DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to the field of wireless communication systems and more particularly to the wireless communication systems providing integration of cellular networks and Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) technologies.

BACKGROUND
[002] Large scale deployment of cellular networks such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks has enabled data service to a user at high speed. The LTE networks are supported with a Voice over LTE (VoLTE) system for providing a voice call service over the LTE networks. However, the LTE networks operate in high frequency bands and the higher operating frequencies limit penetration of signals into concrete buildings and the like, effectively limiting the network coverage provided by the LTE, in presence of such obstacles.
[003] Demand for good network coverage and high speed data service has led to development towards interworking of different communication technologies. One of the next-generation solutions discloses interworking of the cellular network and a Wi-Fi network. In such integrated environments, a voice call service provided by the Wi-Fi network, called Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi), is designed to handover to/from with Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services in cellular networks. . Service over WiFi helps to provide better quality when cellular coverage is poor. Thus, a user receives totally seamless user experience for the voice call when the user moves between the cellular network and the Wi-Fi network, where the voice call is allowed to continue uninterrupted.
[004] In current interworking scenarios of cellular network and Wi-Fi network, both cellular and Wi-Fi use different chipsets, which means Tx/Rx of cellular and Wi-Fi chipset, are different. Any UE registered for VoWiFi service using WiFi chipset has to still maintain a cellular transceiver (Tx/Rx) in active state even though none of the user services need cellular network support. In such scenarios, with reference to the cellular network, the UE is in idle state and in accordance to current communication standard the UE has to wake up at pre-defined time intervals for receiving various signaling messages from the cellular network by switching On the cellular Tx/Rx. However, for the UE currently registered with the available VoWiFi service, it may not be necessary to track each and every signaling message from the cellular network such as paging message or System Information (SI) message and the like. Thus, with current methods the UE maintains the cellular Tx/Rx in active state even when the VoWiFi service is available or being currently utilized by the UE. Moreover, any active Tx/Rx is one of the major power consuming component of the UE, which leads to quick discharge of the device battery in turn bad user experience.

OBJECT OF INVENTION
[005] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide methods and systems for managing a cellular transceiver (Tx/Rx) of a User Equipment (UE) when in a Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) and cellular network interworking environment.
[006] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for disabling (switching Off) the cellular Tx/Rx of the UE when the UE is currently registered for the VoWiFi, wherein the cellular Tx/Rx is disabled if Wi-Fi signal strength of the connected Wi-Fi network is above a pre-defined threshold and no cellular specific services are active.
[007] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for enabling (switching On) the disabled cellular Tx/Rx of the UE on detection of one or more events, wherein the events include reception of a cellular specific service request from a upper layer of the UE or periodic cellular procedures triggered by the modem or deterioration of the Wi-Fi signal strength below the pre-defined threshold value.

SUMMARY
[008] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a method for managing a cellular transceiver (Tx/Rx) of a User Equipment (UE) in Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) and cellular network interworking environment. The method comprises disabling the cellular Tx/Rx of the UE when the UE is currently registered for a VoWiFi service if Wi-Fi signal strength of a Wi-Fi network providing the VoWiFi service is above a pre-defined threshold and no cellular specific service is active.
[009] Embodiments further disclose a User Equipment (UE) operating in Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) and cellular network interworking environment. The UE comprises a transceiver management unit configured to disable a cellular transceiver (Tx/Rx) of the UE when the UE is currently registered for the VoWiFi if Wi-Fi signal strength of a Wi-Fi network providing the VoWiFi is above a pre-defined threshold and no cellular specific service is active.
[0010] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0011] The embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an example Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi)-cellular network interworking environment, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of components of a User equipment (UE) for managing operations of a cellular transceiver (Tx/Rx) of the UE in the VoWiFi-cellular network interworking environment, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for managing the cellular Tx/Rx of the UE in the VoWiFi-cellular network interworking environment, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0016] The embodiments herein achieve methods and systems for managing a cellular transceiver (Tx/Rx) of a User Equipment (UE) in Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) and cellular network interworking environment. A method includes detecting whether the UE is currently registered for a Voice over WiFi service, alternatively referred as VoWiFi. Upon confirmation of the UE’s registration for VoWiFi, the method includes disabling the cellular Tx/Rx of the UE if Wi-Fi signal strength of the connected Wi-Fi network is above a pre-defined threshold and no cellular specific service(s) are active.
[0017] Thus, the cellular Tx/Rx is disabled (switched Off) when the UE can access an available VoWiFi service, effectively reducing the power consumption of the UE by cutting off power to cellular Tx/Rx circuit of the UE when the UE is in idle mode, with respect to the cellular network. The method proposed does not require any signaling changes to be introduced between the UE and the cellular network or the Wi-Fi network. The proposed methods of reduction in power consumption can be implemented at UE end.
[0018] However, on detection on one or more events that require the UE to be active to communicate with the cellular network, the method includes enabling (switching On) the disabled cellular Tx/Rx of the UE. In an embodiment, the event can be reception of a cellular service request from a upper layers of the UE. In an embodiment, the event can be deterioration of the Wi-Fi signal strength below the pre-defined threshold. In an embodiment, the event can be modem triggered periodic procedures.
[0019] In an embodiment, the cellular network can be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network enabling a voice call with support of a Voice over LTE (VoLTE) system or any other cellular network that may be interworking with the Wi-Fi for seamless voice call user experience with UE enabled for VoWiFi service.
[0020] In an embodiment, the UE can be a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop, a palmtop, a tablet, a wearable device or any other VoWiFi capable communication device.
[0021] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an example Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi)-cellular network interworking environment 100, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The figure 1 depicts a UE 102 receiving services of the cellular network such as the LTE network through a LTE evolved Node B (eNB) 104, wherein the communication between the UE 102 and the LTE eNB 104 is through the cellular transceiver of the UE 102 (here, LTE transceiver). The UE 102 is capable and enabled for VoWiFi service. Thus, whenever the UE 102 enters Wi-Fi network coverage area of a Wi-Fi Access Point (AP) 106 and detects an available VoWiFi service, the UE 102 is configured to register with the Wi-Fi AP 106 for the VoWiFi and can receive Wi-Fi services via a Wi-Fi transceiver of the UE 102. Whenever, the UE 102 successfully registers for VoWiFi, the UE 102 enters the idle state with respect to the LTE eNB 106.
[0023] Upon detecting that the UE 102 is currently registered with Wi-Fi AP 106 for the VoWiFi, the UE 102 can be configured to detect whether Wi-Fi signal strength of the Wi-Fi AP 106 as received by the UE 102 is above the pre-defined threshold. The pre-defined threshold for the Wi-Fi signal strength can be the dB level below which the Wi-Fi signal is too weak to provide VoWiFi service for voice call continuity. Further, with Wi-Fi signal strength above the pre-defined threshold, the UE 102 can be configured to confirm whether no cellular specific service is active. Any cellular specific service requires the UE 102 to communicate with the LTE eNB 104 through the cellular transceiver. A periodic tracking updating procedure or a Non-access stratum (NAS) service request procedure, a detach request procedure, an emergency call and the like are few examples of cellular specific service requests.
[0024] Thus, when the Wi-Fi signal strength is above the pre-defined threshold and no cellular specific service is active, the UE 102 can be configured to disable (switch Off) the cellular Tx/Rx of the UE 102 and continue utilizing the VoWiFi service. This effectively reduces the power consumption of the UE by cutting off power to cellular Tx/Rx circuit of the UE 102, which is currently in idle state.
[0025] However, on detection on one or more events, which require the UE to be active to communicate with the LTE eNB 104 (cellular network), the UE 102 can be configured to enable (switch On) the disabled cellular Tx/Rx. In an embodiment, the event can be reception of the cellular service request from the upper layer of the UE. In an embodiment, the event can be deterioration of the Wi-Fi signal strength below the pre-defined threshold. In an embodiment, the event can be modem triggered periodic procedures.
[0026] Thus, embodiments herein provide reduction in power consumed by the UE 102 while UE 102 utilizes the VoWiFi when in the VoWiFi –cellular network interworking environment 100.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of components of the UE 102 for managing operation of the cellular Tx/Rx of the UE in the VoWiFi-cellular network interworking environment 100, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
[0028] Referring to figure 2, the UE 102 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the UE 102 may include a processor(s) 202, a memory 204 and a communication interface(s) 206. The communication interface 206 may allow the UE 102 to communicate with other systems and devices through cellular networks, Wi-Fi networks, device to device (D2D) communication and the like. The communication interface 106 enables communication with the cellular network (such as the LTE network) through a cellular transceiver 208. Further, the UE 102 comprises a transceiver management unit 210 configured to manage the cellular transceiver 208 when in the VoWiFi-cellular network interworking environment 100. The transceiver management unit 208 can be configured to detect whether the UE 102 is currently registered for the VoWiFi. Upon confirmation of UE’s 102 registration for the VoWiFi, the transceiver management unit 210 can be configured to disable the cellular Tx/Rx 208 of the UE 102 if Wi-Fi signal strength (here, from Wi-Fi AP 106) for the VoWiFi is above the pre-defined threshold and no cellular specific service is active.
[0029] However, on detection on one or more events, which require the UE 102 to be active to communicate with the LTE eNB 104, the transceiver management unit 210 can be configured to enable (switch On) the disabled cellular Tx/Rx 208 of the UE 102. In an embodiment, the event can be reception of the cellular service request from the upper layer of the UE. In an embodiment, the event can be deterioration of the Wi-Fi signal strength below the pre-defined threshold. In an embodiment, the event can be modem triggered periodic procedures.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 300 for managing the cellular Tx/Rx of the UE 102 in the VoWiFi-cellular network interworking environment 100, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
[0031] At step 302, the UE 102 is only in the LTE network coverage of the LTE eNB 104 and not registered with the Wi-Fi AP 106 for VoWiFi services, hence the cellular transceiver 208 is enabled (On state). At step 304, the method 300 includes allowing the transceiver management unit 210 to detect whether the UE 102 is currently registered for VoWiFi services. The UE 102, enabled for the VoWiFi service may register with the Wi-Fi AP 106 for the VoWiFi service as soon as the UE 102 detects signal from the Wi-Fi AP 106, to receive the VoWiFi service. Upon confirmation of registration of the UE 102 for the VoWiFi, at step 306, the method 300 includes allowing the transceiver management unit 210 to determine whether the Wi-Fi signal strength of the Wi-Fi AP 106 is above the pre-defined threshold to service the voice call with intended quality. On determining that the Wi-Fi signal strength is above the pre-determined threshold, at step 308, the method 300 includes allowing the transceiver management unit 210 to check whether no cellular specific service is currently active with respect to the LTE eNB 104 and the like. On confirmation that none of the cellular specific service is active, at step 310, the method 300 includes allowing the transceiver management unit 210 to disable the cellular transceiver 208.
[0032] Once cellular transceiver 208 is disabled, at step 312, the method 300 includes allowing the transceiver management unit 210 to keep a continuous check on whether one or more events such as Wi-Fi signal strength deteriorating below the pre-defined threshold and/or reception of the cellular service request from higher level have occurred. In an embodiment, the event can be modem triggered periodic procedures. On detection of at least one event, at step 302, the method 300 includes allowing the transceiver management unit 210 to enable the cellular transceiver 208 for communication with the LTE eNB 104. The various actions in method 300 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 3 may be omitted.
[0033] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management and device management functions to control the device elements and network elements. The device elements and network elements shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 include blocks which can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.
[0034] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim:

1. A method for managing a cellular transceiver (Tx/Rx) of a User Equipment (UE) (102) in Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) and cellular network interworking environment, the method comprising
disabling, by the UE (102), the cellular Tx/Rx of the UE (102) when the UE (102) is currently registered for a VoWiFi service if Wi-Fi signal strength of a Wi-Fi network providing the VoWiFi service is above a pre-defined threshold and no cellular specific service is active.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises enabling the disabled cellular Tx/Rx on detection of at least one event, wherein the at least one event comprises:
reception of a cellular service request from an upper layer of the UE (102);
deterioration of the Wi-Fi signal strength below the pre-defined threshold; and
modem triggered periodic procedures.
3. A User Equipment (UE) (102) operating in Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) and cellular network interworking environment, the UE (102) comprising a transceiver management unit configured to
disable a cellular transceiver (Tx/Rx) of the UE (102) when the UE (102) is currently registered for the VoWiFi if Wi-Fi signal strength of a Wi-Fi network providing the VoWiFi is above a pre-defined threshold and no cellular specific service is active.
4. The UE (102) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the transceiver management unit is configured to enable the disabled cellular Tx/Rx on detection of at least one of:
reception of a cellular service request from an upper layer of the UE (102);
deterioration of the Wi-Fi signal strength below the pre-defined threshold; and
modem triggered periodic procedures.

Dated this 7th of February, 2017
Signature:
Name of the Signatory: Dr. Kalyan Chakravarthy