Network-initiated handover in integrated small cell and wifi networks

Abstract

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

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 a mobility management entity receiving measurement data regarding operation of a cellular communication access network and a wireless local access network , the measurement data collected at a user device having a first existing connection to a packet data network via the cellular communication access network;   the mobility management entity determining based at least in part upon the measurement data to handover communication from the first existing connection to a packet data network via the cellular communication access network to a second connection to the packet data network via the wireless local access network;   the mobility management entity communicating to the wireless local access network a notification of a handover from the cellular communication access network to the wireless local access network, the mobility management entity communicating over a first interface for communicating control plane data between the mobility management entity and the wireless local access network;   the mobility management entity communicating to the cellular communication access network a message to hand over communication from the cellular communication access network to the wireless local access network;   the mobility management entity receiving, via the first interface for communicating control plane data between the mobility management entity and the wireless local access network, a handover notification request from the wireless local access network;   the mobility management entity communicating, via the first interface, a handover notification response to the wireless local access network;   the mobility management entity communicating a modify bearer request to a serving gateway;   the mobility management entity communicating to the cellular communication access network a command to release.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in response to receiving from the mobility management entity a message to hand over communication from the cellular communication access network to the wireless local access network, the cellular communication access network communicating a message to the user device to perform a handover from the cellular communication network to the wireless local access network;   the user device attaching to the wireless local access network; and   the wireless local access network communicating a handover notification request to the mobility management entity over the first interface.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 in response to the mobility management entity communicating a modify bearer request to a serving gateway, the serving gateway returning a modify bearer response to the mobility management entity.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 in response to receiving a command from the mobility management entity to release, the cellular communication access network releasing access via the cellular communication access network to the user device.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 communicating data originating from the device, to the wireless local access network, and from the wireless local access network to the serving gateway.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving measurement data regarding operation of a cellular communication access network and wireless local access network comprises receiving measurement report via an S1-AP protocol. 
     
     
         7 . A system, comprising:
 one or more computing processors; and   computing memory communicatively coupled with the one or more computing processors, the computing memory comprising executable instructions that, upon execution by the one or more computing processors, cause the system to perform operations comprising:
 receiving measurement data regarding operation of a cellular communication access network and a wireless local access network, the measurement data collected at a user device having a first existing connection to a packet data network via the cellular communication access network; 
 determining based at least in part upon the measurement data to handover communication from the first existing connection to a packet data network via the cellular communication access network to a second connection to the packet data network via the wireless local access network; 
 communicating to the wireless local access network a notification of a handover from the cellular communication access network to the wireless local access network, the communicating being over a first interface for communicating control plane data with the wireless local access network; 
 communicating to the cellular communication access network a message to hand over communication from the cellular communication access network to the wireless local access network; 
 receiving, via the first interface for communicating control plane data between the mobility management entity and the wireless local access network, a handover notification request from the wireless local access network; 
 communicating, via the first interface, a handover notification response to the wireless local access network; 
 communicating a modify bearer request to a serving gateway; and 
 communicating to the cellular communication access network a command to release. 
   
     
     
         8 . A method, comprising:
 a mobility management entity receiving measurement data regarding operation of a cellular communication access network and a wireless local access network, the measurement data collected at a user device having a first existing connection to a packet data network via a wireless local access network;   the mobility management entity determining to handover communication from the first existing connection to a packet data network via a wireless local access network to a second connection to the packet data network via a cellular communication access network;   the mobility management entity communicating to the wireless local access network a message indicating a handover is to be performed, the mobility management entity communicating over a first interface for communicating control plane data between the mobility management entity and the wireless local access network;   the mobility management entity communicating a message to modify a bearer to a serving gateway; and   the mobility management entity communicating, via the first interface, a message indicating the handover is complete to the wireless local access network.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 in response to the mobility management entity communicating to the wireless local access network a message indicating a handover is to be performed, the wireless local access network communicating a message to the user device to perform a handover from the wireless local access network to the cellular communication access network;   the user device communicating a request to perform a handover to the cellular communication access network; and   the cellular communication access network communicating an attach request to the mobility management entity;   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 in response to the mobility management entity communicating a modify bearer request to a serving gateway, the serving gateway returning a modify bearer response to the mobility management entity.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 in response to the mobility management entity communicating a message indicating the handover is complete, the wireless local access network communicating a message to the user device to release a connection with the wireless local access network.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 communicating data originating from the device, to the cellular communication access network, and from the cellular communication access network to the serving gateway.   
     
     
         13 . A system, comprising:
 one or more computing processors; and   computing memory communicatively coupled with the one or more computing processors, the computing memory comprising executable instructions that, upon execution by the one or more computing processors, cause the system to perform operations comprising:
 receiving measurement data regarding operation of a cellular communication access network and a wireless local access network, the measurement data collected at a user device having a first existing connection to a packet data network via a wireless local access network; 
 determining to handover communication from the first existing connection to a packet data network via a wireless local access network to a second connection to the packet data network via a cellular communication access network; 
 communicating to the wireless local access network a message indicating a handover is to be performed, the communicating being over a first interface for communicating control plane data with the wireless local access network; 
 communicating a message to modify a bearer to a serving gateway; and 
 communicating, via the first interface, a message indicating the handover is complete to the wireless local access network. 
   
     
     
         14 . A method, comprising:
 an integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway receiving measurement data regarding operation of a cellular communication access network and a wireless local access network, the measurement data collected at a user device having a first existing connection to a packet data network via the cellular communication access network;   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway determining based at least in part upon the measurement data to handover communication from the first existing connection to a packet data network via a cellular communication access network to a second connection to the packet data network via a wireless local access network;   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway communicating to the wireless local access network a notification of a handover from the cellular communication access network to the wireless local access network, the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway communicating over a first interface for communicating control plane data with the wireless local access network;   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway communicating to the cellular communication access network a message to hand over communication from the cellular communication access network to the wireless local access network;   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway receiving, via the first interface for communicating control plane data with the wireless local access network, a handover notification request;   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway communicating a handover notification response to the wireless local access network;   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway communicating a handover notification to a mobility management entity;   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway receiving from the mobility management entity a message to release a connection in the cellular communication access network; and   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway communicating a message to the cellular communication access network to release the first connection.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 in response to receiving from the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway, the cellular communication access network communicating a message to the user device to perform a handover from the cellular communication access network to the wireless local access network;   the user device attaching to the wireless local access network; and   the wireless local access network communicating a handover notification request to the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway over the first interface.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 in response to a message from the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway to release the first connection, the cellular communication access network releasing resources related to the first connection.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 communicating data originating from the user device, to the wireless local access network, and from the wireless local access network to the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway serving gateway.   
     
     
         18 . A system comprising:
 one or more computing processors; and   computing memory communicatively coupled with the one or more computing processors, the computing memory comprising executable instructions that, upon execution by the one or more computing processors, cause the system to perform operations comprising:
 receiving measurement data regarding operation of a cellular communication access network and a wireless local access network, the measurement data collected at a user device having a first existing connection to a packet data network via the cellular communication access network; 
 determining based at least in part upon the measurement data to handover communication from the first existing connection to a packet data network via a cellular communication access network to a second connection to the packet data network via a wireless local access network; 
 communicating to the wireless local access network a notification of a handover from the cellular communication access network to the wireless local access network, the communicating being over a first interface for communicating control plane data with the wireless local access network; 
 communicating to the cellular communication access network a message to hand over communication from the cellular communication access network to the wireless local access network; 
 receiving, via the first interface for communicating control plane data with the wireless local access network, a handover notification request; 
 communicating a handover notification response to the wireless local access network; 
 communicating a handover notification to a mobility management entity; 
 receiving from the mobility management entity a message to release a connection in the cellular communication access network; and 
 communicating a message to the cellular communication access network to release the first connection. 
   
     
     
         19 . A method, comprising:
 an integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway receiving measurement data regarding operation of a cellular communication access network and a wireless local access network, the measurement data collected at a user device having a first existing connection to a packet data network via the wireless local access network;   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway determining to handover communication from the first existing connection to a packet data network via a wireless local access network to a second connection to the packet data network via a cellular communication access network;   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway communicating to the wireless local access network a message indicating a handover is to be performed, the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway communicating over a first interface for communicating control plane data towards the wireless local access network;   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway receiving an attach request from the cellular communication access network;   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway communicating an attach request to a mobility management entity;   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network receiving a message indicating the attach is accepted from the mobility management entity;   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway communicating that an attach is accepted to the cellular communication access network;   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway receiving an initial context setup request from the cellular communication access network;   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway communicating the initial setup response to the mobility management entity; and   the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway communicating a message requesting to complete the handover to the wireless local access network.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 in response to receiving a message indicating a handover is to be performed, the wireless local access network communicating a message to a user device to perform a handover from the wireless local access network to the cellular communication network;   the user device communicating a request to perform a handover to the cellular communication access network; and   the cellular communication access network communicating an attach request to the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 in response to the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway communicating an attach request to the mobility management entity, the mobility management entity communicating a message indicating the attach is accepted to the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 in response to the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway communicating that an attach is accepted to the cellular communication access network, the cellular communication network communicating an initial context setup request to the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 in response the integrated small cell and wireless local area network wireless local area network gateway communicating a message requesting to complete the handover to the wireless local access network, the wireless local access network communicating a request to disconnect to the user device.   
     
     
         24 . A system comprising:
 one or more computing processors; and   computing memory communicatively coupled with the one or more computing processors, the computing memory comprising executable instructions that, upon execution by the one or more computing processors, cause the system to perform operations comprising:
 receiving measurement data regarding operation of a cellular communication access network and a wireless local access network, the measurement data collected at a user device having a first existing connection to a packet data network via the wireless local access network; 
 determining to handover communication from the first existing connection to a packet data network via a wireless local access network to a second connection to the packet data network via a cellular communication access network; 
 communicating to the wireless local access network a message indicating a handover is to be performed, the integrated small cell and wireless local area network gateway communicating over a first interface for communicating control plane data towards the wireless local access network; 
 receiving an attach request from the cellular communication access network; 
 communicating an attach request to a mobility management entity; 
 receiving a message indicating the attach is accepted from the mobility management entity; 
 communicating that an attach is accepted to the cellular communication access network; 
 receiving an initial context setup request from the cellular communication access network; 
 communicating the initial setup response to the mobility management entity; and 
 communicating a message requesting to complete the handover to the wireless local access network. 
   
     
     
         25 . A device, comprising:
 a computing processor;   computing memory communicatively coupled with the computing processor, the computing memory having stored therein executable computing instructions for performing operations, comprising:
 communicating measurement data relating to operation of a wireless access network and a cellular communication access network to the cellular communication access network, the computing device adapted for communication over the wireless access network and the cellular communication access network, the computing device having an existing connection to a packet data network via the cellular communication access network; 
 receiving a command from the cellular communication access network to hand over communication to a connection over the wireless access network; 
 attaching to the wireless access network; 
 releasing the existing connection to the cellular communication access network; and 
 receiving data from and transmitting data to the packet data network over the wireless access network. 
   
     
     
         26 . A device, comprising:
 a computing processor;   computing memory communicatively coupled with the computing processor, the computing memory having stored therein executable computing instructions for performing operations, comprising:
 communicating measurement data relating to operation of a wireless access network and a cellular communication access network to the cellular communication access network, the computing device adapted for communication over the wireless access network and the cellular communication network, the computing device having an existing connection to a packet data network via the wireless access network; 
 receiving a command from the wireless access network to hand over communication to a connection over the cellular communication access network; 
 attaching to the cellular communication access network; 
 releasing the existing connection to the wireless access network; and 
 receiving data from and transmitting data to the packet data network over the cellular communication access network.