Wireless network transition by a wireless communication device

Abstract

Examples disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and software for transitioning between wireless communication networks. In one example, a method of operating a wireless communication device to transition between wireless communication networks includes exchanging first wireless communication signals with a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network for an application in the wireless communication device. The method further includes transitioning from exchanging the first wireless communication signals with the LTE network, to exchanging second wireless communication signals with at least one non-LTE base station for the application in the wireless communication device, and identifying LTE network status data to estimate an LTE network data rate. Based at least on the LTE network data rate, the method provides identifying an eNodeB sector and frequency carrier. Upon identifying the eNodeB sector and frequency carrier, the wireless communication device will drop to an idle mode before returning to an active mode connected to the LTE communication network.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of operating a wireless communication device to transition between wireless communication networks comprising:
 in a wireless transceiver system, exchanging first wireless communication signals with a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network for an application in the wireless communication device; 
 in the wireless transceiver system, transitioning from exchanging the first wireless communication signals with the LTE network to exchanging second wireless communication signals with at least one non-LTE base station associated with a non-LTE network for the application in the wireless communication device, wherein the second wireless communication signals identify LTE network status data; 
 in a processing system, processing the LTE network status data to estimate an LTE network data rate; 
 determining whether the LTE network is preferable over the non-LTE network based on a data requirement of the application, a current data rate of non-LTE network data, and the LTE network data rate; 
 in the processing system, if the LTE network is preferable over the non-LTE network, processing the data requirement of the application, the current data rate of non-LTE network data, and the LTE network data rate to select an eNodeB sector and frequency carrier on the LTE network; 
 in the wireless transceiver system and after selecting the eNodeB sector and frequency carrier, transmitting a notification message to the non-LTE network indicating a transition from the non-LTE network to the LTE network, wherein the notification message comprises an instruction to preserve an internet protocol (IP) address for the wireless communication device; 
 in the wireless transceiver system and after transmitting the message, transitioning to idle mode and subsequently transitioning from the idle mode to active mode; 
 in the wireless transceiver system and after transitioning from the idle mode to the active mode, exchanging third wireless communication signals with the LTE network for the application using the eNodeB sector and frequency carrier on the LTE network. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the message indicates the eNodeB and the frequency carrier. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one non-LTE base station communicates using evolved High-Rate Packet Data (eHRPD). 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one non-LTE base station communicates using evolved High-Speed Packet Access (eHSPA). 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one non-LTE base station communicates using Wireless Fidelity (WiFi). 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the LTE network status data comprises at least a number of users and signal strength. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  wherein the LTE network status data further comprises signal noise. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the LTE network status data is obtained using a secondary LTE antenna. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein the secondary wireless communication signals comprise signals for the application in the wireless communication device and signals that identify the LTE network status data. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first wireless communication signals are communicated with a first eNodeB and the third wireless communication signals are communicated with a second eNodeB. 
     
     
       11. A wireless communication device comprising:
 a wireless transceiver system configured to:
 exchange first wireless communication signals with a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network for an application in the wireless communication device; 
 transition from exchanging the first wireless communication signals with the LTE network to exchanging second wireless communication signals with at least one non-LTE base station associated with a non-LTE network for the application in the wireless communication device, wherein the second wireless communication signals identify LTE network status data; 
 in response to selecting the eNodeB sector and frequency carrier, transmitting a notification message to the non-LTE network indicating a transition from the non-LTE network to the LTE network, wherein the notification message comprises an instruction to preserve the (IP) address for the wireless communication device; 
 after transmitting the message, transition to idle mode and subsequently transition from the idle mode to active mode; and 
 after transitioning from the idle mode to the active mode, exchange third wireless communication signals with the LTE network for the application using the eNodeB sector and frequency carrier on the LTE network; and 
 
 a processing system configured to:
 process the LTE network status data to estimate an LTE network data rate; 
 determine whether the LTE network is preferable over the non-LTE network based on a data requirement of the application, a current data rate of non-LTE network data, and the LTE network data rate; and 
 if the LTE network is preferable over the non-LTE network, process the data requirement of the application, the current data rate of non-LTE network data, and the LTE network data rate to select the eNodeB sector and frequency carrier on the LTE network. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The wireless communication device of  claim 11  wherein the message indicates the eNodeB and the frequency carrier. 
     
     
       13. The wireless communication device of  claim 11  wherein the at least one non-LTE base station communicates using evolved High-Rate Packet Data (eHRPD). 
     
     
       14. The wireless communication device of  claim 11  wherein the at least one non-LTE base station communicates using evolved High-Speed Packet Access (eHSPA). 
     
     
       15. The wireless communication device of  claim 11  wherein the at least one non-LTE base station communicates using Wireless Fidelity (WiFi). 
     
     
       16. The wireless communication device of  claim 11  wherein the LTE network status data comprises at least a number of users and signal strength. 
     
     
       17. The wireless communication device of  claim 16  wherein the LTE network status data further comprises signal noise. 
     
     
       18. The wireless communication device of  claim 11  wherein the LTE network status data is obtained using a secondary LTE antenna. 
     
     
       19. The wireless communication device of  claim 11  wherein the secondary wireless communication signals comprise signals for the application in the wireless communication device and signals that identify the LTE network status data. 
     
     
       20. The wireless communication device of  claim 11  wherein the first wireless communication signals are communicated with a first eNodeB and the third wireless communication signals are communicated with a second eNodeB.