be inputted by the end user, e.g. by setting a menu item (such as a
'WLAN preference' menu item) in the mobile device 3 in accordance with the user's preference.
The user preference and/or capability information may also be updated at any point in time, e.g.
by the user (or the network operator) updating the configuration stored in the mobile device 3
and/or by turning on or off the WLAN module 47 and/or updating a list of preferred WLANs.
Next, as generally illustrated in step S401, in order to be able to communicate via EUTRAN,
the mobile device 3 establishes a radio connection (e.g. an RRC connection) with the
base station 5. In order to do so, the RRC module 45 of the mobile device 3 generates and
sends an appropriately formatted signalling message (e.g. an 'RRC Connection Request'
message) to the corresponding RRC module 65 of the base station 5, which is followed up by
one or more further RRC messages, as described in section 5.3.3 of the 3GPP TS 36.331
standards specification, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In one example, denoted 'Option A' in Figure 4, the mobile device 3 includes in an
RRC message to the base station 5 information identifying the mobile device's 3 WLAN steering
capability (and possibly any user preference for using WLAN 12). Advantageously, this
information is then used by the base station 5 in a subsequent steering procedure when it needs to
offload the mobile device's 3 communications to/from the WLAN 12. For example, the
received capability information may be used in steps S405 and/or S412 that will be described in
detail below.
Once the mobile device 3 has completed the establishment of a radio connection with
the E-UTRAN, the base station 5 is in charge of the (re-)configuration of the RRC connection
between the mobile device 3 and the base station 5. In order to do so, the base station 5 (using
its RRC module 65) can send control data in one or more appropriately formatted RRC
signalling messages to the mobile device 3 (to be received by the RRC module 45), the control
data specifying actions to be performed by the mobile device 3 to conform with the base
station's 5 reconfiguration request. Further details of the RRC connection reconfiguration
procedure are described in section 5.3.5 of the 3GPP TS 36.331 standards specification, the
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In one example, denoted Option B' in Figure 4, the RRC module 65 (of the base station
5) provides control data to the RRC module 45 (of the mobile device 3) for configuring signal
measurements to be carried out by the measurement module 49 with respect to the WLAN 12.
The RRC module 65 obtains such control data from the measurement configurator module 67.
In this example, as shown in step S405, the RRC module 65 generates and sends an
appropriately formatted signalling message (e.g. an 'RRC Connection Reconfiguration'
message) to the RRC module 45, and also includes in this message control data identifying the
measurements to be carried out by the measurement module 49 (e.g. 'WLAN measurement
configuration'). Preferably, the WLAN measurement configuration is included in an
information element (IE) within the RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, for example, in
an information element for requesting WLAN measurements (e.g. a 'WLAN measurement' IE or
a 'MeasConfig' IE). The WLAN measurement configuration (control data) may also include
information identifying the WLAN 1 to be measured and/or conditions (or triggers) for
reporting the measurements for WLAN 12. Sections 5.5.4 and 5.5.5 of the 3GPP TS 36.33 1
standards specification discloses further details of the measurement report triggering and
measurement reporting procedures, respectively, the contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
Next, as shown in step S406, the mobile device 3 confirms to the base station 5 that the
requested reconfiguration of the radio connection has been completed. It does so by generating
(using its RRC module 45) and sending the base station 5 an appropriately formatted signalling
message (e.g. an 'RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete' message). In the example of
Option B, the mobile device 3 also includes in the message to the base station 5 information
identifying the mobile device's 3 preference for carrying out measurements for WLAN 12
(and/or any other radio access network that the mobile device 3 is able to use). For example,
the mobile device 3 may specify, based on information held in its WLAN module 47 (e.g. user
preference information 48 and the like) any user preference for using WLAN (and possibly
information identifying/confirming the mobile device's 3 WLAN steering capability, irrespective
whether or not this information has been provided in step S401). The mobile device 3 may also
include in the message at S406 a list (e.g. a prioritised list) of WLANs that it can use or list of
WLANs that it cannot use.
Advantageously, based on the information provided by the mobile device 3, the base
station 5 is able to change the WLAN measurement configuration, if necessary (e.g. if the
previously configured WLAN measurements cannot be performed by the mobile device 3). In
this case, steps S405 and S406 may be repeated.
Once the WLAN measurements have been successfully configured for the mobile
device 3, the measurement module 49 performs the requested signal measurements with respect
to the WLAN 12 (e.g. measurements of signals, such as reference signals transmitted by the
access point 11 belonging to the WLAN 12).
As shown in step S409, the measurement module 49 subsequently detects one or more
event trigger(s), i.e. it determines that the signal measurements meet one or more condition(s)
specified in the received control data (WLAN measurement configuration) for initiating
reporting of the measurement results to the base station 5. Therefore, the mobile device 3
proceeds to step S41 1, in which it generates (using its RRC module 45) and sends the base
station 5 an appropriately formatted signalling message (e.g. a 'Measurement Report' message)
and also includes in this message the results of the relevant signal measurements for WLAN 12.
Upon receipt of the measurement report, the base station 5 (using its WLAN steering
module 69) makes an appropriate steering decision for the mobile device 3, by also taking into
account any previously received user preference and/or WLAN steering capability information
for that mobile device 3. Specifically, the steering module 69 selects the WLAN 12 to be used
by the mobile device 3 by taking into account any user preference and device capability
information received from the mobile device 3, e.g. at S401 and/or S406.
Next, in step S413, the base station generates (using its WLAN steering module 69) and
sends the mobile device 3 an appropriately formatted steering (or 'offloading') command
message, and includes in this message information identifying the WLAN 12 (and/or possibly
the AP 11) that has been selected for offloading the mobile device's 3 communications to. The
steering command may also include an identification of the communication bearer to be
offloaded and any further information necessary for the mobile device 3 to comply with the base
station's 5 request.
In step S415, the mobile device 3 begins procedures for steering traffic to the WLAN,
as instructed in the received steering command. For example, if the mobile device 3 is capable
of (and/or the current user preference does not prevent it from) connecting to WLAN 12, the
mobile device 3 initiates connection establishment with the WLAN 12 (if not yet connected) and
in step S417, the mobile device 3 generates and sends an appropriately formatted confirmation
message (or an acknowledgement, e.g. an 'Ack' message) to the base station 5, informing the
base station 5 that the mobile device 3 is able to comply with the steering command received at
S413. Therefore, as generally illustrated at step S419a, after the 'Ack' response is sent, the
mobile device 3 begins communicating (user plane traffic) via the access point 11 of the WLAN
12 (although it may optionally also continue communicating via the base station 5 in parallel, as
generally illustrated in step S419b).
However, if the mobile device 3 is not capable of (and/or the current user preference
prevents it from) connecting to AP 11 / WLAN 12, in step S417 the mobile device 3 generates
and sends an appropriately formatted negative acknowledgement message (e.g. a 'Nack'
message) to the base station 5. In this example, denoted Option C in Figure 4, by sending a
'Nack' response, the mobile device 3 provides a preference indication to the base station 5 (e.g.
that the AP 11/ WLAN 1 is not preferred by the user). The mobile device 3 may possibly also
include in the 'Nack' response a reason/cause of not complying with the base station's 5 steering
command, e.g. due to user preference and/or device capabilities. Accordingly, the base station
5 will be able to determine from the 'Nack' response (and any indication included therein) that
the mobile device's 3 'Nack' response indicates a user preference / device capability rather than
an error in establishing the desired WLAN connection. Advantageously, the received user
preference / device capability can be used by the measurement configurator module 67 in
subsequent measurement configurations and/or the WLAN steering module 69 in its subsequent
steering decisions for this mobile device 3 and may in turn result in a more efficient usage of the
system resources.
Finally, if the mobile device 3 is unable to (or prefers not to) connect to the WLAN 12
selected by the base station 5, after sending the 'Nack' response, any user plane traffic for the
mobile device 3 remains routed via the base station 5, as generally illustrated in step S419b.
In summary, the mobile device 3 is able to provide information identifying its
capabilities/preferences to the base station 5 during establishment of a radio connection with the
base station 5 (at S401), during configuration of the WLAN measurements (at S406), during
reporting measurement results associated with the configured WLAN measurements (at S41 1),
and/or when responding to a steering request by the base station 5 (at S417).
In this example, the mobile device 3 also beneficially maintains information relating to
which WLANs can be used by the mobile device 3 and under what conditions the WLANs can
be used. For example, the mobile device 3 may hold information identifying which WLANs
are controlled by (and/or associated with) the network operator, which WLANs are permitted to
use by the mobile device 3, which WLANs are prioritised (whether or not such WLANs are
controlled by the network operator), and/or which WLANs support Quality of Service (QoS)
functionality. In this respect, the term QoS functionality refers to the WLAN's ability to
transport traffic flows having special requirements (e.g. such as a required bit rate, allowed delay,
jitter, packet dropping probability, and/or bit error rate). Such information may be obtained by
the mobile device 3 directly from the WLANs 12 themselves (e.g. by scanning access points 11 /
listening to information transmitted by the access points 1 of each WLAN 1 in the vicinity of
the mobile device 3). The information may also be obtained from the ANDSF 14 or a similar
entity, such as an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Device Management (DM) server (not shown).
Figure 5 is a signalling diagram indicating an exemplary procedure by which the radio
access network decides on steering a mobile device's 3 communications to/from a WLAN 2 in
the system shown in Figure 1. In this example, even though the base station 5 may disregard
any user preference for WLAN communication, the base station 5 selects a WLAN 12 such that
the mobile device 3 is capable of communicating via the selected WLAN 12.
Initially, as shown in step S501, the mobile device 3 initiates an attach procedure with
the network, e.g. by generating and sending an appropriately formatted 'Attach' request to the
base station 5. The attach procedure also includes the radio connection establishment
procedure described above with reference to step S401 . However, in this case the mobile
device 3 includes in the Attach request an indication of its WLAN/3GPP RAN interworking
capability, e.g. 'Yes' or 'No'. Advantageously, the mobile device 3 may also include in the
request (at S501) additional details of the interworking capability, e.g. information identifying
any of the following:
- bands/frequencies supported by the mobile device 3;
- the mobile device's 3 capability with simultaneous connections to the WLAN
and E-UTRA (e.g. WiFi and LTE, respectively); and
- the mobile device's 3 capability with IP Flow Mobility (IFOM) and/or Multi
Access PDN Connectivity (MAPCON).
In step S503, the base station 5 stores the received interworking capability information
in its memory 59 and makes it accessible for its modules, such as the measurement configurator
module 67 and/or the WLAN steering module 69.
Accordingly, when the measurement configurator module 67 prepares control data (for
configuring signal measurements with respect to the WLAN 12) for sending to the mobile device
3, the measurement configurator module 67 is able to consider any. Therefore, in this example,
the control data configures measurements for the mobile device 3 only in case the interworking
capability information for that mobile device 3 indicates that this particular mobile device 3 is
capable of using the WLAN 12 to be measured.
Next, as shown in step S505, the RRC module 65 generates and sends an appropriately
formatted signalling message (e.g. an 'RRC Connection Reconfiguration' message) to the mobile
device's 3 RRC module 45, and also includes in this message the control data (from the
measurement configurator module 67) identifying the measurements to be carried out by the
mobile device 3 (e.g. 'WLAN measurement configuration').
In step S507, in response to receiving the WLAN measurement configuration, the
mobile device 3 activates its WLAN module 47 (if it has not been activated already) and
proceeds to carry out WLAN signal measurements and associated reporting, as generally
illustrated in steps S509 and S5 11. Based on the reported measurements, the base station 5 then
makes a steering decision in step S5 12 and sends a steering command to the mobile device 3 in
ste S513.
Since the control data (or WLAN measurement configuration) received at S505 is for
such WLAN(s) only that the mobile device 3 has indicated to be compatible with, any
subsequent steering decision made by the WLAN steering module 69 (based on a WLAN
measurement report corresponding to the control data) will result in the selection of a compatible
WLAN 12 for the mobile device 3. This in turn ensures that service continuity for the mobile
device 3 can be maintained and that the overall system efficiency can be improved (whilst
possibly also reducing the load of the base station 5 after steering the mobile device's 3
communications to the WLAN 12).
Since steps S509 to S519a/b generally correspond to steps S409 to S419a/b of Figure 4,
respectively, their detailed description is omitted here.
Figure 6 is a signalling diagram indicating a variation on the procedure shown in Figure
5. In this example, the mobile device 3 assists the selection of a compatible WLAN 12 by
filtering the WLAN measurement reports sent to the base station 5 in accordance with WLAN
information held by the mobile device 3.
Specifically, in this example the mobile device 3 obtains information from the ANDSF
14, as generally illustrated in step S600, which includes information identifying WLANs
controlled/trusted by the network operator. For example, the obtained information may include
any of the following:
- identification of one or more WLANs controlled by the network operator (e.g.
an operator WLAN list);
- identification of one or more WLANs trusted by the network operator (e.g. a
trusted WLAN list);
- identification of one or more WLANs prioritised by the network operator (e.g. a
WLAN priority list);
- identification of one or more WLANs not trusted by the network operator (e.g. a
banned WLAN list); and
- identification of one or more candidate WLANs in the vicinity of the mobile
device 3 (e.g. a neighbour WLAN list).
In step S602, the mobile device 3 stores the obtained information in its memory 39 and
makes it accessible for its modules, such as the WLAN module 47 and/or the measurement
module 49, and controls their operation accordingly.
Advantageously, when the base station 5 sends control data (for configuring signal
measurements with respect to the WLAN 12) in step S605, which control data might or might
not take into account any interworking capability information for the mobile device 3, using the
obtained information the mobile device 3 is able to selectively measure and/or report, to the base
station 5, only those WLANs that are most likely to result in a successful steering procedure.
For example, the measurement module 49 can be configured to carry out measurements
with respect to such WLANs that are controlled/trusted or otherwise have been indicated (either
explicitly or implicitly) as being a suitable candidate for the mobile device 3 (e.g. WLANs that
are not banned). Therefore, at step S609, only those event triggers will detected (and/or acted
upon) that are for suitable WLANs whilst event triggers for banned/unknown/unverified WLANs
may be ignored.
Even if the measurement module 49 performs signal measurements for all WLANs
requested by the base station 5 and acts upon each event trigger, the mobile device 3 will only
report those WLANs (in step S61 ) that have been confirmed to be compatible with the mobile
device 3 (based on the mobile device's WLAN capability) and that are also available for the
mobile device 3 to use (based on the information obtained at S600).
In this example, the mobile device 3 may selectively report any of the following
measurements (i.e. rather than all configured measurements):
- measurements for allowed/recommended WLAN(s) (as per information obtained
via the ANDSF); and
- measurements for WLAN(s) to which traffic steering can be performed by the
mobile device 3 (e.g. a WLAN that is not overloaded, that is
accessible/trusted/operator controlled/provides an acceptable QoS).
In any case, since the measurement report sent at S61 1 is for such WLAN(s) only that
the mobile device 3 is compatible with and allowed to use, any subsequent steering decision
made based on such WLAN measurement report (by the WLAN steering module 69) will result
in the selection of a compatible WLAN 1 for the mobile device 3. This in turn ensures that
service continuity for the mobile device 3 can be maintained and that the overall system
efficiency can be improved (whilst possibly also reducing the load of the base station 5 after
steering the mobile device's 3 communications to the WLAN 12).
Since steps S612 to S619a/b generally correspond to steps S412 to S419a/b,
respectively, their detailed description is omitted here.
Figure 7 is a signalling diagram indicating a variation on the procedures shown in
Figures 4 to 6. In this example, only the measurement configuration step (S705, which
generally corresponds to steps S405/S505/S605 described above) and the event trigger detection
step (S709, which generally corresponds to steps S409/S509/S609 described above) are shown -
although the trigger detection step is optional in this case.
However, as indicated in Figure 7, in this case the mobile device 3 does not provide any
measurement report to the base station 5, thereby 'implicitly' indicating its preference for not
steering any traffic to the WLAN 12 (or that the mobile device 3 is not capable to do so).
Therefore, irrespective of the configured WLAN measurements and/or whether any capability or
user preference information has already been provided to the base station 5, the mobile device 3
is beneficially able to provide an implicit preference/capability indication without being wasteful
of the system resources. This approach in turn results in the base station 5 being unable to send
any steering command to the mobile device 3, and hence the mobile device 3 (in accordance with
its preference/capability) can continue to route its user plane traffic via the base station 5, as
generally shown in step S719.
Modifications and alternatives
Detailed embodiments have been described above. As those skilled in the art will
appreciate, a number of modifications and alternatives can be made to the above embodiments
whilst still benefiting from the inventions embodied therein. By way of illustration only a
number of these alternatives and modifications will now be described.
In the above embodiments, the mobile device communicates with a base station to
indicate its WLAN/3GPP RAN interworking capability/user preference. However, it will be
appreciated that the mobile device may communicate with a Radio Network Controller (RNC)
instead of a base station (eNB).
In the above embodiments, the mobile device received the WLAN measurement
configuration from and provided the measurement reports to a base station (eNB). It will be
appreciated that the mobile device might receive the WLAN control information from and send
measurement reports to any base station operating according to a different standard, such as
GSM, WCDMA, CDMA2000, LTE, LTE-A. Such base stations can be referred to as BS, BTS,
NodeB, etc. Alternatively, the WLAN measurement configuration might be received from (and
measurement reports sent to) the base station indirectly, e.g. using a relay node (RN) or a donor
base station (DeNB).
In the above embodiments, the mobile device received the WLAN measurement
configuration via a base station. It will be appreciated that the mobile device might receive the
WLAN measurement configuration via an access point, e.g. if the mobile device is already using
this access point. Alternatively, the WLAN measurement configuration might be sent in two or
more parts. In this case, some or all parts of the WLAN measurement configuration might be
received via a base station, and some or all parts might be received via an access point.
The above embodiment has described a preferred way of generating WLAN
measurement configuration information and the preferred way of signalling that information to
the mobile device for steering of the mobile device's communications to the WLAN. As those
skilled in the art will appreciate, other signalling messages may be used. Further, it will also be
appreciated that the above embodiments are also applicable for steering the mobile device's
communications from a WLAN already used by that mobile device to a different WLAN and/or
to the base station.
In the above description of Figure 4, three options (Options A, Option B, and Option C)
are discussed. However, Options A to C are not to be interpreted as being mutually exclusive
embodiments. On the contrary, it will be appreciated that any two (or even all three) options
may be combined.
In the above description of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the two
embodiments have been discussed as separate procedures. However, it will also be appreciated
that the embodiments shown in Figure 5 and 6 may also be combined.
In the above description of Figure 7, the provision of an implicit preference indication
(i.e. the omission of measurement reporting) has been described as a standalone procedure.
However, it will also be appreciated that such implicit preference indication may also be
combined with any other embodiment, preferably with one or more of option A/B of Figure 4,
the embodiment shown in Figure 5, and the embodiment shown in Figure 6.
In the above description of step S501, for sake of simplicity, the base station is
described to receive the mobile device's interworking capability information directly from the
mobile device. However, it will also be appreciated that the mobile device may send such
interworking capability information to a core network entity, e.g. the MME, instead of sending it
to the base station. In this case the base station may receive the interworking capability
information for that mobile device from the core network entity receiving/storing the
interworking capability information.
In the above description, the mobile device is described to send interworking capability
information to the base station using RRC signalling. However, it will also be appreciated that
the mobile device may also send its interworking capability information using Non-Access
Stratum (NAS) signalling (e.g. a NAS Attach signalling message sent to the base station and/or
the MME).
In the above embodiments, the mobile devices are cellular telephones. It will be
appreciated that the above embodiments could be implemented using devices other than mobile
telephones such as, for example, personal digital assistants, laptop computers, web browsers, etc.
In the above embodiments, the term access point has been used for illustrative purposes
only and in no way shall be considered limiting the invention to any particular standard.
Embodiments of the invention are applicable to systems using any type of node for accessing a
local area network irrespective of the access technology used thereon. In the above
embodiments, WLAN has been used as an example non-3GPP radio access technology.
However, any access technologies covered in the 3GPP TS 23.402 standard, thus any other radio
access technology (i.e. WiFi, WiMAX) or any wired or wireless communications technology (i.e.
LAN, Bluetooth) can be used for steering (offloading) traffic to/from an E-UTRAN in
accordance with the above embodiments. The above embodiments are applicable to nonmobile
or generally stationary user equipment as well.
In the above embodiments, a number of software modules were described. As those
skilled in the art will appreciate, the software modules may be provided in compiled or uncompiled
form and may be supplied to the base station or to the mobile device as a signal over a
computer network, or on a recording medium. Further, the functionality performed by part or
all of this software may be performed using one or more dedicated hardware circuits. However,
the use of software modules is preferred as it facilitates the updating of the base station and the
mobile device in order to update their functionalities.
In order to support network controlled interworking, the user preference (with respect to
WLAN usage) and/or steering related device capability information may be stored in the core
network rather than provided directly by the mobile device to the base station. For example,
the user preference may be stored in the Home Subscriber Server (HSS) as part of the
subscription data, in a so called Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), and/or in the MME.
Such user preference information can then be transferred from the core network entity storing the
user preference to the base station serving the mobile device of that user. However, this could
result in out of date information causing incorrect WLAN selection and/or steering commands
being issued (or not issued) incorrectly.
Various other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and will not be
described in further detail here.
This invention has been described by way of embodiments above, but this invention is
not limited to the embodiments. A part or the entirety of the above-mentioned embodiments
may be described by way of the following supplementary notes, but this invention is not limited
to the following supplementary notes.
(Supplementary Note 1)
A communication device for use in a cellular communication network comprising a
base station and for use in a local area network comprising an access point, the communication
device comprising:
means for communicating:
i) with said base station via a first communication path; and
ii) with said access node via a second communication path;
means for providing, to said base station, an indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path;
means for receiving, from said base station and in dependence on said indication of
whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path,
control data for changing between said first and said second communication paths; and
means for changing between said first and said second communication paths in
accordance with said control data.
(Supplementary Note 2)
The communication device of supplementary note 1, wherein said communicating
means is operable to communicate via said first communication path using a first radio access
technology and to communicate via said second communication path using a second radio access
technology.
(Supplementary Note 3)
The communication device of supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein said communication
device can be enabled (or not enabled) to use said second communication path by means of a
user preference indicating that a user is willing (or unwilling) to allow use of said second
communication path and wherein said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled comprises an indication of said user preference.
(Supplementary Note 4)
The communication device of supplementary note 2, wherein said indication of whether
or not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path comprises an
indication of a user preference indicating that use of said second radio access technology has
been (or has not been) allowed.
(Supplementary Note 5)
The communication device of any of supplementary notes 3 or 4, wherein said
indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path comprises an indication of a user preference indicating use of a particular
local area network is preferred (or is not preferred) over use of said cellular communication
network.
(Supplementary Note 6)
The communication device of any of supplementary notes 1 to 5, further comprising
means for maintaining a list of local area networks that said communication device is capable of
and/or permitted to use (e.g. a list of operator controlled local area networks, a list of trusted
local area networks, a list of preferred local area networks, a list of whitelisted local area
networks) and wherein said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to
use said second communication path comprises an indication of whether or not said particular
local area network is included in said list.
(Supplementary Note 7)
The communication device of any of supplementary notes 1 to 5, further comprising
means for maintaining a list of local area networks that said communication device is not capable
of and/or not permitted to use (e.g. a list of banned local area networks, a list of blacklisted local
area networks, a list of unauthorised local area networks, a list of local area networks
incompatible) and wherein said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path comprises an indication of whether or not said
particular local area network is included in said list.
(Supplementary Note 8)
The communication device of any of supplementary notes 1 to 7, wherein said
indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path comprises an indication of a capability of said communication device for
communicating using said second communication path.
(Supplementary Note 9)
The communication device of supplementary note 8, wherein said indication of whether
or not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path comprises
information identifying at least one of: bands/frequencies supported by said communication
device; a capability of said communication device for communicating simultaneously via said
first and said second communication paths; a capability of said communication device for
Internet Protocol Flow Mobility, IFOM; and a capability of said communication device for Multi
Access Packed Data Network Connectivity, MAPCON.
(Supplementary Note 10)
The communication device of any of supplementary notes 1 to 9, wherein said
providing means is operable to provide said indication of whether or not the communication
device is enabled to use said second communication path by sending at least one signalling
message to said base station via said first communication path.
(Supplementary Note 11)
The communication device of supplementary note 10, wherein said providing means is
operable to provide said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use
said second communication path using at least one information element, IE, included in said at
least one signalling message sent to said base station via said first communication path.
(Supplementary Note 12)
The communication device of any of supplementary notes 1 to 10, wherein said
providing means is operable to provide said indication of whether or not the communication
device is enabled to use said second communication path by omitting to send at least one
expected signalling message to said base station via said first communication path.
(Supplementary Note 13)
The communication device of any of supplementary notes 1 to 12, wherein said means
for providing said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path is operable to provide said indication prior to a steering procedure
being initiated for said communication device.
(Supplementary Note 14)
The communication device of supplementary note 13, wherein said means for providing
said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path is operable to provide said indication as part of a procedure for attaching the
communication device to said communication system (e.g. an attach procedure forming part of a
Non-Access Stratum Procedure).
(Supplementary Note 15)
The communication device of supplementary note 13 or 14, wherein said means for
providing said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path is operable to provide said indication as part of a radio connection
establishment procedure between said communication device and said base station.
(Supplementary Note 16)
The communication device of any of supplementary notes 13 to 15, wherein said means
for providing said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path is operable to provide said indication by sending at least one
signalling message during an establishment of said first communication path.
(Supplementary Note 17)
The communication device of supplementary note 16, wherein said at least one
signalling message sent during said establishment of said first communication path comprises at
least one Radio Resource Control, RRC, signalling message, e.g. a 'RRC Connection
Establishment' message.
(Supplementary Note 18)
The communication device of any of supplementary notes 1 to 17, wherein said means
for providing said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path is operable to provide said indication in response to signalling
associated with initiation of a steering procedure for said communication device.
(Supplementary Note 19)
The communication device of supplementary note 18, wherein said signalling
associated with initiation of a steering procedure comprises configuration information for
configuring signal measurements for signals from said access point.
(Supplementary Note 20)
The communication device of supplementary note 19, wherein said at least one
signalling message comprises at least one 'RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete' message.
(Supplementary Note 21)
The communication device of supplementary note 19 or 20, wherein said providing
means is operable to provide said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path by sending at least one signalling message in
response to said communication device receiving said configuration information for configuring
signal measurements.
(Supplementary Note 22)
The communication device of supplementary note 21, wherein said providing means is
operable to provide said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use
said second communication path by sending at least one measurement report comprising results
of measurements made responsive to said configuration information for configuring signal
measurements.
(Supplementary Note 23)
The communication device of supplementary note 2 1 or 22, wherein said providing
means is operable to provide said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path by omitting to provide at least one measurement
report comprising results of measurements made responsive to said configuration information for
configuring signal measurements.
(Supplementary Note 24)
The communication device of any of supplementary notes 1 to 23, wherein said means
for providing said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path is operable to provide said indication as part of a steering procedure
comprising said request by said base station to change from said first communication path to said
second communication path for said communication device (e.g. to be used by said base station
in a subsequent steering procedure).
(Supplementary Note 25)
The communication device of supplementary note 24, wherein said providing means is
operable to provide said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use
said second communication path by sending a negative acknowledgement, Nack, in response to
said request by said base station to change from said first communication path to said second
communication path.
(Supplementary Note 26)
The communication device of any of supplementary notes 1 to 25, comprising user
equipment operating in accordance with the Long Term Evolution, LTE, standards.
(Supplementary Note 27)
A base station for controlling a communication device operable to communicate via at
least one of said base station and an access point of a local area network, the base station
comprising:
means for communicating with the communication device using a first communication
path;
means for obtaining, from said communication device, an indication of whether or not
the communication device is enabled to use a second communication path via said access point;
and
means for providing, to said communication device and in dependence on said
indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path, control data for changing between said first communication path and said
second communication path.
(Supplementary Note 28)
The base station of supplementary note 27 wherein said communication device is
operable to communicate with said base station via said first communication path using a first
radio access technology and to communicate with said access point via said second
communication path using a second radio access technology.
(Supplementary Note 29)
The base station of supplementary note 27 or 28, wherein said communication device
can be enabled (or not enabled) to use said second communication path by means of a user
preference indicating that a user is willing (or unwilling) to allow use of said second
communication path and wherein said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled comprises an indication of said user preference.
(Supplementary Note 30)
The base station of supplementary note 28, wherein said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path comprises an
indication of a user preference indicating that use of said second radio access technology has
been (or has not been) allowed.
(Supplementary Note 1)
The base station of any of supplementary notes 29 or 30, wherein said indication of
whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path
comprises an indication of a user preference indicating use of a particular local area network is
preferred (or is not preferred) over use of said cellular communication network.
(Supplementary Note 32)
The base station of any of supplementary notes 27 to 31, further comprising means for
maintaining a list of local area networks that said communication device is capable of and/or
permitted to use (e.g. a list of operator controlled local area networks, a list of trusted local area
networks, a list of preferred local area networks, a list of whitelisted local area networks) and
wherein said maintaining means is operable to include in said list said particular local area
networks when said indication indicates that the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path.
(Supplementary Note 33)
The base station of any of supplementary notes 27 to 31, further comprising means for
mamtaining a list of local area networks that said communication device is not capable of and/or
not permitted to use (e.g. a list of banned local area networks, a list of blacklisted local area
networks, a list of unauthorised local area networks, a list of local area networks incompatible)
and wherein said maintaining means is operable to include in said list said particular local area
networks when said indication indicates that the communication device is not enabled to use said
second communication path.
(Supplementary Note 34)
The base station of any of supplementary notes 27 to 33, wherein said indication of
whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path
comprises an indication of a capability of said communication device for communicating using
said second communication path.
(Supplementary Note 35)
The base station of supplementary note 34, wherein said indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path comprises information
identifying at least one of: bands/frequencies supported by said communication device; a
capability of said communication device for communicating simultaneously via said first and
said second communication paths; a capability of said communication device for Internet
Protocol Flow Mobility, IFOM; and a capability of said communication device for Multi Access
Packed Data Network Connectivity, MAPCON.
(Supplementary Note 36)
The base station of any of supplementary notes 27 to 35, wherein said obtaining means
is operable to obtain said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to
use said second communication path by receiving at least one signalling message from said
communication device via said first communication path.
(Supplementary Note 37)
The base station of supplementary note 36, wherein said obtaining means is operable to
obtain said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path using at least one information element, IE, included in said at least one
signalling message received from said communication device via said first communication path.
(Supplementary Note 38)
The base station of any of supplementary notes 27 to 37, wherein said obtaining means
is operable to obtain said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to
use said second communication path by determining that at least one expected signalling
message from said communication device has not been received.
(Supplementary Note 39)
The base station of any of supplementary notes 27 to 38, wherein said means for
obtaining said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path is operable to obtain said indication prior to the base station
initiating a steering procedure for said communication device.
(Supplementary Note 40)
The base station of supplementary note 39, wherein said means for obtaining said
indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path is operable to obtain said indication as part of a procedure for attaching the
communication device to said communication system (e.g. an attach procedure forming part of a
Non-Access Stratum Procedure).
(Supplementary Note 1)
The base station of supplementary note 39 or 40, wherein said means for obtaining said
indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path is operable to obtain said indication as part of a radio connection
establishment procedure between said communication device and said base station.
(Supplementary Note 42)
The base station of any of supplementary notes 39 to 41, wherein said means for
obtaining said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path is operable to obtain said indication by receiving at least one
signalling message during an establishment of said first communication path.
(Supplementary Note 43)
The base station of supplementary note 42, wherein said at least one signalling message
received during said establishment of said first communication path comprises at least one Radio
Resource Control, RRC, signalling message, e.g. a 'RRC Connection Establishment' message.
(Supplementary Note 44)
The base station of any of supplementary notes 27 to 43, wherein said means for
obtaining said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path is operable to obtain said indication in response to signalling
associated with initiation of a steering procedure for said communication device.
(Supplementary Note 45)
The base station of supplementary note 44, wherein said signalling associated with
initiation of a steering procedure comprises configuration information for configuring signal
measurements for signals from said access point.
(Supplementary Note 46)
The base station of supplementary note 45, wherein said at least one signalling message
comprises at least one 'RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete' message.
(Supplementary Note 47)
The base station of supplementary note 45 or 46, wherein said obtaining means is
operable to obtain said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use
said second communication path by receiving at least one signalling message in response to said
base station sending said configuration information for configuring signal measurements.
(Supplementary Note 48)
The base station of supplementary note 47, wherein said obtaining means is operable to
obtain said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path by receiving at least one measurement report comprising results of
measurements made responsive to said configuration information for configuring signal
measurements.
(Supplementary Note 49)
The base station of supplementary note 47 or 48, wherein said obtaining means is
operable to obtain said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use
said second communication path by determining that at least one measurement report comprising
results of measurements made responsive to said configuration information for configuring
signal measurements has been omitted by said communication device.
(Supplementary Note 50)
The base station of any of supplementary notes 27 to 49, wherein said means for
obtaining said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path is operable to obtain said indication as part of a steering procedure
comprising said request by said base station to change from said first communication path to said
second communication path for said communication device (e.g. to be used by said base station
in a subsequent steering procedure).
(Supplementary Note 51)
The base station of supplementary note 50, wherein said obtaining means is operable to
obtain said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path by receiving a negative acknowledgement, Nack, in response to said request
by said base station to change from said first communication path to said second communication
path.
(Supplementary Note 52)
The base station of any of supplementary notes 27 to 51, comprising means for
configuring signal measurements for signals from said access point in dependence of said
obtained indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path.
(Supplementary Note 53)
The base station of any of supplementary notes 27 to 52, comprising means for
requesting said communication device to change from said first communication path to said
second communication path in dependence of said obtained indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path.
(Supplementary Note 54)
The base station of any of supplementary notes 27 to 53, comprising a base station
operating in accordance with the Long Term Evolution, LTE, standards.
(Supplementary Note 55)
A system comprising the communication device of any of supplementary notes 1 to 26
and the base station of any of supplementary notes 27 to 54.
(Supplementary Note 56)
A communication device for use in a cellular communication network comprising a
base station and for use in a local area network comprising an access point, the communication
device comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein:
the transceiver is configured to:
communicate with said base station via a first communication path; and to communicate
with said access node via a second communication path;
provide, to said base station, an indication of whether or not the communication device
is enabled to use said second communication path; and
receive, from said base station and in dependence on said indication of whether or not
the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path, control data for
changing between said first and said second communication paths; and
the processor is configured to change between said first and said second communication
paths in accordance with said control data.
(Supplementary Note 57)
A base station for controlling a communication device operable to communicate via at
least one of said base station and an access point of a local area network, the base station
comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is configured to:
communicate with the communication device using a first communication path;
obtain, from said communication device, an indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use a second communication path via said access point; and
provide, to said communication device and in dependence on said indication of whether
or not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path, control data
for changing between said first communication path and said second communication path.
(Supplementary Note 58)
A method performed by a communication device operable to communicate with a base
station of a cellular communication network via a first communication path and to communicate
with an access point of a local area network via a second communication path, the method
comprising:
providing, to said base station, an indication of whether or not the communication
device is enabled to use said second communication path;
receiving, from said base station and in dependence on said indication of whether or not
the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path, control data for
changing between said first and said second communication paths; and
changing to said second communication path or maintaining said first communication
path in dependence on said receiving, from said base station in dependence on said indication of
whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path,
control data for changing between said first and said second communication paths.
(Supplementary Note 59)
A method according to supplementary note 58 wherein said receiving, from said base
station and in dependence on said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path, control data for changing between said first and
said second communication paths comprises:
receiving said control data for changing between said first and said second
communication paths when said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path indicates that said device is enabled to use said
second communication path; and
not receiving said control data for changing between said first and said second
communication paths when said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path indicates that said device is not enabled to use
said second communication path.
(Supplementary Note 60)
A method performed by a base station of a cellular communication network for
controlling a communication device wherein the communication device is operable to
communicate with said base station via a first communication path, and operable to
communicate with an access point of a local area network via a second communication path, the
method comprising:
obtaining, from said communication device, an indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path via said access point;
and
providing, in dependence on said indication of whether or not the communication
device is enabled to use said second communication path, control data for changing between said
first communication path and said second communication path.
(Supplementary Note 61
A method according to supplementary note 60 wherein said providing, in dependence
on said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path, control data for changing between said first communication path and said
second communication path comprises:
providing said control data for changing between said first and said second
communication paths when said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path indicates that said device is enabled to use said
second communication path; and
not providing said control data for changing between said first and said second
communication paths when said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled to use said second communication path indicates that said device is not enabled to use
said second communication path.
(Supplementary Note 62)
A computer program product comprising instructions operable to program a
programmable processor to perform a method according to any of supplementary notes 58 to 61.
This application claims priority from United Kingdom Patent Application
No. 13 13914.2, filed on August 2, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.

CLAIMS
1. A communication device for use in a cellular communication network comprising a
base station and for use in a local area network comprising an access point, the communication
device comprising:
means for communicating:
i) with said base station via a first communication path; and
ii) with said access node via a second communication path;
means for providing, to said base station, an indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path;
means for receiving, from said base station and in dependence on said indication of
whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path,
control data for changing between said first and said second communication paths; and
means for changing between said first and said second communication paths in
accordance with said control data.
2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein said communicating means is
operable to communicate via said first communication path using a first radio access technology
and to communicate via said second communication path using a second radio access
technology.
3. The communication device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said communication device
can be enabled (or not enabled) to use said second communication path by means of a user
preference indicating that a user is willing (or unwilling) to allow use of said second
communication path and wherein said indication of whether or not the communication device is
enabled comprises an indication of said user preference.
4. The communication device of claim 2, wherein said indication of whether or not
the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path comprises an
indication of a user preference indicating that use of said second radio access technology has
been (or has not been) allowed.
5. The communication device of any of claims 3 or 4, wherein said indication of
whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path
comprises an indication of a user preference indicating use of a particular local area network is
preferred (or is not preferred) over use of said cellular communication network.
6. The communication device of any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising means for
maintaining a list of local area networks that said communication device is capable of and/or
permitted to use (e.g. a list of operator controlled local area networks, a list of trusted local area
networks, a list of preferred local area networks, a list of whitelisted local area networks) and
wherein said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path comprises an indication of whether or not said particular local area
network is included in said list.
7. The communication device of any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising means for
maintaining a list of local area networks that said communication device is not capable of and/or
not permitted to use (e.g. a list of banned local area networks, a list of blacklisted local area
networks, a list of unauthorised local area networks, a list of local area networks incompatible)
and wherein said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path comprises an indication of whether or not said particular local area
network is included in said list.
8. The communication device of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said indication of
whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path
comprises an indication of a capability of said communication device for communicating using
said second communication path.
9. The communication device of claim 8, wherein said indication of whether or not
the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path comprises
information identifying at least one of: bands/frequencies supported by said communication
device; a capability of said communication device for communicating simultaneously via said
first and said second communication paths; a capability of said communication device for
Internet Protocol Flow Mobility, IFOM; and a capability of said communication device for Multi
Access Packed Data Network Connectivity, MAPCON.
10. The communication device of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein said providing means
is operable to provide said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to
use said second communication path by sending at least one signalling message to said base
station via said first communication path.
1. The communication device of claim 10, wherein said providing means is operable
to provide said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path using at least one information element, IE, included in said at least
one signalling message sent to said base station via said first communication path.
12. The communication device of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein said providing means
is operable to provide said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to
use said second communication path by omitting to send at least one expected signalling
message to said base station via said first communication path.
13. The communication device of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein said means for
providing said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path is operable to provide said indication prior to a steering procedure
being initiated for said communication device.
14. The communication device of claim 13, wherein said means for providing said
indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path is operable to provide said indication as part of a procedure for attaching the
communication device to said communication system (e.g. an attach procedure forming part of a
Non-Access Stratum Procedure).
15. The communication device of claim 13 or 14, wherein said means for providing
said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path is operable to provide said indication as part of a radio connection
establishment procedure between said communication device and said base station.
16. The communication device of any of claims 13 to 15, wherein said means for
providing said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path is operable to provide said indication by sending at least one
signalling message during an establishment of said first communication path.
17. The communication device of claim 16, wherein said at least one signalling
message sent during said establishment of said first communication path comprises at least one
Radio Resource Control, RRC, signalling message, e.g. a 'RRC Connection Establishment'
message.
18. The communication device of any of claims 1 to 17, wherein said means for
providing said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path is operable to provide said indication in response to signalling
associated with initiation of a steering procedure for said communication device.
19. The communication device of claim 18, wherein said signalling associated with
initiation of a steering procedure comprises configuration information for configuring signal
measurements for signals from said access point.
20. The communication device of claim 19, wherein said at least one signalling
message comprises at least one 'RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete' message.
21. The communication device of claim 9 or 20, wherein said providing means is
operable to provide said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use
said second communication path by sending at least one signalling message in response to said
communication device receiving said configuration information for configuring signal
measurements.
22. The communication device of any of claims 1 to 21, wherein said means for
providing said indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said
second communication path is operable to provide said indication as part of a steering procedure
comprising said request by said base station to change from said first communication path to said
second communication path for said communication device (e.g. to be used by said base station
in a subsequent steering procedure).
23. A base station for controlling a communication device operable to communicate
via at least one of said base station and an access point of a local area network, the base station
comprising:
means for communicating with the communication device using a first
communication path;
means for obtaining, from said communication device, an indication of whether or
not the communication device is enabled to use a second communication path via said access
point; and
means for providing, to said communication device and in dependence on said
indication of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second
communication path, control data for changing between said first communication path and said
second communication path.
24. A communication device for use in a cellular communication network comprising a
base station and for use in a local area network comprising an access point, the communication
device comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein:
the transceiver is configured to:
communicate with said base station via a first communication path;
and to communicate with said access node via a second communication path;
provide, to said base station, an indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use said second communication path; and
receive, from said base station and in dependence on said indication
of whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path,
control data for changing between said first and said second communication paths; and
the processor is configured to change between said first and said second
communication paths in accordance with said control data.
25. A base station for controlling a communication device operable to communicate
via at least one of said base station and an access point of a local area network, the base station
comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is configured to:
communicate with the communication device using a first communication path;
obtain, from said communication device, an indication of whether or not the
communication device is enabled to use a second communication path via said access point; and
provide, to said communication device and in dependence on said indication of
whether or not the communication device is enabled to use said second communication path,
control data for changing between said first communication path and said second communication
path.