WO2014101206A1

WO2014101206A1 - Method for detecting wireless local area network, access network and core network devices and access point

Info

Publication number: WO2014101206A1
Application number: PCT/CN2012/088088
Authority: WO
Inventors: 黄晓明
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2012-12-31
Filing date: 2012-12-31
Publication date: 2014-07-03
Also published as: CN103535082B; CN103535082A

Abstract

Provided are a method for detecting a wireless local area network, an access network device, a core network device and an access point. The method comprises: receiving a neighbour cell measurement message from a UE; and if the neighbour cell measurement message carries information about a virtual cell, sending a notification message to a core network device, the notification message being used for instructing the UE to enter a coverage area of a WLAN, so as to enable the core network device to notify the UE that the UE enters the coverage area of the WLAN, wherein the virtual cell is generated by an access point of the WLAN, and the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as that of the WLAN. In the embodiments of the present invention, in the case that information about a virtual cell generated by an AP is carried in a neighbour cell measurement message of a UE, a core network device is notified that a UE enters a coverage area of a WLAN via an access network device, the core network device notifies the UE to enter the coverage area of the WLAN without the need for the UE to discover the coverage area of the WLAN through client software. Therefore, the UE's awareness of the WLAN can be promoted.

Description

Method for detecting wireless local area network, access network and core network device, access point

The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a method of detecting a Wireless Local-Area Networks (WLAN), an access network device, a core network device, and an access point. Background technique

Due to the rapid growth of cellular network data traffic, operators' cellular networks are under greater pressure, such as the Global System of Mobile communication (GSM), which is overwhelmed by limited spectrum efficiency. In order to reduce the traffic pressure on the cellular network, operators have vigorously built WLANs. The WLAN is a hotspot. In order to discover the Access Point (AP) of the WLAN, you need to preset the client software in the User Equipment (UE) and search for the AP through the client software. However, the user penetration rate of the preset client software is low, and some UEs cannot install the client software, which makes it difficult for the UE to discover the WLAN, resulting in poor WLAN offloading to the cellular network. Summary of the invention

The embodiments of the present invention provide a method for detecting a wireless local area network, an access network device, a core network device, and an access point, which can improve the UE's perception of the WLAN.

In a first aspect, a method for detecting a WLAN is provided, including: receiving a neighboring cell measurement message from a user equipment UE; and sending a notification message to a core network device, where the neighboring cell measurement message carries information of a virtual cell The message is used to indicate that the UE enters a WLAN coverage area, so that the core network device notifies the UE that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, where the virtual cell is generated by an access point of the WLAN. The coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area.

With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the sending, by the core network device, the notification message includes: sending an internet protocol IP data packet to the core network device, where the IP data packet is The Differentiated Services Code Point DSCP field is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

With reference to the first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the sending, by the core network device, the notification message includes: sending, to the core network device, a base station subsystem universal wireless packet service protocol A BSSGP message, the BSSGP message includes a WLAN indicator, and the WLAN indicator is used to indicate that the UE enters a WLAN coverage area.

With reference to the first aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, before the neighboring area measurement message is received by the UE And the method further includes: sending a system message to the UE, where the system message is used to instruct the UE to report the neighboring area measurement message.

In conjunction with the first aspect or the first possible implementation of the first aspect or the second possible implementation of the first aspect or the third possible implementation of the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation And the method further includes: sending the notification message to the core network device, where the notification message is used to indicate that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area, if the neighboring cell measurement message does not carry the information of the virtual cell.

Combining the first aspect or the first possible implementation of the first aspect or the second possible implementation of the first aspect or the third possible implementation of the first aspect or the fourth possible implementation of the first aspect In a fifth possible implementation manner, before the receiving, by the UE, the neighboring cell measurement message, the method further includes: configuring the virtual cell as a neighboring cell.

The second aspect provides a method for detecting a WLAN, including: receiving, by the access network device, a notification message, where the notification message is that the access network device determines that the neighboring cell measurement message received from the user equipment UE carries the virtual cell. After the information is sent, the notification message is used to indicate that the UE enters a WLAN coverage area of the wireless local area network, where the virtual cell is generated by an access point of the WLAN, and the coverage area of the virtual cell and the WLAN coverage area The same; notifying the UE that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the receiving, by the access network device, the notification message includes: receiving, by the access network device, an internet protocol IP data packet, where the IP data packet The differentiated service code point DSCP field is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

With reference to the second aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the receiving, by the access network device, the notification message includes: receiving, from the access network device, a base station subsystem general wireless packet service protocol BSSGP packet, where The BSSGP message includes a WLAN indicator, and the WLAN indicator is used to indicate that the UE enters a WLAN coverage area.

In a third aspect, an access network device is provided, including: a receiving unit, configured to be a slave user device

The UE receives the neighboring cell measurement message, and the sending unit is configured to: if the neighboring cell measurement message carries a virtual small The information of the area is sent to the core network device, where the notification message is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, so that the core network device notifies the UE that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area. The virtual cell is generated by an access point of the WLAN, and the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area.

With reference to the third aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the sending unit is configured to send an internet protocol IP data packet to the core network device, where the differential service code point DSCP in the IP data packet A field is used to indicate that the UE enters a WLAN coverage area.

With reference to the third aspect, in a second possible implementation, the sending unit is specifically configured to send, to the core network device, a base station subsystem general wireless packet service protocol BSSGP packet, where the BSSGP packet includes a WLAN indicator. The WLAN indicator is used to indicate that the UE enters a WLAN coverage area.

With reference to the third aspect, or the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to be used in the slave Before receiving the neighboring cell measurement message, the UE sends a system message to the UE, where the system message is used to indicate the neighbor cell measurement message on the UE.

With reference to the third aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect or the second possible implementation manner of the third aspect or the third possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner The sending unit is further configured to: if the neighboring cell measurement message does not carry the information of the virtual cell, send a notification message to the core network device, where the notification message is used to indicate that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area. .

Combining the third aspect or the first possible implementation of the third aspect or the second possible implementation of the third aspect or the third possible implementation of the third aspect or the fourth possible implementation of the third aspect In a fifth possible implementation manner, the method further includes: a configuration unit, configured to configure the virtual cell as a neighboring cell before the receiving unit receives the neighboring cell measurement message from the UE.

The fourth aspect provides a core network device, including: a receiving unit, configured to receive a notification message from an access network device, where the notification message is that the access network device determines to determine a neighboring cell received from the user equipment UE. After the message is carried by the information of the virtual cell, the notification message is used to indicate that the UE enters a WLAN coverage area of the wireless local area network, where the virtual cell is generated by an access point of the WLAN, and the coverage area of the virtual cell is The WLAN coverage area is the same; the notification unit is configured to notify the UE that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area. With reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive, by the access network device, an internet protocol IP data packet, where the differential service code point in the IP data packet The DSCP field is used to indicate that the UE enters a WLAN coverage area.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is configured to receive, by the access network device, a base station subsystem general wireless packet service protocol BSSGP packet, where the BSSGP packet includes a WLAN indication The WLAN indicator is used to indicate that the UE enters a WLAN coverage area.

In a fifth aspect, an AP is provided, including: a WLAN module for transmitting a WLAN signal to form a WLAN coverage area, and a cellular network module, configured to transmit a cellular network signal, to generate a virtual cell, where the virtual cell The coverage area is the same as the WLAN coverage area.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in a first possible implementation, the method further includes: a processing module, configured to adjust a transmit power of the cellular network module, so that a coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when the neighboring cell measurement message is received from the UE, and the neighboring cell measurement message carries the information of the virtual cell generated by the AP, the core network device is notified that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, and the core network device sends the message to the UE. The UE is notified to enter the WLAN coverage area, and the UE does not need to discover the WLAN coverage area through the client software. Therefore, the UE can improve the perception of the WLAN, thereby improving the WLAN's traffic distribution effect on the cellular network. DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings to be used in the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. Other drawings may also be obtained from those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a method of detecting a WLAN according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a schematic flowchart of a method of detecting a WLAN according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a process of a method of detecting a WLAN according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4a is a schematic diagram of a format of an IP data message according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4b is a schematic diagram of the format of a DSCP field in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an access network device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a core network device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a schematic block diagram of an access network device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a schematic block diagram of a core network device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a schematic block diagram of an AP in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of an AP according to an embodiment of the present invention. detailed description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are clearly and completely described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. It is obvious that the described embodiments are a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without making creative labor are within the scope of the present invention.

The technical solution of the present invention can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System of Mobile communication (GSM), code division multiple access (Code Division)

Multiple Access (CDMA) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access Wireless (WCDMA), General Packet Radio Service (General Packet)

Radio Service, GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc.

User Equipment (UE), also known as mobile terminal (Mobile Terminal,

(MT), mobile station (MS), mobile user equipment, etc., may communicate with one or more core networks via a radio access network (eg, Radio Access Network, RAN), and the user equipment may be a mobile terminal, such as Mobile phones (or "cellular" phones) and computers with mobile terminals, for example, can be portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-integrated or in-vehicle mobile devices.

FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a method of detecting a WLAN according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method of Figure 1 is performed by an access network device, for example, by a Base Station Controller (BSC), or by a Radio Network Controller (RNC).

110. Receive a neighbor cell measurement message from the UE.

Optionally, as an embodiment, before the step 110, the access network device may send a system message to the UE, where the system message may be used to indicate that the neighboring cell measurement message is sent by the UE.

For example, the access network device may indicate the network control mode through a system message, thereby indicating the upper neighbor message to the UE. For example, the current communication system is GSM, and the access network device can be to the UE. Send a system message, the system message can indicate that the network control mode is NC1 or NC2.

The GPRS network control modes include: NC0, NC1, NC2.

The meaning of various network control modes is as follows:

NCO: The UE automatically performs cell selection, and does not send a neighbor cell measurement message;

NCI: The UE automatically performs cell selection and sends a neighbor cell measurement message.

NC2: The UE sends a neighbor cell measurement message and accepts cell reselection by the network.

In this way, when the network control mode is NC1 or NC2, the UE may report the neighboring area measurement message to the access network device after performing the neighboring cell measurement in the packet transmission state.

120. If the neighboring cell measurement message carries the information of the virtual cell, send a notification message to the core network device, where the notification message is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, so that the core network device notifies the UE that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, where the virtual cell It is generated by the AP of the WLAN, and the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area.

For example, the core network device may be a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Service GPRS Support Node (SGSN).

A virtual cell may refer to a cell of a cellular network that is simulated by an AP. For example, the AP may internally include a cellular network module that can transmit cellular network signals to generate virtual cells. The cellular network module may not need to communicate with the access network device and is not controlled by the access network device. For example, the cellular network module can only send information, not access services, and the like. The UE can receive the transmission level of the virtual cell and can parse the base station color code and network color code information of the virtual cell. The AP can adjust the transmit power of the cellular network module such that the virtual cell and the AP generate the same WLAN coverage area. In this way, when the UE performs neighbor cell measurement, if it is located within the coverage of the AP, the virtual cell can be measured. In addition, the virtual cell can be configured with a uniform frequency of the entire network, so that the access network device can identify the virtual cell by using the frequency point.

For example, the AP may include a GSM module, which does not need to communicate with the BSC, is not controlled by the BSC, may only send information, does not access services, but can transmit GSM signals to generate a GSM virtual cell. The AP can adjust the transmit power of the GSM module to make the GSM virtual cell and the WLAN area the same, so that the UE can accurately perceive the virtual area when performing neighbor cell measurement, so that the AP can be accurately perceived.

It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present invention, the cellular network may be a wireless network of various standards, such as GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, GPRS or LTE.

Optionally, as another embodiment, before step 110, the access network device may be virtualized The zone is configured as a neighbor.

Specifically, the access network device may configure the virtual cell as a neighbor of a cell of a neighboring base station of the AP. The UE can receive the transmission level of the virtual cell and can parse the base station color code and network color code information of the virtual cell. In this way, when the UE performs neighbor cell measurement, if it is located within the coverage of the AP, the virtual cell can be measured. It should be understood that the base station herein may be a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) in GSM or CDMA, or may be a base station (NodeB) in WCDMA, or may be an evolved Node B (eNB or LTE) in LTE. e-NodeB).

The access network device may determine whether the UE enters the WLAN coverage area according to whether the information of the virtual cell is carried in the neighboring cell measurement message. For example, the frequency of the virtual cell may be a preset specific frequency, which may be unified by the entire network. The access network device may determine, according to the frequency point of each cell in the neighboring cell measurement message, whether the measurement message in the neighboring cell includes the frequency of the virtual cell. If the neighbor measurement message contains the frequency of the virtual cell, the access network device can determine that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area. If the neighbor cell measurement message does not include the frequency of the virtual cell, the access network device may determine that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area.

Optionally, in another embodiment, in step 120, the access network device may send an Internet Protocol (IP) data to the core network device, where the IP data is a differential service code point in the text ( The Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) field is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

Optionally, as another embodiment, in step 120, the access network device may send, to the core network device, a base station subsystem, a Base Station Subsystem-GPRS Protocol (BSSGP) packet, where the BSSGP packet may include The WLAN indicator, the WLAN indicator may be used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

For example, the BSSGP packet header may define a WLAN indicator that may indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

Optionally, as another embodiment, if the neighboring cell measurement message does not carry the information of the virtual cell, the access network device may send a notification message to the core network device, where the notification message may be used to indicate that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area.

For example, the access network device may send an IP data packet to the core network device, and the DSCP field in the IP data packet is used to indicate that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area. Alternatively, the access network device may send a BSSGP packet to the core network device, where the BSSGP packet may include a WLAN indication field. The WLAN indication field may be used to indicate that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when the neighboring cell measurement message is received from the UE, and the neighboring cell measurement message carries the information of the virtual cell generated by the AP, the core network device is notified that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, and the core network device sends the message to the UE. The UE is notified to enter the WLAN coverage area, and the UE does not need to discover the WLAN coverage area through the client software. Therefore, the UE can improve the perception of the WLAN, thereby improving the WLAN's traffic distribution effect on the cellular network.

2 is a schematic flowchart of a method of detecting a WLAN according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method of Figure 2 is performed by a core network device, such as by an SGSN.

The notification message is sent by the access network device after the neighboring cell measurement message received by the UE carries the information of the virtual cell, and the notification message is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, the virtual cell. It is generated by the AP of the WLAN, and the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area.

If the neighboring cell measurement message of the UE carries the information of the virtual cell generated by the AP, the access network device may determine that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, so that the core network device may receive the notification message sent by the access network device.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the core network device may receive an IP data packet from the access network device, where the DSCP field in the IP data packet may be used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

Optionally, as another embodiment, the core network device may receive a BSSGP packet from the access network device, where the BSSGP packet may include a WLAN indicator, and the WLAN indicator is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

220. Notify the UE that the UE enters a WLAN coverage area.

For example, assume that the method of Figure 2 is performed by an SGSN, and the access network device is a BSC. The SGSN may inform the UE to enter the WLAN coverage area to the GPRS Gateway Support Node (GGSN).

For example, the SGSN may transparently transmit the IP data packet sent by the BSC to the GGSN, and the DSCP field in the IP data packet may be used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area. Alternatively, the SGSN may receive a BSSGP message from the BSC, the BSSGP message may include a WLAN indicator, and the WLAN indicator is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area. The SGSN can convert the BSSGP packet into a GTP-U (GPRS Tunneling Protocol-User) packet, and send a GTP-U packet to the GGSN. The GTP-U packet can indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area. In this way, the GGSN can report the UE to the WLAN coverage area to the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), and the PCRF can notify the UE that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area. For example, the PCRF may notify the short message center UE to enter the WLAN coverage area according to the pre-configured short message policy, and the short message center notifies the UE to enter the WLAN coverage area by using the short message mode.

In the embodiment of the present invention, by receiving a notification message for instructing the UE to enter the WLAN coverage area from the access network device, and notifying the UE that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, the UE does not need to discover the WLAN coverage area by using the client software, thereby improving the UE. The perception of the WLAN can improve the offloading effect of the WLAN on the cellular network.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific examples. It should be noted that the examples are intended to provide a better understanding of the scope of the embodiments of the present invention, and not to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a process of a method of detecting a WLAN according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the GSM scenario is taken as an example. The access network device is a BSC, and the core network device is an SGSN.

301. The BSC configures the virtual cell generated by the AP as a neighboring cell of the cell of the neighboring base station of the AP. In the embodiment of the present invention, the AP may include a GSM module, and the GSM module does not need to communicate with the BSC, is not controlled by the BSC, and may only send information and does not access services, but can transmit a GSM signal to generate a GSM virtual cell. The AP can adjust the transmit power of the GSM module so that the GSM virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area.

302. The BSC sends a system message to the UE, where the system message indicates that the network control mode is NC1 or NC2.

For example, the system message can be System Message 13 (System Information 13).

303. The UE sends a neighbor cell measurement message to the BSC.

The UE can perform neighbor cell measurement in a packet transmission state. The UE can receive the transmission level of the virtual cell and can parse the base station color code and network color code information of the virtual cell. In this way, when the UE performs the neighbor measurement, if it is located within the coverage of the AP, the virtual cell can be measured. Since the network control mode is NC1 or NC2, the UE may send a neighbor cell measurement message to the BSC after performing the neighbor cell measurement. Here, the neighbor cell measurement report is a Packet Measurement Report.

304. If the neighboring cell measurement message carries the information of the virtual cell, the BSC determines that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area. For example, the frequency of the virtual cell may be a preset specific frequency point, which may be unified across the entire network. The access network device may determine, according to the frequency point of each cell in the neighboring cell measurement message, whether the measurement message in the neighboring cell includes the frequency of the virtual cell. If the neighbor cell measurement message includes the frequency of the virtual cell, the access network device may determine that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

305. The BSC sends a notification message to the SGSN, where the notification message indicates that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

Optionally, the notification message may be an IP data message. That is, the BSC may send an IP data packet to the SGSN, and the DSCP field of the IP data packet may be used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area. 4a is a schematic diagram of a format of an IP data message according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4b is a schematic diagram of the format of a DSCP field in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 4a and Figure 4b, the BSC can indicate to the SGSN that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area through the DSCP field in the IP data packet. As shown in FIG. 4b, the DSCP field may include a DSCP valid field and an unused field. The bits in the DSCP valid field may be used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, and the bits in the unused field may also be used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area. . This embodiment of the present invention does not limit this. Other fields of the IP data message can refer to the prior art. To avoid repetition, no further details are provided here.

Optionally, the notification message may also be a BSSGP message. That is, the BSC may send a BSSGP message to the SGSN, and the BSSGP message may include a WLAN indicator, and the WLAN indicator may be used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

Table 1 is the cell identifier contained in the BSSGP header.

Identifier, IEI). As shown in Table 1, the WLAN indicator can be defined in the BSSGP header. Other IEIs included in the BSSGP packet header, for example, BSSGP Virtual Connection Identifier (BVCI), BSSGP Virtual Connection (BVC) Bucket Size, Discontinuous Receive (Discontinuous Receive, DRX) Parameters, etc., their specific meanings can refer to the prior art, in order to avoid repetition, no further details will be described herein.

Table 1 IEI in the BSSGP packet header

IEI coding ( Coding ) IEI type

(hexadecimal)

xOO Alignment Octets χθΐ MS default bucket size ( Bmax default MS ) X02 BSS area indication (BSS Area)

Indication )

X03 Bucket Leak Rate x04 BVCI x05 BVC Bucket Size x06 BVC Measurement x07 Cause (Cause)

X08 Cell Identifier x09 Channel Required (XVa) Non-Continuous Receive Parameters (DRX)

Parameters ) x7c GANSS positioning type ( GANSS

Location Type )

X7d GANSS positioning data ( GANSS

Positioning Data )

X7e flow control granularity ( Flow Control

Granularity )

0x9a WLAN Indicator (Indicator) Table 2 shows the location of the WLAN indicator in the Uplink-UNITDATA (UL-UNITDATA) of the BSSGP header. The data unit is transmitted from BSC to SGSN. In Table 2, the UL-UNITDATA PDU may contain other cells in addition to the newly added WLAN indicator, such as Temporary Logical Link Identifier (TLLI), Quality of Service. , QoS) Profile, Packet Flow Identifier (PFI), Localized Service Area (LSA) Identifier List (List), Logical Link Control (Protocol) Data Units (PDUs), etc., and their specific descriptions can refer to the prior art. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein.

Table 2 UL-UNITDATA PDU contents Cell (Type/Reference) (Presence) ( Format ) ( Length )

PDU Type PDU Type /11.3.26 M V ( Value ) 1 Temporary Logical Link Identifier

TLLI/11.3.35 M V 4 ( TLLI )

Quality of service

QoS Console / 11.3.28 M V 3 ( QoS Profile )

Type-length-value

Cell ID ( Cell

Cell ID /11.3.9 M ( Type-Len 10 Identifier )

Gth- Value ,

TLV)

Packet Flow Identifier (PFI) PFI/11.3.42 0 TLV 3 Limited Service Area Identity Column

LSA logo list

Table 0 TLV 3-?

/11.3.18

( LSA Identifier List )

WLAN indicator WLAN indicator

0

( WLAN Indicator ) ( Indicator )

Alignment byte

Align Byte /11.3.1 0 TLV 2-5 Octets )

Logical link control - protocol

Data Unit ( LLC-PDU ) LLC-PDU/11.3.15 M TLV 2-?

(Remarks)

Note: The LLC-PDU length indicator can be 0

Table 3 shows an example of the encoding method of the WLAN indicator. For example, when the value of the WLAN indicator is 0x00, it may indicate that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area; when the value of the WLAN indicator is 0x01, it may indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

Table 3 Examples of how the WLAN indicator is encoded

306. The SGSN sends a first indication message to the GGSN, where the first indication message indicates that the UE enters. WLAN coverage area.

For example, if the BSC informs the SGSN of the UE to enter the WLAN coverage area through the IP datagram in step 305, the SGSN may transparently transmit the IP data message to the GGSN in step 306. That is, the first indication message may be an IP data message.

If the BSC informs the SGSN to enter the WLAN coverage area through the BSSGP message in step 305, the SGSN may convert the BSSGP message into a GTP-U message in step 306, and notify the GGSN of the UE to enter the WLAN coverage through the GTP-U message. region. That is, the first indication message can be a GTP-U message. The GTP-U message may include a WLAN indicator. The value of the WLAN indicator in the GTP-U packet can be the same as the value of the WLAN indicator in the BSSGP packet.

307. The GGSN sends a second indication message to the PCRF, where the second indication message indicates that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

308. The PCRF notifies the UE that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

For example, the PCRF may notify the short message center to enter the WLAN coverage area according to the pre-configured short message policy, and the short message center notifies the UE to enter the WLAN coverage area by using the short message mode.

After the step 303, if the neighboring cell measurement message does not carry the information of the virtual cell, step 309 to step 311 are performed.

309. If the neighbor cell measurement message does not carry the information of the virtual cell, the BSC determines that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area.

310. The BSC sends a notification message to the SGSN, where the notification message indicates that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area.

Optionally, the notification message may be an IP data message. That is, the BSC may send an IP data packet to the SGSN, and the DSCP field of the IP data packet may be used to indicate that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area. The format of the IP data packet can be as shown in Figure 4a. The format of the DSCP field can be as shown in Figure 4b. As shown in FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b, the BSC may indicate to the SGSN that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area by using the DSCP field in the IP data packet.

Optionally, the notification message may also be a BSSGP message. That is, the BSC may send a BSSGP message to the SGSN, and the BSSGP message may include a WLAN indicator, and the WLAN indicator may be used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area. The WLAN indicator can be defined in the BSSGP header, as shown in Table 1. The location of the WLAN indicator in the UL-UNITDATA of the BSSGP header is as shown in Table 2. An example of the encoding method of the WLAN indicator can be as shown in Table 3, for example, When the value of the WLAN indicator is 0x00, it may indicate that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area.

311. The SGSN sends a first indication message to the GGSN, where the first indication message indicates that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area.

For example, if the BSC informs the SGSN that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area through the IP data packet in step 310, the SGSN may transparently transmit the IP data message to the GGSN in step 311. That is, the first indication message may be an IP data message.

If the BSC informs the SGSN that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area through the BSSGP packet in step 310, the SGSN may convert the BSSGP packet into a GTP-U packet in the step 311, and notify the GGSN that the UE does not enter through the GTP-U packet. WLAN coverage area. That is, the first indication message may be a GTP-U message. The GTP-U message may include a WLAN indicator. The value of the WLAN indicator in the GTP-U packet can be the same as the value of the WLAN indicator in the BSSGP packet.

It should be understood that the size of the sequence numbers of the above processes does not imply a sequence of executions, and the order of execution of the processes should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not be construed as limiting the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an access network device according to an embodiment of the present invention. An example of the device 500 of Figure 5 is the BSC. The device 500 includes a receiving unit 510 and a transmitting unit 520.

The receiving unit 510 receives the neighbor cell measurement message from the UE. If the neighboring cell measurement message carries the information of the virtual cell, the sending unit 520 sends a notification message to the core network device, where the notification message is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, so that the core network device notifies the UE that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, where the virtual The cell is generated by the access point of the WLAN, and the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when the neighboring cell measurement message is received from the UE, and the neighboring cell measurement message carries the information of the virtual cell generated by the AP, the core network device is notified that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, and the core network device sends the message to the UE. Notifying the UE to enter the WLAN coverage area does not require the UE to discover the WLAN coverage area through the client software, thereby improving the UE's perception of the WLAN. Thereby, the shunting effect of the WLAN on the cellular network can be improved.

For the other operations and functions of the device 500, reference may be made to the process of accessing the network device in the method embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4b. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein again.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the sending unit 520 may send an IP data packet to the core network device, where the DSCP field in the IP data packet is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

Optionally, as another embodiment, the sending unit 520 may send a BSSGP packet to the core network device, where the BSSGP packet includes a WLAN indicator, and the WLAN indicator is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

Optionally, as another embodiment, the sending unit 520 may further send a system message to the UE before the UE receives the neighboring cell measurement message, where the system message is used to instruct the UE to report the neighbor cell measurement message.

Optionally, as another embodiment, if the neighboring cell measurement message does not carry the information of the virtual cell, the sending unit 520 may further send a notification message to the core network device, where the notification message is used to indicate that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area.

Optionally, as another embodiment, the device 500 may further include a configuration unit 530. The configuration unit 530 can configure the virtual cell as a neighbor before the receiving unit 510 receives the neighbor measurement message from the UE.

6 is a schematic block diagram of a core network device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. An example of the device 600 of Figure 6 is the SGSN. The device 600 includes a receiving unit 610 and a notifying unit 620.

The receiving unit 610 receives the notification message from the access network device, where the notification message is sent by the access network device after determining that the neighboring cell measurement message received by the UE carries the information of the virtual cell, and the notification message is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, and the virtual The cell is generated by the access point of the WLAN, and the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area. The notification unit 620 notifies the UE that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

For other functions and operations of the device 600, reference may be made to the process of the core network device in the method embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4b above. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein again.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the receiving unit 610 may receive the IP number from the access network device. According to the message, the DSCP field in the IP data packet is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

Optionally, as another embodiment, the receiving unit 620 may receive a BSSGP packet from the access network device, where the BSSGP packet includes a WLAN indicator, and the WLAN indicator is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

7 is a schematic block diagram of an access network device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. An example of the device 700 of Figure 7 is the BSC. Device 700 includes a receiver 710 and a transmitter 720.

Receiver 710 receives a neighbor measurement message from the UE. If the neighboring cell measurement message carries the information of the virtual cell, the sender 720 sends a notification message to the core network device, where the notification message is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, so that the core network device notifies the UE that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, where the virtual The cell is generated by the access point of the WLAN, and the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area.

For the other operations and functions of the device 700, reference may be made to the process of accessing the network device in the method embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4b. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein again.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the sender 720 may send an IP data packet to the core network device, where the DSCP field in the IP data packet is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

Optionally, as another embodiment, the transmitter 720 may send a BSSGP packet to the core network device, where the BSSGP packet includes a WLAN indicator, and the WLAN indicator is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

Optionally, as another embodiment, the transmitter 720 may further send a system message to the UE before receiving the neighboring cell measurement message from the UE, where the system message is used to indicate the neighbor cell measurement message on the UE.

Optionally, as another embodiment, if the neighboring cell measurement message does not carry the information of the virtual cell, the transmitter 720 may further send a notification message to the core network device, where the notification message is used to indicate that the UE does not enter the WLAN coverage area.

Optionally, as another embodiment, the device 700 may further include a processor 730. The processor 730 can configure the virtual cell as a neighbor before the receiver 710 receives the neighbor measurement message from the UE. FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a core network device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. An example of device 800 of Figure 8 is the SGSN. Device 800 includes a receiver 810 and a transmitter 820.

The receiver 810 receives the notification message from the access network device, and the notification message is sent by the access network device after determining that the neighboring cell measurement message received by the UE carries the information of the virtual cell, and the notification message is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, and the virtual The cell is generated by the access point of the WLAN, and the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area. The transmitter 820 notifies the UE that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

For other functions and operations of the device 800, reference may be made to the process of the core network device in the method embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4b above. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein again.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the receiver 810 can receive an IP data packet from the access network device, where the DSCP field in the IP data packet is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

Optionally, as another embodiment, the receiver 810 may receive a BSSGP packet from the access network device, where the BSSGP packet includes a WLAN indicator, and the WLAN indicator is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

9 is a schematic block diagram of an AP in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The AP 900 of FIG. 9 includes a WLAN module 910 and a cellular network module 920.

The WLAN module 910 transmits a WLAN signal to form a WLAN coverage area. The cellular network module 920 transmits cellular network signals to generate a virtual cell, wherein the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the virtual cell is generated by the cellular network module included in the AP, and the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area, so that the UE can sense the virtual cell when performing the neighboring cell measurement, so that the AP can be accurately perceived.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the AP 900 may further include a processing module 930. The processing module 930 can adjust the transmit power of the cellular network module 920 such that the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area.

The cellular network module 920 can generate a virtual cell by transmitting cellular network signals. The cellular network module 920 may not need to communicate with the access network device and is not controlled by the access network device. For example, bee The nest network module 920 can only send information, not access services, and the like. The UE can receive the transmission level of the virtual cell and can parse the base station color code and network color code information of the virtual cell. The processing module 930 can adjust the transmit power of the cellular network module 920 such that the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area. In this way, when the UE performs the neighbor cell measurement, if it is located within the coverage of the AP 900, the virtual cell can be measured. In addition, the virtual cell can be configured with a unified frequency point of the entire network, so that the access network device can identify the virtual cell by using the frequency point.

For example, the cellular network module 920 can be a GSM module. The GSM module does not need to communicate with the BSC, is not controlled by the BSC, can only transmit information, does not access services, but can transmit GSM signals to generate a GSM virtual cell. The processing module 930 can adjust the transmit power of the GSM module, so that the GSM virtual cell and the WLAN area are in the same coverage, so that the UE can accurately perceive the virtual cell when performing neighbor cell measurement, so that the AP can be accurately perceived.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of an AP according to an embodiment of the present invention. The AP 1000 of Figure 10 includes a WLAN transmitter 1010 and a cellular network transmitter 1020.

The WLAN transmitter 1010 transmits a WLAN signal to form a WLAN coverage area. The cellular network transmitter 1020 transmits a cellular network signal to generate a virtual cell, wherein the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the AP 1000 may further include a processor 1030. The processor 1030 can adjust the transmit power of the cellular network transmitter 1020 such that the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area.

The cellular network transmitter 1020 can generate a virtual cell by transmitting a cellular network signal. The cellular network transmitter 1020 may not need to communicate with the access network device and is not controlled by the access network device. For example, the cellular network transmitter 1020 can only send information, not access services, and the like. The UE can receive the transmission level of the virtual cell and can parse the base station color code and network color code information of the virtual cell. The processor 1030 can adjust the transmit power of the cellular network transmitter 1020 such that the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area. In this way, when the UE performs neighbor cell measurement, if it is located within the coverage of the AP 1000, the virtual cell can be measured. In addition, the virtual cell can be configured with a unified frequency point of the entire network, so that the access network device can identify the virtual cell by using the frequency point.

For example, the cellular network transmitter 1020 can be a GSM transmitter, and the GSM transmitter does not need to It communicates with the BSC and is not controlled by the BSC. It can transmit only information and does not access services, but can transmit GSM signals to generate a GSM virtual cell. The processor 1030 can adjust the transmit power of the GSM transmitter so that the GSM virtual cell and the WLAN area are in the same coverage, so that the UE can accurately perceive the virtual cell when performing the neighbor cell measurement, so that the AP can be accurately perceived.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements and algorithm steps of the various examples described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in a combination of electronic hardware or computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the solution. A person skilled in the art can use different methods for implementing the described functions for each particular application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of the present invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, for the convenience of the description and the cleaning process, the specific operation of the system, the device and the unit described above may be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

In the several embodiments provided herein, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the unit is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be another division manner, for example, multiple units or components may be combined or Can be integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored, or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, and may be electrical, mechanical or otherwise.

The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, may be located in one place, or may be distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the objectives of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

The functions may be stored in a computer readable storage medium if implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as a standalone product. Based on such understanding, a portion of the technical solution of the present invention that contributes in essence or to the prior art or a portion of the technical solution may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions to make a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, Or a network device or the like) performing all or part of the steps of the method of the various embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and the like, which can store program codes. .

The above is only the specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present invention. It should be covered by the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Rights request

1. A method for detecting a wireless local area network, characterized by including:

Receive neighbor cell measurement messages from user equipment UE;

If the neighbor cell measurement message carries virtual cell information, a notification message is sent to the core network device. The notification message is used to instruct the UE to enter the wireless local area network WLAN coverage area, so that the core network device can notify the UE The UE is notified to enter the WLAN coverage area, where the virtual cell is generated by an access point of the WLAN, and the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that sending a notification message to the core network device includes:

Send an Internet Protocol IP data message to the core network device, where the Differentiated Services Code Point DSCP field in the IP data message is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that sending a notification message to the core network device includes:

Send a base station subsystem general wireless packet service protocol BSSGP message to the core network device, where the BSSGP message includes a WLAN indicator, and the WLAN indicator is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, before receiving the neighbor cell measurement message from the UE, it further includes:

Send a system message to the UE, where the system message is used to instruct the UE to report the neighbor cell measurement message.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: if the neighbor cell measurement message does not carry the information of the virtual cell, sending a notification message to the core network device , the notification message is used to indicate that the UE has not entered the WLAN coverage area.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, before receiving the neighbor cell measurement message from the UE, it further includes:

The virtual cell is configured as a neighbor cell.

7. A method for detecting wireless local area networks, characterized by including:

Receive a notification message from the access network device, the notification message is sent by the access network device after determining that the neighbor cell measurement message received from the user equipment UE carries information about the virtual cell, the notification message The message is used to instruct the UE to enter the wireless local area network WLAN coverage area, the virtual cell is generated by the access point of the WLAN, and the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area;

Notify the UE that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, receiving the notification message from the access network device includes:

An Internet Protocol IP data message is received from the access network device, where the Differentiated Services Code Point DSCP field in the IP data message is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that receiving the notification message from the access network device includes:

A base station subsystem general wireless packet service protocol BSSGP message is received from the access network device, and the BSSGP message includes a WLAN indicator, and the WLAN indicator is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

10. An access network device, characterized by: including:

A receiving unit, configured to receive the neighbor cell measurement message from the user equipment UE;

A sending unit, configured to send a notification message to the core network device if the neighbor cell measurement message carries virtual cell information, where the notification message is used to instruct the UE to enter the wireless local area network WLAN coverage area so that the core network can The device notifies the UE that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area, where the virtual cell is generated by an access point of the WLAN, and the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area.

11. The access network device according to claim 10, wherein the sending unit is specifically configured to send an Internet Protocol IP data message to the core network device, wherein the differential services in the IP data message The code point DSCP field is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

12. The access network device according to claim 10, characterized in that, the sending unit is specifically configured to send a Base Station Subsystem General Wireless Packet Service Protocol BSSGP message to the core network device, and the BSSGP message includes WLAN indicator, the WLAN indicator is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

13. The access network device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, the sending unit is further configured to send a system message to the UE before receiving the neighbor cell measurement message from the UE. , the system message is used to instruct the UE to report the neighbor cell measurement message.

14. The access network device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, The sending unit is also configured to send a notification message to the core network device if the neighbor cell measurement message does not carry the information of the virtual cell, where the notification message is used to indicate that the UE has not entered the WLAN coverage area.

15. The access network device according to any one of claims 10 to 14, further comprising:

A configuration unit configured to configure the virtual cell as a neighbor cell before the receiving unit receives the neighbor cell measurement message from the UE.

16. A core network equipment, characterized by: including:

A receiving unit configured to receive a notification message from the access network device, where the notification message is sent by the access network device after determining that the neighbor cell measurement message received from the user equipment UE carries the information of the virtual cell, and the notification message is Used to instruct the UE to enter the wireless local area network WLAN coverage area, the virtual cell is generated by the access point of the WLAN, and the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area;

A notification unit, configured to notify the UE that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

17. The core network device according to claim 16, wherein the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive an Internet Protocol IP data message from the access network device, wherein the differential services in the IP data message The code point DSCP field is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

18. The core network device according to claim 16, wherein the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive a Base Station Subsystem General Wireless Packet Service Protocol BSSGP message from the access network device, and the BSSGP message includes WLAN indicator, the WLAN indicator is used to indicate that the UE enters the WLAN coverage area.

19. An access point, characterized by: including:

Wireless LAN WLAN module, used to transmit WLAN signals to form a WLAN coverage area;

A cellular network module, configured to transmit cellular network signals to generate a virtual cell, where the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area.

20. The access point according to claim 19, further comprising:

A processing module configured to adjust the transmit power of the cellular network module so that the coverage area of the virtual cell is the same as the WLAN coverage area.